It was about an hour after sunset when my youthful Host [the Báb] began to converse with me. “Whom, after Siyyid Kázim,” He asked me, “do you
regard as his successor and your leader?” “At the hour of his death,” I
replied, “our departed teacher insistently exhorted us to forsake our homes, to
scatter far and wide, in quest of the promised Beloved. I have, accordingly,
journeyed to Persia, have arisen to accomplish his will, and am still engaged
in my quest.” “Has your teacher,” He further enquired, “given you any detailed
indications as to the distinguishing features of the promised One?” “Yes,” I
replied, “He is of a pure lineage, is of illustrious descent, and of the seed
of Fátimih. As to His age, He is more than twenty and less than thirty. He is
endowed with innate knowledge. He is of medium height, abstains from smoking,
and is free from bodily deficiency.” He paused for a while and then with
vibrant voice declared: “Behold, all these signs are manifest in Me!” He then
considered each of the above-mentioned signs separately, and conclusively
demonstrated that each and all were applicable to His person.
- Mulla Husayn (Quoted by Nabil in ‘The Dawn-Breakers, translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)
