Gleanings — §306

Arabic source with Shoghi Effendi’s authorized English translation. Paragraph 306 of 729.

Source (Arabic)

وأمّا ما سألت، بنی نوع انسانی بعد از موت ظاهری غیر از انبیا و اولیا آیا همین تعیّن و تشخّص و ادراک و شعوری که قبل از موت در او موجود است بعد از موت هم باقی است یا زائل میشود و بر فرض بقا چگونه است که در حال حیات فی‌الجمله صدمه که بمشاعر انسانی وارد میشود از قبیل بیهوشی و مرض شدید شعور و ادراک از او زایل میشود و موت که انعدام ترکیب و عناصر است چگونه میشود که بعد او تشخّص و شعوری متصوّر شود با آنکه آلات بتمامها از هم پاشیده انتهی

Shoghi Effendi Translation

Thou hast asked Me whether man, as apart from the Prophets of God and His chosen ones, will retain, after his physical death, the self-same individuality, personality, consciousness, and understanding that characterize his life in this world. If this should be the case, how is it, thou hast observed, that whereas such slight injuries to his mental faculties as fainting and severe illness deprive him of his understanding and consciousness, his death, which must involve the decomposition of his body and the dissolution of its elements, is powerless to destroy that understanding and extinguish that consciousness? How can anyone imagine that man’s consciousness and personality will be maintained, when the very instruments necessary to their existence and function will have completely disintegrated?

Translation Notes

سألت،

sʾalt، s-ʾ-l

literal: question

SE rendered وأمّا (wʾammá), سألت، (sʾalt،), بنی (bní), نوع (núʿ), انسانی (insání), از (iz), موت (mút) as “Thou hast asked, man, as apart from, man, death”

question 75% thou 25%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §234: asking gleaningsGWB §260: ‘Ask kitab-i-iqanKIQ §133: ponder prayers-and-meditationsP&M §705: seek epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §61: We entreat gleaningsGWB §214: implore kitab-i-iqanKIQ §192: wisdom prayers-and-meditationsP&M §317: beseech Thee

بنی

bní b-n-y → “son”

literal: son; sons

son 40% man 20% baní 20% people 20%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §136: Our sons gleaningsGWB §222: structures kitab-i-iqanKIQ §68: the people of prayers-and-meditationsP&M §602: their children the-hidden-wordsHW §151: CHILDREN will-and-testamentW&T §1: His Divine Edifice epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §194: foundations gleaningsGWB §272: mine own son

نوع

núʿ n-w-ʿ

literal: kind, type; kinds, types; manner

SE rendered وأمّا (wʾammá), سألت، (sʾalt،), بنی (bní), نوع (núʿ), انسانی (insání), از (iz), موت (mút), ظاهری (ẓáhrí) as “Thou hast asked, man, as apart from, man, death, physical”

such 67% mankind 33%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §183: divers kitab-i-iqanKIQ §133: such form will-and-testamentW&T §25: mankind kitab-i-iqanKIQ §129: such will-and-testamentW&T §19: such wise

انسانی

insání ʾ-n-s → “man”

literal: human; man

man 46% human 31% characteristics 8% mankind 8% true 8%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §150: the comforters gleaningsGWB §324: of man kitab-i-iqanKIQ §214: his fellow-man prayers-and-meditationsP&M §335: delight the-hidden-wordsHW §82: communion will-and-testamentW&T §42: plotted epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §134: been My companion gleaningsGWB §358: men

موت

mút m-w-t → “death”

literal: death

death 85% physical 4% man’s 4% “death 4% “death” 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §7: him who is as one dead gleaningsGWB §588: to perish kitab-i-iqanKIQ §120: “death,”prayers-and-meditationsP&M §225: or after death tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §53: gave up the spirit the-hidden-wordsHW §84: lifeless epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §13: as one dead gleaningsGWB §587: expired

ظاهری

ẓáhrí ẓ-h-r → “physical” Distinctive

literal: manifestation; manifest

This form usually rendered as “earthly”, “outer”, “visible” (30 occurrences)

earthly 20% outer 20% visible 15% physical 10% material 10% “outwardly 5% mortal 5% human 5% temporal 5% literal 5%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §150: Raise up fire-tabletFire §38: prevail gleaningsGWB §188: been made manifest kitab-i-ahdAhd §8: daysprings kitab-i-iqanKIQ §90: claim prayers-and-meditationsP&M §332: where is he to be found tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §8: to assist the-hidden-wordsHW §158: yield

غیر

ghír gh-y-r

literal: other; other than

SE rendered انسانی (insání), از (iz), موت (mút), ظاهری (ẓáhrí), غیر (ghír), از (iz), انبیا (inbíá), اولیا (iwlíá), آیا (áyá), همین (hmín), تعیّن (tʿíʿn) as “man, death, physical, the Prophets of God, His chosen ones, the self-same, individuality”

others 19% other 19% without 10% all 10% except 10% unseemly 9% another 7% different 5% any 5% infinite 5%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §75: all else except Thyself fire-tabletFire §21: perverted gleaningsGWB §630: all else but Thee kitab-i-ahdAhd §2: changeth kitab-i-iqanKIQ §109: Human prayers-and-meditationsP&M §499: any coequal with Thee the-hidden-wordsHW §146: naught but will-and-testamentW&T §44: insincere

انبیا

inbíá n-b-ʾ → “prophets of god”

literal: prophet; prophets

SE expanded to “Prophets of God”

prophets 64% prophet 13% announcement 7% informeth 3% great 3% apostle 3% prophet’s 3% tidings 1% instruction 1% prophethood 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §105: informeth gleaningsGWB §312: Prophets of God kitab-i-iqanKIQ §5: behaviour of the Prophets prayers-and-meditationsP&M §147: of Thy Prophets epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §205: Great Announcement gleaningsGWB §75: the Great Announcement kitab-i-iqanKIQ §18: the Prophets of old prayers-and-meditationsP&M §301: Thy Prophets

اولیا

iwlíá w-l-y → “his chosen ones”

literal: friend; guardian; lord

SE expanded to “His chosen ones”

ye 17% men 17% chosen 17% loved 11% endowed 11% outrivalled 6% who 6% hands 6% rulers 6% discerning 6%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §161: loved ones gleaningsGWB §91: discerning kitab-i-iqanKIQ §245: to which they turn prayers-and-meditationsP&M §3: for Thy loved ones the-hidden-wordsHW §157: men will-and-testamentW&T §16: Guardian epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §226: a Viceregent gleaningsGWB §435: leaders

تعیّن

tʿíʿn ʿ-y-n → “eyes” Distinctive

literal: eye; eyes

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

eyes 37% eye 28% mine 12% own 6% spring 5% springs 3% shed 3% well-spring 3% appoint 3% appointed 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §33: consigned gleaningsGWB §119: elements kitab-i-iqanKIQ §279: From Our eyes prayers-and-meditationsP&M §420: and mine eyes tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §12: with their own eyes tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: those tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §57: tears the-hidden-wordsHW §58: with Mine eye

تشخّص

tshkhkhṣ sh-kh-ṣ → “personality”

literal: person; personality/identity; persons

personality 67% when 33%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §111: man gleaningsGWB §550: true kitab-i-iqanKIQ §207: his person will-and-testamentW&T §17: him gleaningsGWB §306: personality kitab-i-iqanKIQ §236: he that will-and-testamentW&T §42: man (Muḥammad-‘Alí)gleaningsGWB §389: body

ادراک

idrák d-r-k → “understanding”

literal: comprehension; perception; perceive

comprehend 25% understanding 22% apprehend 16% grasp 9% comprehension 8% recognize 5% understood 5% perceive 4% fathom 4% apprehending 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §158: will it fade away gleaningsGWB §37: she herself hath conceived kitab-i-iqanKIQ §129: understood prayers-and-meditationsP&M §584: attempteth to comprehend epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §251: attain gleaningsGWB §287: appreciate kitab-i-iqanKIQ §94: testify prayers-and-meditationsP&M §744: to fathom

شعوری

shʿúrí sh-ʿ-r → “consciousness”

literal: hair; indicating; perceive

hair 19% understand 12% consciousness 12% indicative 12% expressive 8% poet 8% revealed 8% perceive 8% failed 8% observe 8%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §89: hair gleaningsGWB §306: mental faculties kitab-i-iqanKIQ §234: for a crazed poet prayers-and-meditationsP&M §763: by Thy hair will-and-testamentW&T §5: a hair’s epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §165: indicating gleaningsGWB §39: revealed kitab-i-iqanKIQ §281: that attest

موجود

mújúd w-j-d

literal: existence; existent

SE rendered شعوری (shʿúrí), از (iz), موت (mút), موجود (mújúd) as “consciousness”

exist 21% extant 14% found 14% evident 7% witnessed 7% existing 7% standeth 7% possession 7% there 7% embodied 7%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §252: Thou, however, art still alive fire-tabletFire §49: thou canst breathe gleaningsGWB §257: life kitab-i-iqanKIQ §135: Yet,prayers-and-meditationsP&M §796: that they may inhale tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §36: Shouldst thou inhale the-hidden-wordsHW §15: thou mayest find Me will-and-testamentW&T §6: extant

باقی

báqí b-q-y

literal: remaining; eternity

SE rendered موجود (mújúd), از (iz), موت (mút), باقی (báqí), زائل (záʾl), میشود (míshúd) as “”

everlasting 27% immortal 20% eternal 10% incorruptible 8% imperishable 8% endure 6% eternity 6% abiding 6% last 4% yet 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §2: Eternal fire-tabletFire §36: is lonely gleaningsGWB §470: shalt perish kitab-i-iqanKIQ §16: everlasting realm prayers-and-meditationsP&M §298: must endure tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §10: life eternal tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §8: deathless the-hidden-wordsHW §24: the eternal

زایل

záyl z-w-l → “everlasting” Distinctive

literal: cease; to cease; ceased

This form usually rendered as “eliminate”, “deprive”, “dispelled” (10 occurrences)

eliminate 14% deprive 14% dispelled 14% dissipated 14% vanished 14% fleeting 14% may 14%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §86: pass away gleaningsGWB §117: will everlastingly continue kitab-i-iqanKIQ §26: shall pass away prayers-and-meditationsP&M §254: will continue unto everlasting the-hidden-wordsHW §85: lasting will-and-testamentW&T §24: may vanish epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §58: eliminate gleaningsGWB §306: deprive him of

شدید

shdíd shdn → “have” Distinctive

literal: become; to become; became

This form usually rendered as “severe”, “ye”, “grievous” (6 occurrences)

severe 20% ye 20% grievous 20% stern 20% supreme 20%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §229: They will gleaningsGWB §421: ye have kitab-i-ahdAhd §14: will kitab-i-iqanKIQ §46: reared prayers-and-meditationsP&M §704: forth the-hidden-wordsHW §97: hast will-and-testamentW&T §43: will surely cause epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §78: now

فرض

frḍ f-r-ḍ

literal: obligation; assumption

SE rendered بر (br), فرض (frḍ), بقا (bqá), چگونه (chgúnh) as “how”

hath 20% assuming 20% imagined 20% obligation 20% commandment 20%

gleaningsGWB §409: hath been prescribed kitab-i-iqanKIQ §150: Assuming prayers-and-meditationsP&M §21: hast bidden tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §5: have been enjoined will-and-testamentW&T §22: binding kitab-i-iqanKIQ §270: ordinances prayers-and-meditationsP&M §174: hath enjoined will-and-testamentW&T §27: fixed

چگونه

chgúnh chgúnh → “how”

literal: how

how 83% behold 8% wherefore 8%

kitab-i-iqanKIQ §98: How could the-hidden-wordsHW §145: Wherefore kitab-i-iqanKIQ §120: how kitab-i-iqanKIQ §204: How can kitab-i-iqanKIQ §138: behold how

حال

ḥál ḥ-w-l

literal: now; state

SE rendered بر (br), فرض (frḍ), بقا (bqá), چگونه (chgúnh), حال (ḥál), حیات (ḥíát), فی‌الجمله (fí‌áljmlh), صدمه (ṣdmh), بمشاعر (bmsháʿr) as “how, such slight injuries, mental faculties”

now 63% present 6% therefore 5% consider 4% today 4% reflect 4% yet 4% state 3% behold 3% condition 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §202: At present gleaningsGWB §338: state and condition kitab-i-iqanKIQ §160: What prayers-and-meditationsP&M §570: distract tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §9: shall not waver tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §57: her state the-hidden-wordsHW §109: now that will-and-testamentW&T §52: at such a time

حیات

ḥíát ḥ-y-y

literal: life

SE rendered چگونه (chgúnh), حال (ḥál), حیات (ḥíát), فی‌الجمله (fí‌áljmlh), صدمه (ṣdmh), بمشاعر (bmsháʿr) as “how, such slight injuries, mental faculties”

life 73% lifetime 7% “life” 7% everlasting 2% serpents 2% regeneration 2% “life 2% quickened 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §251: Living fire-tabletFire §19: eternal life gleaningsGWB §55: to signalize the resurrection kitab-i-ahdAhd §16: the regeneration kitab-i-iqanKIQ §18: quicken prayers-and-meditationsP&M §101: that are life indeed tablet-of-carmelCarmel §2: for having quickened my soul will-and-testamentW&T §23: endued with life

فی‌الجمله

fí‌áljmlh j-m-l

literal: beauty; totality; beautiful

little 50% readily 50%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §112: among whom gleaningsGWB §47: Divine Countenance kitab-i-ahdAhd §14: Gracious kitab-i-iqanKIQ §6: brief prayers-and-meditationsP&M §796: and Thy beauty tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §55: upon whose countenances the-hidden-wordsHW §68: and by My beauty will-and-testamentW&T §38: of the Ancient Beauty

صدمه

ṣdmh ṣ-d-m → “injuries”

literal: affliction; blow; shock/injury

injuries 33% vicissitudes 33% afflictions 33%

gleaningsGWB §306: injuries will-and-testamentW&T §40: afflictions will-and-testamentW&T §3: vicissitudes

وارد

wárd w-r-d

literal: entering; came upon

SE rendered صدمه (ṣdmh), بمشاعر (bmsháʿr), انسانی (insání), وارد (wárd), میشود (míshúd), از (iz), قبیل (qbíl), بیهوشی (bíhúshí), مرض (mrḍ) as “such slight injuries, mental faculties, fainting, illness”

inflicted 25% befell 10% have 10% enter 10% hath 8% inflict 8% attain 8% came 6% entered 6% befallen 6%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §100: have befallen gleaningsGWB §127: hath attained kitab-i-iqanKIQ §98: the victims of prayers-and-meditationsP&M §272: what I have endured will-and-testamentW&T §49: in the midst of my woes epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §183: befalleth gleaningsGWB §311: that which it hath been made to endure kitab-i-iqanKIQ §99: abide within

قبیل

qbíl q-b-l

literal: before; acceptance; approach

SE rendered بمشاعر (bmsháʿr), انسانی (insání), وارد (wárd), میشود (míshúd), از (iz), قبیل (qbíl), بیهوشی (bíhúshí), مرض (mrḍ), شدید (shdíd), شعور (shʿúr), ادراک (idrák) as “mental faculties, fainting, illness, severe, consciousness, his understanding”

company 29% such 29% kindreds 14% sense 14% similar 14%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §156: ere fire-tabletFire §46: go forward gleaningsGWB §661: to fix mine heart on kitab-i-ahdAhd §15: time and again kitab-i-iqanKIQ §152: from the heaven of prayers-and-meditationsP&M §251: recognized Thee tablet-of-carmelCarmel §2: Thou hast fixed Thy gaze upon me tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §39: “And kiss

بیهوشی

bíhúshí h-sh-y → “fainting”

literal: unconsciousness/fainting

1 occurrence in corpus

gleaningsGWB §306: fainting

مرض

mrḍ m-r-ḍ → “sick”

literal: disease; sick; diseases

sickness 38% illness 13% malady 13% sick 13% disease 13% ills 13%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §153: grievous malady gleaningsGWB §527: disorders and maladies kitab-i-iqanKIQ §165: in a diseased condition prayers-and-meditationsP&M §845: the sick epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §105: grave disorders and maladies gleaningsGWB §438: diseased kitab-i-iqanKIQ §236: disease prayers-and-meditationsP&M §622: ailing

انعدام

inʿdám ʿ-d-m → “nothingness” Distinctive

literal: non-existence; non-existent; nonexistent

This form usually rendered as “decomposition”, “reversed”, “utter” (4 occurrences)

decomposition 33% reversed 33% utter 33%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §66: evanescent gleaningsGWB §344: absence kitab-i-iqanKIQ §174: non-existent prayers-and-meditationsP&M §407: may be entirely mortified will-and-testamentW&T §5: towards destruction epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §13: The evanescent gleaningsGWB §324: destroyed kitab-i-iqanKIQ §130: lack of

ترکیب

trkíb r-k-b

literal: commit; commit, perpetrate; to commit

SE rendered زایل (záyl), میشود (míshúd), موت (mút), انعدام (inʿdám), ترکیب (trkíb), عناصر (ʿnáṣr), چگونه (chgúnh) as “deprive him of, his death, decomposition, its elements, How”