Bahíyyih Khánum
From Bahaikipedia
The Greatest Holy Leaf, Bahíyyih Khánum (1846 - July 15, 1932) was the second child and first daughter of Bahá'u'lláh and his wife Ásíyih Khánum. Beloved by the Bahá'ís, she is regarded as one of the greatest woman to have ever lived.
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[edit] Early Life and Exile To Baghdad
The Greatest Holy Leaf was born in Tihrán in 1846. She was named Bahá'íyyih which means "one who is filled with glory". She was bought up in the prominent and renowned Núrí family who could trace their ancestry back to the ancient Kings of Persia such as Yazdgerd III as well as to the prophet Zoroaster and through her mother to Kheturah, the wife of Abraham. The Greatest Holy Leaf was very close to her father, and would give her whole life towards the Faith. Well versed in Persian, Arabic and Turkish she was a very intelligent woman for that period.
Aged just 6, her father was taken a prisoner in the infamous Siyáh-Chál in Tihrán. Her home was looted and everything was taken from it. This included books, ornaments, and other belongings. Aged 7 she, along with the whole of Bahá'u'llah's family, were banished out of Irán. After a journey of 3 months, she finally arrived in Baghdad. Whilst in Baghdad, The Greatest Holy Leaf had to share a room with her brother ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, her mother and the new born baby brother that had been born. The Holy Family were often poor, and hungry and everything they had was stolen. A kind and loving uncle Mirza Músa came to stay and helped them.
Whilst in Baghdad, the half brother of Bahá'u'lláh, Mirza Yahyá, came to Baghdad. Jealous of Bahá'u'lláh he tried to create as much chaos and disunity as he could. Bahá'u'lláh decided to retreat to the mountains and pray to God. The Holy Family were left in the care of Mirza Yahyá. Being a coward, Mirza Yahyá bolted all the doors so that no one was able to visit the Holy Family. He also didn't allow a doctor to come and visit the new baby who was very ill. The baby would later die, and it is a mystery where he is buried. She described in "The Chosen Highway"; "The sweet body of our beautiful baby was given to a man, who took it away, and we never knew even where he was laid. I remember so clearly the sorrow of those days." The Greatest Holy Leaf was forbidden to go outside and play with the children.
[edit] Prison City 'Akká
From Baghdad, the holy family and friends were transported to Constantinople. From Constantinople they were sent to Adrianople and now they were taken to the notorious city of 'Akká. Once arriving in the bay of 'Akká, angry mobs screamed curses and threw stones at them. The Greatest Holy Leaf, aged 22, was hungry, thirsty and exhausted. The holy family and friends were then thrown into a dirty prison, right in the center of the city. It smelled horrible and the only water they could find was a puddle of dirty water on the muddy floor. The Greatest Holy Leaf put the water near her lips, however the stench was so unbearable that she fainted. The holy family and friends would not be given proper food or water for 3 days.
During being prisoner, her beloved younger brother Mírzá Mihdí, The Purest Branch fell through a sky-light while in prayer and was badly injured. Bahá'u'lláh asked The Purest Branch that if he wanted to live he could. However, The Purest Branch asked that he be a sacrifice so that the prison gates could be opened and the pilgrims would be able to visit Bahá'u'lláh. He was aged just 22 at the time. The Greatest Holy Leaf kept his prayer beads and clothes. Four days later, the holy family and friends were released from the prison and allowed to live in a house nearby. Pilgrims flooded in the house, and The Greatest Holy Leaf often gave her bed to the American friends. Her warm heart and kindness touched everyone around her. In her youth she was considered a great beauty, the Greatest Holy Leaf was thought of as a suitable match for marriage. Although she had many suitors, The Greatest Holy Leaf renounced marriage and instead served her Father and the Faith. This was very strange for woman of her rank and era, however Bahá'u'lláh gladly accepted this request.
[edit] After Bahá'u'lláh
Bahá'u'lláh passed away in 1892 and the Greatest Holy Leaf dedicated herself to serving her brother ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The Greatest Holy Leaf helped serve the pilgrims that came to 'Akká. Although in poor health, she was perpetually selfless giving money and food to the poor. She often looked after the children and women of the household. In World War I, The Greatest Holy Leaf gave food, clothes and money and medical health to the needy and hungry. Whilst in 'Akká, the sacred remains of the Báb were left in her room until they were officially laid to rest on Mount Carmel.
[edit] After ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi
‘Abdu’l-Bahá; Center of the Covenant, Mystery of God, Perfect Exemplar ascended to the Abhá Kingdom in 1921. It was The Greatest Holy Leaf's idea to bury ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's holy body in the Shrine of the Báb. During the periods of Shoghi Effendi's absence it was the Greatest Holy Leaf that would take care of the goings on.
[edit] Later Life and Ascension
During the late 1920's The Greatest Holy Leaf's health began to deteriorate. She still however, took pilgrims and was charitable. She passed away on July 15th 1931 aged 86. Her whole life had been dedicated to her Father, Mother, Brothers, the Faith and the poor and needy. After her passing Shoghi Effendi suspended all religious festivals for nine months, he described her as a "pure, angelic soul". She is buried in the beautiful Monument Gardens.
[edit] In the Writings
Bahá'u'lláh says that The Greatest Holy Leaf was one of the greatest women to have ever lived: "Verily, We have elevated thee to the rank of one of the most distinguished among thy sex, and granted thee, in My court, a station such as none other woman hath surpassed." (Bahá'u'lláh, quoted in The Bahá’í World, vol. V, p. 171)
‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote many touching a poignant letters to His sister. He writes: "O MY well-beloved, deeply spiritual sister! Day and night thou livest in my memory. Whenever I remember thee my heart swelleth with sadness and my regret groweth more intense. Grieve not, for I am thy true, thy unfailing comforter"
Shoghi Effendi writes: "O ye who burn in the flames of bereavement! By the Day-star of the World, my bereaved and longing heart is afire with a grief that is beyond my description. The sudden, the grievous and calamitous news that the Most Exalted, the pure, the holy, the immaculate, the brightly shining Leaf, the Remnant of Bahá, and His trust, the eternal fruit and the one last remembrance of the Holy Tree—may my life be offered for the wrongs she suffered—has ascended, reached me like live coals cast into a frail and afflicted heart. The foundations of my serenity were shattered, and tears of desolation came like a flood that carries all away"
[edit] Legacy
To Bahá'ís, The Greatest Holy Leaf is the allegory of piety, selflessness and devotion. Shoghi Effendi writes: "May God help us to follow her example.." Although she is not the Perfect Examplar, she is still looked up to and admired. Revered and loved, she will always be in the heart of every Bahá'í in the world.
[edit] References
- Writings by and about Bahiyyih Khanum, The Greatest Holy Leaf.http://bahai-library.com/books/bahiyyih.khanum/
- A Concise Encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith
- Stories of the Greatest Holy Leaf
- The Chosen Highway, Lady Blomfield
