The arch-enemy who repudiated His claim, challenged His
authority, persecuted His Cause, succeeded in almost quenching His light, and
who eventually became disintegrated under the impact of His Revelation was the
Shí‘ah priesthood. Fiercely fanatic, unspeakably corrupt, enjoying unlimited
ascendancy over the masses, jealous of their position, and irreconcilably
opposed to all liberal ideas, the members of this caste had for one thousand
years invoked the name of the Hidden Imám, their breasts had glowed with the
expectation of His advent, their pulpits had rung with the praises of His
world-embracing dominion, their lips were still devoutly and perpetually
murmuring prayers for the hastening of His coming.
- Shoghi Effendi (‘God Passes By’)