Only in later years did he find out that the learned mullá was not only a Bahá’í but a Hand of the Faith.

Whenever the Shah or this or that liberal statesman attempted any reform in Persia, the Shiah Muslim clergy rose up to block the plan. The Shah had barely managed to wrest a consent from the mullás to establish his College, where there would be (unclean) foreign teachers and foreign studies. To get this he was forced to include a class for Persian and religious studies, under a mullá in the usual large turban and clerical robes. A department for advanced studies included courses in Platonic philosophy and various branches of Muslim theology and culture. Khan had no time left over to study Arabic and the other higher Muslim courses. Only in later years did he find out that the learned mullá, Mírzá Ḥasan Adíb (Educator) who headed the Department was not only a Bahá’í but enjoyed the special rank of Hand of the Faith.

(Summon Up Remembrance by Marzieh Gail)

https://bahai-library.com/gail_summon_up_remembrance/