“A bitter struggle broke out between the Muqaddas [Mullá Sádiq] and Karím Khán who, as it is known, had taken the rank of chief of the Shaykhí sect, after the death of Kázim. The discussion took place in the presence of many people and Karím challenged his opponent to prove the truth of the mission of the Báb. ‘If you succeed,’ he said to him, ‘I will be converted and my pupils with me; but if you fail, I shall have it proclaimed in the bazaars: “Behold the one who tramples under foot the Holy Law of Islám!’”
‘I know who you are, Karím,’ replied Muqaddas to him. ‘Do you not remember your Master Siyyid Kázim and that which he told you: “Dog, do you not wish that I should die that, after me, may appear the absolute truth?” Witness how today, urged on by your passion for riches and for glory, you lie to yourself!’
“Begun in this vein, the discussion was bound to be brief. Instantly, the pupils of Karím drew their knives and threw themselves upon him [Mullá Sádiq] who was insulting their chief. Fortunately, the governor of the city interposed; Muqaddas [Mullá Sádiq] arrested and brought to his house where he kept him for a while and, when the excitement had subsided, he sent him away by night, escorted for several miles by ten mounted men.”
- A. L. M. Nicolas’ (“Siyyid ‘Alí-Muḥammad dit le Báb,” pp. 228–229.; Footnotes to chapter 9 included by Shoghi Effendi)
