In a gathering where Bahá'u'lláh was present a famous
high-ranking Sufi religious leader who was highly esteemed by Muhammad Shah,
was holding forth on the station that a human being can attain. Referring to
himself, he said, 'Should my servant come to me and say that Jesus the Christ
was at the door, asking for me, my detachment is such that I would express no
wish to see Him.' Some of those present kept silent, while others out of
flattery murmured assent. Only Bahá'u'lláh spoke up. He turned to the boastful divine
who had expressed such disrespect for a Manifestation of God, and said: 'You
are very close to the person of the sovereign and he is very devoted to you,
but if the chief executioner with ten of his men were to come to this door and
tell you that the monarch wanted to see you, would you take it calmly or would
you be perturbed?' The arrogant religious leader paused for a while before
replying, 'In truth, I would feel anxious.' 'In that case,' said Bahá'u'lláh,
'you should not make such an assertion.'
Bahá'u'lláh's authoritative statement left them all
speechless.
(Adapted from “Baha’u’llah, the King of Glory’, by H.M.
Balyuzi; from an account by Mirza Abu’l-Fadl)