Table of Contents
Section Three: Bahá’u’lláh’s Release and Banishment
The efforts to kill Bahá’u’lláh
The enemies of Bahá’u’lláh tried everything they could to have Him executed, but their plans were not destined to work. The Sháh’s mother had developed a vindictive attitude towards Bahá’u’lláh and wanted very much to have him executed.40_ACT16 As part of this plan, they got a former servant of Hájí Sulaymán Khán, a youth named ‘Abbás, who knew all the Bábís his master had associated with, to go around and point out individuals as Bábís. Nabíl records that:
This ‘Abbás was taken to the Síyáh-Chál and introduced to Bahá’u’lláh, whom he had met previously on several occasions in the company of his master, in the hope that he would betray Him. They promised that the mother of the Sháh would amply reward him for such a betrayal. Every time he was taken into Bahá’u’lláh’s presence, ‘Abbás, after standing a few moments before Him and gazing upon His face, would leave the place, emphatically denying ever having seen Him. Having failed in their efforts, they resorted to poison, in the hope of obtaining the favour of the mother of their sovereign. They were able to intercept the food that their Prisoner was permitted to receive from His home, and mixed with it the poison they hoped would be fatal to Him. This measure, though impairing the health of Bahá’u’lláh for years, failed to achieve its purpose. 41_ACT16
‘Azím confesses
Finding they could not charge Bahá’u’lláh as the prime mover of that assassination attempt, the investigating authorities decided to transfer the responsibility for this act to ‘Azím, whom they now accused of being the real author of the crime. By this means they endeavoured to at least obtain the favour of the mother of the Sháh. ‘Azím had already been arrested. He was questioned as to whether he regarded Bahá’u’lláh as the responsible leader of the group that had made the assassination attempt. His response which was taken down as evidence was:
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