Bahá’í World/Volume 18/Oriental Terms

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[Page 893]

ORIENTAL TERMS

III

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

‘Abé

Abédih ‘Abbés ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ‘Abdu’l-Haml’d ‘Abdu’l-Husayn ‘Abdu’lláh Abhá Abu’l-Fadl ‘Adasfyyih Ad_hén Agirbéyjén Afnán Ag_h§én

‘Ahd

Ahmad Ahsé’i

AhVéz

Akbar

‘Akká

‘Alé’

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

Amir Amir—Nizém Amru’lláh Amul

Anzali

Aqé

Aqdas ‘Arabistén Asmá’ Astarébéd ‘Avéfliq Ayédi

Azal

‘Azamat

‘Azfz

Báb

Bábi Bábu’l-Báb Baghdád Ba-h—él Bahá’í Bahá’u’lláh Bahíyyih Bahjí Balficilistén Bandar—‘Abbés Béqir Baqiyyatu’lláh Bérfurfigl Basrih Bégfim Bayén

Bayt

Big

Birjand Biglérét Bismi’lláh Bufléré Burfijird Bfiflihr Bahá’í Bughrfiyih

Chiríq

Dalé’il-i-Sab‘ih Dérfighih Dale-Abéd Ilhabfll Duzdéb

Faré’id

Férén

Farmén Farréflx-Béglll’

Férs Farsak_h Fath-‘ Ali Firdaws Firdawsi

Ganjih Gilén Gul Gulistén Gurgin

Habib

Hadim

Hadrat

Hájí

Hájí Mirzá Áqásí Hajj

Hamadén Ḥaram

Hasan

Hawdaj Haydar-‘Ah’ Haykal Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds Hijéz

Hijrat Himmat-Abéd HUjiat

Husayn

Ibréhim

i1

‘Ilm

Imém

Imém—Jum‘ih

Imém-Zédih

iqén

Írán

‘Iráq

‘Iráqi

‘Iráq-i—‘Ajam 893

Iṣfahán ‘Igbqébéd IgIráqét I§L1tihérd Islém Ismé‘ih’yyih ‘Izzat

J alél Jamédl’yu’l-Avval J amél Jamél-i-Mubérak Jamél-i-Qidam Jésb

Jubbih

Ka‘bih Kad-Qudé Kaléntar Kalimét Kamél Karand Karbilá Kégxén Kaglkfil Kawmu’s-Sa‘éyidih Kawmar Káẓim Káẓimayn Iglallgxél K_hén géniqayn K_hayh’ K_hx’1b K_hurésén I_<_huy

Kirmén Kirméngxéh Kitáb-i-‘Ahd Kitáb—i-Aqdas Kitáb-i-Asmá’ Kitáb-i-Badl" Kitáb-i-tqén

[Page 894]894

Kuléh Kurdistén

Léhl’jén Lér Lawh Luristén

Madrisih Mahbfibu’fil-flmhadé Mahd-i-‘Ulyé Méh-Kfi Mahmfid Maléyir Man-Yuzhiruhu’lláh Maqém Maréghih MarhaBa

Marv

Masé’il

Mashhad Mafliyyat Mashriqu’l-Adhkár Masjid

Maydén Mézindarén Mihdl’

Mihréb

Mflén

Mi‘réj

Mfrzé Miflkl’n-Qalam Mu’a@d_hin Mufti Muhammad Muhammad-‘Ah’ Muhammarih Muharram Mujtahid

Mulk

Mullá

Mum’rih

THE BAHA‘I‘ WORLD

Mustafé Mustaglém Muzaffari’d-Dl’n

Nabil Nabil—i-A‘;am Najaf Najaf—Abzid Néqidx’n Nasfr Nésiri’d-Dl’n Navvéb Naw-Rúz Nayriz Niflépfir Nquih

Nfir

Pahlavi Pérén

Qédl’ Qédl’yén Qahqahih Qá’im

Qéjér Qalyén Qam§ar Qay-ifihin’n Qawl Qayyfim Qayyfimu’l-Asmá Qazvin Qiblih Qfigpén Quddfis Qudrat

Qum

Qur’án Qurbén Qurratu’l-‘Ayn

y

Rafsanjén Rahl’m Rahmén Rahmat Ra’is Ramadan Rasht Rawhém’ Riḍván Rfihu’lláh

Sabzivér Sadratu’l-Muntahé Sahibu’z-Zamén Sahffatu'l-Ḥaramayn Sa‘l’d

Salsabl’l Samarqand Sangsar

Sén’

Saysén

flxa‘bén

Shéh

Shah1’d filahmirzéd filéhrfid

filaraf

Shari‘ah

$_hayk_h Shaylg1-Tabarsi flmylflu’l-Islém flfi‘ah (shi‘ih) shiréz

§hfi$tar Simnén

Sistén Siyéh-Qél Siyyid

Stiff

Sulaymén Sulgén Sulgén—Abad

Sulgénu’gb-flluhadé‘ Sunni Sfiratu’l-Haykal Sflrih

Sfiriy-i-Damm SL’lriy-i-(flmsn Sfiriy-i-Ra’is Sfiriy-i-Sabr

Tabarsf Tabn’z Táhirih Tajalll’yét Tékur Taql’ Tarézét Tarbiyat Tésfland Tawhl’d flurayyé Ṭihrán Tfimén Turkistán

‘Ulamé Urfiml’yyih ‘Ummén

Vahl’d

Vali

Vali—‘Ahd

Varqé

Vazir (also Vizir)

Yé-Bahá’u’l-Abhá Yaḥyá Yazd

Zanjén Zarand Zaynu’l-Muqarrabl’n

[Page 895]

ORIENTAL TERMS

895

2. GUIDE TO TRANSLITERATION AND PRONUNCIATION OF THE PERSIAN ALPHABET

‘ ..... a . kh \gJ ..... b E ..... d \g—d‘ ..... p L) .fll \‘2.’ ...... t I). ...... r c’v ..... m /\ ..... z

a...asin i...as(e)in

account best

a...asin i...as(ee)in arm meet

u...as(o)in aw...asin short mown 1’1...as(oo)in moon

The ‘i’ added to the name of a town signifies ‘belonging to’. Thus flu’rézi means native of §l_11’réz.

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 Tabn’z or Tabarsz’; stay as long on one syllable as on the next; Tabri’z; 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 Afnan, 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 ‘r’ 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; Islam is Ess—lahm. Short ‘u’ being like ‘0’ in short, and long ‘11’ like ‘00’ in moon, the following would be pronounced:

[Page 896]896

Quddfis—Qod-dooss; foroosh.

Pronounce ‘aw’ to rhyme with low, or mown; Naw-Rúz is No-Rooz.

The following consonants may be pronounced like 2: g, z, g, d.

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

Z_h is pronounced like the ‘s’ in pleasure. fl is pronounced like ‘ch’ in Scottish loch 0r Germannacht. Do not pronounceitas‘k’. Westerners often experience difficulty pronouncing ‘g_h’ and ‘q’; a guttural French ‘r’ will serve here; otherwise use hard ‘g’ as in good.

H and h, approximately like the English aspirate ‘h’, should never be dropped. Ṭihrán is Teh-ron; madrisih is mad-res-seh; Mihrab is Meh-rob.

Barfurfigi—Bar

THE BAHA’l WORLD

In the case of double letters pronounce each separately: ‘Ab—bas.

The character transliterated (’) 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.

An example of Mishkz’n-Qalam’s calligraphy, dated AH 1303 (1885), to be seen in the house at Mazra‘ih.

[Page 897]ORIENTAL TERMS

897

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

Ab Father

Abé (See Abl’L)

‘Abé A loose, sleeveless cloak or mantle, open in front.

‘Abd Servant, bondsman; worshipper (of God).

‘Abdu’l-Bahá Servant of Baht}: title of the eldest son of Bahá’u’lláh, and Centre of His Covenant.

Abhá Most Glorious. (See Alláh-u-Abhá; Bahá’u’l-Abhfi.)

Abi (See Abl’l.)

Abjad notation System whereby each letter of the Arabic alphabet is assigned a specific numerical value.

Abl’l, Abé, Abi Father of. Again Muslim call to prayer. Adib Refined, cultured, learned; writer,

scholar, man oflerters. Title of one of the early Hands of the Cause.

‘Adl Justice (See Baytu’l-‘Adl-i-A‘zam.)

Afnán Literally Twigs: the Báb’s kindred; specifically, descendants of His three maternal uncles and His wife’s two brothers.

Aghé Originally lord, nobleman; officer,

—commander: placed after a woman’s name Agni is a courtesy title comparable with Aqé; may also form part of a compound proper name.

Aghsfin Literally Branches: denotes sons

71nd male descendants of Bahá’u’lláh.

A.H. Anno Hegirae (in the year ofrhe Emigration): denotes the Muslim Era, reckoned from the year of Muhammad‘s flight from Mecca to Medina in A.D. 622. (See Hijrat.)

‘Ahd Covenant, bond, treaty; The Covenant (of God).

Ahsanu’l-Qisag Literally The Best of Stories: a name for the Slirih of Joseph. Tafsz’r-iAhsanu’l—Qisay the Báb’s Commentary on the Sbirih ofJoseph, the Qayyumu’l-Asmd"

Akbar Greater, greatest. (See Alláh-u-Akbar; Kabir.)

Al- The definite article in Arabic.

A‘lé Most Exalted. (See Hadrat-i-A‘lé; Qalam-i-A‘lé.)

‘Alé’ Loftiness: nineteenth month of the Badl" calendar. (See H51.)

Al-Abhá Abhá.)

‘Ali The first Imém 21nd rightful successor of Muhammad; also the fourth Caliph according to the Sunnah.

Alláh God.

Alláh-u-Abhá God is Most Glorious: The Greatest Name, adopted during the period of Bahá’u’lláh’s exile in Adrianople as a greeting among the Bahá’ís.

Alláh-u-Akbar God is Most Great: Muslim salutation, and opening words of the call to prayer, superseded by Allzih-u-Abhá as a greeting among the Bahá’ís during the Adrianople period.

Al-Madinah Literally The City (of the Prophet). (See Mecca.)

Amih Maid(servam), handmaid(en). Amatu’l-Bahá: Maidservanr Of Bahá; Amatu’lláh: Handmaiden of God.

Amin Faithful, trustworthy, honest; trustee. Title bestowed by Bahá’u’lláh 0n Hájí’ fléh—Muhammad-i-Manflédi and Hájí’ Abu’l-Hasan-i-Ardikéni, first trustees of the Huql’lqu’llfih.

Amir Prince, ruler; commander, governor.

Anis Literally companion, friend, associate: appellation given by the Báb t0 Mfrzzi Muhammad-‘All’y—i—Zunfizi, the youthful disciple who shared His martyrdom.

Aqé Master; The Master: title given by Bahá’u’lláh to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Also used. preceding a name. in an honorific sense: Mister, Sir. (See Sarkér-Aqé.)

Aqdas Most Holy. (See Kitáb-i-Aqdas.)

Art! Earth, land, territory. (See Séd; Shin; Sirr; T51.)

‘Ashl’1ré Tenth day of the month of Muharram, anniversary of the martyrdom Of the Imém Husayn.

The Most Glorious. (See Bahá’u’l Asmá’ Names: ninth month of the Badl" calendar. Ayédi Literally hands; Hand(s) Ofthe Cause.

Ayyém Days. (See Hé.)

A‘zam Greatest. (See Baytu’l-‘Adl-i-A‘zam; Ism-i-A‘1am; Sadr-i-A‘zam.)

‘Azamat Grandeur: fourth month of the Bach" calendar.

‘Azim Literally mighty, great, glorious: title

[Page 898]898

given by the Báb t0 Mullá flayfl ‘All’ of Ifilurésén.

Báb Gate: title assumed by Mirzá ‘AlfMuhammad after the declaration of His Mission in §_hiréz on 23 May 1844.

Bábi Follower Of the Báb.

Bábu’I-Báb The Gate of the Gate: title of Mullá Husayn, the first Letter of the Living.

Badi‘ Wonderful: (1) Title of Aqé Buzurg Of [filurésém the seventeen—year-old bearer of Bahá’u’llzih‘s Tablet t0 Nésiri’d-Dfn géh. (2) Style of the new nineteen-month calendar of the Bahá’í’ Era. (See B.E.)

Bagum Lady (of rank), dame, begum: placed after a woman’s given name Bagum is a courtesy title comparable with Big.

Bahá Glory. splendour, light: (1) The Greatest Name. (See Bahá’u’lláh.) (2) First month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Bahá’í Follower Of Bahá’u’lláh.

Bahá’u’l-Abhá The Glory of the Most Glorious. Yé Bahá’u’l-Abhá! O Thou the Glory of the Most Glorious/

Bahá’u’lláh The Glory of God: title of Mfrzzi Husayn—‘Ah’: born in Tihrz’m on 12 November 1817; ascended in Bahjí, near ‘Akkz’l, on 29 May 1892.

Bahjí Literally delight, ghza'ness, joy: denotes that part of the Plain of ‘Akká where the Shrine and Mansion at Bahá’u’lláh are situated.

Bani-Héihim Literally Sons of Hcishim (great grandfather of Muhammad): clan of Qurayfl from which Muhammad was descended.

Baqiyyatu’lláh Remnant of God: traditional appellation Of the Qé‘im, derived from the Qur’án; designation of the Bz’ib as the Promised One of Islém, and applied by Him to Bahá’u’lláh.

Bayén Literally exposition, explanation, lucidity, eloquence, utterance: title given by the Báb to His Revelation, and to two of His Writings, one in Persian, the other in Arabic.

Bayt House.

Baytu’l-‘AdI-i-A‘zam The Supreme House of Justice: a title of the Universal House of Justice.

B.Bahá’í Era: denotes the Badi‘ calendar, reckoned from the year of the Báb’s declaration of His Mission in 1844.

THE BAHA’I’ WORLD

Big Literally [0rd, prince; governor, bey: placed after the given name, Big was used as a courtesy title for middle—ranking officials. (See Ifllén.)

Biflérét Glad Tidings: title of one of the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh revealed after the Kittib-i-Aqdas.

Bismilláhi’r-Rahméni’r-Rahim In the Name of God. the Compassionate, the Merciful: invocation prefixed to all but the ninth sfirih Of the Qur’án, and composed (in Arabic) of nineteen letters.

Caliph Vicar, deputy: successor of the Prophet Muhammad, supreme civil and spiritual head of the Islamic world, a title claimed by successive dynasties.

Caravanserai, -sera, -sary (See Ifllén.)

Dfirl’lghih High constable.

Dar\'i§—l_1 (Religious) mendicanl, Muslim mystic. (See Sfifi.)

Dawlih State, government.

Dayyén Literally conqueror, ruler; Judge (an epithet of the Godhead): title conferred by the Báb 0n Mirzá Asadu’lláh, learned divine Of Ifltuy.

Illabih Literally slain, sacrificed, offered up: (1) Designation of qui Siyyid Ismz’l‘l’l—iZavéfi’f, enraptured follower of Bahai’u’llzih (2) Title given by Bahá’u’lláh t0 Héjl’ Muhammad-Ismé‘fl—i-Kéihéni, ardent early teacher of the Cause,

llli’b The Wolf: appellation applied by Bahál’u’llzih to fiayk_h Muhammad-Béqir who, together with Mir Muhammad—Husayn (the RatsLhé), precipitated the deaths of the King and Beloved of Martyrs, and instigated the martyrdom of many other Bahá’í’s, particularly in Isfahén and Yazd. (See Mahbfibu’sh—fl1uhadé; Sultfinu’sh-Shuhadé.)

mlikl‘ Mention, remembering; remembrance of God; praise and thanksgiving; recital of the names of God, religious exercise or ceremony; The Qur’a’n, The Word of God. (Plural: A(flkfir; see Mashriqu’l-Atflkér.)

gli’l-Hijjih Twelfth month of the~ Muslim lunar calendar.

ILhi’l-Qa‘dih Eleventh month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

El-Abhá (See Al-Abhá.)

Farmén Order, command, firman, royal decree.

Farréfl Footman, [icton attendant. Farra‘fl dervish,

edict,

[Page 899]ORIENTAL TERMS

Béfli The head-farrésh.

Farsak_h Unit of measurement. approximately 3—4 miles or nearly 5.5 kilometres.

Fátimih Daughter of the Prophet, wife of the Imém ‘Ali and mother of the Imzim Husayn.

Fatvé A legal pronouncement or decree by a Muslim mufti.

F irdaws Garden; Paradise.

Firmén (See Farmén.)

glusn Literally Branch: son or male descendant Of Bahzi’u’llzih. (Pltirul: Aghsén.)

(flunsn-i-Athar The Purest Bram; title conferred by Bahá’u’lláh 0n Mfrzzi Mihdi’t brother.of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá who died in the Most Great Prison in ‘Akkz’i.

glusn-i-A‘zam The Most Great Branch: title conferred by Bahá’u’llz’th on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

H51 The thirty-first letter of the Persian alphabet, with a numerical value of five Ayyém-i-Hé Literally The days of Hd: the Intercalary Days, so named by Bahá’u’llz’th in the Kitcib-i-Aqdas, where He also ordained that they should immediately precede the month of ‘Alzi‘, 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 to accommodate the extra day of the leap year.

Hadit_h Literally report, account; Prophetic Tradition. The whole body of the sacred tradition of the Muslims is called the Hadl’t_h. (Plural: Ahédit_h.)

Hadrat Literally presence. Placed before a name, in the form of Hadrat-i— —, the word is a courtesy title signifying ‘His Majesty‘. ‘His Holiness‘.

Hadrat-i-A‘Ié His Holiness, The Most Exalted One: a title of the Báb.

Hájí, Héjj A Muslim who has performed the pilgrimage to Mecca.

flaram Sanctuary, sacred precinct or court, (See Hill.)

[jaram-i-Aqdas The Most Holy Court: a designation given by the Guardian to the north-western quadrant of the garden surrounding the Shrine of Bahzi‘u’llzih.

Hawdaj Hawdah: a litter carried by a camel. mule, horse or elephant for travelling purposes.

Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds The Sacred Fold: official title designating headquarters of Bahá’í’ ad 899

ministrative activity in a particular country or region.

Hijrat, Hijra(h) Literally Emigration; Hegim: the date of Muhammad‘s flight from Mecca to Medina in A41). 622: the basis of Islamic chronology.

Hill Non-sziered ground. an antonym Of Ḥaram.

Howdah (See Hawdaj.)

Hujjat Literally proof. argument, reason: title of Mullz’i Muhammad—‘AlI’y-i-Zanjzim’, hero of the Zanjzin upheaval.

Huql’lqu’llfih Right of God: payment by the believers, instituted in the Kitáb-i-Aqa'as.

Husayn The third Imzim. second son of ‘A11’ and Fátimih, martyred on the plains of Karbilft on 10 Muharram A.H. 61 (A.D. 680).

Husayniyyih A place where the martyrdom of the Imzim Husayn is mourned, or where Muslim passion-plays may be presented. The term is the designation that was given to Bahá’u’lláh’s Most Great House in Baghdád after its forcible occupation by theShi‘ah community.

-i- Sound inserted in pronunciation (though not represented in Persian script) at the end of a word to indicate that the following word stands in a possessive or adjectival relation to it.

Ibn Son.

Tl Clan, tribe.

‘Ilm Knowledge: twelfth month of the Badi" calendar.

Imém Head, chief, leader. (1) Muslim cleric who leads the congregation in prayer. (See Imém-Jum‘ih.) (2) Title applied by the gli‘ahs to each of the twelve successors of Muhammad in the line of ‘Ali’. (See ‘Ali; Husayn.)

Imém-Jum‘ih Muslim clergyman who performs the Friday prayers, the leading imzim in a town or city; chief of the mullés, who recites the Friday prayers for the sovereign.

Imém-Zédih Descendant of an Imém or his shrine.

In-shé’a’lláh If God wills.

iqén Literally Certitude: title of Bahá’u’lláh’s Epistle to Héjl’ Mirzá Siyyid Muhammad, a maternal uncle of the Báb.

Ishráqát Splendours: title of one of the Tablets Of Bahá’u’lláh revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas.

[Page 900]900

lsm Name. (Plural: Asmá’.)

Ism-i-A‘zam The Greatest Name.

[smu’lláh Literally The Name of God: title bestowed by Bahá’u’lláh on a number of believers.

lsréfil Angel who sounds the trumpet on the Day of Judgement.

‘Izzat Might: tenth month of the Badl" calendar.

Jabal Mountain. Jabal-i-Bésit The Open Mountain, Jabal-i-Shadid The Grievous Mountain: the Báb’s allusions to the fortress of Méh-Ki’i and the castle of giihriq respectively.

Jéhiliyyih The Age of Ignorance: denotes the state of paganism prevailing in Arabia before the advent of Muhammad.

Jalél Glory: second month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Jamédiyu’l-Avval Fifth month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

Jamédiyu’t_h-flléni Sixth month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

Jamél Beauty: third month of the Bach" calendar.

Jamél-i-Mubérak. Literally The Beauty: 21 title of Bahá’u’lláh. Jihéd Literally striving, endeavour; crusade; holy war, enjoined in the Qur’a’m, abrogated

by Bahá’u’lláh.

Jináb Literally threshold: placed before a

Blessed

name, in the form Jimib-i- —, the word is a courtesy title signifying ‘His Excellency‘, ‘His Honour’.

Jubbih An outer coat or cloak.

Ka‘bih The Kaaba: ancient shrine at Mecca, chosen by Muhammad to be the centre of pilgrimage for Muslims. The most holy shrine in Islém and Qiblih of the Muslim world.

Kabir Literally great, big, old. (See Akbar.)

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

Kaléntar Mayor.

Kalim Speaker, interlacutor. Title given by Bahá’u’lláh to His faithful brother, Mirzá Mfisé. (See Kalimu’lláh.)

Kalimét Words: seventh month of the Bach" calendar.

Kalimu’lláh He Who Conversed With God: title of Moses, given to Him in the Islamic Dispensation.

'l‘Hli BAHA’I’ WORLD

Kamél Perfection: eighth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Karbilá’i Style of a Muslim who has performed the pilgrimage to Karbilá; as a title it is placed before the given name.

Kawt_har Literally plentiful, abundant, sweet (potion): a river in Paradise, whence all other rivers derive their source.

Ifllédimu’lláh Servant of God: title of Mirzá Aqé Jén, amanuensis Of Bahá’u’lláh.

[glalifih (See Caliph.)

[glam Friend: (1) (See Ifllalilu’lláh.) (2) Title of Héjl’ Muhammad-Ibréhim-iQazvim’, conferred on him by the Báb.

Ifllalilu’lláh Friend of God: title given to Abraham in the Qur’án.

Iflién (1) Prince, 10rd, nobleman, Chieftain. Originally used as a courtesy title for officers and high-ranking officials, Iflm’n came to denote—placed after a given name—simply ‘gentleman’. (See Big.) (2) Exchange, market; inn, caravanserai: an inn constructed around a central court where caravans (trains of pack animals) may rest for the night.

l_(_hénum Lady; wife. Placed after a woman‘s given name, Khánum is a courtesy title meaning ‘gentlewoman’ comparable with Iflién.

[glidr The Green One: a prophet, companion of Moses according to Islamic tradition, associated with the unnamed personage mentioned in Qur‘z’m 18:60—82; believed to have drunk from the fountain of life and to be its custodian, he symbolizes the true guide.

Ifllutbih Sermon delivered in the mosques on Fridays at noon by the imém.

Kiblah (See Qiblih.)

Kitáb Book.

Kitáb-i-Aqdas The Most Holy Book: title of Bahá’u’lláh’s Book of Laws and Ordinances.

Kitáb-i-iqén (See iqén.)

Koran (See Qur’án.)

Kuléh The Persian lambskin hat worn by government employees and civilians.

Kull-i-flay’ Literally all things: the term, whose numerical value is 361, signifies 19 cycles of 19 years in the Badi" calendar.

Lawh Literally slate, sheet, table; Tablet. (Plural: Alváḥ.)

Madinih (See Medina.)

[Page 901]ORIENTAL TERMS

Madrisih Seminary, school, religious college.

Mahbfibu’fl-fliuhadé Beloved Of Martyrs: title conferred by Bahá’u’lláh on Mirzá Muhammad-Husayn, martyred in Iṣfahán together with his brother, the Sulténu’flfliuhadé. (See flii’b.)

Mahdi (See Mihdi.)

Makkih (See Mecca.)

Man-Yuzhiruhu’lláh He Whom God Will Make Manifest: title given by the Báb to the Promised One.

Marhabé Welcome! Bravo! Well done!

Masé’il Questions: fifteenth month of the Badi" calendar.

Maflhadi Style of a Muslim who has performed the pilgrimage to Mashhad; as a title it is placed before the given name.

Magiyyat Will: eleventh month of the Bach" calendar.

Mashriqu’l-Aiflkér Literally The Dawningplace of the Praise of God: title designating a Bahá’í House of Worship.

Masjid Mosque: a Muslim place of worship.

Maydén A square or open place.

Mecca Birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and scene of the early, difficult years of His ministry before His emigration to Medina. (See Hijrat; Ka‘bih.)

Medina The ‘City of the Prophet’, Muhammad’s adoptive home after His flight from Mecca, and scene of the latter years of His ministry, during which His Faith spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula, and its social teachings were promulgated. (See Hijrat.)

Mihdi Literally directed, guided; one who is rightly guided; The Mahdi: a designation of the Twelfth Imém; title of the Manifestation expected by Islém.

Mihréb A niche in the wall of a mosque indicating the direction of Mecca, before which the imém stands when leading the congregation in prayer; the most important part of a mosque.

Mir A contraction of amir, used, when prefixed to a name, to denote descent from the House of the Prophet. (See Siyyid.)

Mi‘rfij The Ascent: Muhammad’s mystic vision of the ‘night journey’ in which He ascended into heaven.

Mirzá A contraction of amz’r-zddih, meaning ‘son of an amir’. When affixed to a name it

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signifies ‘Prince’; when prefixed, it either denotes a clerk, secretary. scribe or scholar, or conveys a merely honorific sense: Mister. Mishkín-Qalam Literally the musk-scemed

pen: title applied to Mirzz’l Husayn-il§fahzini, a distinguished Bahá’í calligraphist.

Mu’atflflin Muezzin: the one who sounds the a(flén, the Muslim call to prayer.

Mubarak Blessed. (See Jamél-i-Mubérak.)

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

Muharram First month of the Muslim lunar calendar, the first ten days of which are observed by the fli‘ahs as part of their mourning period for the Imaim Husayn, whose martyrdom occurred on the tenth day, ‘Ashl’1r2’1.

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

Mulk Dominion: eighteenth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Mullá Muslim trained in theology and Islamic jurisprudence; theologian, priest.

Mustaghét_h He Who Is Invoked (for Help), Gofterm used by the Báb in reference to the advent of Bahá’u’lláh on the Day of the Latter Resurrection.

Mutagarrif Governor: lower in rank than a véli.

Nabil Learned, noble: title bestowed by Bahá’u’lláh on a number of the believers, most prominent among whom were Mullá

Muhammad-i-Zarandi, author of The Dawn-Breakers (Nabil-i-A‘zam). and Mullzi Muhammad—i-Qé’ini (Nabil-iAkbar).

Navvéb An honorific implying Grace, Highness: title of Asiyih Igizinum, wife of Bahá’u’lláh and mother of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Naw-Rúz Literally New Day: Bahá’í New Year’s Day, date of the vernal equinox; according to the Persian calendar, the day on which the sun enters Aries.

Nuqtih Point.

Nuqtiy-i-Ulé The Primal Point: a title of the Báb.

Nfir Light: fifth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Pahlavén Athlete, champion: term applied

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to brave and muscular men.

Péghé Honorary title formerly given to a Turkish officer of high rank such as military commander 0r provincial governor.

Pifl-Kiih Present, tip, douceur.

Qédi Muslim judge—civi], criminal, or ecclesiastic.

Qá’im He Who Shall Arise: title designating the Promised One of Islam.

Qalam Pen.

Qalam-i-A‘lfi The Pen Of the Most High: a designation of Bahá’u’llz’th.

Qalyén Narghile, hookah, hubble-bubble pipe. Oriental pipe in which the smoke is drawn through water in a vase by means of a long tube.

Qawl Speech: fourteenth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Qayyl’lmu’l-Asmá’ (See Ahsanu’l-Qisas.)

Qiblih Literally that which faces one; prayerdirection; point of adoration: the focus to which the faithful turn in prayer. The Qiblih for Muslims is the Ka‘bih in Mecca; for Bahá’ís, the Most Holy Tomb of Bahá’u’llzih at Bahjí: “the Heart and Qiblih Of the Bahá’í’ world.’

Quddfis Literally Pure, Holy, Blessed: title conferred by Bahá’u’lláh 0n Mullá Muhammad-‘Aliy-i-Bérfurt’ifli, last of the eighteen Letters of the Living at the Conference of Badaflt.

Qudrat Power: thirteenth month of the Bach“ calendar.

Qur’fm The Reading; The Recitation; That Which Ought To Be Read. The Book revealed to Muhammad: The Koran, Holy Book of the Muslims.

Qurbfm Sacrifice.

Qurratu’l-‘Ayn Literally Solace Of the Eyes: a term applied to an object of affection. (1) Title conferred upon Táhirih by Siyyid Káẓim Of Rasht. (2) Term used by the Báb in the Qayyamu’l—Asma” to refer both to Bahá’u’lláh and to Himself.

Rabb-i-A‘lé Exalted Lord: one of the designations of the Báb.

Rabi‘u’l-Avval Third month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

Rabi‘u’t_h-1‘_héni Fourth month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

Rahmat Mercy: sixth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

THE BAHA‘I’ WORLD

Ra’is President, head, leader. Lawh-i-Ra’is: Tablet addressed by Bahá’u’lláh to ‘Ali Péshé, the Ottoman Grand Vizier.

Rajab Seventh month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

Ramadén Ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar in which the Fast is observed. Ra(sLh£i The She—Serpent: appellation applied by Bahá’u’lláh t0 Mir Muhammad-Husayn, the Imém-Jum‘ih Of Igfahén, accomplice Of

gayfl Muhammad-Béqir. (See D_hi’b.)

Riḍván Literally good—pleasure, favour, acceptance; garden, Paradise; 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 extending from 21 April to 2 May, and celebrated annually.

Séd The seventeenth letter of the Persian alphabet. Ard-i-Séd Literally Land of Said: I5fahén.

Sadratu’l-Muntahfi The Divine Lore Tree, The Tree beyond which there is no passing: symbolic of the Manifestation of God. (See Sidrih.)

Sadr-i-A‘zam Grand Vizier, Prime Minister.

Safar Second month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

Séhibu’z-Zamén Lord of the Age: one of the titles of the promised Qá’im. Yé Sahibu’zZamén! Rallying-cry Of the early Bábis.

Sale’lm Peace, salutation. Salémun ‘Alaykum Peace be with you! a greeting among Muslims. Va’s-Salém And peace (be with you): formula used to conclude an epistle or dissertation, indicating that the author has nothing further to say.

Salsabil Pure, limpid water. A fountain in Paradise.

Samandar Literally salamander; phoenix. A mythical creature indestructible by fire. Title bestowed by Bahá’u’lláh on @21le Káẓim-i-Samandar of Qazvin.

Sarkér-Aqé Literally The Honourable Master. A designation of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

fla‘bén Eighth month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

Shéh King, especially of Train.

fliéh-Bahrém World Saviour and Promised One of the Zoroastrians, identified by Bahá’ís with Bahá’u’lláh.

[Page 903]ORIENTAL TERMS

Shahid Martyrs (Plural: Shuhadé; see Mahbfibukj-fliuhadé; Siyyidu’sh-Shuhadé; Sulténu’fl-fiuhadé.)

Sharaf Honour: sixteenth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Shari‘at, fiari‘ah Literally path, custom, law. Muslim canonical law.

fiavvél Tenth month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

@21ng Venerable old man; tribal or village chief, patriarch, sheik; learned man, elder, professor; clerical dignitary, superior Of dervish order. (See Shayl_(_h_u’l-Islém.)

Shayl$i (Follower) Of the school founded by fiaylfl Ahmad-i-Ahszi‘f. Among his doctrines, in addition to the imminent dual Advent, was that the Prophet Muhammad’s material body did not ascend to heaven on the night of the Mi‘réji

Shaykhu’l-Islam High Priest, Grand Mufti: highest rank in the Muslim religious hierarchy; also, title of the head of a religious court, appointed to every large city by the fliah.

flii‘ah, flii‘ih Literally faction, parry, sect: partisans 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 by divine right to ‘Ali’ (first Imam and fourth Caliph) and to his descendants. Originally, the successorship was the vital point of difference, and Islam was divided because Muhammad’s (albeit verbal) appointment of ‘Ali was disregarded. (See Sunnah; Imém.)

Shi‘i, Shiite Member of the fii‘ah (at Party) of ‘Ali’; Muslim of the flf’ah branch of Islam.

Shin The sixteenth letter of the Persian alphabet. Ard-i-flin Literally Land of flu’n: fliiraz.

Sidrih Lore tree. (See Sadratu’l-Muntahé.)

Sirét Literally path, way; The Way of God; The Religion of God; ‘The Bridge’ leading to heaven. Denotes the True Faith of God.

Sirr Secret, mystery. Ard-i-Sirr Literally The Land of Mystery: Adrianople.

Sirru’lláh The Mystety of God: a designation of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, conferred on Him by Baha’u’llz’ih.

Siyéh-giél Black Pit: the subterranean dun

way;

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geon in Tihran to which Bahá’u’lláh was consigned in August 1852. Here, chained in darkness three flights of stairs underground, in the company of some 150 thieves and assassins, He received the first intimations of His world Mission; regarded by Bahá’ís as the holiest place in iran’s capital.

Siyyid Literally chief, [0rd, prince: descendant Of the Prophet Muhammad.

Siyyidu’fl-Siguhadé Prince ofMartyrs: title of the Imam Husayn.

Sufi An exponent of Sufism, a Muslim mystic 0r darvifl.

Sultan Sovereignty: (1) Seventeenth month of the Badi‘ calendar. (2) King, sovereign, monarch, sultan.

Sulténu’fl-fiuhadé King of Martyrs: title conferred by Bahá’u’lláh on Mirza Muhammad-Hasan‘ martyred brother of the Mahbl’lbu’sh.-Shuhada.

Sunnah Literally way, custom, practice; The Way of the Prophet as reported in the ljadith. Designates by far the largest sect of Islam, which includes the four so-called orthodox sects: Hanbalites. Hanafites, Malikites and Shafiites. Sunnis accept the Caliphs as legitimate, believing that the position of Caliph is elective. (See Shi‘ah; Caliph.)

Sunni, Sunnite Muslim of the Sunnah branch of Islam.

Sfirih Name ofa chapter of the Qur’án; used by the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh in the titles of some of Their Own Writings.

Sfiriy-i-Mull’lk Stirih Of the Kings. Tablet revealed by Bahá’u’lláh while in Adrianople.

Ta The nineteenth letter of the Persian alphabet, with a numerical value of nine. Ard-i-Té Literally Land of Ta: Tihran.

Táhirih Literally The Pure One: title conferred 0n Zarrin-Téj by Bahá’u’lláh at the Conference of Badasht.

Téj Literally crown. Tall felt head-dress adopted by Bahá’u’lláh in 1863, on the day of His departure from His Most Holy House in Bagdad.

Tajalliyat Effulgences: title of one of the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh revealed after the Kitdb—i-Aqdas.

Takyih Religious house, monastery; hostel for pilgrims; religious theatre for presenting

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Muslim passion-plays; place at which the martyrdom Of Husayn is commemorated. (See Husayniyyih.)

Tarézét Ornaments: title of one of the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas.

Tl’lmén Discontinued unit of Iranian currency.

‘Ulamé Literally learned men, scholars; clerical authorities, theologians, divines: the Muslim religious hierarchy. (Singular: ‘Alim.)

Umm Mother.

‘Urvatu’l-Vut_hqé The Sure Handle, Firm Cord: a Qur’ánic term, used in the Bahá’í Writings to symbolize the Covenant and Testament.

Ustéd Teacher, professor; mechanic, artisan, craftsman.

Vahid Single, unique, peerless: title of Siyyid Yaḥyáy—i-Dzirzibi, hero of the Nayrl'z upheavaL

Véhid Literally unity; one, single, unique; The One, lndivisible God. The word, whose numerical value is nineteen, denotes: (1) A ‘unity’ or section of the Baydrz. The Persian Baytin consists of nine Véhids of nineteen chapters each, except the last, which has only ten chapters. (2) The eighteen Letters of the Living (the Báb’s first disciples) and the Báb Himself, who together constitute the first Vzihid Of the Bábi Dispensation. (3) Each cycle of nineteen years in the Bédi‘ calendar. (See Kull-i-fllay’.)

Vali Guardian.

Véli Governor (of a province).

Vali-‘Ahd Crown prince, heir to the throne.

Varaqih Leaf; often used metaphorically in the Bahá’í Writings to refer to a woman.

THE BAHA‘I’ WORLD

Varaqiy-i-‘Ulyé Literally The Most Exalted Leaf; The Greatest Holy Leaf: title of Bahá’íyyih (0r Bahíyyih) Ifliz’mum, saintly daughter of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘the outstanding heroine of the Bahá’í Dispensation’.

Varqé Bird, nightingale; The Heavenly Dove.

Va’s-Salém (See Salém.)

Vazir Vizz’r. minister (of state), vizier. Vazir-i-A‘;am: Grand Vizier, Prime Minister.

Viléyat Guardianship.

Waqf Literally bequeathing (for charitable uses); pious bequest, religious endowment, estate held in mortmain. Denotes landed property endowed to the Muslim community; in Train, the estate of the expected Imém.

Yé Vocative particle meaning ‘0’. (See Bahá’u’l-Abhá; Sahibu’z-Zama’m.)

Zédih Born; offspring, son. Used as a suffix' after a proper name it means ‘Son of —‘. (See Imém-Zédih; Mirzá.)

Zarrin-Téj Literally Crown of Gold: title by which Fátimih, daughter of Mullá Sélih-iBaraqém’ of Qazvin—better known as Táhirih—was designated by her family and kindred.

Zawré’ A term signifying Baghdad.

Zamzam Literally copious (Water): sacred well within the precincts Of the Great Mosque in Mecca. Though salty, its water is much esteemed for pious uses, such as ablutions, and drinking after a fast.

Zaynu’l-Muqarrabin Literally Ornament Of the Near (0r Favoured) Ones. Title bestowed by Bahá’u’lláh 0n Mullá Zaynu’l‘Abidi’n of Najaf-Abéd, faithful apostle and trusted scribe.