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If we turn to the Baha'i accounts of the early history of the Baha'i Revelation, we find a further example of this type of symbolism. In Nabil's account, The Dawn-Breakers, he does not speak of an earthquake occurring at the time of, or immediately after, the Bab's martyrdom. However, Nabil writes, (168:1) The very moment the shots were fired, a gale of exceptional severity arose and swept over the whole city. A whirlwind of dust of incredible density obscured the light of the sun and blinded the eyes of the people. The entire city remained enveloped in that darkness from noon till night. (Dawn-Breakers 515 ) (168:2) Even though Nabil's words appear to be intended literally, there is cause to suspect that they are, at least in part, symbolic. Nabil's description is very similar to the account found in the synoptic Gospels which states that when Christ was put on the cross 'there was darkness over all the land' (Matt. 27:45; Mark 15:33; and Luke 23:44). At the time of the Bab's martyrdom the people were so engulfed by evil that the light of the sun - that is, God's Revelation - was completely obscured. The symbolism is apt. They thought the death of the Bab represented His defeat. This belief was like dust in their eyes (i.e. their understanding), obscuring the light of the sun (i.e. the truth and true power of the Bab's Revelation). Nabil, like the writers of the accounts of the Gospel, is recording actual history but at the same time, again like the Apostles, he is preaching a message of salvation which objective historical facts alone are insufficient to convey. For this reason symbolic language is used. (168:3) This does not mean, however, that historical fact has been embellished with fiction - quite the contrary. Symbols are used to convey spiritual facts which otherwise would not be evident in the mere description of the event. Thus, it is actually less accurate to omit such symbols than to include them. (168:4) As mentioned, Nabil does not record that an earthquake occurred when the Bab was martyred. But 'Abdu'l-Baha's portrayal of the Bab's life clearly suggests the appropriateness of such symbolism: (168:5) This illustrious Soul arose with such power that He shook the supports of religion, of the morals, the conditions, the habits and the customs of Persia, and instituted new rules, new laws and a new religion. Though the great personages of the State, nearly all the clergy, and the public men arose to destroy and annihilate Him, He alone withstood them and moved the whole of Persia. (Some Answered Questions 30)
(168:6)
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