'Izziyya Khanum, Baháʼu'lláh's half-sister, in her book Tanbih al-Naimin (The Awakening of the Sleepers), commonly called Risala-i-Amma (The Aunt's Epistle) refers to this event, which occurred during the Babi exiles' residence in Baghdad, as the "اعجب" (most amazing or strangest event).
The key details of the account are as follows:
The Offer and First Refusal:
- 'Izziyya Khanum relates the story as told by Baha'u'llah's wife (identified in the text as the mother of Aqa Muhammad Ali).
- Baha'u'llah instructed his wife to dress their daughter, Sultan Khanum, in fine clothing and take her to his brother, Subh-i-Azal.
- Baha'u'llah's wife was to "offer this maiden (kaniz) to him [Azal] and ask him to accept her".
- When Azal heard Baha'u'llah's message, he became upset and refused to accept her.
- Azal stated that the girl was like his own daughter and was no different from his own children. He rejected the offer, saying that "such a command has not been revealed".
The Second Attempt and Final Refusal:
- Baha'u'llah's wife returned and informed him of Azal's rejection.
- Baha'u'llah "reflected for a while" and then instructed his wife to return the daughter to Azal once more.
- Baha'u'llah asked her to tell Azal: "Do not put a hand of rejection on my chest and accept my request".
- This time, Baha'u'llah proposed that Azal accept Sultan Khanum as a kaniz for Azal's son, Aqa Ahmad (Ahmad Bahaj).
- Azal again refused, saying that the girl and Mirza Ahmad (his son) were "the same to me and both are my own children".
- Azal instructed Baha'u'llah's wife to go back and tell Baha'u'llah "not to insist or exaggerate because God is not satisfied".
- Baha'u'llah's wife then returned and reported the final refusal, after which Baha'u'llah fell silent.
'Izziyya Khanum considered it strange and unfortunate that Baha'u'llah, who allegedly preferred a groundless allegation against Subh-i-Azal, would himself offer his daughter as a Kaniz to his brother or his nephew.
Above accounts originated from sources hostile to Baháʼu'lláh. Now, read the following Tablet of Baháʼu'lláh, which was provisionally translated by Adib Masumian (a Baháʼí Scholar).
Once We [Baha'u'llah] had entered Iraq and a number of days passed, We were joined by My brother [Subh-i-Azal], and he remained with Us for a period of months that hath been mentioned in Tablets. He sought from Us a wife; We procured for him what quelled his carnal desire, and he dwelled comfortably in the land.
Though We sent for believing women to be dispatched from other lands to appear before thee, whereafter thou didst enjoy intimacy with them and abide in conspicuous comfort, ...
Although, moreover, thou didst seek from Me what would gratify thy passion, till eventually thou didst gather around thyself a number of maidens and sustain thyself with them, ...
O My brother! How many a night didst thou repose on thy bed with thy wives while I personally protected thee, ...
(Baha'u'llah, Lawh-i-Mirza Rida-Quli)
https://adibmasumian.com/translations/lawh-i-mirza-rida-quli/
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