In Memoriam 1992-1997/Mohtaram Zabih

In Memoriam 1992-1997 Mohtaram Zabih

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MOHTARAM ZABIH (Muhtaram Khánum Dhabih)

DEEPLY GRIEVED NEWS PASSING DEARLY LOVED STALWART PROMOTER FAITH, MOHTARAM ZABIH. HER ACTIVITIES IN SERVICE CAUSE FROM HER YOUTH, HER PROMOTION TEACHING WORK IN IRAN AND AS PIONEER TO AUSTRIA, HER SUBSEQUENT SERVICES HOLY LAND, HER LOVING, RADIANT HOSPITALITY TO PILGRIMS AND VISITORS AND HER SELF-SACRIFICING DEVOTION AS CUSTODIAN OF THE SHRINE OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH, IN COLLABORATION HER DISTINGUISHED HUSBAND, ARE UNFORGETTABLE. ASSURE ARDENT PRAYERS PROGRESS HER NOBLE SOUL ABHÁ KINGDOM. CONVEY LOVING SYMPATHY MEMBERS FAMILY.

Universal House of Justice September 6, 1995

After the martyrdom of the Báb many people in Dawlatábád, a suburb of Isfahán, became Babis through a Bábí dervish who visited the town. Among them were Mr. Muhammad Báqir, his wife, and his four brothers. When Hájí Mirzá Haydar-‘Alí was assigned by Bahá’u’lláh to travel teach in Iran, Bahá’u’lláh told him that a seed had been planted in Dawlatábád that needed to be watered, and He encouraged him to travel to that area. A large number of the people became Bahá’ís; among them were three of the brothers of Áqá Muhammad Báqir’s wife, who went to Akká and had the privilege and bounty of visiting Bahá’u’lláh.

On their return to Dawlatábád a severe wave of persecution mounted against the Bahá’ís, and the friends were forced to leave

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Mohtaram Zabih

their homeland. After the release of the Imám-Jumih of Isfahan from prison, these friends were moved discretely to Ţihrán where, after a period of long-suffering, they settled. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in a Tablet in honor of this family praised them, "O pioneers (Muhajirin) who have suffered in the path of God." After receiving this Tablet they chose Muhajir for their family name. The Hand of the Cause Dr. Muhájir is from this family.

Mr. Muhammad Báqir was not successful in visiting the Blessed Beauty on that trip to ‘Akká. During ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s ministry he went to the Holy Land and had the honor of serving in Haifa for nine years. When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wanted to deposit the Sacred Remains of the Báb into the new coffin, He asked Mr. Muḥammad Baqir to come closer to Him and hold one side of the coffin on behalf of the Bahá’ís in Iran. One evening Mr. Muhammad Baqir was thinking of his children in Iran whom he had not seen for nine years, and he felt very homesick. The next day ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said to him, "You are yearning to see your children and they miss you too," and He granted him permission to return to Iran. Mr. Muhammad Baqir was then sorry he had had this thought because he had no intention of leaving ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Holy Land. Later he was honored by a Tablet from the Master in which he appreciated the services Mr. Muhammad Baqir was rendering in the Holy Land and praised their significance as a bounty and blessing that would be the desire of future kings.

Into such a dedicated and faithful family Muhtaram Khánum Dhabih was born. Her father Mirzá ‘Abdul-Husayn and her mother Rubábíh Khanum were of the Muhájirs. Muhtaram was three months old when her father passed away, and she was raised by her mother and grandfather Mr. Muhammad Báqir. She had the best of Bahá’í education.

She married Mr. Yadu-lláh Dhabih when she was fifteen years old. Mrs. Dhabíh was teaching the Bahá’í children while she was still one of the students of the Bahá’í classes. She was a member of the Education Committee until 1946, when she and her beloved husband pioneered to Ridáíyyih for four years during the Forty-Five Month Plan. They were both elected to the Local Assembly of that city.

In 1954, during the Ten Year Crusade of the beloved Guardian, the Dhabíhs pioneered to Austria, settling in Vienna. Three years later following the Guardian's request, they pioneered to Salzburg and helped form the Local Assembly there. Only through their efforts and those of a great number of pioneers from Iran and the United States was the National Assembly of Austria formed in 1959.

After twelve years of service in Salzburg, Mr. Dhabih managed to find a job. At this same time they were invited by the Universal House of Justice to serve in the [Page 245]Holy Land—an invitation they accepted immediately.

The Dhabíhs had the honor of serving at the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh and the Mansion of Bahjí for a quarter of a century. They were very punctual in attending meetings and in being with the pilgrims; they never delayed any assignment. They were very content and very careful in their spending, living a very simple life. They were extremely humble, and this humility and dedication to the Faith continued all their life. The Dhabihs arrived in the Holy Land selfless, and they left the same. They avoided ostentation and were very obedient; they carried out all orders without argument, modification, or consideration of their own opinions.

Their behavior, courtesy, and respect toward the Holy Shrines and toward the pilgrims were outstanding and admirable. The dignitaries such as presidents and ministers they received, as well as the tourists, noticed their courtesy and while in the Shrines attempted to follow their example.

Once, when there were no security guards serving the Holy Places, they had an armed robbery in their home. Three or four thieves broke into their bedroom at midnight, and all their valuables were stolen. Mr. and Mrs. Dhabíh refused to accept any compensation from the Universal House of Justice when it was offered.

Toward the end of their stay Mrs. Dhabih served at the Office for the Study of Sacred Texts. In 1990 they left the Holy Land and settled in Saarlouis, Germany, where they helped to form a Local Assembly. Mrs. Dhabih taught Bahá’í children's classes there until her passing. Her pure soul soared to the Abhá Kingdom on September 5, 1995, after a long illness.

Based on excerpts from translations of talks given by ‘Alí Nakhjavání and Firaydín Gulmuḥammadí