In a document which is existent in the archive of the British ministry of foreign affairs and sent by one of the British agents from Tehran to London addressing Lord Palmerston dated June, 21, 1850 A.D., it is said:
“The Excellency Lord Palmerston, I am proud to explain something about “Bab’s” new creed. The explanation is given to me by one of Bab’s disciples and of course I am not doubtful about its correctness… In short, this is the simplest religion whose principles are summarized in Materialism, communism and carelessness towards benevolence and evil of all human being’s deeds…”[۱]
In one of the other of these reports, the British agent points out the issues paid attention by Babism as follows:
“Bab announces that all principles of Islam about prayer, fasting, legitimate and illegitimate edible things are necessary to be obeyed by this moment, but now it has been destined to him to announce prayer is not necessary. Everybody may pray based on his/her will, but in fact everybody must think of God or divinity. The fasting in lunar month of Ramadhan for 30 days and other fasting are all abolished and cancelled and every food is illegitimate.
Granting charity is allowed and Babis must I share their wealth and nobody must be wealthier than others. All people are the same and there isn’t any difference between legitimate and illegitimate as Muslims. In Babism creed, sexual intercourses are mixed with chaos… The man may have numerous wives and women may too. It is allowable for the properties of all those who are non-Babis to be confiscated.”[۲]
In addition to documents related to England and the dependence of Seyyed Ali Muhammad Bab on Russia, some people believe that Seyyed Ali Muhammad is paid attention by the Russians.
When Seyyed Ali Muhammad was condemned to be hanged, the Russian consul tried to prevent advised by the Czar, but it wasn’t successful.
Also, it is written in the book called “Sayyah article” by Abbas Effendi entitled Abdul Baha, the offspring of Mirza Hussein Ali Nouri (Bahaullah): The Russians registered the murder event of Ali Muhammad in the second day by sending a painter along with Russian consul and the painter portrayed two dead bodies next to the fosse.
Such reports indicate that at that period of time the issue of Babis and creating a movement which was against the Islamic teachings were really important for two governments of England and Russia.
Surely, if there weren’t the supports from England and Russia, the invitation of Ali Muhammad Bab would be considered due to his madness like hundreds of madmen during history who claimed for being Mahdi and this adventure would be forgotten, but it didn’t happen.
On the other side, Russia and England had experienced the existent of the powerful government of Ottoman as a Muslim country. Just difference could be influential to overcome this country.
The Russian government was unusually paying attention to Babism movement. So, Russian consul conversed with the secretary and assistant of Seyyed Ali Muhammad called Seyyed Hussein Yazdi about Seyyed Ali Muhammad and issues related to him. After that when Ali Muhammad was hanged, the consul painter portrayed his bloody dead body nearby Tabriz city to send to the capital city.[3]
The close relationship between Bab’s successor that is Hussein Ali Baha and Prince Dalgourki, the famous chancellor of Russia in Iran and supporting Hussein Ali Nouri in the adventure of the assassination of Naseruddin Shah can be investigated in this direction.
On the other side, the British tried to collapse the religion of Islam and make differences among Muslims particularly in the lands located at the path of India. The prime minister of England, Gladstone said in the parliament of this country raising a holy Quran by his hand:
“As long as this book is in Muslims’ hands, England can do nothing and we can’t rule them.”
The main policy of England in in Islamic countries was to create disunity among Muslims. This disunity encompassed Iran and Ottoman.
Source: Edward Browne’s book called Spying under the cover of recognition of Iran, pp. 223-237.
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[۱] Iranp. Litical Diaries 1881-1965 IHJ- set by R.M. Burrel
[۲] Qorratul Ein, A glance at the history of unveiling in Iran, Noor publishing and research institute, 1363, pp.17-20.
[۳] Ibid p. 288.
