Bahá’í World/Volume 8/The Passing of Munírih Khánum, the Holy Mother
V
THE PASSING OF MUNÍRIH KHÁNUM, THE HOLY MOTHER
EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF MUNÍRIH KHÁNUM
Quotations from an Autobiography
"FROM the beginning of my life, and during the period of my childhood, there have come into my life wonders—each one of which is a miracle, causing great astonishment. Were I to explain every incident fully, and to give thanks with my tongue for every blessing vouchsafed, I should be unable to go on with this account, and it would lead to prolixity.
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"The name of my father was Mírzá Muḥammad ‘Alí Nahri, the son of Hájí Siyyid Muḥammad Hendi (Indian). Hájí Siyyid Muḥammad was born and lived in the village of Zavareh, a suburb of Iṣfahán. Having reached the age of maturity, he travelled to India, and insamuch as he belonged to the family of Muḥammad, the Prophet, and all the descendants of Muḥammad are highly honored and respected all over the East, in time he married one of the Princesses of the ruling Indian family. The Indian Prince, in order to be related to a member of the sacred family of Muḥammad, and thus receive spiritual blessing and benediction, gave his own daughter into marriage with Hájí Siyyid Muḥammad. Thus it came to pass that Hájí Siyyid Muḥammad sojourned in India, and for this reason he became known by the title of ‘Indian.’ This family connection became conducive to much fame, wealth, and honor, and he lived in the style of a nobleman, a prince, with all the retinue of royalty.
“After some time, he became the happy father of two sons; the first-born was named Hájí Siyyid Mehdi, who, later on, became the sole inheritor of all the wealth and possessions of his father. This eldest son traveled from India to Najaf (one of the Holy Cities in Karbilá, Mesopotamia) and domiciled there. In the course of his life, he came into possession of much wealth and real estate, farms, houses, caravansaries, public baths and stores. These properties were in the cities of Karbilá and Najaf. After a while he spent one-third of his money constructing an aqueduct to carry water into the city, and for this reason he became known by the title ‘Nahri’ from the Íránian word 'Nahr’—a stream of water. This title Nahri was handed down through the family, and to this day his descendants are thus known.
“Hájí Siyyid Muḥammad Nahri had several children, male and female. Amongst them was my father, whose name was Mírzá Muḥammad-‘Alí Nahri, and my uncle, Mírzá Hájí, who in time became the father of the wife of the King of the Martyrs.”
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“When the Call of the Báb arose from Shíráz, my father and uncle, as soon as they heard of it, without returning to their homes, or saying farewell to their families, started for Shíráz, and with the greatest haste traveled toward the Mount of the Beloved.”
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“Let me, likewise, detail a few words regarding my grandmother—that is, the mother of my father. She was a holy, believing soul, may the spirit of the Lord be with her at all times! One night, in the world of dreams, she beheld two orbs rising out of the well in her home and entering
The Holy Mother, Munirih Khánum, wife of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
Holy Mother Munirih Khánum ascended Abhá Kingdom stop With sorrowful hearts Bahá’ís world over recall divers phases her rich eventful life marked by unique services which by virtue her exalted position she rendered during darkest days ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s life stop All Riḍván festivities suspended stop Advise Convention delegates devote special session her memory hold befitting gathering Auditorium Mashriqu’l-Adhkár.—(Signed) SHOGHI. (Cablegram received April 30, 1938.)
her heart. She was so excited and exhilarated over this dream that she awoke from sleep, remained awake all night, and before sunrise, with the greatest happiness, went to the house of Hájí Siyyid Muḥammad Bagher. This latter was a very important theologian and learned man whose word was obeyed throughout all Írán. He was peerless and without equal in his days. When my grandmother related her dream to him and requested an interpretation, he answered: ‘Be thou of good cheer and happy for God will grant thee two children who, like unto two luminous suns, will enlighten and illumine all your family and relatives.’
(In the course of time) "my father, Mírzá Muḥammad-‘Alí was born and a year and three months later, my uncle, Mírzá Hájí, was born.”
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“When my father graduated from the
college (‘Kaseh-Garan’), he started on a
trip to visit the sacred cities, and in Karbilá
enrolled himself as a student in the classes
of Hájí Siyyid Káẓim Rashdi. He became
a firm and enthusiastic follower of the
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teachings of this master
and Shaykh Aḥmad.
These two brilliant orbs shine today in the
world of existence, and were unequalled in
fame and knowledge. After living for some
time in that sacred city, he took unto
himself a wife.
"When they were attending the classes of Hájí Siyyid Káẓim, they repeatedly had met His Holiness the Báb, and had observed many wonderful traces and spiritual signs appearing from His Holy Temple.”
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“Now concerning my father: On arriving at Iṣfahán, as his wife was living in Karbilá, he took a room in the college of ‘Kasch-Garan.’ About this time His Holiness Bábu’l-Báb received a command from the Báb to leave Shíráz for Iṣfahán. Having arrived in that city, he engaged in the promotion of the Cause, and guided many souls to this wonderful Movement. Among those who accepted the Message was my father. He was “led to the path of knowledge and faith. After a while misfortune overtook him, as he received the news that his wife had ascended to the Kingdom.
“While he was thus deprived of the comforts of a home, he met and associated with Hájí Agá Muḥammad, a well known merchant of Iṣfahán and one of the new believers. He was very devoted to my father. One day he said to my father: ‘Inasmuch as your wife has passed away without issue, would it not be better for you to forsake your room in the college and come to live with us in our home; I have a sister, and if agreeable to you, I will be more than happy to arrange a marriage between you, so the bond of love and affection may thus be strengthened between you and our family.’ My father readily consented to this wise suggestion, and Hájí Agá Muḥammad, after consulting with his mother, found that she not only had no objections, but was most eager to bring about the union. His mother said: ‘Last night I saw, in the world of dreams, a nobleman (Siyyid) with luminous face visit our home. He carried in his hands two lamps. Now that Siyyid must be this personage, and unquestionably you must hasten the consummation of this marriage.’
“Then Hájí Agá Muḥammad invited many friends to a betrothal feast, and his sister, who is my mother, was affianced to my father. It was well known that my father had no children from his first wife. Two years passed after his marriage with my mother, but no child was born. Then His Holiness the Báb, traveling from Shíráz, arrived in Iṣfahán, and took up his abode in the home of Imám-Jum‘ih. My uncle, Mírzá Ibrahim, the father of the King of the Martyrs and the Beloved of the Martyrs, was appointed by Imám-Jum‘ih as host to His Holiness the Báb, to be ready at all times to serve Him under all circumstances. One night he invited to dinner His Holiness the Báb, who graciously accepted this invitation. . . . Those present at that glorious feast received the bounties and favors of the Báb, and listened to His Words until supper was served. Then they all sat down to a spiritual and material feast. While partaking of the supper, His Holiness the Báb turned to one of those present and made inquiries about the children of my father. That person answered that, although he had been twice married, no children were born to him. His Holiness the Báb then offered my father a spoonful of sweets. He ate, and at that moment it occurred to his mind that the blessed will of the Lord had at last destined the birth of a child for him. When the feast was over and he had returned to his home, he mentioned this fact to my mother. Having kept a little of the sweets, he gave it to her. After eight months and nine days I was born into the world.”
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"In compliance with the command of the
Blessed Perfection (Bahá’u’lláh) Siyyid
Mihdí Dhají arrived in Persia, and later
passed through Iṣfahán to promulgate the
Cause of God. A great feast was prepared
for him, and all the believers clustered
around inquiring eagerly the news of the
Holy Land, and all the details concerning
the Blessed Family and an account of the
imprisonment of the believers in the
barracks of ‘Akká. Among the inquirers was
Shms os Zoha, the wife of my uncle, and
a member of the household of the King of
the Martyrs. She asked of Siyyid Mihdí:
‘While you were in the Presence of
Bahá’u’lláh, did you ever hear
whether any girl
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had been spoken of
or selected for the Master
‘Abdu’l-Bahá?’ He answered, ‘No, but one
day the Blessed Perfection was walking in
the men’s apartment and speaking. Then
He turned His face to me and said, ‘Agá
Siyyid Mihdí! I had a remarkable dream
last night. I dreamt that the face of the
beautiful girl who is living in Ṭihrán, whose
hand in marriage we asked from Mírzá
Ḥasan for the Greatest Branch, became dark
and obscure. At the same moment, the face
of another girl appeared on the scene whose
countenance was luminous and whose heart
enlightened. We have selected her to become
the wife of the Greatest Branch.’ Except
for the above talk from the lips of the
Blessed Perfection, I have heard nothing.
"When my aunt returned to the house and saw me, she declared by the One God that the very moment when Siyyid Mihdí was relating to us the dream of Bahá’u’lláh, it had occurred to her mind that, without question, I was that girl, and ere long we would realize that she was right. I wept and answered: ‘Far be it, for I am not worthy of such a bounty. I beg of thee never let another word concerning the matter issue from thy lips; do not speak about it.’
Munirih Khánum continues the story of how she traveled to the Holy Land through successive instructions from Bahá’u’lláh to her relatives. En route to their destination they met many friends who tried to prevent them from going to the Holy Land, saying that in these days no one is permitted to go to ‘Akká because some sad and unfortunate events had caused anew the incarceration of the friends, and the authorities did not permit any Bahá’í to enter the city of ‘Akká. “This news disturbed us a great deal, and we wondered what we should do, but Shaykh Salman assured us that these conditions did not apply to us, and made us feel confident that we should enter the Holy Land with the utmost ease and tranquillity, even if all the believers were thrown into prison and under chains.” After many trials and difficulties on the way, they finally arrived in ‘Akká.
“. . . members of the Blessed Family came to visit and welcome us. I returned with them, and for the first time stood in the Presence of the Blessed Perfection. The state of ecstasy and rapture that possessed me was beyond description. The first words of Bahá’u’lláh were these: ‘We have brought you into the Prison at such a time when the door of meeting is closed to all the believers. This is for no other reason than to prove to everyone the Power and Might of God.’ I continued to live in the house of Kalím for nearly five months. I visited Bahá’u’lláh many times and then returned to my abode. Whenever Kalím returned from his visit to the Blessed Perfection he would tell me of His infinite bounties, and bring a material gift from Him for me. One day he arrived with a great happiness in his face. He said: ‘I have brought a most wonderful gift for you. It is this—a new name has been given you and that name is Munirih (illumined).’
“Then the night of union . . . drew nigh. I was dressed in a white robe which had been prepared for me by the fingers of the Greatest Holy Leaf, and which was more precious than the silks and velvets of Paradise. About nine o’clock . . . I was permitted to stand in the Presence of Bahá’u’lláh. Attended by the Greatest Holy Leaf, I listened to the words of the Blessed Perfection. . . . He said: ‘You are welcome! You are welcome! O thou My blessed leaf and maid servant. We have chosen thee and accepted thee to be the companion of the Greatest Branch and to serve Him. This is from My Bounty, to which there is no equal; the treasures of the earth and heaven cannot be compared with it. . . . Thou must be very thankful, for thou hast attained to this most great favor and bestowal. . . . May you always be under the protection of God!’
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“If I were to write the details of the fifty years of my association with the Beloved of the world, of His love, His mercy and bounty, I would need fifty years more of time and opportunity in order to write it; yet, if the seas of the world were turned into ink and the leaves of the forest into paper, I would not render adequate justice to the subject.”
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During the Convention of the Bahá’ís of
the United States and Canada held in the
year nineteen hundred and thirty-eight in
the Foundation Hall of the
Mashriqu’l-Adhkár
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in Wilmette, a cable from Shoghi
Effendi was read announcing the death of
Munirih Khánum, better known to most of
us as the Holy Mother, the beloved wife of
‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
The gathering was unprepared for the shock the reading of the cable produced. Many of us knew that Munirih Khánum had looked forward with eagerness to the time when she would rejoin her beloved ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and we were aware she had reached a venerable age; but this knowledge did not mitigate the deep sense of loss experienced by the departure of this noble and inspiring woman. We realized one of the great souls of the Heroic Age of the Cause had passed on. The atmosphere of the gathering became instantly altered and in the influx of the spirit that enveloped us, our hearts and our sympathetic thoughts became focused in Haifa with the Guardian and the Holy Family.
During the springtime of nineteen hundred and thirty-seven when our family had the honor of being the guests of Shoghi Effendi in the Pilgrim House in Haifa, I took several informal snapshots of members of the Holy Family. These were shown to Munirih Khánum and apparently interested her. Later on word was conveyed to me that she would be pleased to have me take her photograph.
On a subsequent afternoon I was asked to go to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s home, across the street from the Pilgrim House. There I had the honor of being received by Zia Khánum and of being presented to the Holy Mother and to the other ladies present who were gathered in the reception room in the rear of the home. There during certain afternoons it is the custom of Zia Khánum and other ladies of the Holy Family to receive Bahá’í ladies of Haifa and visiting pilgrims. On this occasion, as is usual at these gatherings, tea was served, and the conversation related to Bahá’í matters.
For the photographs taken that afternoon a small camera lent by Rúḥíyyih Khánum was mostly used and they are, in reality, snapshot group pictures from which enlargements of Munirih Khánum were made.
The photographs have a historic value due to their being the only ones taken during the later years of her life. It was almost unbelievable that at the time they were made Munirih Khánum had reached the venerable age of ninety-five.
On occasions during the meeting the Holy Mother spoke treasured words and chanted for us in a clear voice of great beauty; it was indeed a great soul to whom we had the honor of listening. The rigors of a life in which great sufferings and hardships had been experienced side by side with her beloved ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, had failed to dim the sweetness of character and sympathetic personality of this noble woman, the surviving member in the immediate article of the Holy Family, of that great period in which the “Faith” had its inception.
October 1st, 1939.
IN MEMORY OF MUNIRIH KHÁNUM
A Tribute BY CORINNE TRUE, Wilmette, Illinois
IT WAS in February of 1907 that I made my first trip to Palestine to visit ‘Abdu’l-Bahá while He was still confined in the "Most Great Prison” at ‘Akká.
Our steamer arrived in the Bay of Haifa and we were taken to the quay in big boats propelled by Arab oarsmen. After passing through the Turkish Customs we went by carriage to the Carmel House, a very old hotel kept by German Adventists.
At Port Said on our way to Haifa, Aḥmad Effendi Yazdi came aboard our ship bringing with him an English lady, a Bahá’í, then living in Brittany, Madam Scaramucci, who was also on her way to visit ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. She and my daughter (Arna) and I finished the journey together. We became the dearest of friends and were associated together in all the precious experiences of this memorable pilgrimage.
Shortly after our first meal in the German Hospice in Haifa in the early evening, a
Monument erected on the site of the grave of Munirih Khánum, the wife of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, on Mt. Carmel, and beneath the shadow of the resting place of Bahíyyih Khánum, The Greatest Holy Leaf.
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note was delivered to
us by a messenger from
Cook’s Travel Bureau in Haifa. This note
requested that we three stroll up the avenue
a few blocks where we were to be met by
two Bahá’í brothers who would accompany
us to the Master’s Haifa home, some six
blocks up the mountain from our hotel.
Such a night as this was; it was full
moonlight, the weather was as balmy as May
with flowers blooming everywhere! We met
our two Bahá’í escorts and they quietly
guided us to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s residence where
first, as was the Oriental custom, we met a
number of Bahá’í men. They questioned us
concerning the progress of the Cause in
America and of our visit with the Egyptian
Bahá’ís whom we had seen in Alexandria.
In a short while these gentlemen excused
themselves in order that we might meet the
Ladies of the Holy Household of
‘Abdu’l-Bahá. At this time one of the daughters of
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Ruha Khánum,
was living in
the Master’s Haifa house because the enemies
had stirred up fresh trouble for
‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Constantinople, causing
Him to be
re-confined within the old Penal Colony of
‘Akká for a period of four years. This was
done by order of the Turkish government.
How thoughtful of our beloved Master to
send His wife, the revered Munirih
Khánum and the little grandson,
Shoghi Effendi, together with some
other members of His
Household, from ‘Akká to Haifa to welcome
us! Those Bahá’ís of today who may have
known the Master as a free man, can scarcely
comprehend the emotions of the early
pilgrims going to Palestine to visit
the World’s Greatest Prisoner, who
for forty years had
been confined in that terrible Penal Colony
of ‘Akká, drawing not one breath
of freedom! Had the local authorities
known who we were, our safety might
have been in
jeopardy. But God mercifully protected us
from any harm, and bestowed upon us the
boundless favors of His shelter. We were
permitted to have six days of indescribable
joy associating with the members of
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Household, with His wife
and with
His family. Words fail to depict to those
who read what I write, the emotions of our
hearts! Scarcely had our feet walked upon
the soil of the sacred Mount of God when
we found ourselves the recipients of
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s fatherly love and
tenderness and
were made the associates of His
Holy Household. His wife had driven
all the way from
‘Akká to Haifa to greet us and to extend to
us her most cordial welcome. It was the
beloved Holy Mother, Munirih Khánum,
who gave us our first welcome.
The day after our arrival in Haifa we visited the Shrine of the Báb on the slope of Mt. Carmel, accompanied by the holy women, and afterward we dined with them in the Master’s house.
Early on the second morning after our arrival a Bahá’í messenger came to the door of our room in the hotel and said: “The Master has sent word from ‘Akká that the three pilgrims are to hire a carraige and drive around the bay to His prison home in ‘Akká.” For six days we were guests in this home and daily saw the Holy Mother and the Master’s Sister, the Greatest Holy Leaf, and with them the Master’s daughters. Very early in the mornings we were permitted to meet in the large reception room where the beloved ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and His Family would gather together for an hour of communion. The Master would ask different members of the family to chant the Holy Utterances of Bahá’u’lláh and always the motherly presence of Munirih Khánum filled the atmosphere of that room with the benediction of her great mother heart. She seemed the personification of Universal Motherhood—indeed the “Holy Mother.” When I was standing beside her one morning the dear Master came and placed my hand in hers, and looking into my face said in English: "She is your Mother.”
When the hour for leaving this sacred prison home of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá came and we had to return to America, it seemed as if our hearts would break to have to say "good-bye” to these divinely precious members of the Holy Family! We wept, and they wept with us—because of this parting. Through this sacred visit we had found a Heavenly Father in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and a Heavenly Mother in His wife, Munirih Khánum.
In November 1919, after a period of
seven years, I was again permitted to make
the pilgrimage to the Holy Land; this time
under very different circumstances. The
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Turkish government
had now passed from
the hands of the Sultán, having been wrested
therefrom by the Young Turk Party of
Progress. One of the first acts of this new
government was to give ‘Abdu’l-Bahá His
freedom, which meant also the liberation of
His entire family.
The British forces commanded by General Allenby had but lately delivered Palestine from the hands of the Turks and the Holy Family had all moved to Haifa, where life was fairly comfortable after the terrific rigors of imprisonment for so many years.
During this second Pilgrimage we were permitted more intimate association with the Greatest Holy Leaf and the Holy Mother, Munirih Khánum. Almost daily we were received by them in the Master’s garden where questions were asked and instructions given to us, clearing up many things that had puzzled the American friends. Here we saw this beloved wife of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as a most wonderful teacher, and through her we grew in the knowledge of the Cause. In the early days one of the greatest privileges of the visiting women pilgrims was this intimate association with these two divine maidservants of Bahá’u’lláh, Bahíyyih Khánum, the Greatest Holy Leaf, and Munirih Khánum, the Holy Mother. We seldom saw one without the other.
These holy women had sacrificed everything to be the companions of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Their imprisonment. Could we have found in all the world a greater privilege than this: to sit at the feet of these holy women; to hear from them, first hand, the thrilling recital of their prison lives, of how God had sustained them when deprived of the very necessities of life; and to learn that they regarded this prison life with the Blessed Perfection and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as infinitely more valuable to them than all the comforts and luxuries of life! These women are God’s great heroines and we were indeed conscious of the great privileges that were granted us in their presence. The seeds of conviction that were born in our souls by this association planted roots of faith that assisted everyone to return to the outside world and lift the Banner of the Greatest Name before the eyes of all.
On our second visit we saw Munirih Khánum not only as a Universal Mother loving every child of God, but as a great teacher and expounder of the principles of Bahá’u’lláh. She was a teacher who lived these principles before our eyes. Religious history has never known greater examples than these of devotion and sacrifice to God’s Holy Messengers! Should we praise God throughout the coming centuries, we could not render praise sufficient for the priceless spiritual heritage bequeathed to us by these holy women. They are the archetypes for the Bahá’í womanhood of the world.
A LOVING TRIBUTE FROM AUSTRALIA
MUNTRIH KHÁNUM! How well beloved a name throughout the Bahá’í world! The unique circumstances of her birth seemed to foretell she was destined to hold an honored position in the history of the Bahá’í Faith. This prophecy was fulfilled when she was chosen to be the loved and honored wife of our Beloved Master, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. With radiant acquiescence she shared with Him the vicissitudes, trials and tribulations that were His lot during the long surveillance under the strict “Turkish Regime” in the "walled City of ‘Akká.” How her heart must have rejoiced when, through the overthrowing of the Ottoman Government, it was made possible for friends to come from different lands to freely visit and converse with her.
Pilgrims from East and West, during their sojourn in Haifa, will always remember those happy hours spent in her company. They will ever picture in their mind their first meeting with her in the Master’s drawing-room. They will see her seated beside her beloved sister-in-law Bahíyyih Khánum (the Greatest Holy Leaf) in company with members of her family and the women and children of the Bahá’í Community; they will recall her sweet eager face as they entered her presence, and they will hear her melodious voice welcoming and bidding them be seated near her.
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Always assuring herself
first regarding
their physical health and bodily comfort, she
would then revert to the theme uppermost
in her mind, and eagerly inquire about the
progress of the Bahá’í Faith in the land from
whence they came, and as they related the
various activities and spread of the
Teachings there, her spiritually illumined face
would become radiant with joy.
She loved to gather the women and children around her, and in her sweet voice chant with them the Holy Words and the poems written in praise of her Beloved One.
She was a true exemplar of a faithful follower of Bahá’u’lláh, so firm and steadfast was she in His Covenant and Testament. Her radiant spirit was ever ready for the call of death, and gladly winged its flight to the "Realms of the Supreme Concourse” to join her loved ones there. The members of her family, those who were so intimately connected with her, and the many pilgrims whose privilege it was to meet her, found in her passing a very difficult experience to face. It was as though they were asked to play a chord in the “Great Symphony of Life” which was too difficult for them. The rhythm seemed suddenly broken, the theme abruptly ended, but in that pause, listening ears heard the "Great Conductor’s” voice say, “Play on! ’tis part of the harmony. I have made death a messenger of joy to thee. Wherefore dost thou grieve?” So once again we take up the theme, and with vibrant strings play sweet harmonious chords, singing in unison, “There is no death! There is no death!”
On the slopes of Carmel (God’s Holy Mount) the mortal remains of Munirih Khánum were lovingly laid to rest near the tomb of her loved and revered sister-in-law Bahíyyih Khánum (the Greatest Holy Leaf), and not far distant from the Holy Tomb where lie the sacred remains of the Báb and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
Down through the ages thousands of pilgrims will visit her resting place, and standing with bowed heads, reverently and fervently will pray: “O God! O God! Assist us with the Hosts of the Supreme Concourse, and make us firm and steadfast in the Covenant and Testament.”