Baha'i Allegations Against Subh-i Azal

2. Allegations By Baha

2.1 Baha’s ‘Petition of This Servant’
In “the petition of this servant,” addressed by him to Count Gobineau from Edirne, section 17.6.2 refers, Baha speaks of one “Haji Abu al-Qasim” who visited him in Edirne. The visit, according to Mirza Jawad’s Historical Epitome, Materials for the Study of the BÁBi Religion by Prof. Browne, P. 33, was made in the year “1283 A.H.”

This year begins effective May 16, 1866 and ends with May 5, 1867. Baha’s service of notice of his mission on Subh-i-Azal took place on “Shawwal 22, 1282 A.H. (March 10, 1866)”, god passes by, P. 167. Thus “the petition of this servant” was submitted to Count Gobineau after the service of the notice, which marked the rupture between Subh-i-Azal and Baha. The allegations of attempted poisoning and of proposed fratricide preferred against Subh-i-Azal too place prior to the service of the notice which marks the rupture, god passes by, PP. 165-167.

In “the petition of this servant” Baha makes no mention of his “divine mission,” attributes no blame to Subh-i-Azal, traces his troubles to the intrigues of the Iranian ambassador, pleads his innocence, cites the foreign Consuls in Edirne as a witness to the trustfulness of this servant, implores Count Gobineau to intercede with Napoleon III to enable Baha to become a French protégé, and adjures Count Gobineau “to lay the petition of this servant at the foot of the throne of the Monarch of the age.”

In his apology Shoghi Effendi, god passes by, P. 173, tones down “the petition of this servant”. Shoghi Effendi states that this communication was intended “to test the sincerity of Napoleon III”, as the champion of “the oppressed and the helpless”. Baha is quoted by Shoghi Effendi in the communication as having called upon Napoleon III to inquire into the condition of such as have been wronged”, and “extend his care to the weak”, and look upon Baha and his fellow-exiles with the eye of loving-kindness”.

To read more about Baha's members of family, got to the main page, select 'Bahaism -> The Rise of Baha' and navigate through the index.