That very night, however, took place an event which, in its
dramatic suddenness, was no doubt providentially designed to confound the
schemes of the plotters, and enable the Object of their hatred to prolong His
ministry and consummate His Revelation. An outbreak of cholera, devastating in
its virulence, had, since midnight, already smitten above a hundred people. The
dread of the plague had entered every heart, and the inhabitants of the
stricken city were, amid shrieks of pain and grief, fleeing in confusion. Three
of the governor’s domestics had already died. Members of his family were lying
dangerously ill. In his despair he, leaving the dead unburied, had fled to a
garden in the outskirts of the city. ‘Abdu’l-Hamíd Khán, [the chief constable
in Shiraz] confronted by this unexpected development, decided to conduct the
Báb to His own home. He was appalled, upon his arrival, to learn that his son
lay in the death-throes of the plague. In his despair he threw himself at the
feet of the Báb, begged to be forgiven, adjured Him not to visit upon the son
the sins of the father, and pledged his word to resign his post, and never
again to accept such a position. Finding that his prayer had been answered, he
addressed a plea to the governor begging him to release his Captive, and
thereby deflect the fatal course of this dire visitation. Husayn Khán acceded
to his request, and released his Prisoner on condition of His quitting the
city.
- Shoghi Effendi (Chapter 1, ‘God Passes By’)