Soon after the transfer of the exiles from the barracks to
houses in the city, there was renewed concern in the Holy Family for the
twenty-seven-year-old 'Abbas, 'Abdu'l-Baha, that it was timely for Him to
marry. Not long thereafter, a girl from a distinguished family" of
Isfahan, Fatimih Khanum, was called by the Blessed Beauty to the Holy Land. In
Shavval 1288 (December 1871-January 1872), she travelled with her brother
Siyyid Yahya and the courier Shaykh Salman via Shiraz, where she was privileged
to be often with the wife of the Báb during a two-weeks' stay; then by steamer
to Jiddah and on to Mecca for pilgrimage, to conceal their real destination;
next, to Alexandria; and finally, when it was prudent, they were directed by
Baha'u'llah to come by boat to 'Akka. Upon arrival in 'Akka, they were met by
'Abdu'l-Ahad, Aqay-i-Kalim (Mirza Musa, Baha’u’llah’s brother)) and Ilyas
'Abbud, and the very next day she attained the presence of Baha'u'llah. Fatimih
Khanum lived for some five months in the house of Aqay-i-Kalim, during which
time the Blessed Beauty often received her. He Himself bestowed upon her the
name of Munirih (The Illumined One).
- David Ruhe (‘Door of Hope’)
