The Chosen Highway/The Marriage of Ḍíyáíyyih Khánum
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CHAPTER V
The Marriage of Diydtyyth Khanum
The ladies of the family were helpless, as according to the Muslim law, they were unable to speak to any man, even on business affairs; so that it was only within the house that we were able to do anything at all to lighten the burden of our beloved Master.
The time passed on until about three years after the passing of Baha’u’llah, when the conditions of our lives, owing to the ceaseless action of the enemy (cunningly devised false representations and accusations), became much more difficult.
Suddenly the Master went to Tiberias to spend some time in retreat. He was accompanied by one servant only.
We, the ladies of the family,* were much in despair; we had no man to do anything for us; none that we could trust; our veiling kept us, of necessity, almost prisoners.
There was a certain young man, of the family of the Bab (the members of which were given the name of “Afnan’’), who had for some time been wishing to be accepted by the family of Baha’u’llah as husband of the eldest granddaughter.
Baha’u’ll4h had once asked His daughter, Bahtyyih Khanum, to tell Aqd (the Master) “that this young man, Aqd4 Mirza Hadi Afnan, is very good indeed, I think most highly of him.”
The mother of Aqd Mirza Hadi was very fond of Diydiyyih Khanum.
After the Ascension of Baha’u’ll4h, Aqa Mirza Hadi and his mother went back to their own country, Shiraz in Persia. They constantly wrote letters to the Master, my mother, and my aunt, in which frequent reference was made to their desire for the marriage.
- Khanum, the Greatest Holy Leaf; Munfrih Khdnum, wife of ‘Abdu’lBahd; Dfydfyyih Khanum, their eldest daughter; Triba Khanum, Ruhd Khénum
and Munavvar Khénum, the three younger daughters.
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THE MARRIAGE OF DfyAfyyIH KHANUM
The mother would speak of her great liking for Diydiyyih Khanum and add praises of her son.
Now, whilst the Master was in retreat at Tiberias, we, the ladies of the household, were in much distress because of being without any man in the family to make whatever necessary arrangements were required from time to time, to which we, because of being veiled, were unable to attend. Our difficulties grew and increased.
We therefore determined to write to the Master, asking Him to permit the marriage of Diyaiyyih Khanum to that spirituallyminded young man, Aqd Mirz4 Hadi Afndn, who was so anxious to be accepted as son-in-law by the Master, and who had been approved by Baha’u’llah.
At this time Aqa4 Mirza Hadi Afnan was actually in ‘Akkd, as about two years after the Ascension of Baha’u’llah he had received permission to come back.
The tablet giving consent to the marriage arrived from the ‘Master.
TABLET FROM THE MASTER
Every season hath its own condition.
Every place hath its own beauties.
In the time of spring the blossoming of the wilderness gives loving pleasure.
It is a joy to look upon the flowers blooming in the garden. Our ears are charmed by listening to the jocund voices of song birds.
Our nostrils delight in the fresh sweetness of thyme and mint, in the fragrance of flowering jasmine, and of hyacinth.
We enjoy the delicious fruits, as of the delectable paradise. All these are welcomed with love and joy in the season of spring.
But, in the season of falling leaves, it is well to seek shelter and rest within a house.
In the time of winter a small room in the simplest dwelling is desired.
To retreat into a peaceful cell is a longing.
Now, because it is the day of separation, and the time of mourning, the fire of anxiety is flaming; the heat of burning sorrow is, as it were, shrivelling up the universe!
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THE CHOSEN HIGHWAY
The calamities of my family are beyond endurance, and the troubles of those sorrowful leaves (sister, wife, daughters) are without end.
From all directions the arrows of hardship are being showered upon them, like rain-drops in spring, and the spears of the unfaithful are being hurled upon them without ceasing.
The breezes of peace are being cut off in every direction, so that to breathe is impossible.
Eyes are weeping bitter tears.
Hearts are sore wounded. With hidden wounds are they smitten. Lamentations rend the soul, and the shaft of grief, piercing through all our hearts, joins them together.
This must needs be, for the Sun of the world has gone down below the horizon!
On the table of His departure is set out every kind of harmful viand, and every kind of death-dealing poison!
Verily the table of disaster is spread with every imaginable food!
Oh, family of this sorrowful one, all is sacrifice.
No pleasure is desired by you.
I know your sorrows.
The Mufti may be asked to chant the Marriage Chant at the Holy Shrine on Sunday.
My aunt invited the family of Muhammad-‘Ali to come in the evening. They came and jeered at the simplicity of the wedding with great ridicule.
None of our friends knew that it was a day of marriage.
My mother, my aunt, and we four girls were together.
Aqa Mirza Hadi Afnan arrived.
We said “Bismi’]-lah!”’
He kissed the hands of my aunt, my mother, and Diyaiyyih Khanum.
The Mufti chanted the Marriage Chants, and the marriage ceremony was accomplished.
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THE MARRIAGE OF DivyAfyyIH KHANUM
We were all full of sorrow because of the Master’s sufferings for the good of the Cause of God.
There was no ordinary marriage happiness. A sense of difficulty and danger oppressed us. We seemed to be under a dark cloud of grief and sorrow, but we all welcomed Aqa Mirza Hadi as a great help and comfort in our distress.
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