Mírzá Alí Akbar i Nakhjavani

by Alí Nakhjavani

Mírzá ‘Alí-Akbar-i-Nakhjavání (1865-1920) is a moving biography of an early believer who had a personal relationship with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Mírzá ‘Alí-Akbar translated many Bahá’í Tablets into Russian and, at ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s request, corresponded with some of the leading literary figures of the time—including Leo Tolstoy and Isabella Grinevskaya. Mírzá ‘Alí-Akbar-i-Nakhjavání also had the great honor of traveling with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as part of His entourage on His journey through North America in 1912. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s fondness for this young gentleman of the Caucasus is evident not only in the details of their interactions but in the many Tablets that the Master addressed to him.