Table of Contents
Naw-Rúz 1849
Naw-Rúz57_ACT9 1849 arrived. Though oppressed by hunger and weak in body, the companions in the fort used this occasion to give voice to their feelings of thanksgiving and praise to the Almighty for the many blessings their souls had received. The army besieging the fort was shocked to hear the loud chants of praise and songs which arose from the fort. They just couldn’t fathom how these Bábí’s were joyous in spite of their dire physical conditions.
55_ACT9
On the day of Naw-Rúz, Quddús addressed a written message to the companions, in which he alluded to the approach of such trials as would bring in their wake the martyrdom of a considerable number of the companions. Except for a very few, who would subsequently not be able to handle the even more severe hardships that came, all the other companions faced the future with boundless courage and radiant spirits.
58_ACT9
Ninth day after Naw-Rúz 1849:
On the ninth day after Naw-Rúz, the amassed forces of the Prince and the other captains ordered their artillery to open fire on the fort. Cannon balls rained down on it. While the bombardment was in progress, Quddús came out and walked to the middle of the fort. A cannon ball landed just in front, but Quddús face was wreathed in smiles, and his demeanour breathed forth the utmost tranquillity. Turning to the companions, he calmly reminded them of their glorious station:
Beware lest you allow the encroachments of self and desire to impair so glorious a station. Fear not the threats of the wicked, neither be dismayed by the clamour of the ungodly. Each one of you has his appointed hour, … If the powers of the earth league themselves against you, they will be powerless, ere that hour strikes, to lessen by one jot or tittle the span of your life. Should you allow your hearts to be agitated for but one moment by the booming of these guns which, with increasing violence, will continue to shower their shot upon this fort, you will have cast yourselves out of the stronghold of Divine protection. 59_ACT9
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