‘Azíz’u’lláh Mesbah
‘Azíz’u’lláh Mesbah | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | March 4, 1876 |
| Died | June 7, 1945 (aged 69) |
‘Azíz’u’lláh Mesbah (March 4, 1876 - June 7, 1945) was a Persian Bahá’í who assisted with the early educational endeavors of the Bahá’í Faith in Iran as Head Master of the Tarbíyat School.
Biography[edit]
Mesbah was born into a Bahá’í family in Iran in 1876. His father was Mirza Muhammad ‘Ali Khan Mustawfi Tafrishi and his mother was Shah Jahan Khanum.[1] His paternal grandfather was Mulla Hasan Pishnamaz, a Bahá’í who moved to Tehran from Tafrish in the 1860's or 1870's, and his maternal grandfather was Mirza Muhammad Husayn Munajjim-bashi who was a Bahá’í who met with Bahá’u’lláh in Baghdad in the 1850's and moved to Tehran from Tafrish in the 1860's or 1870's.[2]
Mesbah completed his early schooling in Tehran attending the Dar ul-Funun. In the 1890's he began working as a secretary for ‘Abdu’l-Husayn Mirza Farmanfarma who was the Governor of Kerman in the early 1890's and Governor of Fars in the late 1890's.[1]
In 1900 Mesbah was sent to Beirut by Farmanfarma along with Farmanfarma's sons to pursue higher education and he enrolled at the French University.[1] He studied French, Arabic, and Persian literature and began writing poetry in Persian and Arabic.[3] He also lived in Paris, France, for a period, pursuing further studies, and while living in Paris he translated Tablets to the Bahá’ís of the country into French.[4] At some point he went on pilgrimage and met with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá who advised him to return to Iran and settle in Tehran to assist with educational activities.[4]
In 1905 Mesbah returned to Iran and at some point married Qudsíyyih ‘Alá'í, daughter of prominent Bahá’í Muhammad Nazimu’l-Hukama.[3] In 1908 he began teaching at the Bahá’í run Tarbíyat School and in 1914 he was appointed as the schools headmaster.[1] In his role he had to work under the Persian Ministry of Education which was actively hostile to the Bahá’í Faith, publishing books and magazines criticizing the religion.[4] He served as headmaster of Tarbiyat until 1934 when he was succeeded by 'Alí-Akbar Furútan.[5]
In December 1934 the government of Iran shut down all Bahá’í schools,[6] and Mesbah began teaching informal classes to replace those which had been held at Tarbíyat. He also made travel teaching trips across Iran and in his later years he pioneered to a village outside of Tehran where he remained until his passing. His sons Amine and ‘Abdu’lláh both pioneered outside Iran with his encouragement.[7]
Mesbah passed away in 1945. After his passing Shoghi Effendi conveyed the following message:
"Deeply grieved passing distinguished promoter faith ‘Azíz’u’lláh Mesbah. His magnificent historic services imperishable. Assure relatives, friends fervent prayers advancement his soul Abhá Kingdom. Advise friends hold befitting memorial gatherings loving recognition his manifold achievements."[4]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Moojan Momen, The Baha'i Communities of Iran, 1851-1921: Volume 1, George Ronald: Oxford, 2015, p 73
- ↑ Moojan Momen, The Baha'i Communities of Iran, 1851-1921: Volume 1, George Ronald: Oxford, 2015, p 15
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1986). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 18 (1979-1983), Pg(s) 812. View as PDF.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1949). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. Wilmette, Ill. Volume 10 (1944-1946), Pg(s) 526. View as PDF.
- ↑ Barron Harper, Lights of Fortitude, George Ronald: Oxford, 2021 edition, p 151
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1949). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. Wilmette, Ill. Volume 10 (1944-1946), Pg(s) 527. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1949). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. Wilmette, Ill. Volume 10 (1944-1946), Pg(s) 528. View as PDF.
