In Memoriam 1992-1997/Mohtaram Zabih

MOHTARAM ZABIH

(Muhtaram Khánum D_habih) F1995

DEEPLY GRIEVED NEWS PASSING DEARLX 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 I’ILGRIMS AND VISITORS AND HER SELF-SACRIFICING DEVOTION AS CUSTODIAN OF THE SHRINE OF BAHA’U’LLAH, IN COLLABORATION HER DISTINGUISHED HUSBAND, ARE UNFORGETTABLE. ASSURE ARDENT PRAYERS PROGRESS HER NOBLE SOULABHA KINGDOM. CONVEY LOVING SYMPATHY MEMBERS FAMILY.

Universal House ofjustice September 6, 1995

fter the martyrdom of the Báb many people in Dawiatébéd, a suburb of Iṣfahán, became Babis through a Babi’ dervish who visited the town. Among them were Mr. Muh ammad Béqir, his wife, and his four brothers. When Haji Mirzá Haydar—‘Ali was assigned by Bahá’u’liéh to travel teach in Iran, Bahá’u’lláh told him that a seed had been planted in Dawlatabéd 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 Aqa Muhammad Baqir’s wife, who went to Akká and had the privilege and bounty of visiting Bahá’u’lláh. On their return to Dawlatébéid a severe wave of persecution mounted against the Bahá’í’s, and the friends were forced to leave

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their homeland. After the release of the Imam—Jumih of Iṣfahán from prison, these friends were moved discretely to Tihran where, after a period Oflong-suhrering, they settled. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in a Tablet in honor of this family praised them, “Q pioneers (Muhájirin) who have suffered in the path of God.” After receiving this Tablet they chose Muhájir for their family name. The Hand of the Cause Dr. Muhájir is from this family.

Mr. Muhammad Baqir was not successful in visiting the Blessed Beauty on that trip to Akka. 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. Muhammad 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. "ihe next day ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said to

THE BAHA’I’ WORLD

him, “You are yearning to see your children and they miss you too,” and He granted him permission to return to Iran. Mr. Muhammad Béqir 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 fianum D_habih was born. Her father Mirza ‘Abdul—Husayn and her mother Rubabih @anum 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 Béqir. She had the best of Bahá’í education.

She married Mr. Yadu-llah D_habih when she was fifteen years old. Mrs. D_habih 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 Ridéiyyih 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 Dhabihs 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. D_habih managed to find a job. At this same time they were invited by the Universal House ofjustiee to serve in the

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Holy Land—an invitation they accepted immediately.

The D_habihs 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 D_habihs 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. D_habih refused to accept any compensation from the Universal House ofjustice when it was offered.

Toward the end of their stay Mrs. D_habih 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. D_habih 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 excerptrfrom translations of talks given [7}! 7111’ Nakjgjaz/dm’ and Fimydzin Gulmu/gammadz’