a correspondence with the 'ulamas of Kazimayn; she
presented them with unanswerable proofs, and when one or another appeared
before her she offered him convincing arguments. Finally she sent a
message to the _Sh_i'ih divines, saying to them: "If you are not satisfied
with these conclusive proofs, I challenge you to a trial by ordeal."(122)
Then there was a great outcry from the divines, and the Governor was
obliged to send Tahirih and her women companions to the house of
Ibn-i-Alusi, who was mufti of Ba_gh_dad. Here she remained about three
months, waiting for word and directions from Constantinople. Ibn-i-Alusi
would engage her in learned dialogues, questions would be asked and
answers given, and he would not deny what she had to say.

On a certain day the mufti related one of his dreams, and asked her to
tell him what it meant. He said: "In my dream I saw the _Sh_i'ih 'ulamas
arriving at the holy tomb of Imam Husayn, the Prince of Martyrs. They took
away the barrier that encloses the tomb, and they broke open the
resplendent grave, so that the immaculate body lay revealed to their gaze.
They sought to take up the holy form, but I cast myself down on the corpse
and I warded them off." Tahirih answered: "This is the meaning of your
dream: you are about to deliver me from the hands of the _Sh_i'ih
divines." "I too had interpreted it thus," said Ibn-i-Alusi.

Since he had discovered that she was well versed in learned questions and
in sacred commentaries and Texts, the two often carried on debates; she
would speak on such themes as the Day of Resurrection, the Balance, and
the Sirat,(123) and he would not turn away.

Then came a night when the father of Ibn-i-Alusi called at the house of
his son. He had a meeting with Tahirih and abruptly, without asking a
single question, began to curse, mock and revile her. Embarrassed at his
father's behavior, Ibn-i-Alusi apologized. Then he said: "The answer has
come from Constantinople. The King has commanded that you be set free, but
only on condition that you leave his realms. Go then, tomorrow, make your
preparations for the journey, and hasten away from this land."

Accordingly Tahirih, with her women companions, left the mufti's house,
saw to arranging for their travel gear, and went out of Ba_gh_dad. When
they left the city, a number of Arab believers, carrying arms, walked
along beside their convoy. Among the escort were _Sh_ay_kh_ Sultan,
_Sh_ay_kh_ Muhammad and his disting