Select Learning Projects: Jinab-i-Munib's Mission to the Babis in Persia
Dramatic Reading:
Jinab-i-Munib's Mission to the Babis in Persia
by Rigmor Mereness
Artistic Presentation
1. Type of artistic presentation: Dramatic Reading
2. Please describe briefly how you were inspired to produce this work
My intention was to do a Tablet Study Outline on this Tablet, but one of my
classmates sent the idea out that the moving descriptions of the Tablet itself
and especially of the circumstances and history in which it was born would make
a good dramatic presentation. We had done that before (created dramatic
presentations) with other subjects in our children's class, and after reading
Fariba's suggestion, I felt it was doable.
3. What steps did you go through in completing this work?
I read the material very closely, I adapted and condensed, and tried to put it
at a level that our children could do it and understand it. ( I also solicited
some help from my husband!)
4. We have not presented it yet, but I hope to video tape it when we do, and I
will send on a copy.
5. I didn't have any difficulties.
6. I am enclosing the text of the dramatic reading.
JINAB-i-MUNIB'S MISSION TO THE BABIS IN PERSIA
A DRAMATIC READING
Narrator: When Baha'u'llah declared in 1863 in Baghdad,
that He was the One the Bab had foretold would appear in the year 9, it was
only the few Babis who had followed Him in His exile, who heard the message at
this time. It was on the eve of their departure to Constantinople. Mirza
Yahya, Baha'u'llah's half brother, was the Bab's nominee, or the one the Babis
should turn to, until the Promised One would appear. However, Mirza Yahya had
not been able to provide the necessary leadership for the struggling Babi
community. He did not have the wisdom and courage which was required.
Baha'u'llah on the other hand had both, and many Babis turned to Him for
leadership and guidance. Mirza Yahya caused much trouble in the Babi community
and for Baha'u'llah Himself. Gradually Baha'u'llah let it be known to the
Babis outside of the immediate vicinity that He indeed was `He Whom God will
make manifest', the Promised One, Whom the Bab had told His followers would
appear, and Whom the Bab had warned His followers not to reject. Baha'u'llah
sent an extremely dedicated young man, Jinab-i-Munib to Persia to tell the
Babis of His declaration, that He was `He Whom God will make manifest'.
Jinab-i-Munib was a very talented calligrapher and an inspired poet. Here is
the story of Munib and how he assisted Baha'u'llah's Cause:
Munib: As a youth I became attracted to the Cause of the
Bab and became a Babi. My father was very hostile to the Babi Faith, he was
afraid it would affect him in the Muslim community in which he lived. He was
so upset over my belonging to the Babi Faith that he took me out into the
desert to kill me. However, I was able to convince my father that the Babis in
Kashan, the town in which we lived, would not tolerate such an act and would
surely punish him for killing his own son. My father then let me go, and I
took the long journey to join Baha'u'llah in Baghdad. I spent my time there,
living in a very humble place transcribing the Tablets of Baha'u'llah, so
copies could be sent to the Babis in Persia. Gradually I recognized
Baha'u'llah as `He Whom God will make manifest' through reading His writings
and transcribing them. When Baha'u'llah was banned to Constantinople, I was
one of those who were able to go with Him. I used to walk in front of
Baha'u'llah's howdah instead of riding, and Abdu'l-Baha tells of how he and I
would many nights walk on either side of His howdah, sometimes carrying a
lantern and I would sing beautiful songs, recite uplifting poetry and chant
prayers that were a testimony to the yearning of my heart for my Lord.
Narrator: Munib was allowed to stay in Constantinople with
Baha'u'llah until He was exiled further to Adrianople. He then summoned Munib
to His presence and told him to go to Persia, where he could teach and spread
the glad-tidings of the Declaration of Baha'u'llah to the Babis. Munib
traveled to Persia as instructed, and carefully told the Babis of Baha'u'llah's
Declaration. While he was there he received a Tablet from Baha'u'llah,
the Surih of the Companions in which Baha'u'llah clearly and openly
disclosed His station. In Persia Munib shared this very important Tablet with
many friends, among them Haji Mirza Haydar-`Ali, who describes his feelings
when he read the Tablet for the first time.
Haji Mirza Haydar-`Ali: I arrived in Tihran at the time
Munib was also in the city. He had received a Tablet from Baha'u'llah called
the Tablet of the Companions. I, like so many was waiting for the
appearance of "He Whom God will make manifest'. When we were alone, in
private, he handed me the Tablet. As I read its verses, a world of exultation,
of certitude, and insight were created within me. I was overjoyed! I remarked
that Mirza Yahya and Siyyid Muhammad had duped one another and joined forces to
oppose Baha'u'llah. Munib was so delighted that he hugged me. I was so
enraptured and set aglow by Baha'u'llah's Tablet of the Companions that
even after the lapse of fifty years, I remember my feelings on that day.
Munib: And so little by little the Babis came to be
informed of the desire of their hearts.
Narrator: Munib sent a copy of the Tablet of the
Companions to a person named Shaykh Kazim-i-Samandar from Qazvin, because
he was one of those addressed in the Tablet by Baha'u'llah. He testifies to
the following:
Shaykh Kazim-i-Samandar: I was mentioned in the Tablet,
and Munib sent me a copy. When I received the tablet, it was brought to the
attention to the Babis in my town Qazvin. It created great upheaval and severe
convulsions among the community. Several meetings and investigations and
clarifications took place. Afterwards each member through the bounty of God
was guided to the truth.
Narrator: Through the creative influence of the
Suriy-i-Ashab (the Tablet of the Companions) and other
Tablets revealed in this period, and through the dedicated labors of some
outstanding teachers of the Faith, among them Munib, the community throughout
Persia was gradually cleansed from the ills which Mirza Yahya and his
supporters had inflicted upon it. Munib returned again to Adrianople to be
with his Beloved, Baha'u'llah.
All he wanted in this life was to serve
his Lord, and he had many times expressed the wish that he could sacrifice his
life for Baha'u'llah. Munib was in Adrianople at the time, when Baha'u'llah
was further exiled to Akka, and he begged to go with Baha'u'llah to that prison
city in spite of the fact that he had become severely ill and was in dire need
of medical treatment. Even though he was so ill, Baha'u'llah granted him
permission to join Him in His exile. He managed to get to Gallipoli with the
others but was so weak that three men had to carry him onto the ship, which
was to take the exiles to Akka. However, when they reached Smyrna, the captain
of the ship ordered the Baha'is to take him off, stating that the ship could
not accommodate anybody that ill. Munib had on many occasions expressed the
wish that he could sacrifice his life for Baha'u'llah, and now the time had
come. He dragged his weak and frail body to the feet of Baha'u'llah and asked
one last time if He would accept his sacrifice. This Baha'u'llah did and
Munib's most ardent wish was fulfilled. `Abdu'l-Baha and two other men carried
him to the hospital, where he soon after died. Later on `Abdu'l-Baha asked the
believers to locate his grave so that other Baha'is may visit it and become
inspired by his example. Baha'u'llah says in a Tablet describing the events,
that when Munib ascended to the next world `all the angelic souls and the
Concourse on high rushed forward to receive him with eagerness and
love'.