The Shaykh who was a real Bahá'í

A Critical Review of the Article "A Shaykh who was a real Baha'i"

Translated from original Farsi By Tahereh Azari The Article Friday 17th of Mehr 1383 (2004) From the website Sky Blue (Website no longer exists) A Shaykh who was a real Baha'i Hello. A few days after the tragedy of the passing of our dear friend, this provided the opportunity to see our close and distant relatives. I don’t know what happened that Mr Rahim Zooallanevar was asking after the eldest son of Shaykh Mohammad Ali Movahhed, who was the head of the Islamic Clergy School in Shiraz, known as The School of Agha Baba Khan. My father and that crafty man and many of the learned clergy in Shiraz were his students.

I heard the answer from father that he had been hanged at the beginning of the post revolution period, with the crime of promoting the Baha'i faith. Then Mr Rahim said, “Do you know who converted him to the Baha'i religion? I said “No”, then we found that Mr Rahim was a very close friend of the geezer. Shaykh Movahhed (meaning Mr Movahhed’s father) forces the child to go to clergy school. Then he sends him to the town of Ghom for further studies. The father puts a great deal of pressure on the son, possibly having dreamt for him of a future great learned Shaykh in Shiraz. But the rest of the saga, this eldest son does well in his studies, becomes a clergy … then someone lets the cat out of the bag, that he has been led astray by a Baha'i girl, and then Baha'i. He said that a meeting was arranged for the top ranking clergy in Shiraz, so that they could guide the son back to the right path. In that meeting, the father turns to the son and says: “May your father mourn for you, why have you become a Baha'i?” And the child turns to his father saying “You’ve made me a Baha'i” referring to all the pressures his father had put him under, to make him holy and spiritual. Really, up to now, have we ever done anything like that? Father explained that the bloke would use all the information he had gained from Islamic books, during religious debates meetings, and convert Muslims of little or average knowledge, to the Baha'i faith. Then there was the revolution. And the news reaches Khalkhalee. He is sent to Khalkhalee’s prison and is asked to return to Islam. He refuses and at that moment, the late Khalkhalee places a pillow on his head and fires a bullet. Really, there is a way and means of finishing a job. One must tell the government ministers and high ranking officials who pass judgements, to leave well alone. Shame on you. The geezer does a single sinful act, and they won’t leave him alone until they’ve made him a true heathen. How did the Prophet show forbearance and cooperation with all, by his actions? Notwithstanding that there is no doubt that the Baha'i Shaykh should have been executed. Because he chose to lead people astray and the father’s bad behaviour is no excuse for the son’s irresponsible actions. Each person is responsible for all his own doings and choices. The point is, why do these fathers who create an environment that encourages immorality not get punished? Is it also not the case that the bad behaviour of the security and justice department has been a major cause of the young generation turning away from religion?

And what else is expected of a very nervous and anxious human being who has been constantly belittled, other than a loud cry out.

Written by Shahab Shirazi, 5.30 p.m. from the website Sky Blue ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Review But who really was Movahhed? We came across an article on the site Sky Blue which describes the fate and destiny and some parts of Movahhed’s life; This great intellectual and scholar, whose life story belongs to the same rank as the important historical phenomena; written by an individual with little knowledge of the truth, in such a way that has caused great grief for this dear person’s friends. This is regrettable. Fortunately, there is a tape recording made by himself, which describes his life story and this will draw a line and disprove all the talks, slander, and accusations made against him. Some parts of the subjects of the tape will shed a light on the truth regarding these accusations, and these will be explained in this article.

To put it distinctly, it has been claimed that the father’s strictness caused the son to be drawn to the Baha'i faith. And he declared this himself at the meeting with the Islamic high priests. According to what is described in the tape, firstly, the father was not present at that meeting, because at that given time he had been summoned to go to Tehran with a view to making a decision regarding the situation. The happenings were as a result of Movahhed’s decision to declare his beliefs to a group of clergymen, after two years of silence. Thus a strange turmoil arose in the districts of Ghom, Najaf and Shahre Ray. The learned clergy request the father’s presence, in order that they can make a decision on what to do, but Movahhed goes to Shiraz to see his father and declare the truth to him and his fellow townsmen. Because his father is not at home, Movahhed is obliged to stay at his uncle’s house. The clergy had become aware of the situation, before he arrives in Shiraz, and so have a meeting with him at his uncle’s residence. The meeting becomes very loud and confrontational. And contrary to what has been claimed in the article, that Movahhed feels shame and regrets his actions, the opposite takes place and strong words are exchanged. Movahhed once again declares his beliefs with the utmost bravery.

“For a long time I have become aware of a certain truth from within and I believe in this truth. Under no circumstances will I let go of my findings, which have been the results of many years of my own research, without anybody else’s help, or anyone speaking to me. You can do whatever you like and whatever your hands are capable of.” This was the drama of that gathering and it can be noticed that firstly his father was not present at the meeting and secondly Movahhed’s bravery, courage and fearlessness had made the Muslim clergy feel that if they couldn’t think of a solution, there would be a possibility that he may be killed by the fanatics, and so they write a letter to the Minister of their district, saying that they know him, he is not a bad person, and he will soon return to Islam. If people find out now, they will kill him and this will be a plus point and an advertisement for Bahai's. He must be somehow protected so it is best if we send him to a mental hospital. This very transfer of Movahhed to a mental hospital is a sign of his endurance, loyalty and the strong love for his beliefs. Therefore in the article where it states that he had said to his father that you made be a Baha'i, is completely baseless. From another view point, this subject which is similar to other happenings, when they have tried to explain the reasons for his becoming a Baha'i, is a tradition which has become a habit and is the current and prevalent perspective. In cases where unexpected events and phenomena take place in the lives of well known individuals, which can not be reasoned with and accepted, using the usual explanations, people look for various theories and other paraphernalia to explain what has happened. And they come up with different and incoherent issues, based on guess work and assumptions, none of which is anywhere near the truth. By a careful investigation and study of the true characters of these individuals, and linking their actions to all these imaginary assumptions, this provides a good means to draw a line against all the illusions. If one listens to the tape recording left by Movahhed, and takes into account his personality, one can obtain a decisive answer to the article. Although it is only possible to give a general explanation of the subjects, even the meanings and implications can be a good guide for a person of integrity, seeking the truth, to realise the extent of these illusionary accusations. The environment where he resides is millions of miles away from the society he has been drawn to, without any help or guidance from anyone. This is enough evidence to show a very considered analytical vision, creativity, a sharpness of focus, and a genius mind. Also the declaration of his beliefs and religion, a faith which has unjustifiably, a very bad name and reputation, and amongst the Muslim clergy is a cause of contention, strife, and turmoil, shows his bravery. It is a sign of a character who has great attraction and love for his religion and his truth, resulting in giving up all claims to worldly desires, and name, and reputation, and wealth, power, status, property….. Life. His endurance and loyalty, in defence of his faith and the findings of his research which led to acceptance of conditions of various afflictions and hardships and deprivations and pressures and setbacks. And in the end his fortitude and standing up to his beliefs, up to the point of accepting martyrdom is a proof of faith and honesty. It is also a great evidence for the strength, the resilience and richness of his beliefs and his certitude. These are all indications of a great and noble personality, his high station, his glorious and lofty rank. This is enough for any fair minded person, considering his mission, to draw a line against all these false ideas of those who wish to belittle this personality to the level of someone who is defeated in life, who has no goals, no purpose or control over his own life events and destiny. From another perspective, it can be seen that the view of the writer of the article, that the reason Movahhed was drawn to the Baha'i faith was because of his father’s strictness, is very raw and immature. Because it will not take much effort for an intelligent person to understand that there is no other better place imaginable for an Islamic intellectual in that situation, than his own society, where he (meaning Movahhed) can live in ease and comfort. Unless he has a mental illness and has gone crazy; to migrate from his own position and take refuge in a society which has for the last 160 years, in its own homeland, seen nothing but deprivation, and imprisonment, and torture and suffering, and exile and insecurity, and terror and injustice, and homelessness and an infringement of human rights and looting of property. Perhaps this was a mystery to the Islamic High Priests, beyond their comprehension, considering their own standards and motivations. And this caused all of them to reach a conclusion to send him to a mental hospital. Another subject is the attraction of the Shaykh who was a real Baha'i (This sentence appears in the article) to a Baha'i girl. Hasn’t the article writer thought about who his readers might be? And has mistaken the worldwide web with the meetings of those jobless people visiting the parks and cafes. Where there is all sorts of talks and in general lies and jokes tend to be more enjoyable. Has it not crossed his mind that the girl he is talking about may still be alive and sitting in front of the computer, reading the article, and at that moment he should think what a poor and ugly picture he is portraying of his own character, a redundant liar. And she would be laughing at him. And secondly the girl that the writer says is Baha'i, was not a Baha'i. In fact she was a Muslim and more importantly, a grand daughter of Shaykh Zakaria, who executed many Baha'is. Now with this picture, the Shaykh becoming a Baha'i because of the girl is unimaginable, and a cause for laughter. Moreover it is interesting that his attraction to the girl would cause him a lot of problems and difficulties, after his declaration of his Baha'i beliefs. Because, the girl’s mother who had been asked by Movahhed for her daughter’s hand in marriage, had changed her mind in accepting this proposal, after the Shaykh had become a Baha'i. This prejudice was a good excuse for his enemies to hurt and mistreat him, by making the mother realise that if she didn’t consent, according to the laws of the Baha'i faith, these two people would never get married, because the mother’s agreement is a condition of Baha'i marriage. “You can use this as a means to break his resistance to disobeying the Baha'i laws, and draw him back to Islamic society.” For eight years, this mother was successful in doing wrong to the meek Shaykh. These are live and touchable occurrences, and not enough time has passed to be able to change or make a mockery of history, and they are not philosophical or intellectual subjects which are open to debate. In fact one can see and witness very clearly the truth right in front of one’s eyes, and compare the reality with the lies that have been said about the Baha'is. And realise how they have been bombarded with slander and false accusations. Perhaps these observations may make a reasonable and well informed person realise that this is the way one can guess how all the implications made by religious channels regarding Baha'is, are based on callousness, and enmity and hatred. And because of endless repetition, and propaganda, and the passing of time, they have all become part of our subconscious; a universally agreed observation and a matter of fact. And we are not willing to allow for the slightest possibility of the falsehood of the negative slander. It is also worthy of stating that the deeds and actions of this glorious Shaykh are indications of his honesty and the strength of his beliefs, and his pure and noble character. He is many thousands of miles away from sheer unstoppable materialism, deserving only for those of low aim. The perseverance and attention displayed by this personage leading to him becoming a leading clergy and religious teacher at the age of thirty, which even the writer of the article admits to, is a cause for awe and wonder; when considering his very amazing acts of bravery and courage; Great acts of bravery and courage whilst being in the arena of a specific form of religion and spirituality belonging to his era. From the perspective of the world’s intellectuals, whatever his motives happened to be, that is, whether he was a believer or an infidel, these actions are an indication of a great personality, worthy of praise and respect in the human realm. They are far more vast than this material existence. One must assure the writer of the article that from the view point of friend or foe, his personality will never be defaced by these false images. The influences he had in the world are all indications of the latter fact. He provided education for hundreds of students, who attained high learning outcomes. Many of the great minds of today’s society learnt under the guidance of this great professor and were his students. For example, Dr Sayyid Sadruldin Taheri, the Principal of Shahid Beheshti university, and some of the well known unforgettable faces, eg. Dr Biazari Shirazi, and some of the geniuses of the past, for example, Shaykh Ali Movahhed. The moments of his life were filled with noble mindedness and magnanimity. Wherever his footsteps took him, he left behind unforgettable memories. Those very days when they had sent him to that mental hospital, he had a very unexpected influence on the hypnotist, who they had sent to find out his life story; the latter person who was forever struggling with the meaning of religious and philosophical subjects for many years. And for a very long time he was seeking the answers from here and there and every where, with no real joy. After a few moments of visits with Movahhed, he was spiritually revived and guided. It would be a shame not to include this series of happenings as spoken by the Great Movahhed himself: “They sent someone by the name of Dr Sayyid Hassan Khoda Shenas to hypnotise me.

After less than 20 minutes of speaking to me, he was so influenced that he left the room in a strange state, making some gestures that looked more like a mad man. His manners made me become concerned as to whether he was one of the mad patients at the hospital and he was about to go and harm himself. Very quickly I followed him, only to discover that this person has been concerned with religious problems for a long time, and his mind is forever occupied with these issues, and although he consults with many different people, he cannot fine anyone to give him the solution to his problems. Much later he told me that he should repay all my hospital fees, that have been paid for my stay.

“Because for a long period of many years, by my own efforts, volition and striving, I could not find any wise or intellectual person, to remove my problems. And to take away the doubts and uncertainties from my mind. Now I find that in a mad house, coming from the actions of a person who is here as a mad man, I see that all my problems have gone, just like a knot that has been untied. Is it therefore not true that another willpower is controlling my fate?” Considering everything, as well as the fact that the article is void of any real substance, nevertheless there are some points which are noticeable: Firstly it has been said that the Shaykh was resilient and stood up to Khalkhali until death, and was not willing to recant his faith, This is a good point, worthy of the attention of those who repeatedly claim to the public eye that these executions are because of espionage and “we do not concern ourselves with anybody’s beliefs.”

The second point that Mr Zooallanevar has written: “There is no question that the Baha'i Shaykh should have been executed, because by his own choice, he engaged in leading people astray.”

In answer to this view point it must be said: “Of course this is your wish and your opinion, which springs from imitation. But if you really wanted to worship God, and live according to his commands, the good Lord has given you a different pathway to follow. (Words written from the Holy Quran Verse 105). There is no need to persecute those who you think are trying to lead you astray and prevent them from their efforts. Occupy yourselves with the refinement of your own characters and follow the path of justice and truth. Thus they will not be able to harm you in any way. This holy and blessed verse has closed all doors to persecution of these people with the excuse that they will have a negative influence and lead others astray. Whatever the motive for persecution may be, whether due to philanthropical ideals or due to exploitation. And has assured the people of good will not to fear that those who have gone astray will gain power, and have an undesirable effect on others. By deliberately taking no notice, falsehood will destroy itself. There is no need for you to cause any harm. The distinguishing sign of truth from falsehood is that truth has influence but falsehood only has appearance. Like a flame it gives light, and then it is burnt out. There is no cause for fear because its influence is destructible.

So with this same reasoning, the religious divine and follower of the descendants of Pharoah prevented the believers of the religion of the time, from harming Moses, who claimed to be a new manifestation of God, and a messenger of God’s commandments. He said the situation can be described by two different scenarios. This person who claims divinity is either telling the truth or he is lying. If he is lying, the influence of this lie will be on himself, not on us. It will not effect us. The effect of the lie is that he will be destroyed. (There is no need for you to harm him). If he has told the truth, this is justice. Justice will have influence, and what he has said about you will happen. The blessed verse has also closed all doors for those who wish to exploit others, because the possibility of misusing religion has always been there. And words such as the truth and similar descriptions are a good means to drive away all the competition out of the field. Because the essence of the words of God, in its summary and in general, allows all worlds to use its meaning according to their own desires, interpretations and needs. Thus in this particular verse, the door to this type of interpretation has been closed and the verse has given admonition, to think about correcting oneself. A person who has been led astray will not cause you any loss, as long as you are following the ways of guidance and the path of truth." The third subject of the article to consider is about the views of the writer regarding the fate of the Shaykh who was a real Baha'i (This sentence has been used in the article), and the approval of the blogger. He said that the late Khalkhalee said one word to him to return to Islam, and he did not accept. So he lay him down and put a pillow on his head and with one bullet, he ended his life. And the writer has approved, without any doubt, of the action that this Baha'i Shaykh should have been executed. With respect to this view, It is necessary to warn Mr Zooallanevar regarding a few points.

The first point is that if it is true (and there are many witnesses who can confirm that it is), this really is an event of catastrophic proportions, happening in a religious and spiritual society. A persecution the likes of which has never happened in any school of learning or tenet. No heathen has wished this for a devout believer, and no devout believer has wished it for a heathen. In this way, in very rare cases, persecutions are carried out by the world’s persecutors. A great religious scholar and intellectual of good name who educated hundreds of students, and performed many valuable services, leaving behind very valuable works. Indeed many of the now famous and intellectuals of current times studied at his school under his guidance. And for twenty five years his family have been kept in great anxiety and worry, regarding his whereabouts, to discover (from the explanations of Mr Zooallanevar) that the judge decided that his crime was because he was faithful to his beliefs. And without any questions or answers or allowing the opportunity to contact a solicitor or defending himself, with one bullet, as easy as that, the judge ended his life. And there are no traces or documents left of this case, and no one has even shown the whereabouts of his grave. There really is no word to describe the depth of this catastrophe. So one is obliged to be satisfied with what is written from the pen. One must say to Mr Zooallanevar and the likes of him, who approve these types of actions, that if he thinks this expanse of the universe is void of any laws, and the world is created without any boundaries, so that anyone can do as they please and there is a possibility for any person to fight against fairness and justice in this way, and win, then those you consider as the outcasts and the damned in society should belong to the people of the happy and successful classes. But we see that this is not the case, so it is better for you to think more about this topic. This world is ruled by an all wise and all powerful ruler. Nothing can be hidden or kept secret from his sharp vision. And no power can withstand his all encompassing power. And in the fullness of time, no one’s rights will be trampled on and with his great wisdom, he will take into consideration all things. If you had thought about the holy verses you read repeatedly and understood the real meaning of life and death, you would have known that the spiritual life which constitutes the character and existence of a spiritual man, is not in a shape or form where it is possible for anyone to take away this divine gift from anyone else. Faith has power and life and movement and growth, and death cannot catch up with it. Day by day its strength increases and its arena of influence on this physical and human world and the universe is beyond imagination. It will overcome all obstacles and transform the hearts of men, even the children and the grand children of these very enemies. And in the order of things, conquering hearts has a higher station than conquering kingdoms, thus faith will make it of itself, and become victorious. The last subject of the article is about the advice and suggestion the writer has given to the government officials. “Really, there is a way and means of finishing a job. One must tell the government ministers and high ranking officials who pass judgements, to leave will alone. Shame on you.

The geezer does a single sinful act, and they won’t leave him alone until they’ve made him a true heathen. How did the prophet show forbearance and cooperation with all, by his actions?” This is an acceptable statement that can be approved. But a precise point that needs to be considered is that at what price has this transformation in thinking which has negated all the past actions and happenings, been achieved? And after how many mistakes and wrongdoings and unforgivable sins has this been understood. And after how many missed and lost opportunities, and after how many wasted talents and capabilities, and after how many years of escape has this realisation reached fruition. Would it not have been better for you to have put away all prejudice and in the same was as this meek researcher, looked for the truth. So that without any trouble or hardship and without following this very long and arduous and expensive and extremely costly journey, you could have understood what you now understand, from the beginning, at its rightful time, from the words of the very person they exiled and drove away from his land of birth. These beautiful words from Islam are a source of learning for us, which state: Wisdom is the spiritual man’s lost one. He will search in any person or place where he thinks there may be a possibility of finding his lost one, whether the person is a believer or not, whether he is wise or ignorant. They will search for the lost gold without any consideration of the place or location, anywhere they think there is a possibility that the gold may be, so that they can get hold of their lost one, as soon as they possibly can. One and a half centuries ago, there was a man who knew the pains of this country and had given the definitive healing remedy. But by the use of extensive negative propaganda, a few people who considered his existence a hinderance, a nuisance and obstructive, exiled him from his native land. And made him an outcast.

Out of his love and compassion for his homeland and birth place, he wrote a tablet with regards to every day life and its management, and even left out his name, so that the negative connotations which his bad name had would not prevent people from reading and benefiting from this tablet. Read this, and you will find that all your new discoveries and advise and suggestions are described word for word in this tablet, in a much better and clearer way than any other words can say. If only you had at least heard the advise that you have given, at the beginning, from this knowledgeable physician, so that all these mistakes could have been prevented. As every command has its true value in its own time. Nevertheless, in the end water will find its own way. Every year, on a special day, thousands of water bearers quench the thirst of the thirsty, in memory of the martyred Imam Hossein. But none has the same value as the drop of water which should have been given to the thirsty in the deserts of Karbala. Leaving behind all this, and referring back to the article and the advice and suggestions given, these are only really effective if the person giving the advice follows his own suggestions. The writer, before making a very good and beneficial statement, has, in the latter part of the article, very speedily approved Khalkhalee’s action, and said that the Shaykh should have been executed.

Thus it is very unclear as to what the article writer means by all these advise and suggestions. ----------------------------------------------- The review of the article: The Shaykh who was a real Baha'i ends by the Tablet of Attraction, written in Farsi referred in the review itself. This is the works of Baháʼu'lláh, and at this point in time has not yet been translated into English. "An orange tree diffuses its beauty, fragrance and fruit across time and place; from a courtyard garden in Persia to the Baha’i Temple on the shores of Lake Michigan; evocative and inspiring songs of journeys and places."