Mullá Husayn-i Bushru'i (1813–1849) (Persian: ملا حسين بشروئي), titled Jináb-i-Bábu'l-Báb (Gate of the Gate), was a Persian religious figure, and the first Letter of the Living of the Bábí movement. He died at the Battle of Fort Shaykh Tabarsi, on February 2, 1849. His title of Bábu'l-Báb was bestowed upon him by the Báb.[1]
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Mullá Husayn was born with the given name of Muhammad Husayn Bushru'í in Búshrúyih (near Mashhad) to a wealthy and established family of the town.[2] His father Hájí Mullá `Abdu’lláh was a dyer; his mother was a poetess and known for her piety and knowledge.[2] Like most young boys of the era he received a haphazard education, learning a little scripture, reading, writing and basic mathematics.[2] At the age of 12 he left school and pursued higher education, which included lessons in Persian literature and the Quran, whilst mastering the art of debate.[2] By 21, he was already a mujtahid and whilst studying in Mashhad he became attracted to the teachings of Shaykh Ahmad and Shaykhism.[2]
According to Mulla Husayn, the Shaykhi leader, Sayyid Kazim, instructed his followers to spread out in search of the Qa'im.[3] On Siyyid Kazim's death, Mulla Husayn spent forty days secluded in prayer, after which he traveled to Bushehr and then to Shiraz.[4] There, on the 22nd of May, 1844, he encountered the Báb, who declared to Mulla Husayn that he was the expected Qa'im.[5][6] Mulla Husayn thus became the first of the Báb's followers.[6]