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’)
