Hands of the Cause of God

The Journey Of Mulla Husayn

Mulla Husayn was born in 1813 in Bushruyih in northern Iran. He attended the primary school which was called “maktab” those days. The pupils were taught reading and writing and enough mathematics to know how to add, subtract, and divide. The students also learned how to memorize passages from the Qur’an, in original Arabic, by repetition – without really understanding their meaning and significance. It was considered meritorious to be able to read the words of the Qur’an, especially at the tombs of the dead. 
At the age of twelve, Mulla Husayn finished his studies in his home town of Bushruyih and went to the nearby city of Mashhad, the most prestigious center of religious study in Iran, to pursue his religious studies at a seminary. To be accepted to such religious seminaries one had to show genuine interest and aptitude. These seminaries, known as “madrisih” consisted of some buildings around a courtyard, with pools, wells, and sometimes gardens. Professors and students generally lived at such madrisih’s. There was no fixed course of study. Each professor would teach a subject, while his students would sit on a mat around him. The students would listen, ask questions and discuss their views.
Mulla Husay’s parents, realizing his great spiritual capacities, were happy that their son would follow the path of religion and become a mujtahid,(A Muslim Doctor of Law) thereby honoring the family. But we do not know what was in the mind of the young Mulla Husayn. We do know that, in Mashhad, Mulla Husayn did not bow to the ideas of his professors. Soon he became attracted to the unorthodox ideas of Shaykh Ahmad and became a follower of Shaykh Ahmad’s successor, Siyyid Kazim. He corresponded with the latter, who lived and taught in Iraq, and his desire to meet him grew. Perhaps his heart told him that the Siyyid was more than just a scholar who could teach him the outward laws of religion.
It should be noted that at that time there was much speculation in Iran about the coming of the promised Qa’im – the promised one of the Shi’ih. In towns and villages of Iran, seers and sages called the people to prepare themselves for that great day. There were different expectations as to what things need to happen and how to prepare oneself for that great Advent. Mulla Husayn looked to Siyyid Kazim to unravel this mystery. He decided to journey to Iraq to study with his master.
Since the capital city Tihran is located on the way from Mashhad to Karbala in Iraq, Mulla Husayn stayed there for a while. But while there, he received the news that his father had died in Bushruyih, and he had to return to his native town - now with the responsibility of caring for his four younger sisters and brothers, some of whom were very young. But he would not remain there long as he felt the urge to leave directly for Karbala in Iraq.
While he was preparing to leave, it is reported that Mulla Husayn had a dream. He was in the presence of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam, who looked at him gently. Muhammad called him to approach and took him in His arms like a kind father. The Prophet then put His lips over those of Mulla Husayn. Suddenly Mulla Husay felt his mouth was filled with so much water that it began to flow out, as if a great ocean had burst forth from his mouth, filling the whole world.
When he awoke, he was perplexed by this dream. But his relatives were certain that it was a sign of great knowledge and attainment in life, that he would obtain the highest rank in the religious hierarchy, would become a great mujtahid (a Muslim Doctor of Law), and would fill the world with his wisdom.
As preparation for departure was underway his family observed a new expression on the face of Mulla Husayn and a mood of rapture about him. The entire family decided to accompany him to Karbala. They sold some of their property in the village and left. Only one of his sisters, Khadijih, who had already married remained at home.
Thus began Mulla Husayn’s journey to Iraq to meet his master Siyyid Kazim, one of the the two forerunners of the Báb. This was 1831 and Mulla Husayn was only 18 years old! 
(Adapted from ‘Mulla Husayn – Disciple at Dawn’, by R. Mehrabkhani)

How To Pray?

Abdu’l-Baha, the role model for Baha’is, traveled to New York early in the 20th century. 

One day he invited an eager follower to his quarters to teach the man to pray.  His guest arrived at 6:00 a.m. and found Abdu’l-Baha deep in prayer at his bedside. He knelt opposite Abdu’l-Baha and began to pray. He ticked off every priority on his prayer list, then he became distracted by cracks in the wall, birds outside, and his aching back. 

After two hours, he finally gazed at Abdu’l-Baha’s face and saw it shining with the radiance of deep communion with the divine. He suddenly longed for a prayer “beyond the murmur of syllables and sounds” as the Baha’i prayers describe this state. 

He longed to feel the sense of devotion he had witnessed. He received an immediate answer to his request, and enjoyed a few moments of exquisite prayer, grateful for this sweet lesson on “how to pray.”

Baha'i Month - Mashiyyat