There was, in the city of Najaf, among the disciples of the
widely known mujtahid, Shaykh Murtadá, a man without likeness or
peer. His name was Áqá Muhammad-i-Qá’iní, and later on he would receive, from
the Manifestation, the title of Nabíl-i-Akbar. [not to be mistaken with Nabíl-i-Zarandí,
the author of Dawn-Breakers] This eminent soul became the leading member of the
mujtahid’s company of disciples. Singled out from among them all, he alone was
given the rank of mujtahid—for the late Shaykh Murtadá was never
wont to confer this degree.
He excelled not only in theology but in other branches of
knowledge, such as the humanities, the philosophy of the Illuminati, the
teachings of the mystics and of the Shaykhí School. He was a
universal man, in himself alone a convincing proof. When his eyes were opened
to the light of Divine guidance, and he breathed in the fragrances of Heaven,
he became a flame of God. Then his heart leapt within him, and in an ecstasy of
joy and love, he roared out like leviathan in the deep.
With praises showered upon him, he received his new rank
from the mujtahid. He then left Najaf and came to Baghdád, and here he
was honored with meeting Bahá’u’lláh. Here he beheld the light that blazed on
Sinai in the Holy Tree. Soon he was in such a state that he could rest neither
day nor night. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Memorials of the Faithful)
