There [in the Garden of Ridvan] His friends and companions,
arriving in successive waves, attained His presence and bade Him, with feelings
of profound sorrow, their last farewell. Outstanding among them was the
renowned Álúsí, the Muftí of Baghdád, who, with eyes dimmed with tears,
execrated the name of Násiri’d-Dín Sháh, whom he deemed to be primarily
responsible for so unmerited a banishment. “I have ceased to regard him,” he
openly asserted, “as Násiri’d-Dín (the helper of the Faith), but consider him
rather to be its wrecker.” Another distinguished visitor was the governor
himself, Námiq Páshá, who, after expressing in the most respectful terms his
regret at the developments which had precipitated Bahá’u’lláh’s departure, and
assuring Him of his readiness to aid Him in any way he could, handed to the
officer appointed to accompany Him a written order, commanding the governors of
the provinces through which the exiles would be passing to extend to them the
utmost consideration. “Whatever you require,” he, after profuse apologies,
informed Bahá’u’lláh, “you have but to command. We are ready to carry it out.”
“Extend thy consideration to Our loved ones,” was the reply to his insistent
and reiterated offers, “and deal with them with kindness”—a request to which he
gave his warm and unhesitating assent.
- Shoghi Effendi (‘God Passes By’]
