Gleanings — §586

Arabic source with Shoghi Effendi’s authorized English translation. Paragraph 586 of 729.

Source (Arabic)

قل يا قوم هذه لصحيفة المختومة المحتومة الّتي كانت مرقومة من إصبع القدس و‌مستورة خلف حجب الغيب و‌قد نزّلت بالفضل من لدن مقتدر قديم و‌فيها قدّرنا مقادير أهل السّموات و‌الأرض و‌علم الأوّلين و‌الآخرين لن يعزب عن علمه شيء و‌لن يعجزه أمر عمّا خلق و‌يخلق إنّ أنتم من العارفين

Shoghi Effendi Translation

Say: This is the sealed and mystic Scroll, the repository of God’s irrevocable Decree, bearing the words which the Finger of Holiness hath traced, that lay wrapt within the veil of impenetrable mystery, and hath now been sent down as a token of the grace of Him Who is the Almighty, the Ancient of Days. In it have We decreed the destinies of all the dwellers of the earth and the denizens of heaven, and written down the knowledge of all things from first to last. Nothing whatsoever can escape or frustrate Him, whether created in the past or to be created in the future, could ye but perceive it.

Translation Notes

قل

ql q-w-l → “say”

literal: say; saying

say 86% say: 4% “say 2% “say 2% tell 1% \‘say 1% know 1% exclaim 1% testify 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §112: the things which He said gleaningsGWB §322: theories kitab-i-ahdAhd §14: speaketh kitab-i-iqanKIQ §145: say to prayers-and-meditationsP&M §106: hast said tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: We made reply tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §31: And thus proclaimed the-hidden-wordsHW §79: idly

قوم

qúm q-w-m → “is”

literal: people

SE rendered قل (ql), قوم (qúm), لصحيفة (lṣḥífh), المختومة (al-mkhtúmh), المحتومة (al-mḥtúmh) as “Say, is, the sealed and mystic Scroll, irrevocable Decree”

people 91% men 3% others 2% sent 1% people!” 1% unto 1% amongst 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §230: confront fire-tabletFire §48: He hath risen up gleaningsGWB §500: how kitab-i-ahdAhd §13: your station kitab-i-iqanKIQ §66: true prayers-and-meditationsP&M §238: Thine all-compelling authority tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §9: so steadfast tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §44: rose

لصحيفة

lṣḥífh ṣ-ḥ-f → “sealed and mystic scroll”

literal: book

SE expanded to “sealed and mystic Scroll”

book 43% scroll 29% “book 14% companion 14%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §255: scriptures gleaningsGWB §583: bearing aloft a chalice kitab-i-iqanKIQ §185: holy books prayers-and-meditationsP&M §228: in His Scriptures epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §54: Book gleaningsGWB §347: Sacred Scriptures kitab-i-iqanKIQ §125: chronicles prayers-and-meditationsP&M §845: and a scroll

المختومة

al-mkhtúmh kh-t-m

literal: seal; sealed

SE rendered قل (ql), قوم (qúm), لصحيفة (lṣḥífh), المختومة (al-mkhtúmh), المحتومة (al-mḥtúmh), مرقومة (mrqúmh) as “Say, is, the sealed and mystic Scroll, irrevocable Decree, bearing the words”

sealed 77% seal 8% sealed-up 8% closed 8%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §226: as a ring gleaningsGWB §686: unsealed kitab-i-iqanKIQ §237: hath sealed up prayers-and-meditationsP&M §568: Set, then, the seal the-hidden-wordsHW §141: with My seal will-and-testamentW&T §10: my end epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §169: Seal gleaningsGWB §65: He concludeth

المحتومة

al-mḥtúmh ḥ-t-m → “irrevocable decree”

literal: decreed; certain; decreed, inevitable

irrevocable 67% repository 17% irrevocably 17%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §223: most irrevocable gleaningsGWB §264: irrevocable the-hidden-wordsHW §141: irrevocably decreed gleaningsGWB §586: the repository of God’s irrevocable Decree gleaningsGWB §689: is incumbent

مرقومة

mrqúmh r-q-m → “hath” Distinctive

literal: written; inscribe; inscribed

This form usually rendered as “written”, “recorded”, “what” (14 occurrences)

written 31% recorded 15% what 8% set 8% inscribed 8% wrote 8% bearing 8% writings 8% writ 8%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §165: what had been written down gleaningsGWB §689: in his writings prayers-and-meditationsP&M §224: hath written will-and-testamentW&T §52: written epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §58: written down gleaningsGWB §56: hath imprinted prayers-and-meditationsP&M §308: hath distinctly written will-and-testamentW&T §9: written by

إصبع

ʾiṣbʿ ṣ-b-ʿ → “finger”

literal: finger; fingers; by finger

finger 42% fingers 33% directing 8% whose 8% pen 8%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §244: finger fire-tabletFire §14: fingers gleaningsGWB §695: with the fingers prayers-and-meditationsP&M §790: Whose finger the-hidden-wordsHW §129: pen gleaningsGWB §193: His directing Finger prayers-and-meditationsP&M §438: the fingers gleaningsGWB §415: the finger

القدس

al-qds q-d-s

literal: holiness; holy; sanctified

SE rendered مرقومة (mrqúmh), إصبع (ʾiṣbʿ), القدس (al-qds), و‌مستورة (w‌mstúrh), خلف (khlf), حجب (ḥjb), الغيب (al-ghíb), و‌قد (w‌qd) as “bearing the words, Finger, within, veil, impenetrable mystery, and hath now been sent”

holiness 40% holy 35% most 6% sacred 4% hallowed 4% sanctified 4% eternal 1% god’s 1% sanctify 1% divine 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §5: the sanctity gleaningsGWB §598: be pure kitab-i-iqanKIQ §155: of eternal holiness prayers-and-meditationsP&M §760: the Most Holy tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §15: hath exalted the-hidden-wordsHW §151: purging will-and-testamentW&T §18: detachment from all worldly things epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §172: exalted above

و‌مستورة

w‌mstúrh s-t-r

literal: hidden; concealed; veil

hidden 42% lie 14% concealed 14% latent 7% yet 5% enshrined 5% lay 5% veiled 5% whatsoever 2% hide 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §216: conceal fire-tabletFire §45: Concealer of the sins gleaningsGWB §357: shine in kitab-i-ahdAhd §9: lieth concealed kitab-i-iqanKIQ §102: veiled prayers-and-meditationsP&M §797: I have refused to uncover the-hidden-wordsHW §128: meaning epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §7: seek to smother up its flame

خلف

khlf kh-l-f → “within”

literal: behind

behind 53% within 16% beyond 11% beneath 11% obscured 5% there 5%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §11: divers gleaningsGWB §349: the disturbances kitab-i-iqanKIQ §198: the divergent prayers-and-meditationsP&M §776: divided will-and-testamentW&T §58: turneth unto epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §245: contrary to gleaningsGWB §440: the sowers of dissension amongst you kitab-i-iqanKIQ §193: divergences

الغيب

al-ghíb gh-y-b → “invisible”

literal: unseen; unseen/hidden; invisible

invisible 53% unseen 28% unknowable 5% concealment 3% hidden 3% seen 3% secrets 1% things 1% whom 1% impenetrable 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §159: hath been obscured gleaningsGWB §586: impenetrable mystery kitab-i-iqanKIQ §109: of the Invisibles prayers-and-meditationsP&M §328: Thine invisible Self tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §9: while I am absent the-hidden-wordsHW §143: with detraction epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §168: Unseen, the Unknowable gleaningsGWB §11: of things unseen

نزّلت

nzzlt n-z-l

literal: descending; descend

SE rendered خلف (khlf), حجب (ḥjb), الغيب (al-ghíb), و‌قد (w‌qd), نزّلت (nzzlt), بالفضل (bálfḍl), لدن (ldn), مقتدر (mqtdr), قديم (qdím) as “within, veil, impenetrable mystery, and hath now been sent, grace, Him, Almighty, Ancient of Days”

sent 44% have 15% hath 7% descended 7% didst 7% rain 4% revealed 4% remained 4% thou 4% written 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §245: negligible gleaningsGWB §113: their messages kitab-i-ahdAhd §10: that which We have revealed kitab-i-iqanKIQ §79: “come prayers-and-meditationsP&M §751: hast sent down tablet-of-carmelCarmel §1: Haste thee tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §42: then descended the-hidden-wordsHW §60: for My descent

بالفضل

bálfḍl f-ḍ-l → “grace”

literal: grace; grace/favor; grace, favor

grace 48% bounty 12% through 10% mercy 10% token 6% gracious 4% virtue 4% whose 4% great 2% munificent 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §55: mercy gleaningsGWB §586: as a token of the grace kitab-i-ahdAhd §11: Gracious kitab-i-iqanKIQ §118: God’s holy grace prayers-and-meditationsP&M §252: by Thy mercy tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §15: a bounty the-hidden-wordsHW §1: as a token of grace will-and-testamentW&T §12: All-Bountiful

لدن

ldn l-d-n → “divine” Distinctive

literal: presence; divine

This form usually rendered as “who”, “part”, “bidden” (46 occurrences)

who 35% part 12% bidden 12% decreed 6% one 6% born 6% name 6% inherently 6% consequences 6% unto 6%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §103: the gleaningsGWB §259: inherently possess kitab-i-iqanKIQ §264: divine prayers-and-meditationsP&M §807: unto Thee by tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §15: from Our presence the-hidden-wordsHW §155: My divine epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §4: as decreed by gleaningsGWB §576: Him Who is

مقتدر

mqtdr q-d-r → “almighty”

literal: power; powerful

almighty 34% powerful 16% potent 16% most 10% all-powerful 10% lord 5% god 3% omnipotent 3% power 3% strength 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §106: of Power fire-tabletFire §48: Ordainer gleaningsGWB §689: each according to his ability kitab-i-ahdAhd §12: granted kitab-i-iqanKIQ §122: implied prayers-and-meditationsP&M §753: can recount tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §3: the Powerful the-hidden-wordsHW §72: be in thy power

قديم

qdím q-d-m → “ancient of days”

literal: ancient; eternity

SE expanded to “Ancient of Days”

ancient 75% \‘the 5% which 5% enduring 5% eternal 5% past 5%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §127: supersede fire-tabletFire §1: the Most Ancient gleaningsGWB §34: step forth kitab-i-iqanKIQ §239: immortality prayers-and-meditationsP&M §803: ancient splendor tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: by His presence the-hidden-wordsHW §52: immortal will-and-testamentW&T §8: submitted

أهل

ʾahl ʾ-h-l

literal: people; people/folk; people/inhabitants

SE rendered مقتدر (mqtdr), قديم (qdím), و‌فيها (w‌fíhá), قدّرنا (qddrná), مقادير (mqádír), أهل (ʾahl), السّموات (as-smúát), و‌الأرض (w‌álʾarḍ), و‌علم (w‌ʿlm), الأوّلين (al-ʾawwlín) as “Almighty, Ancient of Days, In, decreed, destinies, heaven, earth, knowledge, first”

people 40% peoples 20% dwellers 12% inmates 5% men 5% dwell 4% all 3% mankind 3% denizens 3% inhabitants 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §94: of its people fire-tabletFire §41: the stirrers gleaningsGWB §552: him kitab-i-ahdAhd §5: beholders kitab-i-iqanKIQ §59: infidel prayers-and-meditationsP&M §427: in Thy realm tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §5: dwellers therein the-hidden-wordsHW §92: children

السّموات

as-smúát s-m-w → “heaven”

literal: heaven

heavens 43% heaven 41% all 12% heaven!” 1% into 1% denizens 1% realms 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §147: what is its name fire-tabletFire §36: heavenly gleaningsGWB §584: the denizens of heaven kitab-i-iqanKIQ §87: designated prayers-and-meditationsP&M §327: inaccessible heights tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §11: My sake tablet-of-carmelCarmel §4: Names.’tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §12: divine attributes

و‌الأرض

w‌álʾarḍ ʾ-r-ḍ → “earth”

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 §106: the world fire-tabletFire §3: sands gleaningsGWB §222: territories kitab-i-iqanKIQ §51: “The whole earth prayers-and-meditationsP&M §252: earth and tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §43: the lands the-hidden-wordsHW §69: the same land epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §149: to the soil

و‌علم

w‌ʿlm ʿ-l-m → “knowledge”

literal: world; knowledge; worlds

knowledge 70% learning 10% standard 4% divine 4% wisdom 2% understanding 2% true 2% divines 2% banner 1% science 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §111: knoweth fire-tabletFire §49: all the worlds gleaningsGWB §150: most learned kitab-i-ahdAhd §2: recognized kitab-i-iqanKIQ §16: is obvious prayers-and-meditationsP&M §638: beholdest tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §17: of all the worlds tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §13: which we have taught

الأوّلين

al-ʾawwlín ʾ-w-l → “first”

literal: first; firstness

old 25% former 25% first 17% past 8% gone 8% however 8% ancients!” 8%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §193: ye who are endued with fire-tabletFire §31: the people gleaningsGWB §614: previous kitab-i-ahdAhd §15: members kitab-i-iqanKIQ §173: the “first.”prayers-and-meditationsP&M §544: this world and the-hidden-wordsHW §119: ye that have will-and-testamentW&T §58: falsely interpret

و‌الآخرين

w‌álákhrín ʾ-kh-r → “last”

literal: end; hereafter; other

latter 43% last 29% unto 14% future 14%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §226: that hath no end gleaningsGWB §327: in the future kitab-i-iqanKIQ §174: “last.”prayers-and-meditationsP&M §760: in the world to come the-hidden-wordsHW §96: While there is yet will-and-testamentW&T §42: of late epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §111: declining gleaningsGWB §86: second

يعزب

yʿzb ʿ-z-b → “escapeth”

literal: escape; escape/be hidden; escape/elude

escapeth 75% can 13% escape 13%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §134: escapeth gleaningsGWB §586: escape epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §163: can escape

يعجزه

yʿjzh ʿ-j-z → “frustrate” Distinctive

literal: powerlessness

This form usually rendered as “can”, “faileth”, “powerless” (5 occurrences)

can 40% faileth 20% powerless 20% frustrate 20%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §164: powerless gleaningsGWB §260: can frustrate kitab-i-iqanKIQ §105: incapacity prayers-and-meditationsP&M §584: is powerless will-and-testamentW&T §49: overwhelmed me epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §135: thy powerlessness gleaningsGWB §297: powerlessness kitab-i-iqanKIQ §145: the sick

أمر

ʾamr ʾ-m-r

literal: command; matter; cause

SE rendered يعزب (yʿzb), علمه (ʿlmh), شيء (shíʾ), و‌لن (w‌ln), يعجزه (yʿjzh), أمر (ʾamr), خلق (khlq), و‌يخلق (w‌íkhlq) as “escape, all things, frustrate, created”