Dr. Arastu Hakim
Dr. Arastu Khan Hakim belonged to the third generation of Baha'is. His grandfather, Hakim Masih was court doctor to Muhammad Shah and the first Jewish Baha’i. Hakim Masih's life takes us back to the very early history of the Cause for he had learned something of the new faith when he was in Bagdad through Tahirih herself, during the early days of the Bab's manifestation. From that time on he had searched for the source of her power. Later in Tihran, when Moslem doctors refused, he had offered to visit the prison and treat a Baha'i child. The father of the child was the famous Ismu'llahu'l-Asdaq and in the course of these visits Hakim Hakim Masih became a Baha'i and later achieved much fame in the Cause.
Dr. Arastu's father, Hakim Sulayman was likewise a Baha'i and Dr. Arastu himself gradually increased his services in the Cause as he grew to manhood. Meanwhile he was carrying on the family tradition, as did his sons, of practicing medicine. About 1897 he graduated from the American School in Tihran and was working in the American hospital, where he already showed signs of that healing personality which later made him one of the foremost doctors in the capital. At this period knowledge of Baha'u'llah's Cause often ended in a martyr's death, and so we find him studying the Baha'i teachings unobtrusively in out of the way houses in the back streets of Tihran. Soon he began to teach on his own account.
Dr. Arastu's brother, Aflatun, was also an ardent Baha'i, much loved by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, Who wrote him many Tablets. In 1900 Aflatun died and shortly after this Arastu Khan went to Akka, where it was his privilege to remain with ‘Abdu'l-Baha for one year. During the first days of his visit 'Abdu'l-Baha continually addressed him as "Aflatun” [his brother’s name]. This puzzled him considerably, util one night when he and Dr. Yunis Khan Afrukhtih were following ‘Abdn'l-Baha through the narrow crooked streets of the prison city[of Akka], when 'Abdu'l-Baha again addressed him as "Aflatun" and said, "Do you know why I call you Aflatun? It is because I desire his truth and spirituality to reappear in you."
Dr. Arastu developed rapidly in Akka studying 'Abdu'l-Baha's way. He worked with Dr. Yunis Khan translating letters from the American and other Western Baha’is. 'Abdu'l-Baha had hoped to send him to America, but family concerns necessitated his return to Persia. Here he worked devotedly for the Cause, founding weekly teaching meeting which continued till his death, and which according to his will is to be perpetuated. He received his medical diploma and became known throughout the capital as a physician most generous to the poor and as one gentle and considerate toward all.
During the very last year of his life his activities mere linked with America again through his work of advising and assisting Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler who was at that time laboring devotedly to bring before the Persian government petitions to insure justice in every way to Baha'is, especially in the matter of free circulation of Baha'i literature. Right here in connection with Mrs. Ranson-Kehler's association with Dr. Arastu we find a bit of romance mingling itself with the more serious duties of her service, for it was she who arranged for the betrothal of Dr. Arastu's son, Dr. Qulam Husayn Khan and the sister-in-law of Rahmat Ala'i and officiated at the wedding which will long be remembered in Tihran.
Dr. Arastu’s death made a deep impression in Tihran where he mourned alike by Baha'is and non-Baha'is. A long procession of several hundred people followed his coffin up one of the main thoroughfares of the capital mourning their loss and honoring his life of loving service and sacrifice. Engraved on the stone which marks the resting place of his body are the well chosen words from the Qur'an: "O well assured spirit, willing and blessed go thou back to thy Lord." (Star of the West, vol. 25, no. 11, February 1935)
