Bahá’í World/Volume 14/Oriental terms

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[Page 576]

ORIENTAL TERMS

III

1. TRANSLITERATION OF ORIENTAL WORDS FREQUENTLY USED IN Bahá’í LITERATURE

‘Abé

Abidih ‘Abbés ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ‘Abdu’l—Hamid ‘Abdu’l-Husayn ‘Abdu’lláh Abhá Abfi’l-Fadl ‘Adasiyyih Agihén Aghirbéyjén Afnán Aghsén

‘Ahd

Ahmad Ahsé’i

Ahvéz

Akbar

‘Akká

‘Alé,

‘Ali ‘Ali-Muhammad Alláh-u-Abhá. Alváḥ Alváḥ-i-Salétfn Amatu’l-Bahá. Amin

Amir Amir-Nizém Amru’lláh Amul

Anzali

Aqé

Aqdas ‘Arabistén Asmá.’ ‘Avéfliq Ayédi

Azal

‘Azamat

‘Aziz

Báb

Bábi Bábu’l-Báb Baghdád Bahá, Bahá’í Bahá’u’lláh Bahíyyih Bahjí Balfigistén Bandar-‘Abbés Béqir Baqiyyatu’lláh Bérfurfigh Basrih Bétfim Bayén

Bayt

Big

Birjand Bighérét Bismi’lláh Bufléré Burfijird Bfiflihr Bahá’í Bushrfiyih

§_hihriq

Dalé’il-i-Sab‘ih Dérl'lghih Dawlat-Abéd Lhabih Duzdéb

Faré’id Férén Farmén

FarréQ-Béfii Fats

Farsafl Fath—‘Ali Firdaws Firdawsi

Ganjih Gilén Gul Gulistén Gurgin

Habib

Hadim

Hadrat

Hájí

Hájí Mfrzé Áqásí Héjj

Hamadén Ḥaram

Hasan Haydar-‘Ali Haykal Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds Hijéz

Hijrat Himmat-Abéd Hujjat

Husayn Huvaydar

Ibréhim f1 ‘Ilm lmém Imém—Jum‘ih lmérn-Zédih iqén Írán ‘Iráq

576

‘Iráqi ‘Iráq-i-‘Ajam Isféhén ‘Isgqébéd Imréqét Ightihérd Islém Islamic Ismé‘iliyyih Istarébéd ‘Izzat

J alél

J amédiyu’l—Avval JaméJ Jamél-i-Mubérak Jamail-i-Qidam Jésb

Jubbih

Ka‘bih Kad-K_hudé Kala'mtax Kalimét Kamél Karand Karbilá Kéflén Kaflkfil Kawmu’s-Sa‘éyidih Kawmar Káẓim Káẓimayn K_hal@él flair) fléniqayn K_hayli Lhfib Qurésén Khuy Kirmén Kirménfléh

[Page 577]Kitáb-i-‘Ahd Kitáb-i-Aqdas Kitáb-i-Asmá’ Kitáb-i-Badi‘ Kitáb-i-iqén Kuléh Kurdistén

Léhijén Lair Lawh Luristén

Madrisih Mahbfibu’Q-fluhadé’ Mahd-i-‘Ulyé. Méh-Kfi Mahmfid Maléyir Man-Yuzhiruhu’lláh Maqém Maréghih Marhabé

Marv

Masé’il Mamhad Mafliyyat Mashriqu’l-Adhkár Masjid

Maydén Mézindarén Mihdi

Mihréb

Mflén

Mi‘réj

Mirzá. Mishk1'n-Qalam Mu’amm Mufti Muhammad Muhammad-‘Ali Muhammarih Muharram

ORIENTAL TERMS

Mujtahid

Mulk

Mullá

Munirih Mustafé. Mustaghém Muzaflari’d4Din

Nabil Nabil-i-A‘zam Najaf Najaf-Abéd Néqidin Nasir Nésiri’d-Din Navvéb Naw-Rúz Nayriz Niggépfir Nuqtih

Nfir

Pahlavi Pérén

Qédi Qédiyén Qahqahih Qá’im

Qéjér Qalyén Qamsar Qasr-i-§_hirin Qawl Qayyfim Qayyfimu’l—Asmá’ Qazvin Qiblih Qfighén Quddfis Qudrat Qum

Qur’z’m

Qurbén Qurratu’l-‘Ayn

Rafsinjén Rahim Rahmén Rahmat Ra’is Ramadén RaQt Rawhéni Riḍván Rfihu’lláh

Sabzivér Sadratu’l-Muntahé Séhibu’z—Zamén Sahifatu’l-Ḥaramayn Sa‘id

Salsabil Samarqand Sangsar

Séri

Saysén

fia‘bén

§l_1éh

flahid §Lahmirzéd sgéhn’xd

flaraf

ghaII‘ah

flath Shayk__h-Tabarsi flayflu’l-Islém s_lgi‘ih

sgiréz

flufitar Simnén

Sistén Siyéh-Qhél Siyyid

Sfifi

Sulaymén

577

Sultén Sultén—Abéd Sulténu’fl-ihuhadé’ Sunni Sfiratu’l-Haykal Sfirih Sfiriy-i-Damm Sfiriy-i-flusn Sfiriy-i-Ra’is Sfiriy-i-Sabr

Tabarsi Tabríz Táhirih Tajalliyét ' Tékur Taqi Tarézét Tarbiyét TaLhkand Tawhid ILurayyé Tihra’m Tfimén Turkistán

‘Ulamé Urfimiyyih ‘Ummén

Vahid Vali Vali-‘Ahd Varqé Vazir

Yé—Bahá’u’l—Abhá Yaḥyá Yazd

Zanjén Zarand Zaynu’l-Muqaxrabin

[Page 578]578

THE Bahá’í WORLD

2. GUIDE TO TRANSLITERATION AND PRONUNCIATION OF THE PERSIAN ALPHABET

\r‘ ...... b ‘> ...... d \{J ...... p L) ..... gm \‘2.’ ...... t A ...... r \L‘J ..... th

.0 , ..... Q 0. i . ..... Q w. ...... S Q.

i ...... h L)” ,....$ a...asin i...as(e)in account best

é...asin i...as(ee)in arm meet

u...as(o)in aw...asin short mown

ú . . . as (00) in moon

The “i” added to the name of a town signifies “belonging to.” Thus flirézi means native of

fliréz.

3. NOTES ON THE PRONUNCIATION OF PERSIAN WORDS

The emphasis in Persian words is more or less evenly distributed, each syllable being equally stressed as in French. For example, do not say Tabríz or Tabarsi: stay as long on one syllable as on the next; Tabríz; Tabarsi. (While there are many exceptions to this rule, it is the most generally correct method of treating the question of stress.)

A frequent mistake is the failure to distinguish between broad and flat “a’s.” This differentiation makes the language especially musical and should be observed: in the word Afnán, for example, pronounce the first “a” as in account,

and the second syllable to rhyme with on. Americans are apt to pronounce short “a” plus “1'” like the verb form are; this is a mistake; “ar” should be pronounced as in the word hurry—cf. Tarbiyat.

The same differentiation should be observed in the case of long and short “i” and long and short “u.” As the guide to the transliteration indicates, short “i” is like “e” in best, and long “i” like “ee” in meet; for example, Ibrahim is pronounced Eb—réheem; Islém is Ess-lahm. Short “u” being like “0” in short, and long “1i” like “00” in moon, the following would be

[Page 579]ORIENTAL TERMS

pronounced: Quddfis—Qod-dooss; Barfurfisjl —Bar-foroosh.

Pronounce “aw” to rhyme with low, or mown; Naw-Rúz is Now-Rooz.

The following consonants may be pronounced like 2: fl, 2, z, (,1.

The following consonants may be pronounced like 55: th, s, s.

Z_h is pronounced like the “s” in pleasure. Q1 is pronounced like “ch” in Scottish loch or German nacht. Do not pronounce it as “k.” Westerners are as a rule incapable of pronouncing “g_” and “q”; a gutteral French will serve here; otherwise use hard “g” as in good.

H and 11, approximately like the English aspirate “h”, should never be dropped. Tihran is Teh-ron; madrisih is mad—res-seh; Mihréb is Meh—rob.

u n r

579

In the case of double letters pronounce each separately: ‘Ab-bés.

The character transliterated 0 represents a pause; it is not unlike the initial sound made in pronouncing such a word as every. The word Bahá’í is phonetically as follows: “a” as in account; a” as in hall; (’), pause; “i” as ee in meet.

The character transliterated (‘) may also be treated as a pause.

N.B. As Persian often indicates no vowel sounds and as its pronunciation differs in different localities throughout Persia and the Near East as well as among individuals in any given locality, a uniform system of transliteration such as the above, which is in use by Bahá’í communities all over the world, is indispensable to the student.

u

41,,- .2

A happy newsboy outside the Albert Hall during the Jubilee Congress in April, 1963.

[Page 580]580

THE Bahá’í WORLD

4. DEFINITIONS OF SOME OF THE ORIENTAL TERMS USED IN BAHA’I’ LITERATURE

Ab: Father.

Abé, Abl'x, Abi: Father of .

‘Abé: Cloak or mantle.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Servant of Bahá.

Abhá: Most Glorious.

Aghén: Muslim call to prayer.

Adib: literally “the learned.”

Afnán: literally “twigs.” Denotes the relations of the Báb.

Ag_hsén: literally “branches.” Denotes sons and male descendants of Bahá’u’lláh.

A.H.: “Anno Hejirae.” Year of Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina, and the beginning of the Muslim era.

‘Ahd: Covenant.

Ahsanu’l-Qisas: One of the commentaries on the Qur’án revealed by the Báb, on the Sfirih of Joseph, translated by Táhirih.

Akbar: “Greater,” “greatest.” (See “Kabir”.)

A’lé: “The Most Exalted One,” a title of the Báb.

‘Alé’: “Loftiness.” Nineteenth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

‘Ali: The first Imém, the rightful successor of Muhammad; also the fourth Caliph.

Alláh: “God.”

Alláh-u-Abhá: “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.1

Alláh-u—Akbar: “God is the Most Great.” Superseded by “Alláh-u-Abhá” during the Adrianople period.3

Al-Madinah: The city to which Muhammad migrated. (See “A.H.”)

Amin: literally “the trusted.” Trustee.

Aqé: “Master.” Title given by Bahá’u’lláh to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Also “Mister” when preceding a name.

Aqdas: “The Most Holy.”

Asmá’: “Names.” Ninth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Ayyém: (See Hé.)

A‘zam: “The greatest.”

‘Azamat: “Grandeur." Fourth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

1 GodPasu: By, p. 176. ’ ibid.,p. 18.

Báb: “Gate.” Title assumed by Mirzá ‘AliMuhammad, after the declaration of His Mission in fliréz in May, 1844 A.D.

Bábi : Follower of the Báb.

Bábu’l-Báb: “The Gate of the Gate.” Title of Mullá Husayn, the first Letter of the Living.

Badi‘: literally “the wonderful.”

Bahá: “Glory,” “splendour,” “light.” Title by which Bahá’u’lláh (Mirzá Husayn-‘AID is designated. First month of the Badi calendar.

Bahá’í: Follower of Bahá’u’lláh.

Bahá’u’l-Abhá: “The Glory of the Most Glorious.”

Bahá’u’lláh: “The Glory of God.” Title of Mirzá Husayn-‘Ali; born Ṭihrán, Persia, Nov. 12, 1817; ascended Bahjí, Palestine, (now Israel) May 29, 1892.

Bahjí: literally “delight.” Denotes that part of the Plain of ‘Akká. (Israel) where the Shrine and the Mansion of Bahá’u’lláh are situated.

Bani-Hégim: The family from which Muhammad descended.

Baqiyyatu’lláh: “Remnant of God;” title applied both to the Báb and to Bahá’u’lláh.

Bayén: “Exposition,” “explanation.” Title given by the Báb to His Revelation, and to two of His Writings, one in Persian the other in Arabic.

Baytu’l-‘Adl-i-A‘zam: The Universal House of Justice.

Big: Honorary title; lower title than Iglén. Bishérét: literally “Glad—tidings.” Title of one of the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh. Caravansaxy (also “caravanserai,

sera”): An inn for caravans.

Dérfighih: “High constable.”

Mi’b: “The Wolf," fiaylgh MuhammadBéqir.

mikr: “Remembrance,” “commemoration,” “mention;” praise or glorification of God; recital of His Names; religious exercise or ceremony: (plural aghkér).

El-Abhá: “The Most Glorious.”

Farmén: “Order,” “command,” “royal decree.”

Farrésh: “Footman,” “lictor,” “attendant.”

FarréQ-Béshi: The head-farrésh.

H u

caravan [Page 581]ORIENTAL TERMS

kl! 00 H

3' E ‘E E x. m '5 “e E 3.0 k ’5 s‘ N "5 § a \b M {q J9. ~_N 3 LL. 0! V! N S D M S “a E S E [a l\' \o o‘ N -~" S M Q i 2 ,= § 2 N “e c L) N

• 3

Q) E ‘Q t a L.)

1.

8 .5 N ‘S ‘u a Q) § -2 E u 2 T. “a N R.

[Page 582]582

Farsafl: Unit of measurement. Approximately three miles or six kilometers.

Fatvé: Sentence or judgement by Muslim mufti.

@usn: “Branch.” Son or male descendant of Bahá’u’lláh.

Ha, (Days of ): Ayyam-i-Ha. 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 ‘Alé’, i.e. the month of fasting which closes the Bahá’í year. Every fourth year the number of the Intercalary Days is raised from four to five.

Hadith: Tradition. The whole body of the sacred tradition of the Muslims is called the hadith. (Plural ahédim.)

Hadrat: literally “threshold.” Courtesy title sometimes translated as “His Holiness.”

Hájí: A Muslim who has performed the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Ḥaram-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Sanctuary, a designation given by the Guardian to the north-western quadrant of the garden surrounding the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh.

Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds: “The Sacred Fold,” official title designating headquarters of Bahá’í administrative activity.

Hijrat (also “Hijra,” “Hegira.”): literally “migration.” The basis of Islamic chronology. The date of Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina.

Howdah: A litter carried by a camel, mule, horse or elephant for travelling purposes. Huqfiqu’lláh: “Right of God;” payment by believers instituted in the Kitáb-i—Aqdas. Husayniyyih: Place where martyrdom of Husayn is mourned, or where Muslim passion plays may be presented. Designation given by _S_l_;i‘ahs to Bahá’u’lláh’s Most Great House in Baghdad, forcibly occupied

by them.

Ibn: “Son.”

fl: “Clan.”

‘Ilm: “Knowledge.” Twelfth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Imam: Title of the twelve Shi‘ah successors of Muhammad. Also applied to Muslim religious leaders.

Imam-Jum‘ih: Chief of the mullés, who recites the Friday prayers for the sovereign.

Imém-Zédih: Descendant of an Imém or his shrine.

Infia’allah: “If God wills it.”

THE Bahá’í WORLD

iqén: literally “certitude.” The title of Bahá’u’lláh’s Epistle to one of the uncles of the Báb.

Ishraqét: literally “splendours.” Title of one of the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh.

Israf i1: The Angel whose function is to sound the trumphet on the Day of Judgement.

‘Izzat: “Might.” Tenth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Jéhiliyyih: The dark age of ignorance among the Arabs before the appearance of Muhammad.

Jalél: “Glory.” Second month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Jamal: “Beauty.” Third month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Jamél-i-Mubérak: literally “the Blessed Beauty,” applied to Bahá’u’lláh.

Jamail—l-Qidam: literally “the Ancient Beauty,” applied to Bahá’u’lláh.

Jihad: Holy war, as specified in Qur’án.

Jináb: Courtesy title sometimes translated “His Honour.”

Jubbih: An outer coat.

Ka‘bih: Ancient shrine at Mecca. Now recognized as the most holy shrine of Islam.

Kabir: literally “great.” (See “Akbar”.)

Kad-Quda: Chief of a ward or parish in a town; headman of a village.

Kaléntar: “Mayor.”

Kalim: “One who discourses.”

Kalimu’llah: “One Who converses with God.” Title given to Moses in the Islamic dispensation.

Kalimét: “Words.” Seventh month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Kamal: “Perfection.” Eighth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Karbila’i: A Muslim who has performed the pilgrimage to Karbilá.

Kawmar: A river in Paradise, whence all the other rivers derive their source.

Khádimu’llah: “Servant of God;” title of Mirza Aqa J an.1

Khan: “Prince,” “lord,” “nobleman,” “chieftain.”

@2111: similar to a caravansary.

K_hidr: literally “The Green One.”

Ehutbih: Sermon delivered on Fridays at noon in Islamic religion.

Kitáb: “Book.”

Kitab-i-Aqdas: literally “The Most Holy Book.” Title of Bahá’u’lláh’s Book of Laws.

1 GadPasses By, p. 115.

[Page 583]ORIENTAL TERMS

Kulah: The Persian lambskin hat worn by government employees and civilians.

Madrisih: “Seminary,” “school,” “religious college.”

Man-Yuzhiruhu’lláh: “He Whom God will make manifest.” The title given by the Bath to the Promised One.

Marhaba: “Bravo! Well done !”

Masé’il: “Questions.” Fifteenth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Mashhadi: A Muslim who has performed the pilgrimage to Mashhad.

Mashíyyat: “Will.” Eleventh month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Meshriqu’l-Adhkár: literally “the dawning place of the praise of God.” Title designating Bahá’í Houses of Worship.

Masjid: Mosque; Muslim place of worship.

Maydén: A square or open place.

Mihdi: Title of the Manifestation expected by Islam.

Mihréb: The principal place in a mosque where the imém prays with his face turned towards Mecca.

Mi‘réj: “Ascent.” Used with reference to Muhammad’s ascension to heaven.

Mirzá: A contraction of “Amir-Zédih,” meaning son of Amir. When affixed to a name it signifies prince ; when prefixed, simply Mister.

Mighkin-Qalam: literally “the musk-sccnted pen.” Title applied to a famed Bahá’í calligraphist.

Mu’adhdhin: The one who sounds the Aghén, the Muslim call to prayer.

Mufti: Expounder of Muslim law; gives a fatvé or sentence on a point of religious jurisprudence.

Muharram: First month of the Muslim year, the first ten days of which are observed by §hi‘ahs as part of their mourning period for the Imams. The tenth day, ‘Amré’, is the day of the martyrdom of Husayn.

Mulk: “Dominion.” Eighteenth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Mujtahid: Muslim doctor-of—law. Most of the mujtahids of Persia have received their diplomas from the most eminent jurists of Karbilá and Najaf.

Mulla: Muslim priest.

Mustaghéth: “He Who is invoked;” the numerical value of which has been assigned by the Báb as the limit of the time fixed for the advent of the promised Manifestation.

00

583

Mutisarrif: “Governor.”

Nabil: “Learned,” “noble.”

Naw-Rúz: “New Day.” Name applied to the Bahá’í New Year’s Day; according to the Persian calendar the day on which the sun enters Aries.

Nuqtih: “Point.”

Nfir: “Light.” Fifth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Pahlavén: “Athlete,” “champion;” term applied to brave and muscular men.

Péflé: Honorary title formerly given to officers of high rank in Turkey.

Pishki§h : “Present,” “tip,” “douceur.”

Qédi: “Judge;” civil, criminal and ecclesiastical.

Qa’im: “He Who shall arise.” Title designating the Promised One of Islam.

Qalyén: A pipe for smoking through water.

Qawl: “Speech.” Fourteenth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Qiblih: “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.”1

Qurban: “Sacrifice.”

Qudrat: “Power.” Thirteenth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Qur’án: “The Reading;” “that which ought to be read. ’ ’ The Book revealed by Muhammad.

Rabb-i-A’lé: “Exalted Lord.” One of the designations of the Báb.

Rahmat: “Mercy.” Sixth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Ra’is: “President,” “head.” Lawh—i-Ra’is, a Tablet addressed to the Prime Minister of Turkey by Bahá’u’lláh.

Riḍván: “Paradise;” also the name of the custodian of Paradise. The holiest and most significant of all Bahá’í festivals commemorating Bahá’u’lláh’s Declaration of His Mission to His companions in 1863, a twelve-day period beginning on April let and celebrated annually.

Sadratu’l-Muntahé: The Divine Lote Tree; the Tree beyond which there is no passing.

Sadr-i-A‘zam: “Prime Minister.”

Séhibu’z-Zamén: “Lord of the Age;” one of the titles of the promised Qa’im.

Salém: “Peace,” “salutation.” Muslim greeting. Word used to end a thesis.

1 GadPasses By, pp. 110, 277.

[Page 584]584

Salsabil: A fountain in Paradise.

Samandar: literally “the phoenix.”

Sarkér-Aqé: literally “The Honourable Master,” applied to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Shah: “King,’ especially of Persia.

fléh-Bahrém: World Saviour and Promised One of the Zoroastrians. Fulfilled by Bahá’u’lláh.

flahid: “Martyr.” “fluhadé’.”

Sharaf: “Honour.” Sixteenth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Shari‘ah, ghari‘at: Muslim canonical law. The law.

§L1ayfl: Venerable old man; man of authority; elder, chief, professor, superior of a dervish order, etc.

Shaykhi: School founded by _S_I_1ayl_<_h-Ahmadi-Ahsé’i. Among his doctrines, in addition to the imminent dual Advent, was that the Prophet Muhammad’s material body did not ascend on the night of the Mi‘raj.

Shaykhu’l-Islém: Head of religious court, appointed to every large city by the Slab.

shi‘ah, Shi‘ih, Shi’ite: Party (of ‘Ali). Partisan of ‘Ali and of his descendants as the sole lawful “Vicars of the Prophet.” The Shi‘ahs reject the first three Caliphs, believing that the successorship in Islam belonged rightfully to ‘Ali (first Imam and fourth Caliph) and to his descendants by divine right. Originally, the successorship was the vital point of difference, and Islam was divided because Muhammad’s (albeit verbal) appointment of ‘Ali was disregarded.

Sirat: literally “bridge” or “path;” denotes the religion of God.

Siyéh—§l_hé.l: Black Pit in Tihran 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 first intimations of His world Mission. Holiest place in Persia’s capital.

Siyyid: Descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.

Stiff: Mystics or mystical doctrine in Islam.

Sultan: “Sovereignty.” Seventeenth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Sunni, Sunnite: From “Sunna” (the Way or Practice of the Prophet, as reported in the hadim.) By far the largest sect of Islam, this includes the four so-called orthodox sects: Hanbalites, Hanafites, Malikites, Shafiites.

Plural of martyr is

THE Bahá’í WORLD

Sfirih: Name of the chapters of the Qur’án.

Sfiriy-i-Mulfik: “Sfirih of Kings;” Tablet revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in Adrianople.

Ta: Letter “T”, standing for Tihran.

Téj: literally “crown;” tall felt headdress adopted by Bahá’u’lláh in 1863, on the day of His departure from His Most Holy House.

Tajalliyét: literally “efi‘ulgences.” Title of one of the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh.

Takyih: Religious establishment; usual place of observance of the martyrdom of Imam Husayn.

Tarazat: literally “ornaments.” Title of one of the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh.

Tliman: Unit of Íránian currency.

‘Ulamé: Plural of “one who knows;” “learned,” “a scholar.”

‘Urvatu’l-Vuthqé: literally “the strongest handle,” symbolic of the Faith of God.

Vahid: 1. A “unity” or section of the Bayén. The Persian Bayan consists of nine Véhids of nineteen chapters each, except the last, which has only ten chapters. 2. The eighteen Letters of the Living (constituting the Báb’s first disciples) and the Báb Himself. 3. Each cycle of nineteen years in the Badi‘ calendar. The word, signifying unity, symbolizes the unity of God. The numerical values of the letters of this word total nineteen.

Vahid: “Unique.”

Véli: “Governor.”

Vali: “Guardian.”

Vali-‘Ahd: “Heir to the throne.”

Varaqiy-i-‘Ulya: literally “the Most Exalted Leaf,” applied to Bahá’íyyih (Bahíyyih) Khánum, sister of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.1

Varqa: literally “the dove.”

Viléyat: “Guardianship.”

Waqf: Muslim endowments; in Persia, the landed property of the expected Imam.

“White Path" : Symbolizes the religion of God.

Ya: “O”—e.g., Ya Baha’u’l-Abhá (O Thou the Glory of the Most Glorious!)

Zédih: “Son.”

Zawra: “Black mountain;” the land of Rayy.

Zaynu’l-Muqarrabin: literally “the Ornament of the favoured.”

Zamzam: 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.

1 Tlfi hBahá’í World, vol. V, p. 205 “Genealogy of Baha'u‘ a' ".