On that very day, a few
hours before sunset, whilst walking outside the gate of the city, his eyes fell
suddenly upon a Youth of radiant countenance, who wore a green turban and who,
advancing towards him, greeted him with a smile of loving welcome. He embraced
Mullá Husayn with tender affection as though he had been his intimate and
lifelong friend. Mullá Husayn
thought Him at first to be a disciple of Siyyid Kázim who, on being informed of
his approach to Shíráz, had come out to welcome him.
…‘The Youth [the Báb] who met me [Mulla Husayn] outside
the gate of Shíráz overwhelmed me with expressions of affection and
loving-kindness. He extended to me a warm invitation to visit His home, and
there refresh myself after the fatigues of my journey. I prayed to be excused,
pleading that my two companions had already arranged for
my stay in that city, and were now awaiting my return. “Commit them to the care
of God,” was His reply; “He will surely protect and watch over them.” Having
spoken these words, He bade me follow Him. I was profoundly impressed by the
gentle yet compelling manner in which that strange Youth spoke to me. As I
followed Him, His gait, the charm of His voice, the dignity of His bearing,
served to enhance my first impressions of this unexpected meeting.’
(Nabil, ‘The Dawn-Breakers’, Translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)
