Ḥájí Sulaymán Khán
Ḥájí Sulaymán Khán was an influential follower of the Báb who played a critical role by rescuing the remains of the Báb and Anís following their martyrdom. The son of Yaḥyá Khán, an officer in the service of the government, Ḥájí Sulaymán Khán from a young age showed disinterest in rank or office. As a young man he traveled to Karbilá where he met Siyyid Káẓim and became an supporter of his. Upon hearing of the Message of the Báb he joined the community of followers, and had endeavored to travel to Ṭabarsí in support of the defenders of that fort, but arrived too late to help. Though intimately associated with the Bábís, he and his father held such influence that the Amír-Niẓám preferred to overlook this association, and was able to travel unmolested by government officials and the common people.[1]
The martyrdom of the Báb and Anís[edit]
Ḥájí Sulaymán Khán was residing in Ṭihrán when he learned about the danger threatening the life of the Báb. He left for Tabríz where the Báb was being held, but arrived too late to affect a rescue.[2] Together with an individual named Ḥájí Alláh-Yár, he was able at night to carry away the remains of the Báb and Anís to a silk factory in Mílán.[3] He subsequently informed Bahá’u’lláh who provided the instructions necessary to transfer the remains safely to Ṭihrán.[2]
Following the attempt on the life of the Sháh[edit]
Ḥájí Sulaymán Khán had a servant named ‘Abbás who had also accepted the Faith of the Báb and had been a witness to the meetings of Bábís who had visited the home of his master.[4] Following the attempt on the life of the Sháh in 1852, ‘Abbás was compelled under threat of torture[5] to assist Ḥájí ‘Alí Khán (titled Ḥájibu’d-Dawlih) in identifying the Bábís he recognized, and anyone else he thought may be able to pay a large sum of money for their freedom.[6]
The home of Ḥájí Sulaymán Khán was surrounded and all the Bábís found there were arrested.[4] In total 81 Bábís were found and subsequently imprisoned in the Síyáh-Chál.[4]
Martyrdom[edit]
The period following the attempt on the life of the Sháh saw the torturous deaths of many Bábís. Austrian officer Captain von Goumoens wrote "the blood curdles in my veins" on attempting a description.[7] Nabíl wrote of these tortures, "none was more revolting in its character than that which characterised the death of Ḥájí Sulaymán Khán".[8] Nine holes were bored into his skin, in each a candle was placed and lighted. He was subsequently paraded through the streets as a crazed mob followed. During this time Ḥájí Sulaymán Khán made the following statements:[9]
- "What greater pomp and pageantry than those which this day accompany my progress to win the crown of glory! Glorified be the Báb, who can kindle such devotion in the breasts of His lovers, and can endow them with a power greater than the might of kings!"
- "You have long lost your sting, O flames, and have been robbed of your power to pain me. Make haste, for from your very tongues of fire I can hear the voice that calls me to my Beloved!"
And upon being reviled by one of his tormentors answered:
- "Clasping in one hand the wine-cup, in one hand
- the Loved One's hair,
- Thus my doom would I envisage dancing through
- the market-square."[10]
Further reading[edit]
- An account of his martyrdom from God Passes By.
References[edit]
- ↑ Nabíl 1932, pp. 613–615.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Balyuzi 1980, p. 65.
- ↑ Nabíl 1932, pp. 518–519.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Balyuzi 1980, p. 77.
- ↑ Effendi 1944, p. 64.
- ↑ Nabíl 1932, p. 635.
- ↑ Balyuzi 1980, pp. 84–85.
- ↑ Nabíl 1932, p. 613.
- ↑ Balyuzi 1980, pp. 86–87.
- ↑ Balyuzi 1980, p. 87.
Bibliography[edit]
- Balyuzi, H. M. (1980). Bahá’u’lláh, The King of Glory. Oxford: George Ronald. ISBN 978-0-85398-328-6.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Effendi, Shoghi (1944). God Passes By. Bahá’í Publishing Trust. ISBN 0-87743-020-9.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Nabíl (1932). The Dawn-Breakers. Bahá’í Publishing Trust. ISBN 0-87743-010-1.
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