The Babi and Baha'i Religion — Page 32
THE B Ā B Ī AND BAH Ā ’ Ī RELIGION 32 failed to put in an appearance, Qurratul ‘Ain raised the question 33. But the people in general were staggered when they heard her. They took a complaint against her to mullah Muhammad ‘Al i , who was in fact collaborat- ing with Qurratul ‘Ain in the matter. He managed to silence the critics, expressing his readiness to look into the matter carefully with Qurratul ‘Ain. Conver- sations later took place on the point, but those who were really deeply religious at heart began to perceive that the whole activity was a sort of diplomatic move to allay suspicion; and seeing this many of them went back to their homes. According to the well thought out scheme Bah a ’ull a h intervened in the controversy, but he sided with Qurratul ‘Ain. This created great resentment among the followers. ‘Abdul Bah a ’ writes that at first almost all of them turned their backs, but later some people returned 34. Then it was decided that for final decision the question should be referred to the B a b in prison. Bah a ’ i history has it that the B a b agreed with Qurratul ‘Ain and the decision to abandon the Islamic Sharia was finally taken 35. 33 Al-Kaw a kib , page 221. 34 Tadhkirtul Waf a , page 308. 35 Al-Kaw a kib , Page 223.