Birth of the Báb

The Báb, whose name was Siyyid ‘Alí-Muhammad, was born in the city of Shíráz, on the first day of Muharram, in the year 1235 A.H. [October 20, 1819] He belonged to a house which was renowned for its nobility and which traced its origin to Muhammad Himself. The date of His birth confirmed the truth of the prophecy traditionally attributed to the Imám ‘Alí: “I am two years younger than my Lord.” … In His early childhood He lost His father, Siyyid Muhammad-Riḍá, a man who was known throughout the province of Fárs for his piety and virtue, and was held in high esteem and honour. Both His father and His mother were descendants of the Prophet, both were loved and respected by the people. He was reared by His maternal uncle, Hájí Mírzá Siyyid ‘Alí, a martyr to the Faith, who placed Him, while still a child, under the care of a tutor named Shaykh Abid. The Báb, though not inclined to study, submitted to His uncle’s will and directions. 

(Chapter 3, ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)

Father of Quddús

The father of Quddús, according to the “Kashfu’l-Ghitá,” died several years before the Manifestation of the Báb. At the time of the death of his father, Quddús was still a boy studying in Mashhad in the school of Mírzá Ja’far. (P. 227, note 1.) 

(Footnotes to chapter 3, provided by Shoghi Effendi)

Quddús

The acceptance by Quddús of the truth of the Báb’s Revelation completed the assigned number of His chose disciples. Quddús, whose name was Muhammad-‘Alí, was, through his mother, a direct descendant of the Imám Hasan, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.  He was born in Barfurúsh, in the province of Mázindarán. It has been reported by those who attended the lectures of Siyyid Kázim that in the last years of the latter’ life, Quddús enrolled himself as one of the Siyyid’s disciples. He was the last to arrive, and invariably occupied the lowliest seat in the assembly. He was the first to depart upon the conclusion of every meeting. The silence he observed and the modesty of his behaviour distinguished him from the rest of his companions. Siyyid Kázim was often heard to remark that certain ones among his disciples, though they occupied the lowliest of seats, and observed the strictest silence, were none the less so exalted in the sight of God that he himself felt unworthy to rank among their servants. His disciples, although they observed the humility of Quddús and acknowledged the exemplary character of his behaviour, remained unaware of the purpose of Siyyid Kázim. When Quddús arrived in Shíráz and embraced the Faith declared by the Báb, he was only twenty-two years of age. Though young in years, he showed that indomitable courage and faith which none among the disciples of his master could exceed. He exemplified by his life and glorious martyrdom the truth of this tradition: “Whoso seeketh Me, shall find Me. Whoso findeth Me, shall be drawn towards Me. Whoso draweth nigh unto Me, shall love Me. Whoso loveth Me, him shall I also love. He who is beloved of Me, him shall I slay. He who is slain by Me, I Myself shall be his ransom.” 

(Chapter 3, ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)

Daily spiritual and physical communion between Letters of the Living and the Báb and Baha’u’llah, and between Shaykh Ahmad and Siyyid Kázim with the Báb and Baha’u’llah

Though distant in body, these heroic souls [Letters of the Living] are engaged in daily communion with their Beloved, partake of the bounty of His utterance, and share the supreme privilege of His companionship. Otherwise how could Shaykh Aḥmad and Siyyid Kázim have known of the Báb? How could they have perceived the significance of the secret which lay hidden in Him? How could the Báb Himself, how could Quddús, His beloved disciple, have written in such terms, had not the mystic bond of the spirit linked their souls together? Did not the Báb, in the earliest days of His Mission, allude, in the opening passages of the Qayyúmu’l-Asmá, His commentary on the Súrih of Joseph, to the glory and significance of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh? Was it not His purpose, by dwelling upon the ingratitude and malice which characterised the treatment of Joseph by his brethren, to predict what Bahá’u’lláh was destined to suffer at the hands of His brother and kindred? Was not Quddús, although besieged within the fort of Shaykh Tabarsí by the battalions and fire of a relentless enemy, engaged, both in the daytime and in the night-season, in the completion of his eulogy of Bahá’u’lláh—that immortal commentary on the Sád of Samad which had already assumed the dimensions of five hundred thousand verses? Every verse of the Qayyúmu’l-Asmá, every word of the aforementioned commentary of Quddús, will, if dispassionately examined, bear eloquent testimony to this truth. 

(Chapter 3, ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)

Islamic tradition concerning knowledge and its tremendous release when the Qá’im appears – Baha’u’llah confirms

“It is related in the ‘Biháru’l-Anvar,’ the ‘Aválím,’ and the ‘Yanbú” of Ṣádiq, son of Muḥammad, that he spoke these words: ‘Knowledge is seven and twenty letters. All that the Prophets have revealed are two letters thereof. None thus far hath known any besides these two letters. But when the Qá’im shall arise, He will cause the remaining five and twenty letters to be made manifest.’ Consider: he hath declared Knowledge to consist of seven and twenty letters, and regarded all the Prophets, from Adam even unto the ‘Seal,’ as Expounders of only two letters thereof, and as having been sent down with these two letters. He also saith that the Qá’im will reveal all the remaining five and twenty letters. Behold from this utterance how great and lofty is His station. His rank excelleth that of all the Prophets, and His Revelation transcendeth the comprehension and understanding of all their chosen ones.” 

- Baha’u’llah  ('The Kitáb-i-Íqán,'; footnotes to chapter 3 provided by Shoghi Effendi)

Quddus, the 18th Letter of the Living, recognized the Báb by “His gait”

The next day, in the evening hour, as the Báb, followed by Mullá Husayn, was returning to His home, there appeared a youth dishevelled and travel-stained. He approached Mullá Husayn, embraced him, and asked him whether he had attained his goal. Mullá Husayn tried at first to calm his agitation and advised him to rest for the moment, promising that he would subsequently enlighten him. That youth, however, refused to heed his advice. Fixing his gaze upon the Báb, he said to Mullá Husayn: “Why seek you to hide Him from me? I can recognise Him by His gait. I confidently testify that none besides Him, whether in the East or in the West, can claim to be the Truth. None other can manifest the power and majesty that radiate from His holy person.” Mullá Husayn marvelled at his words. He pleaded to be excused, however, and induced him to restrain his feelings until such time as he would be able to acquaint him with the truth. Leaving him, he hastened to join the Báb, and informed Him of his conversation with that youth. “Marvel not,” observed the Báb, “at his strange behaviour. We have in the world of the spirit been communing with that youth. We know him already. We indeed awaited his coming. Go to him and summon him forthwith to Our presence.” Mullá Husayn was instantly reminded by these words of the Báb of the following traditional utterance: “On the last Day, the Men of the Unseen shall, on the wings of the spirit, traverse the immensity of the earth, shall attain the presence of the promised Qá’im, and shall seek from Him the secret that will resolve their problems and remove their perplexities.” 

(Chapter 3, ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)

The Báb foretold the appearance of the 18th, the last Letter of the Living

One night, in the course of His conversation with Mullá Husayn; the Báb spoke these words:

“Seventeen Letters have thus far enlisted under the standard of the Faith of God. There remains one more to complete the number. These Letters of the Living shall arise to proclaim My Cause and to establish My Faith. To-morrow night the remaining Letter will arrive and will complete the number of My chosen disciples.” 

(Chapter 3, ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)

Views of the Masjid-i-Ílkhání in Shiraz where Mulla Husayn and his companions stayed. At the request of the Báb, Mulla Husayn also conducted lectures and met the dignitaries at this mosque.

(circa 1935, 'The Dawn-Breakers')

The creation of the “Letters of the Living”: “the chosen Apostles of the Báb, the ministers of His Faith, and the diffusers of His light.”

Each of the twelve companions of Mullá ‘Alí, in his turn and by his own unaided efforts, sought and found his Beloved. Some in sleep, others in waking, a few whilst in prayer, and still others in their moments of contemplation, experienced the light of this Divine Revelation and were led to recognise the power of its glory. After the manner of Mullá ‘Alí, these, and a few others, accompanied by Mullá Husayn, attained the presence of the Báb and were declared “Letters of the Living.” Seventeen Letters were gradually enrolled in the preserved Tablet of God, and were appointed as the chosen Apostles of the Báb, the ministers of His Faith, and the diffusers of His light. 

(Chapter 3, ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)

Mullá ‘Alíy-i-Bastamí becomes the second person to recognize the Báb as the Promised One

That very morning, at break of day, Mullá Husayn, followed by Mullá ‘Alí, hastened to the residence of the Báb. At the entrance of His house they met the faithful Ethiopian servant, who immediately recognised them and greeted them in these words: “Ere break of day, I was summoned to the presence of my Master, who instructed me to open the door of the house and to stand expectant at its threshold. ‘Two guests,’ He said, ‘are to arrive early this morning. Extend to them in My name a warm welcome. Say to them from Me: “Enter therein in the name of God.”’”

The first meeting of Mullá ‘Alí with the Báb, which was analogous to the meeting with Mullá Husayn, differed only in this respect, that whereas at the previous meeting the proofs and testimonies of the Báb’s mission had been critically scrutinised and expounded, at this one all argument had been set aside and nothing but the spirit of intense adoration and of close and ardent fellowship prevailed. The entire chamber seemed to have been vitalised by that celestial potency which emanated from His inspired utterance. Everything in that room seemed to be vibrating with this testimony: “Verily, verily, the dawn of a new Day has broken. The promised One is enthroned in the hearts of men. In His hand He holds the mystic cup, the chalice of immortality. Blessed are they who drink therefrom!” 

(Chapter 3, ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)

Mullá ‘Alíy-i-Bastamí received his spiritual confirmation on the third night of his retirement

On the third night of his retirement, whilst wrapt in prayer, Mullá ‘Alíy-i-Bastamí had a vision. There appeared before his eyes a light, and, lo! that light moved off before him. Allured by its splendour, he followed it, till at last it led him to his promised Beloved. At that very hour, in the mid-watches of the night, he arose and, exultant with joy and radiant with gladness, opened the door of his chamber and hastened to Mullá Husayn. He threw himself into the arms of his revered companion. Mullá Husayn most lovingly embraced him and said: “Praise be to God who hath guided us hither! We had not been guided had not God guided us!” 

(Chapter 3, ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)

The newly arrived companions of Mulla Husayn began their individual spiritual preparations to receive divine guidance to recognize the Báb

Mullá ‘Alí hastened to his companions and acquainted them with the nature of his conversation with Mullá Husayn. Ablaze with the fire which the account of that conversation had kindled in their hearts, they immediately dispersed, and, seeking the seclusion of their cells, besought, through fasting and prayer, the early removal of the veil that intervened between them and the recognition of their Beloved. They prayed while keeping their vigils: “O God, our God! Thee only do we worship, and to Thee do we cry for help. Guide us, we beseech Thee, on the straight Path, O Lord our God! Fulfil what Thou hast promised unto us by Thine Apostles, and put us not to shame on the Day of Resurrection. Verily, Thou wilt not break Thy promise.” 

(Chapter 3, ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)

Mullá ‘Alíy-i-Bastamí , the spokesman of the newly arrived companions of Mulla Husayn, notices the change in Mulla Husayn’s demeanour

"'One night, a few days after their arrival, Mullá ‘Alí, as the spokesman of his companions, gave vent to feelings which he could no longer repress. “You know well,” he said, “how great is our confidence in you. We bear you such loyalty that if you should claim to be the promised Qá’im we would all unhesitatingly submit. Obedient to your summons, we have forsaken our homes and have gone forth in search of our promised Beloved. You were the first to set us all this noble example. We have followed in your footsteps. We have determined not to relax in our efforts until we find the Object of our quest. We have followed you to this place, ready to acknowledge whomsoever you accept, in the hope of seeking the shelter of His protection and of passing successfully through the tumult and agitation that must needs signalise the last Hour. How is it that we now see you teaching the people and conducting their prayers and devotions with the utmost tranquillity? Those evidences of agitation and expectancy seem to have vanished from your countenance. Tell us, we beseech you, the reason, that we too may be delivered from our present state of suspense and doubt.”

As foretold by the Báb thirteen companions of Mulla Husayn arrived in Shiraz

“‘That same morning, at sunrise, soon after my return from the home of the Báb, Mullá ‘Alíy-i-Bastamí, accompanied by the same number of companions as indicated to me, arrived at the Masjid-i-Ílkhání. I immediately set about to provide the means for their comfort.’” 

- Mulla Husayn  (Quoted by Nabil in chapter 3 of ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)

It appears that it took 40 days until all 18 Letters of the Living found the Báb

“Understand in the same way the beginning of the manifestation of the Bayán during forty days no one but the letter Síná believed in B. It was only, little by little, that the Bismi’lláhu’l-Amná’u’l-Aqdas clothed themselves with the garment of faith until finally the Primal Unity was completed. Witness then how it has increased until our day.” (“Le Bayán Persan,” vol. 4, p. 119.) 

- The Báb  (Quoted by A. L. M. Nicolas  in his translation of Persian Bayán to French; footnotes to chapter 3 provided by Shoghi Effendi)

The arrival of thirteen companions of Mulla Husayn

In the course of one of these nightly visits, [with the Báb] my Host [the Báb] addressed me [Mulla Husayn] in these words:

“To-morrow thirteen of your companions will arrive. To each of them extend the utmost loving-kindness. Leave them not to themselves, for they have dedicated their lives to the quest of their Beloved. Pray to God that He may graciously enable them to walk securely in that path which is finer than a hair and keener than a sword. Certain ones among them will be accounted, in the sight of God, as His chosen and favoured disciples. As to others, they will tread the middle way. The fate of the rest will remain undeclared until the hour when all that is hidden shall be made manifest.”

- Mulla Husayn, (Quoting The Báb, chapter 3 of ‘The Dawn-Breakers’) 

Mulla Husayn was summoned by the Báb to visit Him on several occasions

“‘During those days I was, on several occasions, summoned by the Báb to visit Him. He would send at night-time that same Ethiopian servant to the masjid, bearing to me His most loving message of welcome. Every time I visited Him, I spent the entire night in His presence. Wakeful until the dawn, I sat at His feet fascinated by the charm of His utterance and oblivious of the world and its cares and pursuits. How rapidly those precious hours flew by! At daybreak I reluctantly withdrew from His presence. How eagerly in those days I looked forward to the approach of the evening hour! With what feelings of sadness and regret I beheld the dawning of day!’” 

- Mulla Husayn  (Quoted by Nabil in chapter 3 of ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)

Mulla Husayn organized his classes and received many ecclesiastical dignitaries and officials of Shiraz

A large number of the followers of Shaykh Ahmad, who had heard of my arrival, had gathered in the Masjid-i-Ílkhání to meet me. Faithful to the directions of my newly found Beloved, I immediately set myself to carry out His wishes. As I began to organise my classes and perform my devotions, a vast concourse of people gathered gradually about me. Ecclesiastical dignitaries and officials of the city also came to visit me. They marvelled at the spirit which my lectures revealed, unaware that the Source whence my knowledge flowed was none other than He whose advent they, for the most part, were eagerly awaiting.’” 

- Mulla Husayn  (Quoted by Nabil in chapter 3 of ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)

The immediate impact of the Revelation on Mulla Husayn

“‘This Revelation, so suddenly and impetuously thrust upon me, came as a thunderbolt which, for a time, seemed to have benumbed my faculties.  I was blinded by its dazzling splendour and overwhelmed by its crushing force. Excitement, joy, awe, and wonder stirred the depths of my soul. Predominant among these emotions was a sense of gladness and strength which seemed to have transfigured me. How feeble and impotent, how dejected and timid, I had felt previously! Then I could neither write nor walk, so tremulous were my hands and feet. Now, however, the knowledge of His Revelation had galvanised my being. I felt possessed of such courage and power that were the world, all its peoples and its potentates, to rise against me, I would, alone and undaunted, withstand their onslaught. The universe seemed but a handful of dust in my grasp. I seemed to be the Voice of Gabriel personified, calling unto all mankind: “Awake, for lo! the morning Light has broken. Arise, for His Cause is made manifest. The portal of His grace is open wide; enter therein, O peoples of the world! For He who is your promised One is come!”

“‘In such a state I left His house and joined my brother and nephew.'" 

- Mulla Husayn  (Quoted by Nabil in chapter 3 of ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)

The Báb’s Writings gradually attracted more enthusiastic admirers

“In the first of his books he was, above all, pious and mystical; in the second, polemics and dialectics held an important place, and his listeners noticed that he unfolded, from a chapter in the Book of God which he had chosen, a new meaning which no one had heretofore perceived and especially that he drew from it doctrines and information wholly unexpected. That which one never tired of admiring was the elegance and beauty of the Arabic style used in those writings. They soon had enthusiastic admirers who did not fear to prefer them to the finest passages in the Qur’án.” (Comte de Gobineau’s “Les Religions et les Philosophies dans l’Asie Centrale,” p. 120.) 

(Footnotes to chapter 3 provided by Shoghi Effendi)

An original Tablet of the Báb in His own handwriting

(Baha’i World News Service)

The Báb announced to Mulla Husayn: “I am the Báb, the Gate of God, and thou art the Bábu’l-Báb, the gate of that Gate.”

“‘He [the Báb] then addressed me in these words:

“O thou who art the first to believe in Me! Verily I say, I am the Báb, the Gate of God, and thou art the Bábu’l-Báb, the gate of that Gate. Eighteen souls must, in the beginning, spontaneously and of their own accord, accept Me and recognise the truth of My Revelation. Unwarned and uninvited, each of these must seek independently to find Me. And when their number is complete, one of them must needs be chosen to accompany Me on My pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina. There I shall deliver the Message of God to the Sharíf of Mecca. I then shall return to Kúfih, where again, in the Masjid of that holy city, I shall manifest His Cause. It is incumbent upon you not to divulge, either to your companions or to any other soul, that which you have seen and heard. Be engaged in the Masjid-i-Ílkhání in prayer and in teaching. I, too, will there join you in congregational prayer. Beware lest your attitude towards Me betray the secret of your faith. You should continue in this occupation and maintain this attitude until our departure for Ḥijáz. Ere we depart, we shall appoint unto each of the eighteen souls his special mission, and shall send them forth to accomplish their task. We shall instruct them to teach the Word of God and to quicken the souls of men.”

"'Having spoken these words to me, He dismissed me from His presence. Accompanying me to the door of the house, He committed me to the care of God.’” 

- Mulla Husayn  (Quoted by Nabil in chapter 3 of ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)

Mulla Husayn’s state of ecstasy while in the presence of the Báb

“‘I sat spellbound by His utterance, oblivious of time and of those who awaited me. Suddenly the call of the muadhdhín, summoning the faithful to their morning prayer, awakened me from the state of ecstasy into which I seemed to have fallen. All the delights, all the ineffable glories, which the Almighty has recounted in His Book as the priceless possessions of the people of Paradise—these I seemed to be experiencing that night. Methinks I was in a place of which it could be truly said: “Therein no toil shall reach us, and therein no weariness shall touch us”; “No vain discourse shall they hear therein, nor any falsehood, but only the cry, ‘Peace! Peace!’”; “Their cry therein shall be, ‘Glory be to Thee, O God!’ and their salutation therein, ‘Peace!’ And the close of their cry, ‘Praise be to God, Lord of all creatures!’”

“‘Sleep had departed from me that night. I was enthralled by the music of that voice which rose and fell as He chanted; now swelling forth as He revealed verses of the Qayyúmu’l-Asmá,  again acquiring ethereal, subtle harmonies as He uttered the prayers He was revealing.  At the end of each invocation, He would repeat this verse: “Far from the glory of thy Lord, the All-Glorious, be that which His creatures affirm of Him! And peace be upon His Messengers! And praise be to God, the Lord of all beings!” [Qur’an 37:180]

- Mulla Husayn  (Quoted by Nabil in chapter 3 of ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)

Mulla Husayn’s fascination with the Báb’s quality of hospitality and His Ethiopian servant

“‘At the third hour after sunset, my Host ordered the dinner to be served. That same Ethiopian servant appeared again and spread before us the choicest food. That holy repast refreshed alike my body and soul. In the presence of my Host, at that hour, I felt as though I were feeding upon the fruits of Paradise. I could not but marvel at the manners and the devoted attentions of that Ethiopian servant whose very life seemed to have been transformed by the regenerating influence of his Master. I then, for the first time, recognised the significance of this well-known traditional utterance ascribed to Muhammad: “I have prepared for the godly and righteous among My servants what eye hath seen not, ear heard not, nor human heart conceived.” Had my youthful Host no other claim to greatness, this were sufficient—that He received me with that quality of hospitality and loving-kindness which I was convinced no other human being could possibly reveal.”’ 

- Mulla Husayn  (Quoted by Nabil in chapter 3 of ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)

The date the Báb received His Divine Mission

A. L. M. Nicolas quotes the following from the Kitabu’l-Haramayn: “In truth, the first day that the Spirit descended in the heart of this Slave was the fifteenth of the month of Rabí’u’l-Avval.” (A. L. M. Nicolas’ “Siyyid ‘Alí-Muhammad dit le Báb,” p. 206.) 

(Footnotes to chapter 3 of ‘The Dawn-Breakers’, provided by Shoghi Effendi)

The date of the Báb’s Declaration - from the Persian Bayan

The date of the Manifestation is fixed by the following passage in the Persian Bayán (Vahíd 2, Báb 7): “The beginning thereof was when two hours and eleven minutes [had passed] from the evening preceding the fifth of Jamádiyu’l-Ula, 1260 [A.H.], which is the year 1270 of the mission [of Muhammad].” (From manuscript copy of Bayán written by the hand of Siyyid Husayn, amanuensis and companion of the Báb.) 

(Footnotes to chapter 3, provided by Shoghi Effendi)

The Báb discouraged Mulla Husayn from leaving until he was composed

At last I [Mulla Husayn] reluctantly arose from my seat and begged leave to depart. He smilingly bade me be seated, and said: “If you leave in such a state, whoever sees you will assuredly say: ‘This poor youth has lost his mind.’” At that moment the clock registered two hours and eleven minutes after sunset.  That night, the eve of the fifth day of Jamádiyu’l-Avval, in the year 1260 A.H., corresponded with the eve preceding the sixty-fifth day after Naw-rúz, which was also the eve of the sixth day of Khurdád, of the year Nahang. “This night,” He declared, “this very hour will, in the days to come, be celebrated as one of the greatest and most significant of all festivals. Render thanks to God for having graciously assisted you to attain your heart’s desire, and for having quaffed from the sealed wine of His utterance. ‘Well is it with them that attain thereunto.’”  

- Mulla Husayn  (Quoted by Nabil in chapter 3 of ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)

Before meeting the Báb Mulla Husayn had wondered about the significance of Súrih of Joseph in Qur’an

“Mullá Husayn is reported to have said the following: “One day, when I was alone with the late Siyyid [Kázim] in his library, I enquired the reason why the Suriy-i-Yúsúf was entitled in the Qur’án ‘the Best of Stories,’ to which he replied that it was not then the proper occasion for explaining the reason. This incident remained concealed in my mind, neither had I mentioned it to anyone.” 

(“The Taríkh-i-Jadíd,” p. 39.) 
(Footnotes to chapter 3 included by Shoghi Effendi)

Home of Mulla Husayn in Bushruyih, Persia

(The Dawn-Breakers)

Mulla Husayn witnessed the Báb revealing a Tablet

He [the Báb] then proceeded to say:“Now is the time to reveal the commentary on the Súrih of Joseph.[of Qur’an]” He took up His pen and with incredible rapidity revealed the entire Súrih of Mulk, the first chapter of His commentary on the Súrih of Joseph. The overpowering effect of the manner in which He wrote was heightened by the gentle intonation of His voice which accompanied His writing. Not for one moment did He interrupt the flow of the verses which streamed from His pen. Not once did He pause till the Súrih of Mulk was finished. I sat enraptured by the magic of His voice and the sweeping force of His revelation.” 

- Mulla Husayn  (Quoted by Nabil in chapter 3 of ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)

The Báb reminded Mulla Husayn: “It is for God to test His servants, and not for His servants to judge Him in accordance with their deficient standards.”

Had you not been My guest your position would indeed have been a grievous one. The all-encompassing grace of God has saved you. It is for God to test His servants, and not for His servants to judge Him in accordance with their deficient standards. Were I to fail to resolve your perplexities, could the Reality that shines within Me be regarded as powerless, or My knowledge be accused as faulty? Nay, by the righteousness of God! it behoves, in this day, the peoples and nations of both the East and the West to hasten to this threshold, and here seek to obtain the reviving grace of the Merciful. Whoso hesitates will indeed be in grievous loss. Do not the peoples of the earth testify that the fundamental purpose of their creation is the knowledge and adoration of God? It behoves them to arise, as earnestly and spontaneously as you have arisen, and to seek with determination and constancy their promised Beloved. 

- The Báb  (Quoted by Mulla Husayn, chapter 3 of ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)