Conference of Badasht2 – Dawn Breakers

Every believer is given a new name

For the believers present at Badasht, these were heady and challenging days. Reinforcing the concept of the dawn of the New Dispensation and a rebirth, Bahá’u’lláh also conferred a new name on every believer there. Most of the believers, however, did not know who had given them the new name. He Himself was henceforth designated by the name Bahá. Upon the last Letter of the Living was conferred the title by which we now know him, Quddús [the Most Holy]. Upon Qurratu’l-‘Ayn was conferred the title of Táhirih [the Pure One]. Subsequently, the Báb addressed tablets to each one of these believers, in which He calls each by the specific name conferred on them by Bahá’u’lláh. Nabíl also notes:

When, at a later time, a number of the more rigid and conservative among her fellow-disciples chose to accuse Táhirih of indiscreetly rejecting the time-honoured traditions of the past, the Báb, to whom these complaints had been addressed, replied in the following terms: “What am I to say regarding her whom the Tongue of Power and Glory has named Táhirih [the Pure One]?”

Táhirih and Quddús plan a transition to soften the challenge

To soften the effects of the challenge of abrogating the laws and ordinances of the previous Dispensation [Islám], a plan had been agreed upon in advance between Quddús and Táhirih. Táhirih was to represent and argue the independent character of the Revelation of the Báb, and to emphasize the abrogation of the previous Dispensation, while Quddús was to oppose her revolutionary views and to argue for a more gradual approach. This pattern was consistently followed from the start of the gathering right to its final and dramatic climax.

Táhirih Takes Off Her Veil: “I am the Word which the Qá’im is to utter”

Nabíl records what happened at the dramatic climax of the gathering:

Illness, one day, confined Bahá’u’lláh to His bed. Quddús, as soon as he heard of His indisposition, hastened to visit Him. He seated himself, when

297 / 803