dingly, we left
Ja'far in the hospital and went on to the Akka prison. Two months later,
he and his brother Haji Taqi arrived at the fortress, and joined the other
prisoners. The safely delivered Haji grew more loving, more ardent with
every passing day. From dusk till dawn he would stay awake, chanting
prayers, shedding his tears. Then one night he fell from the roof of the
caravanserai and ascended to the Kingdom of miracles and signs.

Haji Taqi, born under a fortunate star, was in every sense a true brother
to Haji Ja'far. He lived in the same spiritual condition, but he was
calmer. After Haji Ja'far's death, he would stay in one room, all alone.
He was silence itself. He would sit there, all alone, properly and
courteously, even during the night. One midnight he climbed up to the roof
to chant prayers. The next morning they found him where he had fallen, on
the ground by the wall. He was unconscious, and they could not tell
whether this was an accident or whether he had thrown himself down. When
he came to himself he said: "I was weary of this life, and I tried to die.
Not for a moment do I wish to linger in this world. Pray that I may go
on."

This, then, is the life story of those three brothers. All three were
souls well-assured; all three were pleased, and pleasing unto God.(74)
They were flames; they were captives of the Faith; they were pure and
holy. And therefore, cut off from the world, turning their faces toward
the Most High Kingdom, they ascended. May God wrap them in the garment of
His grace in the realm of forgiveness, and immerse them in the waters of
His mercy forever and ever. Greetings be unto them, and praise.

HAJI MIRZA MUHAMMAD-TAQI, THE AFNAN

Among those souls that are righteous, that are luminous entities and
Divine reflections, was Jinab-i-Muhammad-Taqi, the Afnan.(75) His title
was Vakilu'd-Dawlih. This eminent Bough was an offshoot of the Holy Tree;
in him an excellent character was allied to a noble lineage. His kinship
was a true kinship. He was among those souls who, after one reading of the
Book of Iqan, became believers, bewitched by the sweet savors of God,
rejoicing at the recital of His verses. His agitation was such that he
cried out, "Lord, Lord, here am I!" Joyously, he left Persia and hurried
away to 'Iraq. Because he was filled with longing love, he sped over the
mountains and across the desert wastes, not pausing to rest until he came
to Ba_gh_dad.

He entere