As for the Báb —may my soul be His sacrifice!—it was at a
young age, that is, in the twenty-fifth year of His blessed life, that He arose
to proclaim His Cause. Among the Shí‘ihs it is universally acknowledged that He
never studied in any school, nor acquired learning from any teacher. To this
the people of Shíráz, each and all, bear witness. Nevertheless, He suddenly
appeared before the people, endowed with consummate knowledge, and though but a
merchant, confounded all the divines of Persia. Alone, He undertook a task that
can scarcely be conceived, for the Persians are known throughout the world for
their religious fanaticism.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Table talks in Akka, authenticated
by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014 revised translation by the
Baha’i World Centre)
