The night before his [Mullá Husayn's] arrival at Máh-Kú, which was the eve of
the fourth Naw-Rúz after the declaration of the Mission of the Báb, and which
fell in that year, the year 1264 A.H., [1848[ on the thirteenth of the month of
Rabí’u’th-Thání, ‘Alí Khán dreamed a dream.
“In my sleep,” he thus relates his story, “I was startled by
the sudden intelligence that Muhammad, the Prophet of God, was soon to arrive
at Máh-Kú, that He was to proceed directly to the castle in order to visit the
Báb and to offer Him His congratulations on the advent of the Naw-Rúz festival.
In my dream, I ran out to meet Him, eager to extend to so holy a Visitor the
expression of my humble welcome. In a state of indescribable gladness, I
hastened on foot in the direction of the river, and as I reached the bridge,
which lay at a distance of a maydán [approximately less than 2 miles] from the
town of Máh-Kú, I saw two men advancing towards me. I thought one of them to be
the Prophet Himself, while the other who walked behind Him I supposed to be one
of His distinguished companions. I hastened to throw myself at His feet, and
was bending to kiss the hem of His robe, when I suddenly awoke. A great joy had
flooded my soul. I felt as if Paradise itself, with all its delights, had been
crowded into my heart. Convinced of the reality of my vision, I performed my
ablutions, offered my prayer, arrayed myself in my richest attire, anointed
myself with perfume, and proceeded to the spot where, the night before in my
dream, I had gazed upon the countenance of the Prophet. I had instructed my
attendants to saddle three of my best and swiftest steeds and to conduct them
immediately to the bridge. The sun had just risen when, alone and unescorted, I
walked out of the town of Máh-Kú in the direction of the river. As I approached
the bridge, I discovered, with a throb of wonder, the two men whom I had seen
in my dream walking one behind the other, and advancing towards me.
Instinctively I fell at the feet of the one whom I believed to be the Prophet,
and devoutly kissed them. I begged Him and His companion to mount the horses
which I had prepared for their entry into Máh-Kú. ‘Nay,’ was His reply, ‘I have
vowed to accomplish the whole of my journey on foot. I will walk to the summit
of this mountain and will there visit your Prisoner.’”
This strange experience of ‘Alí Khán brought about a
deepening of reverence in his attitude towards the Báb. His faith in the
potency of His Revelation became even greater, and his devotion to Him was
vastly increased. In an attitude of humble surrender, he followed Mullá Husayn
until they reached the gate of the castle. As soon as the eyes of Mullá Husayn
fell upon the countenance of his Master, who was seen standing at the threshold
of the gate, he halted instantly and, bowing low before Him, stood motionless
by His side. The Báb stretched forth His arms and affectionately embraced him.
Taking him by the hand, He conducted him to His chamber.
- Nabil (‘The
Dawn-Breakers’ chapter 13)
