Last year some of the known and unknown, friends and
strangers, slandered, calumniated and presented false accusations against these
exiled ones, before the throne of His Imperial Majesty, the Padeshah[Sultan] of
the Ottomans; while these oppressed ones were entirely free from those
calumnies. The government, conformable with prudent measures, arose to
investigate these calumnies and dispatched some commissioners (or examiners) to
this city. Therefore it is evident that the field which was found by the ill-wishers
and the flood which was brought about by them, can neither be written nor
explained. However, relying upon God, we conducted ourselves with the utmost
patience and submission, resignation and calmness; so much so that if one did
not know anything about these matters, he would have thought that we were in
perfect ease of soul, enjoying the tranquillity of heart and mind, and were
engaged in happiness and felicity. The matters reached to such an issue that
the plaintiffs and calumniators entered into alliance and intrigue with the
officials, in regard to the carrying out of the work of investigation.
Consequently, the plaintiff, the magistrate and the witness became as one
single soul. Therefore it is clear what things transpired! But here one witnesses
the fairness and impartiality of His Imperial Majesty, the Padeshah of the
Ottomans, who so far has not given any consideration to these slanders,
statements, stories and calumnies, but has dealt with the utmost justice and
equity. Truly, I say, if there had been any other person except this Padeshah,
no trace of these exiled ones would remain. This is the truth! We must not
overlook justice.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1’)
