Quddus: Fellow-Pilgrim of the Bab on Haj to Mecca

“Quddus, immortalized by Him [the Bab] as Ismu'llahi'l-Akhir (the Last Name of God); on whom Bahá'u'lláh's Tablet of Kullu't-Ta'am later conferred the sublime appellation of Nuqtiy-i-Ukhra (the Last Point); whom He elevated, in another Tablet, to a rank second to none except that of the Herald of His Revelation; whom He identifies, in still another Tablet, with one of the ‘Messengers charged with imposture’ mentioned in the Qur'án; whom the Persian Bayan extolled as that fellow-pilgrim round whom mirrors to the number of eight Vahids revolve; on whose ‘detachment and the sincerity of whose devotion to God's will God prideth Himself amidst the Concourse on high;’ whom 'Abdu'l-Bahá designated as the ‘Moon of Guidance;’ and whose appearance the Revelation of St. John the Divine anticipated as one of the two ‘Witnesses’ into whom, ere the ‘second woe is past,’ the ‘spirit of life from God’ must enter” (Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 49) – such a person showed incredible humility towards the Bab as documented below by the great historian Nabil:

"Upon His arrival in Jaddih, the Báb donned the pilgrim's garb, mounted a camel, and set out on His journey to Mecca [to perform His pilgrimage]. Quddus, however, notwithstanding the repeatedly expressed desire of his Master, preferred to accompany Him on foot all the way from Jaddih to that holy city. Holding in his hand the bridle of the camel upon which the Báb was riding, he walked along joyously and prayerfully, ministering to his Master's needs, wholly indifferent to the fatigues of his arduous march. Every night, from eventide until the break of day, Quddus, sacrificing comfort and sleep, would continue with unrelaxing vigilance to watch beside his Beloved, ready to provide for His wants and to ensure the means of His protection and safety." (Nabil, The Dawn-Breakers, translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi, p. 132) (For a brief account of his life please visit Baha'i Talks, Messages and Articles)

Letters of the Living

The 18 disciples who first believed in Sayyid Ali Muhammad the Primal Point, the Point are called Letters of the Living. They were created before all things from the Point. They became living because the Point shone forth upon them. The Point is independent of all things, Letters of the Living including. The Point is not a Letter of the Living. These 18 disciples were minor manifestations subject to the major manifestation, the Primal Point.
These 18 disciples were “the return of Muhammad, Ali, Fatima, the Eleven Imams and the Four Original Gates (BÂB).”

What is meant by the “return” is the appearance of another person, born of other parents, but inspired by God with the same spirit and power. This “coming again” of these persons was fulfilled in the appearance of the Letters of the Living.

Grants of Titles and names are the prerogatives of the Point, the manifestation of the age, the Primal Point in the manifestation of the Bayan, to the exclusion of all others, Letters of the Living including.

Of the 19 Letters of the Living the First to believe was Mulla Muhammad Hussein who was the return of Muhammad.

The last believer was Mulla Muhammad Ali entitled Quddus. Which Imam’s return he was is not clear, presumably he was the return of the Imam Hussein.
The 18 disciples received their titles from the Primal Point in 1844 as they embraced the faith.

Declaration of the Báb

This is celebrated 22-23 May (from 2 hours after sunset on the 22nd).

Báb announced that He was the Bearer of a long- promised Divine Revelation destined to transform the spiritual life of the human race. "O peoples of the earth," the Báb declared, "Give ear unto God's holy Voice...Verily the resplendent Light of God hath appeared in your midst, invested with this unerring Book, that ye may be guided aright to the ways of peace...",

Love and Compassion

The Báb's declaration that spiritual renewal and social advancement rested on "love and compassion" rather "than force and coercion," aroused hope and excitement among all classes, and He quickly attracted thousands of followers.

The central theme of His major work the “Bayan” was the imminent appearance of a second Messenger from God, one Who would be far greater than the Báb, and Whose mission would be to usher in the age of peace and justice promised in Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and all the other world religions.

Bahá'u'lláh paid tribute to the Báb

"Behold what steadfastness that Beauty of God hath revealed. The whole world rose to hinder Him, yet it utterly failed. The more severe the persecution they inflicted on that Sadrih [Branch] of Blessedness, the more His fervour increased, and the brighter burned the flame of His love. All this is evident, and none disputeth its truth. Finally, He surrendered His soul, and winged His flight unto the realms above."