MULLA HUSAYN
Village to village
Town to town
He would travel
To futures renown
Selfless and without heed
He would travel without need
Teaching the message of his Master
Rushing to reunion, ever faster
Those with eyes, looked to see
The truth of his message
To their best ability
His character and words
Changed the hearts
From all classes
And all parts
Power and fame were his to have
Yet with utter detachment
Teaching the cause
His only salve
Certitude, faith and service his banner
Conquering the hearts of men
In all manner
He served the cause
To the end of his days
Bringing light
To peoples haze
Oh what I would give
To, at that time, live
What we are given
How to see
Is following in his footsteps
Our destiny
For now, as then
Darkness surrounds
We are in need of light
Towards unity
We keep in our sight
To assuage this hunger
In my heart
I know that I
Must do my part
My lot was to be here now
To follow in his footsteps
If I can somehow
So I read and learn
Inspired by example
The opportunities this day
More than ample
And as this short life draws to a close
Perchance reunion with him
Who knows
Shiidon, September 2009
It has been a while since I have posted on this web site. I have been reading the Dawn-breakers, a book about the early history of the Bahá'í Faith. On May 23rd, 1844 the Báb proclaimed His mission in preparing the World for the coming of Bahá'u'lláh, the Founder of the Bahá'í Faith. That is the year we mark as the beginning of our calendar. On that date the Báb declared Himself to one person, Mullá Husayn, who had been searching for the return of the 12th Imam. As Bahá'í's we believe that the Báb was that return. I was inspired reading about the life and saintly actions of Mullá Husayn and wanted to write somehow about my feelings as I was reading. This poem is the result of that reflection.
As I read I reflect on the 40 years of suffering, exile and imprisonment that Bahá'u'lláh went through in bringing His message to humanity. I reflect on the over 20,000 martyrs that gave their lives willingly and joyfully for this cause. It makes me sad that the world seems to forget what a martyr truly is. My great-grandfather went missing after his life was threatened in Kashan, his city. All they found was his cummerbund. I can't say that he was martyred for sure, but I do know that he would have gladly given up his life for his cause. The early Christians that gave their lives for their beliefs where martyrs to their cause and went to reunion with their Beloved upon their death. So it was with the early Bahá'í's and even to some today. There are more than a few of my fellow believers in prison in Iran without cause and without any idea what their fate is to be. They have not taken a life, they have not caused any sorrow or trouble on another soul. Their only guilt is in loving their fellow man and being Bahá'í. A martyr is not someone that straps on a bomb and kills others, innocent or not. That is murder. But I do not fault that poor soul that commits this horrible crime for what he or she does. It is the one that knows better and still promises them in the name of God that they will be rewarded in heaven for their actions that needs to answer to God for those same actions.
May the need for the deaths of innocent people be removed. May mankind wake up and realize that we are all brothers in the same human family and that any action taken against another is one taken against us. Injustice is wrong under any banner and the sooner we as humanity arise and reach out to hug each other instead of killing each other the sooner we can put away the ever increasing horrors we have perpetuated on each other.
For my part I say this. Each day I see another glimmer of light that gives me hope. I see another soul reaching out to help someone in need. I see people not accepting the oppression of their fellow man on an increasing level. I see people not accepting war as the only solution available to us in solving our problems. Yes, there is hope.
