of God; at all times spiritually alert and mindful, in a state of supplication.
Then came the Supreme Affliction. He could not tolerate the anguish of parting with
Bahá’u’lláh, and after Bahá’u’lláh’s passing, he died of grief. Blessed is he; again, blessed is he. Glad tidings to him; again, glad tidings to him. Upon him be the glory of the All-Glorious.
This distinguished man,
Mullá Muḥammad-‘Alí,
1 was one of those whose hearts were drawn to Bahá’u’lláh before the Declaration of
the Báb; it was then that he drank the red wine of knowledge from the hands of the Cupbearer of grace. It happened that a prince, who was the son of Mír Asadu’lláh
Khán, prince of Qá’in, was commanded to remain as a political hostage in
Ṭihrán. He was young, far away from his loving father, and Mullá Muḥammad-‘Alí was his tutor and guardian. Since the youth was a stranger in Ṭihrán, the
Blessed Beauty showed him special kindness. Many a night the young prince was Bahá’u’lláh’s guest at the mansion, and Mullá Muḥammad-‘Alí would accompany him. This was prior to the Declaration of the Báb.