Prayers and Meditations — §85

Arabic source with Shoghi Effendi’s authorized English translation. Paragraph 85 of 858.

Source (Arabic)

أَنْتَ، لَمْ تَزَلْ كُنْتَ وَما كانَ أَحَدٌ دُونَكَ وَلا تَزالُ تَكُونُ وَما يَكُونُ غَيْرُكَ، أَسْئَلُكَ بِالأَبْصارِ الَّتِيْ يَرَوْنَكَ مُسْتَقِرًّا عَلَى عَرْشِ الَّتْوحِيدِ وَكُرْسِيِّ التَّفْرِيدِ بِأَنْ تَنْصُرَ أَحِبَّتَكَ بِاسْمِكَ الأَعْظَمِ، ثُمَّ ارْفَعْهُمْ إِلى مَقامٍ يَشْهَدُونَ بِذَواتِهِم وَأَلْسُنِهِمْ بِأَنَّكَ أَنْتَ الواحِدُ الفَرْدُ الأَحَدُ الصَّمَدُ، ما اتَّخَذْتَ لِنَفْسِكَ شَرِيكًا وَلا شَبِيهًا إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ العَزِيزُ المُقْتَدِرُ المُسْتَعانُ.

Shoghi Effendi Translation

We testify, O my God, that Thou art God, and that there is no God besides Thee. From eternity Thou hast existed with none to equal or rival Thee, and wilt abide for ever the same. I beseech Thee, by the eyes which see Thee stablished upon the throne of unity and the seat of oneness, to aid all them that love Thee by Thy Most Great Name, and to lift them up into such heights that they will testify with their own beings and with their tongues that Thou art God alone, the Incomparable, the One, the Ever-Abiding. Thou hast had at no time any peer or partner. Thou, in truth, art the All-Glorious, the Almighty, Whose help is implored by all men.

Translation Notes

تَزَلْ

tazal z-w-l → “thou hast existed”

literal: cease; to cease; decline

SE expanded to “Thou hast existed”

everlasting 35% thou 16% eternity 16% hast 13% everlastingly 6% hath 6% still 3% ever 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §160: glory gleaningsGWB §605: hath always ordained kitab-i-iqanKIQ §26: shall pass away prayers-and-meditationsP&M §327: to everlasting, continue to remain the-hidden-wordsHW §85: lasting will-and-testamentW&T §24: may vanish epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §75: everlastingly continue gleaningsGWB §669: will everlastingly continue to remain

أَحَدٌ

ʾaḥadun ʾ-ḥ-d → “one”

literal: one; anyone; oneness

one 28% any 17% anyone 15% none 13% man 13% neighbor 4% incomparable 2% alone 2% another’s 2% king 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §5: the Incomparable gleaningsGWB §684: no one be kitab-i-iqanKIQ §177: Not one prayers-and-meditationsP&M §85: to equal or rival tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §55: dweller the-hidden-wordsHW §69: himself over the other epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §114: one gleaningsGWB §103: Divine Being

دُونَكَ

dúnak d-w-n → “thee, and” Distinctive

literal: besides

This form usually rendered as “all”, “any”, “except” (66 occurrences)

all 21% any 19% except 17% thee 11% aught 9% save 9% beside 6% besides 4% neighbor 2% none 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §55: for thy neighbor gleaningsGWB §661: all else but Thee kitab-i-iqanKIQ §42: unlike prayers-and-meditationsP&M §362: all except Thyself the-hidden-wordsHW §17: all save Me will-and-testamentW&T §38: All others epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §170: with gleaningsGWB §326: all else besides

تَكُونُ

takún k-w-n → “wilt abide”

literal: be; to be

thou 40% wilt 17% art 10% remain 10% might 7% numbered 3% who 3% mightest 3% mayest 3% patiently 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §5: Thou wast fire-tabletFire §35: universe gleaningsGWB §278: be it kitab-i-iqanKIQ §88: should prayers-and-meditationsP&M §132: of Thy creation tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §15: withhold not thyself tablet-of-carmelCarmel §4: thou hesitate tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §31: whose heart hath

غَيْرُكَ،

ghayruka، gh-y-r

literal: other; other than

SE rendered تَزالُ (tazál), تَكُونُ (takún), يَكُونُ (yakún), غَيْرُكَ، (ghayruka،), أَسْئَلُكَ (ʾasʾaluk), بِالأَبْصارِ (biálʾabṣár) as “wilt abide, the same, I beseech Thee, the eyes”

any 17% except 17% save 13% thee 13% besides 9% aught 9% anyone 9% other 4% all 4% beside 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §242: unseemly and unholy deeds fire-tabletFire §21: perverted gleaningsGWB §39: other than that kitab-i-iqanKIQ §10: none other prayers-and-meditationsP&M §568: aught else except Thee the-hidden-wordsHW §12: other than Me will-and-testamentW&T §2: all things epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §122: but

أَسْئَلُكَ

ʾasʾaluk s-ʾ-l → “i beseech thee”

literal: ask; ask/request; ask/beseech

SE expanded to “I beseech 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 §227: We pray gleaningsGWB §356: We beseech kitab-i-iqanKIQ §285: seek prayers-and-meditationsP&M §651: I beg epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §146: beseech gleaningsGWB §592: be asked prayers-and-meditationsP&M §220: Destroy not, I implore Thee epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §152: beseecheth

بِالأَبْصارِ

biálʾabṣár b-ṣ-r → “eyes”

literal: sight; insight; eyes

eyes 49% insight 14% sight 11% all 11% vision 9% seeing 3% observer 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §150: with discernment gleaningsGWB §532: your eyes kitab-i-ahdAhd §3: hearing kitab-i-iqanKIQ §119: see prayers-and-meditationsP&M §492: with the eyes the-hidden-wordsHW §45: My sight epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §110: thine eyes gleaningsGWB §357: will ye not, then, behold

يَرَوْنَكَ

yarawnak r-ʾ-y → “see thee”

literal: see; to see; see/behold

thou 47% seest 11% behold 10% see 9% beholdest 7% may 4% regard 3% beheld 3% recognize 3% seen 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §136: thou wouldst perceive fire-tabletFire §26: seest gleaningsGWB §412: The mirror prayers-and-meditationsP&M §269: that they may behold Thee the-hidden-wordsHW §62: thou mayest obtain will-and-testamentW&T §5: behold him epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §191: that thou mayest behold gleaningsGWB §77: We see

مُسْتَقِرًّا

mustaqirran q-r-r → “seat” Distinctive

literal: established

This form usually rendered as “independent”, “stablished” (2 occurrences)

independent 50% stablished 50%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §97: abideth gleaningsGWB §5: station kitab-i-ahdAhd §6: singled out kitab-i-iqanKIQ §243: that have testified prayers-and-meditationsP&M §744: seat—the tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: thine eyes the-hidden-wordsHW §59: I may abide will-and-testamentW&T §8: quietness

عَرْشِ

ʿarsh ʿ-r-sh → “throne”

literal: throne; the Throne

throne 84% mighty 3% seat 3% pillar 2% presence 1% celestial 1% desires 1% throne.” 1% “behind 1% exalted 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §221: of the Mighty Throne gleaningsGWB §594: a pillar kitab-i-iqanKIQ §140: seat prayers-and-meditationsP&M §617: throne of the-hidden-wordsHW §120: OF MY epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §198: the Mighty gleaningsGWB §118: realities of kitab-i-iqanKIQ §86: Throne.”

الَّتْوحِيدِ

at-twḥíd w-ḥ-d → “of unity”

literal: unity; one; oneness

unity 57% divine 18% oneness 14% essential 4% focal-point 2% true 2% acknowledge 2% one 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §162: A distinguished fire-tabletFire §43: By Thine aloneness gleaningsGWB §99: is one kitab-i-iqanKIQ §57: in prayers-and-meditationsP&M §843: transcendent unity tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §2: believers in the Divine Unity tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §51: lone the-hidden-wordsHW §69: all from one same

وَكُرْسِيِّ

wakursís k-r-s → “and the seat”

literal: seat; throne, seat; throne/seat

SE expanded to “and the seat”

seat 50% throne 40% before 10%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §7: throne of Thy justice gleaningsGWB §127: seats kitab-i-iqanKIQ §193: seat prayers-and-meditationsP&M §845: the seat epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §163: throne prayers-and-meditationsP&M §85: and the seat epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §130: the Throne epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §7: before the throne of Thy justice

التَّفْرِيدِ

at-tafríd f-r-d → “of oneness”

literal: oneness; singleness

oneness 50% singleness 20% manifestation 10% unity 10% essential 10%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §5: the One fire-tabletFire §17: lonely gleaningsGWB §273: Paradise kitab-i-iqanKIQ §161: unity prayers-and-meditationsP&M §137: Thy unity tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §2: Peerless tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §51: forlorn will-and-testamentW&T §49: alone

تَنْصُرَ

tanṣur n-ṣ-r → “aid”

literal: help; helper

aid 40% thou 20% assist 20% help 20%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §99: aided fire-tabletFire §29: Champion gleaningsGWB §629: Help Thou kitab-i-ahdAhd §13: can render kitab-i-iqanKIQ §88: Christian prayers-and-meditationsP&M §330: Aid them will-and-testamentW&T §5: triumphant assistance epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §117: extended such aid

أَحِبَّتَكَ

ʾaḥibbatak ḥ-b-b → “all them that love thee”

literal: love; beloved; beloved ones

SE expanded to “all them that love Thee”

loved 70% love 9% all 9% dear 4% hearts 4% servants 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §245: affection fire-tabletFire §7: of Thy love gleaningsGWB §122: Lover kitab-i-iqanKIQ §260: lovest most prayers-and-meditationsP&M §757: Thy Cause tablet-of-carmelCarmel §1: a Day tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §40: the Beloved One the-hidden-wordsHW §6: thou lovest Me not

بِاسْمِكَ

biásmik s-m-w → “by thy”

literal: name; names

SE rendered تَنْصُرَ (tanṣur), أَحِبَّتَكَ (ʾaḥibbatak), بِاسْمِكَ (biásmik), الأَعْظَمِ، (al-ʾaʿẓami،), ارْفَعْهُمْ (irfaʿhum) as “aid, all them that love Thee, by Thy, Most Great Name, to lift them up”

name 87% most 4% through 2% whose 2% called 1% all-glorious 1% beareth 1% friend 1% shadowing 1% have 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §135: the heavens fire-tabletFire §36: heavenly gleaningsGWB §468: his fame kitab-i-iqanKIQ §65: utterance prayers-and-meditationsP&M §114: Thy heaven tablet-of-carmelCarmel §4: Names.’tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §12: my Lord the-hidden-wordsHW §9: in thine own

الأَعْظَمِ،

al-ʾaʿẓami، ʿ-ẓ-m → “most great name”

literal: greatest; great; greatness

SE expanded to “Most Great Name”

most 61% greater 10% greatest 6% great 5% more 5% supreme 4% mightier 4% transcendeth 2% potency 2% mightiest 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §56: chief gleaningsGWB §174: most potent kitab-i-iqanKIQ §38: the most prayers-and-meditationsP&M §151: greatness of Thy majesty the-hidden-wordsHW §42: Magnify will-and-testamentW&T §40: more glaring epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §122: grievous gleaningsGWB §606: however meritorious

ارْفَعْهُمْ

irfaʿhum r-f-ʿ → “to lift them up”

literal: raise; raised; elevation

SE expanded to “to lift them up”

raised 25% hath 16% exalted 11% lift 11% exalt 10% lifted 6% exaltation 6% may 6% have 5% elevate 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §138: been raised fire-tabletFire §4: uplifted gleaningsGWB §309: dispersed kitab-i-ahdAhd §13: serveth to exalt kitab-i-iqanKIQ §18: dispelled prayers-and-meditationsP&M §757: O my Lord tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §16: dispel the-hidden-wordsHW §61: that I may rise

مَقامٍ

maqámin q-w-m → “such heights” Distinctive

literal: station; place

This form usually rendered as “station”, “connection”, “place” (338 occurrences)

station 55% connection 12% place 6% most 5% seat 5% such 5% spot 3% another 3% court 2% instance 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §262: have stood up fire-tabletFire §48: He hath risen up gleaningsGWB §317: Path.…kitab-i-ahdAhd §11: to be beneath that kitab-i-iqanKIQ §86: company prayers-and-meditationsP&M §474: abode tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: most exalted Spot tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §19: that state

يَشْهَدُونَ

yashhadún sh-h-d → “that they will testify”

literal: witness; observation; witnessed

SE expanded to “that they will testify”

testify 25% witness 17% bear 15% visible 8% testifieth 8% beareth 7% martyrdom 7% behold 6% have 4% witnessed 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §244: a witness fire-tabletFire §48: the place gleaningsGWB §447: be completely transformed kitab-i-ahdAhd §3: appeareth kitab-i-iqanKIQ §224: He prayers-and-meditationsP&M §440: acknowledgeth tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §12: dost witness the-hidden-wordsHW §47: a martyr

بِذَواتِهِم

bidhawátihim dh-w-t → “with their own beings”

literal: essence; essence, self; essence/self

SE expanded to “with their own beings”

own 75% souls 25%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §172: in His Essence gleaningsGWB §188: Self is His Self kitab-i-iqanKIQ §84: you prayers-and-meditationsP&M §85: with their own beings will-and-testamentW&T §36: my life epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §64: Thy self gleaningsGWB §463: thyself kitab-i-iqanKIQ §106: the unchangeable Being

وَأَلْسُنِهِمْ

waʾalsunihim l-s-n → “and with their tongues”

literal: tongue; tongue, language; tongues

SE expanded to “and with their tongues”

tongue 66% tongues 14% language 9% languages 3% voice 2% words 2% speech 2% mouth 2% mine 1% through 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §194: tongues gleaningsGWB §603: in a language kitab-i-iqanKIQ §75: mouth prayers-and-meditationsP&M §280: of his the-hidden-wordsHW §101: IN epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §206: an utterly truthful tongue gleaningsGWB §167: and My tongue kitab-i-iqanKIQ §64: speech

بِأَنَّكَ

biʾannak ʾ-n-n → “to”

literal: indeed/verily

SE rendered بِذَواتِهِم (bidhawátihim), وَأَلْسُنِهِمْ (waʾalsunihim), بِأَنَّكَ (biʾannak), الواحِدُ (al-wáḥid), الفَرْدُ (al-fard) as “with their own beings, and with their tongues, that, the One, the Incomparable”