At one point He [Baha’u’llah] left the city and went alone
into the mountains of Kurdistán, where He made His abode in caves and grottoes.
A part of this time He lived in the city of Sulaymáníyyih. Two years passed
during which neither His friends nor family knew just where He was.
Although Bahá’u’lláh was solitary, secluded and unknown in
His retirement, the report spread throughout Kurdistán that this was a most
remarkable and learned Personage, gifted with a wonderful power of attraction.
In a short time Kurdistán was magnetized with His love. During this period
Bahá’u’lláh lived in poverty. His garments were those of the poor and needy.
His food was that of the indigent and lowly. An atmosphere of majesty haloed
Him as the sun at midday. Everywhere He was greatly revered and beloved.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (From
a talk, 18 April 1912, New York; ‘The Promulgation of Universal
Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States
and Canada in 1912’)
