that condition, he returned to Qa'in
with the prince.

Later on that eminent scholar, Aqa Muhammad of Qa'in (whose title was
Nabil-i-Akbar) was made a mujtahid, a doctor of religious law, by the late
_Sh_ay_kh_ Murtada; he left, then, for Ba_gh_dad, became an ardent
follower of Baha'u'llah, and hastened back to Persia. The leading divines
and mujtahids were well aware of and acknowledged his vast scholarly
accomplishments, the breadth of his learning, and his high rank. When he
reached Qa'in, he began openly to spread the new Faith. The moment Mulla
Muhammad-'Ali heard the name of the Blessed Beauty, he immediately
accepted the Bab. "I had the honor," he said, "of meeting the Blessed
Beauty in Tihran. The instant I saw Him, I became His slave."

In his village of Sar-_Ch_ah, this gifted, high-minded man began to teach
the Faith. He guided in his own family and saw to the others as well,
bringing a great multitude under the law of the love of God, leading each
one to the path of salvation.

Up to that time he had always been a close companion of Mir Alam _Kh_an,
the Governor of Qa'in, had rendered him important services, and had
enjoyed the Governor's respect and trust. Now that shameless prince turned
against him in a rage on account of his religion, seized his property and
plundered it; for the Amir was terrified of Nasiri'd-Din _Sh_ah. He
banished Nabil-i-Akbar and ruined Nabil of Qa'in. After throwing him in
prison and torturing him, he drove him out as a homeless vagrant.

To Nabil, the sudden calamity was a blessing, the sacking of his earthly
goods, the expulsion into the desert, was a kingly crown and the greatest
favor God could grant him. For some time he remained in Tihran, to outward
seeming a pauper of no fixed abode, but inwardly rejoicing; for this is
the characteristic of every soul who is firm in the Covenant.

He had access to the society of the great and knew the condition of the
various princes. He would, therefore, frequent some of them and give them
the message. He was a consolation to the hearts of the believers and as a
drawn sword to the enemies of Baha'u'llah. He was one of those of whom we
read in the Qur'an: "For the Cause of God shall they strive hard; the
blame of the blamer shall they not fear."(29) Day and night he toiled to
promote the Faith, and with all his might to spread abroad the clear signs
of God. He would drink and drink again of the wine of God's love, was
clamorous as the s