separated and alone, led for two years a life of complete
solitude. From Our eyes there rained tears of anguish, and in Our
bleeding heart there surged an ocean of agonizing pain. Many a
night We had no food for sustenance, and many a day Our body found
no rest. by Him Who hath My being between His hands!
notwithstanding these showers of afflictions and unceasing
calamities, Our soul was wrapt in blissful joy, and Our whole
being evinced an ineffable gladness. For in Our solitude We were
unaware of the harm or benefit, the health or ailment, of any
soul. Alone, We communed with Our spirit, oblivious of the world
and all that is therein. We knew not, however, that the mesh of
divine destiny exceedeth the vastest of mortal conceptions, and
the dart of His decree transcendeth the boldest of human designs.
None can escape the snares He setteth, and no soul can find
release except through submission to His will. By the
righteousness of God! Our withdrawal contemplated no return, and
Our separation hoped for no reunion. The one object of Our
retirement was to avoid becoming a subject of discord among the
faithful, a source of disturbance unto Our companions, the means
of injury to any soul, or the cause of sorrow to any heart. Beyond
these, We cherished no other intention, and apart from them, We
had no end in view. And yet, each person schemed after his own
desire, and pursued his own idle fancy, until the hour when, from
the Mystic Source, there came the summons bidding Us return whence
We came. Surrendering Our will to His, We submitted to His
injunction.

What pen can recount the things We beheld upon Our return! Two
years have elapsed during which Our enemies have ceaselessly and
assiduously contrived to exterminate Us, whereunto all
witness.--Kitab-i-Iqan, pp. 250-252.

Opposition of Mullas

After His return from this retirement, His fame became greater than ever
and people flocked to Ba_gh_dad from far and near to see Him and hear His
teachings. Jews, Christians and Zoroastrians, as well as Muhammadans,
became interested in the new message. The Mullas (Muhammadan doctors),
however, took up a hostile attitude and persistently plotted to effect His
overthrow. On a certain occasion they sent one of their number to
interview Him and submit to Him certain questions. The envoy found the
answ