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war must needs himself march at the head of his followers, and by his own deeds kindle their devotion and sustain their enthusiasm?”
36ACT8
The inhabitants of Bárfurúsh now surrendered and raised the cry of “Peace, peace!”. As this was ongoing, the companions of Mullá Husayn, came riding in, with the cry of Yá Sáhibu’z-Zamán [O Lord of the Age] 37ACT8.The companions were astounded and elated, as they had given up hope of finding Mullá Husayn alive. Now they found him seated erect on his horse, unhurt and unaffected by the fierceness of the onslaught. Each reverently approached him and kissed his stirrups.
It was now the afternoon and the peace which the inhabitants of Bárfurúsh had implored was granted by Mullá Husayn. Nabíl records that Mullá Husayn spoke these words to the crowd:
O followers of the Prophet of God, and shí’ahs of the Imáms of His Faith! Why have you risen against us? Why deem the shedding of our blood an act meritorious in the sight of God? Did we ever repudiate the truth of your Faith? Is this the hospitality which the Apostle of God has enjoined His followers to accord to both the faithful and the infidel? What have we done to merit such condemnation on your part? Consider: I alone, with no other weapon than my sword, have been able to face the rain of bullets which the inhabitants of Bárfurúsh have poured upon me, and have emerged unscathed from the midst of the fire with which you have besieged me. Both my person and my horse have escaped unhurt from your overwhelming attack. Except for the slight scratch which I received on my face, you have been powerless to wound me. God has protected me and willed to establish in your eyes the ascendancy of His Faith.
38ACT8
With this, Mullá Husayn ordered his companions to head out, and they left the Bárfurúsh town-centre for the nearby caravanserai [roadside inn] at Sabzih-Maydán
[Green Field/Square].
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