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They were never defeated in battle (154:2) During this period, in an effort to stop this hated contest, this utterly humiliating episode, the acting Governor issued an order that anyone who approached that fort and was suspected of aiding its occupants was to be arrested. He, himself, along with the clergy of Amul, assembled at the mosque to meet and arraign the men who had been captured (154:3) As soon as his eyes fell upon them, however, he deeply regretted the order he had given, for he instantly recognized the Nobleman, whom he held in esteem. But it was too late. He could not release Him now. The crowd and the clergy awaited the chastisement they deserved: death. "We must, at all costs, extirpate that heresy," they proclaimed (154:4) This was not the first time this Prisoner had been faced with mortal danger because of His espousal of the new Faith. Several months earlier at Niyala, He had, unaided, faced the assault of a mob of five hundred who had attacked Him and His companions. Yet through His fearless appeal, He had succeeded in convincing the people of the shamelessness of their cruelty and was able to retrieve a portion of the belongings that had been plundered. Neither was this the first time He would see confinement for His arising in the path of God, for He had been subjected to confinement for a brief period earlier in His life. It was, however, the first time that the hand of the assailant would be raised to harm His blessed Person (154:5) The acting governor, afraid for his position, and in an attempt appease the rage of the clergy, ordered that a "befitting punishment" be inflicted upon the captives, and promised that the sovereign himself would meet out to them "the chastisement they deserve" (154:6) Hoping to inflict no injury upon the Nobleman, he ordered that the rods for the bastinado be prepared, and that the feet of the first of His companions be bound for this punishment. The victim, however, grieving at the thought of torture, complained that he was merely on his way to the city of Mashhad when he was arrested. The Nobleman intervened on his behalf, and succeeded in effecting his release from imminent anguish (154:7) The acting Governor then turned to the next of the Nobleman's companions, but again the Nobleman spoke saying that the man was "a mere tradesman" whom He regarded as His "guest", and that He, Himself, was "responsible for any charges" brought against the man. Likewise for the third companion, whom they proceeded to bind, He again intervened, referring to the companion as His attendant. This companion was also set free
(154:8)
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