Sadru's-Sudúr
Pioneering organized training had been done in Iran in the early 20th century by Sadru's-Sudúr[edit]
"As with most of the other methods and activities by which the Faith was advancing, this instrument had likewise been conceived decades earlier by the Master, who calls in the Tablets of the Divine Plan for deepened believers to "gather together the youths of the love of God in schools of instruction and teach them all the divine proofs and irrefragable arguments, explain and elucidate the history of the Cause, and interpret also the prophecies and proofs which are recorded and are extant in the divine books and epistles regarding the manifestation of the Promised One...."[126] Pioneering work and organized training of this nature had already been done in Iran, during the early years of the century, by the much-loved Sadru's-Sudúr.[127] As the years passed, winter and summer schools had multiplied, and successive Plans also encouraged experimentation in the development of Bahá'í institutes."
- (Century of Light, p. 109)
Established first teacher-training class with 'Abdu'l-Bahá's encouragement; met daily and trained in beliefs of other religions[edit]
"Beginning in approximately 1904, a learned Iranian believer known as Sadru's-Sudúr established the first teacher-training class for Bahá'í youth in Tehran with 'Abdu'l-Bahá's encouragement. The classes met daily, and the graduates, who had been trained in the beliefs of other religions as well as various aspects of the Bahá'í Faith, contributed greatly to the expansion and consolidation of the Cause in their native land."
- (Century of Light, Note 127 for p. 109)
Sadru's-Sudúr inaugurated the teaching meeting, educating strong and pure advocates of God[edit]
"The eminent Sadru's-Sudúr, who hath verily attained a most exalted station in the Retreats of Bliss, inaugurated the teaching meeting. He was the first blessed soul to lay the foundation of this momentous institution
"God be praised, during the course of his life he educated persons who today are strong and eloquent advocates of the Lord God, disciples who are indeed pure and spiritual descendants of him who was so close to the Holy Threshold. After his passing, certain blessed individuals took steps to perpetuate his teaching work, and when He learned of it, this Captive's heart rejoiced."
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, from a Tablet - translated from the Arabic, Bahá'í Education (compilation), no. 27)
"Sadru's-Sudur" was also an office abolished by Nadir Shah (and had been a chief priest of Safavi times)[edit]
"According to Mirza Abu'l-Fadl (manuscript, p.66), the name of the Imam-Jum'ih of Isfahan was Mir Siyyid Muhammad, and his title "Sultanu'l-'Ulama'." "The office of Sadru's-Sudur, or chief priest of Safavi times, was abolished by Nadir Shah, and the Imam-Jum'ih of Isfahan is now the principal ecclesiastical dignitary of Persia." (C.R. Markham's "A General Sketch of the History of Persia," p.365.)"
- (Translation of French Foot-Notes of the Dawn-Breakers, Ch. X, p. 199, f. 3, at https://bahai-library.com/dawnbreakers_french_footnotes_english )
