Bahaism function can be investigated internal and external domains. Inside Iran, the Baha’is roles were in the Constitution movement, Jungle movement and Isfand 1299 coup and outside Iran, it can be mentioned in the expansion of cooperation with the Colonial powers.
آنچه در ادامه می خوانید
The function of Bahaism in Iran:
The role of Bahaism in Constitution movement: The role of Bahaism cult in the Constitution movement depended on the relationship between this cult and Colonial powers, competing with Azalis and their view towards policy and government. Bahaism which was at first claiming for political and religious governing in Iran, had done each of kind activity including riot, assassination and being the servant of aliens and was reacted by scholars, people and government.
They preached not meddling with policy for the fear of being encountered; although it was a cover for the Baha’is political activities.
Mirza Hussein Ali Nouri says in this regard:
“The superficial esteem has been bestowed to kings and nobody is allowed to oppose the country heads.”[۱]
Abbas Effendi writes so:
“So, O’ divine disciples, try hard to obey the government having pure intentions and honest wills. This issue is of the most important duties of the religion….”[۲]
“O’ divine disciples, you must be humble with Kingdom throne of each crowned one and serve the kings with extreme honesty and trustfulness. Be obedient and benevolent and don’t meddle with policy without his permission because betraying each fair King is betraying God…”[۳]
It is the duty of the divine disciples to obey the orders and commandments of the king and obey what he says; also, they must defer all guardians of affairs.”[۴]
“Disciples (the Baha’is) … don’t keep in touch with politicians and liberalists. Don’t think of government nor being busy with people’s affairs. Obey the government and the king… This is the duty of the Baha’is.”[5]
Although these statements are superficially indicating the opposition of the Baha:’i leaders against entering into policy, but regarding the Baha’is functions in subsequent events they have covering nature to deceive the public.
The extensive presence of Azalis in prior Constitution events and their rode in secret assemblies and the coteries in which they were busy planning against the main leaders of the movement that is the scholars caused the Baha’is to become busy achieving their goal that is governing on Iran.
Seyyed Jamal Warz, Malek Al-Motakallemin, Sheikh Ibrahim Zanjani, Yahya Dolat Abadi were of the Azali figures who were active in the Constitution.
During this period of time, the Azalis were extremists and modernists including open-minded and clergymen who were influenced by western modernism induced by Melkom Khan, Akhond Zadeh, Mirza Agha Khan Kermani and etc. They were the preachers of extreme nationalism, humanism, secularism, and lberalism. Participating at Masonry assemblies such as Jame’a Adamiyat, publishing newspapers, giving speech and establishing assassination committees, they were going to revenge clergymen’s movement which led the movement and stood against Bab’s sedition till his execution.
The following are the Azalis who were active in the Constitution: Seyyed Jamal Waez, Malek Al-Motakallemin, Sheikh Ibrahim Zanjani, Yahya Dolat Abadi and etc.
As mentioned, the Baha’is had secret activities for the fear of repeating the previous events and coordinating with Russian and British powers and even their leader supported Muhammad Ali Shah to the last moment.
Assassination:
The political measures of some Baha’i heads late Qajar period of time helped this dynasty be demised and the Pahlavi government be established. Some Baha’is gather in secret associations to assassinate the opponents particularly the religious leaders of the constitution.
This association which was known as Bain Al-Tolouein included Asadullah Khan Abu Fath Zadeh, Ibrahim Khan Monshi Zadeh and Muhammad Nazar Khan Meshkatul Mamalek. Abul Fath Zadeh, Monshi Zadeh and Meshkatul Mamalek were Baha’is.”[۶]
Abul Fath Zadeh and Monshi Zadeh along with Zeinul Abedin Khan Mosta’an Al-Molk established a new terroristic group called Jahangir committee. Abul Fath Zadeh, Mosta’anul Molk and Mirza Muhammad Nejat were of the Revolutionary court members who issued the death verdict of Sheikh Fadlullah Nour.
Sheikh Ibrahim Zanjani was the public prosecutor of this court who was influenced by Mirza Mehdi Khan Ghaffari Kashi (the member of the Baha’i cult)[7]
These terrorists also killed Ayatollah Behbahani on Rajab 1328 S.H. The killer was Hussein Allah Rajab who was cooperating with Abul Fath Zadeh and Meskkatul Mamalek.[8]
They also killed Seyyed Mohsen Mojtahed (Muhammad Bager Sadrul Olama’s offspring and Seyyed Abdullah Behbahani’s groom). He was killed by Ehsanullah Khan Doustdar and Hussein Allah and 12 Hajj Ali.[9]
Causing trouble in Jungle Movement:
Jungle movement formed at the end of Qajar period of time in Gilan headed by Mirza Kouchak Khan Jangali. Mirza Kouchak Khan was a Muslim fighter who played a key role in Constitution movement whose movement had a religious and democratic origin. The aim of that movement was preserving the Iranian independence, confronting against Colonialism and arrogance and establishing security and removing injustice.
He had been pursued due to terroristic measures by the central government and escaped to Golan and joined the jungle movement.
After aliens weren’t able to defeat this democratic movement particularly Russia and Britain, they planned to penetrate into jungle movement using the Baha’is. One of these people was Ehsan Allah Khan Doustdar who had committed terroristic measures in secret assembly and punishment committee.
According to Abdullah Shahbazi: “Ehsanullah Doustdar was of the famous terrorists who disunited in Jungle Movement and directed the red coup against Mirza Kouchak Khan Jangali. He belonged to one of the famous Baha’i families (the Doustdars) in Sari.”[۱۰]
Planning for 1299 Coup and Reza Khan’s gaining power:
After collapsing Czar emperor in Russia and the events happened after Constitution movement which caused the Iranian government weak, the Great Britain was going to govern on Iran absolutely and planned 1919 A.D. Contract. However, it wasn’t performed. So, they decided to overthrow Qajar dynasty via the coup.
The best factor for the coup who were in touch with the British since the past and had served them very much during World War I.
In such conditions, the British intelligent service which was active in Iran supervised by Ardeshir Reporter provided the facilities for the coup and identified the person helped by the Baha’is. Einul Molk, Hoveyda’s father who was a Baha’i and his father, Mirza Reza Qannad who was of the disciples of Abbas Effendi introduced Reza Khan to the British.
[۱] Shoghi Effendi, the treasury of limitations and commandments, p.263.
[۲] Abbas Effendi, policy epistle, p.35.
[۳] J.E. Esslement, Bahaullah and the new era, Haifa, 1923 A.D., p. 302.
[۴] Ibid, p. 264.
[۵] The national institute of the faith press, the faith news magazine, No.9, Day 1328 S.H., p.32.-
[۶] Abdullah Shahbazi, searches in Bahaism history in Iran, p. 38.
[۷] Ibid, p. 42.
[۸] Ibid, p. 42.
[۹] Ibid, p. 44.
[۱۰] Ibid, p. 46.
