He learned about the Bábí Faith at the age of 16 and met Baháʼu'lláh in 1851. He made several journeys on behalf of Baháʼu'lláh, was imprisoned in Egypt and is the only person known to have made the two pilgrimages to the House of the Báb in Shíráz and the House of Baháʼu'lláh in Baghdad in accordance with the rites set out by Baháʼu'lláh. After the passing of Baháʼu'lláh, and at the request of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, he arranged a Tablet of Visitation from Baháʼu'lláh's writings which is now used in the Holy Shrines. Shortly afterwards, overcome with grief, love and longing for Baháʼu'lláh, he drowned himself into the sea.