Table of Contents
The first to embrace the Faith in Mashhad area was the eminent Shaykhí leader Mírzá Ahmad of Azghand . He was considered by all to the most learned and wisest of all the ‘ulamá [learned clergy] of that province. His recognition of the Báb was rapidly followed by that of several other highly learned ones: 45ACT3
– Ahmad-i-Mu’allim , who in Karbalá’ had been the instructor of Siyyid Kázim’s children;
– Shaykh ‘Alí , who will later be surnamed ‘Azim [means Great] by the Báb, and we will see later is the close friend of Vahíd who arranges for him to meet the Báb;
– Muhammad-i-Furúghí , whose learning was only surpassed by Mírzá Ahmad of Azghand. We will see later that Furúghí will eventually go to Fort Shaykh Tabarsí and become one of its few survivors;
– Muhammad Báqir-i-Qá’iní , who places his home and resources at the disposal of Mullá Husayn. It is next to this house that in a few years’ time Mullá Husayn at the direction of Quddús builds another house, which becomes the main centre of Bábí activity in the region and known as Bábíyyih . Many souls are taught there. Báqir-i-Qá’iní will also eventually go with Mullá Husayn to Fort Shaykh Tabarsí, where he will die a martyr.
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