The disciples of Mullá Muhammad meanwhile endeavoured to
persuade their teacher to proceed to Tákúr, to visit Bahá’u’lláh in person, to
ascertain from Him the nature of this new Revelation, and to enlighten his
followers regarding its character and purpose. To their earnest entreaty the
mujtahid returned an evasive answer. His disciples, however, refused to admit
the validity of the objections he raised. They urged that the first obligation
imposed upon a man of his position, whose function was to preserve the
integrity of shí’ah Islám, was to enquire into the nature of every movement
that tended to affect the interests of their Faith. Mullá Muhammad eventually
decided to delegate two of his eminent lieutenants, Mullá Abbás and Mírzá
Abu’l-Qásim, both sons-in-law and trusted disciples of the late mujtahid, Mírzá
Muhammad-Taqí, to visit Bahá’u’lláh and to determine the true character of the
Message He had brought. He pledged himself to endorse unreservedly whatever
conclusions they might arrive at, and to recognise their decision in such
matters as final.
(Chapter 5, ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)
