Prayers and Meditations — §461

Arabic source with Shoghi Effendi’s authorized English translation. Paragraph 461 of 858.

Source (Arabic)

لَكَ الحَمْدُ يا إِلهِي بِمَا وَفَيْتَ بِمَا رُقِمَ مِنْ قَلَمِ أَمْرِكَ فِي الأَلْواحِ الَّتِيْ أَرْسَلْتَهَا إِلى خِيرَةِ خَلْقِكَ الَّذِينَ بِهِمْ فُتِحَتْ أَبْوابُ رَحْمَتِكَ وَأَشْرَقَتْ شَمْسُ هِدايَتِكَ، وَلَكَ الحَمْدُ يا إِلهِي عَلَى ما أَظْهَرْتَ مَا كانَ مَكْنُونًا فِي أَزَلِ الآزَالِ فِي سُرَادِقِ العِزَّةِ وَالعَظَمَةِ وَالإِجْلالِ، وَبِهِ زَيَّنْتَ سَمَاءَ أَمْرِكَ وَأَلْواحَ كِتَ

Shoghi Effendi Translation

Praised be Thou, O my God, that Thou hast been true to what the Pen of Thy Revelation hath inscribed upon the Tablets sent down by Thee unto Them Whom Thou hast chosen above all Thy creatures, and through Whom Thou hast unlocked the doors of Thy mercy, and shed abroad the radiance of the light of Thy guidance. Glory to Thee that Thou hast laid bare what had from eternity been wrapped up within the Tabernacle of Thy majesty, Thine omnipotence and glory, and through which Thou hadst decked forth the heaven of Thy Revelation and adorned the pages of the book of Thy testimony.

Translation Notes

لَكَ

lak l → “to what”

literal: for; for you; for him

5 occurrences in corpus

kitab-i-iqanKIQ §190: His is

الحَمْدُ

al-ḥamd ḥ-m-d → “praised”

literal: praise; praised

thanks 42% praise 26% all 9% praised 7% give 6% magnified 3% “praised 2% all-praise 2% “praised 2% yield 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §73: “Praised be gleaningsGWB §610: Render thanks kitab-i-iqanKIQ §149: His praise”prayers-and-meditationsP&M §261: “Praised be tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: ‘Render thanks will-and-testamentW&T §40: the Lord be praised epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §218: “Praised gleaningsGWB §721: All-Praise

إِلهِي

ʾilhí ʾ-l-h → “my god”

literal: God; divine; god

god 64% divine 22% god’s 5% lord 4% holy 2% mystic 1% heavenly 1% grace 1% god-given 1% pertaineth 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §117: of God gleaningsGWB §563: Divine mercy kitab-i-iqanKIQ §234: of prayers-and-meditationsP&M §470: Lord the-hidden-wordsHW §147: celestial will-and-testamentW&T §18: of the Lord epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §109: Divine gleaningsGWB §560: is

وَفَيْتَ

wafayt w-f-y → “hast been true”

literal: faithfulness; fidelity; fulfill

SE expanded to “hast been true”

faithfulness 36% fidelity 28% hast 8% will 4% preserver 4% trust 4% secure 4% abiding 4% repay 4% died 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §103: will pay fire-tabletFire §48: in faithfulness gleaningsGWB §168: of faithfulness kitab-i-iqanKIQ §126: died prayers-and-meditationsP&M §818: fulfilled tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §9: Wherein the-hidden-wordsHW §154: faithfulness will-and-testamentW&T §10: with faithfulness

رُقِمَ

ruqim r-q-m → “inscribed”

literal: inscribe; inscribed

hath 43% recorded 14% inscribed 14% irrevocably 14% laid 14%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §208: set forth gleaningsGWB §56: hath imprinted the testimony prayers-and-meditationsP&M §224: hath written will-and-testamentW&T §9: written by epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §54: recorded gleaningsGWB §692: hath fixed prayers-and-meditationsP&M §496: irrevocably established epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §257: inscribed

قَلَمِ

qalam q-l-m → “pen”

literal: pen; pen, reed; the pen

pen 97% abhá 1% supreme 1% most 1% all-glorious 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §14: Supreme Pen gleaningsGWB §375: of His Pen kitab-i-iqanKIQ §155: Pen of Power prayers-and-meditationsP&M §235: the realms will-and-testamentW&T §1: by His All-Glorious Pen epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §164: pens gleaningsGWB §493: Pen of Revelation prayers-and-meditationsP&M §109: of Thy pen

أَمْرِكَ

ʾamrik ʾ-m-r → “revelation”

literal: command; cause

cause 59% revelation 16% behest 7% bidding 4% decree 4% faith 3% commandment 3% command 1% through 1% affairs 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §104: affairs fire-tabletFire §17: Command gleaningsGWB §192: in my power kitab-i-ahdAhd §7: a decree kitab-i-iqanKIQ §75: Command,”prayers-and-meditationsP&M §319: through the power tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §33: summoned the-hidden-wordsHW §35: of power

الأَلْواحِ

al-lwáḥ l-w-ḥ → “tablets”

literal: tablet; tablets

tablets 63% scriptures 13% tablet 8% prophets 4% except 4% page 4% scroll 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §132: illumined gleaningsGWB §230: hath been unfolded kitab-i-iqanKIQ §70: the heavenly Scriptures prayers-and-meditationsP&M §154: risen tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §3: the Books will-and-testamentW&T §1: in the Preserved Tablet epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §95: original gleaningsGWB §677: Tablets.…

أَرْسَلْتَهَا

ʾarsaltahá r-s-l → “sent down by thee”

literal: messenger; send; messengers

SE expanded to “sent down by Thee”

apostle 24% messengers 24% messenger 15% sent 14% apostles 6% send 6% messengership 4% hath 3% prophets 3% epistle 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §145: Epistle gleaningsGWB §101: the Apostles kitab-i-iqanKIQ §273: Prophets prayers-and-meditationsP&M §255: hast entrusted tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §3: of the Messengers the-hidden-wordsHW §71: wafted will-and-testamentW&T §3: transferred epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §234: hath sent

خِيرَةِ

khírah kh-y-r → “chosen” Distinctive

literal: good; better

This form usually rendered as “good”, “better”, “best” (83 occurrences)

good 51% better 21% best 10% righteous 5% chosen 5% preferred 2% blessing 2% highest 2% manifest 2% virtue 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §56: blessing gleaningsGWB §488: the best kitab-i-iqanKIQ §270: hath the authority prayers-and-meditationsP&M §36: the good things the-hidden-wordsHW §101: Ponder will-and-testamentW&T §36: Thy goodly gifts epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §136: to be preferred gleaningsGWB §183: hath drained

خَلْقِكَ

khalqik kh-l-q → “creatures”

literal: creation; create; created

creatures 74% among 7% creation 6% own 3% created 2% servants 2% all 2% god 1% hath 1% creatures’ 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §122: conduct fire-tabletFire §40: wert created gleaningsGWB §358: created things kitab-i-iqanKIQ §14: of His creatures prayers-and-meditationsP&M §331: hadst created tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §54: created her the-hidden-wordsHW §14: I created thee epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §144: of Thy virtues

الَّذِينَ

adh-dhín l-dh-y → “whom” Distinctive

literal: those who; who

This form usually rendered as “doubters”, “dependents”, “generations” (13 occurrences)

doubters 17% dependents 17% generations 17% unto 17% such 17% who 17%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §193: doubters gleaningsGWB §524: that of your dependents kitab-i-iqanKIQ §95: unto prayers-and-meditationsP&M §552: by Him epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §193: which gleaningsGWB §242: Him Who kitab-i-iqanKIQ §92: Who prayers-and-meditationsP&M §676: He

بِهِمْ

bihim h-m → “all”

literal: all

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

gleaningsGWB §358: all kitab-i-iqanKIQ §174: the same gleaningsGWB §100: Them kitab-i-iqanKIQ §196: this very gleaningsGWB §44: things kitab-i-iqanKIQ §133: these gleaningsGWB §204: them is Our own sister kitab-i-iqanKIQ §131: Nay, all

فُتِحَتْ

futiḥat f-t-ḥ → “unlocked”

literal: open; opened

opened 33% unlocked 33% illumined 17% thou 17%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §57: conqueror fire-tabletFire §33: the key gleaningsGWB §563: wide open kitab-i-iqanKIQ §28: unlocked the prayers-and-meditationsP&M §15: Their keys epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §137: unlocked gleaningsGWB §463: set open kitab-i-iqanKIQ §159: prayed for victory

أَبْوابُ

ʾabwáb b-w-b → “doors”

literal: door; doors; door/gate

doors 45% portals 29% gates 21% door 5%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §161: doors gleaningsGWB §176: bright and shining kitab-i-iqanKIQ §103: words prayers-and-meditationsP&M §730: gate epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §147: the door gleaningsGWB §210: its door kitab-i-iqanKIQ §28: door that prayers-and-meditationsP&M §313: to Thy door

رَحْمَتِكَ

raḥmatik r-ḥ-m → “mercy”

literal: mercy; merciful

mercy 90% all-encompassing 2% transcendent 2% heaven 1% court 1% canopy 1% compassion 1% wondrous 1% mercies 1% tender 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §220: will show them mercy fire-tabletFire §30: Thy compassion gleaningsGWB §484: in his mercy kitab-i-ahdAhd §8: blessings kitab-i-iqanKIQ §148: mercies prayers-and-meditationsP&M §126: Most Merciful tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §15: a mercy the-hidden-wordsHW §109: My tender grace

وَأَشْرَقَتْ

waʾashraqat sh-r-q → “shed abroad”

literal: shining; shine

hath 24% shed 21% shineth 14% shone 10% manifested 7% revealed 7% risen 7% shine 3% illumined 3% lighteth 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §206: horizon fire-tabletFire §41: Thy dawning gleaningsGWB §22: manifested kitab-i-iqanKIQ §167: east prayers-and-meditationsP&M §633: shed its radiance tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §42: to illumine the-hidden-wordsHW §103: realms epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §229: neither to the East

شَمْسُ

shams sh-m-s → “light” Distinctive

literal: sun; suns; the sun

This form usually rendered as “sun”, “daystar”, “day-star” (241 occurrences)

sun 50% daystar 24% day-star 6% light 6% “sun” 5% luminary 4% orb 2% sunlight 1% most 1% ‘sun’ 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §196: testify gleaningsGWB §43: that Daystar kitab-i-iqanKIQ §31: and prayers-and-meditationsP&M §824: and the Daystar epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §234: Sun-like Mirrors gleaningsGWB §117: Daystar kitab-i-iqanKIQ §36: most exalted prayers-and-meditationsP&M §203: and by

هِدايَتِكَ،

hidáyatika، h-d-y → “guidance”

literal: guidance; guide; guided

guidance 49% guide 20% guided 7% divine 7% guiding 4% thou 4% lead 4% directeth 2% rightly 2% guideth 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §171: guide gleaningsGWB §361: guided kitab-i-iqanKIQ §284: guiding prayers-and-meditationsP&M §829: and led me tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §18: heavenly guidance will-and-testamentW&T §2: Guidance—for epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §11: to guide gleaningsGWB §668: rescue

أَظْهَرْتَ

ʾaẓhart ẓ-h-r → “laid bare” Distinctive

literal: manifestation; manifest

This form usually rendered as “thou”, “revealed”, “manifested” (32 occurrences)

thou 33% revealed 15% manifested 11% didst 11% manifest 7% hast 7% made 4% reveal 4% empowered 4% called 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §152: reveal fire-tabletFire §38: prevail gleaningsGWB §599: proceeded from kitab-i-ahdAhd §3: streamed forth kitab-i-iqanKIQ §226: hath proclaimed prayers-and-meditationsP&M §19: uncovered tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §8: to assist tablet-of-carmelCarmel §4: Revelation—a Revelation

مَكْنُونًا

maknúnan k-n-n → “hidden”

literal: hidden; hidden/concealed; hidden, treasured

hidden 64% hid 23% concealed 3% “he 3% whom 3% scriptures 3% wrapped 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §129: hid gleaningsGWB §56: “He that was hidden prayers-and-meditationsP&M §395: the Hidden epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §257: hidden gleaningsGWB §612: Scriptures prayers-and-meditationsP&M §461: been wrapped up epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §204: concealed gleaningsGWB §56: He Whom none hath

أَزَلِ

ʾazal ʾ-z-l → “from eternity”

literal: eternity; eternities; eternal

eternity 45% everlasting 27% before 9% forever 9% through 9%

gleaningsGWB §550: abiding kitab-i-iqanKIQ §258: eternal prayers-and-meditationsP&M §694: Thine everlasting sovereignty the-hidden-wordsHW §4: ancient eternity gleaningsGWB §56: from everlasting kitab-i-iqanKIQ §75: immortal prayers-and-meditationsP&M §523: through all eternity gleaningsGWB §6: forever

سُرَادِقِ

surádiq s-r-d-q → “tabernacle”

literal: pavilion; pavilion, tent; pavilion/tabernacle

tabernacle 54% veil 12% pavilion 12% tabernacles 8% all-glorious 4% enter 4% unseen 4% sanctuary 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §8: of the Tabernacles gleaningsGWB §661: the Tabernacle kitab-i-iqanKIQ §3: veil prayers-and-meditationsP&M §227: tabernacles tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §21: the unseen pavilion the-hidden-wordsHW §122: pavilion will-and-testamentW&T §5: the Pavilion gleaningsGWB §34: the veil

العِزَّةِ

al-ʿizzah ʿ-z-z → “thine omnipotence” Distinctive

literal: glory; mighty; might

This form usually rendered as “glory”, “transcendent”, “exalted” (190 occurrences)

glory 49% transcendent 20% exalted 10% glorified 4% honor 4% all-glorious 3% mighty 3% most 3% almighty 3% might 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §100: glorious fire-tabletFire §43: by Thy banishment gleaningsGWB §402: All-Powerful kitab-i-iqanKIQ §152: more glorious prayers-and-meditationsP&M §84: to look upon the-hidden-wordsHW §69: of wondrous glory will-and-testamentW&T §4: endeared epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §158: on thy glory

وَالعَظَمَةِ

wálʿaẓamah ʿ-ẓ-m → “majesty”

literal: greatest; great; greatness

majesty 34% grandeur 21% glory 14% greatness 10% “the 3% source 3% moldering 3% borne 3% authority 3% tongue 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §8: of Thy majesty gleaningsGWB §392: so great a bounty kitab-i-iqanKIQ §144: leading prayers-and-meditationsP&M §617: have laid mighty hold the-hidden-wordsHW §42: Magnify will-and-testamentW&T §7: Crown epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §93: abounding gleaningsGWB §504: immeasurably great

وَالإِجْلالِ،

wálʾijláli، j-l-l → “glory”

literal: glory; majesty

glory 71% honor 14% majesty 14%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §102: All-Glorious gleaningsGWB §656: Thy highness kitab-i-iqanKIQ §24: majestic prayers-and-meditationsP&M §171: majesty and epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §100: My glory gleaningsGWB §288: of Grandeur kitab-i-iqanKIQ §16: of glory prayers-and-meditationsP&M §322: Thy glory

وَبِهِ

wabih b-h → “unto”

literal: to

unto 50% between 25% need 25%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §149: unto gleaningsGWB §156: between kitab-i-iqanKIQ §246: from prayers-and-meditationsP&M §845: as kitab-i-iqanKIQ §196: to kitab-i-iqanKIQ §229: of kitab-i-iqanKIQ §273: in need

زَيَّنْتَ

zayyant z-y-n → “decked forth” Distinctive

literal: adorn; adorned; adornment

This form usually rendered as “didst”, “adorned”, “thou” (15 occurrences)

didst 23% adorned 15% thou 15% adorning 8% embellished 8% beautify 8% adorn 8% decked 8% attire 8%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §157: have been adorned fire-tabletFire §31: Adorner gleaningsGWB §573: its apparels kitab-i-ahdAhd §7: is invested prayers-and-meditationsP&M §135: Thou didst adorn epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §193: decked with gleaningsGWB §559: readorned.…prayers-and-meditationsP&M §748: hath adorned

كِتَ

kit k-t-b

literal: book; books; write

SE rendered سَمَاءَ (samáʾ), أَمْرِكَ (ʾamrik), وَأَلْواحَ (waʾalwáḥ), كِتَ (kit) as “heaven, Revelation, pages of the book”

book 55% books 15% write 10% scriptures 7% thou 4% written 2% sacred 2% holy 2% writings 2% hath 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §103: destined gleaningsGWB §135: with a divinely revealed Book kitab-i-ahdAhd §15: Holy Writ kitab-i-iqanKIQ §95: who prayers-and-meditationsP&M §219: Book and in Thy Tablets the-hidden-wordsHW §68: have written will-and-testamentW&T §34: Thou didst reveal epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §133: with a Book

Model Translations by Shoghi Effendi

Epistle to the Son of the Wolf cover

Epistle to the Son of the Wolf

Bahá’u’lláh

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 ¶

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 ¶

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.

160 ¶

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.

59 ¶