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| Fath-'Ali Shah |
Such was the fame he acquired, that the ruler of Persia,
Fath-‘Alí Sháh, was moved to address to him from Tihrán a written message,
calling upon him to explain certain specific questions related to the abstruse
teachings of the Muslim Faith, the meaning of which the leading ‘ulamás of his
realm had been unable to unfold. To this he readily answered in the form of an
epistle to which he gave the name of “Risaly-i-Sultaníyyih.” The Sháh was so
pleased with the tone and subject matter of that epistle that he forthwith sent
him a second message, this time extending to him an invitation to visit his
court. Replying to this second imperial message, he wrote the following: “As I
had intended ever since my departure from Najaf and Karbilá to visit and pay my
homage to the shrine of the Imám Ridá in Mashhad, I venture to hope that your
Imperial Majesty will graciously allow me to fulfil the vow which I have made.
Later on, God willing, it is my hope and purpose to avail myself of the honour
which your Imperial Majesty has deigned to confer upon me.”
(The Dawn-Breakers,
Chapter 1)
