Bahá’í World/Volume 3/Definitions of Oriental Terms used in Bahá’í Literature
DEFINITIONS OF ORIENTAL TERMS USED IN BAHÁ’Í LITERATURE ARRANGED ALPHABETICALLY
‘Amá’: literally “light cloud,” symbolizes the “First Invisible Substance.”
Mi‘ráj: literally “ascent,” used with reference to Muhammad’s ascension to Heaven.
Bábí: follower of the Báb.
Bahá’í: follower of Bahá’u’lláh.
Bahá: literally “Glory,” “Splendor,” "Light.” The title given by the Báb to Bahá’u’lláh.
Bani-Háshim: the family from which Muḥammad descended.
Bayán: literally “Utterance.” Title given by the Báb to His Revelation, particularly to His Book.
Ka‘bih: the ancient shrine at Mecca, which has been a place of pilgrimage from time immemorial. Now recognized as the most holy Shrine of Islám.
“Endowed with constancy:” a title given to Prophets who revealed a book and instituted religious laws.
“Fourth Heaven:” one of the stages of the invisible Realm.
Qá’im: literally “He who shall arise.” This term denotes the promised One of Islám.
Hijírah: literally “migration.” The basis of Muḥammadan chronology. The date of Muḥammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina.
Íqán: literally “certitude.” The title of Bahá’u’lláh’s epistle to the uncle of the Báb.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá: servant of Bahá.
Báb: literally “gate.” Title assumed by Mírzá ‘Alí Muḥammad after His declaration in May, 1844.
Jaáhilíyyih: the dark age of ignorance among the Arabs before the appearance of Muḥammad.
Kitáb-i-Aqdas: literally “the most Holy Book.” Title of Bahá’u’lláh’s Book of Laws.
Mashríqu’l-Adhkár: literally “the dawning-place of the praise of God.” Title designating Bahá’í House of Worship.
Naw-rúz: literally “New Day.” Name applied to the Bahá’í New Year’s day.
Sirát: literally "bridge” or “path,” denotes the religion of God.
Tajallíyát: literally “splendors.” Title of one of the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh.
Ishráqát: literally “effulgences.” Title of one of the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh.
Kalimat: literally “words.” Title of one of the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh.
Bishárát: literally “Glad-tidings.” Title of one of the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh.
Ṭarázát: literally “ornaments.” Title of one of the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh.
Bahjí: literally “delight.” Denotes that part of the Plain of ‘Akká where the Shrine and the Mansion of Bahá’u’lláh are situated.
Aghsán: literally “branches.” Denotes sons and descendents of Bahá’u’lláh.
Afnán: literally “twigs.” Denotes the relations of the Báb.
Riḍván: the name of the custodian of Paradise. Bahá’u’lláh uses it to denote Paradise itself.
Sadratu’l-Muntahá: the name of a tree planted by the Arabs in ancient times at the end of a road, to serve as a guide. As a symbol it denotes the Manifestation of God in His Day.
Salsabíl: a fountain in Paradise.
“Seal of the Prophets”: one of the titles of Muḥammad.
“Seventh Sphere”: the highest stage of the invisible Realm. Denotes also the Manifestation of Bahá’u’lláh.
Súrah: name of the chapters of the Qur’án.
Viláyat: guardianship.
Bahá’í children of Rapsinján, Persia.
Bahá’í children of Shíráz, Persia.
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“White Path”: symbolizes the Religion of
God.
Imám: title of the twelve Shi‘ah successors of the Muḥammad. Also applied generally to Muslim religious leaders.
Isráfíl: the Angel whose function is to sound the trumpet on the Day of Judgment.
Kawthar: a river in Paradise, whence all the other rivers derive their source.
Mihidí: title of the Manifestation expected by Islám.
Mustagháth: literally “He Who is Invoked.” Denotes the cycle of every Divine Dispensation, referred to in the writings of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.
Farsakh or Farsang: a Persian road-measure. Denotes a league, about three miles.
“Guarded Tablet”: denotes the Knowledge of God and of His Manifestation.
Áqá: literally “Master.” Title given by Bahá’u’lláh to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
Sarkár-i-Áqá: literally the “Honorable Master,” applied by certain Bahá’ís to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
Yamál-i-Mubárak: literally “the Blessed Beauty,” applied by certain Bahá’ís to Bahá’u’lláh.
Yamál-i-Qidam: literally “the ancient Beauty.” Applied by certain Bahá’ís to Bahá’u’lláh.
Varaqiy-i-‘Ulyá: literally “the most exalted Leaf,” applied to Bahíyyih Khánum, sister of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
‘Urvatu’l-Vuthqá: literally “the strongest handle,” symbolic of the Faith of God.
Kalím: literally “one who discourses.”
Badí‘: literally “the wonderful.”
Sulṭánu’sh-Shuhadá’: literally “King of Martyrs.”
Amín: literally “the trusted.”
Varqá: literally “the dove.”
Nabíl: literally "noble.”
Akbar: literally “greater.”
A‘ẓam: literally “the greatest.”
Kabír: literally “great.”
Samandar: literally “the phoenix.”
Mishkín-Qalam: literally “the musk-scented pen.”
Adíb: literally “the learned.”
Zaynu’l-Muqarrabín: literally “the Ornament of the favored.”
Shahíd: literally “martyr.”