Bahá’í World/Volume 19/Oriental terms

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[Page 731]

III

ORIENTAL TERMS

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

‘Abé

Abédih ‘Abbés ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ‘Abdu’l-Hamid ‘Abdu’l-Husayn ‘Abdu’lláh Abhá Abu’l-Fadl ‘Adasiyyih Again Ad_hirbayjén Afnán

Aghṣán

‘Ahd

Ahmad

Ahsé’i

Ahvéz

Akbar

‘Akká

‘Alé’

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

Amir Amir-Nizém Amru’lláh Amul ' Anzali

Aqé

Aqdas ‘Arabistén Asmá’ Astarébéd ‘Avéfliq

LITERATURE Ayédi Duzdéb Azal ‘Azamat Faré’id ‘Aziz Férétn Farmén Báb Farréfl-Béflj Bábi Fairs Bábu’l-Báb Farsakh Baglldéd Fath-‘Ali Bahá F irdaws Bahá’í Firdawsi Bahá’u’lláh Bahíyyih Ganjih Bahjí Gilém Balfighistén Gul Bandar-‘Abbés Gulistén Béqir Gurgin Baqiyyatu’lláh Bérfurfigl; Habib Basrih Hadim Bé’gfim Hadrat Bayén Hájí Bayt Hájí Mirzá Áqásí Big Héjj Birj and Hamadén Biflérét Ḥaram Bismi’lláh Hasan Bu1_<_h_éré Hawdaj Burfijird Haydar-‘Ali Bfi§hihr Haykal Bahá’í Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds Buflrfiyih Hij 2'12 Hijrat thhriq Himmat—Abéd Hujjat Dalé’il—i-Sab‘ih Husayn Dérfigfiih Dawlat—Abéd Ibrahim Qhabih i1

‘Ilm

Imém Imém-Jum‘ih Imém—Zédih iqén

Írán

‘Iráq

‘Iráqi ‘Iráq-i-‘Ajam I$fahén ‘Ishqábád IfIráqét Ightihérd Islém Ismé—‘iliyyih ‘Izzat

J alél

J amédiyu’l-Avval J amél

J amél-i-Mubérak J amél-i-Qidam

J ésb

J ubbih

Ka‘bih Kad-K_hudé1 Kaléntar Kalimétt Kamél Karand Karbilá Kéflén Kaflkfil Kawmu’s—Sa‘éyidih Kawmar Káẓim Káẓimayn K_hal@él

[Page 732]732

Egan ghéniqayn Khayli _I_{_hl'1b Lhurésén Ehuy

Kirmén Kirménghéh Kitáb—i-‘Ahd Kitáb-i-Aqdas Kitáb-i-Asmá’ Kitáb—i-Badi‘ Kitáb-i-iqén Kuléh Kurdistan

Léhijén Lér Lawh Luristén

Madrisih

Mahbfibu’ghfihuhadé

Mahd-i-‘Ulyé

Méh—Kfi

Mahmfid

Maléyir

Man-Yuzhiruhu’lláh

Maqém

Maréghih

Marhabé

Marv

Masé’il

Mashhad

Mafiiyyat

Mashriqu’l-Agfllkér

Masjid

Maydén

Mézindarén

Mihdi

Mihréb

Milén

Mi‘réj

Mirzá

Mighkin-Qalam

THE Bahá’í WORLD

Mu’acjhdlluin Mufti Muhammad Muhammad-‘Ali Muhammarih Muharram Mujtahid

Mulk

Mullá

Munirih Mustafé Mustag_hém Muzafiari’d-Din

Nabil Nabil-i-A‘zam Najaf Najaf-Abéd Néqidin Nasir Nésiri’d-Din Navvéb Naw—Rfiz Nayriz Niflépfir Nuqtih

Nl'lr

Pahlavi Pérén

Qédi Qédiyén Qahqahih Qá’im

Qéjér Qalyén Qamsar Qasr-i-fihirin Qawl Qayyfim Qayyfimu’l-Asmá’ Qasvin Qiblih Qfigén

Quddl’ls Qudrat

Qum

Qur’án Qurbén Qurratu’l—‘Ayn

Rafsanjén Rahim Rahmén Rahmat Ra’is. Ramadan Rasht Rawhéni Riḍván Rfihu’lláh

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

Salsabil Samarqand Sangsar

Séri

Saysén

fla‘bén

Shéh

fiahid flahmirzéd fléhrfid

Sharaf

_S_1;ari‘ah Shayfl flaylgh—Tabarsi Shaylghu’l-Islém fli‘ah (_S_I_1£‘ih) Sh1'réz

fihfifitar Simnén

Sistén Siyéh-Qél Siyyid

Sufi

Sulaymén Sultan Sultén-Abéd Sulténu’§_h~Shuhadé’ Sunni Sfiratu’l-Haykal SL’lrih Sfiriy—i-Damm Sfiriy-i-Qhusn Sfiriy—i-Ra’is Sfiriy-i-Sabr

Tabarsi Tabríz Táhirih Tajalliyét Tékur Taqi Tarézét Tarbiyat Téghkand Tawhid T_hurayyé Ṭihrán Tfimén Turkistém

‘Ulamé Urfimiyyih ‘Ughmén

Vahid

Vali

Vali-‘Ahd

Varqé

Vazir (also Vizir)

Yé Bahá’u’l-Abhá Yaḥyá Yazd

Zanj én Zarand Zaynu’l-Muqarrabin

[Page 733]ORIENTAL TERMS

733

2. GUIDE TO TRANSLITERATION AND

PRONUNCIATION OF THE PERSIAN

ALPHABET

The system outlined below was approved by the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith for use by Bahá’ís throughout the world in transcribing the Persian and Arabic terms and names which occur frequently in Bahá’í literature, thus ensuring uniformity in the practice of Bahá’í communities Which use the Roman alphabet. Research by Bahá’í scholars has concluded that the system is based on the one adopted by the Tenth International Congress of Orientalists which was held in Geneva in 1894, and was also adopted by the Council of the Royal Asiatic Society in October

1896.

TS IPA TS IPA TS IPA TS IPA 5’ [1tQMLJDS [s] djk [k] x—Hb [b] ‘> d [d] \de [z] .sj g [g] g...) p [p] Q .413. [z] j, t [t] J 1 [11 \.., t [t] /\ r [r] 5 z [2] f m [m] duals] )2 [z] E [1 On [n] 2- j [] )zh [u] E&h [g] j v [v] E" a [q] Q’f's [s] “Bf [fl ’4, h [h] E h [h] Jush [9] L5 q [q] L5 y [j]

TS IPA Approximate pronunciation in English

a [2e] As in ‘bat’

[a1] Between the sound in ‘sharp’ (British) or ‘shop’ (American), and that in ‘hall’

1 [13] As in ‘best’

1 [i:] As in ‘meet’

u [9] As in ‘shot’ (British) or ‘short’ (American)

1’1 [uz] As in ‘moon’

aw [Q] ' As in ‘know’

ay [Iji] As in ‘hay’

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THE Bahá’í WORLD

The first of the above tables shows the letters in the Persian alphabet, the equivalent in the transliteration system (TS) and the sound as shown by the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).

Vowels can be indicated in Persian and Arabic by signs written above or below the preceding consonant, followed, if they are long, by another consonantal letter. These vowel signs, however, are seldom written. Therefore, for simplicity’s sake, theusecond table shows only their transliterated form and their equivalents in the International Phonetic Alphabet.

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 ‘Iabriz’ 01‘ ‘Tamsi’; 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 f ailure 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 ‘at’ and the second syllable to rhyme With ‘on’ (American) or ‘barn’ (British). English—speakers are apt to pronounce a short ‘a’ plus ‘I’ like the word ‘are’; this is a mistake; ‘ar’, as in ‘Tarbiyat’ for example, should be pronounced as in the name ‘Harry’.

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 the ‘e’ in ‘best, and long ‘i’ like ‘ee’ in ‘meet’; for example, ‘Ibrahim’ is pronounced ‘Eb-raheem’; “Islam’ is ‘Esslahm’. Short ‘u’ being like ‘0’ in ‘short’ (American) or ‘shot’ (British), and long ‘ú’ like ‘oo’ in ‘moon’, the following would be pronounced: ‘Quddús’—‘Qod-doos’; ‘Ba'trfuri’ish’o-w‘Barforoosh’.

Pronounce ‘aw’ to rhyme With ‘low’, or ‘mown’; ‘NaW—Ruz’ is ‘No—Rooz’.

The following letters have different sounds in Arabic, but in Persian are all pronounced like ‘2’: ‘Qh, z, z, (1’.

Similarly, the following consonants may all be pronounced ‘ss’: ‘m, s, s’.

‘_Z_h’ is pronounced like the ‘s’ in ‘pleasure’. _Ki1 is pronounced like ‘ch’ in Scottish ‘loch’ or German ‘Nacht’; do not pronounce it as ‘k’. English—speakers often experience difficulty pronouncing ‘gh’ and ‘q’; a guttural French ‘r’ Will serve here; otherwise use a hard ‘g’ as in ‘good’.

‘H’ and ‘h’, although having different sounds in Arabic are pronounced in Persian approximately as is the English aspirate ‘h’. This sound should never be dropped, even When it comes at the end of a word, nor does it lengthen a preceding short vowel.

In the case of double letters, pronounce both as in the case of the ‘nn’ in the English word ‘unneeded’, e.g. “Abbas’.

The characters transliterated (’) represent a pause; it is not unlike the initial sound made in pronouncing such a'word as ‘every’. The word ‘Bahá’í’ has a short ‘a’ in the first syllable, then a long ‘a’ in the second, followed by a brief pause and then a long ‘i’.

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

As Persian writing usually indicates no vowel sounds and as its pronunciation differs in different localities throughout Iran 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.

[Page 735]ORIENTAL TERMS

735

4. DEFINITIONS OF SOME OF THE ORIENTAL TERMS USED IN BAHA’T LITERATURE

Ab Father

Abé (See Abfi.)

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

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

‘Abdu’l-Bahá Servant of Bahd: title of the eldest son of Baha’u’llah, and Centre of His Covenant.

Abhá Most Glorious. Bahá’u’l—Abhá.)

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.

Aghén Muslim call to prayer.

Adib Refined, cultured, learned; writer, scholar, man of letters. 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.

A&ha Originally lord, nobleman; oficer, commander: placed after a woman’s name Aghd is a courtesy title comparable with Aqé; may also form part of a compound proper name.

Aghsén Literally Branches: denotes sons and male descendants of Baha’u’llah.

A.H. Anna Hegirae (in the year of the Emigration): denotes the Muslim Era, reckoned from the year of Muhammad’s flight from Mecca to Medina in AD. 622. (See Hijrat.)

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

Ahsanu’l—Qisas Literally The Best of Stories: a name for the Sl'lrih of Joseph. T afsz’r-iAhsanu’l—Qisas; the Báb’s Commentary on the SLZrih of Joseph, the Qayywnu’Z-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.)

(See Alláh-u—Abhá;

‘Alé’ Loftiness; nineteenth month of the Badi‘ calendar. (See Ha.)

Al-Abhá The Most Glorious. (See Bahá’u’lAbba.)

‘Ali The first Imam and rightful successor of Muhammad; also the fourth Caliph according to the Sunnah.

Allah God.

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

Al-Madinah Literally The Prophet). (See Mecca.)

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

Amin Faithful, trustworthy, honest; trustee. Title bestowed by Baha’u’llah on Haji flahMuhammad-i-Manshadi and Haji Abu’lHasan—i-Ardikani, first trustees of the Ḥuqúqu’lláh.

Amir Prince, ruler; commander, governor.

Anis Literally companion, friend, associate; appellation given by the Báb to Mirza Muhammad-‘Aliy-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: M ister, Sir. (See Sarkér-Aqé.)

Aqdas Most Holy. (See Kitáb-i-Aqdas.).

Ard Earth, land, territory. (See Sad; flin; Sirr; Ti)

‘Aghfiré Tenth day of the month of Muharram, anniversary of the martyrdom of the Imam Husayn.

Asmá’ ; Names: ninth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Ayadi Literally hands; Hand(s) Of the Cause.

City (Of the

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Ayyém Days. (See H21.)

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

‘Azamat Grandeur: fourth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

‘Azim Literally mighty, great, glorious: title given by the Báb to Mulla fihayfl ‘Ali of Khurésan.

Báb Gate: title assumed by Mirza ‘AliMuhammad after the declaration of His Mission in Shiraz on 23 May 1844.

Bábi Follower of the Báb.

Bábu’l—Báb The Gate of the Gate: title ofMu11é Husayn, the first Letter of the Living.

Badi‘ Wonderful: (1) Title of Aqé Buzurg of @urésan, the seventeen-year-old bearer of Baha’u’llah’s Tablet to Nésirl’d-Din flah. (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 Baha’u’llah.

Bahá’u’l—Abhá The Glory of the M ost Glorious. Yé Bahá’u’l—Abhá! O Thou the Glory of the Most Glorious!

Bahá’u’lláh The Glory of God: title of Mirza Husayn—‘Ali: born in Tihran on 12 November 1817; ascended in Bahjí, near ‘Akká, on 29 May 1892.

Bahjí Literal1y delight, gladness, joy: denotes that part of the Plain of ‘Akkát Where the Shrine and Mansion of Bahá’u’lláh are situated.

Bani-Hégim Litera11y Sons of Hdghz'm (great grandfather 0 f M uhammad ): clan of Qurayfl from Which Muhammad was descended.

Baqiyyatu’lláh Remnant of God: traditional appellation of the Qá’im, derived from the Qur’án; designation of the Bath as the Promised One of Islam, and applied by Him to Baha’u’llah.

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

Bayt House. .

Baytu’l-‘Adl-i-A‘zam The Supreme House of Justice: 21 title of the Universal House of Justice.

THE Bahá’í WORLD

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

Big Literally lord, prince; governor, hey: placed after the given name, Big was used as a courtesy title for middle-ranking officials. (See Khfin.)

Bishérét Glad Tidings: title of one of the Tablets of Baha’u’llah revealed after the Kitáb-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 _I_(_hén.)

Dén'lghih High constable.

Darvifl (Religious) mendicant, Muslim mystic. (See Stiff.)

Dawlih State, government.

Dayyén Literally conqueror, ruler; Judge (an epithet of the Godhead): title conferred by the Báb on Mirzá Asadu’llah, learned divine of K_huy.

mabih Literally slain, sacrificed, oflered up: (1) Designation of Aqa Siyyid Isma‘fl-iZaVari’i, enraptured follower of Bahá’u’lláh. (2) Title given by Baha’u’llah to Hájí Muhammad-Ismé‘il-i-Kashani, ardent early teacher of the Cause.

I_)_hi’b The Wolf: appellation applied by Baha’u’llah to flaylgh Muhammad-Baqir who, together with Mir MuhammadHusayn (the Raqshé), precipitated the deaths of the King and Beloved of Martyrs, and instigated the martyrdom of many other Bahá’ís, particularly in Iṣfahán and Yazd.

dervz'sh,

(See Mahbfibu’fl-fluhadé; Sulténu’flfluhadé.) flikr M ention, remembering; remembrance of

God; praise and thanksgiving; recital of the names of God, religious exercise or ceremony; The Qur’dn, The Word of God. (Plural: Adhkár; see Mashriqu’l-Adhkár.)

Dhi’l—Hijjih Twelfth month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

th’l—Qa‘dih Eleventh month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

El-Abhá (See Al-Abhá.)

[Page 737]ORIENTAL TERMS

Farmén Order, command, edict, royal decree.

Farréfl Footman, Zietor, attendant. FarréghBéfli. The head-farrafl.

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

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

F atvé A legal pronouncement or decree by a Muslim mufti.

Firdaws Garden; Paradise.

Firmz’m (See Farman.)

flusn Literally Branch: son or male descendant of Baha’u’llah. (Plural: Aghsan.)

flum—i-Athar The Purest Branch: title conferred by Baha’u’llah on Mirza Mihdi, brother of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Who died in the Most Great Prison in ‘Akká.

@usn-i-A‘zam The Most Great Branch: title conferred by Baha’u’llah on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Ha The thirty—first letter of the Persian alphabet, with a numerical value of five. Ayyém-iHa. Literally The days ofHd: the Intercalary Days, so named by Baha’u’llah in the Kitdbi-Aqdas, where He also ordained that they should immediately precede the month of ‘Ala’, 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. '

Hadim Literally report, account; Prophetic T radition. The whole body of the sacred tradition of the Muslims is called the Hadfl.

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‘la His Holiness, The Most Exalted One: a title of the Báb.

Hájí, Hajj A Muslim Who has performed the pilgrimage to Mecca. .

Ḥaram Sanctuary, sacred precinct or court. (See Hill.) '

Ḥaram-i-Aqdas The Most Holy Court; a designation given by the Guardian to the northwestern quadrant of the garden surrounding the Shrine of Baha’u’llah.

Hawdaj Howdahz 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 admin 737

istrative activity in a particular country or region. Hijrat, Hijra(h) Literally Emigration; Hegira: the date of Muhammad’s flight from Mecca to Medina in AD. 622: the basis of Islamic chronology.

Hill Non-sacred ground, an antonym of Ḥaram.

Howdah (See Hawdaj.)

Hujjat Literally proof, argument, reason: title of Mulla Muhammad-‘Aliy-i—Zanjani, hero of the Zanjan upheaval.

Huql’lqu’lláh Right of God: payment by the believers, instituted in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Husayn The third Imam, second son of ‘Ali and Fátimih, martyred on the plains of Karbila on 10 Muharram AH. 61 (AD. 680).

Husayniyyih A place where the martyrdom of the Imam Husayn is mourned, or where Muslim passion-plays may be presented. The term is the designation that was given to Baha’u’llah’s Most Great House in Baghdad after its forcible occupation by the §hi‘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.

i1 Clan, tribe.

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

Imam Head, chief, leader. (1) Muslim cleric who leads the congregation in prayer. (See Imém-Jum‘ih.) (2) Title applied by the ghi‘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 imam in a town or city; chief of the mullas, Who recites the Friday prayers for the sovereign.

Imam-Zédih Descendant of an Imam or his shrine.

In-shé’a’llah If God wills.

iqén Literally Certitude: title of Baha’u’llah’s Epistle to Haji Mirza Siyyid Muhammad, a maternal uncle of the Báb.

IfIráqét Splendours: title of one of the Tablets Of Baha’u’llah revealed after the Kitdb-iAqdas.

Ism Name. (Plural: Asmá’.)

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Ism-i-A‘zam The Greatest Name.

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

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

‘Izzat Might: tenth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Jabal Mountain. Jabal—i—Bésit The Open M ountain, Jabal-i-fihadid The Grievous M ountain: the Báb’s allusions to the fortress of Méh—Ki’l and the castle of Q_hihriq respectively.

J éhiliyyih 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.

J amédiyu’l—Avval Fifth month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

Jamédiyu’fl-flénfi Sixth month of Muslim lunar calendar.

Jamél Beauty: third month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Jamél—i—Mubérak Literally The Beauty: a title of Bahá’u’lláh. Jihéd Literal1y striving, endeavour; crusade; holy war, enjoined in the Qur’án, abrogated

by Bahá’u’lláh.

Jináb Literally threshold: placed before a name, in the form Jindb—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—Khudé Chief of a ward or parish in a town; headman of a Village.

Kaléntar Mayor.

Kalim Speaker, interlocutor. Title given by Bahá’u’lláh to His faithful brother, Mirzá M11321. (See Kalimu’lláh.) .

Kalimét Words: seventh month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Kalimu’llzih He Who Conversed With God1tit1e of Moses, given to Him in the Islamic Dispensation.

Kamél Perfection: eighth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

the

Blessed

THE Bahá’í WORLD

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

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

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

Khalifih (See Caliph.)

@alfl Friend: (1) (See flali’u’lláh.) (2) Title of Hájí Muhammad-Ibréhim-i-Qazvini, conferred on him by the Báb.

I_{_halflu’lláh Friend of God: title given to Abraham in the Qur’án.

flén (1) Prince, lord, nobleman, Chieftain. Originally used as a courtesy title for officers and high—ranking officials, Kha’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.

Khánum Lady; wife. Placed after a woman’s given name, Lhdnum is a courtesy title meaning ‘gentlewoman’ comparable With flén.

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

Qutbih 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.)

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

Kull-i-fihay’ 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; T ablet.

Madinih (See Medina.)

Madrisih Seminary, school, religious college.

Mahblibu’g-Shuhadé Beloved Of Martyrs: title conferred by Bahá’u’lláh on Mirzá Muhammad—Husayn, martyred in Iṣfahán together with his brother, the Sulténu’ngfluhadé. (See mi’b.)

[Page 739]ORIENTAL TERMS

Mahdi (See Mihdi.)

Makkih (See Mecca.)

Man-Yuzhiruhu’lláh He Whom God Will M ake M anifest: title given by the Báb to the Promised One.

Marhabé Welcome! Bravo! Well done!

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

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

Mafliyyat Will: eleventh month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Mashriqu’l-Adhkár 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.)

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

NIihréb A niche in the wall of a mosqueiindieating 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‘réj 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 signifies ‘Prince’; when prefixed, it either denotes a clerk, secretary, scribe or scholar, or conveys a merely honorific sense: M ister.

Nlighkin-Qalam Literally the musk-scented pen; title applied to Mirzá Husayn-i-Igfahéni, a distinguished Bahá’í calligraphist.

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Mu’afltmin M uezzin; the one who sounds the aflén, the Muslim call to prayer.

Mubérak 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 fihi‘ahs as part of their mourning period for the Imém Husayn, whose martyrdom occurred on the tenth day, ‘Ashfiré.

Mujtahid Muslim doctor-of—law. Most of the mujtahids of Írán have received their diplomas frorn 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.

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

Mutasarrif Governor: lower in rank than a véh'.

Nabil Learned, noble; title bestowed by Bahá’u’lláh on a number of the believers, most prominent among whom were Mullá Mhhammad-i-Zarandi, author of The Dawn Breakers (Nabil-i-A‘zam), and Mullá Muhaihmad-i-Qé’ini (Nabfl-i-Akbar).

Navvéb An honorific implying Grace, Highness: title of Asiyih @énum, 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 Paint: a title of the Báb.

Nfir Light: fifth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

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

Péflé Honorary title formerly given to a Turkish officer of high rank such as military commander or provincial governor.

Pifl-Kig Present, tip, douceur.

Qédi Muslim judge—civil, ecclesiastic.

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

Qalam Pen.

criminal, or

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Qalam—i-A‘lé The Pen Of the Most High: a designation of Bahá’u’lláh.

Qalyfin Narghz'le, 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’lláh at Bahjí: ‘the Heart and Qiblih of the Bahá’í world.’

Quddt’ls Literally Pure, Holy, Blessed; title conferred by Bahá’u’lláh on Mullet Muhammad-‘Aliy-i-Bérfurfifii, last of the eighteen Letters of the Living at the Conference of Badaflt.

Qudrat Power: thirteenth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Qur’án The Reading; The Recitation; T hat Which Ought T 0 Be Read. The Book revealed to Muhammad: The Koran, Holy Book of the Muslims.

Qurbén 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 Rafit. (2) Term used by the Báb in the Qayytimu’l—Asmd’ 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’th—flém’ Fourth month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

Rahmat Mercy: sixth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

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

Rajah Seventh month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

Ramadén Ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar in which the Fast is observed. Raqghé The She-Serpent: appellation applied by Bahá’u’lláh to Mir Muhammad —Husayn, the Imém—Jum‘ih of Isfahén, accomplice of

flaygh Muhammad-Béqir. (See Dhi’b.)

THE Bahá’í WORLD

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 de: Iṣfahán.

Sadratu’l-Muntahé The Divine Lote T ree, The T ree beyond which there is no passing: symbolic of the Manifestation of God. (See Sidrih.)

Sadr-i-A‘zam Grand Vizier, Prime M inister.

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 Séhibu’zZamén! Rallying-cry of the early Bábis.

Salém Peace, salutatz'on. 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.

Salsabfl Pure, Zimpid water. A fountain in Paradise.

Samandar Literally salamander; phoenix. A mythical creature indestructible by fire. T itle bestowed by Bahá’u’lláh on §hay_1gh_ Káẓimi-Samandar of Qazvin.

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

§_l_la‘b2in Eighth month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

Shéh King, especially of Train.

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

Shahid Martyr. (Plural: _S__huhadé; see Mahbl'lbu’gh—Shuhadé; Siyyidu’sjg-Slluhadé; Sulténu’sh-Sjluhadé.)

Sharaf Honour: sixteenth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

flari‘at, §hari‘ah Literallypath, way; custom, law. Muslim canonical law.

flavvél Tenth month of the Muslim lunar calendar. ,

flaykwh Venerable old man; tribal or village chief, patriarch, sheik; learned man, elder,

[Page 741]ORIENTAL TERMS

professor; clerical dignitary, superior Of dervish order. (See Shaylghu’l-Islém.)

flaythi (F ollower) of the school founded by ghaykh Ahmad-i-Ahsa’i. 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‘réj.

Shayflu’l-Islém 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 Shah.

Shi‘ah, Shi‘ih Literally faction, party, sect: partisans of ‘Ali and of his descendants as the sole lawful ‘Vicars of the Prophet’. The fli‘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; Imam).

Shi‘i, Shiite Member of the Shi‘ah (or Party) of ‘Ali; Muslim of the Shi‘ah branch of Islam.

fihin The sixteenth letter of the Persian alphabet. Ard—i—Shin Literally Land Of§_hz’n: Shiraz.

Sidrih Lote 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 M ystery: Adrianople.

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

Siyéh-_C_l_iél Black Pit: the subterranean dungeon in Ṭihrán 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 Tran’s capital.

Siyyid Literally chief, lord, prince: descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.

Siyyidu’gh—Shuhadé Prince of M artyrs: title of the Imam Husayn.

Sufi An exponent of Sufism, a Muslim mystic or darvish.

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

Sulténu’gh—Shuhadé King of M artyrs: title conferred by Baha’u’llah 0n Mirza MuhammadHasan, martyred brother of the Mahbl'ibu’ghfluhadé.

Sunnah Literally way, custom, practice; The Way of the Prophet as reported in the Hadith. 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 of a chapter of the Qur’án; used by the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh in the titles of some of Their Own Writings.

Sl'u‘iy-i-Mull’lk Sdrih Of the Kings. Tablet revealed by Bahá’u’lláh while in Adrianople.

T6 The nineteenth letter of the Persian alphabet, with a numerical value of nine. Ard-iTa Literally Land of Tat: Tihran.

Táhirih Literally The Pure One: title conferred on Zarn’n-Téj by Baha’u’llah 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 Baghdad.

Tajalliyat Efi’ulgences: title of one of the Tablets Of Baha’u’llah revealed after the Kitdb-i—Aqdas.

Takyih Religious house, monastery; hostel for pilgrims; religious theatre for presenting Muslim passion—plays; place at which the martyrdom of Husayn is commemorated. (See Husayniyyih,).

Térézét Ornaments: title of one of the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh revealed after the Kitdb-iAqdas.

Tl’lmén Discontinued unit of Iranian currency.

‘Ulamé Literally learned men, scholars; clerical authorities, theologians, divines; the Muslim religious hierarchy.

Umm Mother.

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

Ustéd T eacher, professor; mechanic, artisan, craftsman. '

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Vahid Single, unique, peerless: title of Siyyid Yaḥyáy-i—Dérébi, hero of the Nayriz upheaval.

Véhid Literally unity; one, Single, unique; The One, Indivisz'ble God. The word, whose numerical value is nineteen, denotes: (1) A ‘unity’ or section of the Bayán. The Persian Baya’n 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 Ve’lhid of the Bábi Dispensation. (3) Each cycle of nineteen years in the Bédi‘ calendar. (See Kull-i-flay’.)

Vali Guardian.

Vz'lli 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. Varaqiy-i—‘Ulyé Literally The Most Exalted Leaf; The Greatest Holy Leaf: title of Bahá’íyyih (or Bahíyyih) Khánum, 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 (Ofstate), vizier. Vazir-iA‘zam: Grand Vizier, Prime Minister.

THE Bahá’í WORLD

Viléyat Guardiansth.

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

Yé Vocative particle meaning ‘0’. Bahá’u’l—Abhá; Sahibu’z—Zamén.) Zédih Born; ofi’sprz'ng, son. Used as a suflix after a proper name it means ‘Son of ——’.

(See Imém-Zfidih; Mirzá.)

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

Zawré’ A term signifying Bag_hdé1d.

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 on Mullá Zaynu’l-‘Abidin of Najaf-Abéd, faithful apostle and trusted scribe.

(See