THE BAB WAS THE FORERUNNER OF BAHA’U’LLAH
SET # 3
GRADE 3 LESSON 12
WELCOME
Introducing the principal theme
During this very special period in human history, God sent us two Manifestations, the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.
Do you know what the word “forerunner” means?
A forerunner is one who comes before someone else and announces that he or she is about to arrive. The Báb was the Forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh and announced His coming.
In His Writings, He referred to Bahá’u’lláh as ‘He Whom God shall make manifest’ and prepared the people to receive and accept Bahá’u’lláh. What do you think the Báb asked of the people? He urged them to cleanse their hearts of egotism, ambition, jealousy, hatred, and earthly attachments, and to be humble, pure, and prayerful so that they would be able to recognize Bahá’u’lláh when God would make Him manifest.”
Remember the word “báb” means “gate”,
Báb was indeed like a gate that opened the way for all people to come to know Bahá’u’lláh.
PRAYER
- Prayer 1
- Prayer 2
- Prayer 3
Is there any remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are His servants, and all abide by His bidding!
Say: God sufficeth all things above all things, and nothing in the heavens or in the earth but God sufficeth. Verily, He is in Himself the Knower, the Sustainer, the Omnipotent.
O Lord! Thou art the Remover of every anguish and the Dispeller of every affliction. Thou art He who banisheth every sorrow and setteth free every slave, the Redeemer of every soul. O Lord! Grant deliverance through Thy mercy, and reckon me among such servants of Thine as have gained salvation.
QUOTE
During His short life, the Báb revealed many Books and Tablets consisting of thousands of Divine verses. In helping the children to memorize the following quotation from the Writings of the Báb, you should explain to them that these words refer to Bahá’u’lláh and to the joy of recognizing Him:
Indeed the hearts of them that truly believe in Him Whom God shall make manifest are vaster than the expanse of heaven and earth and whatever is between them.
The Báb
SONG
STORY
- HISTORICAL
- STORY 1
- STORY 2
- STORY 3
- QUESTION
- RESOURCE
The historical episode for this lesson consists of two or three stories.
The first is the story of Mullá Ḥusayn’s visit to the city of Ṭihrán, where he was charged with the task of delivering some of the Writings of the Báb to Bahá’u’lláh.
The second story, which you can divide in two if you wish, describes the Báb’s pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina and the events that immediately followed it.
Once Quddús had recognized the Báb, the number of the Letters of the Living was complete and everything was ready for the Message of the Báb to be taken to all people. What was to happen next? The Báb asked these eighteen special souls to travel in different directions and bring the joyful news of the coming of the Qá’im, He who shall arise, to the people of every town and village along their way.
But to Mullá Ḥusayn and Quddús, the Báb gave very special and separate assignments. He told Quddús that he would accompany Him on His pilgrimage to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina and directed Mullá Ḥusayn to Ṭihrán, where, He told him, lay a wonderful secret. “When made manifest,” said the Báb, “it shall turn the earth into paradise. My hope is that you may partake of its grace and recognize its splendor.”
Mullá Ḥusayn immediately obeyed the command of his Best Beloved and left Shíráz. During his trip, he passed through several cities and towns and, in some, found pure souls ready to embrace the new Faith. When he finally reached Ṭihrán, he took a small room in a school for the study of Islám and set his mind on finding that special Person to Whom he would deliver the Báb’s Message. He also began to spread the glad tidings of the coming of the Promised Qá’im and to look for receptive souls to teach. As always, he spent much of his time in prayer and meditation, asking God to guide his steps.
There was a young man who lived and studied in this school who was attracted to Mullá Ḥusayn’s spiritual powers and wished to become his friend. When the opportunity arose, he politely introduced himself to Mullá Ḥusayn and told him his name and the place of his birth. Upon hearing that he was from a district called Núr, Mullá Ḥusayn was moved to ask him a few questions. “Tell me,” said Mullá Ḥusayn, “is there today among the family of the late Mírzá Buzurg-i-Núrí, 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?” The young man replied that indeed one of the sons of Mírzá Buzurg showed signs of unimaginable greatness.
“What is His occupation?” asked Mullá Ḥusayn. “He cheers the disconsolate and feeds the hungry.”
“What is His rank and position?” “He has none, apart from befriending the poor and the stranger.”
“What is His name?” “Ḥusayn-‘Alí.” Mullá Ḥusayn became more enthusiastic with each answer.
Once all of his questions were satisfactorily answered, he gave the young student the Báb’s Writings wrapped in a piece of cloth and asked him to deliver the small package to this distinguished son of Mírzá Buzurg.
You know, of course, that this great Personage was none other than Bahá’u’lláh Himself. Ḥusayn-‘Alí was the name given to Him at birth, and Bahá’u’lláh the title He took as the Manifestation of God for today. When Bahá’u’lláh received the Báb’s Writings and began to read them, He was deeply moved by their content. He immediately accepted the Message of the Báb and became the most loved and respected of His followers. For a few years, He dedicated His time and energy to the propagation and defense of the new Faith. His own Mission was not yet to be made known. Humanity had to wait until the exact moment God had ordained for His Supreme Manifestation to reveal Himself.
So it was that Mullá Ḥusayn had fulfilled the important assignment entrusted to him by the Báb, and we will learn in other classes about the heroic deeds that Mullá Ḥusayn would go on to perform.
For now, let us return to the city of Shíráz. Once the Báb received a letter from Mullá Ḥusayn with news of what took place in Ṭihrán, He set out from Shíráz, in the company of Quddús, on His pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina. You know from our study of the life of Muḥammad that these two cities, located in Arabia, are sacred for the followers of Islám.
To reach the shores of that land, the Báb and Quddús had to travel by boat for approximately two months. The voyage proved to be extremely difficult. The seas were rough, and often the vessel was rocked by storms. Other passengers were seized with fear and illness. Yet nothing could disturb the serenity of the Báb. No matter how violent the seas or how panic-stricken His fellow passengers were, He would be seen calmly dictating prayers and tablets to Quddús, who was busily engaged in taking down every word He uttered.
Upon arriving in Arabia, the Báb put on the robe of a pilgrim, mounted a camel, and headed towards Mecca. Quddús preferred, however, to accompany Him on foot. Holding the bridle of the camel in his hands, he walked joyously and prayerfully to that holy city. Do you remember the name of the shrine located in Mecca that is so sacred to Muḥammad’s followers?
The Ka’bah was built many, many years ago as a place for the worship of the one true God, but in Muḥammad’s time, it was filled with idols.
Through the power of Muḥammad’s Revelation, these idols were smashed and the people once again turned their hearts towards God. It was to this sacred place, the Ka’bah, that the Báb and Quddús made their way. With the utmost dignity and great reverence, the Báb joined the other pilgrims who prayerfully circled that holy shrine.
Having completed His pilgrimage to Mecca, before departing for Medina, the Báb handed Quddús a letter and instructed him to deliver it to the Sharíf. The Sharíf was the head of the city and the protector of the holy shrine. In that letter, the Báb clearly explained the Mission He had received from God and called upon the Sharíf to embrace the truth of the new Revelation. The Sharíf accepted the letter but simply set it aside. A few days later, he happened to see Quddús, who inquired after his response. The Sharíf, however, could give him none. Busy with his own affairs, he failed to respond to God’s new Messenger.
From Mecca, the Báb went with Quddús to Medina, where the mortal remains of Muḥammad are enshrined. After visiting that holy city, they made their way back to Persia. Once there the Báb summoned Quddús to His presence and bid him farewell.
“The days of your companionship with Me are drawing to a close,” were His words. He instructed Quddús to proceed to Shíráz alone, where, the Báb foretold, great suffering awaited him. “In the streets of Shíráz,” He warned Quddús, “indignities will be heaped upon you, and the severest injuries will afflict your body.” He assured him, however, that he would be strengthened from on High and would eventually attain the presence of Him Whom God would make manifest.
In Shíráz Quddús began teaching the new Message with great fervor. But, just as the Báb had predicted, he soon faced opposition. Can you imagine who rose up against him? Have we not seen how those with power over the people so often fear God’s new Message? It was not long before the Islamic clergy and the governor of the province felt threatened by the new teachings that Quddús was proclaiming. The governor was an especially cruel and wicked man. He ordered the arrest of Quddús and two of his companions and commanded that they be publicly punished, for all to see. Afterwards, they were expelled from the city and told, that should they ever return, they would be put to death.
Having ordered so unjust a punishment to be given to Quddús and his companions, the governor turned his anger towards the Báb. He sent his guards on horseback with instructions to arrest Him and bring Him back to Shíráz in chains. In the meantime, the Báb had already set out on His way to Shíráz. It was in the wilderness outside the city that the guards encountered Him. To their surprise, the Báb greeted them and said: “The governor has sent you to arrest Me. Here am I; do with Me as you please. By coming out to meet you, I have curtailed the length of your march, and have made it easier for you to find Me.” So startled was the leader of the guards that he decided it was best to leave. But the Báb insisted. “I know that you are seeking Me,” He said. “I prefer to deliver Myself into your hands, rather than subject you and your companions to unnecessary annoyance for My sake.” By now the leader was profoundly moved. He did not want to cause any harm to the Báb, and he begged Him to flee from the ruthless governor. Yet still, the Báb insisted. Only when the Báb declared that He knew well His fate and accepted the decree of God did the leader agree to carry out His wish. The Báb immediately continued His journey to Shíráz. Free and without chains, He went before the guards, who followed Him respectfully. By the magic of His words, He had disarmed their hostility and had changed their pride and arrogance into humility and love.
Arriving in Shíráz, the Báb was brought before the governor, who treated Him with shameful cruelty. He publicly rebuked and criticized the Báb. He then released Him into the custody of His uncle. Although the Báb was allowed to return to His home, His freedom was restricted. Only the members of His family and a few others were permitted to see Him. Yet, in the months that followed, despite attempts by the governor and the clergy to put an end to His influence, the number of His followers rapidly increased. The fame of the Báb soon became so great that the king of Persia could ignore the situation no longer. He sent a most learned man to Shíráz to investigate the Báb’s claims. Surely this man would prove that the Báb was a false prophet, and all the commotion would subside.
Do you think that is what happened? Three times the king’s emissary met with the Báb and tried to refute His arguments, and each time he was overawed by His knowledge, eloquence, and wisdom. Can you imagine the governor’s frustration when he had to report to the king that this man, too, had accepted the truth of the Báb’s claim and had become one of His followers?
With the Báb’s rising influence, the governor’s anger grew, and he eventually ordered His arrest once again. This time the governor intended to put the Báb to death. In the middle of the night, a police official climbed the wall of His uncle’s home and took the Báb prisoner. But, on that very night, a plague broke out in Shíráz, and the entire city was thrown into a state of panic. Within a few hours, over a hundred people had died from the dreaded disease. Screams of pain and grief could be heard in the streets, and the inhabitants of the city were fleeing in confusion. Unsure what to do, the official brought the Báb to his own home. He was appalled, upon his arrival, to learn that his son lay in the death throes of the plague. In his despair, he threw himself at the feet of the Báb and begged to be forgiven. When his son was miraculously cured by the Báb, the official pleaded with the governor to release Him. The governor feared for the lives of his own family and the inhabitants of the city, and he accepted on condition that the Báb would leave Shíráz. As we will see in the next lesson, the Báb would travel north to the city of Iṣfáhán.
What are some of the spiritual significance that this episode holds?
Mullá Ḥusayn’s absolute faith that, through complete obedience, he would be guided by God and able to fulfill the assignment with which he was entrusted by the Báb.
Any other insights you would like to share?
FACTS ABOUT
- Mullá Ḥusayn was the bearer of the Message the Báb sent to Bahá’u’lláh
- Bahá’u’lláh’s given name was Ḥusayn-‘Alí
- Bahá’u’lláh’s family was from the district of Núr
- Quddús accompanied the Báb on His pilgrimage to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina
- Quddús and his companions were the first to be persecuted in Persia for the sake of their new Faith
- After His pilgrimage, the Báb returned to Shíráz, where His fame quickly spread
- The governor of Shíráz, who fiercely opposed the Báb, finally asked Him to leave the city. In September 1846, the Báb traveled north to Iṣfáhán
COOPERATIVE GAMES
Ask your students to stand in their imaginary squares. As you did in the previous lesson, have the children stand about 5 feet apart and imagine that they are in their own squares. Ask them to walk along the border of his/her imaginary square.
Ask children to raise up their arms and stretch from the tips of their toes to the tips of their fingers, reaching towards the sky. Now they are going to relax and let their arms and heads hang freely. Repeat this several times. Next, I ask your children to pretend to be some things, which they have to act out (have on 8 slips that kids can draw out on ONE COLOR PAPER):
- A teardrop
- A cloud
- An umbrella in the wind
- A boiling egg
- A spinning top
- An airplane
- A car
- A rocking chair
Now they are going to start walking around. As always they should be careful not to bump into one another. We are going to pretend that we are “walking in someone else’s shoes”. Children can then take turns picking a slip and telling the class in whose shoes they will be walking (have 10 slips that are on a DIFFERENT COLOR OF PAPER).
- A baby who has just learned to walk
- A huge faint
- Someone in a great hurry
- Someone who has poor eyesight
- Someone who is walking a dog on a leash
- Someone whose foot is caught in a bucket
- Someone carrying something on his or her head
- Someone who has stepped on a thorn
- Someone walking on hot sand
- An astronaut on the moon
After taking the students through the above exercises, you can move on to the activities related to the theme of this lesson, COOPERATION. Begin by reminding the children that there are many things in this world that we cannot do alone and which require cooperation if they are to be achieved. Divide the children into small groups. Ask them to name some large, heavy objects. First have each child pretend to move one of the objects, by him or herself, from one point to another, for example, between two trees or across the room. Next, each group should pretend to move the objects together. Afterward, ask the children a few questions: Was it easy to move such a heavy object alone? What happened when you worked together as a group to move it? Now I’d like you to think of some situations that you can act out in which people need to work together to reach a goal. For example:
- using a ladder to retrieve an object on a high shelf
- trying to take a large object from one room to another through a locked door
- making sure a picture is hanging straight
THINK OF YOUR OWN SCENARIO in your group. You can also think of a scenario that requires a group to complete a task in which responsibility is shared- for instance, a family working together to make a home ready to receive guests, prepare a meal, or wash and dry dishes.
Finally, you are going to act out the story of Nettie and the cornerstone. Of course, because we want to be reverent, we will NOT be acting out Abdu’l-Baha, so your reenactment should end at the arrival of Nettie and her companions at the meeting, and the conclusion of the story could then just be told by you or one of the students.
NARRATION
SKIT BASED ON STORY 1
- Narrator
- MESSENGER
- Mullá Ḥusayn
- Travel companions of Mullá Ḥusayn
- Believer carrying a bag of gems
NARRATOR: It was the summer of 1848, only four years after the declaration of the Báb, and all of Persia was in a state of commotion. The Conference of Badasht had just concluded. Thousands upon thousands of people were accepting the Message of the Báb, but His enemies were arising in great force to persecute the followers of the new-born Faith. The Báb Himself was, as you know, imprisoned in a far-off corner of Persia. Quddús was confined in the house of a leading clergyman in the province of Mázindarán, and even Bahá’u’lláh, Who belonged to the nobility of Persia, was subjected to suffering for His support of the Cause of the Báb. Mullá Ḥusayn had spent the preceding months in the province of Khurásán proclaiming the Message of the Báb with extraordinary success.
MESSENGER ( comes in looking tired and agitated): I have just arrived and need to speak with Mullá Ḥusayn immediately!
Mullá Ḥusayn walks in
Messenger to Mullá Ḥusayn: Here is the Báb’s turban and His instructions to raise the Black Standard, go to Mázindarán and assist Quddús.
Messenger leaves
NARRATOR: The unfurling of a black flag, according to the Prophet Muḥammad, would signalize the coming of God’s new Revelation.
Mullá Ḥusayn: I will follow the instructions of my beloved Báb immediately! I will gather men to make this journey with me.
Mullá Ḥusayn gathers a people to travel with him and they start the journey
NARRATOR: Mullá Ḥusayn put the green turban on his head, raised the Black Standard, and, together with a company of two hundred and two men, began his journey from Khurásán to Mázindarán. During the first part of the journey, every village this company of pious and courageous men entered received them with open arms. In each village, people would listen to the joyful news of the coming of the Promised Qá’im and numerous souls would accept the new Faith. A few even joined the group on their journey towards Mázindarán. But as they approached Mázindarán, Mullá Ḥusayn began to warn them of the sufferings that were in store for them. Pointing in the direction of Mázindarán, he reminded them that this was the way that led to their martyrdom.
Mullá Ḥusayn: Whoever was unprepared for the trials ahead, should leave and go back to his home.
NARRATOR: Several times he repeated this warning. Some twenty of Mullá Ḥusayn’s companions finally chose to leave, but the majority rode on, eager to sacrifice their lives in the path of their Beloved. As they neared the town of Bárfurúsh in Mázindarán, Mullá Ḥusayn once again warned his companions of the fate that awaited them.
Mullá Ḥusayn: throw away your belongings, except for your horses and swords, so that the inhabitants of the villages and towns we pass through would not think we are interested in material possessions.
Believer carrying a bag full of precious jewels: This is a bag full of gems from my father’s mine in Khurásán,
Believer throws away the bag of gems
Other travelers: follow his example and rid themselves of the things of this world.
NARRATOR: The leading clergyman of Bárfurúsh was an arrogant and power-hungry man who was afraid of the influence the Bábís were having on everyone with whom they came into contact. When he heard that Mullá Ḥusayn and his companions were nearing Bárfurúsh, he sent his messengers out to gather the people in the mosque. There, in front of a large crowd, he climbed the pulpit, threw his turban to the ground, tore open the neck of his shirt, and announced that the worst enemies of the religion of God were but a short distance from the town. So persuasive was he in delivering his sermon full of lies that the crowd became angry, obeyed his command, armed itself, and went out to the nearby forest to attack this band of sanctified souls, whose only wish was to proclaim the glad- tidings of the dawn of a new age.
Mullá Ḥusayn: There is a crowd coming our way, please be patient, I will try to reason with these misinformed people who had been deceived by their insincere and ambitious leader.
NARRATOR: The crowd opened fire on them and, one by one, seven of his companions fell to the ground.
Mullá Ḥusayn (raise eyes to the heaven and pray): “Behold, O God, my God, the plight of Thy chosen companions, and witness the welcome which these people have accorded Thy loved ones. Thou knowest that we cherish no other desire than to guide them to the way of Truth and to confer upon them the knowledge of Thy Revelation. Thou hast Thyself commanded us to defend our lives against the assaults of the enemy. Faithful to Thy command, I now arise with my companions to resist the attack which they have launched against us.”
Mullá Ḥusayn and travel companions: draw your swords and charge into the midst of the enemy.
NARRATOR: So great was the courage displayed by this small company of God-fearing men that the hearts of their attackers were filled with fear. Mullá Ḥusayn himself, unmindful of the bullets that rained upon him, forced his way through the ranks of the enemy and headed for Bárfurúsh. He rode straight to the residence of the leading clergyman who was to be blamed for the whole incident,
Mullá Ḥusayn: circle the house three times and cry out: “Let that contemptible coward, who has incited the inhabitants of this town to wage holy warfare against us and has ignominiously concealed himself behind the walls of his house, emerge from his inglorious retreat. . . . Has he forgotten that he who preaches a holy war must need himself march at the head of his followers, and by his own deeds kindle their devotion and sustain their enthusiasm?
NARRATOR: The people of Bárfurúsh were dumbfounded by these acts of heroism and bravery. “Peace, peace!” they began to cry out as they sent a few of their leaders to ask for mercy and forgiveness from Mullá Ḥusayn. Mullá Ḥusayn knew that they were not sincere and would repeat their cruel acts the moment they had another chance, yet he accepted their plea, and peace was established, at least for that day. Mullá Ḥusayn and his companions then rode triumphantly to the large guest house in the town plaza and set down to rest.
CRAFTS
MY CUP OF COURAGE
Print the cup, cut it out and write 3 things that is courageous about you or someone else. Stick it to the card base and give as a greeting card.
HERO SHIELD TO DECORATE
Print and cut the template shield. Decorate
LAPBOOK
COMING SOON
REVIEW QUOTE
They must then proceed with the utmost devotion, courtesy, dignity, care and moderation to express their views.
The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh