So it was established and
proven that the assassin had on his own responsibility engaged in this grievous
action and monstrous deed with the idea and design of taking blood revenge for
his Master, and that it concerned no one else. And when the truth of the matter
became evident the innocence of Bahá’u’lláh from this suspicion was established
in such wise that no doubt remained for anyone; the decision of the court
declared His purity and freedom from this charge; and it became apparent and
clear that what had been done with regard to Him was due to the efforts of His foes
and the hasty folly of the Hajíbu’d-Dawlih. Therefore did the government of
eternal duration desire to restore certain properties and estates which had
been confiscated, that thereby it might pacify Him. But since the chief part of
these was lost and only an inconsiderable portion was forthcoming, none came
forward to claim them. Indeed Bahá’u’lláh requested permission to withdraw to
the Supreme Shrines [1] [of Karbilá and Najaf] and, after some months, by the
royal permission and with the leave of the Prime Minister, set out accompanied
by one of the King’s messengers for the Shrines.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘A Traveler’s Narrative’)
[1] Atabát ‘Alíyat, literally Supreme Shrines, a term by
which the Shí’ih Muslims referred to the cities of Kazímayn, Najaf, and
Karbilá and generally applied to the region of eastern ‘Iráq, of which Baghdád
was the center. When Bahá’u’lláh was released from prison and banished from
Persia, He chose Baghdád for the place of His exile.
