Page 10 (2)



Additional Commentary - The headstone marking the grave of Bahá'u'lláh's youngest son, Mírzá Mihdí (The Purest Branch). The three special children born to Bahá'u'lláh's first wife, Ásíyih Khánum were 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Bahíyyih Khánum and Mírzá Mihdí (1849-70). He died on June 23, 1870 when he fell through an unguarded skylight from the roof of the Most Great Prison (the citadel) and landed on a wooden crate which pierced his chest. He was only 22 years old.

In 1939, after receiving permission from the proper authorities, Shoghi Effendi removed the remains of Mírzá Mihdí and his mother, Ásíyih Khánum, from their graves in 'Akká and interred them on the slopes of Mt. Carmel. When the remains were properly interred Shoghi Effendi cabled the Bahá'í World saying "that the conjunction of the resting-place of the Greatest Holy Leaf [Bahíyyih Khánum] with those of her brother and mother incalculably reinforces the spiritual potencies of that consecrated Spot...". Messages to America, p.32. (The death of Mírzá Mihdí is described in The King of Glory in chapter 34 "The Great Sacrifice", pp. 311-314. Copies of the only two known photographs of the Purest Branch are reproduced between pages 204 and 205 of The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, Vol. 3 by Adib Taherzadeh.)

Back

Home

Next