# Fadl-i-Shirazi: Guided By Dreams

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-19 — 1 clipping.*

---

> FADL-I-SHIRAZI,  GUIDED BY DREAMS
> 
> A t r a n s c r i p t of a u d i o - c a s s e t t e from series
> WINDOWS TO THE PAST
> by D a r i u s K. Shahrokh, M.D.
> 
> Guided by dreams.. .
> Is a dream r e a l , o r what we c a l l real o n l y a p a s s i n g dream, a n
> i l l u s i v e e x p e r i e n c e measured o n l y by one t h i n g , time.  Is t i m e
> a phenomenon f o r a s s e s s i n g a l o s i n g b a t t l e ?  Every moment p a s s i n g
> b r i n g u s t h a t much c l o s e r t o t h e end! How p i t i f u l t h o s e who p u t
> t h e i r t r u s t i n t h i s i l l u s i v e world.  How n e g l e c t f u l w e c o u l d be
> of a l a s t i n g and o n l y r e a l i t y c a l l e d t h e s o u l ; t h e s o u l c a p a b l e
> of comprehending t h e d i f f e r e n c e between r e a l i t y and i l l u s i o n .
> 
> Is a dream o n l y f o r t h e l o v e r t o s e e t h e b e l o v e d ,
> o r f o r t h e adored one t o commune w i t h t h e s e e k e r ?
> Is it of t h e s p i r i t o r m a t e r i a l i n n a t u r e ?
> Whichever, t e l l m e who is t h e matchmaker?
> 0 Matchmaker, g u i d e u s even i n o u r dreams.
> We pray you f i n d u s worthy of s u c h a f a v o r .
> 
> To r e v e a l a n o t h e r i n s p i r i n g a s w e l l a s e n t e r t a i n i n g s t o r y , t h i s
> window from t h e s e Windows t o t h e P a s t w i l l open t o t h e l i f e - s t o r y
> of -  - Muhammad-Ibrahim from S h i r a z , honored by Abdu'l-Baha
> Shaykh
> w i t h t h e t i t l e of F a d l , meaning t'i;Z; l e a r n e d one. Throughout t h i s
> t a l k , he w i l l be r e f e r r e d t o as F a d l . The c o n t e n t s of t h i s s t o r y
> were e x t r a c t e d from Masabih-i-Hidayat Volume I i n P e r s i a n l a n g u a g e
> by A z i z ' u ' l l a h Sulaymani.
> 
> Was Fad1 a m y s t i c o r a f a i t h h e a l e r ?  To t e l l you h e dreamt o f t e n
> and w a s a g r e a t s c h o l a r would be a n u n d e r s t a t e m e n t . Do you know
> why?  Because of t h e f a s c i n a t i n g a c c o u n t s of h i s l i f e a w a i t i n g
> t o i n s p i r e you.
> 
> T h i s g r e a t s c h o l a r l i v e d i n t h e t i m e of  Abdu'l-Baha  and t h e e a r l y
> part of Shoghi Effendi's ministry. The years of his service to
> the Cause extended to four decades, the last fifteen years of which
> were during the ministry of the Guardian.
> 
> To summarize his life:
> An unusual beginning, an unusual ending, and unusual everything
> in between. His ancestors were Zoroastrians who tried to escape
> the onslaught of Arab invasion of Iran and forced conversion to
> Islam. As all Zoroastrians who could afford to do so, Fadl's
> ancestors decided to migrate to India. No doubt you know that
> the Persian Zoroastrians who settled in India are the prosperous
> and industrious Parsees of today.
> 
> On the way to India, Fadl's ancestors went through Bahrayn, an
> island in the Persian Gulf.  As fate had it, once there they were
> converted by Muslim teachers and voluntarily embraced Islam. Some
> centuries later, attacks by another sect of Islam chased them out
> so they returned home and settled in the southern province in Iran
> called Fars with its capital Shiraz, the birthplace of the Bab.
> 
> Fad1 came from a family of the learned. His father was a mujtahid
> or doctor of Islamic law. The father had one wife, but after his
> brother died, he sheltered his brother's widow and the children.
> As it was the custom, he had to marry her to be able to have her
> in his household. The name of his second wife was Maryam or Mary.
> 
> Here comes the extraordinary beginning of Fadl's life, a dream
> even before his birth. No, he did not see that dream, but his
> father did. Both wives of this mujtahid (Fadl's father) were
> expecting. The mujtahid had an unusual dream. He saw Abraham,
> the father of all prophets, in the form of a child, sitting on
> his lap, and suddenly he appeared in form of an adult overshadowing
> the mujtahid. Abraham told him that he wished to be part of the
> mujtahid's family. When he woke up, after long meditation, he
> interpreted the meaning to be that one of his wives would bear
> a boy with a great destiny.  Shortly the first wife delivered
> a girl. He told the family that if the second wife, Mary, would
> deliver a boy, he must be notified at once to feed the newborn
> his first feeding. Not too long after that, being happily surprised
> with the news, he rushed to Mary. The newborn, washed and bundled
> was handed over to him.  He kissed the baby and gave him his first
> f e e d i n g which by custom was a dab of honey and b u t t e r . I n amazement
> he k e p t s t a r i n g a t t h e newborn a s i t resembled t h e c h i l d s e e n i n
> h i s dream. T h i s o c c u r r e d i n Buraz-jan, a v i l l a g e n e a r Z i r a z some-
> t i m e i n 1863 which s h o u l d r i n g a b e l l .  Indeed t h e y e a r of t h e
> D e c l a r a t i o n of B a h a ' u ' l l a h i n Ba&dad.  The name chosen f o r him
> w a s , of c o u r s e , Muhammad-Ibrahim.  The m u j t a h i d became very a t t a c h e d
> t o t h i s son and t r e a t e d him very s p e c i a l . Now l i s t e n t o t h i s .
> 
> When Fad1 w a s o n l y s e v e n , h i s f a t h e r p u t a t u r b a n on h i s h e a d ,
> which was u n u s u a l , and s e n t him t o s c h o o l .  I n two s h o r t y e a r s
> he l e a r n e d t o r e a d and write P e r s i a n .  When n i n e y e a r s o l d , he
> went t o a n o t h e r s c h o o l and i n t h r e e y e a r s mastered t h e A r a b i c
> language. T h i s i s something. You know i t t a k e s some of u s e t e r n i t y
> t o l e a r n both languages.  Then Fad1 was s e n t t o B i r a z t o room
> w i t h a n o l d e r b r o t h e r t o s t u d y I s l a m i c knowledge.  I n four years
> a t t h e age of s i x t e e n h e w a s ready t o l e a r n philosophy which t o o k
> him two y e a r s followed by two more y e a r s i n s c i e n c e and s t u d i e s
> of t h e I l l u m i n a t i .  J u s t t h e names a r e enough t o s t a g g e r o n e ' s
> mind, how much more t h e speed of h i s l e a r n i n g .  Well, by t h e a g e
> of twenty, he a c q u i r e d e v e r y knowledge w i t h i n h i s g r a s p b u t one
> mystery s t a y e d a c h a l l e n g e t o him.  ..  how t o become a p r o p h e t !
> 
> Before going t o t h a t phase of h i s l i f e , you l i k e t o know t h a t s u c h
> t a l e n t and g e n i u s c o u l d n o t e s c a p e t h e a t t e n t i o n of d i g n i t a r i e s ,
> p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e ones w i t h a q u a l i f i e d young l a d y i n t h e i r
> household.
> 
> The governor of S h i r a z was a l s o t h e owner of t h e s c h o o l where Fad1
> and h i s b r o t h e r a t t e n d e d and had t h e i r room.  A t times  the
> governor used t o check on t h e s t u d e n t s b u t h i s v i s i t s t o Fad1 were
> different.  H e would b r i n g p r e c i o u s g i f t s of e x p e n s i v e l y bound
> books, n i c e f u r n i t u r e and s o on f o r F a d l .  The governor had a
> young s i s t e r - i n - l a w who appeared p e r f e c t f o r F a d l , b u t g e t t i n g
> married w a s t h e l a s t t h i n g on F a d l ' s mind. The governor c o n t i n u e d
> h i s generous g e s t u r e s , and  a t times would remark t o Fad1 t h a t
> now you have e v e r y t h i n g i n your p o s s e s s i o n e x c e p t a w i f e .
> 
> I n t h o s e d a y s t h e r e was a B a h a ' i who used t o c a r r y a bundle of
> c l o t h shoes called giveh t o t h e school t o s e l l t o t h e students.
> They a r e very c o m f o r t a b l e and wonderful f o r summer.  Fadl, not
> knowing a b o u t t h i s man's r e l i g i o n , used t o e n j o y h i s company whose
> philosophical and mystic thoughts would touch Fadl's heart. Of
> course, if Fad1 knew he was a Baha'i, he would avoid breathing
> the same air, so severe was his prejudice. He, according to
> himself, was so fanatically against Baha'is that even the name
> would repulse him and if ever the thought of a Baha'i occurred
> in his mind he would beg God for forgiveness.  Fad1 states that
> the company of that blessed soul had a certain influence on him
> even though at that time they never talked about religion. This
> is the proof that with purity and sincerity one can become a channel
> permitting the spirit to flow and without speaking a word about
> the Faith guide the non-believer. Baha'i writings over and over
> emphasize this fact.
> 
> To Fadl, all the prophets of God were ordinary but accomplished
> people. He wanted to see what it took to become worthy of that
> station. Of course, the first step would be knowledge. He read
> as much as he could, many times missing meals but got nowhere.
> Distraught with disappointment, he decided that his attachments
> to books was the obstacle. So one day in the courtyard he made
> a mound of his books, poured kerosene on them and set them on
> fire.. .no response from heaven! Now what? In deep despair it
> occurred to him that maybe the obstacle was his physical body.
> No he did not burn that one. We really do not know how he was
> planning to intentionally detach himself from his body, or, so
> to speak, get rid of the obstacle to his goal of prophethood.
> We will never know his plan, but it is reported that he achieved
> it.  However, he was instructed to repossess his body as it was
> the only means for perfecting his soul. No doubt you badly want
> to know how he did it. Maybe in a little while!
> 
> You see, no one can hasten maturation of the soul by destroying
> the body. The price for such an act is high.  Not only is it
> forbidden by Baha'u'llah, but also it is important to realize that
> our body is the temple for our soul and truly a gift from God.
> Such a gift should be well-taken care of and not abused as it is
> the only instrument at the command of our faculties to take steps
> for the advancement of our soul.  What about those who die very
> young, even as young as in embryonic stage? Their souls will be
> immersed in the ocean of the mercy of God, compensated for the
> loss of opportunity and shall continue to progress in the worlds
> of God.
> Somehow t h i s d i g r e s s i o n w a s made t o d i s t r a c t you f r o m c u r i o s i t y
> of how d i d h e d o i t . The secret w i l l be s h a r e d w i t h you o n l y u n d e r
> one c o n d i t i o n and t h a t i s , p l e a s e d o n ' t t r y i t e v e n i f you d o n ' t
> l i k e your body.
> 
> Now t h e s e c r e t . One a f t e r n o o n F a d l , now c l o s e t o h i s m i d - t w e n t i e s ,
> gave h i s room key t o h i s b r o t h e r and s a i d t h a t t h a t e v e n i n g h e
> was i n v i t e d o u t and m i g h t n o t r e t u r n . Whether t h e b r o t h e r t h o u g h t
> h e w a s t h e p r i v a t e g u e s t of t h e g o v e r n o r w i t h p o s s i b i l i t y o f wedding
> w e d o n ' t know.  The b i o g r a p h e r h a s n o t f o u n d any r e c o r d of F a d 1
> t a k i n g any u n u s u a l o b j e c t f o r a c h i e v i n g h i s p u r p o s e . We know t h a t
> when t h e c e l e b r a t e d Ahmad l e f t h i s p a r e n t s h e t o o k a b u n d l e w i t h
> him, b u t F a d 1 - n o t h i n g .  J u s t h i s normal o u t f i t and maybe a l i t t l e
> money.  Soon h e l e f t t h e s c h o o l g r o u n d s and a f t e r some d i s t a n c e ,
> t h e c i t y of S h i r a z was b e h i n d him.  H e p r e f e r r e d t o walk i n s t e a d
> o f r i d i n g as it was a n o t h e r s e l f - d e n i a l , p r e p a r i n g him f o r p r o p h e t -
> hood.  Did h e know where h e w a s g o i n g ? I w i s h I c o u l d t e l l you.
> The answer i s maybe y e s and maybe no. We d o n ' t know what w a s i n
> h i s mind, b u t f o r s u r e w e know t h a t t h e s u n was a b o u t t o s e t when
> a l l o f a s u d d e n o u t of nowhere a few v i c i o u s s t r a y d o g s came t o w a r d s
> him.  Q u i t e f r i g h t e n e d , F a d 1 t o o k o f f as f a s t as h e c o u l d b u t
> t r i p p e d and f e l l u n c o n s c i o u s .  P o s s i b l y h i t h i s head a g a i n s t a
> rock o r something l i k e i t .
> 
> The f o l l o w i n g i s h i s d e s c r i p t i o n of h i s out-of-body  experience
> p a r t s of which r e s e m b l e some r e c e n t d e s c r i p t i o n s of n e a r - d e a t h
> experiences.  It i s amazing how some p a r t s o f a l l d e s c r i p t i o n s
> a p p e a r l i k e a copy o f a n o t h e r o n e w h i l e many o f t h e s e p e o p l e h a v e
> never read o r heard t h e o t h e r p e o p l e ' s accounts.  It must b e a
> t r u e e x p e r i e n c e a w a i t i n g e a c h o n e o f u s . T h i s commentary is p u r e l y
> my own a n d n o t from B a h a ' i w r i t i n g s .
> 
> Anyway, i n a f l a s h F a d 1 f o t l ~ d h i m s e l f o n - t o p o f a n e a r b y t r e e , "
> w a t c h i n g w i t h d i s g u s t , h i s body l y i n g i n t h e meadow below.  Again
> i n a f l a s h h e a s c e n d e d h i g h e r t o a d e l i g h k f u l realm b u t s u d d e n l y + *
> remembered h i s body. He r e t u r n e d t o c h e c k i t , b u t a g a i n i t r e p u l s e d
> him s o h e a s c e n d e d e v e n h i g h e r , t r y i n g t o go a s h i g h as h e c o u l d .
> A l l of a sudden he heard a v o i c e !  "Fadl, t h i s is your s t a t i o n
> a n d no h i g h e r .  D o n ' t e v e n t r y i t . " F a d 1 s t a t e s when I l o o k e d
> a r o u n d i t was a most b e a u t i f u l and b r e a t h t a k i n g s c e n e way, way
> beyond d e s c r i p t i o n .  Then t h e v o i c e r e s o u n d e d a g a i n . " F a d l , you
> a r e r u s h i n g . Your t i m e h a s n o t come y e t . You must r e t u r n t o your
> p h y s i c a l form, and o n l y a f t e r p e r f e c t i n g y o u r s e l f a t t h e a g e of
> seventy-two you s h a l l ascend t o your s t a t i o n . "  Well, t h a t w a s
> it.  H e found h i m s e l f s i t t i n g up i n t h e meadow and t h e morning
> s u n was s h i n i n g .  H e l o c a t e d h i s t u r b a n and s h o e s and r e t u r n e d
> t o town. That was q u i t e a p a r t y he a t t e n d e d .  No d o u b t , h e never
> t o l d h i s b r o t h e r how he s p e n t t h a t n i g h t .
> 
> What else t o t r y ? Why n o t s u f f e r i n g w i t h s e v e r e s e l f - d e n i a l and
> a l i f e of s e c l u s i o n ?  F i r s t he avoided meat and prayed c o n s t a n t l y .
> Then he d e c i d e d more s u f f e r i n g was n e c e s s a r y .  When t h e governor
> used t o throw a banquet f o r t h e t h e o l o g i c a l s t u d e n t s he would check
> t h e dormitory before dinner.  I f any door was open o r l i g h t was
> o n , he would a s k t h e s t u d e n t why he w a s n o t a t t e n d i n g h i s banquet.
> F a d l , a t one s u c h e v e n i n g , s h u t h i s door and k e p t t h e room d a r k
> a s n o t t o be b o t h e r e d by t h e governor.  Soon Fad1 decided t h a t
> i t was n o t t r u e s u f f e r i n g because he was n o t s e e i n g t h e food.
> It would be more m e r i t o r i o u s i f he a t t e n d e d t h e banquet and
> practiced self-denial there.  So a t s u c h b a n q u e t s h e would p a s s
> t h e d e l i c i o u s d i s h e s and l i m i t h i m s e l f t o o n l y b r e a d and v e g e t a b l e s .
> 
> Well, s t i l l no trumpet b l a s t a p p o i n t i n g him as a p r o p h e t , b u t h e
> a t t a i n e d c e r t a i n c l a r i t y of v i s i o n and p u r i t y of h e a r t . I n t h o s e
> days t h e r e was a m y s t i c from S h i r a z who had l e f t h i s home and w e a l t h
> t o e s c a p e t h e c r u e l t y of tG p r e v i o u s governor.  H e was l i v i n g
> i n a n i s o l a t e d room by a n o l d cemetery n o t t o o f a r from S i r a z .
> A few d e r v i s h e s had j o i n e d him as t h e i r l e a d e r .  T h i s m y s t i c man,
> being a p s y c h i c , s e n s e d F a d l ' s i n n e r y e a r n i n g and s e n t one of h i s
> f o l l o w e r s t o i n v i t e Fad1 f o r a v i s i t s o he c o u l d g u i d e him t o a l l
> truth.  The messenger v i s i t e d F a d l , p r e t e n d i n g he wanted Fad1
> t o w r i t e a l e t t e r f o r him, b u t Fad1 s e n s e d i t and t o l d him t h i s
> is a n e x c u s e , what a r e you r e a l l y h e r e f o r ? The messenger extended
> t h e i n v i t a t i o n of t h e m y s t i c l e a d e r .  T h i s m y s t i c man had s e e n
> B a h a ' u ' l l a h when B a h a ' u ' l l a h w a s i n s e c l u s i o n i n t h e mountains
> of Sulaymaniyih.
> 
> Fad1 a r r i v e d a t t h e f o r s a k e n room where t h e d e r v i s h e s had g a t h e r e d .
> A f t e r a n hour o r s o , he saw a holy-appearing man w i t h a l o n g w h i t e
> b e a r d , and d r e s s e d i n t h e l o n g g a r b of d e r v i s h e s , r e t u r n i n g from
> the desert.  H e w a s t h e m y s t i c l e a d e r who d i d n o t u t t e r a word,
> b u t through t e l e p a t h y communicated w i t h F a d l .  Within one y e a r ,
> F a d l , o f f and on, a t t e n d e d s u c h m e e t i n g s , and a few t i m e s t h e m y s t i c
> man brought t o F a d l ' s mind t h e a p p e a r a n c e of t h e Bab, B a h a ' u ' l l a h
> and Abdu'l-Baha.  Was t h e m y s t i c man a B a h a ' i ? We w i l l never
> know.  A f t e r one y e a r t h e m y s t i c spoke i n words and s a i d , "You
> have reached t h e s t a g e of completion."  One of t h e g i f t s from t h i s
> m y s t i c was t h e knowledge of f a i t h - h e a l i n g .
> 
> Leaving a l l of t h a t b e h i n d , Fad1 headed home f o r Boraz-jan and
> asked h i s f a t h e r , t h e m u j t a h i d , t o send him t o t h e holy c i t i e s
> i n I r a q t o f u r t h e r h i s l e a r n i n g . H i s f a t h e r , as u s u a l , went a l o n g
> w i t h whatever h i s p r e c i o u s son r e q u e s t e d and p r o v i d e d t h e means.
> For two y e a r s he s t u d i e d t h e r e and r e c e i v e d t h e d e g r e e of i j t i h a d .
> During h i s s t a y t h e r e h i s f a t h e r had s e n t a n o t h e r s o n t o keep Fad1
> company.
> 
> One n i g h t i n a dream Fad1 heard a v o i c e s a y i n g , "The g o a l of your
> h e a r t is i n Khurasan." (A p r o v i n c e i n n o r t h e a s t I r a n . ) Next morning
> Fad1 took o n on f o o t w i t h very l i t t l e p r o v i s i o n s .  It t o o k him
> s i x months t o g e t t h e r e .  On t h e way he met a band of highway
> r o b b e r s who f e d him a d e l i c i o u s lamb s t e w and gave him some tea
> and s u g a r f o r h i s t r i p .  A p p a r e n t l y , he n e v e r f o r g o t t h e t a s t e
> of t h a t s t e w t o t h e end of h i s l i f e .
> 
> For your i n f o r m a t i o n , t h e p r o v i n c i a l c a p i t a l of Khurasan i s t h e
> c i t y of Mashhad.  Of t h e e l e v e n I m a m s , o n l y one i s b u r i e d i n I r a n ,
> and he is I m a m Rida who i s b u r i e d i n Mashhad.  T h e r e , he dreamt
> t h a t i n t h e company of Imam Rida he we=  t o t h e c e l e s t i a l world
> where he s a w God w i t h two heavenly b e i n g s , one on e a c h s i d e . One
> of them, on b e h a l f of God, gave Fad1 a heavy book t o c o r r e c t .
> Fad1 s a i d , "The book i s l a r g e and I d o n ' t have enough t i m e . "  He
> was t o l d t o keep t h e book and t h a t e v e n t u a l l y he would do i t . Then
> he woke up.  About two months l a t e r he saw one of t h e p r o p h e t s
> i n a dream t e l l i n g him t h a t i n t h i s l i f e he w i l l f i n d t h e s o u r c e
> of t r u t h and t h e way w i l l be shown t o him i n h i s own l i t t l e v i l l a g e
> of Boraz-j a n .
> 
> Now you know why t h e s e n t e n c e 'guided by dreams' i s i n t h e t i t l e
> of t h i s t a p e . H e r e a l l y c r i s s c r o s s e d v a s t d i s t a n c e s t o be guided
> by dream a f t e r dream. W  e a r e not finished yet.
> 
> I n t h e middle of t h e h o t summer, he t a c k l e d t h e d u s t y road on f o o t
> a g a i n , t r a v e r s i n g m o u n t a i n s and d e s e r t s t o r e t u r n t o h i s v i l l a g e .
> Imagine how happy h i s p a r e n t s were t o see t h e i r l o s t s o n .  After
> t h e l a s t message of h i s b r o t h e r from t h e h o l y c i t i e s a b o u t h i s
> sudden d e p a r t u r e t h e y had n o t h e a r d a word f o r a l m o s t a y e a r .
> Everybody from f a r and n e a r came t o v i s i t t h e p r i d e and j o y of
> t h e family.
> 
> I n t h a t v i l l a g e t h e r e was a n o t h e r m u j t a h i d , who was a r i v a l of
> Fadl's father.  P r e t e n d i n g f r i e n d l i n e s s , h e a l s o came and p a i d
> them a v i s i t .  A s c u s t o m s were and maybe s t i l l are, e v e r y v i s i t
> had t o be r e p a i d .  A t h i s e a r l i e s t c o n v e n i e n c e , Fad1 went t o pay
> h i s r e s p e c t t o t h a t m u j t a h i d . H e e n t e r e d t h e h o u s e and sat n e a r l y
> h a l f a n hour, b u t no s i g n of t h a t mujtahid.  When h e showed u p ,
> h i s d e s p e r a t e l o o k i n d i c a t e d s o m e t h i n g w a s wrong.  Apologizing
> f o r t h e d e l a y , h e s t a t e d t h a t h i s o n l y d a u g h t e r was ill w i t h no
> hope of r e c o v e r y .  Fad1 f o r t h e f i r s t time used t h e magic f a i t h
> h e a l i n g , a g i f t from t h e m y s t i c man o f S h i r a z .  H e asked f o r i n k ,
> p a p e r and pen.  On e a c h of t h e f o u r c o r n e r s h e w r o t e Abbas i n
> s e p a r a t e l e t t e r s . Abbas i s t h e g i v e n name of  Abdu'l-Baha.  He
> t o l d t h e g r i e v i n g f a t h e r t o soak t h e paper i n water and g i v e t h a t
> w a t e r t o h e r t o d r i n k . Fad1 l e f t t h e h o u s e . To e v e r y o n e ' s s u r p r i s e
> t h e g i r l ' s f e v e r broke and s h e recovered.
> 
> P l e a s e h o l d i t . I know you b a d l y want t o know what w a s t h e c o l o r
> o f t h e i n k , and i f E n g l i s h l e t t e r s work as e f f e c t i v e as A r a b i c ,
> and a l s o i f c a p i t a l l e t t e r s are more p o t e n t . Let us not practice
> medicine without a l i c e n s e .
> 
> The m u j t a h i d , t h r i l l e d w i t h t h e m i r a c u l o u s r e c o v e r y o f h i s d a u g h t e r ,
> approached F a d l ' s f a t h e r t o p u t t h e p a s t behind and b e g i n a u n i o n .
> H e s a i d h e had p l e d g e d t o God t h a t whoever would c u r e h i s d a u g h t e r ,
> h e would g i v e h e r i n m a r r i a g e t o him.  F a d l ' s f a t h e r was d e l i g h t e d
> about such a proposal.  I n b e a u t y and w e a l t h t h a t g i r l was
> m a t c h l e s s , a n d more t h a n , t h a t it would s t a b i l i z e t h e roaming l i f e
> of h i s s o n .  He p r e s e n t e d Fad1 w i t h t h e p r o p o s a l which h e a c c e p t e d .
> You s h o u l d h a v e s e e n t h e p r e p a r a t i o n f o r t h a t wedding which w a s
> t h e t a l k o f t h e town.  F o r t h e f i r s t t i m e t h e whole v i l l a g e w a s
> happy a b o u t s u c h a u n i o n between t h e f a m i l i e s o f two r i v a l
> m u j t a h i d s . The v e r y l a s t s t e p f o r t h e wedding was s e n d i n g t h e r i n g
> and s p e c i a l items t o t h e b r i d e ' s house.
> The night before this took place, another  . .  .by this time you
> should guess what.  Well, Fad1 in his dream heard a voice repeating
> three times, "Do not get married. It will be an obstacle."
> 
> Before sunrise Fad1 was on his horse speeding away with no trace.
> Imagine the effect on everyone, particularly the bride and her
> family. No doubt the war of rivalry intensified worse than ever.
> After some time a merchant friend of Fadl's family, while travelling
> in Bushihr, a port city by the Persian Gulf, sighted Fad1 and
> immediately notified his father. The father communicated with
> Fad1 that if his sudden departure was to avoid the wedding, he
> should return home as it was called off forever. So he returned
> home.
> 
> Before the wedding was planned, Fad1 had seen a dream but had
> forgotten all about it. In that dream he saw a young man handing
> him a book and telling him "Your answer is in this book.".  ...
> In those days, the houses of the divines were open to the public
> and no knocking was required to enter. Nowadays I have no doubt
> they are bolted and locked with heavy duty locks because people
> do not consider them divine anymore. One afternoon while Fad1
> was alone at home meditating on his past and his endless chain
> of dreams, he heard a knock at the door. This was unusual as
> knocking was not necessary. He approached the door and said "Who
> is it?" A pleasant voice answered, "It is me."  That voice had
> an unusual effect on Fadl, possibly it sounded like the voice of
> the youth in his dream handing him a book.  Fad1 asked, "Who do
> you want?"  The answer was, "You, the Fadl. Aren't you %ay&
> Muhammad-Ibrahim?" Then at the doorway Fad1 found a young man who
> appeared to be just arriving at the village. Fad1 asked, "Where
> are you from?"  He said, "I am from -Shiraz and on my way to
> - "
> Bushihr.
> Fad1 helped him take his horse to the stable and showed him in.
> The young man brought his saddle bag with him into the house.
> They spent the rest of the day covering every subject except
> religion. He spent the night as Fadl's guest. After breakfast,
> Fad1 could not contain his curiosity any longer.  No, not about
> having seen the man in his dream, but about the two heavy duty
> padlocks on the saddle bag which was unusual.
> Fad1 s a i d , "May I a s k , w i t h t h e s e l o c k s , how much g o l d are you
> carrying?"  The t r a v e l e r answered, "I have something much more
> p r e c i o u s t h a n gold."  Fad1 a s k e d , "Like what?"  The answer w a s ,
> "It i s a book."  "May I s e e i t ? " Fad1 a s k e d . The t r a v e l e r unlocked
> t h e bag and r e v e r e n t l y took The Book of C e r t i t u d e , o r t h e
> Kitab-i-Iqan,  o u t , k i s s e d i t and handed i t t o F a d l .  The t r a v e l e r
> s a i d , "While I go t o market t o buy some p r o v i s i o n s , you may r e a d
> i t . I s h a l l be l e a v i n g a f t e r lunch."  Fad1 i n s i s t e d t h a t he s h o u l d
> s t a y l o n g e r , b u t t h e answer was no.  The t r a v e l e r l e f t f o r t h e
> market. Fad1 i n s t r u c t e d t h e cook t o make a s p e c i a l l u n c h and a l s o
> some food f o r t h e t r a v e l e r t o t a k e on h i s j o u r n e y .
> 
> A f t e r l u n c h a s t h e t r a v e l e r prepared f o r l e a v i n g , Fad1 begged him
> t o l e a v e t h e book f o r a s h o r t w h i l e , because i n t h e s h o r t time
> he had i t he b a r e l y c o u l d s c a n i t s more t h a n two hundred pages.
> No d o u b t , t h e d a z z l e of t r u t h a l r e a d y caught h i s a t t e n t i o n , and
> he wanted more time t o f e a s t h i s e y e s . The g u e s t answered, "This
> is my only t r u e w e a l t h and I c a n n o t p a r t w i t h it." Then r e a c h i n g
> i n t o h i s p o c k e t s he gave a few t a b l e t s and t h e l o n g o b l i g a t o r y
> p r a y e r t o Fad1 t o keep.  None of t h e s e w r i t i n g s o r t h e book had
> any i n d i c a t i o n about t h e a u t h o r .
> 
> Soon Fad1 a c c e p t e d t h e d i v i n e o r i g i n of what he r e a d and memorized
> t h e o b l i g a t o r y p r a y e r , r e c i t i n g i t e v e r y day f o r t h e rest of h i s
> life.  A f t e r r e a d i n g t h o s e w r i t i n g s , t h e s t y l e of h i s speech showed
> such obvious change t h a t every one r e c o g n i z e d t h e i n f l u e n c e of
> t h e young t r a v e l e r a s p o s s i b l y c a u s i n g Fad1 t o become a B a h a ' i .
> Those who were r i v a l s t o t h a t f a m i l y used some members of F a d l ' s
> own f a m i l y i n p l o t t i n g t o k i l l him.  Some f a m i l y members now
> c o n s i d e r e d Fad1 t o be a d i s g r a c e t o t h e f a m i l y .  When a deranged
> and l o w - l i f e member of F a d l ' s own f a m i l y a t t e m p t e d t h r e e t i m e s
> t o k i l l him, F a d l ' s mother begged him t o e s c a p e t h e danger. H i s
> f a t h e r o b v i o u s l y had mixed f e e l i n g s , b u t t h e l o v e of h i s mother
> p r e v a i l e d over t h e m i s g i v i n g s a b o u t him being a B a h a ' i .  Fad1
> decided t o t a k e a double purpose s t e p .  Number one, t o l e a v e
> Boraz-jan and t h e enemies behind; and, s e c o n d , under p r e t e x t of
> going t o t h e c e n t e r of I s l a m i c l e a r n i n g once a g a i n , t r y t o
> i n v e s t i g a t e t h e s o u r c e of h i s r e c e n t d i s c o v e r y .
> 
> H i s f a t h e r c o u l d n o t a g r e e more, hoping Fad1 by l e a r n i n g more a b o u t
> Islam, would g e t o v e r h i s temporary d e v i a t i o n .  It is i n t e r e s t i n g
> t h a t T a h i r i h ' s f a t h e r t h o u g h t t h e same way, a g r e e i n g t o send h e r
> t o t h e h o l y c i t i e s . I f o n l y both of t h o s e f a t h e r s knew t h a t t h e y
> provided t h e means f o r t h e s a l v a t i o n of t h e s o u l s of t h e whole
> f a m i l y . You see, B a h a ' u ' l l a h h a s a s s u r e d u s t h a t even t h e r e l a t i v e s
> of a B a h a ' i are f o r g i v e n t h e i r h e e d l e s s n e s s c o n d i t i o n e d t h a t t h e y
> have n o t harmed t h e F a i t h . (Rev. of B a h a ' u ' l l a h , Vol 11, p. 401)
> 
> He j o i n e d h i s b r o t h e r a l r e a d y i n N a j a f , one of t h e h o l y c i t i e s
> i n I r a q . The l a s t t i m e he went t h e r e he was a s e e k e r of l e a r n i n g ,
> t h i s time h i s e d u c a t i o n and r e c e i v i n g h i s d o c t o r a t e i n Islamic
> l a w was behind him; b u t now he was t h e s e e k e r of t h e r e a l t r u t h .
> 
> During h i s s t a y i n N a j a f , Fad1 began t o t e a c h c l a s s e s i n p h i l o s o p h y ,
> i n c o r p o r a t i n g a s much d i v i n e philosophy a s he had a c q u i r e d from
> r e a d i n g t h o s e t a b l e t s g i v e n t o him by t h e young t r a v e l e r i n h i s
> home-town.  He s t a t e s t h a t such new i d e a s were very a p p e a l i n g t o
> the theological students.  I n a l l of h i s a c t i v i t i e s d u r i n g t h o s e
> two y e a r s i n t h a t c i t y , he was a l l e y e s and e a r s t o see o r h e a r
> any i n d i c a t i o n a b o u t where t h e o b j e c t of h i s q u e s t was.  He also
> a t t e n d e d a l l g a t h e r i n g s , t r y i n g t o meet a s many p e o p l e a s he c o u l d .
> A s soon as h e a s c e r t a i n e d t h a t t h e s o u r c e was i n Akka, he decided
> t o l e a v e a t once f o r h i s p o i n t of a d o r a t i o n . F a d l ' s age a t t h i s
> t i m e was i n m i d - t h i r t i e s , n e a r l y f i f t e e n y e a r s i n t h e v a l l e y of
> search.
> 
> On t h a t w i n t e r day very e a r l y i n t h e morning he woke h i s b r o t h e r
> up t o t e l l him he was j o i n i n g a c a r a v a n . The b r o t h e r i n d i s b e l i e f
> s a i d , ''To where?" The answer w a s t o Akka.  Quite surprised t h e
> b r o t h e r s a i d , "Now, I see. A l l of t h e new c o n c e p t s i n your
> philosophy classes were Babi concepts."  Fad1 s a i d , "No, t h e y were
> B a h a ' i c o n c e p t s , because I a m a B a h a ' i . " H i s b r o t h e r , s t u n n e d ,
> a s k e d , "What s h o u l d I t e l l our f a t h e r ? "  Fad1 answered, " T e l l
> him t h a t I took t h e road of no r e t u r n . ' '  The b r o t h e r a p p a r e n t l y
> woke up w e l l enough t o t a k e advantage of t h e s i t u a t i o n .  He t o l d
> Fad1 s i n c e t h i s is t h e f i n a l goodbye, might a s w e l l g i v e your seal
> and p r o p e r t y documents t o me s o I can manage them f o r you. F a d l ,
> whose mind w a s s e t on h i s g l o r i o u s j o u r n e y and was very d e t a c h e d ,
> handed them over t o h i s b r o t h e r , o n l y t o l e a r n l a t e r t h a t t h e
> b r o t h e r ' s i n t e n t i o n was n o t h i n g b u t t o t r a n s f e r a l l of F a d l ' s a s s e t s
> t o h i s own name. What a b r o t h e r !  You can t e l l he d i d n o t have
> a s i n g l e v e i n worthy of becoming a B a h a ' i .
> Fad1 d i d n o t even t a k e t i m e t o buy c o m f o r t a b l e walking s h o e s .
> He l e f t w i t h h i s c l e r i c a l s h o e s which were n o t f i t f o r l o n g walking.
> H e took very l i t t l e money w i t h him and decided t o walk a l l t h e
> way. I n one of t h e s t o p s , he purchased a p a i r of c o m f o r t a b l e s h o e s .
> 
> The n e x t p a r t i s a b o u t a n o t h e r dream, b u t n o t F a d l ' s  ....  A t one
> s t o p , t h e c a r a v a n l e a d e r decided t o camp f o r two n i g h t s .  After
> a poor n i g h t ' s s l e e p on t h e h a r d ground, when he woke up i n t h e
> morning, he s a w a v i l l a g e a t a d i s t a n c e .  H e went t o buy some
> p r o v i s i o n s . A s he e n t e r e d t h e v i l l a g e , p a s s i n g t h r o u g h some s t r e e t s ,
> he saw t h e headman walking towards him, bow i n r e s p e c t , and c a l l
> him an a n g e l . Fad1 was a t a l o s s about t h e whole t h i n g and was
> s u r e he was mistaken f o r someone e l s e .
> 
> The headman r e l i e v e d F a d l ' s puzzlement by s a y i n g , "Last n i g h t I
> s a w you i n my dream e x a c t l y as you a r e , and h e r e you a r e i n t h e
> flesh.  My d a u g h t e r i s i n s e r i o u s t r o u b l e . For a number of days
> a leech has attached i t s e l f i n her throat.  And now s h e i s
> c o n s t a n t l y s p i t t i n g blood and h e r t h r o a t i s c l o s i n g .  No one i n
> t h e v i l l a g e h a s been a b l e t o remove t h e l e a c h .  I n my d e s p a i r l a s t
> n i g h t I c r i e d and prayed h a r d f o r r e l i e f .  When I f e l l a s l e e p ,
> i n my dream you were shown t o m e a s t h e one who would c u r e h e r .
> I beg you t o come t o my house and do something."
> (You s h o u l d know t h a t s u c h a t h i n g i s p o s s i b l e i n p e o p l e and a n i m a l s
> when a t i n y l e e c h on v e g e t a b l e s a t t a c h e s i t s e l f t o t h e l i n i n g of
> t h e mouth o r t h r o a t and w i l l n o t l e t go u n t i l i t i s gorged w i t h
> blood. )
> 
> F a d l , q u i t e b e w i l d e r e d , s t a r t e d t o walk w i t h t h e headman towards
> h i s house, t r y i n g h a r d t o t h i n k what he s h o u l d do.  Suddenly t h e
> answer came t o him. Yes, you f o l k s guessed i t r i g h t .  The same
> p r e s c r i p t i o n of w r i t i n g Abbas on e a c h c o r n e r of a paper and washing
> t h e ink.  When t h e y a r r i v e d he d i d n o t even have t o examine t h e
> patient.  His f a i t h - h e a l i n g p r e s c r i p t i o n w a s a g e n e r i c c u r e - a l l
> prescription.  However, h e t o l d t h e headman, "I w i l l write a p r a y e r
> p r e s c r i p t i o n , and your d a u g h t e r must d r i n k t h e water of t h e i n k ,
> b u t i n r e t u r n I want you t o p r o v i d e m e w i t h a m a t t r e s s s o I can
> s l e e p f o r a few h o u r s .  I am p a r t of a c a r a v a n camped nearby and
> have n o t had a good n i g h t ' s s l e e p  ."
> That d i d i t . The d a u g h t e r drank t h e i n k water and coughed up t h e
> gorged leech. Meanwhile, Fad1 fell into a deep sleep on a mattress
> in the large room of that house.  After a couple hours, the
> murmuring sound of a crowd woke him up.  Barely opening his eyes,
> he saw the room was filled with people of every affliction, all
> having a small gift with them, expecting a cure. The headman was
> hushing them to stay quiet so the angel could sleep.  Soon Fad1
> realized that the courtyard was also filled with deformed, blind,
> or paralyzed people. He began to worry that he could never make
> it back to the caravan. As soon as he stood up, people swarmed
> towards him, but were kept back by the headman's attendants.
> Fad1 asked for the headman to come close to him. Fad1 whispered
> in his ears, "I will write a number of prescriptions, leaving them
> with you only under the condition that you distribute them after
> I have cleared the village, or I will miss the caravan."  He did
> exactly that and took a few gifts with him, but I don't think he
> had time to buy what he wanted.
> 
> Fad1 joined the caravan, and at a certain point he left it and
> directed his steps towards Beirut. In Beirut he found a Baha'i
> whose name he had obtained. This was during the peak of activities
> of the covenant-breakers against Abdu'l-Baha. The talk on the
> Covenant in this series explains it in detail. This Baha'i man
> was very kind to Fadl, gave him some money and warned him not to
> fall in the trap of the covenant-breakers who were on the lookout
> for newcomers to Akka to mislead them. With his ears filled with
> warnings, he arrived in Akka and was cautiously looking for the
> Baha'i guest house.
> 
> As he was walking through the narrow streets trying to locate the
> house, he saw at a distance a group of people following
> Abdu'l-Baha. He recognized Abdu'l-Baha at once. Do you know how?
> He had seen him before. Didn't I tell you ?  Well, you know it
> now. In that dream of his in Khurasan when he saw God flanked by
> two holy beings, one of them was Abdu'l-Baha. No doubt you have
> met believers who have seen Abdu'l-Baha in their dream long before
> hearing about the Faith. As badly as he wanted to run after Him,
> he found it would be irreverent and improper. He contained his
> emotions and went to the direction of the guest house.
> 
> Another exciting experience in the life of Fad1 is ready to unfold.
> B e f o r e w e go any f u r t h e r w i t h t h i s c h a p t e r , you s h o u l d know t h a t
> F a d l , who u s u a l l y had a t e n s e n a t u r e , w a s even more u p t i g h t by
> h a v i n g h i s ears f i l l e d a b o u t t r a p s of t h e  covenant-breakers.
> Fad1 l o c a t e d t h e B a h a ' i g u e s t h o u s e , and saw a man s t a n d i n g a t
> t h e d o o r . B e f o r e Fad1 c o u l d e n t e r , t h e doorman t o l d him, "My f r i e n d ,
> you a r r i v e d a few m i n u t e s l a t e .  They l o c k e d t h e d o o r and l e f t .
> P l e a s e go t o t h e c o f f e e house."  F a d 1 a n g r i l y s a i d , "I h a v e n o t
> come h e r e t o go t o t h e c o f f e e house" and pushed t h e doorman a s i d e ,
> t h i n k i n g h e was a c o v e n a n t - b r e a k e r , and dashed up t h e s t a i r s t o
> f i n d t h e door l o c k e d . The doorman s a i d , ''I t o l d you t h e d o o r was
> l o c k e d . P l e a s e go and rest a w h i l e i n t h e c o f f e e h o u s e .  I will
> i n f o r m t h e Master a b o u t your a r r i v a l . "  Fad1 h e s i t a n t l y went t o
> t h e c o f f e e house w i t h h i s g u a r d up.  Meanwhile, t h e doorman r a n
> t o Abdu'l-Baha's h o u s e and gave t h e news of t h e t e n s e and p e c u l i a r
> new a r r i v a l .
> 
> D r . Yunis A f r u k h t i h , t h e H e r a l d of t h e C o v e n a n t ,  Haji Mirza
> Haydar-Ali, t h e Angel of Carmel, and t h e c e l e b r a t e d c a l l i g r a p h e r ,
> Mishkin-Qalam, and o t h e r s were i n Abdu'l-Baha's h o u s e and h e a r d
> t h e d e s c r i p t i o n of t h e doorman. F e a r s t r u c k them t h a t most l i k e l y
> h e w a s a bad-tempered Mulla s e n t by t h e c l e r g y of t h e h o l y c i t i e s
> t o i n v e s t i g a t e Abdu'l-Baha.  You see, i n t h o s e d a y s t h e c o v e n a n t -
> b r e a k e r s d i d a l l i n t h e i r power t o undermine and d i s c r e d i t
> Abdu'l-Baha.  Somehow, Abdu'l-Baha's words p u z z l e d them a b o u t t h e
> i d e n t i t y o f t h e newcomer. The Master t o l d Haji M i r z a Haydar-Ali,
> who was advanced i n a g e w i t h hunched b a c k , " P l e a s e go and t a k e
> good care of o u r d e a r g u e s t and make him c o m f o r t a b l e f o r t h e n i g h t . "
> 
> F a d l , s i t t i n g on g u a r d i n t h e c o f f e e h o u s e s c a n n i n g e v e r y c o r n e r
> f o r s i g n of d a n g e r , l o o k e d o u t t h e window and s a w a n u n u s u a l s i g h t ;
> a n o l d hunchbacked man w a l k i n g f a s t t o w a r d s t h e c o f f e e h o u s e
> f o l l o w e d by t h e doorman. They soon a p p e a r e d a t t h e doorway where
> t h e o l d man, Haji, gave t h e key o f t h e g u e s t h o u s e t o t h e doorman,
> and t h e n h e came and s a t n e x t t o F a d l .  After preliminary greeting
> words, Haji a s k e d F a d l , "May I a s k where do you come from ?I1
> The answer w a s "Najaf  ."  T h a t answer i t s e l f was enough t o worry
> Haji even more, b e c a u s e i t w a s t h e c e n t e r o f Islamic a c t i v i t y .
> "Where is your b i r t h p l a c e ? "
> .
> " S h i r a z l1
> What i s your r e l i g i o n ? "
> "Baha 'i l1.
> "Who taught you the Faith ?"
> '1
> No one .I'
> "Who do you know?''
> "No one .I'
> "Who sent you here?"
> "Myself. "
> "Did you ride or by foot ?"
> "I walked all the way."
> I'
> What is the purpose of your visit ?"
> '1
> To attain the presence of my Lord .I'
> These abrupt answers did not satisfy Haji's interrogation and even
> made him more worried and suspicious. Haji took Fad1 to the guest
> house. That evening those believers who had been in Abdu'l-Baha's
> house and had heard about this strange visitor, came to pay Fad1
> a visit, but really for the purpose of further interrogation.
> All they found was a cantankerous mulla quite dusty with unkempt
> hair and beard from his long journey. His answers to their
> questions did not satisfy them at all, but they could not be rude
> because of Abdu'l-Baha calling him our dear guest. This indicated
> that  Abdu'l-Baha knew exactly who Fad1 was without having
> physically met him. Soon you will know what I mean.
> 
> The next day after breakfast, Haji brought a clean outfit and hat
> and instructed the attendant to show Fad1 the way to the public
> bath. After the bath, Haji told Fadl, "Make yourself comfortable.
> I must ask permission for you to attain the presence of Abdu'l-
> Baha." In a short while the doorman came and said, "Please follow
> me.11  That morning the Mufti of Akka (mufti is a prominent
> religious title) and a few of the divines had come to the presence
> of Abdu'l-Baha with their questions about successorship  to
> Muhammad. The Master was explaining the rightful position of Imam
> Ali and the true successor to Muhammad.  You like to know that
> the Muslims of Turkish Empire, including Akka, were of the Sunni
> sect who do not accept Ali and the Imams.
> 
> Abdu'l-Baha was speaking to a roomful of people when Fad1 arrived.
> Out of twelve chairs in the room, eleven were occupied. The only
> empty one was on the right side of Abdu'l-Baha.  Fad1 appeared
> at the door not knowing what to do next. In that culture in such
> occasions, one does not automatically go and occupy the only empty
> seat, particularly the one on the right side of a prominent person,
> as it is considered the seat of honor.
> As soon as Abdu'l-Baha saw Fad1 at the door, He interrupted his
> talk and said, "Welcome, welcome. You have come a long way. Please
> take a seat," pointing to the chair next to Himself. Well, friends,
> if there is a heaven on earth that is where Fad1 was. Tiredness
> from his long journey disappeared at once.  Abdu'l-Baha continued
> His explanation, when at one point Fad1 quoted an appropriate verse
> from the Qur'an. Abdu'l-Baha turned to Fad1 and said, "It is true,
> Jinab-i-Fadl," (meaning your honor the learned) "but, unfortunately,
> these people have not read their own holy book."
> 
> Then Abdu'l-Baha showered Fad1 with generous praise.  Well, you
> can imagine the looks on the faces of the believers in attendance
> who considered him a miserable agent. From then on everyone
> addressed him as Jinab-i-Fadl.  Abdu'l-Baha made some brief remarks
> after that, then dismissing the crowd, he told Fadl, "You must
> be very tired. Please go to the guest house and rest," and told
> Haji, "Our guest is your responsibility. Look after his comfort."
> As the believers and Fad1 left Abdu'l-Baha's house, they all
> gathered around Fadl, who, until a short while ago, was thought
> to be an intruder. Now everyone wanted to embrace and kiss him,
> but Fadl, being quite uptight and upset with their interrogation
> the night before, said with anger, "It is not necessary to kiss
> me. '1
> 
> This is a good time to point out that it is very easy to judge
> a person's faith and sincerity from their appearance and our
> premature impression. How often this could prove to be wrong.
> 
> If you like to know what was the source for the numerous dreams
> of Fadl, you should hear this. The next day Abdu'l-Baha told
> Dr. Yunis Khan, "We converted Fadl. Let us see how he compares
> with your converts." Now we can easily see that Abdull-Baha had
> his sight on that great man.  Dr. Yunis Khan answered, "My Lord,
> whatever you touch turns into gold, while ours becomes only copper."
> 
> In four months of his stay in Akka, under the instruction of
> Abdu'l-Baha, Fad1 gave classes for the believers but in the mid-
> course, he discontinued teaching because his philosophical concepts
> were too advanced for the average people of Akka. Once Abdu'l-
> Baha asked the believers, "How are you spending your evening hours
> at the guest house?" meaning, "Are you attending Fadl's courses?"
> No one dared to say that recently Fad1 had discontinued his
> classes, but Abdu'l-Baha knew it. After everyone was dismissed,
> Abdu'l-Baha asked Fad1 to stay and accompany Him for a walk.
> The Master told Fad1 the story of the learned man and the idiot.
> He said once there was a learned man imprisoned in a cell with
> an idiot. The learned man sent a petition to the king saying,
> I beg of you to give me any punishment except the company of this
> idiot."  Then Abdu ' 1-Baha comforted Fad1 not to get discouraged
> due to low capacity of the audience.  Fad1 remembered that gem
> of advice for the rest of his life. As we shall see, much of his
> life was spent teaching Arabic to the youth in Baha'i schools in
> Tehran and Hamadan. You can realize how this was less than proper
> use of a brilliant man like Fadl, and how he kept it up because
> of what Abdu'l-Baha had told him on that day.
> 
> There were a number of noteworthy events during Fadl's stay in
> Akka which speak for themselves. Fad1 states, "One day, with a
> number of other believers, I was in the presence of Abdu'l-Baha.
> As the Master was talking, it came to my mind that I wish I could
> meet with the arch covenant-breaker , meaning Abdu '1-Baha' s half-
> brother, and help him to understand his delusion."  Suddenly
> Abdu'l-Baha interrupted His conversation, directed His blessed
> face towards me and said, "After the Ascension of Baha'u'llah,
> I had a number of face-to-face meetings with my brother, and told
> him how our purpose is nothing but the promotion of the Faith of
> Baha'u'llah. Such a purpose is best served only if we support each
> other. Then I counselled him, showed extreme kindness to him, even
> at one time cried, but of no avail."  The rest of the believers
> present could not figure out why all of a sudden Abdu'l-Baha
> digressed to that issue, but Fad1 realized his mind was read by
> Abdu'l-Baha,  and being guided, he did not approach the
> arch-breaker.
> 
> Another time Fad1 had planned that the next time when in the
> presence of Abdu'l-Baha he would ask Him to bless the soul of his
> father who had passed away. The next day he attended Abdu'l-Baha's
> presence at His home. After Fad1 sat down, Abdu'l-Baha, while
> gazing at the sea through the window, said, "Jinab-i-Fadl, as a
> result of your embracing the Cause of Baha'u'llah, many people
> have been and will be blessed."
> Fadl, in those four months had many other experiences which were
> extraordinary and exciting. In the interest of time, I will share
> only a couple more. Aren't these stories heart touching?
> 
> Now those precious days of closeness to the object of his love
> were drawing to a close. As close as the next day. Fad1 made
> a wish that Abdu'l-Baha would write something for him in His own
> handwriting. You know that Abdu'l-Baha when having an audience,
> would also be writing letters, and at times dictating another letter
> to a scribe. Well, the next day would be the sad day which Fad1
> wished would never come. But the earth, to displeasure of Fadl,
> continued its rotation, and the sun rose on the day of departure.
> For the last time, He attained the presence of Abdu'l-Baha along
> with a number of other believers.
> 
> Abdu'l-Baha was writing and at times would speak to those thirsty
> souls in attendance.  He finished writing a tablet, folded it,
> and put it in an envelope. Haji, the same blessed man who at Fadl's
> arrival brought the key to open the guest house, was sitting next
> to Fadl. Abdu'l-Baha beckoned Haji and told him, "Send this to
> Fad1 after his departure." Haji returned back to his seat and
> told Fadl, "This tablet was written for you, but will be sent to
> you after your departure." Many such tablets by Baha'u'llah and
> Abdu'l-Baha would not be given to the believers while in
> attendance, but sent to them later. It is my personal feeling
> that the reason was to make sure it would arrive safely through
> a courier, as being robbed or searched during travel was not unusual
> in those days.
> 
> The night before, Fad1 was also meditating on all of the suffering
> he had gone through, as well as his degree of learning and what
> to do next. At the end of that last precious hour he spent close
> to his beloved Master, AbduTl-Baha dismissed everyone else and
> came to Fadl, put His blessed hand on his shoulder, and said these
> heartwarming and assuring last words, "Jinab-i-Fadl, ask whatever
> your heart desires and it shall be granted." Fad1 answered, "My
> wish is none other than your well-being and pleasure with my
> servitude to your threshold."  Abdu ' 1-Baha said, "Marhaba ,"
> indicating how pleased He was with the true understanding of that
> great man of learning. After all, what could be higher than
> humility and service. The Master Himself was the Exemplar of such
> an attribute.
> Then He gave Fad1 n i n e t e e n B r i t i s h pounds, a good sum of money,
> and i n s t r u c t e d him t o u s e a n a l t e r n a t e e n t r y t o I r a n t h r o u g h R u s s i a .
> The l a s t moving s c e n e of t h a t f a r e w e l l w a s Abdu'l-Baha embracing
> and k i s s i n g F a d l .  Then H e s a i d , "Fi Arnanu'llah" meaning may God
> p r o t e c t you.  Doesn't i t touch your h e a r t ,  imagining t h a t l a s t
> h o u r , t h a t l a s t minute when a l o v e r , f i n a l l y h a v i n g found h i s
> beloved, h a s t o p a r t , w i t h t h e m i s s i o n t o g a l v a n i z e t h e B a h a ' i s
> f a r and n e a r .  Only i f t h a t embrace c o u l d have l a s t e d a l i t t l e
> longer !
> 
> A f t e r t h a t e m o t i o n a l f a r e w e l l when h i s t e a r s s t o p p e d t o f l o w , h e
> asked H a j i i f he c o u l d l o o k a t t h e t a b l e t Abdu'l-Baha had j u s t
> r e v e a l e d i n h i s honor. H e r e a d i t w i t h s u c h c o n c e n t r a t i o n a s i f
> memorizing e v e r y word.  So charged w i t h a n unshakeable r e s o l v e
> and c e r t i t u d e , t h a t s p i r i t u a l g i a n t r e t u r n e d t o I r a n , n o t f o r t h e
> g l o r y of fame and w e a l t h , b u t f o r t h e g l o r y of s e r v i t u d e i n t h e
> p a t h of h i s Lord.  He s t a y e d f o r a w h i l e as t h e g u e s t of a d e d i c a t e d
> b e l i e v e r i n t h e n o r t h e r n c i t y of Rasht. -  The l o c a l assembly t h e r e
> s e n t him around as a t r a v e l - t e a c h e r .  A g i a n t l i k e him c o u l d n o t
> e s c a p e d e t e c t i o n and h o s t i l i t y of t h e c l e r g y .
> 
> When a g i t a t i o n of t h e p u b l i c , f u e l e d by t h e d i v i n e s , w a s r e a c h i n g
> i t s peak b e f o r e o u t b r e a k of v i o l e n c e , a prominent d i g n i t a r y who
> w a s a b e l i e v e r s e n t a message t o t h e c h i d c l e r g y saying $hat
> When agitation of the public, fueled by the divines, was reaching
> its peak before outbreak of violence, a prominent dignitary who
> was a believer sent a message to the chief clergy saying that
> instead of all the clamour, it is more reasonable for you honorable
> people to meet Fad1 face-to-face in a public debate. They used
> to hate that, knowing the outcome, but sometimes they were forced
> into it or lose face.  A few confrontations took place, one of
> which was in a mosque. The truth of the Faith was publically proven
> and established, and the divines were badly defeated.  Fadl's
> fame grew so much that on the streets people would point at him,
> that he is the one who defeated the clergy.  Of course, the public
> having wished the opposite outcome began to show indications of
> their annoyance and hostility.  Before anything serious happened,
> the local assembly asked Fad1 to head for Tehran.
> 
> There the local assembly sent him to the fanatic city of Qum.
> As discreet as he tried to be in his teaching efforts in that
> beehive, the obnoxious divines plotted his assassination but he
> secretly slipped through their net. If you like to know what
> happened, I don't mind sharing it with you. There he did not contact
> any Baha'is. Having a turban denoting his degree of ijtahid, he
> went to the seminary and began to teach courses.  With his novel
> concepts, the students were highly impressed, and he became very
> popular. They would openly say that they had never seen anybody
> as learned and interesting as this new teacher. Somehow from
> the gist of his teaching, the more seasoned and clever divines
> recognized his being a Baha'i and intention to teach the Faith,
> and plotted to kill him.
> 
> You like to know that Fad1 had an impressively large build and
> a stern look. Unfortunately, a good photo of him was not available.
> His photo on the insert is taken from a group photo of teachers
> in Tehran Baha'i School, in his later years.
> 
> With his charisma and unmatched knowledge, he was best of the Baha'i
> teachers, and also defense against the abusive and ruthless Islamic
> divines. When teaching in Baha'i schools, he wore a hat, but when
> teaching the Faith in firesides or debates he wore a turban denoting
> his Islamic rank. Whenever the Faith has needed or will need people
> of such caliber, God recreates those worthy of such a privilege.
> Fadl-i-Qa'ini, Mirza Abu'l-Fadl, and this Fad1 are some examples
> of the Will of the Almighty at work.
> 
> Fad1 received a number of tablets from Abdu'l-Baha, but the reunion
> in his mortal life never took place.
> 
> Well, couple more interesting events, and you have heard the whole
> story. Let us give each one a title. The first will be 'The Hopping
> Mulla,' and the next, 'The Fighting Cock who Turned into a Pitiful
> Mouse.' I know you are imagining some wild scenes. Well, continue
> to imagine, but meanwhile a few words about his personal life.
> A tablet from Abdu'l-Baha instructed Fad1 to make Tehran his
> headquarters and to do travel-teaching. Therefore, he settled
> in Tehran and got married. During the day he used to teach in
> full curriculum Baha'i school, and at night he taught the seekers.
> He had one son and two daughters. Later on, under the instruction
> of the Assembly of Tehran, he and his family moved to the city
> of Hamadan. There, his wife became the principal of a Baha'i school
> and Fad1 kept up the same schedule. As a Muslim, he could have
> been a professor of a theological college, but he patiently taught
> Arabic to the young folks, way below his level. As said before,
> the story of the wise man and the idiot in prison told by
> 'Abdu'l-Baha in Akka never escaped his mind, practicing the
> patience needed by all school teachers. This may have been one
> of his greatest tests because by nature he was a tense person.
> You should also know that he was very humble and detached.
> 
> Now the story of the wretched hopping Mulla.  Once in Tehran,
> Fad1 was confronted by two Mullas who were cousins.  One was older
> and more learned so he did most of the talking.  In the course
> of discussion, the senior Mulla said, "I wish I knew why a person
> like you has become a follower of Baha'u'llah.  Give me a good
> proof." Fad1 answered, "Proofs are many, but the greatest is His
> revealed words which flow like a spring downpour."  Mulla asked
> for an example. Fad1 recited part of the Tablet of Ahmad which
> he knew by heart. "Well, well," was the Mulla's answer, "if that
> is all, I can do the same."  Fadl's retort was, "Go ahead and
> reveal right now so I become your follower."  In those days
> particularly, Muslims used to sit on their knees.  Chairs have
> been considered by Muslims a decadent Western influence. The same
> for eating utensils. Sitting on the floor and eating with right
> hand is righteous for a Muslim, but don't ever dare plunge your
> left hand into the main dish if you want to safely get back home.
> Left hand is considered dirty.
> 
> Sorry for the digression. So Fad1 said, "Go ahead and reveal."
> The mulla straightened his posture, cleared his throat a few times
> and stroked his beard and said a certain common verse meaning
> salutation and praise be to Muhammad and his descendants. Such
> a verse is multipurpose and heard commonly in Muslim countries.
> It wards off evil as well as attracts bounty.  How can I forget
> my travels in Iran from one city to another.  Anytime the tire
> of the bus would hit a pothole which was often or the overloaded
> bus slightly tipped, the whole crowd in unison would shout that
> verse which surely would wake up the driver. That is a protection,
> isn't it ?
> 
> Unless you know these details the story has no spice. The mulla
> said the special verse loudly and waited and waited. No revelation
> descended. Most likely that spot was jinxed so he put his two
> hands on the floor and hopped a couple feet away.  Got settled,
> cleared throat, stroked his beard and said the verse  ...again no
> sign of any revelation.  While Fad1 was amused by the show, he
> kept watching the act with interest.  The mulla hopped for the
> second and third time and went through the whole routine.  On
> the fourth trial the other mulla could not contain his giggle any
> longer. He began laughing loud and said "Dear cousin, you seem
> to have no control over the revelation coming to you, but at least
> you could stop saying so many loud praise verses."
> 
> The other incident is slightly scary showing the courage of Fad1
> not thinking about his safety when the defense of the Faith was
> at stake. Tehran used to have a section which was known for being
> fanatically religious. Its name was Sangilach.  I remember from
> my youth years in Tehran there was a large field in that section
> called Sangilach square.  Every dawn and sunset during the fasting
> month of Ramadan, a cannon would be fired there for millions of
> inhabitants of Tehran to know when to stop or start eating.  I
> cannot figure out if choosing that section for firing the cannon
> was really a favor to the faithful Muslims in Sangilach or not.
> We could clearly hear the blast in the opposite end of the city.
> 
> Two of the notorious divines of that section continued in their
> preaching to bad mouth the Faith and the believers. Repeatedly
> they called for public debate but such a confrontation did not
> appear safe and wise to the Baha'i assembly.  Finally, a Baha'i
> teacher was appointed to respond.  Before the debate began, the
> clergy and their entourage and the crowd intimidated that teacher.
> He decided not to debate. This added fuel to the fire of their
> attacks.  The walls of the streets were covered with grafitti
> that the best Baha'i teacher proved to be empty and was defeated.
> The snowball effect of their vicious attacks, riling up the mob,
> became dangerous, but still the Local Assembly for protection of
> the believers decided against another confrontation.
> 
> That spiritual giant with his impressive appearance could no longer
> stand the abuse and put his life on the line. He and two prominent
> believers, one an officer, decided to arrange a meeting date at
> the home of the chief clergy. These three did not wish the risky
> outcome to reflect on the Tehran Assembly.  The appointed day
> arrived. Before noon on that day, Fad1 jotted down his assets
> and debts on a piece of paper.  After lunch, he kissed his baby
> daughter and said goodbye to his wife.  The three Baha'is joined
> each other and began to walk towards Sangilach.  The two divines
> had announced in the mosque about such a meeting. The people in
> that area were so riled up and sure of the defeat of the Baha'is,
> that they planned to literally tear them apart after the debate.
> In such tense situation, the three continued their walk in the
> narrow, dusty and dirty streets of Sangilach. Hostile and curious
> women crowding the streets peeked through their chadors. No doubt
> men were inside sharpening their tools for the slaughter.  Barely
> having any room to walk, passing through the masses of onlookers,
> would be enough to change the mind of an ordinary man, no matter
> how brave. But Fad1 leading the trio was not an ordinary man.
> He was a determined lion resolved to clear the name of the ~ a i t h
> once and for all.  They reached the house of the senior divine
> who was not at home.  Possibly at the mosque giving his final
> instruction to his deputies.  You can realize this was not another
> bee hive. It was a serpents' den.
> Whether we like it or not, they were in the den.  In the guest
> room, the younger divine who also was the brother of the chief
> was seated with a few Muslims and four armed soldiers. The junior
> divine was seated on the floor on one side of a special cushion
> denoting the seat of honor for the chief.  Fad1 as stern as a
> tower of strength went and sat on the other side of the cushion.
> After exchange of a few formalities, the mulla began the debate
> by questioning Fad1 on certain aspect of Islam trying to discredit
> the Faith.  Fad1 rebuffed him severely on every point.  You
> remember by custom they were all sitting on their knees.  The
> mulla found himself at a dead end and brought book after book.
> Fad1 used those books and pounded the mulla with proofs from his
> own books.  Mulla in desperation was getting louder and more
> rude by the minute. He constantly was jerking his head, arms and
> body and on his knees was inching his way towards Fadl. We don't
> know if these jerky movements were involuntary spasm triggered
> by the tension or voluntary moves trying to intimidate Fadl, but
> we know one thing for sure, and that is, Fadl's moves were quite
> voluntary trying to neutralize such gestures of that vicous and
> miserable enemy of the Faith.  Fad1 also began to inch his way
> around that special cushion towards the mulla.  A few times they
> came knee to knee after resuming their original seats.  The
> attendees, particularly the soldiers, were fascinated. The soldiers,
> highly impressed by the charisma, strength, and knowledge of Fadl,
> had to warn the mulla a few times when he was stooping to
> obscenities. This encounter lasted about one hour when that junior
> cock was totally defeated.  Now his honor the chief clergy entered
> and everyone in respect stood up until he sat on that special
> cushion. The Muslims were anxiously waiting for the chief to give
> the fatal blow because he was their best man.
> 
> After exchanging some words, both he and Fad1 realized that in
> a certain class in the holy cities they were classmates. Maybe
> it was not a pleasant surprise for the chief, since he realized
> the caliber of the opponent. Anyway, after a chilling silence,
> the chief asked a few questions about what had already been
> discussed. To the embarassment of the defeated junior, Fad1 said,
> "We already settled that question." Everyone, including the junior
> mulla, positively nodded their heads.  Who wanted that scene
> repeated?
> 
> The chief brought up subjects which to himself were decisive blows,
> but each one was precisely answered by Fad1 and rebuffed. This
> second round lasted three to four hours and was conducted in a
> more courteous atmosphere.  After there was nothing more to say,
> Fad1 looked at the people and said, "You be the witnesses," and
> then looking into the eyes of the chief, he said "And you concede
> to your defeat. You have no right to bad mouth the Faith or the
> believers in your preaching or on the walls of the streets." The
> two mullas were quieter than mice hearing the roar of that mighty
> lion. Fad1 got up and said goodbye and with the company left that
> center of oppression. Fortunately, he returned home without a
> scratch.  The proceedings of this encounter was written to
> Abdu'l-Baha who praised Fad1 in a letter.
> 
> You recall before these two exciting experiences, you were told
> that he was teaching the youth in Baha'i school of city of Hamadan
> where his wife was the principal.  After three years due to
> inattentiveness of the youth and lack of maturity of some of the
> adults, he was discouraged and returned to Tehran.  While in
> Hamadan the news of the Ascension of Abdu'l-Baha reached him which
> undoubtedly broke his heart.
> 
> According to the writer of the history, Fadl's greatness was only
> realized by the elite in the Baha'i community.  To others, he
> was just another learned believer with a nice title from
> 'Abdu'l-Baha, oblivious of what it took to deserve such an honor.
> He was not adequately appreciated during his life time, neither
> was Socrates, the Father of Philosophy, or that musical genius,
> Mozart.
> 
> On that celebration of the 9th day of Ridvan in 1935, when this
> narator was only a little four year old Zoroastrian boy, Fad1 gave
> a long speech at the Tehran Baha'i center called Haziratu'l-Quds.
> He was 72 years old....does age 72 ring a bell?  Do you recall
> when in his early twenties during his out-of-body experience he
> was foretold about age 72 specifically? Well, his age was right,
> and he had perfected his qualities to the best of his ability.
> The hour of departure was fast approaching.
> 
> Following that speech, Fad1 fell ill and was bedridden for four
> months. Against the advice of his physicians, visitors from all
> walks of life were pouring in. They had to see their Fad1 and
> show their appreciation even though it was too late.  One night
> Fad1 told his wife, "I will be your guest only for a few more
> hours."  After comforting her with assurance, he asked for the
> children.  He kissed them and sent them to bed.  Having never
> missed his obligatory prayer, as weak as he was, recited the long
> obligatory prayer while lying in bed.  How could he miss his last
> opportunity.  His last breath had to be used only to praise the
> Lord for the bounty of recognizing Baha'u'llah and testifying to
> his deep certitude and faith.  You recall, that prayer was the
> first Baha'i writing he memorized while still a Muslim, not knowing
> the Author. Now as a believer, this was his final preparation for
> his departure. One hour after he finished his prayer, he serenely
> closed his eyes to this mortal world and ascended to that lofty
> station beyond words promised to him.
> 
> The Guardian, in his telegram about the passing of -  - Muhammad-
> Shaykh
> Ibrahim-i-airazi, known as Fadl-i-airazi, stated Fadl's services
> shall not be forgotten with the passage of time.
> 
> May this humble contribution help to keep his memory alive.
> What you heard in this inspiring and eventful story was edited
> from the biography written by Azizu'llah-i-Sulaymani in Persian.
> According to the writer, parts of it were directly spoken to him
> by Fad1 himself, and the rest is from the written biography provided
> by Fadl's wife of many years, Naw-Zohur -
> Khanum.
>
> — *Fadl-i-Shirazi: Guided By Dreams (Used by permission of the curator)*