The Khamsis: A Cradle of True Gold

n 1881 five brothers, known as the Báqirof-Khamsi clan, whom Bahá’u’lláh designated as Sádát-i-Khams (The Five Siyyids, in Arabic) accepted the Bahá'í Faith in the northern part of Iran. For such an intrepid decision they were automatically disinherited from the family fortune although, interestingly, became affluent later by their own toil.
This book describes this wealthy family and their struggles to survive in the midst of a fanatical establishment. It is the narrative of a kinfolk using their high social position, to defend, overtly and covertly, their newly espoused religion and the vulnerable community gathered around those teachings. Bigotry, persecution and harassment could not abate their inner spiritual forces but rather strengthened their resolution for getting their religion known, recognised and protected.

Going through various tumultuous Iranian social scenarios, three main waves in such a courageous family are easily recognisable namely, Siyyid Naṣru’lláh Báqirof, Siyyid Ahmad Khamsi-Báqirof, and Mas’ud Khamsi, the latter whom ultimately brought the Bahá'í Faith to ten of thousands of indigenous people of South America.
An exemplary trilogy taking the reader to Iran, Russia, the Holy Land, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Africa and even to awe-inspiring areas such as the Amazon rainforest and the Andes mountains, exemplifying that love for humanity also travels and it never tires in giving if inspired by higher principles.

“I found this book is based on thorough research and it is a fully documented biographical account and written in a very sweet and easy to read a language. As far as my close familiarity with the Khamsis is concerned, it is a useful addition to the historical records of the Bahá'í Faith”. Dr Iraj Ayman “In this most recent biography of the faithful, exceptionally researched by its author, we learn the fascinating narrative of a family most ‘fortunate, blessed and successful’ – three meanings captured in one name Mas’ud, the multilayered prominent figure which occupies a good half of the book”. Shahbaz Fatheazam.

About the author:Dr Boris Handal is a Professor of Education at the University of Notre Dame Australia. He is the author of “Eve Nicklin, She of the Brave Heart”, “Mirzá Mihdí, The Purest Branch”, “The Khamsis, a Cradle of True Gold”, “A Trilogy of Consecration: The Courier, the Historian and the Missionary” in addition to two Bahá'í books in Spanish ,“El Concurso en Lo Alto” and “Muhammad, Profeta de Dios”. A member of the Bahá'í Faith for over forty years and a native of Peru, Dr Handal is married with one daughter.