Mirza Ahmad Bahhaj

Actually there is reason to believe that Ahmad Bahhaj (18531933) became a Baha'i later in his life. According to statements made by Ahmad to Lady Blomfield in 1922 (ref: Lady Blomfield, The Chosen Highway, Baha'i i Publishing Trust, 1967, pp. 2378). Ahmad went to Haifa and remained there until his death in 1933. Other sources for information about Ahmad Bahhaj include the following: *E.G. Browne, Traveller's Narrative, pp. 384-6; *E.G. Browne, "Personal Reminiscences", pp. 766-7; *E.G. Browne, Materials for the Study of the Babi Religion, pp. 314, 321-2; *Notes of Jalal Azal at Princeton University Library, pp. 560-572; *Browne's notebook for his journey to Cyprus and `Akka in 1890, University of Cambridge, Browne Manuscripts, Sup. 21 (8), p. 20. *the genealogical table compiled by Shoghi Effendi and published in Baha'i World, vol. 5: 1932-4, New York: Baha'i Publishing Committee, 1936, between pp. 204 and 205; *Malik-Khusravi, `Iqlim-i-Nur, pp. 202-205 ****************************** THE CHOSEN HIGHWAY by Lady Blomfield (Sitarih Khanum) PART FOUR: VARIOUS DOCUMENTS Story of Mirza Ahmad (Eldest Son of Subh-i-Azal) at the Pilgrim House, Haifa, Told to Sitarih Khanum Translated by Mirza Aflatun

As Subh-i-Azal (the half-brother and enemy of Baha'u'llah) grew older, his eldest son, Mirza Ahmad, left Cyprus, to take up a post in a Constantinople bank. Two of his brothers joined him for a time. The elder of these came to 'Akka a year or two after the Passing of Baha'u'llah, desiring to become a Baha'i. Soon afterwards the younger brother came to 'Akka, also wishing to become a Baha'i. He stayed about seven months, during which time the Master was very kind to him. Early in the year 1921 a grandson of Subh-i-Azal, who had been employed under the British Government in the "Censor" department, wrote to 'Abdu'l-Baha saying: "I am very pleased to have become aware that I have do distinguished a cousin. Will you permit me to visit you?" He came, his visit lasted some time. He told the Master that his eldest uncle, Mirza Ahmad, remembered Baha'u'llah being very kind to him as a child in Baghdad; he asked the the Master would permit him to come to visit Him. He, himself, told the writer in Haifa in 1922 of the great joy it gave to come into the presence of the Master, after fifty-three years! "All the bitterness of my life was turned into sweetness," said Mirza Ahmad. "How glad you must be that you came in time to see the Master." "Indeed yes, I used to wonder why the families should be separated through (as I thought) a difference in the Teaching." "When did ;you become aware of the truth of the matter?' "Not until my nephew told me." "How did your nephew know?"

"It was in this wise: My nephew was engaged in the Censor's office during the war. He came across many letters concerning 'Abbas Effendi, and began to realize something of His station from the reverent wording of the letters addressed to Him. "It was with great joy that my nephew realized, in the person of this wonderful and holy Personage, the cousin of his father. When the Master's letter came, in answer to one of my nephew, he brought it to me to translate, he not being able to read the Persian language. "By this letter I began to understand the truth and to deplore the ignorance ion which I had lived for so long. "I lived in Constantinople for fifteen years engaged in banking work. "I did not frequent the society of Persians, for I knew they would shun me because I was the son of Subh-i-Azal, the half-brother of Baha'u'llah. "My father had the unfortunate habit of frequently marrying!"" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------http://bahai-library.com/books/chosen/chosen6.html