Tadhkirah — Page 28
28 About 1876 During the lifetime of my father, when his death was approaching, I saw in a dream an old holy personage with a blessed countenance, who conveyed to me that it was customary in the family of the Holy Prophet sa to fast for a period by way of preparation for the reception of heavenly light. I took this as an indication that I should follow this tradition. I, therefore, deemed it proper to adhere to fasting over a lengthy period…. The wonders that I experienced as a result of such fasting include a variety of subtle visions that were manifested to me. I met some of the past Prophets and some of the highly placed saints among the Muslims…. Moreover, I was vouchsafed visions of spiritual light in the shape of bright columns of green and red so beautiful and enchanting that their description cannot be conveyed in words. These columns extended up to heaven. Some of them were bright white, some green and some red. Their sight filled my heart with great joy. There is no delight in Lady F at imah az-Zahr a’. I was lying down. She approached me and sat down next to me and placed my head upon her thigh and was most kind to me. I noticed that she was sorrowful and anxious on account of my troubles, as mothers are anxious on account of the tribulations of their children. It was then conveyed to me that my relationship [with her] was like that of a spiritual son and it passed through my mind that her sorrow was an indication of the persecution that I was to undergo at the hands of my people, countrymen and enemies. Then H asan ra and H usain ra approached me and showed me fraternal affection and met me like kind well- wishers. This vision was one of those that I experienced while I was awake and it happened many years ago. [Sirrul-Khil a fah, pp. 34–35, R uha n i Khaz a ’in, vol. 8, pp. 358–359]