The Babi and Baha'i Religion — Page 26
THE B Ā B Ī AND BAH Ā ’ Ī RELIGION 26 occasion in regard to her husband: "That Khab i th (unworthy and undesirable man) cannot be a proper mate for a woman like me". 25 Later on when mullah Taq i , her father-in-law was killed in Qazwain. some people thought Qurratul ‘Ain had a hand in the affair, and some of her friends were arrested. Thanks to strenuous efforts made on her behalf by H usain ‘Al i (Bah a ’ull a h), she succeeded in slipping to Teheran. In those days she did not observe pardah. In N a sikhul Taw a r i kh it is stated that she looked upon purdah between males and females as something reprehensible. In the circle of her friends she appeared without a veil, but when speaking to the common people she usually had one on. This roused a great deal of unfavourable comment in B a b i circles, and a question on the point was addressed to the B a b. This was during the time when the B a b was a prisoner. The B a b's verdict supported Qurratul ‘Ain, and Sayyid ‘Al i Bashar, the man who had raised this question, was rebuked as one who was weak and shaky in belief. This answer from the B a b was not welcomed by some among his followers, who left the movement. When the Badasht Conference was held, Qurratul ‘Ain took up a very bold attitude. On this occasion she is reported to have said quite openly that 25 Al-Kaw a kib , page 203.