Bahá’í World/Volume 20/Oriental Terms

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[Page 1053]

III

ORIENTAL TERMS

1. TRANSLITERATION OF ORIENTAL WORDS FREQUENTLY

‘Abé

Abédih

‘Abbés ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ‘Abdu’l—Harm’d ‘Abdu’l—Husayn ‘Abdu’lláh Abhá Abu’l—Fadl ‘Adasiyyih Aihén Aghjrbéyj én Afnán

Agfisén

‘Ahd

Ahmad

Ahsé’i

Ahvéz

Akbar

‘Akká

‘Alé’

‘Ali ‘Ali—Muhmmad Alláh—u-Abhá Alváḥ Alváḥ-i-Salé’gin Amatu’l-Bahá Amin

Amir Amir-Nizém Amru’lláh Amul

Anzali

Aqé

Aqdas

USED IN Bahá’í LITERATURE

‘Arabistén Asmá’ Astarébéd ‘Avéfliq Ayédi Azal ‘Azamat ‘Aziz

Báb

Bábi Bábu’l-B éb Bag1_1déd Bahá Bahá’í Bahá’u’lláh Bahíyyih Bahjí Balfiflistén Bandar— ‘Abbés Béqir Baqiyyatu’lláh Bérfun'lgh Bagrih BétL’lm Baye’m

Bayt

Big

Birj and Bighérét Bismi’lláh Bugéré Burfijird Bú_s_1_1ih1' Bahá’í

Bushrfiyih Chiríq

Dalé’il-i-Sab‘ih Dérfig_1_1fl1 Dawlat-Abéd .D_habfl.1 Duzdéb

Faré’id

Férén Farmén Farréfl-Béghi Férs

F ars a@

F ath— ‘ Ali

F irdaws

F irdawsi

Ganjih Gflén Gul Gulistén Gurgin

Habib

Hadigl

Hadrat

Hájí

Hájí Mirzá Áqásí Héjj

Hamadén

Ḥaram

Hasan

Hawdaj Haydar—‘Ali Haykal Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds Hij éz

Hijrat Himmat-Abéd HUjjat

Husayn

Ibréhim

i1

‘Ilm

Imém Imém—Jum‘ih Imém—Zédih iqén

Írán

‘Iráq

‘Iráqi ‘Iráq—i—‘Aj am Igfahén ‘Khqébéd Ighréqét Igltihérd Islém Ismé-‘fliyyih ‘Izzat

Jalél

J amédiyu’l-Avval Jamél Jamél—i—Mub érak Jamél-i-Qidam Jésb

[Page 1054]1 0 5 4 Jubbih

Ka‘bih Kad—_K_hudé Kaléntar Kalimét Kamél Karand Karbilá Ké_s_1_1_én Ka_s_I_1kL'11 Kawmu’g-Sa‘éyidih Kawgar Káẓim Káẓimayn ghalkjgél _K_hén ghéniqayn K_hayli glib K_hurésén K_huy

Kirmén Kirménfléh Kitáb-i—‘Ahd Kitáb-i—Aqdas Kitáb-i—Asmá’ Kitáb—i—B adi‘ Kitáb—i~iqén Kuléh Kurdistén

Léhij e'm Lér Lawh Luristén

Madrisih Mahbfibu’ @_S__huhadé Mahdi-‘Ulyé Méh-Kl'l Mahmfid Maléyir Man—Yuzhiruhu’lláh Maqém Maréghih Marhabé Marv Masé’fl

THE Bahá’í WORLD

Magahhad Magiyyat Mashriqu’l-Adhkár Masj id Maydén Mézindarén Mihdi

Mihréb

Mflén

Mi‘réj

Mirzá MiglkimQalam Mu ’ 21% Quin Mufti Muhammad Muhammd- ‘Ali Muhammarih Muharram Mujtahid

Mulk

Mullá

Munirih MuStafé Mustaggégh Muzaffri’ d—Din

Nabfl Nabfl—i—A‘zam Naj af Najaf-Abéd Néqidin Na$ir Négiri’d-Din Navvéb NaW—Rfiz Nayriz Nayghépfir Nuqtih

Nfir

Pahlavi x Pérén

Qédi Qédiyén Qahqahih Qá’im Qéj ér Qalyén

Qamgar Qa$r-1~_S_}_1irin Qasvin

Qawl

Qayyfim Qayyfimu’l—Asmá’ Qiblih

Qfiglgén Quddfis

Qudrat

Qum

Qur’án

Qurbén Qurratu’l—‘Ayn

Rafs anj én Rahim Rahmén Rahmat Ra’is Ramadén Ray Rawhéni Riḍván Rfihu’lláh

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

Salsabfl Samarqand Sangsar

Séri

Saysén

§_1}a‘bén

_S__I_1éh

Shahid flahmirzéd ghéhrfid

@araf

@ari‘ ah

Silayg gayQ-Tabarsi flayQu’l—Islém fii‘ah (_S__1}i‘ih) fiiréz

Shú§1_1tar

Simnén

Sistén Siyéh-ggél Siyyid

Sfifi

Sulaymén Sultan Sultén—Abéd Sulténu’fl—fiuhadé’ Sunni Sfiratu’l—Haykal Sfirih Sfifly-i~Damm Sfiriy-i-G_hu$n Sfifiy-i—Ra’is Sfiriy—i—Sabr

Tabarsi Tabríz Táhirih Taj alliyét Tékur Taqi Tarézét Tarbiyat Té_s___hkand Tawhid flurayyé Ṭihrán Tfimén Turkistán

‘Ulamé Unimiyyih ‘Ughmém

Vahid

Vali

Vali— ‘Ahd

Varqé

Vazir (also Vizir)

Yé Bahá’u’l—Abhá Yaḥyá Yazd

Zanj én Zarand Zaynu’l-Muqarrabin

[Page 1055]DIRECTORY, BIBLIOGRAPHY, GLOSSARY

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 1894, and was also adopted by the Council of the Royal Asiatic Society in October 1896.

Character TS IPA Character TS IPA Character TS IPA 5/ f ’ [?1 r [r] C3 f [f] w b [b] :2 z [2] L) q [q] \___.u p [p] j .41 [3] a) k [M Q; t [t] wry s [s] ,f g [g] \524 g1 [s] L)” a m J 1 [1] Z ' 1 [d3] u-D S [s] (a m [m] E *~‘ 92 w] VD d [z] ( -3 n [n] C h [h] ~23 t [t] j v [v] ‘6; Q [x] J? z [z] 53 h [h] L) d [d] f. ‘ m é y m L.) <11 [2] 8— g_h m

TS IPA Approximate pronunciation in English

a [ae] As in ‘bat’

' [0:] Between the sound in ‘sharp’ (British) or ‘shop’

(American), and that in ‘hall’

1 [8] As 1n ‘best’

1 [i:] As in ‘meet’

u [0] As in ‘shot’ (British) or ‘short’ (American)

13. [11:] As in ‘moon’

aw [00] As in ‘know’

33’ [81] As in ‘hay’

[Page 1056]

1056 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, the second 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 ‘T_abriz’ or ‘Talflsi’; 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 ‘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 ‘r’ 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 ‘Ebraheem’, ‘Islam’ is ‘Esslahm’. Short ‘u’ being like ‘0’ in ‘short’ (American) or ‘shot’ (British), and long ‘u’ like ‘00’ in ‘moon’, the following would be pronounced: ‘Quddús’ —-‘Qod—doos’; ‘Barfiirufl’JBarforoosh’.

Pronouce ‘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’: ‘gh, z, z, d’.

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

‘Zh’ is pronounced like the ‘s’ in ‘pleasure’. ‘_I§h__: is pronounced like ‘ch’ in Scottish ‘loch’ or German ‘Nacht’; do not pronounce it as ‘k’. English—speakers often experience difficulty pronouncing ‘g__’ and ‘q’; a guttural French ‘I’ 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 ease of double letters, pronounce both as in the case of the ‘nn’ in the English word ‘unneeded’, eg. “Abbés’.

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 (‘) may also be treated as a pause.

As Persian writing usually indicates no short vowel sounds and as its pronunciation differs in different localities throughout Train 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 1057]DIRECTORY, BIBLIOGRAPHY, GLOSSARY

4. DEFINITIONS OF SOME OF THE ORIENTAL TERMS USED IN Bahá’í LITERATURE

Ab Father

Abzi (See Abl’l)

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

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

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

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

Abi (See Abl'l.)

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

Abl’l, Abé, Abi Father of.

Ag_h2'1n Muslim call to prayer.

Adib Refined, cultured, learned; writer, scholar, man ofletters: title of one of the early Hands of the Cause.

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

Afnán Literally T wigs: the Báb’s kindred; specifically, descendants of His three maternal uncles and His Wife’s two brothers.

Ag_h2’1 Originally Lord, nobleman; officer, commander: placed after a woman’s name

' ghé is a courtesy title comparable With Aqé; may also form part of a compound proper name.

Ag_h§2in Literally Branches: denotes sons and male descendants of Bahá’u’lláh.

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 Covehant (of God).

Ahsanu’l—Qigag Literally The Best ofStorieS: a name for the Sfirih of Joseph. T afsz’r—iAhsanu ’l—Qisas; the Báb’s Commentary on the Sdrih of Joseph, the Qayydmu’lAsmd ’.

Akbar Greater, greatest. (See Allfih—u—Akbar; Kabir.)

Al- The definite article in Arabic.

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

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

Al—Abhz'l The Most Glorious. (See Bahá’u’lAbhá.)

‘Ali The first Imém and 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 Alláh-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(servant) , handmaid(en). Amatu’l—Bahá: Maidservant Of Bahá. Amatu’llfih: Handmaid'en of God.

Amin Faithful, trustworthy, honest; trustee: title bestowed by Bahá’u’lláh on Hájí §héh-Muhammad-i-Manflédi and Hájí Abu’l-Hasan-i—Ardikéni, first trustees of the Huqfiqu’lláh.

Amir Prince, ruler; commander, governor.

Anis Literally companion, friend, associate: appellation given by the Báb to Mirzá 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: Mister, Sir. (See Sarkér-Aqé.)

Aqdas Most Holy. (See Kitfib-i—Aqdas.)

[Page 1058]1058 THE Bahá’í WORLD

Argi Earth, land, territory. (See Séd; §hin; Sirr; Iii.)

‘Ashl'lra Tenth day of the month of Muharram, anniversary of the martyrdom of the Imam Husayn.

Asma’ Names: ninth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

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

Ayyém Days. (See Ha.)

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 §hayk_h ‘Ali of K_hurasan.

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

Babi F ollower of the Báb.

Babu’l-Báb The Gate of the Gate: title of Mullá Ḥusayn, the first Letter of the Living.

Badi‘ Wondely’ul: (1) title of Aqa Buzurg of I_(_hurasan, the seventeen-year—old bearer of Baha’u’llah’s Tablet to Nasiri’d—Din fiah; (2) style of the new ninteen—month calendar of the Bahá’í Era. (See B.E.)

Bagum Lady (afrank), dame, begum: placed after a woman’s given name Begum 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.

Baha’u’l-Abhá The Glory of the Most Glorious. Ya Bahá’u’l-Abhá! O T hou the Glory of the Most Glorious!

Baha’u’llah 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 Literally delight, gladn‘ess, joy: denotes that part of the Plain of ‘Akká where the Shrine and Mansion of Baha’u’llah are situated.

Bani—Haglim Literally Sons ofHdshim (great grandfizther ofMuhammad): clan of Quraysh from which Muhammad was descended.

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

Bayén Literally exposition, explanation, lucidily, 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-‘Adl—i—A‘zam The Supreme House of Justice: a title of the Universal House of Justice.

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

Big Literally lord, prince; governor, bey: placed after given name, Big was used as a courtesy title for middle—ranking officials. (See Qén.)

Biflarat Glad T idings: title of one of the Tablets of Baha’u’llah revealed after the Kitab-i—Aqdas.

Bismilláhi’r-Rahmani’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 flan.)

Dérfighih High constable.

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

Dawlih State, government.

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

Qhabih Literally slain, sacrificed, oflered up: (1) designation of Aqa Siyyid Isma‘fl-iZavari’i, enraptured follower of Baha’u’llah; (2) title given by Baha’u’llah to Hájí Muhammad—Ismé‘fl—i—Kéflani, ardent early teacher of the Cause.

[Page 1059]DIRECTORY, BIBLIOGRAPHY, GLOSSARY 1059

_l_)_l_1_i’b The Wolf' appellation applied by Bahá’u’lláh to Shay__kh Muhammad-Béqir who, together with Mir MuhammadHusyan (the Raqflé), precipitated the deaths of the King and Beloved of Martyrs, and instigated the martyrdom of many other Bahá’ís, particularly in Iṣfahán and Yazd. (See Mahbl’lbu’g—ghuhadé; Sulténu’flfiuhada.)

@ikr Mention, remembering; rememberance 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.)

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

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

El-Abhá (See Al-Abhá.)

Farmén Order, command, edict, royal decree.

Farragh Footman, lictor, attendant. Farrésh-Bafli The head—farragt.

Farsafl 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 Imam Husayn.

Fatvé A legal pronouncement or decree by a Muslim mufti.

Firdaws Garden; paradise.

Firmén (See Farmén.)

@usn Literally Branch: son or male descendant of Baha’u’llah. (Plural: Aghgén.)

Qusn-i-Athar The Purest Branch: title conferred by Bahá’u’lláh on Mirza Mihdi, brother of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá who died in the Most Great Prison in ‘Akká.

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

H51 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 Bahá’u’lláh in the Kitábi-Aqdas, where He also ordained that they should immediately precede the month of ‘Alé, 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.

Haditll Literally report, account; prophetic tradition: the whole body of sacred tradition of the Muslims is called the Hadig.

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

Haglrat-i-A‘lé His Holiness, The Most Exalted One: a title of the Bath.

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

Ḥaram Sanctuary, sacredprecinct or court. (S ee 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 Bahá’u’lláh.

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

Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds The Sacred F old: official title designating headquarters of Bahá’í administrative 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.

lEIill Non—sacred ground, an antonym of Ḥaram.

Howdah (See Hawdaj.)

Huj j at Literally proof argument, reason: title of Mulla Muhammad—‘Aliy-i-Zanjani, hero of the Zanj an upheaval.

Huqt’lqu’lláh Right of God: payment by the believers, instituted in the Kitab-i—Aqdas.

Husayn The third Imém, second son of ‘Ali and Fátimih, martyred on the plains of Karbilá on 10 Muharram A.H.61 (A.D.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 Bahá’u’lláh’s Most Great House in Baghdad after its forcible occupation by the shi‘ah community.

[Page 1060]1060

-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.

Imém Head, chiefi leader. (1) Muslim cleric Who leads the congregation in prayer (See Imz’im-Jum‘ih.); (2) title applied by the §hi‘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 imém 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 Hájí Mirzá Siyyid Muhammad, a maternal uncle of the Báb.

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

Ism Name. (Plural: Asmfi’.)

Ism-i-A‘zam The Greatest Name.

Ismu’llz’lh 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. J abal—i-Bfisit The Open

‘ Mountain, J abal—i—fladid The Grievous Mountain: the Báb’s allusions to the fortress of Méh-Kfi and the castle of Chiríq respectively.

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

Jalz'll Glory: second month of the Badi‘ calendar.

THE BAHA’t WORLD

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

J amédiyu’th—lhéni Sixth month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

J amél Beauty: third month of the Bach" ealendar.

J amél—i-Mubz’u‘ak Literally The Blessed Beauty: 21 title of Bahá’u’lláh.

Jihéd Literally 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 Jina’b-i— the word is 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-fludé Chief of a ward or parish in a town; headman of a Village.

Kaléntar Mayor.

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

Kalimz’it Words: seventh month of the Badi‘ calendar.

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

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.

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

Ehjldimu’llzih Servant of God: title of Mirzá Aqé J én, amanuensis of Bahá’u’lláh.

Khalifih (See Caliph.)

Qalfl Friend: (1) (See Qali’u’lláh.) (2)tit1e of Hájí Muhammad-Ibréhim—i—Qazvini, conferred on him by the Báb.

Qalflu’lláh Friend of God: title given to Abraham in the Qur’e'm.

[Page 1061]DIRECTORY, BIBLIOGRAPHY, GLOSSARY

gain (1) Prince, lord, nobleman, Chieftain: originally used as a courtesy title for officers and high-ranking officials, [Lhdn came to denote—placed after a given name—simp1y ‘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, Iihdnum is a courtesy title meaning ‘gentlewoman’ comparable with _I_{__hén.

Qiglr 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.)

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

Kull-i-Shay’ 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.

Mahbfibu’sh—§huhadé Beloved ofMarlyrs: title conferred by Bahá’u’lláh on Mirzá Muhammad-Husayn, martyred in Iṣfahán to gether with his brother, the Sulténu’fl§huhadé. (See th’b.)

Mahdi (See Mihdi.)

Makkih (See Mecca.)

Man-Yuzhiruhu’lláh He Whom God Will Make Manifest: title given by the Báb t0 the Promised One.

Marhabé Welcome! Brave! Well done!

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

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Maghhadi Style of a Muslim who has performed the pilgrimage to"Ma§had; as a title it is placed before the given‘n‘ame.

Mashiyyat Wzll: eleventh month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Mashriqu’l-Adhkár Literally The [Dawningplace Ofthe Praise of God: title designating a Bahá’í House of Worship.

Masjid Mosque. a Muslim place of worship.

Maydan 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’,Muha111mad 3 adoptive home after His flight from Mecca, and scene of the latter years oins ministry, during which His Faith spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula, and its social teachings were promulgated (See Hij rat. )

Mihdi Literally directed, guided; one Who is rightly guided The Mahdi. a designation of the Twelfth Imam; 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‘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: Mister.

Miflkin-Qalam Literally the musk-scented pen: title applied to Mirzá Husayn-iIsfahéni, a distinguished Bahá’í calligraphist.

Mu’a_t_1_hd_hin Muezzin: the one who sounds the a_(ihén, the Muslim call to prayer.

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

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

Muharram First month of the Muslim lunar calendar, the first ten days of which are obvserved by the Shi‘ahs as part of their mourning period for the Imém Husayn, Whose martyrdom occurred on the tenth day, Aflfiré.

Mujtahid Muslim doctor-of—law. Most of the mujtahids of ire’m have received their diplomas from the most eminent jurists of Karbilá and Naj af.

Mulk Dominion: eighteenth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

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

Mustaghéfl 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.

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 (N abfl—i—A‘zam), and Mullá Muhammad—i-Qé’ini (Nabfl-i—Akbar).

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

NaW-Rfiz 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.

N (H Light: fifth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

Pahlavz’m Athlete, champion: term applied to brave and muscular men.

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

PiQ—Kifl Present, tip, douceur.

Qfigli Muslim judge civil, criminal or ecclesiastic.

THE Bahá’í WORLD

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

Qalam Pen.

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

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.

Qan Speech: fourteenth month of the Badi‘ calendar. ‘

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

Qiblih Literally that which faces one; prayer-dz'rectz’on; 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’.

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

Qudrat Power: thirteenth month of the Badi‘ calendart

Qur’z’m 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 offhe Eyes: a term applied to an object of affection. (1) title conferred upon Iéhirih by Siyyid Káẓim of Rafit; (2) term used by the Báb in the Qayytfimu ’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 T hird month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

Rabi‘u’th-T_h2ini Fourth month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

Rahmat Mercy: sixth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

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

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Rajab Seventh month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

Ramadan Ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar in which the F ast is observed. Raqshjl The She-Serpent: appellation applied by Bahá’u’lláh to Mir MuhammadHusayn, the Imém-Jum‘ih of Iṣfahán, accomplice of @ayg Muhammad—Baqir.

(S ee fli’b.)

Rigivén 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. Arql-i-Séd Literally Land of Said: Iṣfahán.

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

$adr—i—A‘;am Grand Vizier,Prime1Winister.

Safar Second month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

Sahibu’z-Zamz’m Lord of the Age: one of the titles of the promised Qá’im. Ya Sail}ibu’z-Zamén! Rallying cry of the early Babis.

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

Salsabfl Pure, lz'mpz'd water: a fountain in Paradise.

Samandar Literally salamander; phoenix: a mythical creature indestructible by fire. Title bestowed by Bahá’u’lláh on Shay_kh Kazim-i-Samandar of Qazvin.

Sarkér—Aqé Literally The Honourable Master: a designation of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

§ha‘b2'm Eighth month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

_S__1_12'1h King, especially of Train.

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

flahid Martyr. (Plural: fiuhada; see Mahbfibu’fl-ghuhada; Siyyidu’shfluhadé; Sulténu’sh—Sjluhada.)

@araf Honour: sixteenth month of the Badi‘ calendar.

§hari‘at, flari‘ah Literally path, way; custom, law: Muslim canonical law.

flawél Tenth month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

@ayfl Venerable old man; tribal or village chief patriarch, sheik; learned man, elder, professor; clerical dignitaljy, superior Of dervish order. (See §hayk_hu’l-Islém.)

fiaykhi (Follower) of the school founded by §hayg 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.

flayflu’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 shah.

fli‘ah, fii‘ih Literallyfractz‘on, party, sect: partisans of ‘Ali and of his descendants as the sole lawful ‘Vicars of the Prophet’. The gi‘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.)

fii‘i, Shiite Member of the §hi‘ah (or Party) of ‘Ali; Muslim of the Shi‘ah branch oflslam.

Shin The sixteenth letter of the Persian alphabet. Arq-i-fiin Literally Land of @171: fliréz.

Sidrih Late tree. (See Sadratu’LMuntahé.)

Sirét Literally path, way; the Way of God; the Religion of God; ‘T he Bridge ’ leading to heaven. Denotes the True Faith of God.

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Sirr Secret, mysteljy. Arq-i-Sirr Literally the Land ofMystery: Adrianople.

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

Siyéh-gal Black Pit: the subterranean dungeon in Ṭihrán to which Baha’u’llah 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, lord, prince: descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.

Siyyidu’fl-fluhada Prince ofMartyrS: title of Imam Husayn.

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

Sultan Sovereigngz: (1) seventeenth month of the Badi‘ calendar; (2) king, sovereign, monarch, sultan.

Sultanu’fl-Siguhada King ofMartyrs: title conferred by Bahá’u’lláh on Mirza Muhammad-Hasan, martyred brother of the Mahbfibu’fl-fiuhada.

Sunnah Litera11y 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,Ma1ikites 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.

Sl’lrih Name of a chapter of the Qur’án; used by the Bath and Bahá’u’lláh in the titles of some of Their Own Writings.

Sfirih-i-Mulfik Stirih Of the Kings: Tablet revealed by Baha’u’llah while in Aarianop1e.

"fit The nineteenth letter of the Persian alphabet, with a numerical value of nine. Ardi-Ia Literally Land Ode: Tihran.

Táhirih Literally the Pure One: title conferred on Zarrin-Taj by Baha’u’llah at the Conference of Badasht.

Taj 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 Effulgences: title of one of the Tablets Of Bahá’u’lláh revealed after the Kitab-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.)

Tarazat Ornaments: title of one of the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh revealed after the Kitab—iAqdas.

Tl'lman Discontinued unit of Iranian currency. ,

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

Umm Mother.

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

Ustad T eacher, professor; mechanic, artisan, craftsman.

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

Vahid Literally unity; one, single, unique; the One, Indivisible God: the word, whose numerical value is nineteen, denotes: (1) a ‘unity’ or section of the Bayán. The Persian Bayán consists of nine Vahids 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 Vahid of the Babi Dispensation; (3) each cycle of nineteen years in the Badi‘ calendar. (See Kull-i-Shay’ .)

Vali Guardian.

Vali 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.

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Varaqiy-i—‘Ulyfi Literally T be Most Exalted Lea]? the Greatest Holy Leaf: title of Bahá’íyyih (or Bahíyyih) _Kh__énum, saintly daughter of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘the outstanding heroine of the Bahá’í Dispensation’.

Varqé Bird, nightingale; the Heavenly Dove.

Va’s-Salz'lm (See Salém.)

Vazir Vizir, minister (of state), vizier. Vazir-i-A‘zam: 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 irém, the estate of the expected Imém.

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

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Zédih Born; ofifypring, son: used as a suffix after a proper name it means ‘Son of —’. (See Imém-Zfidih; Mirzá.)

Zarrl’n-Téj Literally Crown ofGold: title by Which Fátimih, daughter of Mullá Sélih—iBaraqéni of Qazvin—better known as Táhirih—was designated by her family and kindred.

Zawrz'l’ A term signifying Bag_hdéd.

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 (or F avowed) Ones: title bestowed by Bahá’u’lláh on Mullá Zaynu’l-‘Abidin of Naj af—Abéd, faithful apostle and trusted scribe.