The Bab's Risalah fi an-Nubuwwah al-Khassah: Treatise on the Special Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad |
Sayyid `Ali Muhammad "the Bab" Shirazi. Risalah fi an-Nubuwwah al-Khassah: (Treatise on the Special Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad) MS in private hands. Digitally published in facsimile. (Lansing, MI: H-Bahai, 1999). Available on the World Wide Web at /~bahai/areprint/bab/M-R/nubuwwah/nubuwwah.htm
Notes: MacEoin remarks: "Not long after completing the Tafsir Sura wa'l-`asr, the Bab was asked by Manuchihr Khan to write a treatise on the subject of nubuwwah khassah, the specific prophethood of Muhammad. Zarandi gives a detailed account of the writing of this work. It was, apparently completed in the space of only two hours, the final text running to some fifty pages. Zarandi states that Manuchihr Khan converted to Islam as a result of hearing it read, ignoring the fact that the had become a Muslim a long time before this." The relevant passages from Zarandi are: "As the Báb's fame was being gradually diffused over the entire city of Isfahán, an unceasing stream of visitors flowed from every quarter to the house of the Imám-Jum'ih: a few to satisfy their curiosity, others to obtain a deeper understanding of the fundamental verities of His Faith, and still others to seek the remedy for their ills and sufferings. The Mu'tamíd himself came one day to visit the Báb and, while seated in the midst of an assemblage of the most brilliant and accomplished divines of Isfahán, requested Him to expound the nature and demonstrate the validity of the Nubuvvat-i-Khassih. He had previously, in that same gathering, called upon those who were present to adduce such proofs and evidences in support of this fundamental article of their Faith as would constitute an unanswerable testimony for those who were inclined to repudiate its truth. No one, however, seemed capable of responding to his invitation. "Which do you prefer," asked the Báb, "a verbal or a written answer to your question?" "A written reply," he answered, "not only would please those who are present at this meeting, but would edify and instruct both the present and future generations." The Báb instantly took up His pen and began to write. In less than two hours, He had filled about fifty pages with a most refreshing and circumstantial enquiry into the origin, the character, and the pervasive influence of Islám. The originality of His dissertation, the vigour and vividness of its style, the accuracy of its minutest details, invested His treatment of that noble theme with an excellence which no one among those who were present on that occasion could have failed to perceive. With masterly insight, He linked the central idea in the concluding passages of this exposition with the advent of the promised Qá'im and the expected "Return" of the Imám Husayn. He argued with such force and courage that those who heard Him recite its verses were astounded by the magnitude of His revelation. No one dared to insinuate the slightest objection--much less, openly to challenge His statements. The Mu'tamíd could not help giving vent to his enthusiasm and joy. "Hear me!" he exclaimed. "Members of this revered assembly, I take you as my witnesses. Never until this day have I in my heart been firmly convinced of the truth of Islám. I can henceforth, thanks to this exposition penned by this Youth, declare myself a firm believer in the Faith proclaimed by the Apostle of God. I solemnly testify to my belief in the reality of the superhuman power with which this Youth is endowed, a power which no amount of learning can ever impart." With these words he brought the meeting to an end."
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