God’s messengers and chosen ones are persecuted.

 

173. God’s messengers and chosen ones are persecuted:  Islam: 10. “We did send Messengers before thee amongst the religious sects of old:” “But never came a Messenger to them but they mocked him.” (The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah 15)

 CHRISTIANITY: Matthew 5:11 “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” Matthew 5:12 “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Acts 14:22 “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” One of the signs that a manifestation is from God is the persecution they and their followers are put through by the clergy of their time, and the people who are just following the example of the clergy. This happened during the time of Christ, it happened during the time of Muhammad and it happened during the time of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, and it is still happening to numerous Bahá’ís in various locations around the world even today. Now I won’t say that persecution of the believers is a direct evidence that the messenger is from God, but the amount of the persecution and the level of severity of the persecution is a pretty good indicator that the message and the prophet are from God, and Muhammad does tell us: Islam: 30. “Ah! alas for (My) servants! There comes not an messenger to them but they mock Him!”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah  36)

So, Muhammad strongly indicates that there is a direct correlation between the coming of God’s manifestations with a new message from God and level of persecution and tribulation the messengers and their followers are forced to endure. Even Moses commented on the persecution and tribulations his followers were to go through: JUDAISM: Deuteronomy 30:7 “And The LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee.” Deuteronomy 8:2 “And thou shalt remember all the way which The LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep His commandments, or no.” Exodus 15:24 “And the people murmured against Moses,” Exodus 16:2 “And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron.” Exodus 32:19 “And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.” Exodus 32:31 “And Moses returned unto The LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.” Numbers 17:10 “And The LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron’s rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.” Islam: 83. “But none believed in Moses except some children of his People, because of the fear of Pharaoh and his chiefs, lest they should persecute them; and certainly Pharaoh was mighty on the earth and one who transgressed all bounds.” (The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah 10) And King David said:  Judaism: Psalms 119:160 “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.” Psalms 34:19 “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but The LORD delivereth him out of them all.” So, we see from Muhammad, David and Moses that persecution and tribulation does seem to follow in the wake of a manifestation from God.

Here are just a few examples of persecution of the believers from Christianity, The Bahá’í Faith and the other religions of God:  Christianity: John 16:2 “They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.” John 19:1 “Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.”John 19:2 “And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, 19:3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.” John 19:4 “Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.” John 19:5 “Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!” John 19:6 “When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.” Mark 15:19 “And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.” Mark 15:20 “And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.” Matthew 27:33 “And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, 27:34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.” Matthew 27:35 “And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.” Matthew 27:36 “And sitting down they watched him there;” Matthew 27:37 “And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Matthew 27:38 “Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.” Matthew 27:39 “And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,” Matthew 27:40 “And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” Matthew 27:41 “Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,” Matthew 27:42 “He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.” Matthew 27:43 “He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.” Matthew 27:44 “The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.” 

BAHA’I FAITH: “Men are killing their brothers, believing this to be the cause of salvation, believing that such work is approved by God, believing that those whom they kill will be sent to hell.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 101)

 BABI RELIGION: “This is the day when man, not content with having abandoned his brother, sacrifices his substance in order to shed the blood of his nearest kinsman!”

The Bab: (Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, p. 566)

 CHRISTIANITY: Matthew 13:21 “tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word,” Mark 4:17 “affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake,” Galatians 4:29 “But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.” John 15:18 “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” John 15:20 “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” Romans 8:36 “As it is written, For Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Luke 6:22 “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.” Luke 6:23 “Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.” 1 Peter 3:14 “If ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;” 1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” 1 Peter 4:13 “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:14 “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” 1 Peter 4:16 “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” 1 Peter 4:17 “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”

 ISLAM: 21. “As to those who deny the Signs of Allah (God), and in defiance of right, slay the Prophets, and slay those who teach just dealing with mankind, announce to them a grievous penalty.” 30. “Remember how the unbelievers plotted against thee, to keep thee in bonds, or slay thee, or get thee out (of thy home). They plot and plan, and Allah too plans, but the best of planners is Allah.” “For (My) servants! There comes not an messenger to them but they mock Him!”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surahs 3, 8 and 36)

Islam: 110. “But verily thy Lord to those who leave their homes after trials and persecutions and who thereafter strive and fight for the faith and patiently persevere, thy Lord, after all this, is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah  16)

Islam: 10. “Those who persecute the Believers, men and women, and do not turn in repentance, will have the Penalty of Hell: they will have the Penalty of the Burning Fire.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah 85)

Islam: 5 “Why persecute ye me, when ye well know that I am Allah’s (God‘s) messenger unto you?“

(The Qur’an (Pickthall tr), Sura 61 – The Ranks)

Islam: “The Muslims were persecuted.”

(Hadith, Bukhari Vol 3, Book 37, # 494)

 ZOROASTRIANISM: 3. “The Druj said unto Angra Mainyu: ‘Thou, tormenter, Angra Mainyu! I see no way to kill Spitama Zarathushtra, so great is the glory of the holy Zarathushtra.’ Zarathushtra saw (all this) within his soul: ‘The wicked, the evil-doing Daevas (thought he) take counsel together for my death.” 7. “Spitama Zarathushtra said in answer: ‘No! never will I renounce the good Religion of the worshippers of Mazda (God), either for body or life, though they should tear away the breath!”’

(Zoroaster, The Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Vendidad 19)

 Zoroastrianism: (Atharvan Zarathustra’s Avesta) “Is the characteristic message of Iran, her great heritage, for which hundreds of her noblest sons lost their lives at the hands of the fanatics!” (ZOROASTER, Hymns of Atharvan p. 375)

 Zoroastrianism: 4. “Yea, we send it forth for the encounter with, and for the overthrow of the murderers of the saints, and of those who hate and torment us for our Faith, and of those who persecute the ritual, and the tyrant full of death.”

(Zoroaster, the Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Yasna 61)

 HINDUISM: 171. “Let him, though suffering in consequence of his righteousness, never turn his heart to unrighteousness;” 8. “Let him be always industrious in privately reciting the Veda; let him be patient of hardships, friendly (towards all), of collected mind, ever liberal and never a receiver of gifts, and compassionate towards all living creatures.”

(Hindu, Laws of Manu chapters 4 and 6)

 Hinduism: 3. “Why then, O Soma, do they call the keeper of prayer? Why then our guardian from reproaches? Why then beholdest thou how men revile us? Cast thy hot dart at him who hates devotion.” 19. “Whoso would kill us, whether he is a strange foe or one of us, May all the gods (God) discomfits him?”

(Hindu, Vedas, Rig Veda – Book 6)

 BUDDHISM: 26. “He who endures undisturbed criticism, ill-treatment and bonds, strong in patience, and that strength his power – that is what I call a Brahmin.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 1 (tr. J. Richards))

 Buddhism: 23. “Even so will I endure abuse, For people’s conduct is mostly low.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 3 (tr. J.

 SABEANISM: “My Lord, High King of Light (God), Revealer Whose eyes are uncovered, seeking justice And enacting justice for those who love it, Do justice on those who persecute us, Those persecutors who pursue us, And on the wicked and furious ones Who scheme to work evil upon us.”
“If it please Thee, High King of Light, Look on us and condemn us not!”
“Behold these souls who believed in Thee And for Thy name’s sake stood by on earth And were persecuted. Show us pure ether air So that we may forget earthly persecution, That we may forget the persecution of earth And the vexation of the wicked and liars.” “Strengthen our insight, our voice, our vigilance and our praise!” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 71)

Sabeanism: “Humiliate us not; cast us not into the hands of tormentors, Liars, hypocrites and the censorious. Let not torturers strike us nor condemners damn our souls!” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 76)

Sabeanism: “Deliver me from the hands of the wicked, and loosen my feet from the bonds of death.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 410)

And then there is the persecution of the two newest revelations of God that man tried to eradicate off the face of the earth; The Babi religion and the Bahá’í Faith, so savagely persecuted that the dire events of the time went down in the annuals of modern day genocidal infamy:  Babi Religion: “issued orders to persecute the Bábís, imagining that by overweening force he could eradicate and suppress matters of this nature, and that harshness would bear good fruit; whereas (in fact) to interfere with matters of conscience is simply to give them greater currency and strength; the more you strive to extinguish, the more will the name be kindled, more specially in matters of faith and religion, which spread and acquire influence so soon as blood is shed, and strongly affect men’s hearts.”

The Bab: (Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, p. 332)

Caution: the writings of the rest of this topic, though readily found in the letters and books of history of that given time and place, are brutal and may be exceedingly disturbing to some readers. And though, all of these horrific scenes and descriptions are emphatically true, based on the records of that time period, you may not want to read this if you get emotionally involved with the books that you read or have a faint heart for the afflictions one man may perpetrate against another!

 BABI RELIGION: “The present reign, condemned criminals (what they considered the Babis to be; to be) crucified, blown from guns (the mouths of canons), buried alive, impaled, shod like horses, torn asunder by being bound to the heads of two trees bent together and then allowed to spring back to their natural position, converted into human torches, flayed while living.”

(Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, p. xxviii)

 Babi Religion: “Tihran, August 29, 1852. Dear Friend, My last letter of the 20th inst. mentioned the attempt on the King. I will now communicate to you the result of the interrogation to which the two criminals were subjected. In spite of the terrible tortures inflicted, the examination extorted no comprehensive confession; the lips of the fanatics remained closed, even when by means of red-hot pincers and limb-rending screws they sought to discover the chief conspirator…. But follow me, my friend, you who lay claim to a heart and European ethics, follow me to the unhappy ones who, with gouged-out eyes, must eat, on the scene of the deed, without any sauce, their own amputated ears; or whose teeth are torn out with inhuman violence by the hand of the executioner; or whose bare skulls are simply crushed by blows from a hammer; or where the bazar is illuminated with unhappy victims, because on right and left the people dig deep holes in their breasts and shoulders and insert burning wicks in the wounds. I saw some dragged in chains through the bazar preceded by a military band, in whom these wicks had burned so deep that now the fat flickered convulsively in the wound like a newly-extinguished lamp. Not seldom it happens that the unwearying ingenuity of the Orientals leads to fresh tortures. They will skin the soles of the Bábí’s feet, soak the wounds in boiling oil, shoe the foot like the hoof of a horse, and compel the victim to run. No cry escaped from the victim’s breast; the torment is endured in dark silence by the numbed sensation of the fanatic; now he must run; the body cannot endure what the soul has endured; he falls. Give him the coup de grace! Put him out of his pain! No! The executioner swings the whip, and — I myself have had to witness it — the unhappy victim of hundredfold tortures and runs! This is the beginning of the end. As for the end itself, they hang the scorched and perforated bodies by their hands and feet to a tree head downwards, and now every Persian may try his marksmanship to heart’s content from a fixed but not too proximate distance on the noble quarry placed at his disposal. I saw corpses torn by nearly 150 bullets…. When I read over again what I have written I am overcome by the thought that those who are with you in our dearly beloved Austria may doubt the full truth of the picture, and accuse me of exaggeration. Would to God that I had not lived to see it! But by the duties of my profession I was unhappily often, only too often, a witness of these abominations. At present I never leave my house, in order not to meet with fresh scenes of horror. After their death the Bábís are hacked in two and either nailed to the city gate, or cast out into the plain as food for the dogs and jackals. Thus the punishment extends even beyond the limits which bound this bitter world, for Musulmans who are not buried have no right to enter the Prophet’s Paradise. Since my whole soul revolts against such infamy, against such abominations as recent times, according to the judgment of all, present, I will no longer maintain my connection with the scene of such crimes.” (He goes on to say that he has already asked for his discharge, but has not yet received an answer.) (E. G. Browne’s “Materials for the Study of the Bábí Religion,” pp. 267-71)

The Bab: (Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, pp. xlvii and 605)

BAHA’I FAITH:,   Babi Religion: “The Báb was born in Shiraz, in the month of October, 1819. At the age of twenty-four he heralded the advent of a universal teacher whom God would manifest, and through whom the unity of all nations would be established. The Báb (door or gate) effected a reformation of Islam, opening the way for a broader movement — for always with earnestness and zeal he cried of one who was to come after him to illumine not only Islam, but the whole world. The young reformer made his declaration in 1844 at Shiraz and afterward at Mecca, where one hundred thousand people had congregated.”

“His teachings met with instant opposition on the part of the orthodox religionists of the day. After two years he was imprisoned and held a prisoner until 1850 when he was shot in the public square of Tabriz.”

“But physical torture and death were ineffectual to stop the onsweep of the reformation inaugurated by the Báb. When, some years later, BAHA’U’LLAH arose as the one who was expected, thousands accepted him and at once came under his banner. BAHA’U’LLAH was not personally related to the Báb, nor had he ever seen him, though he became one of the first disciples of the Báb’s teachings.”

“Dreadful persecution ensued and more than twenty thousand martyrs joyfully gave up property and life rather than renounce the faith which they recognized as divine truth. At such variance were his teachings with the creed-bound world about him that BAHA’U’LLAH, with his family and followers, was banished to Bagdad, to Constantinople, to Adrianople and finally to the penal colony of Akká in Syria.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 5)

Baha’i Faith: “Bahá’u’lláh endured ordeals and hardships sixty years. There was no persecution, vicissitude or suffering He did not experience at the hand of His enemies and oppressors. All the days of His life were passed in difficulty and tribulation — at one time in prison, another in exile, sometimes in chains. He willingly endured these difficulties for the unity of mankind, praying that the world of humanity might realize the radiance of God, the oneness of humankind become a reality, strife and warfare cease and peace and tranquility be realized by all. In prison He hoisted the banner of human solidarity, proclaiming universal peace, writing to the kings and rulers of nations, summoning them to international unity and counseling arbitration. His life was a vortex of persecution and difficulty; yet catastrophes, extreme ordeals and vicissitudes did not hinder the accomplishment of His work and mission. Nay, on the contrary, His power became greater and greater, His efficiency and influence spread and increased until His glorious light shone throughout the Orient, love and unity were established, and the differing religions found a center of contact and reconciliation.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 145)

Baha’i Faith: “In Persia the early believers in this revelation met with the utmost opposition, persecution and cruelty at the hands of their fellow countrymen, but they faced all calamities and ordeals with sublime heroism, firmness and patience. Their baptism was in their own blood, for many thousands of them perished as martyrs; while thousands more were beaten, imprisoned, stripped of their possessions, driven from their homes or otherwise ill-treated. For sixty years or more anyone in Persia who dared to own allegiance to the Báb or Bahá’u’lláh did so at the risk of his property, his freedom and even his life. Yet this determined and ferocious opposition could not more check the progress of the Movement than a cloud of dust could keep the sun from rising.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Dr. J.E. Esslemont, Baha’u’llah and the New Era, p. 252)

 BABI RELIGION: “These men snatched the turban from the head of Vahid, wound it around his neck, and, binding him to a horse, dragged him ignominiously through the streets. The indignities that were heaped upon him reminded those who witnessed that awful spectacle of the tragic end of the Imam Husayn, whose body was abandoned to the mercy of an infuriated enemy, and upon which a multitude of horsemen pitilessly trampled. The women or Nayriz, stirred to the highest pitch of excitement by the shouts of triumph which a murderous enemy was raising, pressed from every side around the corpse, and, to the accompaniment of drums and cymbals, gave free vent to their feelings of unrestrained fanaticism. They danced merrily around it, scornful of the words which Vahid, in the midst of his agony, had spoken, words which the Imam Husayn, in a former age and in similar circumstances, had uttered: ‘Thou knowest, O my Beloved, that I have abandoned the world for Thy sake, and have placed my trust in Thee alone. I am impatient to hasten to Thee, for the beauty of Thy countenance has been unveiled to my eyes. Thou dost witness the evil designs which my wicked persecutor has cherished against me. Nay, never will I submit to his wishes or pledge my allegiance to him.’”

(Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, p. 494)

 Babi Religion: “A large number of their fellow-disciples were slain in Shiraz by order of Tahmasb-Mirza. The heads of two hundred of these victims were placed on bayonets and carried triumphantly by their oppressors to Abadih, a village in Fars.” “The author of the “Tarikh-i-Jadid,” in concluding this narrative, takes occasion to point out how literally was fulfilled in these events the prophecy contained in the tradition referring to the signs which shall mark the appearance of the Imam Mihdi: ‘In Him (shall be) the perfection of Moses, the preciousness of Jesus, and the patience of Job; His saints shall be abased in His time, and their heads shall be exchanged as presents, even as the heads of the Turk and the Daylamite are exchanged as presents; they shall be slain and burned, and shall be afraid, fearful, and dismayed; the earth shall be dyed with their blood, and lamentation and wailing shall prevail amongst their women; these are my saints indeed.”

The Bab: (Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, pp. 643 and 645)

 Babi Religion: “On that day, a spectacle was witnessed in the streets and bazaars of Tihran which the people can never forget. Even to this very day, it remains the topic of conversation; one still feels a shocking horror which the years have not been able to lessen. The people saw marching, between executioners, children and women with deep holes cut into their flesh in which lighted wicks were inserted. The victims were dragged with ropes and goaded on with whips. Children and women went forth singing this verse: ‘In truth, we come from God and unto Him do we return.’ Their voices were raised triumphant above the deep silence of the crowd, for the citizens of Tihran were neither mean nor great believers in Islam. When one of the victims fell to the ground and they prodded him up with bayonets, if the loss of blood which dripped from his wounds had left him any strength, he would begin to dance and to cry out with even greater enthusiasm: ‘In truth, we come from God and unto Him do we return!’ Some of the children expired on the way. The executioners would throw their bodies under the feet of their fathers and sisters, who proudly walked over them without giving it a second thought. When the cortege reached the place of execution near the New Gate, the victims were given the choice between life and abjuration of their faith; they were even subjected to every form of intimidation. One of the executioners conceived the idea of saying to a father that, unless he yielded, he would cut the throats of his two sons on his very breast. The sons were quite young, the oldest about fourteen. Covered with blood, their flesh scorched, they were listening stoically to the threats. The father replied, while laying himself down, that he was ready and the older of the boys, claiming a prior right, requested to be the first to die. It may be that the executioner denied him even that last comfort. At last, the tragedy was over and night fell upon a heap of formless bodies; the heads were tied in bundles to the posts of justice and the dogs on the outskirts of the city were crowding about. That day won for the Bábís a larger number of secret followers than much exhortation could have done.” “As I have said above, the impression caused by the terrifying impassibility of the martyrs was deep and lasting. I have often heard eye witnesses describe the scenes of that fateful day, men close to the government, some even holding important positions. While listening to them, one could easily have believed that they were all Bábís, so great was their admiration for the events in which Islam played so inglorious a part, and so high a conception did they entertain of the resources, the hopes and the means of success of the new religion.” (Comte de Gobineau’s “Les Religions et les Philosophies dans l’Asie Centrale,” pp. 248-250.) “These executions were not merely criminal, but foolish. The barbarity of the persecutors defeated its own ends, and instead of inspiring terror, gave the martyrs and opportunity of exhibiting a heroic fortitude which has done more than any propaganda, however skilful, could have done to ensure the triumph of the cause for which they died….” “The impression produced by such exhibitions of courage and endurance was profound and lasting; nay, the faith which inspired the martyrs was often contagious, as the following incident shows. A certain Yazdi rough, noted for his wild and disorderly life, went to see the execution of some Bábís, perhaps to scoff at them. But when he saw with what calmness and steadfastness they met torture and death, his feelings underwent so great a revulsion that he rushed forward crying, ‘Kill me too! I am also a Bábí!’ And thus he continued to cry till he too was made a partaker in the doom he had come out only to gaze upon.” (E. G. Browne’s A Year amongst the Persians, pp. 111-112)

(Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, p. 612)