Now although this sect [the Babi community in Iraq before
Baha’u’llah’s return from Sulaymaniyeh] had not been affected with quaking or
consternation at these grievous events, such as the slaughter of their Chief
[the Báb] and the rest, but did rather increase and multiply; still, since the
Báb was but beginning to lay the foundations when He was slain, therefore was
this community ignorant concerning its proper conduct, action, behavior, and
duty, their sole guiding principle being love for the Báb. This ignorance was
the reason that in some parts disturbances occurred; for, experiencing violent
molestation, they unclosed their hands in self-defense. But after His return
Bahá’u’lláh made such strenuous efforts in educating, teaching, training,
regulating, and reconstructing this community that in a short while all these
troubles and mischiefs were quenched, and the utmost tranquility and repose
reigned in men’s hearts; so that, according to what hath been heard, it became
clear and obvious even to statesmen that the fundamental intentions and ideas
of this sect were things spiritual, and such as are connected with pure hearts;
that their true and essential principles were to reform the morals and beautify
the conduct of the human race, and that with things material they had
absolutely no concern.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘A Traveler’s Narrative’)
