That night, that memorable night, was the eve preceding the
fifth day of Jamádiyu’l-Avval, in the year 1260 A.H. [1] It was about an hour
after sunset when my youthful Host 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)
[1] Corresponding with the evening of May 22, 1844 A.D. The
23rd of May fell on a Thursday.
