LESSON 14    THE BÁB'S PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA AND MEDINA AND HIS RETURN

  Preparation:   Diagram for each child (tree).  Crayons.  Map of the journeys of the Báb.

  Summary of previous lesson:   On the last day of the pilgrimage, the Báb met Mirza Muhit-i-Kirmani at the Black Stone and He asked him to put forward any questions He might have.  Mirza Muhit did not want to have anything to do with the Báb, so he made an excuse that he had to leave.

  Story for today:  As soon as the pilgrimage had come to an end, the Báb wrote a letter to the Sherif of Mecca, in which He told him about this new Faith and called him to accept the teachings.  He gave the letter to Quddus with instructions to deliver it to the Sherif.  The Sherif was, however, too busy to read the letter.  Seven years later, a Bábi who went on the pilgrimage met the Sherif who remembered a young man bringing him a letter which he accepted but did not read.  Eventually he managed to find time to read it.  The verses of the letter were like the Qur'an and told of a Man of the Family of Muhammad who had a new Message from God.  The Sherif did not know the name of this Messenger, and the Bábi, who was on pilgrimage, was able to tell him the news about the Báb.  He explained how all of Iran was in a commotion and uproar over this Young Man and that they were not treating Him in a very good way.  The Sherif was sorry to hear this news and said,  "The malediction (curse) of God be upon these evil people, a people who, in days past, treated in the same manner our holy and illustrious ancestors".

  From Mecca, the Báb went to Medina.  His thoughts were of the Prophet Muhammad and Shaykh Ahmad, who were buried close by.  All the holy ones and martyrs who had died for the Cause of God seemed to be present and saying  "Repair not unto Thy native land, we beseech Thee, 0 thou Beloved of our hearts.'  Abide Thou in our midst, for here, far from the tumult of Thine enemies who are lying in wait for Thee, Thou shalt be safe and secure.  We are fearless of Thee.  We dread the plottings and machinations (intrigues) of Thy foes.  We tremble at the thought that their deeds might bring eternal damnation to their souls".

  The Báb was not afraid of what was going to happen to Him in the future and He could say, "Fear not, I am come into this world to bear witness to the glory of sacrifice.  You are aware of the intensity of My longing; you realise the degree of renunciation.  Nay, beseech the Lord your God to hasten the hour of My martyrdom and to accept My sacrifice.  Rejoice, for both I and Quddus will be slain on the altar of our devotion to the King of Glory. The blood which we are destined to shed in His path will water and revive the garden of our immortal felicity.  The drops of this consecrated blood will be the seed out of which will arise the mighty Tree of God, and the Tree that will gather beneath its all-embracing shadow the peoples and kindreds of the earth.  Grieve not, therefore, if I depart from this land, for I am hastening to fulfil my destiny".

  That was the end of the Báb's pilgrimage and He then made His way home by the way of Jaddih and after crossing the sea arrived in Bushihr.  His family and friends came to greet Him and welcome Him home.