Section Five: The Báb’s Farewell to Quddús
The Báb and His companions arrived back in Búshihr about seven months from the time they first left that port to go on Hajj. Soon after their return, the Báb summoned Quddús, and very lovingly asked him to make arrangements to go Shíráz. As He bade farewell to Quddús, it was clear that this was the Báb’s last meeting with him in the physical realm. The Báb in His parting words to Quddús laid out what was destined to happen both to Quddús and Himself:
The days of your companionship with Me, are drawing to a close. The hour of separation has struck, a separation which no reunion will follow except in the Kingdom of God, in the presence of the King of Glory. In this world of dust, no more than nine fleeting months of association with Me have been allotted to you. On the shores of the Great Beyond, however, in the realm of immortality, joy of eternal reunion awaits us. The hand of destiny will ere long plunge you into an ocean of tribulation for His sake. I, too, will follow you; I, too, will be immersed beneath its depths. Rejoice with exceeding gladness, for you have been chosen as the standard-bearer of the host of affliction, and are standing in the vanguard of the noble army that will suffer martyrdom in His name. In the streets of Shíráz, indignities will be heaped upon you, and the severest injuries will afflict your body. You will survive the ignominious behaviour of your foes, and will attain the presence of Him who is the one object of our adoration and love 100ACT3 . In His presence you will forget all the harm and disgrace that shall have befallen you. The hosts of the Unseen will hasten forth to assist you, and will proclaim to all the world your heroism and glory. Yours will be the ineffable joy of quaffing the cup of martyrdom for His sake. I, too, shall tread the path of sacrifice, and will join you in the realm of eternity. 101ACT3
And so Quddús, as with the other Letters of the Living, begins his journey. On that path, which will eventually lead to his martyrdom, he will awaken many souls who will join him to become part of an immortal band of spiritual heroines and heroes. What follows now is the story of what they did.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
End of ”DB 4-7: The Dawn Spreads”
Table of Contents
