Mirza Buzurg owned a vast estate, and many peasants worked
the land and tended his livestock for him. Often young Mirza Husayn-'Ali walked
or rode His horse through the countryside, stopping to speak with the peasants
and learn about their lives and troubles. Believing that He would one day rule
the estate, the peasants watched Him as He grew and were no doubt comforted by
the understanding Mirza Husayn-'Ali showed.
When He was nearly eighteen, Mirza Husayn- Ali married
Asiyih Khanum, the daughter of another wealthy nobleman. Asiyih Khanum had
everything a young woman in Persia could hope to have. She was tall and
beautiful, wise, gentle, and kind. The young couple started their life together
with great wealth and comfort. A jeweler worked for six months fashioning her
jewels, even creating gold buttons studded with gems for her clothing. Forty
mules carried Asiyih Khanum's belongings to her new home. The couple would,
everyone thought, enjoy a grand life of power and luxury, filled with parties
and important ceremonies.
But Mirza Husayn-'Ali was not interested in living a life of
wealth and ease. He had never forgotten the poor peasants whose lives had
touched His heart, and so He was rarely seen among the wealthy and powerful.
Instead, He and Asiyih Khanum took care of the poor. They listened to their
problems and tried to help them. Often they invited them to share meals with
them. No needy person was ever turned away. Because of the kind comfort she
offered so willingly, Asiyih Khanum soon earned the title "Mother of
Consolation." And the generous, wise Mirza Husayn-'Ali was known as
"Father of the Poor."
It was no wonder that Mirza Husayn-'Ali and Asiyih Khanum's
children would grow to have the same loving and generous hearts. One day, their Son 'Abdu'l-Baha set off to
see His Father's sheep, just as His Father had done as a young Man. What a
sight it must have been - thousands of them roamed the mountainsides! The
shepherds were happy to be visited by their kind, young master, and they
prepared a feast for Him.
Finally, it was time for 'Abdu'l-Baha to go home.
The head shepherd drew 'Abdu'l-Baha aside. "It is the
custom to leave the shepherds a gift," the shepherd told him.
"But I have nothing to give," 'Abdu'l-Baha
replied.
"They have just given you a feast," the shepherd
pointed out. "You must give them something."
'Abdu'l-Baha thought a moment and then decided. "I will
give them all the sheep!"
'Abdu'l-Baha must have wondered what His Father would say
when He learned that His Son had given away thousands of His sheep.
But Mirza Husayn-'Ali only laughed. "We will have to
protect 'Abdu'l-Baha from Himself," He said. "Some day He will give
Himself away!"
Baha'u'llah truly was the "Father of the Poor."
(Written by Gail Radley, illustrated by Jay Kenyatta-Anderson; ‘Core Curriculum for Spiritual Education’, by the United
States National Spiritual Assembly)
