Epistle to the Son of the Wolf — §222

Persian source with Shoghi Effendi’s authorized English translation. Paragraph 222 of 268.

Source (Persian)

يا شيخ قل لملأ البيان در اين کلمه مبارکه تفکّر نمائيد ميفرمايد [ جميع بيان ورقی است از اوراق جنّت او ] انصفوا يا قوم و لا تکونوا من الاخسرين فی کتاب اللّه ربّ العالمين * امروز سدره مبارکه با اثمار جنيّه جديده بديعه امام وجهت موجود انظر اليها منقطعا عن دونها کذلک نطق لسان القوّة و القدرة فی هذا المقام الّذي جعله اللّه مزيّنا بقدوم اسمه الاعظم و نبأه العظيم *

Shoghi Effendi Translation

O Shaykh! Tell the people of the Bayán: "Ponder ye these blessed words. He saith: ‘The whole of the Bayán is only a leaf amongst the leaves of His Paradise.' Be fair, O people, and be not of such as are accounted as lost in the Book of God, the Lord of the worlds." The blessed Lote-Tree standeth, in this day, before thy face, laden with heavenly, with new and wondrous fruits. Gaze on it, detached from all else save it. Thus hath the Tongue of might and power spoken at this Spot which God hath adorned with the footsteps of His Most Great Name and Mighty Announcement.

Translation Notes

شيخ

shíkh sh-y-kh → “shaykh”

literal: elder/shaykh

shaykh 97% thou 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §139: thou epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §9: O Shaykh epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §111: Shaykh

قل

ql q-w-l → “tell” Distinctive

literal: say; saying

This form usually rendered as “say”, “"say”, ““say” (169 occurrences)

say 87% “say 2% “say 2% \‘say 2% say: 2% know 2% exclaim 1% tell 1% testify 1% let 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §255: utterance gleaningsGWB §612: Say: O kitab-i-iqanKIQ §208: plane prayers-and-meditationsP&M §566: uttered tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §5: Verily tablet-of-carmelCarmel §4: ‘Call out to tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §34: And the-hidden-wordsHW §2: counsel

لملأ

lmlʾ m-l-ʾ → “people of”

literal: assembly; assembly, people

concourse 33% people 17% celestial 17% peoples 11% inhabitants 6% ye 6% company 6% assemblage 6%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §222: the people of fire-tabletFire §45: are filled gleaningsGWB §454: ye kitab-i-iqanKIQ §7: a company prayers-and-meditationsP&M §94: the Concourse tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §7: assemblage tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §1: Celestial Concourse will-and-testamentW&T §10: is filled

البيان

al-bíán b-y-n → “the bayán”

literal: utterance

utterance 53% bayán 17% eloquence 6% glorification 6% utterances 6% ornament 3% articulate 3% time 3% speak 3% give 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §67: Us fire-tabletFire §23: to speak forth gleaningsGWB §464: between Us kitab-i-ahdAhd §8: among My kitab-i-iqanKIQ §199: meaning prayers-and-meditationsP&M §635: set before the-hidden-wordsHW §155: of wisdom will-and-testamentW&T §5: utter ruin

مبارکه

mbárkh b-r-k → “blessed”

literal: blessed; blessing

blessed 61% holy 19% sacred 6% hallowed 6% hand 3% blest 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §160: holy kitab-i-iqanKIQ §136: sacred the-hidden-wordsHW §83: Hallowed be will-and-testamentW&T §27: draweth Divine increase epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §110: blessed and kitab-i-iqanKIQ §230: waters will-and-testamentW&T §5: Blessed Tree epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §189: blest

تفکّر

tfkkr f-k-r → ““ponder”

literal: reflection; reflect

ponder 40% meditate 22% reflect 16% consider 7% attentively 4% remember 2% “ponder 2% meditated 2% why 2% meditation 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §94: Meditate on gleaningsGWB §148: to meditate kitab-i-iqanKIQ §202: fancy will-and-testamentW&T §9: purposed epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §119: reflect gleaningsGWB §172: thoughts kitab-i-iqanKIQ §48: minds epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §175: Meditate

نمائيد

nmáʾíd n-m-ʾ → “have” Distinctive

literal: show

This form usually rendered as “recite”, “remember”, “consider” (58 occurrences)

recite 10% remember 10% consider 10% observe 10% ye 10% upon 10% arise 10% resolve 10% deliver 10% bestir 10%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §51: deterreth gleaningsGWB §410: hath sustained kitab-i-ahdAhd §16: Give kitab-i-iqanKIQ §212: can prayers-and-meditationsP&M §667: show the-hidden-wordsHW §120: appear will-and-testamentW&T §24: towards them epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §243: proceeded

ميفرمايد

mífrmáyd f-r-m → “he saith”

literal: say; command; says

saith 86% said 4% declareth 3% hath 3% turned 1% guardeth 1% addressing 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §128: ponder gleaningsGWB §626: Say kitab-i-iqanKIQ §178: this prayers-and-meditationsP&M §666: quicken the-hidden-wordsHW §93: I gave will-and-testamentW&T §6: by Him epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §215: may enable gleaningsGWB §493: We have

ورقی

wrqí w-r-q → “leaf”

literal: leaf

leaf 75% sheet 25%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §234: sheet fire-tabletFire §23: Nightingale gleaningsGWB §56: foliage kitab-i-iqanKIQ §290: Mystic Bird prayers-and-meditationsP&M §617: of the Dove tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §23: celestial dove will-and-testamentW&T §42: his printed confessions epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §68: Dove

از

iz ʾ-z → “amongst”

literal: from

23 occurrences in corpus

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §128: of kitab-i-iqanKIQ §176: at kitab-i-iqanKIQ §176: from kitab-i-iqanKIQ §246: Amongst

جنّت

jnnt j-n-n → “paradise”

literal: paradise

paradise 60% “paradise” 20% most 10% “paradise 10%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §147: held to be possessed gleaningsGWB §55: His Paradise kitab-i-iqanKIQ §234: They prayers-and-meditationsP&M §711: my Paradise the-hidden-wordsHW §102: the Beloved will-and-testamentW&T §36: with all my heart epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §129: Paradise gleaningsGWB §212: of Paradise

انصفوا

inṣfúá n-ṣ-f → “be fair”

literal: fairness; be fair

fair 45% judge 27% bayán 9% again 9% fairly 9%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §61: of them that judge equitably gleaningsGWB §220: unbiased observer kitab-i-iqanKIQ §223: with the-hidden-wordsHW §47: Judge thou aright epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §151: Judge ye equitably gleaningsGWB §466: just kitab-i-iqanKIQ §119: understanding epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §130: every fair-minded person

قوم

qúm q-w-m → “people”

literal: people

people 91% men 3% others 2% people!” 1% old 1% unto 1% blind 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §231: as a sign fire-tabletFire §48: He hath risen up gleaningsGWB §395: a calling kitab-i-ahdAhd §11: to be beneath that kitab-i-iqanKIQ §267: argument prayers-and-meditationsP&M §853: that tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: most exalted Spot tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §44: that place

تکونوا

tkúnúá k-w-n → “of such as” Distinctive

literal: be; was; to be

This form usually rendered as “ye”, “like” (11 occurrences)

SE expanded to “of such as”

ye 75% like 25%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §263: will be fire-tabletFire §35: universe gleaningsGWB §475: and preserve kitab-i-iqanKIQ §37: that ye may prayers-and-meditationsP&M §518: hath established tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §8: they combine tablet-of-carmelCarmel §4: thou hesitate tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §31: whose heart hath

الاخسرين

al-ákhsrín kh-s-r → “accounted as lost”

literal: loss; losers; loser

SE expanded to “accounted as lost”

lost 33% accounted 33% grievous 33%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §86: plainly erred gleaningsGWB §318: error.…kitab-i-iqanKIQ §9: perdition.”will-and-testamentW&T §10: bloodthirsty epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §158: clear ruin gleaningsGWB §225: the lost will-and-testamentW&T §53: in grievous loss epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §189: lost ones

ربّ

rbb r-b-b → “lord”

literal: Lord; lord

lord 93% god 3% creator 1% one 1% art 1% none 1% ruler 1% thou 1% ‘lord 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §168: her Lord gleaningsGWB §582: for thee kitab-i-iqanKIQ §258: the Almighty prayers-and-meditationsP&M §196: none other Lord tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §11: the All-Glorious the-hidden-wordsHW §25: of thy God will-and-testamentW&T §9: ‘Lord epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §193: Exalted

العالمين

al-ʿálmín ʿ-l-m → “of the worlds”

literal: world; worlds

SE expanded to “of the worlds”

worlds 53% all 31% world 5% whole 3% earth 2% men 2% creation 2% entire 1% people 1% peoples 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §197: standards fire-tabletFire §49: all the worlds gleaningsGWB §122: kingdoms kitab-i-iqanKIQ §76: source prayers-and-meditationsP&M §401: believe tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §17: of all the worlds tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §13: we have taught thee the-hidden-wordsHW §144: peoples

امروز

imrúz r-w-z → “in this day”

literal: day; today; that-day

SE expanded to “in this day”

day 88% “this 6% today 6%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §171: day gleaningsGWB §675: day hath succeeded kitab-i-iqanKIQ §57: and will-and-testamentW&T §57: by day epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §230: days gleaningsGWB §362: daytime kitab-i-iqanKIQ §126: on a certain day epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §60: is the day

سدره

sdrh s-d-r → “blessed lote-tree”

literal: lote-tree; tree; lote tree, bush

tree 44% lote-tree 17% divine 11% burning 11% bush 5% sadrih 5% sacred 3% sadratu’l-muntaha 2% upon 2% blessed 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §138: Bush gleaningsGWB §310: the tree kitab-i-iqanKIQ §12: that sacred prayers-and-meditationsP&M §73: of the Tree of tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §8: deathless tree will-and-testamentW&T §16: Sacred Lote-Tree epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §222: The blessed Lote-Tree gleaningsGWB §175: the Burning Bush

اثمار

ithmár th-m-r → “fruits”

literal: fruit; fruits; bore fruit

fruits 59% fruit 33% immortal 4% fruits—the 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §149: fruit upon gleaningsGWB §265: the fruit kitab-i-iqanKIQ §22: immortal prayers-and-meditationsP&M §73: its fruits tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §3: bringeth forth the-hidden-wordsHW §109: of its fruiting will-and-testamentW&T §57: fruit given forth epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §181: results and consequences

جديده

jdídh j-d-d → “new”

literal: new; renewal; renew

new 70% fresh 15% thyself 3% life 3% new-born 3% themselves 3% present 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §242: Again gleaningsGWB §46: regenerated and made new kitab-i-iqanKIQ §84: this prayers-and-meditationsP&M §659: present the-hidden-wordsHW §117: strive epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §88: supplant gleaningsGWB §559: renewed kitab-i-iqanKIQ §270: to renew

بديعه

bdíʿh b-d-ʿ → “wondrous”

literal: wondrous; wonders; creation

wondrous 74% new 13% create 3% marvelous 3% beauteous 3% divine 3% mystic 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §201: to create gleaningsGWB §452: of creation kitab-i-iqanKIQ §84: of prayers-and-meditationsP&M §235: the marvelous evidences the-hidden-wordsHW §38: from will-and-testamentW&T §2: most wondrous epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §156: universe gleaningsGWB §286: and

امام

imám ʾ-m-m → “before”

literal: before

before 92% leader 8%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §7: Best-Beloved of the nations gleaningsGWB §172: of men kitab-i-iqanKIQ §25: other communities prayers-and-meditationsP&M §181: all the peoples epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §159: leader gleaningsGWB §180: unlettered One kitab-i-iqanKIQ §161: the Imáms epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §7: before the throne of Thy justice

وجهت

wjht w-j-h → “thy face”

literal: face

face 50% hath 25% have 25%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §157: hath set his face fire-tabletFire §30: This Face gleaningsGWB §28: the countenance kitab-i-ahdAhd §10: turn your faces kitab-i-iqanKIQ §284: meanings prayers-and-meditationsP&M §757: have responded tablet-of-carmelCarmel §1: the light of the the-hidden-wordsHW §41: before Our Face

موجود

mújúd w-j-d → “all” Distinctive

literal: existence; existent

This form usually rendered as “exist”, “extant”, “found” (50 occurrences)

exist 21% extant 14% found 14% existing 7% standeth 7% possession 7% there 7% embodied 7% could 7% recipient 7%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §109: creation fire-tabletFire §49: thou canst breathe gleaningsGWB §239: discover kitab-i-iqanKIQ §137: whosoever prayers-and-meditationsP&M §604: all being tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §56: they found the-hidden-wordsHW §60: OF will-and-testamentW&T §4: despite

اليها

al-yhá ʾ-l-y → “until” Distinctive

literal: to; to, until

This form usually rendered as “towards” (1 occurrences)

until 23% towards 23% unto 15% further 8% upon 8% such 8% need 8% turn 8%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §106: until this gleaningsGWB §156: towards Him kitab-i-iqanKIQ §143: in need prayers-and-meditationsP&M §268: unto Thee epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §197: upon gleaningsGWB §227: Such a one kitab-i-iqanKIQ §182: to an prayers-and-meditationsP&M §99: to turn

منقطعا

mnqṭʿá q-ṭ-ʿ → “detached”

literal: detachment; detached

rid 24% detached 24% wholly 18% withheld 9% absolute 6% detach 6% completely 3% withdrew 3% must 3% complete 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §89: I had been severed gleaningsGWB §700: all created things kitab-i-iqanKIQ §269: renounce prayers-and-meditationsP&M §395: and wholly detached tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §2: severed ones tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §18: They passed will-and-testamentW&T §11: decisive epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §241: cut

دونها

dúnhá d-w-n → “all else save it” Distinctive

literal: besides; below; without

This form usually rendered as “every” (1 occurrences)

SE expanded to “all else save it”

all 22% except 17% any 14% without 12% thee 8% aught 6% save 6% others 5% besides 5% beside 5%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §230: foreign to gleaningsGWB §705: refuse to sanction it in kitab-i-iqanKIQ §110: withheld prayers-and-meditationsP&M §494: all things except Thee the-hidden-wordsHW §17: all save Me will-and-testamentW&T §38: All others epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §184: any gleaningsGWB §685: but

کذلک

kdhlk dh-l-k → “thus”

literal: thus

thus 72% such 16% like 4% other 4% wise 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §134: Thus hath He decreed gleaningsGWB §254: by such means as these kitab-i-iqanKIQ §257: “Such prayers-and-meditationsP&M §384: Thereby the-hidden-wordsHW §160: In this wise will-and-testamentW&T §34: as epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §129: So gleaningsGWB §188: Such

لسان

lsán l-s-n → “tongue”

literal: tongue; tongue, language; tongues

tongue 75% language 7% languages 3% words 3% tongues 3% mouth 3% mine 1% utterly 1% voice 1% warning 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §168: its tongue gleaningsGWB §464: mouths kitab-i-iqanKIQ §64: speech prayers-and-meditationsP&M §852: any tongue the-hidden-wordsHW §101: IN epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §10: tongue gleaningsGWB §40: words kitab-i-iqanKIQ §75: mouth

القوّة

al-qúqh q-w-y → “might” Distinctive

literal: strength; power; strong

This form usually rendered as “power”, “strength”, “through” (31 occurrences)

power 32% strength 18% through 14% might 9% divine 5% strong 5% powers 5% sense 5% vitality 5% force 5%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §265: strength gleaningsGWB §63: to the things kitab-i-iqanKIQ §28: power and strength prayers-and-meditationsP&M §88: Most Powerful the-hidden-wordsHW §68: of might will-and-testamentW&T §10: the Mighty epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §221: endowed with a potency superior gleaningsGWB §246: and His might

القدرة

al-qdrh q-d-r → “power”

literal: power; powerful

power 23% ordained 18% ordain 17% hath 12% might 8% decreed 6% had 5% do 5% value 4% measure 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §111: through the might fire-tabletFire §48: Ordainer gleaningsGWB §684: to the kitab-i-ahdAhd §9: consummate power kitab-i-iqanKIQ §85: Little perception prayers-and-meditationsP&M §358: Thou hast tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §8: are not tablet-of-carmelCarmel §5: the Mighty, the All-Powerful

مزيّنا

mzízná z-y-n

literal: adorned; adornment; adorn

SE rendered المقام (al-mqám), جعله (jʿlh), اللّه (al-lh), مزيّنا (mzízná), بقدوم (bqdúm), اسمه (ismh), الاعظم (al-áʿẓm), نبأه (nbʾah) as “Spot, hath adorned, God, with the footsteps, of His, Most Great, Mighty Announcement”

adorned 75% adorn 25%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §162: beseemeth kitab-i-iqanKIQ §218: re-adorned epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §125: adorned kitab-i-iqanKIQ §149: grace epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §54: adorn kitab-i-iqanKIQ §23: Seize the time kitab-i-iqanKIQ §107: among

بقدوم

bqdúm q-d-m → “with the footsteps”

literal: step

SE expanded to “with the footsteps”

footsteps 75% presence 25%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §127: supersede fire-tabletFire §1: the Most Ancient gleaningsGWB §40: everlasting kitab-i-iqanKIQ §148: Days prayers-and-meditationsP&M §199: unfading tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: by His presence the-hidden-wordsHW §81: the next will-and-testamentW&T §8: submitted

اسمه

ismh s-m-w → “f his m” Distinctive

literal: name; names

This form usually rendered as “name”, “most”, “names” (134 occurrences)

SE expanded to “f His M”

name 79% most 5% names 4% any 2% title 2% fame 2% great 1% named 1% one 1% person 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §244: in his name fire-tabletFire §36: heavenly gleaningsGWB §719: hath kitab-i-iqanKIQ §75: heaven;”prayers-and-meditationsP&M §250: in heaven tablet-of-carmelCarmel §4: Names.’tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §12: my Lord the-hidden-wordsHW §121: call

الاعظم

al-áʿẓm ʿ-ẓ-m → “most great”

literal: greatest; great; greatness

most 61% greater 10% greatest 6% great 5% more 5% supreme 4% mightier 4% transcendeth 2% potency 2% mightiest 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §169: great a bounty gleaningsGWB §600: most sublime kitab-i-iqanKIQ §224: Testimony prayers-and-meditationsP&M §250: the greatness of Thy glory the-hidden-wordsHW §42: Magnify will-and-testamentW&T §7: Crown epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §143: majesty gleaningsGWB §494: Most Great Prison

نبأه

nbʾah n-b-ʾ → “prophets” Distinctive

literal: prophet; prophets

This form usually rendered as “mighty” (1 occurrences)

prophets 71% prophet 10% informeth 2% mighty 2% every 2% instruction 2% provide 2% unto 2% prophet’s 2% apostle 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §247: Prophet gleaningsGWB §453: the Apostle kitab-i-iqanKIQ §172: the Prophets”prayers-and-meditationsP&M §77: of Thy Prophets epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §105: informeth gleaningsGWB §278: instruction given kitab-i-iqanKIQ §162: Prophethood epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §222: Mighty Announcement

Model Translations by Shoghi Effendi

Fire Tablet cover

Fire Tablet

Bahá’u’lláh

Revealed in late 1871 during a period of severe hardship in ‘Akká, this Tablet takes the form of an anguished dialogue between Bahá’u’lláh and God. Questions about the sufferings of the faithful are answered with divine assurances, building to a crescendo of triumph over tribulation.

50 ¶

Gleanings cover

Gleanings

Bahá’u’lláh

A compilation of 166 selections from Bahá’u’lláh’s Tablets, spanning the Baghdad, Adrianople, and ‘Akká periods (1853–1892). George Townshend assisted with English refinement. Shoghi Effendi wrote that it gives the friends a splendid opportunity to acquire knowledge and understanding of the Faith.

729 ¶

Kitáb-i-'Ahd cover

Kitáb-i-’Ahd

Bahá’u’lláh

The Book of the Covenant — Bahá’u’lláh’s Will and Testament, written entirely in His own hand and unsealed on the ninth day after His ascension. It designates ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as His successor and establishes what Shoghi Effendi called the mightiest Covenant in all religious history.

16 ¶

Kitáb-i-Íqán cover

Kitáb-i-Íqán

Bahá’u’lláh

The principal doctrinal work of the Faith, revealed in Baghdad within the space of two days and two nights in response to questions from the Báb’s maternal uncle. Shoghi Effendi described it as occupying a position unequalled by any work except the Kitáb-i-Aqdas — a model of Persian prose, at once original, chaste, vigorous, and remarkably lucid.

291 ¶

Prayers and Meditations cover

Prayers and Meditations

Bahá’u’lláh

Published in 1938, this companion volume to Gleanings contains 184 prayers and meditations selected by Shoghi Effendi from Bahá’u’lláh’s devotional writings revealed across successive exiles from Baghdad to ‘Akká. Shoghi Effendi described it as a volume whose perusal would deepen the spirit of devotion and faith.

858 ¶

Tablet of Aḥmad cover

Tablet of Aḥmad

Bahá’u’lláh

Revealed in Adrianople and addressed to a believer named Aḥmad, this Tablet has been invested by Bahá’u’lláh with a special potency and significance. Its central imagery draws on the metaphor of fire and water: “Be thou as a flame of fire to My enemies and a river of life eternal to My loved ones.”

17 ¶

Tablet of Carmel cover

Tablet of Carmel

Bahá’u’lláh

Revealed during a visit to Mount Carmel, this Tablet addresses the mountain directly and prophesies its future as the world spiritual and administrative center of the Faith. Shoghi Effendi designated it one of three foundational Charters. Its imagery of the Ark and the dwellers therein prefigures the Universal House of Justice.

5 ¶

Tablet of the Holy Mariner cover

Tablet of the Holy Mariner

Bahá’u’lláh

Chanted aloud in the outskirts of Baghdad just weeks before the Declaration in the Garden of Riḍván, its gloomy prognostications aroused the grave apprehensions of all who heard it. Only the Arabic portion has an authorized translation; the Persian portion remains untranslated.

57 ¶

The Hidden Words cover

The Hidden Words

Bahá’u’lláh

Seventy-one Arabic and eighty-two Persian aphorisms revealed around 1858 while walking along the banks of the Tigris in Baghdad. Originally designated the “Hidden Book of Fáṭimih,” Shoghi Effendi described it as a marvelous collection of gem-like utterances occupying a position of unsurpassed preeminence among the ethical writings of the Faith.

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Will and Testament cover

Will and Testament

‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Written by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in three parts between 1901 and 1908, opened and read after His passing on 28 November 1921. Shoghi Effendi designated it the Charter of the New World Order — the mightiest instrument forged to ensure the continuity of the three ages of the Bahá’í Dispensation.

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