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Not yet. Not until the aggressor forces us to protect ourselves must our swords leave their scabbards.
27ACT8
He had scarcely uttered these words, when the fire of the enemy was directed against them. Six of the companions were immediately killed. The appeal was again raised by another of the companions:
Beloved leader, we have risen and followed you with no desire except to sacrifice ourselves in the path of the Cause we have embraced. Allow us, we pray you, to defend ourselves, and suffer us not to fall so disgracefully a victim to the fire of the enemy.
28ACT8
But Mullá Husayn replied:
The time is not yet come; the number is as yet incomplete.
29ACT8
Virtually immediately a bullet struck and killed Siyyid Ridá, a believer from Yazd – a man known for his pure and simple ways, who out of respect, had walked all the way from Mashhad alongside Mullá Husayn’s horse ready to meet his every need.
30ACT8
With this, Mullá Husayn raised his eyes to the sky and called out:
Behold, O God, my God, the plight of Thy chosen companions, and witness the welcome which these people have accorded Thy loved ones. Thou knowest that we cherish no other desire than to guide them to the way of Truth and to confer upon them the knowledge of Thy Revelation. Thou hast Thyself commanded us to defend our lives against the assaults of the enemy. Faithful to Thy command, I now arise with my companions to resist the attack which they have launched against us.
31ACT8
The tree, the musket-barrel, and the man – all in a single stroke
With these words, Mullá Husayn unsheathed his sword and spurred his charger into the midst of the enemy. Nabíl records what happened next:
Mullá Husayn pursued, with marvellous intrepidity, the assailant of his fallen companion. His opponent, who was afraid to face him, took refuge behind a
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