In 1266 A.H. [1849-1850] the trusted messenger, Shaykh
Salmán, first heard the summons of God, and his heart leapt for joy. He was
then in Hindíyán. Irresistibly attracted, he walked all the way to Tihrán, where
with ardent love he secretly joined the believers. On a certain day he was
passing through the bázár with Áqá Muhammad Taqíy-i-Káshání, and the
farráshes followed him and discovered where he lived. The next day,
police and farráshes came looking for him and took him to the chief of
police.
“Who are you?” the chief asked.
“I am from Hindíyán,” replied Salmán. “I have come to Tihrán
and am on my way to Khurásán, for a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Imám Ridá.”
“What were you doing yesterday,” the chief asked, “with that
man in the white robe?”
Salmán answered, “I had sold him an ‘abá the day before, and
yesterday he was to pay me.”
“You are a stranger here,” the chief said. “How could you
trust him?”
“A money-changer guaranteed the payment,” Salmán replied. He
had in mind the respected believer, Áqá Muhammad-i-Sarraf (money-changer).
The chief turned to one of his farráshes and said,
“Take him to the money-changer’s and look into it.”
When they reached there the farrásh went on ahead.
“What was all this,” he said, “about the sale of an ‘abá and your vouching for
the payment? Explain yourself.”
“I know nothing about it,” the money-changer replied. “Come
along,” said the farrásh to Salmán. “All is clear at last. You are a
Bábí.”
It happened that the turban which Salmán had on his head was
similar to those worn in Shúshtar. As they were passing a
crossroads, a man from Shúshtar came out of his shop. He embraced
Salmán and cried: “Where have you been, Khájih Muhammad-‘Alí? When did
you arrive? Welcome!”
Salmán replied, “I came here a few days ago and now the
police have arrested me.”
“What do you want with him?” the merchant asked the farrásh.
“What are you after?”
“He is a Bábí,” was the answer. “God forbid!” cried the man
from Shúshtar. “I know him well. Khájih Muhammad-‘Alí is a
God-fearing Muslim, a Shí’ih, a devout follower of the Imám ‘Alí.” With
this he gave the farrásh a sum of money and Salmán was freed.
They went into the shop and the merchant began to ask Salmán
how he was faring. Salmán told him: “I am not Khájih Muhammad-‘Alí.”
The man from Shúshtar was dumbfounded. “You
look exactly like him!” he exclaimed. “You two are identical. However, since
you are not he, give me back the money I paid the farrásh.”
Salmán immediately handed him the money, left, went out
through the city gate and made for Hindíyán.
When Bahá’u’lláh arrived in ‘Iráq, the first messenger to
reach His holy presence was Salmán, who then returned with
Tablets addressed to the friends in Hindíyán. Once each year, this blessed
individual would set out on foot to see his Well-Beloved, after which he would
retrace his steps, carrying Tablets to many cities, Isfáhán, Shíráz, Káshán,
Tihrán, and the rest.
From the year 69 until the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh in 1309
A.H., [1853-1892] Salmán would arrive once a year, bringing letters, leaving
with the Tablets, faithfully delivering each one to him for whom it was
intended. Every single year throughout that long period, he came on foot from
Persia to ‘Iráq, or to Adrianople, or to the Most Great Prison at Akká; came
with the greatest eagerness and love, and then went back again.
He had remarkable powers of endurance. He traveled on foot,
as a rule eating nothing but onions and bread; and in all that time, he moved
about in such a way that he was never once held up and never once lost a letter
or a Tablet. Every letter was safely delivered; every Tablet reached its
intended recipient. Over and over again, in Isfáhán, he was subjected to severe
trials, but he remained patient and thankful under all conditions, and earned
from non-Bahá’ís the title of “the Bábís’ Angel Gabriel.”
Throughout his entire life, Salmán rendered this momentous
service to the Cause of God, becoming the means of its spread and contributing
to the happiness of the believers, annually bringing Divine glad tidings to the
cities and villages of Persia. He was close to the heart of Bahá’u’lláh, Who
looked upon him with especial favor and grace. Among the Holy Scriptures, there
are Tablets revealed in his name.
After the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, Salmán remained faithful
to the Covenant, serving the Cause with all his powers. Then, as before, he
would come to the Most Great Prison every year,
delivering mail from the believers, and returning with the answers to Persia.
At last, in Shíráz, he winged his way to the Kingdom of glory.
From the dawn of history until the present day, there has
never been a messenger so worthy of trust; there has never been a courier to
compare with Salmán. He has left respected survivors in Isfáhán who, because of
the troubles in Persia, are presently in distress. It is certain that the
friends will see to their needs. Upon him be the glory of God, the
All-Glorious; unto him be salutations and praise.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Memorials of
the Faithful’)
