Table of Contents
Section Three: They Trickle into Shíráz
Following the incident at the Masjid-i-Vakíl, the Báb’s next few months were a life of comparative tranquility spent with his family and kinsmen, with visits from certain of His followers. He celebrated the first Naw-Rúz 29ACT4
since He had declared His Mission in the calm of His own home in Shíráz. It is March 1845.
Karbalá’: The Bridge of Sirát has many crossings
Before setting off on His pilgrimage towards the end of 1844, the Báb had instructed many of His followers [now known as Bábís ]to gather in Karbalá’, with the promise that He would join them there after His pilgrimage. His followers expected the fulfillment of one of the hadíth 30ACT4
which prophecies that the Qá’im would appear in Kúfa [which is besides Najaf and about 45 miles south of Karbalá’]. Their expectation was that from there, together with the Báb as their leader, they would initiate an uprising and conquer the world.31ACT4
However, shortly after Naw-Rúz 1845, an epistle from the Báb reached the Bábís gathered in Karbalá’ saying that there was a change in His plan, and He would not be coming. Instead, He directed them to go to Isfáhán and remain there until receipt of further instructions. This change in the plans of the Báb created a big stir among His followers and tested their faith. Some faltered and could not make this new crossing of the metaphoric Bridge of Sirát , but others remained firm in their faith. However, the crossings of this Bridge are many. And perhaps the most difficult crossing is the test of other people who profess to believe but have other agendas. These are people who have fallen off the Bridge and as they fall, they try
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