The Babi and Baha'i Religion — Page 24
THE B Ā B Ī AND BAH Ā ’ Ī RELIGION 24 In T a r i kh Amri-B a h a ’ i 22 we read: "With the ex- ception of a very limited number no one seemed to have really recognised the B a b, only a few having grasped his teaching. On the basis of that inner fire which the common people are capable of evincing under a strong religious impetus, the devotees, in a manner of speaking were mad after the B a b. It was their belief that it was binding upon them that they should all gather under his banner and be ready to shed their blood so that a revival and regeneration should take place, and all difficulties and troubles should melt away and disappear. But they did not really understand his teaching. Some of them even believed that what was forbidden before the appear- ance of the B a b had become lawful now. " This was the condition of the B a b i s in the begin- ning. In regard to their end, the following passage from the writings of ‘Abdul Bah a ’ A fand i would not be without interest. "They are steeped in the darkness of superstition. ’ 23 The prominent four among B a b’s followers The most prominent among B a b’s followers from the earliest times were the following four ‘mullah H usain of Bushrawaih, to whom the title of B a bul B a b 22 ibid page 28. 23 Khutab a t Abdul Bah a ’ , volume 1, page 258.