Ruhi Book 3 Grade 4 Lesson 3
Introducing The Principal Theme
Welcome to Lesson 3 Grade 4.
So great is the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, that, unlike any Revelation in the past, God sent another Manifestation to prepare humanity for the outpouring of His divine guidance.
In our last lesson, we spoke about the early years of Bahá’u’lláh’s life, and we were able to see how all the attributes through which we know God attributes such as love, justice, and mercy were apparent in Him from the youngest age. Those who knew Bahá’u’lláh as a child and a young person were convinced of His greatness. Of course, they could not have imagined then what future God had ordained for Him.
And, in the last lesson, you also memorized a most beautiful passage in which Bahá’u’lláh speaks of the source of His knowledge and wisdom. Everything that He revealed came directly from God; His knowledge was innate, not acquired the way we gain so much of our knowledge, day by day.
You know that, for thousands of years, humanity has awaited this great Revelation, the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh. So, when the time came, what did God do to prepare hearts to receive His Supreme Manifestation?
He sent to humanity another Manifestation, the beloved Báb. And what does the title ‘the Báb’ mean?
It means ‘THE GATE’.
In the very title that He chose for Himself, the Báb was telling the people of the world that He was the portal to an even greater Revelation. We could say that, with His Declaration, centuries and centuries of promise came to an end and the doors to a new Era, the Bahá’í Era, were opened.
The teachings of the Báb helped large numbers in Persia to recognize that it was time to leave the past behind and enter a new stage in the life of humanity. Again and again, the Báb spoke of Him Whom God would make manifest, and He urged His followers to cleanse their hearts of egotism, ambition, jealousy, and hatred and to be humble, pure, and prayerful so that they would be able to recognize Bahá’u’lláh when God made Him manifest.”
The Báb knew, of course, that His Dispensation was to be a short one. His purpose was to prepare the way for the coming of the Promised One of All Ages, and His love for Bahá’u’lláh was so great that He accepted untold suffering in His path.
Today, you will memorize the words of Bahá’u’lláh in which He pays tribute to the Báb and testifies to the truth of His Revelation. Some of the stories you heard in Grade 3 show how courageously and vigorously Bahá’u’lláh arose to champion the Cause of the Báb.
Do you remember what happened at that conference of Badasht?
Why was it so important?
Until then the followers of the Báb had clung to many of their old beliefs. At the Conference of Badasht, they made a break with the past and began to follow the laws laid down by the Báb. It was Bahá’u’lláh Who had guided the conference and helped those heroic souls come to this decision and see that a new Day was dawning in the life of humanity.
- Who is the Promised One of All Ages?
- What has Baha’u’llah come to accomplish?
- What should we have in our hearts for one another?
- What is the result of the diversity of flowers in a garden?
- What should be the result of the diversity of the human race?
- If we remember the love that God has for each one of us, how will we deal with one another?
- What does Baha’u’llah want His followers to show towards every race, nationality, and religion?
Prayer 1
Prayer 2
Prayer 3
We, verily, believe in Him Who, in the person of the Báb, hath been sent down by the Will of the one true God, the King of Kings, the All-Praised
Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
Meaning Of Words
Want to know the meaning of the words in the quote? look them up and record them here. Keep it safe in your notebook!
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This historical episode describes events leading up to Bahá’u’lláh’s imprisonment in the Síyáh-Chál. It consists of essentially three stories, all of which were included in the Grade 3 lessons: Mullá Ḥusayn’s visit to Ṭihrán, Bahá’u’lláh’s journey to His ancestral home in Tákur, and the Conference of Badasht.
Bahá’u’lláh was twenty-seven years old when, on 23 May 1844, the Báb declared His Mission to Mullá Ḥusayn in the city of Shíráz. You remember that, some three months later, after the Báb had appointed His chosen disciples, the eighteen Letters of the Living, He sent Mullá Ḥusayn on a special mission. He gave Mullá Ḥusayn a scroll of His Writings and instructed him to go to Ṭihrán. He told him to beseech God, that he would be enabled to recognize the splendor of the secret hidden in that city. You know that Mullá Ḥusayn’s search led him to a school for religious studies in Ṭihrán. There he took a room and met a student from the district of Núr who eagerly received the good news of the Báb’s Declaration. It was through this student that Mullá Ḥusayn learned about Mírzá Buzurg’s illustrious Son, Who was renowned for His virtuous life, His high attainments, His loving- kindness, and generosity. “
What is His occupation?” Mullá Ḥusayn asked the student.
“He cheers the disconsolate and feeds the hungry,” the student replied.
“What of His rank and position?” inquired Mullá Ḥusayn. “He has none apart from befriending the poor and the stranger,” the student answered.
“What is His name?” Mullá Ḥusayn asked at last. “Ḥusayn-‘Alí,” was the reply.
Of course, this illustrious Son was none other than Bahá’u’lláh, and Mullá Ḥusayn realized that his search had ended. You remember that he then gave the student the scroll of the Báb’s Writings, wrapped in a piece of cloth, and asked him to deliver it to Bahá’u’lláh the next day. Here is the story of how Bahá’u’lláh received that scroll.
The student took the scroll and departed, at daybreak, to carry out Mullá Ḥusayn’s request. As he neared the house of Bahá’u’lláh, he saw standing at the gate one of His brothers, Mírzá Músá, whose title is Áqáy-i-Kalím. The student explained to him the reason for his visit, and Áqáy-i-Kalím led the young man into the presence of Bahá’u’lláh. He asked them both to be seated. Unfolding the scroll, He began to read aloud some of its passages. He had read but a page when He turned to Áqáy-i-Kalím and proclaimed the Divine origin of the words of the Báb and testified to the truth of His Revelation. He spoke no more. As the young man was preparing to leave, Bahá’u’lláh requested him to take to Mullá Ḥusayn, as a gift from Him, a loaf of sugar and a package of tea and to convey to him His appreciation and love.
Filled with happiness, the young man left and hurried back to Mullá Ḥusayn. He delivered to him the gift and message from Bahá’u’lláh. No words can describe the joy with which Mullá Ḥusayn received them. With a bowed head, he accepted the gift and fervently kissed it. The young man was greatly puzzled. Why did Mullá Ḥusayn behave in this way? Why should he show such happiness upon receiving so small a gift from Bahá’u’lláh? What could be the cause of such devotion?
A few days later, Mullá Ḥusayn left Ṭihrán. As he said goodbye to the young student, he told him to say nothing about his meeting with Bahá’u’lláh to anyone and to pray that God would protect Him. Mullá Ḥusayn spoke of the great trials and difficulties that would eventually come to the followers of the Báb, and he urged the student to raise the call of a New Day and to proclaim the Báb’s Message. Mullá Ḥusayn then set out for a nearby province. As for this young student, you should know that he became a most devoted follower of the Báb and joined Mullá Ḥusayn some four years later at the fort of Shaykh Ṭabarsí. When he and his fellow Bábís were captured by a deceitful and dishonest enemy, he was offered freedom if he would deny the truth of the Báb’s Revelation; the young student refused and was put to death in a most cruel manner.
Now, after Bahá’u’lláh received the scroll of the Báb’s Writings and accepted His Message, He immediately arose to promote it. The first journey He undertook to teach the new Faith was to His ancestral home in Tákur in the district of Núr. The people of Tákur greeted Bahá’u’lláh with much enthusiasm. At first, they were eager to learn about the court of the king in Ṭihrán, but Bahá’u’lláh had little interest in discussing such things. Instead, He began to proclaim the Message of the Báb. His arguments were so logical and His speech so eloquent that soon many became convinced of the greatness of this new Cause.
As it happens, one of Bahá’u’lláh’s own uncles became jealous of the love and respect that the people were showing to Him. This uncle’s name was ‘Azíz, and he arose to oppose Bahá’u’lláh and challenge the truth of the Báb’s Revelation. But, of course, he had no success. So ‘Azíz went to a clergyman in the region, with vast knowledge of the Faith of Islám, in order to receive his assistance. He hoped to convince him that Bahá’u’lláh was a threat to Islám and that there was need for immediate action. The clergyman, afraid of confronting Bahá’u’lláh, ignored the pleas of ‘Azíz. But the Message that Bahá’u’lláh had brought to the region was rapidly spreading, and the students of this clergyman began to wonder, too, about this new Cause. Should not the clergyman visit Bahá’u’lláh and find out more about the Message He was proclaiming? At last he decided to send two of his most trusted students to visit Bahá’u’lláh. He would accept whatever these two decided. Well, perhaps you remember that these two students, upon hearing the words of Bahá’u’lláh, immediately accepted the Cause of the Báb, and they never returned to their teacher. News of their acceptance of the new Faith traveled fast, and people from different parts of the province of Mázindarán journeyed to Núr in order to enter the presence of Bahá’u’lláh. Alas, the clergyman refused to listen to the words of Bahá’u’lláh and failed to recognize the Báb. But, through the power of His utterance, Bahá’u’lláh won the hearts of great numbers, and hundreds were brought under the banner of the Faith. So it was that Mázindarán, and the district of Núr in particular, became to the first in all of Persia to embrace the Divine Message.
Of course, you know that gradually the Message of the Báb spread to all parts of Persia, and the entire country was thrown into a state of commotion. Thousands began to follow His teachings, and this angered the leaders of Persia who feared they would lose their power over the people. The Báb was exiled to a remote part of Persia with the hope that His Cause would be forgotten. Persecutions against His followers were on the rise. Among those who were affected was the great poetess Ṭáhirih, one of the Letters of the Living. For a woman to be so outspoken was very dangerous, and the government tried to silence her by spreading lies about her. As a result, not even the members of her own family would associate with her. She was kept in a house in a town some distance from Ṭihrán, and her movements were watched. So one day Bahá’u’lláh sent a trusted companion to rescue her and bring her to Ṭihrán. He instructed this companion to have his wife accompany him. She should go to the house where Ṭáhirih was kept and pass to her a letter from Bahá’u’lláh. This was done and, at the appointed hour, Ṭáhirih left the house with the woman. They made their way to the gate of the town, where Bahá’u’lláh had arranged for three horses to be waiting for them. Taking a route not followed by many, they reached Ṭihrán on horseback in the early morning hours before anyone could notice them enter the city. Ṭáhirih was brought to the home of Bahá’u’lláh, where she remained safe and was able to meet with other trusted followers of the Báb.
Not long after, Bahá’u’lláh sent Ṭáhirih with a number of believers towards Badasht. He Himself later joined them there. You know, of course, that Badasht is where the momentous conference took place at which the followers of the Báb announced their independence from Islám. It is where Ṭáhirih, the essence of purity and chastity, appeared one day before the men gathered without a veil covering her face, which, according to the beliefs of the time, all women had to wear in public. Some of the Bábís present felt that she had brought shame to herself and the new Faith. Quddús was visibly angry. But Ṭáhirih, unshaken and aglow with joy, addressed her companions with eloquence. She called on them to break with the past—with its religious dogmas, its traditions and ceremonies. It was Bahá’u’lláh who eased the tension that arose between Quddús and Ṭáhirih. It was He Who, during those momentous days, gave them both the titles by which we now know them. The title Ṭáhirih means “the Pure One”, and Quddús means “Holy”. He Himself was, from that time forward, to be known by the name of Bahá. Later the Báb would reveal a special Tablet for each one of those who had attended the Conference of Badasht, addressing them by the names they had received on that occasion.
After the conference, the believers departed together for Mázindarán. However, when they stopped along the way to rest near a village, they were attacked by the ignorant inhabitants. They were forced to flee and scattered in different directions. Bahá’u’lláh continued on to Núr in Mázindarán. Soon, news of the Conference of Badasht reached Ṭihrán, and the king and his ministers became aware of the events that had taken place and the role played by Bahá’u’lláh at the conference. Now the king ordered His arrest. Accordingly, an order was sent to one of the officials of Mázindarán, instructing him to take Bahá’u’lláh as a prisoner and bring Him to the capital Ṭihrán. As it happened, the order arrived one day before that very official was to give a reception for Bahá’u’lláh, to Whom he was devotedly attached. He was greatly distressed and chose not to tell anyone. The next day news reached Mázindarán that the king, Muḥammad Sháh, had died; the arrest order was no longer valid.
For any of the figures, we heard about, write down the information you would like to remember. You can use the template below:
Facts
- Bahá’u’lláh was twenty-seven years old when, on 23 May 1844, the Báb declared His Mission.
- Mullá Ḥusayn was the bearer of the Message of the Báb sent to Bahá’u’lláh in Ṭihrán.
- Upon receiving the scroll of the Báb’s Writings, Bahá’u’lláh testified to the truth of His Revelation.
- The province of Mázindarán, and the district of Núr in particular, became the first in all of Persia to embrace the Message of the Báb.
- The independence of the Faith of the Báb from Islám was declared at the Conference of Badasht.
- The Conference of Badasht took place in the summer of 1848, while the Báb Himself was imprisoned in a remote part of Persia.
- Bahá’u’lláh steered the course of events at the Conference of Badasht.
- At the Conference of Badasht, Ṭáhirih was given her title by Bahá’u’lláh, which means “the Pure One”, and Quddús was given his, which means “Holy”.
- It was after the Conference of Badasht that Bahá’u’lláh came to be known by His title.
Download the cards here
PERFORM THE STORY OF MULLA HUSAYN AND HIS QUEST
Needed
Mulla Husayn
MULLA MUHAMMAD
Narrator
Props if available
scroll
loaf of sugar and tea
NARRATOR: The story of Mulla Husayn as he tries to find a trace of His Beloved in Tihran is fascinating! The hand of providence brought him into close contact with a certain Mulla Muhammad who became immensely attracted to Mulla Husayn and the Message of the Báb. The story, recorded in the words of this Mulla Muhammad is in The Dawn-Breakers, The conversation was as follows:
MULLA HUSAYN: What is your name, and which city is your home?
MULLA MUHAMMAD: My name ‘is Mulla Muhammad, and my surname is Mu’allim. My home is Nur, in the province of Mazindaran.
MULLA HUSAYN: Tell me, is there today among the family of the late Mirza Buzurg-i-Nuri, who was so renowned for his character, his charm, and artistic and intellectual attainments, anyone who has proved himself capable of maintaining the high traditions of that illustrious house?
MULLA MUHAMMAD: Yea, among his sons, now living, one has distinguished Himself by the very traits which characterized His father. By His virtuous life, His high attainments, His loving-kindness, and liberality, He has proved Himself a noble descendent of a noble father.
MULLA HUSAYN: What is His occupation?
MULLA MUHAMMAD: He cheers the disconsolate and feeds the hungry,
MULLA HUSAYN: What of His rank and position?
MULLA MUHAMMAD: He has none, apart from befriending the poor and the stranger.
MULLA HUSAYN: What is His name?
MULLA MUHAMMAD: Husayn-‘Ali.
MULLA HUSAYN: In which of the scripts of His father does He excel?
MULLA MUHAMMAD: His favorite script is shikastih nasta’liq.’ [an artistic style of handwriting]
MULLA HUSAYN: How does He spend His time?
MULLA MUHAMMAD: He roams the woods and delights in the beauties of the countryside.
MULLA HUSAYN: What is His age?
MULLA MUHAMMAD: Eight and twenty.
NARRATOR: The eagerness with which Mulla Husayn asked his questions, and the sense of delight with which he welcomed every particular answer given to him, greatly surprised Mulla Muhammad. Turning to Mulla Muhammad, with his face beaming with satisfaction and joy, he once more enquired:
MULLA HUSAYN: I presume you often meet Him?
MULLA MUHAMMAD: I frequently visit His home.
MULLA HUSAYN: Will you, deliver into His hands a trust from me?
MULLA MUHAMMAD: Most assuredly,
NARRATOR: ( figures can act this out as the narrator speaks) Mulla Husayn then gave Mulla Muhammad a scroll wrapped in a piece of cloth, and requested that he hand it to Husayn-‘Ali, Baha’u’ llah the next day at the hour of dawn. ‘
MULLA HUSAYN: Should He deign to answer me,will you be kind enough to acquaint me with His reply?
MULLA MUHAMMAD takes the scroll from Mulla Husayn
NARRATOR: At the break of day, Mulla Muhammad set out to deliver the scroll. As he approached the house of Bahá’u’lláh, he recognised Bahá’u’lláh’s brother Mirza Musa, who was standing at the gate, he communicated the object of the visit and he went into the house, then reappeared bearing a message of welcome. Mulla Muhammad was ushered into His presence, and presented the scroll to Mirza Musa, who laid it before Bahá’u’lláh. Unfolding the scroll, He glanced at its contents and began to read aloud certain of its passages. He had read a page of the scroll when turning to His brother, He said: ‘Musa, what have you to say? Verily I say, whoso believes in the Qur’án and recognizes its Divine origin, and yet hesitates, though it be for a moment, to admit that these soul-stirring words are endowed with the same regenerating power, has most assuredly erred in his judgment and has strayed far from the path of justice.’ He spoke no more. Dismissing Mulla Muhammad from His presence, He charged Mulla Muhammad to take to Mulla Husayn, as a gift from Him, a loaf of Russian sugar and a package of tea, and to convey to him the expression of His appreciation and love.
Mulla Muhammad: Here is the gift and a message from Bahá’u’lláh.
MULLA HUSAYN: (With joy and exultation receives the gifts with a bowed head from Mulla Muhammad and fervently kissed it. Then take Mulla Muhammad and kissed his eyes, and say) My dearly beloved friend! I pray that even as you have rejoiced my heart, God may grant you eternal felicity and fill your heart with imperishable gladness.
NARRATOR: Mulla Muhammad was amazed at the behaviour of Mulla Husayn. What could be, the nature of the bond that unites these two souls he thought? What could have kindled so fervid a fellowship in their hearts? Why should Mulla Husayn, in whose sight the pomp and circumstance of royalty were the merest trifle, have evinced such gladness at the sight of so inconsiderable a gift from the hands of Bahá’u’lláh? Mulla Muhammad was puzzled by this thought and could not unravel its mystery. A few days later, Mulla Husayn left for Khurasan.
Mulla Husayn: ( as he is saying goodbye) Breathe not to anyone what you have heard and witnessed. Let this be a secret hidden within your breast. Divulge not His name, for they who envy His position will arise to harm Him. In your moments of meditation, pray that the Almighty may protect Him, that, through Him, He may exalt the downtrodden, enrich the poor, and redeem the fallen. The secret of things is concealed from our eyes. Ours is the duty to raise the call of the New Day and to proclaim this Divine Message unto all people. Many a soul will, in this city, shed his blood in this path. That blood will water the Tree of God, will cause it to flourish, and to overshadow all mankind.
BOTH GO IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS
The End
Tahirah Removing Her Veil
A TEA-INSPIRED CARD
MAKE THIS TEA CARD USING AN EGG CARTON, DECORATIONS, A TEA BAG, PIPE CLEANERS, GLUE, AND A FEW MORE SIMPLE ITEMS. ADD A QUOTE IF YOU LIKE TO THE INSIDE. LINK FOR CRAFT HERE
HERE IS THE LINK TO MY PINTEREST BOARD FOR ACTIVITIES AROUND THE THEME OF TEA AND SEARCHING
BASED ON THE STORY:
…So one day Bahá’u’lláh sent a trusted companion to rescue her and bring her to Ṭihrán. He instructed this companion to have his wife accompany him. She should go to the house where Ṭáhirih was kept and pass to her a letter from Bahá’u’lláh. This was done and, at the appointed hour, Ṭáhirih left the house with the woman. They made their way to the gate of the town, where Bahá’u’lláh had arranged for three horses to be waiting for them. Taking a route not followed by many, they reached Ṭihrán on horseback in the early morning hours before anyone could notice them enter the city. Ṭáhirih was brought to the home of Bahá’u’lláh, where she remained safe and was able to meet with other trusted followers of the Báb.
Construct the horse that Ṭáhirih rode.
Download the template for the slotted horse here print it on cardstock and cut it out. Fit it together for a 3d horse
Download the template to make a simple horse here
