Now when the news of the decisions of the doctors and the
outcry and clamor of the lawyers reached Zanján, Mullá Muhammad-‘Alí the
divine, who was a man of mark possessed of penetrating speech, sent one of
those on whom he could rely to Shíráz to investigate this matter. This
person, having acquainted himself with the details of these occurrences in such
wise as was necessary and proper, returned with some [of the Báb’s] writings.
When the divine heard how matters were and had made himself acquainted with the
writings, notwithstanding that he was a man expert in knowledge and noted for
profound research, he went mad and became crazed as was predestined: he
gathered up his books in the lecture-room saying, “The season of spring and
wine has arrived,” and uttered this sentence: “Search for knowledge after
reaching the known is culpable.” Then from the summit of the pulpit he summoned
and directed all his disciples [to embrace the doctrine], and wrote to the Báb
his own declaration and confession.
The Báb in His reply signified to him the obligation of
congregational prayer.
Although the doctors of Zanján arose with heart and soul to
exhort and admonish the people they could effect nothing. Finally they were
compelled to go to Tihrán and made their complaint before the late king Muhammad
Sháh, requesting that Mullá Muhammad-‘Alí might be summoned to Tihrán.
So the royal order went forth that he should appear.
Now when he came to Thrán they brought him before a conclave
of the doctors; but, so they relate, after many controversies and disputations
naught was effected with him in that assembly. The late king therefore bestowed
on him a staff and fifty túmans for his expenses, and gave him permission to
return. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘A Traveler’s Narrative’)
