Muhammad Taqí Isfahání
| Muhammad Taqí Isfahání | |
|---|---|
 Muhammed Taqiy-i-Isfahani | |
| Born | c. 1860 Sidih, Isfahan, Iran |
| Died | December 13, 1946 Cairo, Egypt |
| NSA member | Egypt & Sudan 1924 - ???? |
| Title(s) | Hand of the Cause |
Muhammad Taqí Isfahání (c. 1860 - Dec 13, 1946) was a Persian Bahá’í who assisted with the establishment of the Bahá’í community of Egypt and was posthumously appointed a Hand of the Cause of God by Shoghi Effendi.
Background[edit]
Muhammad was born in approximately 1860 in the village of Sidih in the province of Isfahan where he was also raised. Muhammad was aware of the Bahá’í Faith in his youth and joined the religion at some point being imprisoned in 1875 for his beliefs.[1] In 1879 he was shocked by the martyrdom of the Núrayn-i-Nayyirayn, two Bahá’í brothers who were murdered by a mob in Isfahan as the prayer leader of the city owed them a considerable amount of money.[2]
Around the time of the martyrdom of the Núrayn-i-Nayyirayn Muhammad decided to move to Egypt and while travelling to Egypt he met with several Bahá’ís prompting him to visit Akka during his journey. He met with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá the day he arrived in Akka and met Bahá’u’lláh on his second day in the city ultimately staying in Akka for thirteen days before traveling on to Egypt.[2] He later made a second pilgrimage during which Bahá’u’lláh advised him to establish himself in Egypt prompting him to pursue a career in the country. He made two additional pilgrimages during the lifetime of Bahá’u’lláh making his fourth pilgrimage in 1891. In accordance with Bahá’u’lláh's advice he established himself in Egypt and his home became a center for Bahá’í activity. He also devoted himself to studying the Writings memorizing a large number of Tablets.[3]
After the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh in 1892 Muhammad recognized ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as His appointed successor and served Him, particularly when He made extended visits to Egypt between 1910 and 1912. He undertook services for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and also for visiting pilgrims hoping to meet with Him while ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was in Egypt. He also made several pilgrimages to the Holy Land during the Ministry of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visiting for the last time during His lifetime in February 1919.[3]
When Muhammad received news of the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in November 1921 he immediately traveled to the Holy Land staying there for forty days. While initially he was despondent he was reassured when the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was shared and he supported Shoghi Effendi who had been appointed the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith.[3] He began writing a defense of the Faith around this time but after gaining confidence in Shoghi Effendi's capacity as leader of the religion he decided against having it published.[4]
In 1924 Muhammad was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of Egypt and Sudan when it was established and appointed to its Publishing Committee. He translated the Kitab-i-Iqan and Some Answered Questions into Arabic for the Committee as well as writing some articles about the Faith. In 1925 an Egyptian named Faiq attempted to establish an independent sect of the Bahá’í Faith in Egypt, breaking the Covenant, and Muhammad was prominent in opposing his efforts.[4] He served on the National Assembly up until at least 1936.[5]
Muhammad survived to an advanced age being predeceased by his son, ‘Abdu’l-Husayn, who had pioneered to Switzerland, and his wife before passing in 1946. Shoghi Effendi sent the following message after his passing:
Hearts (are) grief stricken (by the) passing (away of) beloved, outstanding, steadfast promoter (of the) Faith, Muhammad Taqi Isfahani. Long record (of) his magnificent, exemplary services (is) imperishable (and) deserves rank (him among the) hands (of the) Cause (of) God. Advise hold befitting memorial gatherings (by) Egyptian centers. (I am sending a) contribution (of) two hundred pounds (for the) construction (of a) grave.[6]
References[edit]
- ↑ Barron Harper, Lights of Fortitude, George Ronald: Oxford, 2007, p 97
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1952?). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. Wilmette, Ill. Volume 11 (1946-1950), Pg(s) 500. View as PDF.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1952?). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. Wilmette, Ill. Volume 11 (1946-1950), Pg(s) 501. View as PDF.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Barron Harper, Lights of Fortitude, George Ronald: Oxford, 2007, p 98
- ↑ Baha'i News (1936). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. No 104, Pg(s) 8. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1952?). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. Wilmette, Ill. Volume 11 (1946-1950), Pg(s) 502. View as PDF.
