Mirza ‘Ali-Akbar Nakhjavani - Translator for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá During His Travels in America

AROUND 1909 Mirza ‘Ali-Akbar Nakhjavani intended to make contact with the great writer, Count Leo Tolstoy. Before doing so he consulted ‘Abdu’l-Bahá who sent him advice saying: “Always extend to Count Tolstoy loving and heartfelt greetings, and treat him with the utmost courtesy, as we are indeed commanded to behave in this way. Perchance he may become fairminded. There are signs that his attitude hath improved and moderated. It is hoped that, God willing, it may improve further and that he may speak with justice about this Cause. It might be beneficial if thou wert to despatch to him, and others like him, the letter of this servant addressed to the believers of the East and the West, which is translated and published in Russian.”
Tolstoy said he was very interested in the Bahá’í teachings and intended to “write a book about the Báb and the Bahá’í faith.”
-Leo Tolstoy and the Bahá’í Faith, p. 49