The opening scene of the initial act of this great drama
[the Advent of the Báb] was laid in the upper chamber of the modest residence
of the son of a mercer of Shíráz, in an obscure corner of that city. The
time was the hour before sunset, on the 22nd day of May, 1844. The participants
were the Báb, a twenty-five year old siyyid, of pure and holy lineage, and the
young Mullá Husayn, the first to believe in Him. Their meeting immediately
before that interview seemed to be purely fortuitous. The interview itself was
protracted till the hour of dawn. The Host remained closeted alone with His
guest, nor was the sleeping city remotely aware of the import of the
conversation they held with each other. No record has passed to posterity of
that unique night save the fragmentary but highly
illuminating account that fell from the lips of Mullá Husayn.
- Shoghi Effendi (‘God Passes
By’)
