“I was present in the library of Siyyid Kázim when, one day,
an attendant of Hájí Mírzá Karím Khán [a disciple of Siyyid Kázim] arrived,
holding a book in his hand, which he presented to the Siyyid on behalf of his
master, requesting him to peruse it and to signify in his own handwriting his
approval of its contents. The Siyyid read portions of that book, and returned
it to the attendant with this message: ‘Tell your master that he, better than
anyone else, can estimate the value of his own book.’ The attendant had retired
when the Siyyid, with sorrowful voice, remarked: ‘Accursed be he! For years he
has been associated with me, and now that he intends to depart, his one aim,
after so many years of study and companionship, is to diffuse, through his
book, such heretical and atheistic doctrines as he now wishes me to endorse. He
has covenanted with a number of self-seeking hypocrites with the view of
establishing himself in Kirmán, and in order to assume, after my departure from
this world, the reins of undisputed leadership. How grievously he erred in his
judgment! For the breeze of divine Revelation, wafted from the Day-Spring of
guidance, will assuredly quench his light and destroy his influence. The tree
of his endeavour will eventually yield naught but the fruit of bitter
disillusion and gnawing remorse. Verily I say, you shall behold this with your
own eyes. My prayer for you is that you may be protected from the mischievous
influence which he, the antichrist of the promised Revelation, will in future
exercise.’ He bade me conceal this prediction until the Day of Resurrection,
the Day when the Hand of Omnipotence will have disclosed the secrets which are
now hidden within the breasts of men. ‘On that Day,’ he exhorted me, ‘arise
with unswerving purpose and determination for the triumph of the Faith of God.
Publish far and wide all that you have heard and witnessed.’”
- Shaykh
Abú-Turáb (A leading disciple of Siyyid Kázim, quoted by Nabi, chapter 2 of ‘The
dawn-Breakers’)
