After this event [martyrdom of the Báb] there was
wrought by a certain Bábí a great error and a grave presumption and crime,
which has blackened the page of the history of this sect and given it an ill
name throughout the civilized world. Of this event the marrow is this, that
during the time when the Báb was residing in Ádhirbayján a youth, Sádiq
by name, became affected with the utmost devotion to the Báb, night and day was
busy in serving Him, and became bereft of thought and reason. Now when that
which befell the Báb in Tabríz took place, this servant, actuated by his own
fond fancies, fell into thoughts of seeking blood-revenge. And since he knew
naught of the details of the events, the absolute autocracy of the Amír-Nizám,
his unbridled power, and sole authority; nor [was aware] that this sentence had
been promulgated absolutely without the cognizance of the Royal Court, and that
the Prime Minister had presumptuously issued the order on his own sole
responsibility; since, on the contrary, he supposed that agreeably to ordinary
custom and usage the attendants of the court had had a share in, and a
knowledge of this sentence, therefore, [impelled by] folly, frenzy, and his
evil star, nay, by sheer madness, he rose up from Tabríz and came straight to Tihrán,
one other person being his accomplice. Then, since the Royal Train had its
abode in Shimírán, he thither directed his steps. God is our refuge! By
him was wrought a deed so presumptuous that the tongue is unable to declare and
the pen loath to describe it. Yet to God be praise and thankfulness that this
madman had charged his pistol with shot, imagining this to be preferable and
superior to all projectiles.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘A traveler’s Narrative’)
