His[Baha’u’llah’s] father was one of the viziers, not one of
the ‘ulamá. As all the people of Persia know, He had never studied in any
school, nor had He associated with the ‘ulamá or the men of learning. The early
part of His life was passed in the greatest happiness. His companions and
associates were Persians of the highest rank, but not learned men.
As soon as the Báb became manifested, Bahá’u’lláh said,
“This great Man is the Lord of the righteous, and faith in Him is incumbent
upon all.” And He arose to assist the Báb and gave many proofs and positive
evidences of His truth, in spite of the fact that the ‘ulamá of the state religion had constrained the Persian government to oppose
and resist Him[the Báb] and had further issued decrees ordering the massacre,
pillage, persecution and expulsion of His followers. In all the provinces they
began to kill, to burn, to pillage the converts and even to assault the women
and children. Regardless of this, Bahá’u’lláh arose to proclaim the word of the
Báb with the greatest firmness and energy. Not for one moment was He in
concealment; He mixed openly with His enemies. He was occupied in showing forth
evidences and proofs and was recognized as the Herald of the Word of God. In
many changes and chances He endured the greatest misfortunes, and at every
moment He ran the risk of being martyred. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Some Answered
Questions’)
