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be gained, he gave the signal to retreat, remaining himself with the rear guard.39_ACT9
No less than ninety of the companions were wounded that night, most of whom would eventually succumb to their injuries.40_ACT9
Dawn of 2 February 1849: Mullá Husayn dies
Nabíl recounts the following he heard from Mullá Sádiq-i-Khurásání and Mírzá Muhammad-i-Fúrúghí , two distinguished believers who were survivors of Fort Shaykh Tabarsí:
We were among those who had remained in the fort with Quddús. As soon as Mullá Husayn, who seemed to have lost consciousness, was brought in, we were ordered to retire. “Leave me alone with him,” were the words of Quddús as he bade Mírzá Muhammad-Báqir close the door and refuse admittance to anyone desiring to see him. “There are certain confidential matters which I desire him alone to know.” We were amazed a few moments later when we heard the voice of Mullá Husayn replying to questions from Quddús. For two hours they continued to converse with each other. We were surprised to see Mírzá Muhammad-Báqir so greatly agitated. “I was watching Quddús,” he subsequently informed us, “through a fissure in the door. As soon as he called his name, I saw Mullá Husayn arise and seat himself, in his customary manner, on bended knees beside him. With bowed head and downcast eyes, he listened to every word that fell from the lips of Quddús, and answered his questions. “You have hastened the hour of your departure,” I was able to hear Quddús remark, “and have abandoned me to the mercy of my foes. Please God, I will ere long join you and taste the sweetness of heaven’s ineffable delights.” I was able to gather the following words uttered by Mullá Husayn: “May my life be a ransom for you. Are you well pleased with me?”
A long time elapsed before Quddús bade Mírzá Muhammad-Báqir open the door and admit his companions. “I have bade my last farewell to him,” he said, as we entered the room. “Things which previously I deemed it unallowable to utter I have now shared with him.” We found on our arrival
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