The turmoil arose because these highly respected and influential learned men were actively proclaiming their Faith to the populace. This was particularly prominent in the major town of Khuy
, and it reached a climax with the conversion of the high ranking official Mírzá Asadu’lláh
, who was also highly acclaimed for his literary learning. Mírzá Asadu’lláh’s father was an intimate friend of the Grand Vazír himself. What made the conversion of Mírzá Asadu’lláh so dramatic was that he was widely known to vehemently denounce the Báb and His Message. The events that led to his conversion were as follows:
One-night Mírzá Asadu’lláh had a dream which was based on two verses of the Qur’án. When he awoke, he would not tell anyone about his dream. Instead, he wrote a request to the Báb:
I have conceived three definite things in my mind. I request you to reveal to me their nature. 9ACT7
This written request was taken to the Báb by one of the other leading ‘ulamá of Khuy, who had already met the Báb in Chihríq and become a believer.
A few days later, Mírzá Asadu’lláh received a reply penned by the Báb Himself. In it the Báb describes in detail the dream and reveals the exact verses of the Qur’án that Mírzá Asadu’lláh had dreamt about. Nabíl records:
The accuracy of that reply brought about a sudden conversion. Though unused to walking, Mírzá Asadu’lláh hastened on foot along that steep and stony path which led from Khuy to the castle. His friends tried to induce him to proceed on horseback to Chihríq, but he refused their offer. His meeting with the Báb confirmed him in his belief and excited that fiery ardour which he continued to manifest to the end of his life.
That same year the Báb had expressed His desire that forty of His companions should each undertake to compose a treatise and seek, by the aid of verses and traditions, to establish the validity of His Mission. His wishes were instantly obeyed, and the result of their labours was duly submitted to His presence. Mírzá Asadu’lláh’s treatise won the unqualified admiration of the Bab and ranked highest in His estimation. He bestowed on him the name Dayyán
and revealed in his honour the
Lawh-i-Hurúfát [Tablet of the Letters] …
10ACT7
Table of Contents
