Bahá’í Glossary/Text

Bahá’í Glossary

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[Page i]

Bahá’í Glossary

By Marzieh Gail

PERSIAN AND ARABIC WORDS IN THE BAHÁ’Í WRITINGS [Page ii]

Bahá’í Glossary

By Marzieh Gail

Bahá’í Publishing Trust Wilmette, Illinois [Page iii] Copyright©1955 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States of America

Sixth Printing 1976

Printed in U.S.A. [Page 1]

REMARKS

Transliteration means putting the letters of one alphabet into another alphabet. There are sounds in Arabic and Persian which have no English equivalents. For this reason letters and combinations have to be made up to represent these sounds: gh, kh, and so forth. Besides this, Persian has four z's, three s's, two t's and two h's, which have to be differentiated in English by made-up letters, such as d, th and t. Persian and Arabic pronunciation varies throughout the Middle East; people from Cairo, Tihrán and Káshán respectively would pronounce the same word three different ways. These variations are the greater because short vowels are not written; for example, "cat" would be spelled "ct." A Persian, seeing for the first time a list of unfamiliar Persian towns, cannot tell how to pronounce them. (To help Persian and Arab readers pronounce unfamiliar words "diacritical" marks are used.) Ṭihrán Persian is considered the best.

In the early days, Orientalists added to the confusion by transliterating Persian and Arabic to suit themselves. A German might spell Shah "Schah" while a Frenchman spelled it "Chah." On March 12, 1923, the Guardian of the Faith requested the Bahá’ís to "avoid confusion in future" by faithfully adhering to a uniform spelling (which had been adopted at one of the International Oriental Congresses). On November 26, 1923, the Guardian wrote:

"I am confident that the friends will not feel their energy and patience taxed by a scrupulous adherence to what is an authoritative and universal, though arbitrary code for the spelling of Oriental terms."

These communications from Shoghi Effendi appear in Bahá’í Administration, page 56.

The result has been that order has replaced the previous individualistic and whimsical spelling of various early texts. Today a student, seeing a Persian or Arabic word transliterated according to this system, can immediately write the word back into the original, whereas formerly he often had to guess at what the original might be.

The "rhymes-with" and the "sounds-like" method is in the present writer's view the easiest now available. The American public is not polyglot and balks at phonetic symbols and other complicated aids familiar to linquists. An accurate pronunciation can be acquired only by listening to, and imitating, persons accurately speaking a given tongue. At best, the present text can provide only an approximation to the original Persian sounds.

It was not possible to include every proper noun in the Bahá’í Writings, but an attempt has been made to list names most often present in compounds. If a Persian or Arabic name is carefully scrutinized, element by element, it will prove easier to deal with: Shaykh Ahmad-i-Ahs’í means a religious leader named Ahmad from the town of Aḥsá. Hájí Mírzá Siyyid ‘Alí means one who has made the pilgrimage to Mecca, is of the scholar class and a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, and named ‘Alí. The compound Abu’l-Hasan means Father of Hasan. The last element, when it does not refer to a town, often denotes the man's occupation: Bazzáz is a cloth merchant, Rikáb-Sáz a stirrup maker. Mírzó at the beginning of a name denotes an educated person or a scholar; at the end of a name it means Prince. [Page 2]

GUIDE TO TRANSLITERATION AND PRONUNCIATION OF THE PERSIAN ALPHABET, TOGETHER WITH THE NUMERICAL VALUE OF THE LETTERS (ABJAD RECKONING)*

LETTER	TRANSLITERATION	PRONUNCIATION	NUMERICAL VALUE
ا	á, a	arm, cat	1
ب	b	b	2
پ	p	p
ت	t	t	400
ث	th	see	500
ج	j	John	3
چ	ch	church
ح	ḥ	h	8
خ	kh	loch	600
د	d	d	4
ذ	dh	z	700
ر	r	r	200
ز	z	z	7
ژ	zh	pleasure
س	s	so	60
ش	sh	she	300
ص	ṣ	so	90
ض	ḍ	z	800
ط	ṭ	t	9
ظ	ẓ	z	900
ع	‘	silent "uh"	70
غ	gh	get	1000
ف	f	f	80
ق	q	get	100
ك	k	k	20
گ	g	get
ل	l	l	30
م	m	m	40
ن	n	n	50
و	v, ú	v, oo	6
ه	h	h	5
ي	y, í	yes, ee	10
ء	’	silent "uh"	1

• The non-Arabic letters in the Persian alphabet have no abjad value.

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Pronunciation

a..... as in account, or cat á ..... as in arm aw... as "ow" in mown i..... as "e" in best U... as "o" in short ..... as "ee" in meet ú ..... as "oo" in moon These four letters are pronounced "z": dh, d, z, z. These three letters are pronounced "ss": th, s, S. These two letters are pronounced "t": t, t. These two letters are pronounced "h": h, h. Kh is pronounced like the "ch" in Scotch loch. Zh is pronounced like "s" in pleasure. Q and gh are almost unpronounceable by Americans. The sound is a deep gutteral not unlike the sound made in gargling at the base of the throat; substitute a "g," a "k, or a Parisian "r." Áh is pronounced approximately as in rah-rah or hurrah. The other letters and combinations are the same as in English; e.g., ch as in church, and i as in John.

Note that ‘ represents a sort of silent "uh," produced in the chest; the same applies somewhat to ’ which represents a pause; the word Bahá’í should include the pause prior to final í: Ba-há...ee.

Stress every syllable equally, then repeat the word more rapidly, and you will not go too far wrong.

In the syllable "eh," used so frequently in what follows, the "e" is pronounced like "e" in set, and the "h" is aspirated.

Do not swallow the "h's"; breathe them. Ṭihrán is Teh-Ron. Alláh-u-Abhá is Alláh-ho-Abhá.

N.B. Usually mispronounced by Americans is the syllable "ar"; this does not rhyme with we are. It rhymes with the "ar" in Harry: Tabarsí is pronounced: Ta-bar-see.

Sources and Abbreviations

The translations and definitions of terms appearing here are from the writings of Shoghi Effendi, wherever available. Other sources included the Bahá’í World volumes, standard Persian and Arabic dictionaries, encyclopedias such as Hughes' Dictionary of Islám and the Shorter Encyclopedia of Islám, various English translations of the Qur’án, R. A. Nicholson's Commentary on the Mathnawí, E. G. Browne's A Literary History of Persia, and Gobineau's Trois Ans en Asie.

Abbreviations are as follows:

BN Bahá’í News BW Bahá’í World DB The Dawn-Breakers Gl. The Gleanings...from Bahá’u’lláh GPB God Passes By, by Shoghi Effendi L.Hist. Literary History of Persia, by E. G. Browne PDC Promised Day is Come, by Shoghi Effendi PUP Promulgation of Universal Peace, by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá r.w. Rhymes with SAQ Some Answered Questions, by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá SV Seven Valleys, by Bahá’u’lláh SW Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, by Bahá’u’lláh Tr.Narr. A Traveller’s Narrative, by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (See E. G. Browne, Episode of the Báb) WOB World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, by Shoghi Effendi [Page 4] Be sure to pronounce the middle column in the glossary to sound like or rhyme with English, remembering that “a” without accent mark is as in cat and “ar” rhymes with Harry. Ron, Al and Don are pronounced like the boys’ names. Awn rhymes with awning (we freely admit that “aw” is too broad for the Persian sound involved, and “ah” not quite broad enough); do not swallow any letters, and breathe the h’s; Oz sounds like Wizard of Oz.

— A —

‘Abá	Ab-awe	Cloak, mantle
‘Abbás-Qulí Khán-i-Láríjání	ab-boss-coolie-con-eh-lorry-John-ee	Sniper who killed Mullá Ḥusayn (DB 379), Feb. 1, 1849.
‘Abdu’dh-Dhikr	ab-doz-zeckr	A designation of the Báb.
‘Abdu’l-‘Azíz	abd-ol-az-ease	Sultan of Turkey who “with Náṣiri’d-Dín Sháh was the author of the calamities heaped upon Bahá’u’lláh.....” and embodied the concentrated power vested in Sultanate and Caliphate. (GPB 225). 1830-1876; ruled 1861-1876.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá	Abdol-Bahá	The Servant of the Glory. The Center of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant; Exemplar and Interpreter of the Bahá’í Faith. “The Most Great Branch,” the “One Whom God hath purposed.” (GPB 239). Bahá’u’lláh’s “beloved Son.....His vicegerent on earth, the Executive of His authority, the Pivot of His Covenant, the Shepherd of His flock, the Exemplar of His faith, the Image of His perfections, the Mystery of His Revelation, the Interpreter of His mind, the Architect of His World Order, the Ensign of His Most Great Peace, the Focal Point of His unerring guidance .....occupant of an office without peer or equal in the entire field of religious history.....”(GPB 245). (1844-1921).
‘Abdu’l-Ḥamíd II	ab-dol-ham-eed	“The Great Assassin.” Nephew and successor of ‘Abdu’l-‘Azíz and with him responsible for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s forty years imprisonment. (PDC 61). 1842-1918; Sultan of Turkey 1876 till deposed 1909.
‘Abdu’l-Kháliq-i-Iṣfáhání	ab-dol-caw-leck-eh-ess-fa-haw-nee	Man who cut his throat when Táhirih put aside her veil at the Conference of Badashṭ.
‘Abdu’lláh Khán-i-Turkamán	abd-ol-láh-con-eh-tor-cam-awn	Person first charged by the Sháh to destroy the handful of Bábís who had sought refuge at the Shrine of Shaykh Ṭabarsí. He recruited an army of 12,000 men and it was thought he could conquer the believers in “the space of two days.” (DB 360).
‘Abdu’lláh-i-Ubayy	abd-ol-láh-heh-obey	Powerful Medinite chief and Muḥammad’s bitter opponent, whose hopes of sovereignty were defeated when the Medinites sent for the Prophet to rule over them. He was the leader of the Hypocrites (munáfiqún) who secretly thwarted and resisted the Prophet at Medina. (Muir, Sir Wm., The Life of Mohammad, 181).

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‘Abdu’l-Majid	abd-ol-ma-jeed	Sultan of Turkey 1839-1861. Born 1823.
Abjad	ab-jad	“The name of an arithmetical arrangement of the alphabet, the letters of which have different powers [numerical values] from one to one thousand. It is in the order of the alphabet as used by the Jews as far as 400, the six remaining letters being added by the Arabians.” (Hughes).
Abraham		“Father of a Multitude.” An inhabitant of Ur in Chaldee, who founded the Jewish nation. Ancestor of Bahá’u’lláh through Katurah. This Manifestation of God is also called the Friend of God and the Father of the Faithful. (GPB 94).
Abú-‘Abdi’lláh (or Abí -- for grammatical reasons)	aboo-ab-del-láh	Designation of the sixth Imám, Ja‘far-i-Ṣádiq (the Veridical), great-grandson of al-Ḥusayn. Died AD. 765, poisoned by Manṣúr, the ‘Abbáside Caliph.
Abú-‘Alí Síná, also Ibn-i-Sina	aboo-alley-seen-aw	Avicenna, 980-1037? A.D., Persian physician and philosopher. The Shifá and the Qánún or Canon of Medicine are his most famous works.
Abú-Dhar	aboo-zar (ar as in Harry)	The shepherd who became a Companion of Muḥammad; celebrated for piety and asceticism, he preached the equality of all believers and denounced luxury. Claimed as a precursor by Muslim mystics. Bahá’u’lláh speaks of him as becoming “a prince of nations” SW 19.
Abú-Ja‘far	aboo-ja-far (ar as in Harry)	This is the Kunyih or designation of the fifth Imám, Muḥammad-Báqir (AD. 676-731). SW 113. Ab (or abu) means father.
Abu Jahl	aboo-ja-hl	The Father of Ignorance, Muslim surname of Muḥammad’s bitter opponent, his uncle and an influential Meccan called Abu’l-Hikam, the Father of Wisdoms. Killed at Badr, he is said to have been called by Muḥammad “the Pharaoh of his people.”
Abú Naṣr	aboo-nass-r	Al-Fárábí, whom Browne calls the “greatest philosopher of Islam before Avicenna.” d.AD. 950. Nicholson adds, “He devoted himself to the study of Aristotle, whom Moslems agree with Dante in regarding as ‘il maestro di color che sanno.’ ”
Abu’l-Ḥasan-‘Alí	abol-hass-san-alee	“Last of the Four Gates.” See Abváb-i-Arba‘ih, DB Liii. Dying, he refused to name a successor, saying that God had another plan.
Abu’l-Qásim-i-Káshí	abol-caw-sem-eh-caw-shee	A believer martyred through the decree pronounced by Mírzá Yaḥyá. (SW 176).
Abváb-i-Arba‘ih	ab-vob-eh-ar-ba...eh	The Four Gates. Successive emissaries, for 69 years after the “disappearance,” i.e. death, of the 12th Imám in 260 A.H., between the “Hidden Imám” and the people.

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Term	Pronunciation	Definition
‘Ád	odd	Tribe living in Arabia immediately after Noah, and which built large edifices and pillars in “al-Aḥqáf” (The Sand Dunes). They grew haughty because of their prosperity and were destroyed for rejecting their Prophet, Húd. Cf. Qur’án 7:65, 41:15, 26:128, 89:5, etc.
Adam		Manifestation of God who inaugurated a 6,000 year cycle ending with the Dispensation of the Báb. “The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh should indeed be regarded, if we wish to be faithful to the tremendous implications of its message, as the culmination of a cycle, the final stage in a series of successive, of preliminary and progressive revelations. These, beginning with Adam and ending with the Báb, have paved the way and anticipated with an ever-increasing emphasis the advent of that Day of Days in which He Who is the Promise of All Ages should be made manifest.” (Shoghi Effendi, WOB 103). The Guardian further writes of “the rise of the Orb of Bahá’u’lláh’s most sublime Revelation marking the consummation of the six thousand year cycle ushered in by Adam, glorified by all past prophets and sealed with the blood of the Author of the Bábí Dispensation.” (BN, insert dated Oct. 8, 1952). Adam in Persian means man. The Qur’án uses the same phrase for the creation of Adam as for that of Jesus Christ; cf. 15:29, 66:12, etc.: “breathed of My spirit into him.”
Adamic cycle		Cycle “stretching back as far as the first dawnings of the world’s recorded religious history.....” and ending with the Dispensation of the Báb.
Adhán	az-awn	“Announcement”; the Muslim call to prayer, proclaimed by the muezzin before the five stated times of prayer.
Áḍhirbáyján	Oz-air-by-John	Province in Northwest Persia.
Afchih	aff-cheh	Village near Ṭihrán, site of Bahá’u’lláh’s summer residence.
Afnán	aff-nawn	Twigs, i.e., the relatives of the Báb. (GPB 239).
Aghṣán	ax-awn	Branches, i.e., the sons and descendants of Bahá’u’lláh. (SW 94) (GPB 239).
A.H.		Anno Hejirae -- in the year of the Hegira; date reckoned according to the Muḥammadan era, which began in 622 A.D. with the “flight” -- properly emigration or severing of relations -- of Muḥammad from Mecca to Medina. Other spelling: Hijrah.
Ahlu’l-Kitáb	ahl-ol-ket-ob	The People of the Book. Qur’ánic term explained by Bahá’u’lláh, Iqán, 16: “It is evident that by the ‘people of the Book,’ who have repelled their fellow-men from the straight path of God, is meant none other than the divines of that age.....” Cf. Qur’án 3:70; 3:71; 3:99.
Aḥmad Big Tawfíq	a-h-mad-beg-tow-feeg	“Sagacious and humane” governor of ‘Akká, who at the suggestion of Bahá’u’lláh restored the aqueduct leading to ‘Akká.
Akbar	ack-bar (as in Harry)	Greater; greatest.

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‘Akká	ack-caw	Prison city north of Mt. Carmel, Israel; ancient Ptolemais and the “Strong City” of the Psalms. Site of the Most Great Prison where Bahá’u’lláh was incarcerated. A Tablet of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Mrs. Ella G. Cooper states: “It is recorded in the Bible: ‘Achor shall be a door of hope unto them.’ This Achor is the City of ‘Akká. Whoever interprets this otherwise is ignorant.” (Daily Lessons, by H. S. Goodall and E. G. Cooper; quoted Tablet begins on p. 92; specific reference is to Hosea 2:15; transliteration above modernized). (GPB 184; 185). The St. Jean d’Acre of the Crusaders.
‘Alí	a-lee	The first Imám, the rightful successor of Muḥammad; also the fourth Caliph. Cousin of Muḥammad and husband of Fáṭimih, he is known by titles including the Commander of the Faithful, the Lion of God, and the Lord of Saintship. Saint and warrior, brilliant writer and administrator, he was killed at Kufa by Ibn-i-Muljam (A.D. 661). Amír-‘Alí states: “Ali was its [chivalry’s] beau-idéal -- an impersonation of gallantry, of bravery, of generosity; pure, gentle, and learned, ‘without fear and without reproach,’ he set the world the noblest example of chivalrous grandeur of character.” (The Spirit of Islám, 254).
‘Alí-Khán-i-Máh-Kú’í	a-lee-con-eh-maw-coo-ee	Warden of the Castle of Máh-Kú.
‘Alí Mardán Khán, Fort of	a-lee-mar-Don-con	Storm-center at Zanján.
‘Álí-Páshá	a-lee-paw-shaw	Prime Minister of Turkey, denounced in the Lawḥ-i-Ra’ís. (GPB 231).
Alif.Lám.Mím.	aleff-lawm-meem	“A.L.M.” Cf. Qur’an 2:1. Many surihs of the Qur’an are prefaced by disconnected letters. Cf. Iqan 202: “In the disconnected letters of the Qur’án the mysteries of the divine Essence are enshrined, and within their shells the pearls of His Unity are treasured.”
‘Alíyu’lláhí	a-lee-yol-law-hee	Islámíc sect, found principally in Western Persia and also known as Niṣárá and Ahlu’l-Ḥaqq, which teaches that ‘Alí is an avatar. (Gobineau, Trois Ans en Asie, 338).
Alláh	al-láh	God. The most prevalent explanation of this word, given in such works as the Shorter Encyclopedia of Islam, is that the pre-Islamic Arabs worshipped as head of their pantheon a god called Alláh, meaning the iláh, or the god. Muḥammad taught: “There is no iláh save the iláh,” “Lá iláhá illa’lláh,” Allah being thus a combination of the particle “the” (al) and iláh.
Alláh-u-Abhá	Alláh-ho-Ab-há	God is All-Glorious. The Greatest Name, adopted during the period of Bahá’u’lláh’s exile in Adrianople as a greeting among Bahá’ís. (GPB 176). Another form of the Greatest Name -- not used as a greeting but an invocation -- is Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá, O Thou the Glory of Glories!
‘Amá	am-awe	Light cloud, term symbolizing the First Invisible Substance.
Amín	am-een	The trusted one; designation of Muḥammad as a youth.

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Amín-i-Iláhí	am-meen-eh-el-awe-hee	Trusted one of God; first Persian pilgrim to penetrate into ‘Akká and glimpse the imprisoned Bahá’u’lláh. (GPB 187).
Amínu’l-Bayán	am-een-ol-by-awn	Surname of Hájí Sháh Muḥammad-i-Manshádí, one of the Persian believers who guarded the remains of the Báb. (GPB 274).
Amír	am-eer	Prince, governor, lord, commander, etc.
Amír-Nizám, Mírzá Taqí Khán	Am-eer-nez-awm, mere-zaw-tackee-con	Grand Vizier and “prime mover of the forces that precipitated the Báb’s martyrdom.” (DB 526). Murdered by order of Náṣiri’d-Dín Sháh.
Amríká	America	The United States, visited by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1912. Cradle of Bahá’í Administrative Order (GPB 329; 269).
Amru’lláh	am-rol-láh	The Cause of God; also the Command of God.
Ámul	awe-mol	Persian town near Caspian, where Bahá’u’lláh was bastinadoed in the presence of the assembled ‘ulamás (Nov.-Dec. 1848), when He had attempted to join the besieged at Ṭabarsí. (DB 372).
Anas, Son of Malik	a-nass; maw-leck	One of the most prolific traditionists, from the age of ten a servant of Muḥammad.
Anís	a-neess	Surname of the disciple who died with the Báb; Mírzá Muḥammad-‘Alí.
Anísá	a-nee-saw	Tree of Life; associated with the new Covenant (GPB 238).
Anṣár	ann-sawr	“Helpers.” Title of those Medinites who rallied around Muḥammad after His flight from Mecca to Medina; often coupled with al-Muhájirún, the emigrants, title of those Muslims who migrated from Mecca to Medina.
Áqa	aw-caw	Master; title given by Bahá’u’lláh to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Also means mulla or sir.
Áqá Buzurg of Khurásán	awe-caw-bo-zorg; core-aw-sawn	Badí‘ (wonderful); Bahá’u’lláh’s martyred messenger to the Sháh of Persia.
Áqá Ján-i-Khamsih	awe-caw-John-eh-cam-seh	Colonel who carried out the execution of the Báb.
Áqá Riḍá	awe-caw-rezz-awe	Supporter of Bahá’u’lláh, exiled with Him all the way from Baghdad to ‘Akká.
Áqáy-i-Kalím	awe-caw-yeh-cal-eem	Noble brother of Bahá’u’lláh. See Mírzá Músá.

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Aqṣá Mosque	ack-saw	“The Most Remote” Mosque, at Jerusalem; built on spot in Islám. Also called as-Ṣakhrah, “The Rock,” also “The Holy House.” (GPB xiii).
‘Arafih	a-raff-eh	Vigil of the Feast of Sacrifice, when the Mecca pilgrims proceed to Mt. ‘Arafát. The 9th day of the month of Dhi’l-Ḥijjih. (DB 32).
Arḍ-i-Sirr	ar-zeh-sair	Land of Mystery (Adrianople). The numerical value of Sirr (mystery) is identical with that of Adirnih (Adrianople) (i.e., 260).
Ardishír Mírzá	ar-desh-sheer-mere-zaw	A governor of Ṭihrán.
‘Árif	awr-eff	Mystic knower, gnostic.
Ashraf	ash-raff	Man’s name.
‘Ashúrá	osh-oo-raw	The tenth of Muḥarram on which day the Imám Ḥusayn was martyred.
Ásíyih	awe-see-yeh	Qur’án 66:11, the wife of Pharaoh. To Muslims one of four perfect women, the others being Sarah, the Virgin Mary, and Fáṭimih (See GPB 75) N.B. The reference in PUP I, 170 and index should be corrected to read Ásíyih, not Ayesha. The commentators say that because she believed in Moses, Pharaoh set a rock on her breast, fastened her hands to four stakes and left her in the blazing sun.
Asmá’u’l-Ḥusná	a-smaw-ol-hoss-naw	Most Beauteous Names (of God); phrases occurring in Qur’án 7:179, 17:110, etc. According to a ḥadíth, Muḥammad said, “Verily there are 99 names of God, and whoever recites them shall enter Paradise.” The traditions also maintain that the ‘Almighty has a hundredth name, the “Most Great Name,” and that whoever calls on God by this Name shall obtain all his desires. Down the ages, various mystic orders have striven to, and claimed to, possess the Greatest Name -- which was not revealed until the Advent of Bahá’u’lláh. The Greatest Name is referred to as Ism-i-A’ẓam.
‘Aṭṭár	at-tar (r.w. tar)	Shaykh Farídu’d-Dín ‘Aṭṭár, “the Druggist”, one who deals in attar of roses, etc. Great Persian mystic poet of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, born Níshápúr. His copious works include the Manṭiqu’ṭ-Ṭayr in which the birds, in search of the Símurgh, pass through the seven valleys of Search, Love, Knowledge, Independence, Unification, Amazement, Destitution and Annihilation.
‘Aválim	av-awe-lem	“Worlds.” Title of a work prophesying the opposition of the divines to the Promised One.
‘Aynu’l-Baqar	ain-ol-bak-kar (ar as in Harry)	The Spring of the Cow, in ‘Akká.
Ayyám-i-Há	I-yawm-eh-haw	“Days of H.” H according to the abjad system equals 5; the letters in the name of the Báb also total 5. The intercalary days.
‎Ayyam-i-Shidád Ayyám-i-Shidád‎	I-yawm-eh-shed-odd	Days of Stress: the supreme crisis in Adrianople, engineered by the diabolical Siyyid Muḥammad. (GPB 163).

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A’ẓam	a...zam	The Greatest.
‘Azíz Khán-i-Sardár	az-ease-con-eh- sar-daw r (ar as in Harry)	Slayer of Tahirih.
‘Aẓím (Turshízí)	a-zeem; tor-shee-zee	Man who publicly confessed his complicity in the attempt on the life of Náṣiri’d-Dín Sháh.

B

B and E		Be. Qur’án 3:42 states: “When He decreeth a thing, He only saith, ‘Be,’ and it is.” The reference in Prayers and Meditations, page 85, thus means, “through His name creation was created.” The Arabic is “k” and “n”--kun.
Bá and Há	baw-and-haw	B and H meaning Bahá. The Bahá’í ring symbol shows two “b’s”, four “h’s” and two stars.
Báb	rhymes with throb	The Gate. The Prophet-Herald of Bahá’u’lláh, “The Manifestation of the Unity and Oneness of God and the Forerunner of the Ancient Beauty” (BA 11); the return of the Prophet Elijah, of John the Baptist and of the Twelfth Imám (GPB 276, 58); “My First Name,” (GPB 57), Whom “posterity will recognize as standing at the confluence of two universal prophetic cycles, the Adamic...and the Bahá’í....” (GPB 54). “the independent Author of a divinely revealed Dispensation...also...the Herald of a new Era and the Inaugurator of a great universal prophetic cycle.” (GPB 57). Born Shíráz, Oct. 20, 1819; martyred Tabríz, July 9, 1850.
Bábí	bob-ee	Of or pertaining to the Báb.
Bábí Dispensation		Began May 22, 1844 A.D. at two hours and eleven minutes after sunset in Shíráz, Persia. Ended in the year 1280 A.H. (WOB 102; GPB xi).
Bábí-Dukhtarán	bob-ee-dock-tar-awn	Site in Shíráz where the Báb’s son is buried.
Bábu’l-Báb	bob-ol-bob	The Gate of the Gate. Title of Mullá Ḥusayn, the first Letter of the Living.
Bábu’lláh	bob-ol-láh	The Gate of God; designation of the Báb.
Badasht	ba-dasht	Hamlet in a plain on the border of Mázindarán. Conference of, lasted twenty-two days (June-July 1848), and proclaimed the annulment of the old Order. (DB 301, n.1).
Badí‘	ba-dee...	“Wonderful.” Seventeen-year-old boy who delivered Bahá’u’lláh’s Tablet to the Sháh of Persia and was in consequence tortured and killed. His given name was Áqá Buzurg of Khurásán; he was converted by the historian Nabíl and won the title of the “Pride of Martyrs.”
Badí‘ calendar	ba-dee...	Name of the Bahá’í calendar. It begins with the year 60 (1844 A.D.). It is found in the Kitáb-i-Asmá’, a work of the Báb.

[Page 11]

Term	Pronunciation	Description
Baghdád	bag-dod	City where Bahá’u’lláh declared His Mission, to His companions, in 1863. Called by Him the City of God, and (prophetically) in the Qur’án the “Abode of Peace.” (10:26; 6:127). (GPB 110).
Bahá’í	Ba-há-ee	Of or pertaining to Bahá’u’lláh.
Bahá’í Cycle	Ba-há-ee	Began May 22, 1844, at 2 hours and 11 minutes after sunset, in Shíráz, Persia. Destined to last for no less than 5,000 centuries. GPB xi, 55, 100.
Bahá’í Era	Ba-há-ee	Began May 22, 1844,‎1844,at 1844, at‎ 2 hours and 11 minutes after sunset in Shíráz, Persia. The first century of this Era comprises the “Heroic, the Primitive, the Apostolic Age...and also the initial stages of the Formative, the Transitional, the Iron Age ” ushered in by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will and Testament. (GPB xi, xiii). The Bahá’í Revelation is “the consummation of all the Dispensations within the Adamic Cycle, inaugurating an era of at least a thousand ‎year’s years’‎ duration, and a cycle destined to last no less than five thousand centuries....” (GPB 100).
Bahá’í Revelation	Ba-há-ee	Revelation from God “signalizing the end of the Prophetic Era and the beginning of the Era of Fulfillment....” (GPB 100).
Bahá’u’lláh	Ba-há-ol-láh	The Glory of God. “...an appellation specifically recorded in the Persian Bayán, signifying at once the glory, the light and the splendor of God....” (GPB 93-94). “The Supreme Manifestation of God and the Dayspring of His Most Divine Essence.” (BA 11). “...never to be identified with that invisible Reality, the Essence of Divinity itself,” He is “the complete incarnation of the names and attributes of God.” (WOB 114, 112). The Promised One of all the ages. Born Tihrán, Persia, Nov. 12, 1817; ascended Bahjí, Palestine, now Israel, May 29, 1892.
Bahjí	Ba-h-gee	Delight. Denotes that part of the plain of ‘Akká where the Shrine and Mansion of Bahá’u’lláh are situated.
Bahrayn	ba-h-rain	Bahrein islands in Persian Gulf.
Bálá-khánih	baw-law-con-eh	Balcony.
Bálá-Sarí	baw-law-sa-ree	Above or over head. Term denotes Muslim worshippers who recited their prayers in the upper section of the Shrine of the Imám Husayn at Karbilá. (DB 84).
Balál	ba-lall	Ethiopian convert to Islám and the first muezzin. A speech defect caused him to mispronounce the letter “sh” (shín) as if it were “ss” (sín).
Báqirí	baw-care-ee	Sect of the Imámites.
Baqíyyatu’lláh	back-ee-yat-ol-láh	Remnant of God; a title of Bahá’u’lláh and also of the Báb.
Bárfurúsh	bawr-fo-roosh	Town where Quddús was publicly martyred by the dregs of the inhabitants, May 1849.

[Page 12]

Bast	r.w. fast	Right of sanctuary. The law could not touch a fugitive taking sanctuary or bast in Muslim mosques and shrines.
Baṭhá	bat-haw	Mecca, hemmed in by bare hills, lies in an “ill-ventilated couloir.” Its center and lowest part is Baṭhá. Some buildings here were so close to the Ka‘bih that their shadows merged with its shadow mornings and evenings.
Bayán (Arabic)	buy-awn	Work of the Báb; Smaller, less weighty than Persian Bayán (GPB 25).
Bayán (Persian)	buy-awn	Exposition; “The repository of the laws ordained by the Báb.” (GPB 17). “Peerless among the doctrinal works of the Báb” (GPB 25). “Designedly severe.... drastic....” (Ibid.) Interspersed with “unnumbered passages...in which He fixes the date of the promised Revelation....” (GPB 28). Title given by the Báb to His Revelation, particularly His Books.
Bayán, Point of		The Báb (GPB 98).
Bayt-i-A’zam	bait-eh-a...zam	The Most Great House of Bahá’u’lláh in Baghdád, known at one time as House of Mírzá Músá, the Bábí. (GPB 129); “situated in the Karkh quarter, in the neighborhood of the western bank of the river....” (Ibid., 130).
Baytu’l-’Adl-i-A’zam	bait-ol-adl-eh-a...zam	The Universal House of Justice, of which the Guardian is the permanent Head, and the members are elected by the members of the National Houses of Justice. This body makes and can abrogate its own laws; it legislates on “whatsoever has not been explicitly and outwardly recorded in His (Bahá’u’lláh’s) holy Writ.” (WOB 23). “...the twin pillars that support this mighty Administrative Structure--the institutions of the Guardianship and of the Universal House of Justice.” (WOB 147). There are also Local Houses of Justice, at present termed Local Spiritual Assemblies, in cities, townships, etc. where nine or more Bahá’ís reside. These, elected by Bahá’ís within their jurisdiction of 21 years of age and over, direct the affairs of the Faith; National Spiritual Assemblies (future Houses of Justice) are elected by delegates who are themselves elected by adult Bahá’ís of each state, territory, province etc. within a given country, and have jurisdiction over Bahá’í affairs within the country as a whole.
Baytu’l-Ma’múr	bait-ol-ma...moor	The Frequented Fane, Qur’án 52:4. In Islám, the Ka‘bih or its archetype in heaven.
Baní-Háshim	ban-ee-haw-shem	Sons of Háshim, the Prophet Muḥammad’s great grandfather; family from which Muḥammad descended.
Bismi’lláhi’r-Raḥmáni’-Raḥím	bessm-ell-lah-hair-ra-h-mawn-eh-ra-heem	In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. Used at the head of every surih of the Qur’án except the ninth. Used at beginning of meals, putting on new clothes, beginning a new undertaking (by Muslims).
Big	beg (often, back)	Honorary title lower than Khán.
Biháru’l-Anvár	beh-hawr-ol-Anvawr	Seas of Lights, a compilation of Shí‘ah traditions.
Bishárát	besh-awr-awt	Glad-Tidings, a Tablet of Bahá’u’lláh (Holy Land).

[Page 13]

Black Stone		Ḥajaru’l-Aswad. Set about five feet from the ground in NE corner of the Ka‘bih, the stone is an irregular oval about seven inches in diameter, reddish brown. Encircled by a gold or silver band, it has an undulated surface and is composed of about fifteen smaller stones joined by cement and surrounded by a brownish border. Sacred object of great antiquity (and never one of the pagan Arabs’ idols) it is kissed during the rites of the ḥajj (pilgrimage).
Book, Crimson		Referred to in SW 32 as capable of fully disclosing and redoubling “that force which is hid in men”; identified as Bahá’u’lláh’s “Book of My Covenant” in GPB 238.
Books, the		Zoroastrian Holy Writ (GPB 230).
Branch, Most Great		‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Búshihr	boo-shair	Persian town near north end of Persian Gulf.
Buzurg	boz-org	Great.

C

Caliph	cay-liff or ca-leef	Self-styled vicar of the Prophet of Islám (PDC 99). Sultanate and Caliphate were “the twin pillars of Sunní Islám.” (WOB 173). The Caliphate, now abolished, was “the mightiest institution of Islám.” (WOB 196). The founders of the Caliphate “usurped the authority of the lawful successors” of Muḥammad (WOB 178). “The cardinal point wherein the Shí’ites (as well as the other sects included under the more general term of Imamites) differ from the Sunnites is the doctrine of the Imámate. According to the belief of the latter, the vicegerency (khiláfat) of the Prophet is a matter to be determined by the choice and election of his followers, and the visible head of the Musulmán world is qualified for the lofty position which he holds less by any special divine grace than by a combination of orthodoxy and administrative capacity. According to the Imámite view, on the other hand, the vicegerency is a matter altogether spiritual; an office conferred by God alone, first by His Prophet, and afterwards by those who succeeded him, and having nothing to do with the popular choice or approval... the Caliph...is merely the outward and visible Defender of the Faith: the Imám of the Shí’ites is the divinely-ordained successor of the Prophet, one endowed with all perfections and spiritual gifts, one whom all the faithful must obey, whose decision is absolute and final, whose wisdom is super-human, and whose words are authoritative.” Browne, E.G., A Traveller’s Narrative, 296.
Caravanserai		Inn for caravans
Chihríq	cheh-reek	Fortress to which the Báb was transferred about April 10, 1848; designated by Him Jabal-i-Shadíd, the Grievous Mountain.
Chinár-Súkhtih	cheh-nawr-sook-teh	“Burnt Plane-Tree” quarter, native quarter of Vaḥíd at Nayríz.
City, the		Also “The Great City,” Constantinople, called by Muslims “The Dome of Islám.” The traditional seat of both Sultanate and Caliphate.

[Page 14] Crimson Book

“The Book of My Covenant,” written by ‎Baha’u’llah Bahá’u’lláh‎ entirely in His Own hand, establishing His Covenant and appointing ‎‘Abdu’l-Baha ‘Abdu’l-Bahá‎ as Its Center. This document has no parallel in the Scriptures of any previous Dispensation. (GPB 238)

D

Dalá’il-i-Sab’ih dal-awe-ell-eh-sab-eh “Seven Proofs” “…the most important of the polemical works of the Báb.” (GPB 26).

Dárúghih daw-roog-eh High constable.

Dáru’sh-Shafáy-i-Masjid etc. dawr-osh-shaff-awe-yeh-mass-jed School in Ṭihrán.

Darvísh dar-veesh Poor one. Religious mendicant. D’Ohsson in his “Ottoman Empire” lists 32 out of many more orders of these Islámíc mystics. See Faqír.

Darvísh Muḥammad dar-veesh Moham-mad Name by which Bahá’u’lláh was known in Kurdistán.

Dawlih doe-leh State; government.

Days of the week, Bahá’í:

Jalál	jal-all	Saturday	Glory
Jamál	jam-all	Sunday	Beauty
Kamál	cam-all	Monday	Perfection
Fidál	fez-all	Tuesday	Grace
‘Idál	ed-all	Wednesday	Justice
Istijlál	ess-tej-lall	Thursday	Majesty
Istiqlál	ess-tek-lall	Friday	Independence

Dayyán die-yon Siyyid Asadu’lláh, distinguished believer who, with several others, was murdered by decree of Mírzá Yaḥyá (GPB 124; SW 176).

Dhabíḥ zab-eeh The Sacrifice. Surname of Siyyid Ismá’íl-i-Zavári’í, extolled by Bahá’u’lláh as King and Beloved of Martyrs. (GPB 136).

Dhákirín zaw-care-een Rememberers. Performers of a dhikr, the religious ceremony practised by various mystic orders.

Dhi’b zeb The Wolf, Shaykh Muḥammad-Báqir.

Dhikr zeckr Remembrance, commemoration, mention; praise or glorification of God; recital of His names; religious exercise or ceremony. Plural, adhkár. [Page 15]

Dhi’l-Jawshan	zel-jo-shan	Possessor of the coat of mail. Shimr, leader of Yazíd’s army that martyred the Imám Husayn at Karbilá. Proto-type of cruelty, he is represented in the passion plays as dressed in chain-armor.
Dízvá	deez-vaw	Village near Fort Tabarsí.
Dragoman		Interpreter (tarjumán).
Du’á	doe-awe	Prayer.

E

Endowed with constancy

Title given to those Prophets Who revealed a Faith and instituted religious laws. "The independent Prophets are the lawgivers and the founders of a new cycle...The other Prophets are followers and promoters...they are like the moon, which...receives its light from the sun." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, SAQ 188.

F

Fádil-i-Qá’iní	faw-zel-eh-caw-en-ee	Erudite early Bahá’í who taught in Samarqand and Bukhárá.
Faqír	fack-eer	Poor, i.e., in need of God’s mercy, poor in the sight of God. These are divided into two great classes, those who live by Qur’ánic law and those who, though calling themselves Muslims, live without the law. A member of the former is known as a traveler (sálik--saw-leck) on the pathway (taríqat--ta-ree-cat) to heaven. The latter are ázád (awe-zawd) free, or majdhúb (maj-zoob), rapt, abstracted, attracted. There are many orders of faqírs, practising many, and often secret, ceremonies. Their doctrines are Súfí, and their religious ceremonies are called dhikrs (zeckr)--rememberings.
Faraqlít	fawr-a-kleet	Paraclete. This refers to Muhammad. Cf. Tablet of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Charles Mason Remey, S of W, vol. 3, No. 7: "His Holiness the Christ took the Covenant of the ‘Paraclete’--which means His Holiness Muhammad--and announced the glad-tidings of His appearance." Islámic doctrine is that this is the original of the word translated "Ahmad" in Qur’án 61:6. Nicholson translates "Ahmad" laudatissimus.
Farmán	far-mawn	Order, command, royal decree.
Farmán-Farmá	far-mawn-far-maw	Title of a Persian dignitary, SW 170.
Farrásh	Far-rawsh	Footman, attendant; lit. carpet-spreader.
Farrásh-Bashí	far-rawsh-bosh-ee	Head farrásh.

[Page 16]

Farsakh	far-sack	3 to 4 miles; i.e., distance laden mule walks in 1 hour.
Fatḥ-‘Alí-Sháh	fat-alley-shaw	Qájár Sháh who reigned 1798-1834. Notorious among other things for wives, concubines, and “incalculable progeny.” (PDC 68).
Fátimih	faw-teh-meh	Daughter of Muḥammad, consort of ‘Alí, ancestress of the Báb, known among other titles as "The Chaste One" and "The Lady of Light." To Muslims, one of the four perfect women.
Fátimih, Book of		Words of consolation addressed by Gabriel to Fátimih, grieving for her departed Father. Dictated to ‘Alí, this "Hidden Book of Fátimih" was believed by Shí‘ah Islám to be in the possession of the promised Qá’im. (GPB 140)
Fatvá	fat-vaw	Sentence or judgment by Muslim muftí.
Fín	feen	Palace near Káshán, where the minister responsible for the death-sentence of the Báb was killed by royal order.
Fírúz-Kúh	fee-ruse-cooh	Persian town east of Ṭihrán.
Fírúz Mírzá	fee-ruse-mere-zaw	Governor of Shíráz in 1850.
Friend of God		Abraham.
Fuqahá	fo-ka-haw	Muḥammadan jurists, sg. faqíh. Cf. Spanish alfaqui.
Futúḥát-i-Makíyyih	fo-too-hot-eh-mack-ee-yeh	Celebrated work by Shaykh Ibnu’l-‘Arabí, containing Muḥammad’s prediction that all the Qá’im’s companions would be slain, except one who would reach the plain of ‘Akká.

G

Gílán	gie-lawn	Persian province on Caspian Sea.
Great Announcement		See Qur’án 78:1-2, a’n-naba’u’l-‘Aẓím. This refers to the advent of the Day of the Lord. (SW 143).
Guardian		See Shoghi Effendi.
Gunjishk	gun-jeshk	Sparrow.
Gurgín Khán	gore-geen-con	Ruthless deputy governor of Iṣfáhán in the days of the Mu’tamidu’d-Dawlih.

[Page 17]

Ghawth	go-ss	Title of head of Men of the Unseen, indicating saintship. ‎Analagous Analogous‎ term, Quṭb (kotb)--pole, pivot.
Ghaybat	gay-bat	Occultation; the whole period of the Hidden Imám’s Imámate.
Ghaybat-i-kubrá	gay-bat-eh-cob-raw	Major Occultation. Period from the death of the Fourth Gate till the return of the Twelfth Imám. During this period all communication between the Imám and his Church ceased.
Ghaybat-i-Ṣughrá	gay-bat-eh-sog-raw	Minor Occultation. 69-year period, beginning in 260 A.H., during which the Twelfth Imám was still accessible through the Four Gates.
Ghuṣn	gossn	Branch. Son or descendant of Bahá’u’lláh. (SW 94; GPB 239).
Ghuṣn-i-Mumtáz	gossn-eh-mom-tawz	The Chosen Branch, i.e., Shoghi Effendi.

H

Há	háh	The letter “h.” The numerical value of this letter is identical with that of “Báb” (5).
Há, Days of	Days of háh	The Intercalary Days, so named by Bahá’u’lláh in the Book of Aqdas, where He also ordained that they should immediately precede the month of ‘Alá, i.e., the month of fasting which closes the Bahá’í year. Every 4th year the number of the Intercalary Days is raised from 4 to 5.
Habíbu’lláh Mírzá	hab-eeb-ol-law-mere-zaw	Persian prince martyred for the Faith in Dawlat-Ábád.
Ḥadíqatu’r-Raḥmán	had-ee-gat-or-ra-h-mawn	Place where the heads of the martyrs of Nayríz are buried.
Ḥadíth	had-eess	Tradition. The whole body of the sacred tradition of the Muslims is called the ḥadíth. (Plu. aḥadíth).
Ḥadíth-i-Jábir	had-eess-eh-jaw-bare	‎Well_known Well-known‎ sacred tradition authenticated by Bahá’u’lláh in the Íqán. (GPB 80). Jábir Ibn ‘Abdi’lláh al-Anṣárí was an early Muslim who accompanied the Prophet in battle, and died at Medina A.H. 78, aged 94.
Ḥadíth-i-Qudsí	had-eess-eh-kod-see	A ḥadíth “which relates a revelation from God in the language of the Prophet.” Here is an example from the Mishkátu’l-Maṣábíḥ, a well-known book of Sunní traditions: “Abú Hurayra said, ‘The Prophet of God related these words of God, “The sons of Adam vex Me, and abuse the age, whereas I am the Age itself: In My hands are all events: I have made the day and night.”’” (Cf. Hughes).
Ḥadrat-i-A’lá	has-ra-teh-a...law	His Holiness the Most Exalted One; a title of the Báb.

[Page 18]

Ḥáfiẓ	haw-fezz	Persian mystic poet, A.D. 1320-1390, author of unsurpassed odes in the ghazal form.
Haft-Vádí	haft-vaw-dee	Seven Valleys, revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in answer to questions of Shaykh Muḥyi’d-Dín and describing “the seven stages which the soul of the seeker must needs traverse ere it can attain the object of its existence.” (GPB 140).
Ḥájí	haw-gee	One who has made the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Ḥájí Mírzá Áqásí	haw-gee-mere-zaw awe-caw-see	Prime Minister of Persia; the Antichrist of the Bábí Revelation. (GPB 164).
Ḥájí Mírzá Ḥaydar-‘Alí	haw-gee-mere-zaw- hay-dar-al-lee	Noted early Bahá’í called “the Angel of Carmel.”
Ḥájí Mírzá Karím Khán	haw-gee-mere-zaw- ka-reem-con	Writer condemned by Bahá’u’lláh for advocating the study of the science of metaphysical abstractions, of alchemy and natural magic, which Bahá’u’lláh refers to as “vain and discarded learnings.” (Cf. Íqán, 186). Author of a vicious attack on the Bábí Faith, written by request of the Sháh. (GPB 91).
Ḥájí Mírzá Muḥammad-Taqí	haw-gee-mere-zaw- mo-ham-mad-tackee	Cousin of the Báb and chief builder of the Temple at ‘Ishqábád, to which he dedicated his entire resources. His state title was Vakílu’d-Dawlih. (GPB 268, 300).
Ḥájí Mírzá Siyyid ‘Alí	haw-gee-mere-zaw- say-yed-al-lee	Maternal uncle of the Báb, who reared Him.
Ḥájí Muḥammad-Riḍá	haw-gee-moham-mad rez-aw	70-year old Bahá’í stabbed to death in broad daylight in ‘Ishqábád at the instigation of the Shí‘ahs, whose guilt was subsequently established by the Czar’s military court. The aggrieved Bahá’ís intervened on behalf of the murderers and had their sentences commuted to a lighter punishment. (SW 77; GPB 202).
Ḥájí Sulaymán Khán	haw-gee-sol-ay- mon-con	Martyr who danced and recited poetry in the streets of Ṭihrán as lighted candles burned into his flesh. (GPB 78; DB 618).
Ḥajíbu’d-Dawlih	haw-jeb-od-doe-leh	Persian official who devised hideous tortures for the Bábís and is described by Browne as “infamous monster.” (DB, 617; “A Traveller’s Narrative,” 52, n.1).
Ḥakím	ha-keem	Man’s name; wise, also doctor.
Hamzih	ham-zeh	Uncle of Muḥammad and “The Prince of Martyrs.”
Ḥaqíqat	hag-ee-gat	Truth, the goal of the mystic wayfarer.
Ḥaram	har-am	Sanctuary at Mecca, a sacred area where no blood may be spilled.
Ḥaram-i-Aqdas	har-am-eh-ack-dass	The outer Sanctuary of Bahá’u’lláh’s Sepulcher.

[Page 19]

Haram-i-Ma’súmih	har-am-eh-ma... soom-eh	Shrine of Fátimih, d. 816 A.D., the sister of Imám Ridá, at Qum.
Hasan	hass-san	Man’s name.
Háshimite	haw-shem-ite	Of the family of Háshim, ancestor of Muhammad.
Hazíratu’l-Quds	has-ee-ra-tol-kods	The Sacred Fold. Official title designating headquarters of Bahá’í administrative activity. This institution is complementary in its functions to those of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, which is “exclusively reserved for Bahá’í worship.” (GPB 339).
He Who Discoursed With God		Moses (PDC 83).
Hijáz	hedge-Oz	“Barrier.” Southwestern Arabia. Language of: Arabic.
Hijrat, also Hijra	hedge-rat hedge-ra	Hejira; the departure of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 A.D., subsequently established as the first year of the Muslim era.
Hill	hel	The area outside the Haram or Sanctuary. Blood may be shed at Hill, as the sanctity of the Haram does not extend to it. The verse quoted in SW 17 expresses Bahá’u’lláh’s willingness to give up His life anywhere.
Hín	heen	Time. Shaykh Ahmad’s prophecy of the Advent. In the abjad notation 68, and it was in 1268 that Bahá’u’lláh, confined in the Síyáh-Chál of Tihrán, received the first intimations of His Divine Mission. Odes which He revealed in that year hint of this (DB 18).
Hisámu’s-Saltanih	hess-awm-oss-sal-ta-neh	Title of a Persian dignitary (SW 170).
Howdah		Litter, i.e. covered vehicle for travellers, carried on camel, mule, etc.
Húd	who’d	Prophet of God sent to ’Ád. Cf. Qur’an 11.
Hujah	hoj-ah	His reverence, eminence, etc.
Hujjat	hoj-jat	Erudite cleric and Bábí convert martyred at Zanján.
Hujjatu’lláh	hoj-jat-ol-law	The Proof of God. A title of the Qá’im.
Huqúqu’lláh	ho-coo-ko-law	Right of God; payment by believers instituted in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas.
Húrí	hoo-ree	Maidens of Paradise described in Qur’án 55:56, etc.
Hurúf-i-Hayy	ho-roof-eh-high	Letters of the Living, the Báb’s first eighteen disciples; the nineteenth Letter was the Báb Himself, the twentieth Bahá’u’lláh. (DB xvii). The term denotes letters of the alphabet, not epistles.
Husayn	ho-sane	Proper noun. To Shí’ah Islám, Bahá’u’lláh is the return of the Imám Husayn. (GPB 94).

[Page 20]

Ḥusayn-Ibn-i-Rúḥ Naw-Bakhtí	ho-sane-ebn-eh-rooh-no-back-tee	Third of the Four Gates (See Abváb-i-Arba‘ih). Learned and holy Shaykh, died A.D. 937-8. (Browne, Traveller’s Narrative, 302).
Ḥusayníyyih	ho-sane-ee-yeh	Place where martyrdom of Ḥusayn is mourned, or where Muslim passion plays may be presented. Designation given by Shí‘ahs to Bahá’u’lláh’s Most Great House in Baghdád, forcibly occupied by them. (GPB 357).

I

-i-	eh	Of, from.
í	ee	Pertaining to, belonging to.
Ibn	ebn	Son.
Ibn-i-Dhi’b	ebn-eh-zeb	Son of the Wolf--i.e. Shaykh Muḥammad-Taqíy-i-Najafí. Bahá’u’lláh’s “Epistle to the Son of the Wolf” was His “last outstanding Tablet,” practically terminating His “prodigious achievement as author of a hundred volumes...” (GPB 201; 219, 220).
Ibn-i-Ḥájib	ebn-haw-jeb	Author of two well-known Arabic grammars, the Káfiyá and the Sháfíya; d. 1248 A.D.
Ibn-i-Malik	ebn-eh-maw-lek	Author of a versified grammar, the Alfíyyih; from Jaen, d. 1273 A.D.
Ibn-i-Mas‘úd	ebn-eh-mass---ood	Noted “companion” of Muḥammad; said to be one of ten whom Muḥammad assured of Paradise. A leading authority on text of Qur’án. Fought at Badr, etc. Died Medina A.H. 32, aged 60.
Ibn-i-Mihríyár	ebn-eh-meh-ree-awr	One who reportedly communicated with the Hidden Imám during the Minor Occultation. Browne, Tr. Narr., 302.
Ibn-i-Ṣúríyá	ebn-eh-sue-ree-ya	Rabbi chosen by the people of Khaybar at Muḥammad’s request to cite a point of Jewish law. (Íqán, 84).
‘Ibrání	eb-raw-nee	Hebrew, i.e., “the language of the crossing.”
Idhá	ezz-aw	if or when.
Íl	eel	clan.
Ílkhání garden	eel-con-ee	Site of Ṭáhirih’s martyrdom.
Imám	eh-mom	“...divinely-ordained successor of the Prophet, one endowed with all perfections and spiritual gifts...whose decision is absolute and final, whose wisdom is superhuman, and whose words are authoritative.” (Browne, Tr. Narr. 296). The word means one who stands before or is followed; head, chief, leader.

[Page 21] Imáms, the Twelve:

1. ‘Alí-ibn-i-Abí-Ṭálib	alley-ebn-abee-taw-leb	martyred 40 A.H.	661A.D.
2. Ḥasan, son of ‘Alí and Fáṭimih	hass-san	" 50	670
3. Ḥusayn, son of ‘Alí and Fáṭimih	ho-sane	" 61	680
4. ‘Alí, son of Ḥusayn and Shahr-Bánú	a-lee	"
5. Muḥammad-Báqir (son of 4th Imám)	moham-mad-baw-care	"
6. Ja‘far-i-Ṣádiq (son of the 5th Imám)	ja...far-ess-saw-deck (The Veridical)	"
7. Músá-Káẓim (son of 6th Imám)	moo-saw-caw-zem	" by Hárúnu’r- Rashíd, 183 A.H.
8. Imám Riḍá (buried Mashhad) full name ‘Alí-ibn-i-Músá	eh-mom-rez-aw	" 203 A.H.
9. Muḥammad-Taqí (son of 8th Imám)	moham-mad-tack-ee	" 220 A.H.
10. ‘Alí Naqí (son of 9th Imám)	a-lee-na-kee	" 254 A.H.
11. Ḥasan ‘Askarí (son of 10th Imám)	hass-san ask-ar-ee	" 260 A.H.
12. Muḥammad (son of 11th Imám)	moham-mad	Died A.H. 260, aged five.

Bore not only the same name but the same kunya (designation) as the Prophet: Abu’l-Qásim; according to Shí‘ahs only the Prophet may bear these two names together. Shí‘ahs hold he did not die, but disappeared and would return.

Imám	eh-mom	Prayer leader, not to be confused with the Twelve Imáms.
Imám, Hidden		Promised One of Shí‘ah Islám, the 12th Imám who is to reappear at the time of the end and fill all the earth with justice. Fulfilled by the Báb, 1844, (1260 A.H.),‎(1260 A.H.),exactly (1260 A.H.), exactly‎ one thousand years after the death of the 12th Imám.
Imám-Jum’ih	eh-mom-jum-eh	Chief of the mullás, who recites the Friday prayers for the sovereign.

[Page 22]

Term	Pronunciation	Definition
Imám-Zádih	eh-mom-zaw-deh	Tomb of Muslim saint; descendant of an Imám.
Imám-Zádih Ḥasan	eh-mom-zaw-deh-hass-san	Shrine in Ṭihrán where the Báb’s body was kept.
Imám Zádih Ma’ṣúm	eh-mom-zaw-deh-ma...soom	Shrine where for a time the Báb’s body was concealed, until 1867-68 when a Tablet was received from Bahá’u’lláh directing that the remains immediately be transferred elsewhere; not long after, this Shrine was rebuilt.
‘Imárat-i-Khurshíd	em-aw-rat-eh-core-sheed	Structure of the Sun; the Governor’s private residence in Iṣfáhán, where the Báb resided four months.
‘Imrán	em-rawn	Name of the father of Moses and Aaron, and also of the Virgin Mary. Her mother’s name was Hannah --Anna or Anne. The commentators state that Mary was called sister of Aaron (Qur’án 19:29) because she was of the Levitical race. (See Qur’án 3:31).
Inshá’lláh	en-shaw-lah	If God will.
Írán	ee-rahn	The Persians’ name for Persia. “Iran, Eran, Airan, the Airiyana of the Avesta, is the land of the Aryans (Ariya, Airiya of the Avesta, Sanskrit Arya [excellent, honorable]”. (Browne, E.G., L. Hist. I, 4n.)
‘Iráq	eh-rock	Kingdom of Southwest Asia, practically co-extensive with region of Mesopotamia. Capital, Baghdád.
Irshádu’l-‘Avám	air-shod-ol-av-awm	“Guidance unto the Ignorant,” title of book by Ḥájí Mírzá Karím Khán.
Iṣfáhán	ess-fa-hawn	In 1592 Sháh ‘Abbás the Great moved his court from Qazvín to Iṣfáhán. Of this ancient capital city, the Persians say Iṣfáhán niṣf-i-jihán--half the world is Iṣfáhán.
Isfandíyár	ess-fan-dee-yawr	Bahá’u’lláh’s servant, referred to by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as virtually “a perfect man.” (PUP 421-422).
‘Ishqábád	esh-cob-odd	The City of Love, in Russian Turkistán. Site of first Bahá’í House of Worship, initiated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá about 1902. (GPB 300).
Ishráq	esh-rock	Splendor.
Ishráqát	esh-rock-awt	Tablet of Splendors, by Bahá’u’lláh (Holy Land).
Islám	ess-lahm	Surrender of one’s own will to the will of God; name of the religion founded by the Prophet Muḥammad.
Ism-i-A‘zam	ess-meh-a...zam	The Greatest Name. Term applied to each of the following: Alláh-u-Abhá (God is All-Glorious) or Yá Bahá’u’lláh (O Thou the Glory of Glories!), the first of which became the Bahá’í greeting during Bahá’u’lláh’s exile in Adrianople (1863-1868). (GPB 176). Also, a title of Bahá’u’lláh (GPB 194).

[Page 23]

Ismá‘íl	ess-maw-eel	Son of Abraham, also called the Sacrifice. Qur’án 37:101 tells of Abraham’s dream in which He was instructed to sacrifice His firstborn son, who according to Muslim tradition, was Ismá‘íl. (G1.75). The twelve princes referred to in Genesis 17:20 are the twelve Imáms.
Ismá‘ílí	ess-maw-eel-ee	Shi’ah sect who accept the line of Imáms to the death of Imám Ja’far-i-Sádiq, the sixth. Imám Ja’far disinherited his eldest son, Ismá‘íl, for inebriety, appointing Músá in his stead. The Ismá‘ílís, also called Seveners, adhere to Ismá‘ílí’s son Muḥammad as the inaugurator of the Seventh Prophetic Period, the other six being those of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muḥammad.
‘Iṣmat-i-Kubrá	ess-mat-eh-cob-raw	Bahá’u’lláh’s doctrine of the “Most Great Infallibility” of the Manifestation of God. (GPB 214).
Ismu’l-Azal	ess-moll-as-Al	Name of Eternity (Mírzá Yaḥyá).
Ismu’lláhi’l-Ákhir	ess-moll-law-hel-awe-care	The Last Name of God, title given to Quddús by the Báb.
Isráfíl	ess-raw-feel	Angel who sounds the trumpet on the Day of Judgement.
Ithná-‘Asharíyyih	ess-naw-ash-aree-yeh	The Twelvers; those Shi’ahs who believe in the succession of the 12 Imáms and the return of the 12th.
I’timádu’d-Dawlih	et-em-odd-od-doe-leh	Chief minister of state at time of attempt on Sháh’s life by a crazed Bábí, August 1852.

J

Jabal-i-Básit	jab-al-eh-baw-set	The Open Mountain; name given by the Báb to Máh-kú.
Jabal-i-Shadíd	jab-al-eh-shad-eed	The Grievous Mountain; name given by the Báb to Chihríq. The numerical value of shadíd is the same as that of Chihríq (318).
Jabarút	jab-a-root	Heaven; a degree in mystical life. World of Divine omnipotence.
Jábir Ibn-i-Ḥayyán	jaw-bare-ebn-eh-high-on	Pupil of Imám Ja’far-i-Sádiq; wrote a book of his sayings.
Jábulqá and Jábulsá	jaw-bol-caw, jaw-bol-saw	Mysterious cities where Shi’ahs believe the 12th Imám to be living with his chosen companions, waiting to come forth in the fullness of time and fill the earth with justice.
Ja‘far	ja---far (ar as in Harry)	Man’s name.
Jáhilíyyih	jaw-hel-ee-yeh	Age of Ignorance; term denoting heathenism prevailing in Arabia prior to the advent of Muḥammad.

[Page 24]

Jalálu’d-Dawlih, Prince	jal-awl-od-doe-leh	A son of Ẓillu’s-Sulṭán, as governor of Yazd he ordered the frightful deaths of seven believers in a single day. Stigmatized by Bahá’u’lláh as “The Tyrant of Yazd.” (GPB 232).
Jalálu’-d-Dín-i-Rúmí	jal-awl-od-deen-eh roo-mee	Usually titled Mawláná (our Master); Persia’s greatest mystic poet, (1207-1273), who settled in Rúm (Asia Minor) and authored the Mathnaví.
Jamál Páshá	jam-awl-paw-shaw	Defeated Turkish commander-in-chief in Syria, who had sworn to raze Bahá’u’lláh’s Tomb to the ground and crucify ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in a public square in Constantinople. (PDC 65).
Jamál-i-Mubárak	ja-moll-eh-mo-baw-rak	The Blessed Beauty; a title of Bahá’u’lláh.
Jamál-i-Qidám	ja-moll-eh-keh-dam	The Ancient Beauty; a title of Bahá’u’lláh.
Javád	ja-vod	Man’s name.
Javáhiru’l-Asrár	jav-awe-hair-olass-rawr	Writing of Bahá’u’lláh prior to His Declaration (Íráq).
Jayhún	jay-hoon	The Oxus River.
Jazíriy-i-Khaḍrá	jazz-ee-ray-eh-kaz-raw	Verdant Isle. Reference to Mázi̇ndarán; also the Garden of Na’mayn. (DB 325; GPB 193).
Jináb	jen-ob	Courtesy title sometimes translated “His Honor.”
Jináb-i-Munír	jen-ob-eh-mo-neer	Bahá’í exile who died at Smyrna en route to the ‘Akka prison.
Joseph		Reference to Bahá’u’lláh in the Báb’s Commentary on the Súrih of Joseph. (GPB 23).
Jubbih	jub-beh	Outer coat.
Júk, Book of	jook	Collection of early historical records referred to in G1. 174; probably Yogi traditions reported in such works as the Dabistánu’l-Madháhib, a treatise composed in India about the middle of the 17th century.

K

Ka’b-Ibn-i-Ashraf	ca...b-ebn-eh-ash-raff	Name of a Medinite divine and poet who opposed Muḥammad, entering into a Meccan alliance with Abú Ṣufyán after the Muslim defeat at Uḥud. Cf. Qur’án 59:2.
Ka’bih	ca...beh	Cube-like, stone building at Mecca, containing the Black Stone. Traditionally built by Adam and reconstructed after the Flood by Abraham and Ishmael, it is the Qiblih and holiest spot in the Muslim world. “The first temple that was founded for mankind, was that in Becca, [place of crowding, i.e., Mecca] Blessed, and a guidance for all creatures.” Q 3:90.

[Page 25]

Kabír	cab-ear	Great; the superlative is Akbar.
Kad-khudá	cad-co-daw	Alderman; bailiff. Head man of a village.
Káfí	caw-fee	Sufficing, an attribute of God (Qur’án 39:37). Title of a book of sacred traditions collected by Abú-Ja‘far Muḥammad-Ibn-i-Ya‘qúb (A.H. 328) and accepted by Shí’ahs.
Káfúr	caw-foor	Camphor; in Qur’án 76:5,‎76:5,a 76:5, a‎ camphor fountain for the righteous in Paradise.
Kalántar	cal-awn-tar (ar as in Harry)	Mayor.
Kalimát-i-Firdawsíyyih	cal-em-awt-eh- fair-dose-ee-yeh	Words of Paradise, Tablet of Bahá’u’lláh (Holy Land).
Kalimát-i-Maknúnih	cal-em-awt-eh-mack-noo-neh	The Hidden Words, revealed by Bahá’u’lláh as He paced the banks of the Tigris, 1274 A.H. It was originally designated by Him the Hidden Book of Fátimih. Shoghi Effendi refers to it as “this dynamic spiritual leaven cast into the life of the world for the reorientation of the minds of men, the edification of their souls and the rectification of their conduct....” (GPB 140).
Kamál	cam-all	Ḥájí Mírzá Kamál-i-Dín, who requested Bahá’u’lláh to write on Qur’án 3:87.
Kamál Páshá	cam-all-paw-shaw	Turkish official who in Constantinople was directed by Bahá’u’lláh to lay the matter of promoting an international language before his government (August-December, 1863).
Kangávar	kangg-awe-var	Persian town west of Mt. Alvand and Hamadán.
Karbilá	kar-bell-aw	City in ‘Iráq, site of martyrdom (Oct. 10, 680 A.D.) and sepulchre of Imám Ḥusayn. Also called Mashhadu’l-Ḥusayn. “Karb and Balá”--anguish and calamity--Ḥusayn reportedly said of this name.
Karbila’í	kar (ar as in Harry)- bell-aw-ee	Pilgrim who has been to Karbilá.
Karkh	cark	A quarter of Bag͟hdad.
Káshán	caw-shawn	City in north central Persia, traditionally the native home of the Three Wise Men (A.V.W. Jackson, Persia Past and Present, 412-413).
Kashkúl	cash-cool	Alms-basket carried by dervishes. Hollowed-out receptacle “of about the size and shape of a cocoa-nut”, around opening of which two chains are attached at four points, making a handle.
Kawt͟har	co-sar (ar as in Harry)	Abundance. Cf. Qur’án 108:1-3; traditionally, lake or river in Paradise which Anas relates Muḥammad saw on the night of His Mi‘ráj (q.v.) as “a river of water on each side of which there were domes, each formed of a hollow pearl.”

[Page 26]

Kázimayn	caw-zem-ain	Town three miles north of Baghdád, where the “two Kázims”, the 7th and 9th Imáms, are buried.
Khá, land of	caw	The letter “khá” or kh, designating Province of Khurásán, NE Persia.
Khadíjih	cad-ee-jeh	First wife of Muḥammad. Considerably older than the Prophet, she remained His only wife for twenty-five years, when she died. He was then in His fifty-first year.
Khádimu’lláh	caw-dem-ol-lah	Servant of God; title of Mírzá Áqá Ján. (GPB 115).
Khájih, Fort of	caw-jeh	Storm center of Nayríz upheaval.
Khálidíyyih Order	caw-led-ee-yeh	The eminent leader of this Order was completely won over by Bahá’u’lláh during His sojourn in Kurdistán. (GPB 122).
Khalífih	cal-ee-feh	Caliph. Vicegerent.
Khalíl	cal-eel	Friend (of God); title of Abraham.
Khán	con	Mongolian title of kings, ‎prinçes princes‎, nobles. In modern times, originally a title of the nobility or of chiefs or tribes, by extension an honorific denoting gentleman.
Khasá’il-i-Sab‘ih	cass-awe-ell-eh-sab-eh	Writing of the Báb, altering the sacrosanct formula of the Muslim call to prayer. (GPB 10).
Khaybar	kay-bar (ar as in Harry)	“rich vale of Khaybar” studded with villages and fortresses on the way to Syria north from Medina. (Muir’s description of the region in Muḥammad’s time).
Khiḍr	kezz-r	Lit. “The Green One.” His name does not occur in the Qur’án, but most of the commentators identify him with the mysterious personage referred to in Qur’án 18:59-81. He is often referred to as having discovered and partaken of the fountain of life, and is called its custodian. He also symbolizes the true guide. “...he stands pre-eminently for the inner light of saintship as opposed to the intellectual, legalistic, and apostolic aspects of prophecy....Like the Ṣúfí Pír [murshid], he claims silent and unquestioning obedience to his authority....” (Nicholson, Commentary, I, 25).
Khiláfat	kell-awe-fat	Vicegerency of the Prophet Muḥammad.
Khirqiy-i-Sharíf	care-gay-yeh-sha-reef	Name of mosque near which, on arrival in Constantinople (Aug. 16, 1863), Bahá’u’lláh and His family were first imprisoned. (GPB 157).
Khurásán	core-awe-sawn	Province of Northeast Persia.
Khuṭbih	cot-beh	Sermon delivered Fridays at noon. Cf. Qur’án 62:9; the “congregation day” is Friday in Islám and “remembrance of God” is understood to mean the sermon.
Khuṭbiy-i-Ṭuṭújiyyih	cot-bay-yeh-to-too-gee-yeh	Sermon by ‘Alí.

[Page 27]

Khuy	co-ee	Town in Northwest Persia, West of Tabriz.
Kinár-gird	ken-awr-gaird	Fortress about 30 miles from Ṭihrán. A station on the old Iṣfáhán road.
Kirmán	care-mawn	City in South central Persia.
Kirmánsháh	care-mawn-shah	City in West Persia, near frontier of Turkey.
Kitáb	ket-awb	Book.
Kitáb-i-‘Ahd	ket-awb-eh-a-ht	The Book of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant.
Kitáb-i-Aqdas	ket-awb-eh-ack-dass	The “Most Holy Book” of Bahá’u’lláh. “...the Charter of His World Order, the chief repository of His laws, the Harbinger of His Covenant, the Pivotal Work containing some of His noblest exhortations, weightiest pronouncements, and portentous prophecies....” (PDC 24) Revealed in ‘Akka, circa 1873, “during the full tide of His tribulations, at a time when the rulers of the earth had definitely forsaken Him....” (GPB 213).
Kitáb-i-Badí‘	ket-awb-eh-ba-dee	By Bahá’u’lláh, Adrianople, “refuting the arguments of the people of the Bayán.” (WOB 124). “His apologia... corresponding to the Kitáb-i-Íqán, revealed in defense of the Bábí Revelation....” (GPB 172).
Kitáb-i-Íqán	ket-awb-eh-ee-con	“The Book of Certitude.” “...of unsurpassed pre-eminence among the writings of the Author of the Bahá’í Revelation.” Revealed in 1862, in fulfillment of the Báb’s prophecy that the Promised One would complete the unfinished Persian Bayán, and in reply to questions asked by the Báb’s as yet unconverted maternal uncle. (GPB 138).
Kitáb-i-Panj-Sha’n	ket-awb-eh-panj-sha...n	The Book of Five Ranks; one of the last works of the Báb, foretelling His Own death (GPB 51).
Kitábu’r-Rúḥ	ket-awb-or-rooh	Book of the Spirit, a 700-súrih work revealed by the Báb.
Kúfih	coo-feh	City on west bank of Euphrates, founded 636 A.D. The more ancient characters of Arabic writing are called Kúfic, after this one-time seat of learning.
Kuláh	co-láh	Persian hat, brimless, of lambskin or felt, long worn by government officials, civilians, etc. The term “hatted” refers to laymen while “turbaned” indicates the clergy or learned class.
Kuláh-i-farangí	co-láh-heh-fa-rangg-ee	European hat. Pavilion.
Kull-i-Shay’	coll-eh-shay	All things. A Bádí‘ calendar period comprising nineteen Váhids. The numerical value of this term is 361 (19x19). We are living in the first kull-i-shay’.
Kullu’ṭ-ṭa-‘ám	coll-ot-ta-awm	“All food,” a Tablet revealed by Bahá’u’lláh concerning Qur’án 3:87 (“All food was allowed to the children of Israel.”), in ‘Iráq, after Mírzá Yahyá had proved incompetent to write on the subject. In it Bahá’u’lláh identifies Israel and his children with the Báb and His followers. (GPB 116-117).

[Page 28]

Kumayl	co-mail	Tradition of; cf. Gl. 178.
Kurd	cord	Member of race numbering over two millions, and living principally in Kurdistán.
Kurdistán	cord-ess-tawn	In Turkey, ‘Iráq and Northwest Persia, “a region whose sturdy and warlike people were known for their age-long hostility to the Persians....” (GPB 120).
Kurúr	core-oor	A crore; this equals 500,000.

L

Láhút	lah-hoot	Divinity; the plane of Divinity, the “inward, eternal aspect of Reality,” contrasted with Násút.
Lawḥ	low-h	Tablet.
Lawḥ-i-Aḥmad	low-heh-Ah-mad (a’s as in at)	Tablet of Aḥmad, by Bahá’u’lláh (Adrianople).
Lawḥ-i-Aqdas	low-heh-ak-dass	Most Holy Tablet, by Bahá’u’lláh (Holy Land).
Lawḥ-i-Burhán	low-heh-bore-hawn	Tablet of the Proof, by Bahá’u’lláh (Holy Land); addressed to “The Wolf,” Shaykh Muḥammad-Báqir.
Lawḥ-i-Dunyá	low-heh-dun-yaw	Tablet of the World, by Bahá’u’lláh (Holy Land).
Lawḥ-i-Fu’ád	low-heh-fo-odd	Tablet of Bahá’u’lláh prophesying the fall of the Sulṭán. Fu’ád Páshá, prematurely dead, had been the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs. (GPB 208). (Holy Land).
Lawḥ-i-Hawdaj	low-heh-how-daj	Tablet of the Howdah, revealed by Bahá’u’lláh when, on His journey, He first sighted the Black Sea.
Lawḥ-i-Ḥikmat	low-heh-heck-mat	Tablet of Wisdom, by Bahá’u’lláh (Holy Land), setting forth “the fundamentals of true philosophy.” (GPB 219).
Lawḥ-i-Ḥúríyyih	low-heh-hoo-ree-yeh	Tablet of the Maiden, prophetic writing of Bahá’u’lláh.
Lawḥ-i-Ḥurúfát	low-heh-horoof-awt	Tablet of the Letters, revealed by the Báb in honor of Dayyán, and unraveling the mystery of the Mustagháth. (GPB 27, 69).
Lawḥ-i-Karmil	low-heh-car-mel (ar as in Harry)	Tablet of Carmel, of Bahá’u’lláh, (Holy Land).
Lawḥ-i-Madínatu’t-Tawḥíd	low-heh-ma-deen-at-tut-tow-heed	Tablet of the City of Unity, by Bahá’u’lláh, prior to His Declaration (‘Iráq).

[Page 29]

Lawḥ-i-Maḥfúẓ	low-heh-mah-fooz (a as in at)	Guarded or Preserved Tablet. Occurs only once in Qur’án, 85:21-22: “It is a glorious Qur’án written on the preserved table.” (The plural of lawḥ, alváḥ, occurs in Qur’án 7:142 concerning the tables of the law, of Moses). Nicholson, Commentary on the Mathnawí, I, 85, says “the heavenly Lawḥ-i-Maḥfúẓ on which all things are recorded from eternity to everlasting.” BW V, 491 says this “denotes the Knowledge of God and of His Manifestation.”
Lawḥ-i-Malláḥu’l-Quds	low-heh-mal-láh-hol-kods	Tablet of the Holy Mariner, “in which Bahá’u’lláh prophesies the severe afflictions” that were to befall Him. (‘Iráq). (GPB 140).
Lawḥ-i-Maqṣúd	low-heh-mack-sood	Tablet of Maqṣúd, by Bahá’u’lláh (Holy Land).
Lawḥ-i-Maryam	low-heh-mar-yam (ar as in Harry)	Bahá’u’lláh’s Tablet of Mary, addressed to His kinswoman. Herein He pronounces the period of His retirement in Kurdistán as “the most perfect and conclusive evidence” of the truth of His Revelation. (GPB 124).
Lawḥ-i-Nuqṭih	low-heh-knock-teh	Tablet of the Point, by Bahá’u’lláh (Adrianople).
Lawḥ-i-Ra’ís	low-heh-ra-ee ss	Bahá’u’lláh’s Tablet to Ra’ís, “revealed on the morrow of its Author’s final banishment from Adrianople to ‘Akká.” (PDC 63). It strongly denounces ‘Alí Páshá, Prime Minister of Turkey.
Lawḥ-i-Ru’yá	low-heh-ro-yaw	Tablet of the Vision, by Bahá’u’lláh (Holy Land, 1873), in which the “Luminous Maid” bade Him hasten to His “other dominions.” (GPB 221).
Lawḥ-i-Sayyáḥ	low-heh-sigh-yáh	Tablet of the Traveller, by Bahá’u’lláh (Adrianople).
Lawḥ-i-Sulṭán	low-heh-sol-tawn	Bahá’u’lláh’s Tablet to the Sháh of Persia, despatched from ‘Akká and His lengthiest epistle to any single sovereign. (PDC 40). The recipient put its bearer to death.
Lawḥ-i-Yáqútí	low-heh-yaw-koo-tee	The Ruby Tablet, mentioned in Persian Hidden Words No. 47.
Lawḥu’r-Riḍván	low-heh-rezz-von	Tablet of Riḍván, by Bahá’u’lláh (Adrianople).
Lawḥu’r-Rúḥ	low-hoar-rooh	Tablet of the Spirit, by Bahá’u’lláh (Adrianople).
Lawḥu’t-Tuqá	low-hut-tow-gaw	Tablet of the Fear of God, by Bahá’u’lláh (Adrianople).
Laylí	lay-lee	The beloved of Majnún, classic Persian loved one.
Letters of the Living		The first 18 disciples of the Báb; the 19th was the Báb, the 20th Bahá’u’lláh.
Livá	levv-awe	Banner. Name given by the Master to Lua Getsinger (Louisa A. Moore), “the mother teacher of the West.” (GPB 257).

[Page 30]

Luqmán	log-mon	Sage for whom Qur’án 31 is named. Rúmí refers to him as a Negro slave. He is often identified with Aesop, which Hughes reads Aethiops, i.e., Ethiopian.
Lur	lore	Tribe in western Persia.

M

Ma‘ání	Ma-aw-nee	Significances.
Madákhil	Ma-daw-kell	Perquisite, squeeze, douceur.
Ma‘dan-Nuqrih	ma...dan-knock-reh	“Silver Mine”; place on upper Euphrates where Bahá’u’lláh and those with Him suffered from intense cold.
Madhhab	mazz-hab	Religion.
Madínatu’n-Nabí	mad-eena-ton-Nab-ee	The City of the Prophet, i.e., Medina; it is the pre-Islámic Yathrib, and is also called “The Illuminated.”
Madrisih	mad-ress-eh	Seminary, school.
Majnún	maj-noon	“Insane.” Name of classical Persian lover. The romance of Laylí and Majnún has been ‎popu lar popular‎ in the East since the days of Nizámí of Ganja (q.v.); it forms the third poem of his Quintet.
Majús	ma-jooss	Magi; the Wise Men of the New Testament. Persian mugh and majús, English Magus, defined as a priestly caste or order of ancient Media and Persia. Zoroaster may have been a Magus; Persians use the term to mean Zoroastrian. Cf. also Qur’án 22:17.
Máh-Kú	maw-coo	Fortress where the Báb was imprisoned, near Mt. Ararat. Referred to by Him as Jabal-i-Básit, “The Open Mountain.” The numerical value of Básit equals that of Máh-Kú (72).
Maḥbúb	mah-boob (a as in at)	The Beloved One.
Maḥbúbu’sh-Shuhadá’	ma-hboo-bush sho-had-awe	Beloved of Martyrs.
Maḥmúd	ma-hmood	Praised One.
Mahmud Khan-i-Kalantar	ma-hmood-con-eh-cal-awn-tar (ar as in Harry)	“False-hearted and ambitious” mayor of Ṭihrán in 1852. Ṭáhiríh was placed in his custody.
Maiden		In the Bahá’í Faith, the symbol of the Most Great Spirit, respectively symbolized in the Zoroastrian, the Mosaic, the Christian and Muhammadan Dispensations by the Sacred Fire, the Burning Bush, the Dove and the Angel Gabriel. (GPB 101; 121).
Majdhúb	maj-zoob	Dervish who was among the first to recognize the station of Bahá’u’lláh. (DB 118). This word is a technical Súfí term for an attracted, or rapt, seeker.

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Man-Yuzhiruhu’lláh	man-yoz-hairo-hol-láh	He whom God shall Manifest, the Manifestation Whose imminent Advent was foretold by the Báb. This prophecy was fulfilled by Bahá’u’lláh.
Manúchihr Khán	man-oo-chair-con	Governor of Isfáhán who was devoted to the Báb. See Mu’tamid.
Malakút	ma-la-koot	“The infinite realm of the Divine attributes” contemplated by “the God-illumined mystic.” The word has been defined as “that by which a thing subsists.” See Nicholson; also Qur’án 36:83: “Glory be to Him in Whose hands is the malakút of all things.” Rodwell translates “sway over all things”; A. Yúsuf-’Alí translates: “dominion of all things.”
Maqám	ma-cawm	Station.
Marḥabá	mar-ha-baw	Bravo! Well done!
Mashhad	mash-had	Capital of Khurásán; Shrine of Imám Riḍá (8th Imám) which is the “special glory of the Shí’ah world.” (PDC 98). The word means place of martyrdom.
Mashhadí	mash-had-ee or mashdee	Person who has made the pilgrimage to Mashhad.
Mashriqu’l-Adhkár	mash-reck-ol-as-car	Dawning-place of the Praises or “Remembrances” of God. Bahá’í House of Worship, “Symbol and precursor of a future world civilization.” (GPB 350). The first two have been built respectively at ‘Ishqábád, Turkistán, and Wilmette, Illinois.
Masjid	mass-jed	Mosque, lit. place of prostration.
Masjid-i-Jámí’	mass-jed-eh-jaw-meh	Mosque at Nayríz where Vaḥíd (va-heed) addressed the congregation. This was the city’s cathedral mosque, where the Khuṭbih is delivered to large crowds on Fridays.
Masjid-i-Vakíl	mass-jed-eh-va-keel	Mosque in Shíráz where the Báb addressed the congregation, stating that He was neither “a representative of the Imám” nor “the Gate thereof.” (DB 154)
Masjidu’l-Aqṣá	mass-jed-ol-ax-saw	“The Remotest Sanctuary,” the mosque at Jerusalem on the site of the Temple--in whose court is the Dome of the Rock. Referred to in Qur’án 17:1. See Aqṣá.
Masjidu’l-Ḥaram	mass-jed-ol-ha-ram	“The Sacred Mosque,” at Mecca; the Temple in whose enclosure is the Ka‘bih, the well of Zamzam, and the Maqám-i-Ibráhím.
Mathnaví	mass-na-vee	Verse form of Persian invention, in which noted Persian narrative poems have been composed. The Mathnaví par excellence always refers to one of the world’s greatest poems, composed in six books sometime between A.D. 1246 and 1273 by Jalál-i-Dín Rúmí. See the erudite text, translation and commentary by R. A. Nicholson.

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Mawlaví	mo-lav-ee	Order of dancing dervishes founded in the 13th century A.D. by Jalál-i-Dín Rúmí. Their name derives from his title, Mawlá (mow-law), Turkish Mevla, meaning Master.
Maydán	may-dawn	Square, open place.
Mázindarán	moz-enda-rawn	Native province of Bahá’u’lláh, on the Caspian Sea. (GPB 78).
Mazra‘ih	mazz-ra-eh	Sown field, farm. Property about 7 kilometres north of ‘Akká, where palace of Muḥammad Páshá Safwat was rented by the Master for Bahá’u’lláh, after nine years of His ‘Akká prison life, during which time He “had not looked on verdure.”
Mazra‘iy-i-Vashshásh	mazz-ra-eh-yeh-vash-awsh	Place on outskirts of Baghdád where Bahá’u’lláh celebrated Naw-Rúz, 1863.
Men of the Unseen (Rijálu’l-Ghayb)	rej-awl-ol-gayb	Ṣúfís believe in an invisible hierarchy of saints, fixed in number, thanks to whose intercessions the cosmic order endures. Their supreme hierophant is called a Quṭb, (axis) or Ghawth (succorer).
Mihdí	meh-dee	‎Cne One‎ Who is guided. A title of the 12th Imám.
Mihdí-Qulí Mírzá	meh-dee-coolie-mere-zaw	Commander of the army of Mázindarán; brother of Muḥammad Sháh. Prince who perjured himself at Ṭabarsí.
Mihr-‘Alí Khán, Shujá‘u’l-Mulk	mehr-alley-con-sho-jaw-ol-molk	Persecutor of the Bábís at Nayríz, who was struck dumb. (GPB 84).
Mihráb	meh-rob	Prayer niche in a mosque, where the Imám or prayer-leader leads the prayer. This niche shows the direction of Mecca.
Mím	meem	Letter “M”, standing for Mázindarán.
Mír Muḥammad-Ḥusayn	mere-moham-mad-ho-sane	Stigmatized by Bahá’u’lláh as the “She-Serpent.” Accomplice of Shaykh Muḥammad-Báqir.
Mi‘ráj	meh-rawj	“Ascent” of Muḥammad. See Qur’án 17:1, describing the mystic vision of the night journey in which the Prophet is transported from Mecca to Jerusalem and is shown the signs of God. An extensive ḥadíth literature exists on the Mi‘ráj, the influence of which has affected medieval European literature including the Divine Comedy. Cf. the writings of Miguel Asin Palacios, Arabic professor at the University of Madrid.
Mir’átu’l-Azalíyyih	mare-awt-ol-as-al-ee-yeh	Everlasting Mirror (Mírzá Yaḥyá), who, himself a “Mirror,” condemned all the Mirrors to death. “Mirrors,” “Guides” and “Witnesses” comprised the Bábí hierarchy. (GPB 90, 114, 165).
Mírzá Abu’l-Faḍl	mere-zaw-ab-ol-fazz-l	Illustrious Persian Bahá’í scholar, who taught in the United States at the turn of the century; author of The Bahá’í Proofs, The Brilliant Proof, the Fará’id, etc. “Learned apologist” (GPB 195).

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Mírzá Áqá Ján	mere-zaw-awe-caw-John	Amanuensis of Bahá’u’lláh for forty years. (GPB 115).
Mírzá Badí’u’lláh	mere-zaw-badee-ol-láh	Brother of Mírzá Muḥammad-‘Alí. He wrote and published a confession testifying to the acts of the Covenant-Breakers against ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
Mírzá Báqir-i-Shírází	mere-zaw-baw-care-eh-sheer-Oz-ee	One of Bahá’u’lláh’s secretaries in Adrianople. (GPB 171).
Mírzá Buzurg (also called Mírzá ‘Abbás)	mere-zaw-bo-zorg	Persian nobleman who was the father of Bahá’u’lláh.
Mírzá Hádíy-i-Dawlatábádí	mere-zaw-haw-dee-yeh-doe-lat-awb-awd-ee	Notorious Azalí who ultimately denounced Azal. (SW 86; GPB 233).
Mírzá Ḥusayn-‘Alí	mere-zaw-ho-sane-a-lee	Persian nobleman designated by the title Bahá’u’lláh. Founder of the Bahá’í Faith.
Mírzá Majdi’d-Dín	mere-zaw-majd-eh-deen	Brother-in-law of Mírzá Muḥammad-‘Alí. ‎. .A . A‎ Covenant-Breaker who aroused the Turkish Government against the Master so that His confinement was re-imposed.
Mírzá Mihdí	mere-zaw-meh-dee	The Purest Branch; twenty-two year old son of Bahá’u’lláh who died as a sacrifice in ‘Akká, June 23, 1870. Praying, he fell from the roof of the Prison, and supplicated Bahá’u’lláh to accept his life as a ransom for those who were prevented from attaining the presence of their Beloved. (GPB 188).
Mírzá Muḥammad-‘Alí	mere-zaw-moham-mad-a-lee	Arch-Breaker of ‎Bahá’u’lláh’s, Bahá’u’lláh’s‎ Covenant; half-brother of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. (GPB 246, 249).
Mírzá Muḥammad-‘Alíy-i-Zunúzí	a-lee-yeh-zo-noo-zee	Disciple who was executed bound to, and shielding, the Báb.
Mírzá Muḥammad-Taqíy-i-Juvayní	mere-zaw-moham-mad-tack-ee-yeh-jo-vain-ee	Early Bahá’í who threw away sum of silver and gold as a symbol of sacrifice.
Mírzá Muḥiṭ-i-Kirmání	mere-zaw-mo-heat-eh-care-maw-nee	Outstanding exponent of the Shaykhí school, to whom in Mecca the Báb, facing the Black Stone, declared His Mission. (DB 134).
Mírzá Músá	mere-zaw-moo-saw	Noble brother of Bahá’u’lláh, commonly called Áqáy-i-Kalím. “His staunch supporter and ablest of His brothers and sisters.” (SW 166).
Mírzá Na’ím	mere-zaw-na...eem	Accomplice of Mihr-‘Alí Khán.
Mírzá Qurbán-‘Alí	mere-zaw-core-bawn-a-lee	Pious, esteemed dervish, one of the Seven Martyrs of Ṭihrán.
Mírzá Riḍá-Qulí	mere-zaw-re-zaw-co-lee	A brother of Bahá’u’lláh. (SW 170).

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Mírzá Sa’íd Khán	mere-zaw-sa-eed-con	Foreign minister of Persia in 1863. Wrote authorities in Constantinople to exile Bahá’u’lláh from Baghdád.
Mírzá Shu’á’u’lláh	mere-zaw-sho-awe-ol-lah	Son of Mírzá Muḥammad-‘Alí.
Mírzá Yahyá	mere-zaw-ya-h-yaw	Treacherous half-brother of Bahá’u’lláh and “Arch-Breaker of the Covenant of the Báb.” The Báb never named a successor, vicegerent or interpreter; He nominated Mírzá Yahyá (Ṣubḥ-i-Azal) merely “as a figure-head pending the imminent manifestation of the Promised One.” (GPB 28; 233). Mírzá Yahyá is stigmatized as “This vain and flaccid man” “befooled and manipulated” by Siyyid Muḥammad. (GPB 112).
Mishkín-Qalam	mesh-keen-cal-am	Musk-scented Pen; title of a famed Bahá’í calligrapher.

Months (Bahá’í):

				First Day:
1st	Bahá	Ba-há	Splendor	March 21
2nd	Jalál	ja-lawl	Glory	April 9
3rd	Jamál	ja-mawl	Beauty	April 28
4th	‘Aẓamat	az-am-at	Grandeur	May 17
5th	Núr	noor	Light	June 5
6th	Raḥmat	ra-h-mat	Mercy	June 24
7th	Kalimát	cal-eh-mawt	Words	July 13
8th	Kamál	cam-awl	Perfection	Aug. 1
9th	Asmá’	assm-aw	Names	Aug. 20
10th	‘Izzat	ezz-at	Might	Sept. 8
11th	Mashíyyat	mash-ee-yat	Will	Sept. 27
12th	‘Ilm	elm	Knowledge	Oct. 16
13th	Qudrat	cod-rat	Power	Nov. 4
14th	Qawl	coal	Speech	Nov. 23
15th	Masa’il	mass-aw-ell	Questions	Dec. 12
16th	Sharaf	sha-raff	Honor	Dec. 31
17th	Sulṭán	sol-tawn	Sovereignty	Jan. 19
18th	Mulk	molk	Dominion	Feb. 7
19th	‘Alá	a-law	Loftiness	March 2

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Months (Muslim):		Number of days:
Muḥarram	mo-ha-ram	30
Ṣafar	sa-fa-r	29
Rabí‘u’l-Avval	ra-bee-ol-av-val	30
Rabí‘u’th-Thání	ra-bee-oss-saw-nee	29
Jamádíyu’l-Avval	jam-awe-dee-ol-av-val	30
Jamádíyu’th-Thání	jam-awe-dee-oss-saw-nee	29
Rajab	ra-jab	30
Sha‘bán	sha...bawn	29
Ramaḍán	ram-az-zawn	30
Shavvál	shavv-awl	29
Dhi’l-Qa‘dih	zell-ca...deh	30
Dhi’l-Ḥijjih	zell-hedge-eh	29-30

Mother-Book, see Ummu’l-Kitáb

Mother-Book of the Bábí Dispensation		The Persian Bayán.
Mother-Book of the Bahá’í Dispensation		The Kitáb-i-Aqdas. (GPB 324-325).
Mu’abbirín	mo-ab-bare-een	Soothsayers.
Mu’adhdhin	mo-az-zen	Muezzin; caller of the adhán (az-awn) or summons to prayer. The first muezzin was Balál, the Ethiopian.
Mu‘avíyyih, son of Vahháb	mo-awe-vee-yeh, va-hob	Mentioned in Íqán, 246.
Mudarrisín	mo-da-ress-enn	Professors.
Mufaḍḍal	mo-fazz-al	Contemporary of Imám Ṣádiq, who prophesied to him concerning the “year 60” (1844). (SW 112; Íqán 253).
Muftí	muff-tee	Expounder of Muslim law; gives a fatvá or sentence on a point of religious jurisprudence.
Muḥaddithín	mo-had-dess-een	Narrators (of ḥadíth--traditionally reported acts and words of Muḥammad, etc.)
Muḥammad	Mo-ham-mad	570-632 A.D. Prophet of God, Revealer of the Qur’án, Founder of Islám. His name means valde laudatus or laudandus--highly praised or to be praised; foretold by Jesus as Paraclete (see Faraqlit). Called by Bahá’u’lláh God’s “Well-Beloved One.” (G1. 221). Referred to in Qur’án 33:40 as the Seal of the Prophets. Speaking of the new Day, Bahá’u’lláh states: “The designation ‘Seal of the Prophets’ fully revealeth its [this Day’s] high station. The Prophetic Cycle hath verily ended. The Eternal Truth is now come.” (WOB 167).

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Muḥammad-Ḥusayn-i-Marághi’í	mo-ham-mad-ho-sane-eh-ma-raw-gay-ee	One of the Seven Martyrs of Ṭihrán.
Muḥarram	mo-ha-ram	First ten days of first month of Muslim year, observed by Shí’ahs as part of their mourning period for the Imams; the tenth day, ‘Áshúrá’, is the day of the martyrdom of Ḥusayn.
Muḥsin	moh-sen	Man’s name.
Mujtahid	moj-ta-head	Doctor of Muḥammadan law. Persian mujtahids generally receive their diplomas from eminent jurists of Karbilá and Najaf.
Mullá	mol-law	Muḥammadan priest, theologian, judge.
Mullá ‘Alíy-i-Bastámí	mol-law-a-lee-yeh-bast-awm-ee	Man of learning who recognized the Báb. The first to suffer for His sake. (GPB 10).
Mullá Báqir	mol-law-baw-care	A Letter of the Living.
Mullá Ḥusayn	mol-law-ho-sane	The first to believe in the Báb. Called by Shoghi Effendi “the lion-hearted.” (GPB 90).
Mullá Muḥammad-‘Alíy-i-Zanjání	mol-law-mo-ham-mad-a-lee-yeh-zan-John-ee	Man of learning who recognized the Báb.
Mullá Ni’matu’lláh-i-Mázindarání	mol-law-neh---mat-ol-law-heh-mawz-end-a-raw-nee	Man of learning who recognized the Báb.
Mullá Ṣádiq-i-Khurásání	mol-law-saw-deck-eh-core-awe-saw-nee	Eminent Bábí, publicly ‎torturedwith tortured with‎ Quddús and another believer.
‎Múlla Mullá‎ Ṣadrá	mol-law-sad-raw	Great Persian philosopher of the middle Ṣafaví period (AD 1500-1736). He is called Ákhúnd (Master, par excellence).
Mullá Sa’íd-i-Bárfurúshí	mol-law-sa-eed-eh-bawr-fo-roosh-ee	Man of learning who recognized the Báb.
Muná	mo-naw	Place where Mecca pilgrim sacrifices cattle according to his means on the Day of Naḥr.
Munájátháy-i-Ṣíyám	mon-aw-jot-haw-yeh-see-awm	Prayers for Fasting, written by Bahá’u’lláh “in anticipation of the Book of His Laws....” (Adrianople). (GPB 172).
Munzaví	mon-za-vee	Recluse.
Muqaddasín	mo-cad-dass-een	Saints.

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Murád V	mo-rawd	Immediate successor of Sulṭán ‘Abdu’l-Azíz. Soon deposed, his mind having been reduced to a nullity by intemperance and long seclusion in the “Cage”--i.e., the Grand Seraglio prison where Turkish princes were kept under lock and key.
Murgh-Maḥallih	morg-ma-hal-leh	Bahá’u’lláh’s summer residence north of Ṭihrán.
Musakhkhirín	mo-sack-air-een	Muḥammadan spirit-subduers.
Mushíru’d-Dawlih	mo-sheer-od-doe-leh	Persian ambassador to Constantinople, who calumniated Bahá’u’lláh. (SW 68, 159).
Muṣíbát-i-Ḥurúfát-i-‘Álíyát	moss-ee-bawt-eh-ho-roof-awt-eh-awl-ee-yawt	Writing of Bahá’u’lláh prior to His Declaration (‘Iráq).
Muslim	moss-lem	Follower of Islám; Muḥammadan.
Muṣṭafá	moss-ta-faw	Bahá’í martyr. Cf. SW 73.
Mustagháth	most-a-goss	“He Who is invoked.” The cycle of every Divine Dispensation. Specifically, the time of Mustagháth is the day of the Latter Resurrection, i.e., the Advent of Bahá’u’lláh. (Íqán 229; 248). The letters total according to the abjad reckoning 2001--the limit of time assigned by the Báb for the advent of the Promised One. With these words of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh refutes those who claimed that the Promised One would not appear until 2,001: “For none knoweth the time of the Revelation except God. Whenever it appeareth, all must acknowledge the Point of Truth, and render thanks unto God.” (SW 157).
Mu’tamidu’d-Dawlih	mo-tam-ed-od-dow-leh	Title of the Governor of Iṣfáhán, Manúchihr Khán, a Georgian Christian by origin, who wished to will all his fortune to the Báb.
Mutavallí	mo-ta-valley	Muḥammadan custodian or manager of a religious foundation.
Muẓaffari’d-Dín Sháh	mo-zaff-fa-red-deen-shah	“Weak and timid” 5th Qájár Sháh.

N

Nabíl	nab-eel	Excellent; noble, etc. Term often used as a Bahá’í title; this name has the same numerical value as Muḥammad (92); it is also equal in numerical value to ‘Akká, referred to as the “Vale of Nabíl” in Bahá’u’lláh’s Lawḥ-i-Sayyáḥ, revealed during His first years in Adrianople. (GPB 171, 184).
Nabíl-i-A’zam	nab-eel-eh-a...zam	Title of Mullá Muḥammad-i-Zarandí, author of the Dawn-Breakers. It means the Most Great Nabíl. Nabíl is also called Bahá’u’lláh’s Poet-Laureate. (GPB 130).
Naḍr-Ibn-i-Ḥárith	nazzr-ebn-eh-haw-ress	Name of an influential pagan opposed to the Prophet Muḥammad. He preferred Persian romances to the Message of God.

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Naḥr, Day of	na-hr	Day of Sacrifice, 10th day of Mecca pilgrimage; after casting 7 stones each at 3 pillars of Muná, the pilgrim concludes his pilgrimage with a sacrifice of sheep, goat, cow or camel.
Najaf	na-jaff	One of the 2 holiest Shrines in the Shí’ah world. In ‘Iráq, south of Karbilá.
Najíbíyyih Garden	naj-ee-bee-yeh	Garden of Najíb Páshá, situated at Baghdád on the east bank of the Tigris. Arriving here on a Wednesday afternoon, April 22, 1863, Bahá’u’lláh tarried twelve days on the first stage of His four month’s journey to Constantinople. During these days, designated the Riḍván Festival, He declared His world Mission to His companions.
Na’mayn	na...main	Small island east of ‘Akká, ‎cailed called‎ Riḍván and “The New Jerusalem” and “Our Verdant Isle.” (GPB 193).
Namáz-khánih	nam-Oz-con-eh	Prayer house.
Námiq Páshá	nahm-ek-paw-shaw	Governor of Baghdád in 1863.
Naqshbandíyyih Order	naksh-band-ee-yeh	Powerful Ṣúfí Order founded A.D. 1319 by Pír Muḥammad. It has many adherents in India.
Nárín, Fort of	nawr-een	Fort in Yazd (DB 470).
Náṣiri’d-Dín	naw-sair-ed-deen	“The helper of the Faith.” Notorious ruler of Persia A.D. 1848-1896 (born 1831). Mightiest potentate of Shí’ah Islám. Stigmatized by Bahá’u’lláh as “Prince of Oppressors.” (GPB 197).
Násút	naw-soot	Humanity. The “outward, phenomenal aspect ‎[of of‎ Reality] from which the mystic ‘passes away’ in moments of ecstasy.” The “Divine aspect of humanity.”
Navváb	navv-ob	Highness; nabob.
Navváb, The	navv-ob	Saintly wife of Bahá’u’lláh, whose children included the Master, the Most Exalted Leaf and the ‎Pureest Purest‎ Branch. She was entitled by Him the “Most Exalted Leaf” and His “perpetual consort in all the worlds of God.” (GPB 108).
Naw-Rúz	no-rooz	New Day. Bahá’í New Year’s Day, which falls on March 21st only if the vernal equinox precedes the sunset on that day. Should the vernal equinox take place after sunset, Naw-Rúz is celebrated on the following day. Íránian tradition ascribes the Naw-Rúz to Jamshíd, pre-Deluge ruler in a golden age, who established the solar year. Although the Persians adopted the lunar calendar of Islám, they never abandoned the celebration of Naw-Rúz.
Nayríz	nay-reez	Persian town southeast of Shíráz.
Niṣáb	ness-ob	Fixed amount of property on which zakát--legal alms--or a tax is due.
Níshápúr	neesh-awe-poor	Town in northeast Persia west of Mashhad.

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Níyálá	nee-awe-law	Persian village near which Bahá’u’lláh was stoned. (DB 299; GPB 68).
Níyávarán	nee-awe-var-on	Village in Shimírán.
Niẓámí	nez-awe-mee	Poet of Ganja, (A.D. 1140-1202), author of the Panj Ganj (Five Treasures).
Nudbih	nod-beh	“Lamentation” by the Imám ‘Alí.
Nuqṭih	knock-teh	Point.
Nuqṭiy-i-Ukhrá	knock-teh-yeh-okraw	The Last Point; title given to Quddús by Bahá’u’lláh.
Nuqṭiy-i-Úlá	knock-teh-yeh-oo-law	The Báb--the Primal Point “from which have been generated all created things.” (GPB 4) He is also called His Holiness the Exalted One.
Nuṣayrí	no-sair-ee	Syrian sect named after Nuṣayr, an adherent of ‘Alí, which preaches the divinity of ‘Alí. For a long period this sect held that “woman was the incarnation of the evil spirit or satan, and that man alone was the manifestation of God....” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, I, 71).

O

Occultation

See Ghaybat; the whole period of the Hidden Imám’s Imámate.

P

Pahlaván	pah-la-vawn	Athlete‎.. . ‎ Champion.
Párán	pa-Ron	Mountain in Arabia. The wilderness of Párán is in Trans-Jordan. Bible references to Mt. Párán and the descendants of Ishmael refer to Muḥammad and the Arabs. Deut. 18:18 refers to the Arabs and Muḥammad (prophesying of brethren; had the prophecy designated Christianity the term would have been seed). Deut. 33:2 refers respectively to the Mosaic, Christian, Islámic and Bahá’í Dispensations.
Pársí	pawr-see	“Fársí” or Persian. Zoroastrian Persians who emigrated to India after the Arab Conquest.
Páshá	paw-shaw	Honorary title formerly given to officers of high rank in Turkey. There were three classes of Páshás, distinguished by one, two, or three horsetails borne on a standard.
People of the Son		Christians.

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Persia, 19th century: administrative divisions and capitals:
Ádhirbáyján-Tabríz	Oz-air-buy-John	Tab-reez
Khurásán & Sístán-Mashhad	core-aw-sawn;seess-tawn	Mash-had
Ṭihrán & dependencies-Ṭihrán	teh-Ron	Teh-Ron
Fárs-Shíráz	fárss	She-Roz
Isfáhán, dependencies-Isfáhán	ess-fa-hawn	Ess-fa-hawn
Kirmán & Persian Balúchistán- Kirmán	care-mawn ba-loo-chess-tawn	Care-mawn
‘Arabistán-Shúshtar	arab-ess-tawn	Shoe-sh-tar (ar as in Harry)
Gílán & Ṭálish-Rasht	gie-lawn & taw-lesh	Rash-t
Mázindarán-Ámul	maw-zen-da-Ron	Awmol
Yazd, dependencies-Yazd	rhymes with jazzed	rhymes with jazzed
Persian Gulf Littoral & Islands-Búshihr		Boo-sheh-r

Píshkish       peesh-kesh       Present, tip, douceur.

Q

Qáḍí       caw-zee       Judge.

Qáḍiríyyih Order       caw-dare-ee-yeh       Order of dervishes founded by ‘Abdu’l-Qáḍir-i-Gílání 1077-1166 A.D. Descendant of ‘Alí, patron saint of the Kurds, venerated among Indian Sunnís, called “Ghawth-i-A’zam,” his influence extends to India and China.

Qahru’lláh       Kah-rol-láh       Name given by the Báb to a dervish from India. (DB 305).

Qahviy-i-Awlíyá       kah-vay-yeh-oh-lee-awe       School attended by the Báb, Shíráz.

Qá’im       caw-’em       He Who ariseth. The Báb. “When the Qá’im ariseth, that day is the Day of Resurrection.” (Íqán, 144).

Qá’im-Maqám       caw-’em-mack-awm       Title, specifically of illustrious first minister strangled by Muḥammad Sháh Qájár. (PDC 68).

Qájár       caw-jar       Turkoman tribe who usurped Persian throne and reigned 1795-1925. This Dynasty was founded by the atrocious eunuch Áqá Muḥammad Khán. (PDC 67). [Page 41]

Qalandar	cal-an-dar (ar as in Harry)	Order of wandering dervishes often referred to in Persian literature. Their origin is obscure.
Qalyán	cal-yon	Hubble-bubble pipe. Smoking-pipe which draws the smoke through water in an attached vase.
Qará-Guhar	kara-go-har	One of the two heavy chains by which Bahá’u’lláh was bound in the Black Pit of Ṭihrán.
Qárún	caw-roon	This individual and the keys to his treasures are mentioned in Qur’án 28:76 etc. He is identified by the commentators with the Korah of the Scriptures. His riches are proverbial; forty mules (or elsewhere, three hundred) were reportedly required to carry the keys to his treasure chambers.
Qaṣídiy-i-Varqá’íyyih	cass-ee-day-yeh- var-caw-ee-yeh	“The Nightingale Ode,” reduced by Bahá’u’lláh to 127 verses and widely read among Arabic speaking Bahá’ís. This Arabic ode was revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in the mountains of Kurdistán. (GPB 123).
Qawlavayh	co-la-vay
Qawthíyyih	co-see-yeh	Sermon by the Imám ‘Alí.
Qayyúm	guy-yoom	Siyyid Káẓim’s reference to Bahá’u’lláh, the promised Ḥusayn, the second of the twin Manifestations which he foretold as imminent. (DB 41).
Qayyúm-i-Asmá also Qayyúmu’l-Asmá	guy-yoom-eh-a-smaw	The Báb’s Commentary on the Súrih of Joseph (Qur’án 12). It was regarded by the Bábís as their Qur’án. The first of its 111 chapters was revealed by the Báb on His Declaration night in the presence of Mullá Ḥusayn. Ṭáhirih translated it into Persian. The fundamental purpose of this Book--“‘The first, the greatest, and mightiest of all books’ in the Bábí Dispensation”--was to forecast what Bahá’u’lláh would have to endure from His faithless brother. (GPB 23).
Qiblih	keb-leh	Point of Adoration; prayer-direction, toward which the faithful turn in prayer. The Most Holy Tomb of Bahá’u’lláh at Bahjí is “the Heart and Qiblih of the Bahá’í world.” (GPB 110, 277).
Qibliy-i-’Álam	keb-lay-eh-awl-am	Center of the universe; a title of the Sháh.
Quddús	kod-dooss	Last of the 18 Letters of the Living, second only to the Báb in rank, identified with one of the “Messengers charged with imposture” (Qur’án 36:13) and one of the two “Witnesses” of St. John the Divine. (GPB 49; SAQ 64, 65).
Qur’án	core-on	The Reading; That which ought to be read. The Book revealed by Muḥammad, and called by Bahá’u’lláh the “unerring Book.” (G1. 221). It is said to have 55 special titles, including The Firm Handle, The Rope and The Bayán.
Qurbán	core-bawn	Sacrifice.
Qurrá	core-raw	Intoners. Those acquainted with the science of reading the Qur’án (‘ilmu’t-tajvíd).

[Page 42]

Qurratu’l-‘Ayn

core-ra-tol-ain

Solace of the Eyes, a title given to Ṭáhirih by her teacher, Siyyid Káẓim. The term is used for a beloved object.

R

Raqshá	rack-shaw	“She-Serpent.” The Imám-Jum‘ih of Iṣfáhán was thus stigmatized by Bahá’u’lláh (SW 100).
Rashḥ-i-‘Amá	rash-heh-am-aw	Sprinkling from the Light Cloud, a poem revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in Ṭihrán. ‘Amá symbolizes the First Invisible Substance. (See GPB 121).
Rasht	r.w. cashed	Persian city near the Caspian seaport of Pahlaví.
Rawḍih-Khání	rose-eh-con-ee	Traditional lamentation for the Imám Ḥusayn. Also jeremiad.
Rayy	ray	Rhages; ancient city near which Ṭihrán is built.
Riḍván	rezz-von	1. Name given by Bahá’ís to the Najíbíyyih Garden at Baghdád. 2. The Garden of Na‘mayn. 3. The “holiest and most significant of all Bahá’í festivals” commemorating Bahá’u’lláh’s Declaration of His Mission to His companions, 1863. A twelve-day period beginning on April 21st and celebrated annually.
Riḍvánu’l-‘Adl	rezz-von-ol-adl	Paradise of Justice: writing of Bahá’u’lláh prophesying the advent of just kings. (PDC 75).
Rik‘at	wreck-at	Prostration in prayer.
Risáliy-i-Furú‘-i-‘Adlíyyih	ress-awe-lay-eh-fo-roo-eh-adl-ee-yeh	Arabic treatise revealed by the Báb. (GPB 24).
Ríz-Áb	reez-ob	Persian village, DB 364.
Rúḥu’lláh	roo-hol-law	The Spirit of God, i.e., Jesus. He is also called The Son.
Rukn	rockn	Angle in which is set the Black Stone of the Ka‘bih.
Rúz-bih	rooz-beh	Later named Salmán; the Herald of Muḥammad.

S

Sabzih-Maydán	sab-zeh-may-dawn	Market place.
Ṣád	sot	“ṣ”; this letter stands for Iṣfáhán.

[Page 43]

Term	Pronunciation	Description
Ṣád of Ṣamad	sot of sam-ad	Commentary by Quddús, written in part at Ṭabarsí, and eulogizing Bahá’u’lláh. It is six times longer than the Qur’án. (GPB 40; 69).
Sa’dí	sa...dee	1184-1291 A.D. One of Persia’s pre-eminent writers and teachers; author of the Gulistán (Rose Garden).
Ṣádiq	saw-deck	Man’s name. The sixth Imám of Shí’ah Islám (A.D. 699-765) Ja’far-i-Ṣádiq (i.e., the Veridical), scholar, man of letters and jurisconsult.
Ṣádiq-i-Tabrízí	saw-deck-eh-tab-ree-zee	Half-crazed youth who made an attempt on the life of Náṣiri’d-Dín Sháh, Aug. 15, 1852.
Sadratu’l-Muntahá	sad-ra-tol-monta-haw	The Divine Lote Tree; the Tree beyond which there is no passing (i.e., the Manifestation of God). A title of Bahá’u’lláh (GPB 94). The Lote-tree of the extremity (Qur’án 53:8-18). The Sidrah-tree which marks the boundary. The zizyphus jujuba. Tree seen by Muḥammad in the 7th firmament during the mi’ráj.
Ṣadru’d-Dawlih	sad-rod-doe-leh	Demoted by the Sháh for failing to defeat the Bábís at Zanján.
Ṣadru’l-‘Ulamá	sad-rol-ola-maw	Cleric referred to by Bahá’u’lláh as Ṣád-i-Iṣfáhání. (SW 86).
Ṣafaví	saff-a-vee	Persian dynasty (1500-1736 A.D.)
Safíniy-i-Ḥamrá	saff-ee-nay-yeh-ham-raw	Crimson Ark, ordained by God in the Qayyúmu’l-Asmá for the people of Bahá. (SW 139; WOB 84--“Ark of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant”).
Ṣáḥibu’z-Zamán	saw-heb-oz-za-mawn	The Lord of the Age. Title of the Promised One of Shí’ah Islám: the Báb. Preceded by Yá (0), the battle-cry of the Dawn-Breakers.
Ṣaḥífiy-i-baynu’l-Ḥaramayn	sa-hee-fay-eh-bain-ol-ha-ram-ain	Book between the Two Sanctuaries; work revealed by the Báb between Mecca and Medina.
Ṣaḥífiy-i-Shaṭṭíyyih	sa-hee-fay-eh-sha-tee-yeh	Writing of Bahá’u’lláh prior to His Declaration (Íráq).
Sa’ídu’l-‘Ulamá	sa-ee-dol-olam-aw	Diabolical cleric who caused the martyrdom of Quddús. “...the fanatical, the ferocious and shameless mujtahid of Bárfurúsh.” (GPB 39, 42; 83).
St. Sophia		In Istanbul, “The Second Firmament,” “The Vehicle of the Cherubim”--one-time cathedral built by Justinian later the most famous of Muslim mosques, now a museum.
(aṣ-) Ṣakhrah	sack-ra	The Rock. Sacred Rock at Jerusalem, revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike as the omphalos of the world. The Dome of the Rock is in the sanctuary of the Aqṣá Mosque.

[Page 44]

Term	Pronunciation	Definition
Ṣaláḥi’d-Dín Ayyúbí	sal-aw-head-deen-l-you-bee	Saladin (1137-1193 A.D.) Sulṭán of Egypt and Syria 1174-93, conquered and drove out the Crusaders. The great Jewish philosopher Maimonides (Abú’Imrán Músá b. Maymún of Cordova) was Saladin’s physician.
Salám	sal-awm	Peace; salutation. Muslim greeting; word used to end a thesis.
Salásil	sal-aw-sell	One of the two heavy chains by which Bahá’u’lláh was tormented in the Black Pit at Ṭihrán. (SW 77).
Ṣáliḥ	sol-eh	Prophet of God sent to the tribe of Thamúd. Sale states that this Prophet lived between Húd and Abraham, and identifies him with Phaleg. (Prelim. Disc.) He identifies Húd (q.v.) with Heber.
Salmán	sal-mawn	See Rúz-bih. Persian believer who taught the Muslims trench warfare. First foreign Muslim permitted by the Prophet to say his prayers in his own tongue. The earliest Persian convert, and revered “Companion,” he is included by the Nuṣayrís in their mystical Trinity denoted by the letters A M S (‘Alí, the Idea--Muḥammad, the Name-- Salmán, the Gate). (Browne, L. Hist. I, 203).
Salsabíl	sal-sa-beel	Name of a river or fountain in Paradise. Qur’án: 76:18: “From the fount therein whose name is Salsabíl (the softly flowing).” Thus Rodwell. A.Y. ‘Alí gives the literal meaning as “Seek the Way.”
Sám Khán	r.w. psalm-con	Christian colonel of Armenian regiment ordered to execute the Báb. When his regiment’s seven hundred and fifty bullets did not touch the Báb, Sám Khán refused to fire on the Manifestation of God again.
Samandar	sa-man-da-r	Phoenix.
Sámirí	saw-mare-ee	Name in Qur’án 20:85 etc. of the man who tempted the Israelites to the sin of the golden calf.
Saná’í	san-aw-ee	Persia’s first great mystic poet, author of the Ḥadíqatu’l-Ḥaqíqat or “Garden of Truth.” (A.D. 1131). From Ghazna or Balkh. Persia’s other great mystic writers in the Mathnaví form are ‘Aṭṭár and Rúmí; the last-named humbly wrote: “’Aṭṭár was the Spirit, and Saná’í its two eyes; We come after Saná’í and ’Aṭṭár.”
Sarah		Wife and maternal aunt of Abraham. One of four pre-eminent women. (PUP II, 359).
Sarkár-Áqá	sa-r-car-awe-caw	The Honorable Master. A title of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
Sásáníyán dynasty	saw-saw-nee-yawn	Persian dynasty (226-651) reigning when Muḥammad was born (570 A.D.).
Satan, Island of		Turkish name for Cyprus where Mírzá Yaḥyá was exiled.
Sayyáḥ	sigh-áh (or, si-yáh)	A disciple of the Báb (DB 432).

[Page 45]

Term	Pronunciation	Definition
Seal of the Prophets		Muḥammad; Qur’án 33:40. Last Manifestation of the Prophetic Cycle, before the advent of the Day of God. (PDC 83).
Sects		According to a ḥadíth Muḥammad ‎prophecied prophesied‎ that His people would be divided into 73 sects, one being true. (There are, however, many more Muslim sects). The Children of Israel were also divided into 72 sects. Cf. ‘Umar Khayyám: "The Grape that can with Logic absolute / The Two-and-Seventy jarring Sects confute...."
Sháh	shaw	King, especially of Persia.
Sháhansháh	shaw-han-shaw	King of Kings (contraction of Sháhán-sháh which by inversion is sháh-i-sháhán).
Sháh-‘Abbás the Great	shaw-hab-boss	Ṣafaví monarch (1557- 1628); ruled Persia from 1586.
Sháh ‘Abdu’l-‘Aẓím	shaw-habd-ol-azeem	Muslim town and Shrine 5 or 6 miles south of Ṭihrán. Long a "bast" where the largely-criminal population was safe from arrest, although the area of protection dwindled inversely with the enormity of the crime; a murderer, for instance, could not leave the mosque courtyard, while debtors could roam at will. (Cf. Browne’s A Year Amongst the Persians ). The Shrine has a great golden dome.
Sháh-Bahrám	shaw-ba-hrawm	World Savior and Promised One of the Zoroastrians. Fulfilled by Bahá’u’lláh.
Sháh-Chirágh	shaw-chair-og	Site where the Báb’s wife is buried, in Shíráz.
Sháh-Rúd	shaw-rood	Persian town located northeast of Ṭihrán.
Sháh Ṭahmasp I	shaw-ta-masp (r.w. wasp)	Sháh who, in the 16th century A.D., made Qazvín his capital. The city is said to have been founded in the 4th century by the Sásáníyán king Sháhpúr II. (PDC 98).
Sháh-Zádih	shaw-zaw-deh	Prince.
Shahr-Bánú	sha-hr-baw-noo	Daughter of Yazdigird III, the last Sásáníyán king. Consort of Ḥusayn. Mother of the Fourth Imám.
Shams-i-Tabríz	shamss-eh-tab-reez	Rúmí’s spiritual director, a comparatively illiterate but powerful mystic, killed at Qonya in a riot, A.D. 1246.
Shamsí Big	shamssee-beg	Official instructed by Bahá’u’lláh to deliver His Tablet to Turkey’s Grand Vizier. Bahá’u’lláh and His family were entertained at Shamsí Big’s house on first reaching Constantinople. (GPB 157; 160 ).
Shar‘	shar (ar as in Harry)	In Persia, Muslim religious law, based on Islámic Scriptures, administered by ecclesiastical tribunals. (DB liv-lv).
Sharḥ-i-Qaṣídiy-i-Lámíyyih	shar-heh-cass-ee-day-yeh-lahm-ee-yeh	Writing by Siyyid Káẓim alluding to the name "Bahá." (Gl. 97).

[Page 46]

Sharī‘ah, Sharī‘at	shar-ee-yeh shar-ee-yat (each ar as in Harry)	Muslim canonical law. The Law, the Path and the Truth are Ṣúfí terms concerning the journey of the soul toward God. A saying attributed to Muḥammad is: “The Law is My words, the Path is My works, and the Truth is My inward state.” (SV 40).
Shaykh	shake	Venerable old man; man of authority; elder, chief, professor, superior of a dervish order, etc.
Shaykh ‘Abdu’r-Raḥmān	shake-abd-or-ra-h-mawn	Leader of Qádiríyyih Order, who had at least 100,000 followers. In reply to his queries, Bahá’u’lláh revealed the Four Valleys. (GPB 122).
Shaykh ‘Ábid	shake-awe-bed	Tutor at school where the Báb remained five years. (DB 75).
Shaykh Ahmad-i-Ahsá’í	shake-ah-mad-eh-ah-saw-ee (each ah as a in at)	The first of the “twin resplendent lights” who heralded the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. Born 1753, died near Medina at the age of 81. (GPB 92; DB 42).
Shaykh ‘Alíy-i-Mírí	shake-al-lee-yeh-mee-ree	Muftí of ‘Akká and Bahá’í convert.
Shaykh Ḥasan-i-Zunúzí	shake-hass-an-eh-zo-nooz-ee	Believer whom the Báb sent to Karbilá “inasmuch as you are destined to behold, with your own eyes, the beauteous countenance of the Promised Ḥusayn.” A prophecy fulfilled October 5, 1851, when he first saw Bahá’u’lláh. (DB 31-32).
Shaykh Ismá‘íl	shake-ess-maw-ell	Leader of Khálidíyyih Order, who requested Bahá’u’lláh to reside at his seminary in Sulaymáníyyih.
Shaykh Muḥammad-Báqir	shake-moham-mad-baw-care	The “Wolf,” to whom Bahá’u’lláh addressed His “Tablet of the Proof” and to whom He referred as “the last trace of sunlight upon the mountain-top.” (GPB 232).
Shaykh Muḥammad-Taqíy-i-Najafí	shake-moham-mad-tack-ee-yeh-naj-aff-ee	The Son of the Wolf, to whom the celebrated Epistle was addressed by Bahá’u’lláh.
Shaykh Muḥyí’d-Dín	shake-moh-yeh-deen	The “Seven Valleys” was revealed in answer to the questions of this Qáḍí.
Shaykh Murtaḍáy-i-Anṣárí	shake-morta-zaw-yeh-an-saw-ree	Leading mujtahid extolled by Bahá’u’lláh in the Lawḥ-i-Sulṭán. (GPB 143).
Shaykh Tabarsí	shake-tab-ar (as in Harry) - see	Shrine, turned into a fort, where 313 Bábís, a “handful of untrained and frail-bodied students,” withstood the besieging armies of Persia from Oct. 12, 1848 to May 9, 1849 (DB 345, 399). Never surrendering, the survivors were brought out of the Fort only when the enemy commander swore a false oath of peace on the Qur’án.
Shaykh ‘Uthmán	shake-oss-mawn	Leader of Naqshbandíyyih Order, to which the Sulṭán of Turkey and his entourage belonged. (GPB 122).

[Page 47]

Shaykhí	shay-kee	School founded by Shaykh-Aḥmad-i-Aḥsá’í. Among his doctrines, in addition to the imminent dual Advent, were that the Prophet Muḥammad’s material body did not ascend on the night of the Mi‘ráj; that the Imáms were creative forces (a belief based on Qur’án 23:14: “God, the Best of Creators”); that ‘Alí should be particularly venerated.
Shaykhu’l-Islám	shake-ol-ess-lahm	Muḥammadan high-priest; title of highest degree in Muslim religion. Head of religious court, and appointed to every large city by the Sháh.
Shí’ih (also Shí’ite)	r.w. she-eh	Party (of ‘Alí). Partisan of ‘Alí and of his descendants as the sole lawful “Vicars of the Prophet.” The Shí’ahs reject the first three Caliphs, believing that the successorship in Islám belonged rightfully to ‘Alí (first Imám and fourth Caliph) and to his descendants by ‎divine, right divine right‎. Originally, the successorship was the vital point of difference, and Islám was divided because Muḥammad’s (albeit verbal) appointment of ‘Alí was disregarded.
Shíbavayh (also Síbavayh)	sheba-vay	Illustrious Persian grammarian of the Baṣrah school, died A.D. 793. His grammar is titled “The Book of Shíbavayh.”
Shikastih	sheh-cass-teh	“Broken” or cursive script said to have been invented by the Ṣafaví governor of Herat, Murtaḍá Qulí-Khán Shamlú. Derived from Nasta‘líq script, invented by Mír ‘Alí Tabrízí, scribe of the 7th century A.H.
Shimírán	shem-ee-rahn	Hill villages 6 miles or more north of Ṭihrán, serving as summer resorts. (Usually pronounced Shem-rahn).
Shimr	shemr	Yazíd’s General, who slew the Imám Ḥusayn. Shimr is a prototype of cruelty and brutality.
Shín	sheen	This letter (“sh”) stands for Shíráz.
Shír-Gáh	sheer-gaw	Persian village connected with the Mázindarán upheaval. (DB 362).
Shíráz	sheer-Oz	City in South Persia where the Báb declared His Mission, May 22, 1844.
Shoghi Effendi Rabbani		Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith; ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s eldest grandson, the Chosen Branch appointed in His Will and Testament as “Guardian of the Cause of God,” authorized interpreter of the Teachings and permanent Head of the Universal House of Justice. “He is the expounder of the words of God and after him will succeed the first born of his lineal descendants.” The word shawq signifies “yearning;” effendi is a Turkish honorific signifying “sir, master,” and applied to officials and scholars, etc. in some parts of the Middle East. The Guardian resided at the World Center of the Faith, Haifa, Israel, until he passed away in 1957.
Shuhadáy-i-Khamsih	sho-had-aw-yeh-cam-seh	A group of five believers who were among those martyred during ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s ministry.
Ṣíghih	seeg-eh	Legalized concubinage or temporary marriage which may be contracted in Shí’ah Islám for varying lengths of time.

[Page 48]

Símurgh	see-morg	“Thirty Birds,” a mythical bird dwelling in the emerald mountains of Qáf which according to ancient Arabian cosmography encircled the world.
Ṣirát	seh-rawt	Impassable to sinners, symbolic bridge over which the believer must pass to heaven. In ‎Islámíc Islámic‎ tradition it is finer than a hair, sharper than the edge of a sword. Paradise lies beyond it, hell stretches beneath. It is referred to in PDC 88. (Bridge). Lit., Path.
Sirru’lláh	sair-rol-láh	“The Mystery of God,” a title conferred by Bahá’u’lláh on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the only son of Bahá’u’lláh accorded by Him the privilege of being called “the Master.” (GPB 242).
Síyáh-Chál	see-yáh-chol	Black Pit in the slums of Ṭihrán, where (in August, 1852) Bahá’u’lláh was chained in the darkness three flights of stairs underground, with some 150 thieves and assassins. Here He received the intimations of His world Mission. Holiest place in Persia’s capital. (DB 599; BN June 1954).
Síyáh-Dihán	see-yáh-deh-hawn	Village near Qazvín, Persia.
Siyyid	say-yed	Descendant of the Prophet Muḥammad. The word means lord, chief, prince. Lord Curzon says of them in his Persia and the Persian Question, “an intolerable nuisance to the country, deducing from their alleged descent and from the prerogative of the green turban, the right to an independence and insolence of bearing from which their countrymen, no less than foreigners, are made to suffer.” (DB xlvi). Contrast noble Siyyids “of a pure lineage.”
Siyyid-i-Báb	say-yed-eh-Bob	Name by which the Persian people referred to the Báb.
Siyyid Ḥusayn	say-yed-ho-sane	“The Báb’s trusted amanuensis and chosen repository of His last wishes.” (GPB 90).
Siyyid-i-Dhikr	say-yed-eh-zeckr	Designation of the Báb. The meaning of dhikr ‎include includes‎ mention, remembrance, and praise.
Siyyid Ibráhím	say-yed-eb-raw-heem	Believer praised by the Báb as “My Friend,” etc., and denounced by Mírzá Yaḥyá. (SW 176).
Siyyid Ismá’íl-i-Zavári’í	say-yed-ess-maw-eel-eh-za-vaw-reh-ee	Immortal follower of Bahá’u’lláh, formerly a noted divine, who offered up his life as a sacrifice. (SW 75; GPB 130; 136).
Siyyid Káẓim-i-Rashtí	say-yed-caw-zem-eh-rash-tee	The second of the “twin resplendent lights” who heralded the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. Died at Karbilá, Dec. 31, 1843. (DB 44).
Siyyid Muḥammad	say-yed-moham-mad	The Anti-Christ of the Bahá’í Revelation (GPB 164). Also called the Siyyid of Iṣfáhán.
Siyyid Murtadá	say-yed-mort-az-awe	One of the Seven Martyrs of Ṭihrán.
Siyyid of Findirisk	say-yed, fend-air-esk	Abu’l-Qásim, poet and metaphysician of Iṣfáhán (middle Safaví period.) Mulla Ṣadra was his pupil.

[Page 49]

Siyyid Ṣádiq-i-Ṭabáṭabá’í	say-yed-saw-deck-eh-tab-aw-tab-aw-ee	Mujtahid denounced by Bahá’u’lláh as “the Liar of Ṭihrán.” He authored the decree condemning every Persian male Bahá’í to death, and every Bahá’í woman to deportation. Ṣádiq means truthful. (GPB 232).
Siyyid Yaḥyáy-i-Dárábí	say-yed-ya-h-yaw-yeh-daw-raw-bee	See Vaḥíd.
Ṣubḥ-i-Azal	sob-heh-az-Al	Morning of Eternity (Mírzá Yaḥyá). Bahá’u’lláh cites Amos 4:12-13, “He...that maketh the morning darkness” with reference to him (SW 146). See GPB 90; 113; 114; 115).
Sublime Porte		Formerly, the Ottoman court. Government of the Turkish Empire from the gate (porte) of the Sulṭán’s palace where justice was anciently administered.
Ṣúf	soof	Wool; the practice of wearing the woollen robe, i.e. garb of Muslim mystic, is one definition of Ṣúfism.
Ṣúfí	soo-fee	This word, probably derived from the Arabic for wool, denotes the mystics in Islám. Divided into innumerable sects, differing in customs, dress, observances, their common goal is to rejoin the Godhead from which all things emanate, through ecstasy (vajd) and contemplation. Life to them is a journey (safar) having various stages (manázil); the soul is an exile, a traveller going homeward, seeking reunion (vaṣl) with God, and thus achieving nothingness--(faná)--“total absorption into the Deity, extinction.” Bahá’u’lláh teaches: “By self-surrender and perpetual union with God is meant that men should merge their will wholly in the Will of God, and regard their desires as utter nothingness beside His purpose.” (G1. 337). ‘Ishq, love (of God) has been termed “the one distinguishing feature of Ṣúfí mysticism.” Cf. Hughes, Dict. of Is.
Ṣúfí literature		Written in its special terminology, this literature assigns spiritual meanings to a long list of words such as wine, love, the cypress, the letter alif, the Ka‘bih, etc.
Sulaymáníyyih	sol-ay-mawn-ee-yeh	Town in Northeast ‘Iráq; Bahá’u’lláh lived in retirement two years in Kurdistán, first on an isolated mountain named Sar-Galú, later in the town of Sulaymáníyyih at a theological seminary. (April 10, 1854-March 19, 1856).
Sulṭánu’sh-Shuhadá’	sol-tawn-osh-sho-had-aw	King of Martyrs, eminent Iṣfáhání who, together with his brother the Beloved of Martyrs, was put to death by Mír Muḥammad-Ḥusayn (who denounced them as Bábís to escape repaying the large debt he owed them), Shaykh Muḥammad-Báqir and the Ẓillu’s-Sulṭán.
Sunní (also Sunnite)	sonn-nee	From Sunna (the Way or Practice of the Prophet, as reported in the ḥadíth). By far the largest sect of Islám, this includes the four so-called orthodox sects: Hanbalites, Hanafites, Malikites, Shafiites. These four ‎principle principal‎ schools of Muslim jurisprudence are founded to a considerable extent on the Sunna. Sunnites regard the first Caliphs as legitimate successors of Muḥammad and accept the “six authentic” books of tradition. They believe the Caliph must be elected and must be a member of the Quraysh--the Prophet’s tribe.

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Súratu’l-Haykal, also Súriy-i-Haykal	sue-ra-tol-hay-cal	Súrih of the Temple, by Bahá’u’lláh; with the most important of His Tablets to sovereigns of the earth, its Author ordered this Tablet to be written in the shape of a pentacle, symbolizing the temple of man and identified by Him as the “Temple” mentioned by Zechariah. (GPB 212; PUP 427; PDC 47).
Súrih	sue-reh	A row or series; term used by Muslims for the chapters of the Qur’án.
Súriy-i-Amr	sue-ray-eh-amr	Tablet of Bahá’u’lláh unmistakably affirming His Mission, and formally read aloud to Mírzá Yahyá. (GPB 166). (Adrianople).
Súriy-i-Aṣḥáb	sue-ray-eh-as-hob	Súrih of the Companions, by Bahá’u’lláh (Adrianople).
Súriy-i-Damm	sue-ray-eh-damm	Súrih of Blood by Bahá’u’lláh (Adrianople).
Súriy-i-Ghuṣn	sue-ray-eh-gossn	Tablet of the Branch, by Bahá’u’lláh, in which He writes of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “There hath branched from the Sadratu’l-Muntahá this sacred and glorious Being, this Branch of Holiness....” (WOB 135). (Adrianople).
Súriy-i-Ḥajj	sue-ray-eh-haj	Súrih of the Pilgrimage, by Bahá’u’lláh (Adrianople).
Súriy-i-Mulúk	sue-ray-eh-mo-luke	Súrih of Kings; “the most momentous Tablet revealed by Bahá’u’lláh” (GPB 171). (Adrianople).
Súriy-i-Ra’ís	sue-ray-eh-ra-eess	Súrih of the Chief; addressed to ‘Alí Páshá, Grand Vizier of Turkey, by Bahá’u’lláh. From the moment it was revealed, He writes, “until the present day, neither hath the world been tranquillized, nor have the hearts of its peoples been at rest....” (WOB 194). Revealed August, 1868, at Káshánih near Gallipoli; completed soon after at Gyawur-Kyuy. (GPB 172, 174, 180).
Súriy-i-Ṣabr	sue-ray-eh-sabr	Súrih of Patience, revealed by Bahá’u’lláh and extolling the sufferers of Nayríz. (‘Iráq).
Súriy-i-Tawḥíd	sue-ray-eh-tow-heed	Súrih of the Declaration of the Oneness of God, writing of the Báb, referred to in SW 41.
Surra-man-Ra’á	sue-ra-man-ra-awe	Samarra; city in ‘Iráq whose name means Gladdened is he who hath beheld it--where, Shí’ahs hold, the 12th Imám disappeared in an underground passage in A.H. 329.

T

Ṭá	taw	Letter “Ṭ”, standing for Ṭihrán.
Ṭabarsí		See Shaykh Ṭabarsí.
Tablet of the Holy Mariner		Sad prophecies revealed by Bahá’u’lláh, Naw-Rúz 1863 (‘Iráq).

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Tabríz	tab-reez	City in Northwest Persia, where the Báb was martyred July 9, 1850.
Taff	r.w. raff	Stands for the lands about Karbilá.
Tafsír-i-Hú	taf-seer-eh-hoo	Writing of Bahá’u’lláh (‘Iráq).
Tághút	taw-goot	An idol mentioned in Qur’án 2:257, etc. Also the devil. Stigma wrongfully applied by Mírzá Yahyá to the distinguished Dayyán, whom he caused to be murdered.
Táhirih	taw-hair-eh	“The Pure One,” so named by the “Tongue of Glory,” noblest of her sex in, and outstanding heroine of, the Bábí Dispensation; only woman among the Letters of the Living, and the first woman suffrage martyr. Born Qazvín, 1817-1818, put to death Tihrán, August, 1852. (GPB 7, 33, 75; DB 628).
Táj	tawj	Tall felt headdress adopted by Bahá’u’lláh in 1863, on the day of His departure from His Most Holy House. Crown. (GPB 152).
Tajallí, pl. Tajallíyát	ta-jal-lee-yawt	Effulgence(s), Tablet of Bahá’u’lláh (Holy Land).
Tákur	taw-core	Village in the district of Núr, Mázindarán, where the stately ancestral home of Mírzá Buzurg and Bahá’u’lláh was located.
Takyih	tack-yeh	Monastery or religious establishment. Religious theatre.
Takyiy-i-Mawláná Khálid	tack-yeh-yeh-mo-lawn-aw-caw-led	Theological seminary “of our Master, Khálid,” in a room of which Bahá’u’lláh resided in Sulaymáníyyih.
Takyiy-i- Mawlaví	tack-yeh-yeh-mo-la-vee	Seminary of the Mawlaví dervishes.
Taqíyyih	tack-ee-yeh	Lip-denial of one’s faith, sanctioned by Shí‘ah Islám in times of peril.
Tarázát	tar-Oz-ought (ar as in Harry)	Ornaments. Tablet of Bahá’u’lláh‎  ‎ (Holy Land)
Tarbíyat	tar-bee-yat (ar as in Harry)	Training. Name of two Bahá’í Schools in Tihrán for boys and girls respectively.
Taríqat	tar-ee-kat (ar as in Harry)	Path of mystic wayerfarer. Way.
Ta’zíyih	ta...zee-yeh	Consolation. Muslim passion play.
Thábit	saw-bet	Steadfast. Name given to Thornton Chase, “the first American believer” (converted 1894), by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. (GPB 257).
Thamúd	sa-mood	Ancient Arabian tribe, the “successors...of the ‘Ádites” (Qur’án 7:74). They moved from the country of the ‘Ádites to al-Hijr where they lived in habitations cut in the rocks. (Qur’án 15:80). This people hamstrung the she-camel miraculously produced as a sign of His mission by their Prophet, Sálih, and were destroyed by a “terrible noise from heaven.” (Qur’án 54:31).

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Ṭihrán	teh-Ron	Birthplace of Bahá’u’lláh; capital of Persia since 1788. The city came into existence about 700 years ago, north of the site of ancient Rhages (Rayy).
Ṭulláb	toll-lob	Pupils.

U

‘Údí Khammár	oo-dee-cam-mawr	In ‘Údí Khammár’s house, Bahá’u’lláh revealed the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, ca. 1873. (GPB 213). He was also the owner of the palace of Bahjí. (GPB 193).
‘Ulamá	o-lam-awe	Plural of one who knows (all-em), learned; a scholar. Denotes bodies of doctors learned in Muḥammadan divinity and law-headed by a Shaykhu’l-Islám—who by their decisions regulate Muslim life.
‘Umar	omar (ar as in Harry )	The second caliph.
Umm-i-Ashraf	omm-eh-ash-raff	Mother of Ashraf, whom she gave birth to while under siege in the Fort of ‘Alí-Mardán Khán. Years afterward when the unbelievers decided to kill Siyyid Ashraf they called her in to urge him to recant; instead she admonished him to die for the Faith. He was martyred in Zanján. (DB 562; G1. 135; GPB 199).
‘Ummál-i-dhakát	om-moll-eh-za-caught	Almsgivers.
Ummu’l-Kitáb	om-mull-ket-ob	The Mother of the Book. “The heavenly original of the Scriptures revealed to the prophets, inscribed on the ‘Preserved Tablet’....” Cf. Qur’án 13:39: “With Him (God) is the Mother of the Book.” Also Qur’án 3:5 and 85:21. The Mother Book is “also the Book of Divine ‎Knowlege Knowledge‎ and Foreordainment.” (Nicholson, R.A., Commentary on the Mathnawí, I, 32). The word “umm”--mother--means source, basis, chief part. Mother Book is also defined as “the original copy of the Book with Alláh in heaven, from which the revelations of the Qur’án come....” (Sh. Enc. of Is.) It is the archetypal Book, Qur’án 43:3; the source of Revelation, Qur’án 13:39.
‘Urf	orff	In Persia, the common law; supposedly based on oral tradition, precedent, custom, it is administered by civil magistrates--kad-khudá (headman), dárúghih (police magistrate), etc. (DB lvi).
Urúmíyyih	or-room-ee-yeh	Town in Northwest Persia, now Riḍá’íyyih.
‘Urvatu’l-Vuthqá	or-vat-ol-voss-caw	The “Sure Handle” “ ‘mentioned from the foundation of the world in the Books, the Tablets and the Scriptures of old is naught else but the Covenant and the Testament [of Bahá’u’lláh] ’ ” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (quoted in GPB 238).
Úshídar-Máh	oo-she-dar-máh (ar as in Harry)	Promised One referred to in Zoroastrian Scriptures and fulfilled by the Báb (GPB 58).
‘Uthmán	oss-mawn	The third caliph. The word Ottoman derives from ‘Uthmán. The Ottoman Empire is the Turkish empire which attained its maximum power under Sulaymán II, 1520-1566.

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V

Váḥid	vaw-head	1. A “unity” or section of the Bayán. The Persian Bayán consists of nine Váḥids of nineteen chapters each, except the last, which has only ten chapters. 2. The 18 Letters of the Living, (constituting the Báb’s first disciples) and the Báb Himself. 3. Each cycle of 19 years in the Badí calendar. The word, signifying unity, symbolizes the unity of God. The numerical values of the letters of this word total 19. (GPB 25, 29; SW 153).
Vaḥíd	va-heed	The Sháh’s erudite emissary, sent to interrogate the Báb, converted by Him and martyred at Nayríz. The most learned and influential of the Báb’s followers. (WOB 62).
Vakílu’d-Dawlih	va-keel-od-doe-leh	See Ḥájí Mírzá Muḥammad-Taqí.
Va’l-‘Aṣr	val-as sr	Súrih 103 of the Qur’án, translated by Rodwell “The Declining Day,” on which the Báb revealed a commentary.
Váli	vaw-lee	Governor.
Valí	va-lee	Guardian.
Valí-‘Ahd	va-lee-ah-t	Heir to the Throne of Persia.
Valíyy-i-Amru’lláh	va-lee-yeh-am-rol-láh	Guardian of the Cause of God.
Varaqiy-i-‘Ulyá	var-ack-ay-yeh-ol-yaw	The Most Exalted Leaf; title of the Navváb and also of Bahíyyih Khánum, the daughter of Bahá’u’lláh.
Varqá	var-caw	Dove. Surname given by Bahá’u’lláh to the renowned Bahá’í teacher and poet, Mírzá ‘Alí-Muḥammad. He was cut in pieces before the eyes of his 12 year old son, Rúḥu’lláh, who, refusing to recant, was then strangled. (GPB 296).
Vás-Kas	voss-cass	Persian village pictured in DB 364.
Váv	vov	Letter “v” or “ú”, mentioned in the writings of Shaykh-Aḥmad and interpreted by Bahá’u’lláh. (‘Iráq) (GPB 140).
Viláyat	vel-awe-yat	Guardianship.
Vu‘áẓ	vo-Oz	Muslim preachers (sg. vá‘iẓ). Those who remind mankind “of those punishments and rewards which soften the heart.”
Waqf	wackf	Priceless Muslim endowments, in Persia the landed property of the expected Imám.

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Yá	yaw	Letter “y” or “í”
Yá-Sín.	yaw-seen	The 36th súrih of the Qur’án, named from the disconnected letters at its opening, (y and s). Said to have been termed by Muḥammad “The Heart of the Qur’án,” this chapter is recited to the dying, at the tombs of saints, etc.
Yá	yaw	Oh!
Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá	yá-Ba-há-ol-Ab-há	O Thou the Glory of Glories! Another form of the Greatest Name, Alláh-u-Abhá (Alláh-ho-Ab-há) (PDC 14).
Yá Rabbíya’l-Abhá	yaw-rab-bee-al-Ab-há	“O my Lord, the All-Glorious!” Cry of a certain martyr before he was beheaded. (GPB 178).
Yanbú’	yan-boo...	Collection of sacred traditions from the 6th Imám. (Íqán, 243).
Yathrib	yass-reb	Ancient name of Medina; cf. Qur’án 33:13.
Yazdigird III	yaz-deh-gaird	The last king of the Sásáníyán Dynasty, died ca. 651 A.D. Ancestor of Bahá’u’lláh. His daughter, Bíbí-Shahrbánú, married Ḥusayn and is known as “The Mother of Nine Imáms.”

Years, names of in a cycle of 19 years (see Váḥid No. 3):

1. Alif	a-leff	“A”
2. Bá’	baw	“B”
3. Ab	r.w. cab	Father
4. Dál	doll	“D”
5. Báb	r.w. throb	Gate
6. Váv	vovv	“V” or “Ú”
7. Abad	a-bad	Eternity
8. Jád	jod	Generosity
9. Bahá	Ba-há	Splendor
10. Ḥubb	hub	Love
11. Bahháj	ba-hodge	Delightful
12. Javáb	ja-vob	Answer
13. Aḥad	a-had	Single
14. Vahháb	va-hob	Bountiful

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15. Vidád	veh-dodd	Affection
16. Badí‘	bad-ee	Beginning
17. Bahí	Ba-hee	Luminous
18. Abhá	Ab-há	Most Luminous
19. Váhid	vaw-head	Unity
Young Turks		Party of Turks organized to effect radical political and social reforms. The “Young Turk” revolution, 1908, forced the Sultán to promulgate the constitution and to release, among others, all religious prisoners, including ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. (GPB 272).

Z

Zahru’l-Kúfih	zah-rol-koo-feh	Name designating Baghdád in Islámic traditions.
Zakíyyih	zack-ee-yeh	Virtuous; one of Táhirih’s designations.
Zamzam	zam-zam	Sacred well within the precincts of the Great Mosque at Mecca. Though salty, its water is much esteemed for pious uses, such as ablutions, and drinking after a fast.
Zanján	zan-John	City in Northwest Persia.
Zaqqúm	zack-koom	Infernal tree referred to in Qur’án 37:60, 44:43, etc. Thorny Arabian tree with bitter fruit.
Zarrín-Táj	zar-reen-tahj	Crown of Gold: one of Táhirih’s designations.
Zawrá’	zo-raw	Persian mountain as referred to in a prophetic tradition. Cf. Íqán, 246.
Zaynu’l-Ábidín Khán	zane-ol-awe-bed-een-con	Governor of Nayríz in 1850.
Zaynu’l-Ábidín Khán, Fakhru’d-Dawlih	fack-rod-doe-leh	One of the princes who paid tributes to Bahá’u’lláh in Baghdád.
Zillu’lláh	zell-ol-láh	Shadow of God; a title of the Sháh.
Zillu’s-Sulṭán	zell-oss-sol-tawn	Shadow of the King, eldest surviving son of Náṣiri’d-Dín and virtual ruler of over two-fifths of Persia. Stigmatized by Bahá’u’lláh as “The Infernal Tree.” (GPB 232)
Zíyárat	zee-awe-rat	Visiting Tablet revealed by ‘Alí.

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Zoroaster

Prophet of ancient Írán and ancestor of Bahá’u’lláh. Probably died B.C. 583. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states that

Zoroaster was one of the Prophets who arose after Moses (Persian Tablets, II, 76); that the “men of Rass” in Qur’án 25:40 and 50:12 refers to the men of the Araxes River, and that many Prophets of high rank were among these, including Mah-Ábád and Zoroaster.

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