Translator’s Forward

Translator’s Foreword

One of the most severely tried and steadfast figures of Bábí and Bahá’í early history is a merchant from Qazvin by the name of Hájí Nasír. This unassuming champion of the Cause of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh led a most remarkable life, which will be briefly outlined in this monograph, and his fascinating account of the events of Shaykh Tabarsí offered in translation will occupy the main part of this monograph. The original text of the same account will also be given in an appendix to facilitate the study of this important and rare manuscript. In addition, a section is offered outlining the primary source documents on the battle of Shaykh Tabarsí, and an appendix is added that provides a non-Bábí account of the event, translated by Habib Borjian.

I wish to thank Ivan Lloyd for granting permission to use his drawing on the cover page, Dr. Moojan Momen for bringing to my attention several important sources for biography of Hájí Nasír and Steve Cooney for sharing a copy of Prof Borjian’s paper. My most heartfelt gratitude goes to my dear collaborator Phillip Tussing, who, as in so many previous projects, read through the entire manuscript and offered many critical suggestions for its improvement. A truer friend is hard to imagine.

As always, I remain solely responsible for any errors or shortcomings in the present monograph.

Ahang Rabbani

Houston, Texas

May 2007