Now Bahá’u’lláh so acted that the hearts of this sect were
drawn towards Him, while most of the inhabitants of ‘Iráq were reduced to
silence and speechlessness, some being amazed and others angered. After
remaining there for one year He withdrew His hand from all things, abandoned
relatives and connections, and, without the knowledge of His followers, quitted
‘Iráq alone and solitary, without companion, supporter, associate, or comrade.
For nigh upon two years He dwelt in Turkish Kurdistán, generally in a place
named Sar-Galú, situated in the mountains, and far removed from human
habitations. Sometimes on rare occasions He used to frequent Sulaymáníyyih. Ere
long had elapsed the most eminent doctors of those regions got some inkling of
His circumstances and conditions, and conversed with Him on the solution of
certain difficult questions connected with the most abstruse points of
theology. Having witnessed on His part ample signs and satisfactory
explanations they observed towards Him the utmost respectfulness and deference.
In consequence of this He acquired a great fame and wonderful reputation in
those regions, and fragmentary accounts of Him were circulated in all quarters
and directions, to wit that a stranger, a Persian, had appeared in the district
of Sulaymáníyyih (which hath been, from of old, the place whence the most
expert doctors of the Sunnites have arisen), and that the people of that
country had loosed their tongues in praise of Him. From the rumor thus heard it
was known that that Person was none other than Bahá’u’lláh. Several persons,
therefore, hastened thither, and began to entreat and implore, and the urgent
entreaty of all brought about His return.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘A Traveler’s
Narrative’)
