His [the Báb’s] visit to Hijáz was marked by two episodes of
particular importance. The first was the declaration of His mission and His
open challenge to the haughty Mírzá Muhít-i-Kirmání, one of the most
outstanding exponents of the Shaykhí school, who at times went so
far as to assert his independence of the leadership of that school assumed after
the death of Siyyid Kázim by Hájí Muhammad Karím Khán, a redoubtable
enemy of the Bábí Faith. The second was the invitation, in the form of an
Epistle, conveyed by Quddús, to the Sherif of Mecca, in which the custodian of
the House of God was called upon to embrace the truth of the new Revelation.
Absorbed in his own pursuits the Sherif however failed to respond. Seven years
later, when in the course of a conversation with a certain Hájí Níyáz-i-Baghdádí,
this same Sherif was informed of the circumstances attending the mission and
martyrdom of the Prophet of Shíráz, he listened attentively to the
description of those events and expressed his indignation at the tragic fate
that had overtaken Him.
(Shoghi Effendi, ‘God Passes By’)
