I [Nabil] have heard Shaykh Abú-Turáb [1] recount the
following:
“I, together with a number of the disciples of Siyyid Kázim,
regarded the allusions to these [bodily] deficiencies, from which the Siyyid
declared the promised One to be free, as specifically directed toward three
individuals amongst our fellow-disciples. We even designated them by such
appellations as indicated their bodily defects. One of them was Hájí Mírzá
Karím Khán, son of Ibráhím Khán-i-Qájár-i-Kirmání, who was both one-eyed and
sparsely bearded. Another was Mírzá Hasan-i-Gawhar, an exceptionally corpulent
man. The third was Mírzá Muhit-i-Sha’ir-i-Kirmání, who was extraordinarily lean
and tall. We felt convinced that these were none other than those to whom the
Siyyid constantly alluded as those vain and faithless people who would
eventually reveal their real selves, and betray their ingratitude and folly. As
to Hájí Mírzá Karím Khán, who for years sat at the feet of Siyyid Kázim and
acquired from him all his so-called learning, in the end he obtained leave from
his master to settle in Kirmán, and there engage in the promotion of the
interests of Islám and the dissemination of those traditions that clustered
round the sacred memory of the Imáms of the Faith.
(Chapter 2, ‘The
Dawn-Breakers’)
[1] According to Samandar (p. 32), Shaykh Abú-Turáb was a
native of Ishhtihad, and ranked among the leading disciples of Siyyid Kázim. He
married the sister of Mullá Husayn. He died while in prison in Tihrán.
