The First Awakener – Page 8

Within a brief period, Siyyid Kázim became Shaykh Ahmad’s trusted aide. Shortly after, Shaykh Ahmad left Yazd, asking his disciples to seek guidance from Siyyid Kázim. Initially, some older disciples were jealous of Siyyid Kázim, yet over time, they came to appreciate his profound knowledge and noble character.26ACT1

Shaykh Ahmad travels

Leaving Yazd, Shaykh Ahmad embarked on a journey across various regions of Persia, where he fervently propagated his teachings aimed at revitalizing Islam. His travels took him to Mashhad in the East, then north to Núr, and eventually to the capital city of Tihrán. Everywhere he went, Shaykh Ahmad was warmly welcomed and held in high esteem by many, although in certain places there were segments of the ‘ulamá

who did not agree with his teachings and strongly opposed him. Among his admirers was the eldest son of the reigning Sháh at the time, Fath ‘Alí Sháh

. During Shaykh Ahmad’s stay in Tihrán, the Sháh had a special dream affirming Shaykh Ahmad’s spiritual station, prompting the Sháh to pay him a visit. In this encounter, Fath ‘Alí Sháh honoured Shaykh Ahmad as “the pride of his nation and a beacon of enlightenment for his people.”

²⁵ Dawn-Breakers Chapter 1, p10; Qur’án 33:72

²⁶ Dawn-Breakers Chapter 1, p10-11

²⁷ ‘ulamá is the Farsí word for individuals learned in Islam. It is the plural term used to refer to Islamic clergy (religious leaders). The singular is mullá

²⁸ These included Mullá Taqí-i-Baraqání, Táhirih’s uncle [and father-in-law] in Qazvín, whose opposition feeds anti-Shaykhí actions in Qazvín and eventually leads to Mullá Taqí being killed by a Shaykhí [Act 6, Chapter 4].

²⁹ Dawn-Breakers Chapter 1, p12

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