Gleanings — §231

Arabic source with Shoghi Effendi’s authorized English translation. Paragraph 231 of 729.

Source (Arabic)

یا أرض الطّآء یذکرك مولی الأسمآء في مقامه المحمود قد کنت مشرق أمر الله ومطلع الوحي ومظهر الاسم الأعظم الّذي به اضطربت الأفئدة والقلوب کم من مظلوم استشهد فیك في سبیل الله وکم من مظلومةٍ دُفنت فیك بظلم ناح به عباد مکرمون ...

Shoghi Effendi Translation

O Land of Ṭá! He Who is the Lord of Names remembereth thee in His glorious station. Thou wert the Dayspring of the Cause of God, the fountain of His Revelation, the manifestation of His Most Great Name — a Name that hath caused the hearts and souls of men to tremble. How vast the number of those men and women, those victims of tyranny, that have, within thy walls, laid down their lives in the path of God, and been buried beneath thy dust with such cruelty as to cause every honored servant of God to bemoan their plight.

Translation Notes

أرض

ʾarḍ ʾ-r-ḍ → “land”

literal: earth; land; earth, land

earth 65% land 13% world 9% all 4% soil 2% whole 2% amongst 2% mankind 1% realm 1% city 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §112: city fire-tabletFire §36: a desolate land gleaningsGWB §584: men kitab-i-iqanKIQ §55: places of the earth prayers-and-meditationsP&M §122: on Thy earth tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §43: the lands the-hidden-wordsHW §95: within it epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §103: of earth

یذکرك

ydhkrk dh-k-r → “remembrance” Distinctive

literal: remembrance

This form usually rendered as “can”, “may”, “remembereth” (11 occurrences)

can 18% may 9% remembereth 9% doth 9% calleth 9% glorified 9% praiseth 9% remember 9% adequately 9% attempt 9%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §140: have described gleaningsGWB §574: bring them to kitab-i-ahdAhd §3: mentioning kitab-i-iqanKIQ §267: will cite prayers-and-meditationsP&M §468: mention Thee tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §6: utter His call tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §15: all mention the-hidden-wordsHW §67: as they make mention of Me

الأسمآء

as-smáʾ s-m-w → “names”

literal: name; names

names 66% all 26% name 2% every 2% titles 1% goodly 1% names.’ 1% divine 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §168: named fire-tabletFire §36: heavenly gleaningsGWB §120: Will kitab-i-iqanKIQ §169: in name prayers-and-meditationsP&M §171: every other name tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §11: My sake tablet-of-carmelCarmel §4: Names.’tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §12: divine attributes

المحمود

al-mḥmúd ḥ-m-d → “glorious”

literal: praise; praised; praiseworthy

glorious 24% all-praised 12% glorified 12% most 12% praiseworthy 12% praised 6% all-praised.” 6% august 6% “praiseworthy 6% act 6%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §159: Praised be gleaningsGWB §162: Praise be to Thee kitab-i-iqanKIQ §149: His praise”prayers-and-meditationsP&M §26: let Thee be praised tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: ‘Render thanks will-and-testamentW&T §40: the Lord be praised epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §245: God be praised gleaningsGWB §219: All praise

مشرق

mshrq sh-r-q → “dayspring”

literal: shining; east; shine

dayspring 37% dawning-place 17% shining 13% shineth 10% east 8% who 4% resplendent 3% source 3% shone 2% rays 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §130: the dawn fire-tabletFire §41: Thy dawning gleaningsGWB §682: the brightness kitab-i-iqanKIQ §151: who proceed from prayers-and-meditationsP&M §712: have shone tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §41: beamed the-hidden-wordsHW §63: it may shine will-and-testamentW&T §4: of the world

أمر

ʾamr ʾ-m-r → “cause”

literal: command; matter; cause

cause 57% revelation 17% faith 6% command 3% behest 3% divine 3% bidding 3% decree 3% ordainer 2% bidden 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §8: of Thy Cause fire-tabletFire §17: Command gleaningsGWB §588: destiny kitab-i-ahdAhd §11: decreed kitab-i-iqanKIQ §51: God prayers-and-meditationsP&M §468: and which Thou didst command me tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §4: to Whose commands the-hidden-wordsHW §43: of My cause

ومطلع

wmṭlʿ ṭ-l-ʿ → “fountain” Distinctive

literal: dawning-place

This form usually rendered as “dayspring”, “dawning-place”, “source” (125 occurrences)

dayspring 42% dawning-place 20% source 10% who 10% manifestation 6% revealer 5% fountain 3% apprehend 2% fountainhead 2% fountain-head 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §198: one fire-tabletFire §24: exponents gleaningsGWB §537: of them that have apprehended the truth kitab-i-ahdAhd §8: sources kitab-i-iqanKIQ §61: comprehend prayers-and-meditationsP&M §181: Him Who is the Revealer tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §37: may understand the-hidden-wordsHW §25: before the countenance

الوحي

al-wḥí w-ḥ-y → “revelation”

literal: revelation; revelation/inspiration; revelation, inspiration

revelation 92% divine 8%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §171: shall be revealed gleaningsGWB §656: of Thy Revelation kitab-i-iqanKIQ §123: the Voice of Inspiration prayers-and-meditationsP&M §360: inspiration epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §171: is revealed gleaningsGWB §583: Divine inspiration prayers-and-meditationsP&M §333: of Thy epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §92: of Revelation

ومظهر

wmẓhr ẓ-h-r → “manifestation”

literal: manifestation; manifest

manifestation 58% revealer 16% who 12% manifest 3% dayspring 2% manifested 2% manifestations 2% revealest 1% focused 1% symbol 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §205: uttered fire-tabletFire §8: the signs gleaningsGWB §107: claimed for themselves kitab-i-ahdAhd §3: streamed forth kitab-i-iqanKIQ §28: its manifestations prayers-and-meditationsP&M §856: in all the glory tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §8: to assist the-hidden-wordsHW §157: give forth

الأعظم

al-ʾaʿẓm ʿ-ẓ-m → “most great”

literal: greatest; great; greatness

most 70% greater 8% supreme 5% greatest 4% more 4% mightier 3% how 2% transcendeth 2% mightiest 2% sovereign 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §88: the Most Great Prison gleaningsGWB §239: superior to you in rank kitab-i-ahdAhd §7: categorically kitab-i-iqanKIQ §110: comparative potency prayers-and-meditationsP&M §107: before the greatness of Thy majesty the-hidden-wordsHW §21: plenteous will-and-testamentW&T §38: very great epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §19: sublime

اضطربت

iḍṭrbt ḍ-r-b → “tremble”

literal: disturbed; be disturbed; agitation

tremble 18% have 18% trembling 9% hath 9% feared 9% shook 9% foundations 9% troubled 9% perturbed 9%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §248: tremble gleaningsGWB §567: feared and trembled kitab-i-iqanKIQ §267: troubled prayers-and-meditationsP&M §550: hath fallen upon tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §9: rain blows upon thee tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §57: smote the-hidden-wordsHW §15: dost thou dread will-and-testamentW&T §53: sunk into

الأفئدة

al-ʾafʾdh f-ʾ-d → “hearts”

literal: heart; hearts; heart/mind

hearts 46% souls 18% heart 15% minds 8% men’s 4% human 3% men’s 1% true 1% quickened 1% into 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §197: men’s hearts gleaningsGWB §537: the minds kitab-i-iqanKIQ §178: of the human mind prayers-and-meditationsP&M §430: soul the-hidden-wordsHW §60: Thy heart will-and-testamentW&T §48: They have epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §101: in the hearts of men gleaningsGWB §174: men’s hearts

والقلوب

wálqlúb q-l-b → “souls”

literal: heart; hearts

hearts 78% souls 5% heart 4% men’s 2% all 2% men’s 2% breasts 2% whole 2% human 2% “hearts 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §33: troublous gleaningsGWB §363: awaiteth kitab-i-iqanKIQ §128: of the spirit prayers-and-meditationsP&M §668: hast turned tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §13: and their own hearts the-hidden-wordsHW §67: nor hearts will-and-testamentW&T §23: sincere epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §66: transformed

کم

km k-m → “how vast the number of”

literal: how many; how-many

SE expanded to “How vast the number of”

how 67% variation 17% loss 17%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §8: How often gleaningsGWB §147: loss epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §7: How many gleaningsGWB §144: variation in the intensity epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §7: how numerous

مظلوم

mẓlúm ẓ-l-m → “victims of tyranny” Distinctive

literal: wronged

This form usually rendered as “wronged”, “whom”, “oppressed” (173 occurrences)

SE expanded to “victims of tyranny”

wronged 89% whom 3% oppressed 2% victim 1% one 1% downtrodden 1% who 1% men 1% sore 1% sorely 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §33: others similarly wronged fire-tabletFire §2: the darkness gleaningsGWB §453: Your iniquity kitab-i-iqanKIQ §135: tyranny!”prayers-and-meditationsP&M §331: eclipsed the-hidden-wordsHW §144: gloom will-and-testamentW&T §5: deeds epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §7: My sore injustice

استشهد

istshhd sh-h-d → “testify” Distinctive

literal: witness; observation; witnessed

This form usually rendered as “laid”, “have”, “seek” (3 occurrences)

laid 33% have 33% seek 33%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §67: beareth witness unto fire-tabletFire §48: the place gleaningsGWB §297: realized kitab-i-ahdAhd §3: appeareth kitab-i-iqanKIQ §208: fact prayers-and-meditationsP&M §24: the pleasant tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §12: have We found them the-hidden-wordsHW §45: thou mayest testify

سبیل

sbíl s-b-l → “path”

literal: path; way; path/way

path 68% way 12% sake 11% ways 2% straight 1% road 1% means 1% cause 1% door 1% path!” 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §258: a road leading gleaningsGWB §659: for My sake kitab-i-iqanKIQ §259: Thy sake prayers-and-meditationsP&M §248: for Thy sake tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §11: in My path the-hidden-wordsHW §46: My path will-and-testamentW&T §3: in this path epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §100: the path

دُفنت

dufnt d-f-n → “buried”

literal: burial; buried

buried 40% bury 40% lie 20%

gleaningsGWB §231: buried kitab-i-iqanKIQ §71: buried it kitab-i-iqanKIQ §128: lie buried kitab-i-iqanKIQ §126: bury

ناح

náḥ n-w-ḥ → “groan”

literal: lament; lamentation; lamented

lament 33% groan 17% lamented 17% wept 11% groaned 6% hath 6% bemoan 6% have 6%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §114: to groan aloud fire-tabletFire §47: wailing gleaningsGWB §217: bewaileth kitab-i-iqanKIQ §7: prayerfully exhorted prayers-and-meditationsP&M §211: have wept will-and-testamentW&T §5: lamenting epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §127: lament fire-tabletFire §47: shall I wail

عباد

ʿbád ʿ-b-d → “servant”

literal: servants; servant; servant/slave

servants 35% men 28% people 19% unto 3% peoples 3% man 3% all 3% who 2% mankind 2% others 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §165: passers-by fire-tabletFire §49: Adored gleaningsGWB §484: every kitab-i-iqanKIQ §167: the same prayers-and-meditationsP&M §601: This servant of Thine tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §15: a service will-and-testamentW&T §5: ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §29: of the servants of God

مکرمون

mkrmún k-r-m → “most” Distinctive

literal: generous; generosity; bounty

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

most 28% bounty 27% all-bountiful 13% generosity 11% favor 5% bountiful 5% generous 3% grace 3% glory 2% thou 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §5: Thy bounty fire-tabletFire §4: bestowal gleaningsGWB §234: and goodness kitab-i-ahdAhd §11: All-Powerful kitab-i-iqanKIQ §66: exalted prayers-and-meditationsP&M §344: bountiful favor tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §2: the Generous One the-hidden-wordsHW §126: To give

Model Translations by Shoghi Effendi

Epistle to the Son of the Wolf cover

Epistle to the Son of the Wolf

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The last outstanding Tablet revealed by Bahá’u’lláh, written around 1891 and addressed to Shaykh Muḥammad-Taqí of Iṣfahán. It calls upon that rapacious priest to repent, quotes the most celebrated passages from Bahá’u’lláh’s own writings, and adduces proofs establishing the validity of His Cause.

268 ¶

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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 ¶

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 ¶

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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.

160 ¶

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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.

59 ¶