Mírzá Mihdí
Mírzá Mihdí (Persian: ميرزا مهدي 1848 – June 23, 1870) was the youngest child of Baháʼí Faith founder Baháʼu'lláh and his wife Ásíyih Khánum.[1][2] He was given the title G͟husn-i-Athar ("Purest Branch" or "Purer Branch").[note 1]
Early life
He was born in
Returning to his family, 1860 - 1868
Mírzá Mihdí was reunited with his family in 1860 and grew very close to his father. He served Bahá’u’lláh as his secretary, transcribing letters on his behalf.[6] Mírzá Mihdí accompanied Bahá’u’lláh in His successive exiles to Istanbul, Edirne, and, finally, to Acre, Israel. Bahá’u’lláh (who described his family as a tree) entitled Mírzá Mihdí as "The Purest Branch".
Exile to Acre and death, 1868
In the summer of 1868, Bahá’u’lláh and his family were condemned to perpetual imprisonment in the penal-colony of Akka, Palestine, Ottoman Empire (later became Acre, Israel after 1948). The family was housed in a cluster of dilapidated cells. Mírzá Mihdí occupied a cell with his mother and his sister Bahíyyih Khánum.
It was common practice for the prisoners to use the roof for exercise in the summer months. Mírzá Mihdí was pacing the roof reciting the Ode of the Dove (a prayer revealed by his father).[7] Wrapped in prayer, he fell through the skylight in the roof of the prison onto a crate lying on the floor below.[8][9] The family heard the crash and rushed to the scene to find Mihdí covered in blood. He was so badly injured that his clothes had to be torn from him. Prison guards allowed for a doctor to attend to him, but by that time the injuries were too severe. As he lay dying, Mírzá Mihdí told Bahá’u’lláh he wished that pilgrims (many of whom walked from Iran but were denied the chance to meet Bahá’u’lláh) would be permitted to enter Acre.[10]
Mírzá Mihdí died with his father beside him on June 23, 1870.[11] His father had to sell a small carpet in his cell to fund the hastily prepared funeral, that no family were permitted to attend.[12]
Legacy
The sudden and unexpected death of Mírzá Mihdí brought deep sadness to his parents and destroyed any morale that was left among the prisoners.
He then cabled the Baháʼís:Blessed remains Purest Branch and Master's mother safely transferred hallowed precincts Shrines Mount Carmel. Long inflicted humiliation wiped away. Machinations Covenant-breakers frustrate plan defeated. Cherished wish Greatest Holy Leaf fulfilled. Sister brother mother wife ʻAbdu'l-Bahá reunited one spot designed constitute focal centre Baháʼí Administrative Institutions at Faith's World Centre. Share joyful news entire body American believers. Shoghi Rabbani.[18]
His resting-place now serves as a place of pilgrimage for Bahá’ís.
Appearance and personality
In physical appearance Mírzá Mihdí grew to resemble
See also
Others buried in the Monument Gardens:
- Ásiyih Khánum, Baháʼu'lláh's first wife, Mirzá Mihdí's mother (also called Nawab).
- Bahíyyih Khánum, Mirzá Mihdí's elder sister.
- Munirih Khánum, wife of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, Mirzá Mihdí's elder brother.
Notes and citations
- Notes
- superlative or a comparative. G͟husn-i-Athar could mean "Purest Branch" or "Purer Branch."
- Citations
- ^ Ma'ani 2008, p. 91
- ^ Smith 1999, p. 262
- ^ Handal 2017
- ^ Taherzadeh 2000, p. 204
- ^ Ma'ani 2008, p. 101
- ^ Taherzadeh 2000, pp. 204–5
- ^ Handal 2017
- ^ Smith 1999, p. 246
- ^ "The Great Sacrifice". Archived from the original on 2014-02-28. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
- ^ Handal 2017
- ^ Handal 2017
- ^ Handal 2017
- ^ Balyuzi 2000, p. 312
- ^ Ma'ani 2008
- ^ Effendi 1944, p. 188
- ^ Smith 1999, p. 259
- ^ Smith 1999, p. 247
- ^ Rabbani 1969, p. 261
- ^ Handal 2017
- ^ Ma'ani 2008, p. 101
- ^ Handal 2017
References
- ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
- Razavi, Shahriar (2009). "Mihdí, Mírzá (1848-70)". Baháʼí Encyclopedia Project. Evanston, IL: National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of the United States.
- ISBN 0-85398-144-2.
- ISBN 0-85398-328-3.
- ISBN 0-85398-606-5.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: ignored ISBN errors (link
- ISBN 0-87743-015-2.
- Ma'ani, Baharieh Rouhani (2008). Leaves of the Twin Divine Trees. Oxford, UK: George Ronald. ISBN 978-0-85398-533-4.
- ISBN 0-87743-020-9.