Habíbu’lláh Mu’ayyad

Dr. Habib Mu’ayyad
Born	1888 Kirmánsháh, Iran
Died	1971
NSA member	Iran 1945 - ????

Dr. Habíbu’lláh "Habib" Mu’ayyad (1888 - 1971) was a Persian Bahá’í who served ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the Holy Land in the 1910's and wrote two notable memoirs.

Biography

Mu’ayyad was born Habíbu’lláh Khudabakhsh in Kirmánsháh, Iran, in 1888. His father was a Bahá’í and Mu’ayyad's older brother Murad was martyred for his beliefs. He was raised in Kirman completing elementary school there then moved to Hamadán where he completed further studies at an American school.

In October, 1907, Mu’ayyad went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land and resided there for one month during which he regularly met with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He had originally intended to move to the United States for further studies after his pilgrimage but was encouraged to instead pursue further studies at the American University of Beirut by Hakim Harun with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá approving of the idea. He enrolled to study medicine at the American University of Beirut and was able to associate with Shoghi Effendi, Mirza Haydar-'Ali, and Mírzá Abu’l-Faḍl while living there, providing assistance to Faḍl during his visits to Beirut. He was also able to make annual pilgrimages during summer holidays while studying enabling him to regularly meet ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá departed the Holy Land in 1911 for His extensive travels in the West Mu’ayyad served as His intermediary for communications delivering Tablets and telegrams on His behalf. Mu’ayyad graduated from his medical degree in 1914 and that year he was sent to Europe with ‘Azízu’lláh Bahádur by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to counteract the activities of Aminu’llah Fareed who had broken the Covenant and was touring Europe visiting Bahá’í communities. He returned to the Holy Land from Europe due to the outbreak of the First World War and settled in the village of Abu-Sinan, near 'Akka, where he operated a medical clinic.

Mu’ayyad later moved to Haifa and received daily lessons from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá before moving to Iran on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's instructions in 1915. He settled in Kirmánsháh where he established friendly relations with local government officials and members of the community on the advice of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, practiced medicine, and actively taught the Faith. After returning to Iran he also married and had seven children. He was elected to the Local Spiritual Assembly of Kirmánsháh and served on the body for almost forty years and also served on the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran for a time. He passed away in 1971 and the Universal House of Justice cabled the following after his passing:

GRIEVED NEWS PASSING FAITHFUL DEVOTED STEADFAST PROMOTER FAITH HABIB MUAYYAD WHOSE LIFE ENRICHED THROUGH SERVICES RENDERED MINISTRIES MASTER GUARDIAN CONVEY LOVING SYMPATHY FAMILY ADVISE HOLD MEMORIAL MEETINGS PRAYING SHRINES PROGRESS HIS SOUL.