The overbearing and crafty Hájí Mírzá Áqásí, fearful lest
the sway of the Báb encompass his sovereign and thus seal his own doom, was
aroused as never before. Prompted by a suspicion that the Báb possessed the
secret sympathies of the Mu‘tamid, [the governor of Isfahán]and well aware of
the confidence reposed in him by the Sháh, he severely upbraided the
Imám-Jum‘ih for the neglect of his sacred duty. He, at the same time, lavished,
in several letters, his favors upon the ‘ulamás of Isfahán, whom he had
hitherto ignored. From the pulpits of that city an incited clergy began to hurl
vituperation and calumny upon the Author of what was to them a hateful and much
to be feared heresy.
- Shoghi Effendi (Chapter 1, ‘God Passes By’)