Prayers and Meditations — §291

Arabic source with Shoghi Effendi’s authorized English translation. Paragraph 291 of 858.

Source (Arabic)

َكَ سَبَقَتِ المُمْكِناتِ وَعِنايَتَكَ أَحَاطَتِ المَوْجُوداتِ، أَسْئَلُكَ بِأَنْ تَنْظُرَ إِلَيْهِمْ بِلَحَظاتِ أَعْيُنِ رَحْمانِيَّتِكَ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الغَفُورُ وَإِنَّكَ أَنْتَ العَطُوفُ، فَاعْمَلْ بِهِمْ ما يَنْبَغِي لِجَلالِكَ وَشَأْنِكَ وَعَظَمَتِكَ وَجُودِكَ وَكَرَمِكَ لا بِما هُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ حُدُوداتِ البَشَرِيَّةِ وَالشُّئُوناتِ العَرَضِيَّةِ، أَيْ رَبِّ أَنْتَ تَعْلَمُ

Shoghi Effendi Translation

Every existence, whether seen or unseen, O my Lord, testifieth that Thy mercy hath surpassed all created things, and Thy loving-kindness embraced the entire creation. Look upon them, I entreat Thee, with the eyes of Thy mercy. Thou art the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Compassionate. Do with them as beseemeth Thy glory, and Thy majesty, and Thy greatness, and Thy bounteousness and Thy grace. Deal not with them according to the limitations imposed upon them, or the manifold vicissitudes of their earthly life.

Translation Notes

سَبَقَتِ

sabaqat s-b-q → “hath surpassed”

literal: precede; preceded; precedence

hath 52% surpassed 16% preceded 6% encompasseth 6% excelled 3% surpasseth 3% surpassing 3% permeated 3% grasp 3% encompassed 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §43: hath, verily, encompassed gleaningsGWB §412: surpassing kitab-i-iqanKIQ §188: may encompass prayers-and-meditationsP&M §97: hath overflowed the-hidden-wordsHW §52: Hasten epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §125: excelled gleaningsGWB §60: hath pervaded kitab-i-iqanKIQ §106: “His

المُمْكِناتِ

al-mumkinát m-k-n → “all created things”

literal: possible things

SE expanded to “all created things”

all 49% entire 21% created 14% creatures 5% creation 5% things 2% souls 2% every 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §228: the world of being fire-tabletFire §20: every creature gleaningsGWB §404: one kitab-i-iqanKIQ §217: attachments prayers-and-meditationsP&M §842: the contingent world the-hidden-wordsHW §128: secure will-and-testamentW&T §17: subordination epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §135: all creation

وَعِنايَتَكَ

waʿináyatak ʿ-n-y → “thy loving-kindness”

literal: care; meaning; meanings

loving-kindness 65% bounty 7% grace 7% gracious 5% tender 4% mercy 4% through 2% mercies 2% favor 2% love 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §260: that fire-tabletFire §26: grace gleaningsGWB §495: hath bestowed kitab-i-ahdAhd §6: invested kitab-i-iqanKIQ §258: regardless prayers-and-meditationsP&M §677: Thy love the-hidden-wordsHW §68: by My favor will-and-testamentW&T §6: in the aforementioned manner

أَحَاطَتِ

ʾaḥáṭat ḥ-w-ṭ → “embraced” Distinctive

literal: encompassing; encompass; encompassed

This form usually rendered as “encompassed”, “have”, “compassed” (33 occurrences)

encompassed 32% have 18% compassed 14% hath 14% whisperings 4% enveloped 4% all-encompassing 4% encompasseth 4% blew 4% encompass 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §143: envelop fire-tabletFire §20: whisperings gleaningsGWB §117: pervaded kitab-i-iqanKIQ §273: comprehend prayers-and-meditationsP&M §42: conceived the-hidden-wordsHW §98: beset will-and-testamentW&T §5: afflicted epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §232: neglect

المَوْجُوداتِ،

al-mawjúdáti، w-j-d → “the entire creation”

literal: existence; find; existent

SE expanded to “the entire creation”

all 40% entire 20% creation 7% things 7% creatures 7% beings 7% every 3% created 3% universe 3% any 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §160: inhale fire-tabletFire §49: thou canst breathe gleaningsGWB §350: all that existed kitab-i-iqanKIQ §196: of being prayers-and-meditationsP&M §237: of their existence tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §40: may find the-hidden-wordsHW §16: will be in vain will-and-testamentW&T §4: despite

أَسْئَلُكَ

ʾasʾaluk s-ʾ-l → “i entreat thee”

literal: ask; ask/request; ask/beseech

SE expanded to “I entreat Thee”

beseech 46% implore 24% entreat 18% beg 5% pray 4% destroy 1% ask 1% deal 1% god 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §84: Ask, that gleaningsGWB §337: question kitab-i-iqanKIQ §285: seek prayers-and-meditationsP&M §835: we beseech Thee epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §227: We pray gleaningsGWB §259: questioned prayers-and-meditationsP&M §611: I beg of Thee epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §146: beseech

تَنْظُرَ

tanẓur n-ẓ-r → “look upon”

literal: look; looking

look 40% behold 20% “look 10% thou 10% consider 10% eye 10%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §120: Meditate on fire-tabletFire §48: looking toward gleaningsGWB §534: vision kitab-i-ahdAhd §10: to turn kitab-i-iqanKIQ §54: gazing prayers-and-meditationsP&M §733: turning their gaze tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §2: resplendent Beauty the-hidden-wordsHW §93: recall

إِلَيْهِمْ

ʾilayhim ʾ-l-y → “until”

literal: to, until

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

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §197: upon gleaningsGWB §227: Such a one kitab-i-iqanKIQ §143: in need prayers-and-meditationsP&M §268: unto Thee epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §154: unto gleaningsGWB §156: towards Him kitab-i-iqanKIQ §182: to an prayers-and-meditationsP&M §99: to turn

بِلَحَظاتِ

bilaḥaẓát l-ḥ-ẓ → “with”

literal: observation; observe; observation, consideration

SE rendered تَنْظُرَ (tanẓur), إِلَيْهِمْ (ʾilayhim), بِلَحَظاتِ (bilaḥaẓát), أَعْيُنِ (ʾaʿyun), رَحْمانِيَّتِكَ (raḥmánínatik) as “Look upon, them, with, the eyes, Thy mercy”

glance 50% eyes 25% glances 25%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §143: high regard gleaningsGWB §380: recognizeth kitab-i-ahdAhd §15: regard kitab-i-iqanKIQ §40: realized prayers-and-meditationsP&M §858: the glances will-and-testamentW&T §30: observed epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §32: recognized gleaningsGWB §132: ye will discover

أَعْيُنِ

ʾaʿyun ʿ-y-n → “eyes”

literal: eye; eyes

eyes 75% eye 25%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §157: the well-spring gleaningsGWB §119: elements kitab-i-iqanKIQ §221: manifest prayers-and-meditationsP&M §219: with Thine own eyes tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §12: with their own eyes tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: those of all creation the-hidden-wordsHW §102: have made will-and-testamentW&T §12: watchful eye

رَحْمانِيَّتِكَ

raḥmánínatik r-ḥ-m → “thy mercy”

literal: mercy; merciful

mercy 67% tender 25% mercifulness 8%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §10: pity fire-tabletFire §30: Thy compassion gleaningsGWB §216: the All-Merciful kitab-i-ahdAhd §8: blessings kitab-i-iqanKIQ §118: blessing prayers-and-meditationsP&M §542: Thine immeasurable mercy tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §15: a mercy the-hidden-wordsHW §109: My tender grace

الغَفُورُ

al-ghafúr gh-f-r → “the ever-forgiving”

literal: forgiving; forgiveness; forgive

ever-forgiving 77% forgiving 18% pardoner 3% art 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §265: will forgive fire-tabletFire §35: Forgiver gleaningsGWB §656: Thy forgiveness kitab-i-iqanKIQ §214: remission prayers-and-meditationsP&M §109: art the Ever-Forgiving will-and-testamentW&T §13: concourse epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §206: Pardoner gleaningsGWB §216: Forgiving

وَإِنَّكَ

waʾinnak ʾ-n-n → “that”

literal: indeed/verily

SE rendered الغَفُورُ (al-ghafúr), وَإِنَّكَ (waʾinnak), العَطُوفُ، (al-ʿaṭúfu،), فَاعْمَلْ (fáʿmal) as “the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Compassionate, Do with”

thee 43% thou 29% verily 14% since 14%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §216: now gleaningsGWB §158: a moment prayers-and-meditationsP&M §126: Thou will-and-testamentW&T §36: for they are gleaningsGWB §161: Were it prayers-and-meditationsP&M §722: to sigh will-and-testamentW&T §36: I call upon Thee gleaningsGWB §235: “There

العَطُوفُ،

al-ʿaṭúfu، ʿ-ṭ-f → “loving” Distinctive

literal: compassionate; kindness/compassion; kindness

This form usually rendered as “gracious”, “most”, “providence” (5 occurrences)

gracious 33% most 33% providence 33%

gleaningsGWB §631: Gracious prayers-and-meditationsP&M §257: of Thy loving providence will-and-testamentW&T §23: the affections prayers-and-meditationsP&M §515: of Thy tender mercies prayers-and-meditationsP&M §73: Thy prayers-and-meditationsP&M §57: tender mercy prayers-and-meditationsP&M §421: Thy loving-kindness prayers-and-meditationsP&M §263: robe of Thy tender mercies

فَاعْمَلْ

fáʿmal ʿ-m-l → “do with”

literal: deed; deeds; work

do 67% deal 17% walk 17%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §112: His actions gleaningsGWB §556: great works kitab-i-iqanKIQ §153: work prayers-and-meditationsP&M §228: fulfilled tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §4: conforming the-hidden-wordsHW §30: do thou observe will-and-testamentW&T §27: benevolent pursuits epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §7: evil deeds

بِهِمْ

bihim h-m → “all”

literal: all

all 40% own 20% things 20% nay 20%

gleaningsGWB §204: them is Our own sister kitab-i-iqanKIQ §133: these gleaningsGWB §100: Them kitab-i-iqanKIQ §231: above-mentioned gleaningsGWB §44: things kitab-i-iqanKIQ §131: Nay, all gleaningsGWB §358: all kitab-i-iqanKIQ §174: the same

يَنْبَغِي

yanbaghí n-b-gh

literal: befit; befits

SE rendered العَطُوفُ، (al-ʿaṭúfu،), فَاعْمَلْ (fáʿmal), بِهِمْ (bihim), يَنْبَغِي (yanbaghí), لِجَلالِكَ (lijalálik), وَشَأْنِكَ (washaʾanik) as “the Most Compassionate, Do with, them, Thy majesty, , and”

behooveth 38% beseemeth 21% befitteth 10% becometh 7% meet 7% aid 3% behoove 3% adequately 3% all 3% well 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §196: aid gleaningsGWB §492: as befitteth thy station kitab-i-ahdAhd §13: meet prayers-and-meditationsP&M §601: of epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §157: It behooveth gleaningsGWB §115: adequately kitab-i-ahdAhd §3: meet and seemly prayers-and-meditationsP&M §298: would still be unseemly

لِجَلالِكَ

lijalálik j-l-l → “thy majesty”

literal: glory; majesty

majesty 50% glory 38% highness 13%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §253: exalted be His gleaningsGWB §60: and Glory kitab-i-iqanKIQ §9: divine presence prayers-and-meditationsP&M §245: honor epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §226: glorified be gleaningsGWB §222: magnified be His glory kitab-i-iqanKIQ §205: of glory”prayers-and-meditationsP&M §845: of Thy glory

وَشَأْنِكَ

washaʾanik sh-ʾ-n → “, and” Distinctive

literal: state

This form usually rendered as “exaltation”, “station”, “glory” (8 occurrences)

exaltation 33% station 17% glory 17% thee 17% state 17%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §158: the people gleaningsGWB §408: honor kitab-i-iqanKIQ §146: concerning prayers-and-meditationsP&M §199: splendor the-hidden-wordsHW §68: My state epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §198: My rank gleaningsGWB §620: the station prayers-and-meditationsP&M §260: the compelling evidences

وَعَظَمَتِكَ

waʿaẓamatik ʿ-ẓ-m → “thy glory”

literal: greatest; great; greatness

majesty 60% glory 14% greatness 14% grandeur 3% swear 2% great 2% might 2% whose 2% favors 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §122: grievous gleaningsGWB §411: God’s limitless kitab-i-iqanKIQ §59: So deep prayers-and-meditationsP&M §371: above the-hidden-wordsHW §93: all-glorious will-and-testamentW&T §7: Crown epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §93: abounding gleaningsGWB §305: most mysterious

وَجُودِكَ

wajúdik j-w-d → “thy bounteousness”

literal: generosity; bounty; generosity, bounty

bounty 45% bounteousness 12% generosity 12% through 10% grace 6% favor 4% bountiful 4% billowing 2% bestowal 2% graciousness 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §30: Thy bounty fire-tabletFire §34: Giver gleaningsGWB §12: bountiful favor kitab-i-iqanKIQ §53: pure prayers-and-meditationsP&M §161: of Thy bounty the-hidden-wordsHW §126: to be generous epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §7: billowing ocean of Thy favor fire-tabletFire §33: Thy bestowal

وَكَرَمِكَ

wakaramik k-r-m → “thy grace” Distinctive

literal: generous; generosity; bounty

This form usually rendered as “bounty”, “generosity”, “favor” (39 occurrences)

bounty 36% generosity 27% favor 9% bountiful 9% shadow 3% bestowal 3% bounteousness 3% graciousness 3% grace 3% through 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §190: bounty fire-tabletFire §4: bestowal gleaningsGWB §684: glorious bounty kitab-i-ahdAhd §11: All-Powerful kitab-i-iqanKIQ §66: exalted prayers-and-meditationsP&M §398: and wisdom will-and-testamentW&T §50: Gracious epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §84: the Bountiful

عَلَيْهِ

ʿalayh ʿ-l-y → “upon them”

literal: upon; on; exalted

upon 40% against 18% hands 8% - 8% unto 8% over 8% above 5% hath 3% overshadoweth 3% body 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §163: exalted be He gleaningsGWB §167: the Exalted kitab-i-iqanKIQ §132: glorified is He prayers-and-meditationsP&M §758: exalted the-hidden-wordsHW §42: reveal unto thee will-and-testamentW&T §59: upon you epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §36: the esteemed gleaningsGWB §615: at your hands

حُدُوداتِ

ḥudúdát ḥ-d-d → “limitations”

literal: limit; limited; limits

limitations 38% limitation 13% bounds 13% limits 6% principle 6% traditions 6% earthly 6% established 6% any 6%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §10: keen gleaningsGWB §411: subject to human limitations kitab-i-iqanKIQ §47: the Law prayers-and-meditationsP&M §233: its confines tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §5: ordinances tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §18: worldly limitations the-hidden-wordsHW §39: in My statutes epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §54: steel

البَشَرِيَّةِ

al-basharírah b-sh-r

literal: human; glad-tidings; herald

SE rendered عَلَيْهِ (ʿalayh), حُدُوداتِ (ḥudúdát), البَشَرِيَّةِ (al-basharírah), وَالشُّئُوناتِ (wálshshuʾúnát), العَرَضِيَّةِ، (al-ʿaraḍíḍahi،) as “upon them, the limitations, the manifold vicissitudes, their earthly life”