The Báb is alleged to have replied that He had learned to conjugate Arabic words in His childhood, but had forgotten the rules. This is supposed to have been the answer of a Person who had revealed the Qayyúmu'l-Asmá', the Commentary on the Súrih of Kawthar, the Commentary on the Súrih of V'al-`Aṣr—all in Arabic.
When the Báb stated clearly: 'I am that person for whose appearance ye have waited a thousand years,' Nizámu'l-`Ulamá retorted:
'That is to say you are the Mahdí, the Lord of Religion?'
'Yes,' answered the Báb.
'The same in person, or generically?'
'In person.'
'What is your name, and what are the names of your father and mother? Where is your birthplace? And how old are you?'
'My name is `Alí Muḥammad,' answered the Báb. 'My mother was named Khadíja and my father Mírzá Riẓá the cloth-seller; my birth-place is Shíráz; and of my life, behold, thirty-five years have elapsed.'[DR]
'The name of the Lord of Religion is Muḥammad; his father was named Ḥasan and his mother Narjis; his birthplace was Surra-man-Ra'a; and his age is more than a thousand years. There is the most complete variance. And besides I did not send you.'
'Do you claim to be God?' asked the Báb.