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Baha'i
And now to the story of Shaykh Mahmud. He was a man well known in 'Akká, extremely fanatical, and, to begin with, extremely hostile to the exiles. Years later, after he had given his allegiance to Bahá'u'lláh, he recounted his spiritual odyssey.
When he first heard the farman[against the Baha'is] of Sultan 'Abdu'l-'Aziz read in the mosque, he recalled, he boiled with rage and, not being able to contain himself, went to the gate of the citadel and demanded entry. He being a prominent figure amongst the citizens of 'Akká, the guards could not refuse his demand and allowed him to enter, but told him that he needed permission to go into the presence of Bahá'u'lláh.
He asked for that permission, and the answer which came from Bahá'u'lláh was to the effect that he should first change his intent (which was to be abusive and insulting) before seeking a meeting. This reply shook him considerably but did not abate his hostility and ire.
After a while, he made a second attempt to reach the presence of Bahá'u'lláh. This time he had a weapon hidden about him, intending to use it. Now the answer which came was: let him first divest himself of that which he is carrying.
Shaykh Mahmud was truly astounded. Who is this man, he asked himself, who knows the secrets of hearts?
At his third attempt he was a changed man, and was taken to Bahá'u'lláh's chamber. There and then he threw himself at the feet of Bahá'u'lláh, and declared his belief in Him, whoever He was.
~ H.M. Balyuzi, Baha'u'llah - The King of Glory, p. 337
When he first heard the farman[against the Baha'is] of Sultan 'Abdu'l-'Aziz read in the mosque, he recalled, he boiled with rage and, not being able to contain himself, went to the gate of the citadel and demanded entry. He being a prominent figure amongst the citizens of 'Akká, the guards could not refuse his demand and allowed him to enter, but told him that he needed permission to go into the presence of Bahá'u'lláh.
He asked for that permission, and the answer which came from Bahá'u'lláh was to the effect that he should first change his intent (which was to be abusive and insulting) before seeking a meeting. This reply shook him considerably but did not abate his hostility and ire.
After a while, he made a second attempt to reach the presence of Bahá'u'lláh. This time he had a weapon hidden about him, intending to use it. Now the answer which came was: let him first divest himself of that which he is carrying.
Shaykh Mahmud was truly astounded. Who is this man, he asked himself, who knows the secrets of hearts?
At his third attempt he was a changed man, and was taken to Bahá'u'lláh's chamber. There and then he threw himself at the feet of Bahá'u'lláh, and declared his belief in Him, whoever He was.
~ H.M. Balyuzi, Baha'u'llah - The King of Glory, p. 337