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| Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf-1932 |
This cloistered calm with which they were surrounded was,
after a few days, unexpectedly interrupted by the arrival of Mullá
‘Alíy-i-Bastamí, one of the foremost disciples of Siyyid Kázim. He, together
with twelve other companions, arrived at the Masjid-i-Kúfih, where he found his
fellow-disciple Mullá Husayn immersed in contemplation and prayer. Mullá ‘Alí
was endowed with such vast learning, and was so deeply conversant with the
teachings of Shaykh Ahmad, that many regarded him as even superior to Mullá
Husayn. On several occasions he attempted to enquire from Mullá Husayn as to
his destination after the termination of the period of his retirement. Every
time he approached him, he found him so wrapt in his devotions that he felt it
impossible to venture a question. He soon decided to retire, like him, for
forty days from the society of men. All his companions followed his example
with the exception of three who acted as their personal attendants.
(Chapter 3,
‘The Dawn-Breakers’)
