The Hidden Words — §130

Arabic source with Shoghi Effendi’s authorized English translation. Paragraph 130 of 160.

Source (Arabic)

(٥٣) ﴿ ای مغروران باموال فانيه ﴾ بدانيد که غنا سدّيست محکم ميان طالب و مطلوب و عاشق و معشوق * هرگز غنی بر مقرّ قرب وارد نشود و بمدينه رضا و تسليم در نيايد مگر قليلی * پس نيکوست حال آن غنی که غنا از ملکوت جاودانی منعش ننمايد و از دولت ابدی محرومش نگرداند * قسم باسم اعظم که نور آن غنی اهل آسمان را روشنی بخشد چنانچه شمس اهل زمين را *

Shoghi Effendi Translation

(53) O YE THAT PRIDE YOURSELVES ON MORTAL RICHES! Know ye in truth that wealth is a mighty barrier between the seeker and his desire, the lover and his beloved. The rich, but for a few, shall in no wise attain the court of His presence nor enter the city of content and resignation. Well is it then with him, who, being rich, is not hindered by his riches from the eternal kingdom, nor deprived by them of imperishable dominion. By the Most Great Name! The splendor of such a wealthy man shall illuminate the dwellers of heaven even as the sun enlightens the people of the earth!

Translation Notes

باموال

bámúál m-w-l → “substance”

literal: property; wealth, property

substance 40% property 27% treasures 20% goods 7% mortal 7%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §40: the property gleaningsGWB §406: the treasures kitab-i-ahdAhd §2: riches kitab-i-iqanKIQ §137: his possessions the-hidden-wordsHW §58: My wealth epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §44: substance gleaningsGWB §423: treasures kitab-i-iqanKIQ §25: sacrifice our substance

فانيه

fáníh f-n-y

literal: perish; perishing

SE rendered مغروران (mghrúrán), باموال (bámúál), فانيه (fáníh), بدانيد (bdáníd), غنا (ghná), سدّيست (sddíst) as “PRIDE YOURSELVES, ON MORTAL RICHES, Know ye, wealth, mighty barrier”

transient 15% die 15% mortal 15% nothingness 8% surrender 8% perisheth 8% every 8% covetous 8% transitory 8% vanities 8%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §85: perish gleaningsGWB §675: perisheth kitab-i-iqanKIQ §146: mortals prayers-and-meditationsP&M §746: and to tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §29: mortal graves the-hidden-wordsHW §128: poverty epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §70: dieth to himself gleaningsGWB §50: expire

بدانيد

bdáníd d-ʾ-n → “know ye”

literal: know; to know; knowledge

know 67% careless 33%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §66: know gleaningsGWB §336: All-Knowing kitab-i-iqanKIQ §184: recognize the-hidden-wordsHW §95: prefer will-and-testamentW&T §40: know well epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §125: true understanding gleaningsGWB §330: believer kitab-i-iqanKIQ §163: faded before their eyes

غنا

ghná gh-n-y → “wealth”

literal: rich; wealth; riches

riches 54% wealth 31% ‘riches’ 8% sea 8%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §205: sung gleaningsGWB §387: rich enough to dispense kitab-i-iqanKIQ §143: ‘riches’prayers-and-meditationsP&M §841: handmaidens who tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §2: singeth tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §37: eternal wealth the-hidden-wordsHW §130: being rich epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §158: the All-Possessing

سدّيست

sddíst s-d-d → “closed” Distinctive

literal: closed

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

closed 41% shut 12% insurmountable 6% obstruct 6% become 6% satisfy 6% barred 6% have 6% arrested 6% mighty 6%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §227: an insurmountable barrier gleaningsGWB §124: closed kitab-i-iqanKIQ §28: closed, and prayers-and-meditationsP&M §846: were shut the-hidden-wordsHW §130: mighty barrier will-and-testamentW&T §28: show your fidelity gleaningsGWB §680: Obstruct not kitab-i-iqanKIQ §150: barred

محکم

mḥkm ḥ-k-m

literal: wisdom; wise; judgment

SE rendered بدانيد (bdáníd), غنا (ghná), سدّيست (sddíst), محکم (mḥkm), ميان (míán), طالب (ṭálb), مطلوب (mṭlúb), عاشق (ʿáshq) as “Know ye, wealth, mighty barrier, between, the seeker, his desire, the lover”

perspicuous 23% gird 15% firmly-established 8% mighty 8% resistless 8% fortified 8% fully 8% firmly 8% emphatically 8% impregnable 8%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §168: its command gleaningsGWB §686: consummate power and wisdom kitab-i-ahdAhd §6: rulership kitab-i-iqanKIQ §34: declared prayers-and-meditationsP&M §358: Thy commandments tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §1: the Wise the-hidden-wordsHW §13: My command will-and-testamentW&T §25: regulations

ميان

míán m-y-n → “midst”

literal: midst

midst 40% amongst 20% conversation 10% hand 10% amidst 10% companions 10%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §201: conversation turned upon gleaningsGWB §440: amongst kitab-i-iqanKIQ §28: their midst kitab-i-iqanKIQ §55: among the kitab-i-iqanKIQ §166: at hand kitab-i-iqanKIQ §53: amidst kitab-i-iqanKIQ §14: from amongst kitab-i-iqanKIQ §28: midst

طالب

ṭálb ṭ-l-b → “seeker”

literal: seeking; seek; seeker

seeker 33% seeketh 20% seekers 13% desirest 7% thirsted 7% sought 7% hath 7% yearn 7%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §53: We entreat gleaningsGWB §256: will demand kitab-i-iqanKIQ §214: the quest prayers-and-meditationsP&M §659: entreating the-hidden-wordsHW §39: if thou seekest epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §7: seek gleaningsGWB §362: pursue kitab-i-iqanKIQ §230: for

عاشق

ʿáshq ʿ-sh-q → “lover”

literal: lover; love; lovers

lover 63% lovers 25% lover’s 13%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §183: lovers fire-tabletFire §41: Love gleaningsGWB §687: lover kitab-i-iqanKIQ §65: attain prayers-and-meditationsP&M §845: of Thine ardent lovers to the-hidden-wordsHW §81: of love epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §150: Thy true lovers gleaningsGWB §118: hearts

هرگز

hrgz h-r-g

literal: never; ever; never, ever

SE rendered طالب (ṭálb), مطلوب (mṭlúb), عاشق (ʿáshq), معشوق (mʿshúq), هرگز (hrgz), غنی (ghní), بر (br), مقرّ (mqrr), قرب (qrb), وارد (wárd), نشود (nshúd) as “the seeker, his desire, the lover, his beloved, The rich, the court, His presence, attain, shall in no wise”

never 50% every 17% can 17% ever 17%

gleaningsGWB §431: never kitab-i-iqanKIQ §16: can never kitab-i-iqanKIQ §128: every kitab-i-iqanKIQ §228: ever been

بر

br b-r-r

literal: on; on, upon; upon

SE rendered مطلوب (mṭlúb), عاشق (ʿáshq), معشوق (mʿshúq), هرگز (hrgz), غنی (ghní), بر (br), مقرّ (mqrr), قرب (qrb), وارد (wárd), نشود (nshúd), بمدينه (bmdính) as “his desire, the lover, his beloved, The rich, the court, His presence, attain, shall in no wise, the city”

land 33% upon 11% piety 11% unto 11% pious 6% righteousness 6% beseech 6% good 6% against 6% indignities 6%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §63: righteousness gleaningsGWB §482: of the upright kitab-i-iqanKIQ §284: unto the-hidden-wordsHW §133: the righteous will-and-testamentW&T §25: in epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §102: The land gleaningsGWB §11: Beseech ye kitab-i-iqanKIQ §6: voiced by

مقرّ

mqrr q-r-r → “court” Distinctive

literal: abode; place

This form usually rendered as “seat”, “habitation”, “place” (96 occurrences)

seat 36% habitation 13% place 10% abide 10% court 8% spot 5% confessed 5% abode 5% retreats 5% acceptance 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §159: the place of sacrifice gleaningsGWB §202: such heights kitab-i-ahdAhd §6: singled out kitab-i-iqanKIQ §117: confess and acknowledge prayers-and-meditationsP&M §23: my dwelling-place tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: made the seat the-hidden-wordsHW §104: destined will-and-testamentW&T §32: fathomless

قرب

qrb q-r-b → “his presence”

literal: nearness; near; bring near

presence 26% proximity 19% nearness 11% divine 11% draw 7% nigh 7% near 7% drawn 4% holiness 4% glory 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §62: presence fire-tabletFire §3: ocean gleaningsGWB §248: continually approaching them kitab-i-ahdAhd §13: Kindred kitab-i-iqanKIQ §9: well-nigh prayers-and-meditationsP&M §495: draw them nearer unto Thee tablet-of-carmelCarmel §4: favoured the-hidden-wordsHW §11: near unto thee

وارد

wárd w-r-d → “attain” Distinctive

literal: entering

This form usually rendered as “inflicted”, “befell”, “have” (92 occurrences)

inflicted 24% befell 16% have 11% enter 11% hath 9% befallen 9% attain 7% came 4% befalleth 4% entered 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §127: inflicted gleaningsGWB §311: hath been made to endure kitab-i-iqanKIQ §68: be led prayers-and-meditationsP&M §249: partaken will-and-testamentW&T §5: dealt a epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §211: that attain thereunto gleaningsGWB §541: harm kitab-i-iqanKIQ §113: handed down

نشود

nshúd sh-w-d → “shall in no wise”

literal: become; to become; became

SE expanded to “shall in no wise”

should 60% nothing 20% shall 20%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §256: could they have gleaningsGWB §107: for themselves kitab-i-ahdAhd §3: will be kitab-i-iqanKIQ §162: was prayers-and-meditationsP&M §704: forth the-hidden-wordsHW §144: be laid will-and-testamentW&T §22: arise epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §218: would be made

بمدينه

bmdính m-d-n → “city”

literal: city; cities

city 82% cities 5% great 4% habitation 4% persian 2% word 2% tabernacle 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §162: Great City gleaningsGWB §555: from the City prayers-and-meditationsP&M §224: the everlasting Cities epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §93: citadels gleaningsGWB §438: civilization prayers-and-meditationsP&M §844: the Tabernacle epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §118: The cities gleaningsGWB §247: in the City

رضا

rḍá r-ḍ-y → “content”

literal: pleasure; pleasure/satisfaction; pleasure, satisfaction

contentment 17% willingness 17% favour 17% resigned 17% content 17% submitted 17%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §240: Be not willing fire-tabletFire §48: Thy pleasure gleaningsGWB §621: of His good-pleasure kitab-i-iqanKIQ §2: and favour prayers-and-meditationsP&M §293: what pleaseth Thee the-hidden-wordsHW §51: them that are content will-and-testamentW&T §8: submitted to His Will epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §261: pleased

نيايد

níáyd ʾ-m-d → “came” Distinctive

literal: came

This form usually rendered as “exist”, “manifest”, “attain” (3 occurrences)

exist 33% manifest 33% attain 33%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §235: come gleaningsGWB §334: coming kitab-i-iqanKIQ §3: might the-hidden-wordsHW §149: may be made epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §26: turned gleaningsGWB §435: hath been revealed kitab-i-iqanKIQ §84: be the-hidden-wordsHW §101: may enter

مگر

mgr m-g-r → “but for”

literal: except; except/unless

SE rendered بمدينه (bmdính), رضا (rḍá), تسليم (tslím), نيايد (níáyd), مگر (mgr), قليلی (qlílí), پس (ps), نيکوست (níkúst), حال (ḥál), غنی (ghní) as “the city, content, resignation, enter, but for, a few, Well is it, then with, being rich”

save 50% other 50%

kitab-i-iqanKIQ §151: save through kitab-i-iqanKIQ §59: no other than

قليلی

qlílí q-l-l → “few”

literal: few

few 75% handful 25%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §134: the fraction fire-tabletFire §47: fewness gleaningsGWB §365: few kitab-i-iqanKIQ §214: little prayers-and-meditationsP&M §289: the least the-hidden-wordsHW §91: smallest epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §216: less fire-tabletFire §42: independence

پس

ps p-s

literal: then; then, therefore; therefore

SE rendered تسليم (tslím), نيايد (níáyd), مگر (mgr), قليلی (qlílí), پس (ps), نيکوست (níkúst), حال (ḥál), غنی (ghní), غنا (ghná), از (iz) as “resignation, enter, but for, a few, Well is it, then with, being rich, his riches, from”

wherefore 50% purge 50%

kitab-i-iqanKIQ §170: Purge kitab-i-iqanKIQ §171: From kitab-i-iqanKIQ §162: Wherefore kitab-i-iqanKIQ §79: By kitab-i-iqanKIQ §37: And

نيکوست

níkúst n-y-k → “well is it”

literal: good; good, beautiful

SE expanded to “Well is it”

well 67% blessed 33%

gleaningsGWB §697: Blessed is the-hidden-wordsHW §147: glorious gleaningsGWB §340: Well is it

حال

ḥál ḥ-w-l → “now”

literal: state; now

now 57% consider 11% present 8% reflect 5% behold 5% state 4% how 3% today 3% what 3% ponder 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §233: And now gleaningsGWB §211: countenance kitab-i-iqanKIQ §160: What prayers-and-meditationsP&M §570: distract tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §9: waver tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §57: her state the-hidden-wordsHW §26: plight will-and-testamentW&T §6: whilst

از

iz ʾ-z → “from”

literal: from

SE rendered نيکوست (níkúst), حال (ḥál), غنی (ghní), غنا (ghná), از (iz), ملکوت (mlkút), جاودانی (jáwdání), منعش (mnʿsh), ننمايد (nnmáyd) as “Well is it, then with, being rich, his riches, from, eternal kingdom, hindered”

23 occurrences in corpus

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §128: of kitab-i-iqanKIQ §176: from kitab-i-iqanKIQ §176: at kitab-i-iqanKIQ §246: Amongst

جاودانی

jáwdání j-w-d

literal: generosity; bounty; generosity, bounty

SE rendered حال (ḥál), غنی (ghní), غنا (ghná), از (iz), ملکوت (mlkút), جاودانی (jáwdání), منعش (mnʿsh), ننمايد (nnmáyd), از (iz), دولت (dúlt) as “then with, being rich, his riches, of, eternal kingdom, hindered, imperishable dominion”

bounty 48% through 9% bounteousness 8% bountiful 8% generosity 8% grace 6% favor 5% giver 3% favors 3% munificence 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §8: of Thy bounteousness fire-tabletFire §34: Giver gleaningsGWB §627: and bounty kitab-i-iqanKIQ §53: pure prayers-and-meditationsP&M §6: through Thy gracious providence the-hidden-wordsHW §126: to be generous epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §30: Thy bounty fire-tabletFire §33: Thy bestowal

منعش

mnʿsh m-n-ʿ → “hindered”

literal: prevent; prevented; prevention

powerless 50% hindered 50%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §92: may withhold gleaningsGWB §682: deterred kitab-i-iqanKIQ §213: repel prayers-and-meditationsP&M §138: Thou keep me back tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §9: arise against thee the-hidden-wordsHW §89: be bereft will-and-testamentW&T §23: are in no wise permitted epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §118: could deter

ننمايد

nnmáyd n-m-ʾ

literal: do; show; make

SE rendered غنا (ghná), از (iz), ملکوت (mlkút), جاودانی (jáwdání), منعش (mnʿsh), ننمايد (nnmáyd), از (iz), دولت (dúlt), ابدی (ibdí), محرومش (mḥrúmsh), نگرداند (ngrdánd) as “his riches, of, eternal kingdom, hindered, imperishable dominion, deprived, is not”

withhold 33% can 33% will 17% appear 17%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §118: could deter gleaningsGWB §395: yourselves kitab-i-ahdAhd §16: Give kitab-i-iqanKIQ §225: failed prayers-and-meditationsP&M §667: show the-hidden-wordsHW §151: made will-and-testamentW&T §24: should they show their epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §192: have been voiced

دولت

dúlt d-w-l → “government”

literal: state; government; fortune

government 61% authorities 4% imperial 4% fortune 4% persian 4% ottoman 4% service 4% honored 4% station 4% wealth 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §118: fortune gleaningsGWB §174: station kitab-i-iqanKIQ §187: of government the-hidden-wordsHW §55: dominion will-and-testamentW&T §22: governments epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §36: in the service of gleaningsGWB §511: the Great Powers the-hidden-wordsHW §126: of Wealth

ابدی

ibdí ʾ-b-d

literal: ever; eternal

SE rendered منعش (mnʿsh), ننمايد (nnmáyd), از (iz), دولت (dúlt), ابدی (ibdí), محرومش (mḥrúmsh), نگرداند (ngrdánd), قسم (qsm), باسم (básm) as “hindered, of, imperishable dominion, deprived, is not, By the”

eternal 40% ever-abiding 20% eternally 20% everlasting 20%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §230: never gleaningsGWB §622: no kitab-i-iqanKIQ §151: eternal tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §14: all eternity epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §189: the Ever-Abiding gleaningsGWB §419: eternally kitab-i-iqanKIQ §265: everlasting gleaningsGWB §227: pause

نگرداند

ngrdánd g-r-d → “is not”

literal: become; to become; make

SE rendered از (iz), دولت (dúlt), ابدی (ibdí), محرومش (mḥrúmsh), نگرداند (ngrdánd), قسم (qsm), باسم (básm), اعظم (iʿẓm), نور (núr), غنی (ghní) as “of, imperishable dominion, deprived, is not, By the, Most Great Name, splendor, wealthy man”

may 27% become 19% hath 12% made 12% thou 8% have 8% wouldst 4% end 4% rejected 4% stray 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §192: become gleaningsGWB §622: set kitab-i-iqanKIQ §75: behold prayers-and-meditationsP&M §645: express the-hidden-wordsHW §130: is not will-and-testamentW&T §56: becometh epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §147: wouldst become gleaningsGWB §288: not stray

قسم

qsm q-s-m → “by the”

literal: oath, swear

SE rendered از (iz), دولت (dúlt), ابدی (ibdí), محرومش (mḥrúmsh), نگرداند (ngrdánd), قسم (qsm), باسم (básm), اعظم (iʿẓm), نور (núr), غنی (ghní), اهل (ihl) as “of, imperishable dominion, deprived, is not, By the, Most Great Name, splendor, wealthy man, the dwellers”

swear 66% beareth 7% system 3% instance 3% other 3% such 3% adjured 3% righteousness 3% kinds 3% god 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §116: swear gleaningsGWB §555: such kitab-i-iqanKIQ §264: So much so the-hidden-wordsHW §130: By the will-and-testamentW&T §38: By the Ancient Beauty epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §187: their portion gleaningsGWB §563: such a kitab-i-iqanKIQ §78: By God

آسمان

ásmán s-m-w → “heaven”

literal: heaven

heaven 64% heavens 18% heights 9% invisible 9%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §102: Great Name fire-tabletFire §36: heavenly gleaningsGWB §125: with kitab-i-iqanKIQ §46: skies prayers-and-meditationsP&M §827: I implore Thee tablet-of-carmelCarmel §4: Names.’tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §12: my Lord the-hidden-wordsHW §44: My heaven

اعظم

iʿẓm 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: all-surpassing gleaningsGWB §411: Most Great Name kitab-i-iqanKIQ §229: than prayers-and-meditationsP&M §84: of Thy favors the-hidden-wordsHW §21: plenteous will-and-testamentW&T §7: Crown epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §56: highly-honored gleaningsGWB §287: vast and mighty

نور

núr n-w-r → “splendor” Distinctive

literal: light; lights; luminous

This form usually rendered as “light”, “illumine”, “radiance” (186 occurrences)

light 80% illumine 5% radiance 4% brightness 2% illuminate 1% luminary 1% into 1% glory 1% source 1% splendour 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §117: a brilliant light fire-tabletFire §48: flaming gleaningsGWB §684: hearts kitab-i-ahdAhd §3: shining and resplendent kitab-i-iqanKIQ §39: traditions established prayers-and-meditationsP&M §97: hath been diffused tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §31: exalted and glorious the-hidden-wordsHW §13: of My light

اهل

ihl ʾ-h-l → “dwellers”

literal: people; people, folk; people/inhabitants

people 41% peoples 29% dwellers 5% men 4% mankind 4% ye 4% concourse 4% infidel 4% inhabitants 3% denizens 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §94: of the people gleaningsGWB §151: were destitute of all learning kitab-i-ahdAhd §5: beholders of kitab-i-iqanKIQ §114: midst prayers-and-meditationsP&M §224: the denizens the-hidden-wordsHW §109: DWELLERS will-and-testamentW&T §34: devoted epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §201: all the peoples

روشنی

rúshní r-w-sh

literal: bright; brightness; method

SE rendered نور (núr), غنی (ghní), اهل (ihl), آسمان (ásmán), روشنی (rúshní), بخشد (bkhshd), چنانچه (chnánchh), شمس (shms), اهل (ihl), زمين (zmín) as “splendor, wealthy man, the people, heaven, illuminate, even as, the sun, the earth”