God’s Hidden Treasure4 – Dawn Breakers

After dinner, once all the believers had left, Quddús asked Mullá Husayn if he could share anything more particular about his intimate experiences with the Báb. Mullá Husayn recounted for Quddús all the Báb had told him. He also told Quddús that unlike previous meetings, when at the end the Báb always assured Mullá Husayn when they would meet again, this time the Báb had said nothing about meeting again. This lead Mullá Husayn to realize that this was his last meeting with the Báb on this physical plane, especially because the Báb’s last words to him had been: “The Feast of Sacrifice is fast approaching. Arise and gird up the loin of endeavour, and let nothing detain you from achieving your destiny. Having attained your destination, prepare yourself to receive Us, for We too shall ere long follow you.” From this, Mullá Husayn had understood that he was to be martyred and the Báb would also be martyred shortly thereafter.

“God’s Hidden Treasure”

Nabíl then recounts what happened next:

Quddús enquired whether he [Mullá Husayn] had brought with him any of his Master’s writings, and, on being informed that he had none with him, presented his guest with the pages of a manuscript which he had in his possession, and requested him to read certain of its passages. As soon as he had read a page of that manuscript, his [Mullá Husayn’s] countenance underwent a sudden and complete change. His features betrayed an undefinable expression of admiration and surprise. The loftiness, the profundity – above all, the penetrating influence of the words he had read, provoked intense agitation in his heart and called forth the utmost praise from his lips. Laying down the manuscript, he said: “I can well realise that the Author of these words has drawn His inspiration from that Fountainhead which stands immeasurably superior to the sources whence the learning of men is ordinarily derived. I hereby testify to my whole-hearted recognition of the sublimity of these words and to my unquestioned acceptance of the truth which they reveal.” From the silence which Quddús observed, as well as from the expression which his countenance betokened, Mullá Husayn concluded that no one else except his host could have penned those words. He instantly arose from his seat and, standing with bowed head at the threshold of the door, reverently declared:

“The hidden treasure of which the Báb has spoken, now lies unveiled before my eyes. Its light has dispelled the gloom of perplexity and doubt. Though my Master be now hidden amid the mountain fastnesses of Ádhirbáyján, the sign of His splendour and the revelation of His might stand manifest before me. I have found in Mázindarán the reflection of His glory.”

… That very moment, he pledged his undying loyalty to him who so powerfully mirrored forth the radiance of his own beloved Master. He felt it to be his first obligation to subordinate himself entirely to Quddús, to follow in his footsteps, to abide by his will, and to ensure by every means in his power his welfare and safety. Until the hour of his martyrdom, Mullá Husayn remained faithful to his pledge.

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