Mírzá Muḥíṭ-i-Kirmání
Mírzá Muḥíṭ-i-Kirmání |
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Mírzá Muḥíṭ-i-Kirmání was a prominent Shaykhí. The Báb proclaimed His mission to him directly but he rejected the new religion.
Background[edit]
As of the 1840's Muḥíṭ was residing in Karbilá and he was a follower of Siyyid Káẓim. When Káẓim requested that one of his students travel to Mashhad to meet with prominent clergyman Mírzá ‘Askarí and secure an endorsement of the teachings of Shaykh Ahmad he volunteered but Káẓim declined his offer and nominated Mullá Ḥusayn to undertake the task.[1] He met the Báb when He lived in Karbilá during 1841.[2]
By 1844 Muḥíṭ had relocated to Mecca and when the Báb went on pilgrimage to Mecca in December that year He met with Muḥíṭ at the Kaaba and proclaimed Himself to be a Messenger of God asking Muḥíṭ to recognize or reject His station.[3] Muḥíṭ expressed respect for the Báb's spiritual station but declined to make a decision and the Báb offered to answer any questions Muḥíṭ had prompting Muḥíṭ to submit a series of questions to Him.[2] The Báb revealed a Tablet for Muḥíṭ in early January 1845 while traveling from Mecca to Medina and Muḥíṭ pledged to travel to and wait in Medina until he received it however while he did visit Medina he returned to Karbilá after a short time.[4]
Muḥíṭ received the Báb's Tablet after returning to Karbilá but did not become a Bábí instead supporting Hájí Mírzá Karím Khán as leader of the Shaykhí community for a time before attempting to establish himself as leader of the Shaykhí community.[4] Some time between 1857 and 1863 he visited Baghdad and through a Persian prince in the city he requested a confidential meeting with Bahá’u’lláh and Bahá’u’lláh sent him the following passage from one of His Tablets revealed in Sulaymáníyyih in response:
"If thine aim be to cherish thy life, approach not our court; but if sacrifice be thy heart’s desire, come and let others come with thee. For such is the way of Faith, if in thy heart thou seekest reunion with Bahá; shouldst thou refuse to tread this path, why trouble us? Begone!"[5]
After receiving the reply Muḥíṭ returned to Karbilá without meeting Bahá’u’lláh and passed away three days later.[5]
References[edit]
- ↑ Nabil-i-Zarandi, The Dawn-Breakers, US Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1932, p 20
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Nabil-i-Zarandi, The Dawn-Breakers, US Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1932, p 136
- ↑ Nabil-i-Zarandi, The Dawn-Breakers, US Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1932, p 134
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Nabil-i-Zarandi, The Dawn-Breakers, US Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1932, p 137
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Nabil-i-Zarandi, The Dawn-Breakers, US Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1932, p 138
