The Jewish Abdul Khaleq Yazdi who claimed for being Muslim before Bab’s sedition, played a key role in providing facilities and expanding Babism. The relationship between Abdul Khaleq and Ali Muhammad Bab wasn’t limited to studying. The Babism leader reported his activities to him. Abdul Khaleq even sacrificed his son to support Babism. He turned to his Judaism religion after preaching Babism and disunity in Iran.
Mullah Abdul Khaleq was of the Jewish scholars who claimed for being Muslim. He proceeded in this way to such an extent that some consider him as one of the scholars of Mashhad city![1] Mullah Abdul Khaleq Yazdi was influential on the thoughts of Sheikh Ahmad Ehsaee (whose thoughts were the forerunner of Babism). He tried hard to influence on Babi leader and to support his movement.
According to Baha’ism resoources, Ali Muhammad Bab participated at Mullah Abdul Khaleq Yazdi’s classes recommended by his maternal uncle who was Sheiki in order to be familiar with the grammar of Arabic language[2]. Confessed by the Baha’i resources, this relationship wasn’t limited to lessons, but Ali Muhammad Bab was reporting his activities to Abdul Khaleq Yazdi.
For example, the Baism leader is reporting to Mullah Abdul Khaleq the reason for his dispensing with travelling to Iraq in the form of a devotional tablet: O’ you my God… You are aware of my order to the scholars (Hayy letters) that I asked them to go to the holy land (Najaf) in order to overt my hidden covenant coming back from Mecca… I turned my intention due to the rejection and jealousy of the slaves who are away from you…[۳]” or when Ali Muhammad Bab reported Mullah Abdul Khaleq Yazdi about his greatest governmental supporter’s death when he claimed for Babism.[4]
During Babism sedition, the Jewish Abdul Khaleq joined his creed and his son joined him, too. In Tabarsi fort battle, his son was killed along with the rebellious Babis. Of course; after Mullah Abdul Khaleq’s role in providing facilities and expanding Babism, he changed his ideas and turned to Jewish creed.
Mirza Jani Kashani has written in this regard: “The clergyman Mullah Abdul Khaleq Yazdi’s father was Jewish. He turned to Islam and traversed the Islamic positions to achieve the highest position that was late Sheikh’s one. He tolerated all troubles in the path of loving him and preached for him. So, his son who was 20 and young was martyred. Mullah Abdul Khaleq turned against Islam and according to Agha Seyyed Yahya turned Jewish due to his son’s death.[5]
[۱] Mehdi Bamdad, the biography of the Iranian dignitaries in 12, 13, 14th centuries, Tehran: Zawwar, 1378 S.H., Vol. 1, p. 382.
[۲] Nosratullah Muhammad Husseini, the Excellency Bab, Canada: the Baha’i knowledge institute, 1995 A.D., p. 144.
[۳] Abul Qasem Afnan, the highest covenant, one world Oxford, 2000 A.D., p. 158.
[۴] Ibid, p. 223.
[۵] Mirza Jani Kashani, Noqtatul Kaf, attempted by Edward Brown, Netherland, Breil, 1910 A.D., p. 129.
