The Babi and Baha'i Religion — Page 12
THE B Ā B Ī AND BAH Ā ’ Ī RELIGION 12 propagating his views. His uncle, Haji ‘Al i , had to stand surety that these instructions would be obeyed. As to the question why the government took this seemingly oppressive stand in regard to a religious movement, only one quotation need be given here. According to Mak a t i b ‘Abdul Bah a ’ , Vol II, page 266 , "During the days of the advent of Hadrat-e-‘Ala, (Founder of the B a b i religion) the, teaching was that heads should be cut off, books and leaves burnt, places demolished and laid waste, and a general slaughter made, except in the case of those who rendered belief and homage. " Evidently this was not the kind of teaching which the established government of the country could very well leave to spread in the land unchecked. Another interesting fact also deserves to be borne in mind. On Rama da n 21, 1262 Hijra, the ulema of Shiraz, acting through the administrative agencies, called upon ‘Al i Muhammad to appear before the people in a mosque, where he was asked to recant from his claims and views. There upon ‘Al i Mu h am- mad mounted the pulpit and made a remarkable speech. It was remarkable in the sense that those present failed to get any idea as to what he was driving at. According to Al-Kaw a kib , page 88, "The audience was left in no position to understand whether he had spoken in renunciation of his views or in