Table of Contents
reading the writings of Quddús himself. Shortly after his arrival, Quddús had composed three homilies: the first entirely devoted to the Báb, the second devoted to Bahá’u’lláh, and the third devoted to Táhirih.6_ACT9 To this was added the other writings of Quddús which he composed, in spite of all the hardships, during the period of the siege of Fort Shaykh Tabarsí right to the very end. This was all food for the soul of the companions during the siege. Nabíl records:
The rapidity and copiousness of his [Quddús’] composition, the inestimable treasures which his writings revealed, filled his companions with wonder and justified his leadership in their eyes. They read eagerly the pages of that commentary [on Sád of Samad]7_ACT9 which Mullá Husayn brought to them each day and to which he paid his share of tribute.8_ACT9 , 9_ACT9
Quddús was clear to the companions about what lay ahead. Referring to the afflictions that were to come, he compared them to the calamities that befell the Prophet Job, and told the companions:
Such will be the measure of our calamity that none but he who has been endowed with constancy and patience will be able to survive them.10_ACT9
The profound reverence and obedience which Mullá Husayn from the very start had shown Quddús was soon adopted by all the companions. The companions observed how at times, even in the midst of the night, Mullá Husayn would be seen quietly circumambulating11_ACT9 ,in a state of prayer, the part of the fort where Quddús was sleeping. 12_ACT9
Such was life in the fort of Shaykh Tabarsí at this time. The calamities foreshadowed by Quddús would soon arrive.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
368 / 803