The Babi and Baha'i Religion — Page 14
THE B Ā B Ī AND BAH Ā ’ Ī RELIGION 14 two followers. One of these recanted at this juncture and was spared, while ‘Al i Muhammad and the other follower were shot in 1850 of the Christian era. At the time of his death ‘Al i Muhammad was barely thirty years of age, and his mission not more than six years old. He was succeeded by, Mirz a Ya h y a , who took the title of " S ub h- e-Azal" (Morning of Eternity). In 1852 several B a b i s made an attempt on the life of the King, but failed and were arrested. A plot was suspected and many more B a b i s were put to death among them the beautiful but fiery Qurratul ‘Ain. Mirz a Ya h ya, or S ub h i Azal, thereafter removed himself to Baghdad from where he peacefully propagated his views. Himself he lived in seclusion, leaving the direction of affairs in the hands, of his brother, Mirz a H usain ‘Al i. This position lasted for ten years, during which time Mirz a H usain ‘Al i was content with the second position assigned to him. But then he took his stand on the basis of certain prophe- cies of ‘Al i Muhammad B a b which spoke of "one whom God was to manifest. " It is to be noted that these prophecies had been left as vague and undefined as the meaning of "Nuq t ah" one of the titles taken up by ‘Al i Muhammad B a b. These prophecies gave no indication as to the time or signs when this manifestation from God was to take