Mullá Husayn had in the meantime apprised his companions [at
Fort Tabasi] of the approach of Quddús, and had enjoined them to observe
towards him a reverence such as they would feel prompted to show to the Báb
Himself. “As to myself,” he added, “you must consider me as his lowly servant.
You should bear him such loyalty that if he were to command you to take my
life, you would unhesitatingly obey. If you waver or hesitate, you will have
shown your disloyalty to your Faith. Not until he summons you to his presence
must you in any wise venture to intrude upon him. You should forsake your
desires and cling to his will and pleasure. You should refrain from kissing
either his hands or his feet, for his blessed heart dislikes such evidences of
reverent affection. Such should be your behaviour that I may feel proud of you
before him. The glory and authority with which he has been invested must needs
be duly recognised by even the most insignificant of his companions. Whoso
departs from the spirit and letter of my admonitions, a grievous chastisement
will surely overtake him.”
- Nabil (‘The Dawn-Breakers’, translated and edited
by Shoghi Effendi)