Mullá Muhammad disparagingly remarked: “I undertake no action
unless I first consult the Qur’án. I have invariably, on such occasions,
followed the practice of invoking the aid of God and His blessings; of opening
at random His sacred Book, and of consulting the first verse of the particular
page upon which my eyes chance to fall. From the nature of that verse I can
judge the wisdom and the advisability of my contemplated course of action.”
Finding that Bahá’u’lláh was not inclined to refuse him his request, the
mujtahid called for a copy of the Qur’án, opened and closed it again, refusing
to reveal the nature of the verse to those who were present. All he said was
this: “I have consulted the Book of God, and deem it inadvisable to proceed
further with this matter.” A few agreed with him; the rest, for the most part,
did not fail to recognise the fear which those words implied. Bahá’u’lláh,
disinclined to cause him further embarrassment, arose and, asking to be
excused, bade him a cordial farewell.
(Chapter 5, ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)
