Section Seven: The Promise is Broken and the Companions Massacred
10 May 1849: The Prince’s promise sealed with the Qur’án is repeated
At daybreak a messenger arrived, summoning MĂrzá Muhammad-Báqir to the presence of the Prince. With the consent of QuddĂşs, MĂrzá Muhammad-Báqir went to the Prince and returned an hour later. He informed QuddĂşs, that the Prince in the presence of his captain Sulaymán Khán-i-Afshár
had reiterated the assurances he had given and treated him with consideration. The Prince had said: “My oath is irrevocable and sacred.”
83_ACT9The Prince had also said that the next day he would accompany Quddús to the public bath, and from there, the whole Bábà group would proceed to Sang-Sar on horses that would be provided. From there the group would be asked to disperse and return to their homes right away.
On hearing these proposed steps by the Prince, Quddús remarked: “I am of the opinion that what his tongue professes, his heart does not believe at all.” 84_ACT9 With this he asked his companions to disperse that very night, and that he himself would soon proceed to Bárfurúsh. The companions were dismayed and begged Quddús not to be separated from him. He counselled them to be calm and patient and assured them that they would eventually meet again. His parting words were:
Weep not, the reunion which will follow this separation will be such as shall eternally endure. We have committed our Cause to the care of God; whatever be His will and pleasure, the same we will joyously accept. 85_ACT9
11 May 1849: The Prince breaks his promise
The next day, instead of coming to Quddús, the Prince sent a message asking Quddús and several of the companions to ride out and come to the Prince’s headquarters. A little while after Quddús and the selected companions had left, the Prince’s attendants came to the rest of the companions and lied to them that Quddús had asked them to join him at the Prince’s headquarters.
Table of Contents
