Calling Bab’s Bluff

HAJI: One of the miracles of the Arabian Prophet is the Quran and the miraculous character thereof is derived from its ‘fasahat’ and ‘balaghat’. What is the definition of ‘fasahat’ and ‘balaghat’?

Bab: I don’t know (the audience displays signs of anger and impatience).

HAJI: If you were in doubt between two and three (inclinations or rakahs in prayer), what would you do?

Bab: I would assume two.

Mulla Mohammed Mamakani (MULLA): O impious one! You do not even know what to do in cases of doubt in prayer and yet you claim to be the Bab!

Bab: I would assume three.

MULLA: Evidently if it is not two, you must say three.

HAJI: Three is also wrong. Why did you not ask whether it was in the morning or evening prayer that I was in doubt, or whether it was after the inclination or before inclination, or after the completion of the two prostrations?

MULLA: You ought to give thanks, for had he said, ‘I would assume two,’ (in as much as engaging in an indubitable duty demands fulfilment of that indubitable duty) what would you have done then?

(To the Bab), ‘Did you write ‘The first to believe in me was the light of Mohammed and (the light of) Ali’ ‘Is this expression yours or not?’

Bab: Yes, it is mine.

MULLA: Then in that case, you were the leader and they were the followers, and you must be superior to them?

Haji Murtaza Kuli Marandi (H. M. K. M): The Lord of the Universe has said, “And know that whenever you seize anything as a spoil, to God belongs a fifth thereof, and to His Apostle...” (Quran 8:42), while you in your Quran (referring to the Bayan) say “a third thereof”. On what authority and why?

Bab: A third is a half of a fifth. What difference does it make?

(the audience laughs)

H. M. K. M: In how many ways is nine divisible?

(the Bab gives no reply)

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