It was the summer of 1848. The followers of the Báb, the
Bábís, were fiercely persecuted in Persia, the birthplace of their Faith. They
needed guidance and support. Bahá'u'lláh, Who, at that time, was a directing
force among the Bábís, decided to meet with His fellow believers. A group of
them gathered in the small village of Badasht in northern Persia.
Upon His arrival, Bahá'u'lláh rented three gardens, one for
Quddús, another for Táhirih, and the third one for Himself. The main purpose of
this gathering of Bábís, known as the Badasht Conference, was to consult about
the future of the Bábí Faith. Tents were put up in the three gardens to house
the eighty-one Bábís who had gathered at this most important event. From the
day they arrived to the day they left, for twenty-two days, they were all the
guests of Bahá'u'lláh.
Every day, Bahá'u'lláh revealed a new Tablet, which was chanted
every morning in this memorable gathering of Bábís. Through these Tablets,
Bahá'u'lláh discarded one after another of the established traditions of the
past. The Bábís were dismayed as they saw the ways they had worshiped, and many
of the teachings they had followed for so long, changed and discarded.
Baha'u'llah bestowed a new name on every believer at Badasht
without disclosing the identity of the person who had given those names. From
this time on, He became known as "Bahá" (Glory), Quddús (the Most
Holy) gained his title, and Táhirih (the Pure One).
The Bábís were in awe. They did not know the source of all
these Revelations. They wondered: Who wrote the Tablets? Who gave them the new
names? Some were guessing, each one to his own degree of understanding. Very
few, if any, thought Bahá'u'lláh was the author of the changes that were so
fearlessly introduced.
Baha'u'llah presided every day over the Conference of
Badasht, guiding the discussions and enlightening His fellow believers. Táhirih
and Quddús, encouraged by Baha'u'llah, discussed the future of the Bábí
Revelation. Táhirih wanted to declare its complete break from Islam. Quddús
rejected her views. Baha'u'llah did not take sides but let the two examine and
contemplate all aspects of this most important matter.
One day, Bahá'u'lláh was not feeling well and decided to remain in His garden. As soon as Quddús heard this news, he went to His presence. Gradually other believers came too and gathered around Him. Suddenly, a messenger from Táhirih came and addressed Quddús saying, "Tahirih wants to
meet with you in her garden."
"I do not wish to meet with her anymore! "
exclaimed Quddús bluntly.
The messenger refused to return without him. Suddenly,
Táhirih appeared at the door. Beautifully adorned, she stood serenely before
her companions. She was not wearing her veil, a requirement for women under the
laws of Islam.
Immediately, the men stood up in complete shock, as if
struck by lightning. An honorable woman appearing without a veil! How could
they gaze on the unveiled face of the one whom they considered the best example
of purity, honor, and modesty? Some were so outraged that they fled the place.
Some not only left the conference, but they also left the Faith they had been
ready to defend. Such was their degree of attachment to the traditions of the
past and their anger toward Táhirih's brave action!
Those who remained listened in complete awe to Táhirih's
eloquent speech delivered in a language highly resembling that of the Qur'an,
the Holy Book of Islam. In her address, she announced the dawn of a New Day.
She announced that this was the time to break away from the traditions of the
past. She ended her talk in her strong, melodious voice, declaring: "This
is the day in which the fetters of the past are burst asunder."
This incident changed the life of the Bábís. The change
involved all their manners and customs. It freed them from the obligation of
following the Muslim clergy. Yet they remained confused. Many of them wrote
letters to the Báb, asking for guidance. Each one of them received a Tablet
from Him reassuring them and confirming the changes. In regard to Táhirih's
unveiled appearance, He wrote, "What am I to say regarding her whom the
Tongue of Power and Glory [Bahá'u'lláh] has named Táhirih [the Pure One]."
By writing this, He also showed that Táhirih's appearance, unveiled in the
presence of men, was acceptable.
Baha'u'llah, with His love, wisdom, and patience, built
peace and harmony among the remaining believers at Badasht. The main objective
of the gathering was achieved; the future of the Bábí Faith was determined.
"The clarion-call of the new Order had been sounded...The way was clear
for the proclamation of the laws and precepts that were destined to usher in
the new Dispensation." (Nabil, the Dawn-Breakers)
(Written by Lily Ayman, illustrated by Jacki Ayorinde; ‘Core Curriculum for Spiritual Education’, by the United
States National Spiritual Assembly)
