Table of Contents
Section Four: Táhirih’s Journey – Karbalá’ to Qazvín to Tihrán
Táhirih in Karbalá
We have described Táhirih’s background before [DB 1-2, Section 4]. We also discussed how Táhirih had gone to Karbalá’ to meet Siyyid Kázim but arrived a short while after his passing [DB 1-2, Section 4]. This was in early 1844. When soon thereafter the few disciples of Siyyid Kázim had set out to seek the Qá’im, she had sent a sealed letter with her brother-in-law who was part of that group, with the instructions to deliver it to the Qá’im, when he met Him [DB 3, Section 1]. This brother-in-law [Mírzá Muhammad-’Alíy-i-Qazvíní, who became one of the Letters of the Living] delivered the letter when he met the Báb, and the Báb designated Táhirih as one of the Letters of the Living [DB 3, Section 3]. The Báb also sent a response back to Táhirih via her brother-in-law, which he did deliver when he returned to Karbalá’. Although Táhirih’s hometown was Qazvín and her husband was residing there, by this time the couple were estranged. So, upon receiving the response from the Báb, Táhirih just remained in Karbalá’, staying with the widow of Siyyid Kázim. Nabíl records what Táhirih did during this period:
She arose to spread abroad His [the Báb’s] teachings, vehemently denounced the corruption and perversity of her generation, and fearlessly advocated a fundamental revolution in the habits and manners of her people. Her indomitable spirit was quickened by the fire of her love for the Báb, and the glory of her vision was further enhanced by the discovery of the inestimable blessings latent in His Revelation. The innate fearlessness and the strength of her character were reinforced a hundredfold by her immovable conviction of the ultimate victory of the Cause she had embraced; and her boundless energy was revitalised by her recognition of the abiding value of the Mission she had risen to champion. All who met her in Karbilá were ensnared by her bewitching eloquence and felt the fascination of her words. None could resist her charm; few could escape the contagion of her belief. All testified to the extraordinary traits of her character, marvelled at her amazing personality, and were convinced of the sincerity of her convictions.47ACT6
Táhirih’s initial efforts won a few over to the Faith of the Báb, which included not only women such as the highly respected widow of Siyyid Kázim [she was one of the
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