Tablets were also sent to other kings, and among them was
the letter to H. M. Násiri’d-Dín Sháh. In that epistle Bahá’u’lláh said,
“Have Me summoned, gather the ‘ulamá, and ask for proofs and arguments, so that
the truth and falsehood may become known.” H. M. Násiri’d-Dín Sháh sent
the blessed epistle to the ‘ulamá and proposed to them that they should
undertake this mission, but they dared not do so. Then he asked seven of the
most celebrated among them to write an answer to the challenge. After some time
they returned the blessed letter, saying, “This man is the opposer of religion
and the enemy of the Sháh.” His majesty the Sháh of Persia was
much vexed, and said, “This is a question for proofs and arguments, and of
truth or falsehood: what has it to do with enmity to the government? Alas! how
much we respected these ‘ulamá, who cannot even reply to this epistle.” (‘Abdu’l-Baha,
table talks in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’)
