Service to Others

Shine Brightly As The Lamp

Source: Memories of Nine Years in Akka, Dr. Youness Afroukhteh

Dr. Youness Afroukhteh recounted:

When the Blessed Beauty ascended to the Abha Kingdom in 1892, Nabil described the event thus: “Verily, the Sun of Baha has set”, signifying the date of His passing.

I was inconsolably grieved and utterly shaken by the gravity of that event. But sustained reading and study of the Writings of Baha’u’llah… the Kitab-i’Ahdi (the Will and Testament of Baha’u’llah) especially, filled me with confidence and hope.

It was then that Writings emanating from the pen of ‘Abdu’l-Baha began… [and] in the third year after the ascension of Baha’u’llah [1895] I petitioned for permission to visit the Holy Land as a pilgrim. 

It was two more years before conditions allowed me to attain my hearts desire.

About two hours after sunset, the pilgrims… were taken individually into the presence of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. I was the second to be summoned.

One moment I was overwhelmed by the heavenly beauty of that wondrous Countenance, the next I felt shame and fear for any past deeds and conduct unworthy of such surroundings. Who am I? Where is this? How did I ever become worthy to be present in this heavenly place? How did I ever become worthy of receiving, first hand, the blessings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha?

‘Abdu’l-Baha’s love enveloped and consoled me. Gradually I recovered my senses and began to listen and commit to heart the words of the Master.

As He paced the floor, He spoke to me: “They say that Jonah was swallowed by a fish and spent three days in its belly. This means that the onward march of the Cause of God was delayed for three days. This is also the same three days that of Jesus … after His ascension and before His return.”

Of course, these are not His exact words, but they contain their meaning and essence. ‘Abdu’l-Baha continued His utterances, imparting to me words of counsel:

“I wish the friends of God to give forth light like this lamp. The Sun of the Abha Beauty has set, so the beloved of God must shine brightly as the lamp.”

I said to myself, may my life be sacrificed for this present and manifest Sun, whose warmth and brightness cause my tears to flow uncontrollably.