| Ancillary |
| Translit | Transcr. | Plain text | Translit | Transcr. | Plain text |
| s̤ | th | th | ẓ | ḍ | d |
| t̤ | ṭ | t | z | z | z |
| z̤ | ẓ | z | z | dh | dh |
| Plain text | Transcripted text | Word meanings & comments |
Prefixes, suffixes and links |
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Prefixes |
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| Ma- | Ma- | prefix creating nouns of place. e.g. khubz, “bread” → makhbaz, “bakery”; daras, “to study” → madrasah, “school”. |
| Mi- | Mi | prefix used to create instrument nouns. e.g. fataḥ, “to open” → miftáḥ, “key (instrument for opening)”; wazan, “to weigh” → mízán, “scales (instrument of weighing)”. |
| Mu- | Mu- | as pronoun prefix for Forms II and above—he who or those who. e.g. ḥamd, “praise” → Muḥammad, “someone who prays”. |
Links |
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| -i-, y-i- (-e, -yi-, y-e, -ye, -i) | -i-, y-i- | Persian (iḍáfa) –i- (“-e”) sound inserted in pronunciation (not represented in Persian script) at the end of one word to indicate that the following word stands in a possessive or adjectival relation to it; equivalent to “of” in English. If the noun ends in a long vowel (not a “y”) or a silent h, the link y-i- (“y-e-”) is used, e.g. Ágháy-i-Karand (formal) and Ághá Karand (informal). See iḍáfa entry. |
Suffixes |
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| dan | -dán | Pers. (suffix and prefix) denoting what holds or contains anything (i.e. container/box); know thou; (in compound) knowing, intelligent. |
| ha | “-há” | Pers. most common form of pluralization for Persian nouns. See above Persian section under Plurals heading. |
| hood | -hood | role denoted by the word it is suffixed to, usually a noun, e.g. childhood. 2. A group sharing a specified condition or state, e.g. brotherhood |
| istan | -istán | home or place |
| parast, -parastan | -parast, pl. -parastán | Pers. a non-joining suffix roughly equivalent to “ist”, frequently denoting a worshiper or follower of, but often with unpredictable meanings. Example: átish-parast, a fire-worshipper; a physician. |
| ship | -ship | English suffix of nouns denoting condition, character, office, skill, etc. |
| stan | -stán | Pers. “place of” or “country” |
| un, an, in, át | -un, -an, -in; m. pl. -ún, -án, -ín; f. pl. -át | subjective/nominative, objective/accusative and possessive/genitive singular noun case endings (respectively) where they exist See i‘ráb. |
| yy, yya (iya), yyih | -yy, fem. -yya[h or t], Pers. -yyih | nisba, a suffix used to form adjectives in Arabic grammar. Sometimes íya is used. Often denotes either a group of people who follow a certain person, or a group with a certain ideological system. The feminine nisbah is often used as a noun relating to concepts, most frequently to ones ending in “ism”, with the m. (ـِيّ) and fem. (ـِيَّة) nisbah being used as adjectival forms of the concept-noun (e.g. “ist”) depending on agreement. Thus al-ishtirákiyyah “socialism”, and ishtirákiyy (m.) and ishtirákiyyah (fem.) socialist. |
| Plain text | Transcripted text | Word meanings & comments |
| A | ||
| A’ila, ‘A’ilat, ‘Awa’il | ‘Á’ila, pl. ‘A’ilát, ‘Awá’il | family, household |
| A’ish, A’isha | ‘Á’ish, ‘Á’isha[h or t], Pers. also ‘Á’ishih | living comfortably. ‘Á’isha bint Abú Bakr, third wife of Muḥammad. Also spelt Aisha[h or t], ‘A’ishih, Aisyah, Ayesha or Ayisha. |
| A’la, ‘Ulya (Olya), ‘Ulan, A’alin, A’lahu | A‘lá, fem. ‘Ulyá, pl. ‘Ulan, A‘álin | higher, highest; upper, uppermost, exalted; ‘Álin the highest portion of something; heights, peaks (figuratively). A‘láhu further up, above. |
| A’lam, ‘Alma’ | A‘lam, fem. ‘Almá’ | more or most learned |
| A’rabi, A’rab | A‘rábí, pl. A‘ráb | an Arab of the desert, a Bedouin. This is not the “a‘rábs” (i‘ráb) in DND and MIS 1923–1957. |
| A’raj, ‘Arja, ‘Urj, ‘Urjan | A‘raj, fem. ‘Arjá, pl. ‘Urj, ‘Urján | lame, limping;—jack (in a deck of cards) |
| A’sam, ‘Asma’, ‘Usm | A‘ṣam, fem. ‘Aṣmá’, pl. ‘Uṣm | having a white foot (animal); excellent, valuable, precious |
| A’war, ‘Aura’. ‘Ur | A‘war, fem. ‘Aurá’, pl. ‘Úr | one-eyed |
| A’zam, (see Azim) | A‘ẓam, f. ‘Uẓmá, pl. A‘áẓim | greater, bigger; more significant, more important; greatest, major, supreme; most significant, paramount. Comparative form of ‘aẓuma’ (to make great). al-A‘ẓam Wáḥid “The Most Exalted One” is a title of the Báb. |
| A’zami | A‘ẓamí | Ghulám Ḥusayn A‘ẓamí |
| Ab | Áb | Pers. father (in parts of Írán). |
| Ab, Aban | Áb, pl. Ábán | Pers. water; river; largesse, gift, price. Ábán is the 8th month of the Persian solar year and 10th day of every month. Áb anbár (“cistern”) a traditional underground reservoir or cistern of drinking water in Persia. Usually underground to support the weight of water, topped with a dome and towers with wind catchers/breakers (Pers. bádgír). |
| Ab, Abu, Aba, Abi, Aba’ | Ab, pl. Ábá’ | a father (also ecclesiastical); ancestor, forefather. Abú’l- (father of; Abú, Abá and Abí (iḍáfa or partial names, nominative, accusative and genitive respectively) must be followed by another name); e.g. abú’l bashar, the father of man, Adam. |
| Aba-Basir | ‘Abá-Baṣír | Áqá Naqd-‘Alí, blind martyr from Zanján, given the name Abú-Baṣír (father of insight) by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Aba, A’bi’a, Aba’a, ‘Aba’at | ‘Abá’ (Pers. also ‘Abá), pl. A‘bi’a | ‘Abá’a(h) fem., pl. ‘Abá’át. loose outer garment, cloak, mantle. English aba or abba. |
| Abad, Abada | Abad, fem. Abada[h or t], pl. Ábád | Ar. endless, eternal, eternity without end; abadan always, forever; ever, (with negative) never (in the future). Pers. populous, thriving, prosperous, developed, inhabited; a city, building; cultivated, peopled, full of buildings and inhabitants; replenished, well filled (treasury); an open plain; good, elegant, fair, beautiful, convenient; salutation, congratulation; praise, eulogium, well done! ábád suffix used in compound Persian names of towns and inhabited areas, e.g. Alláhábád (“Abode of God”). Ábádah (Abadeh) is a city (31.163094, 52.6483765) in Fars Province, Írán. The city is 170 km north of Shiraz and 200 km SSE Iṣfahán. See Ḥadíqatu’r-Raḥmán. cf. azal. |
| Abada, ‘Ibada, ‘Ubuda, ‘Ubadiya | ‘Abada (‘Ibada, ‘Ubúda, ‘Ubádíya) | to serve, worship (a god), adore, venerate (someone, a god or human being), idolize, deify (someone); form II to enslave, enthral, subjugate, subject (someone); to improve, develop, make serviceable, make passable for traffic (a road); form V to devote oneself to the service of God; form X to enslave, enthral, subjugate (someone) |
| Abadan | Ábádán | Pers. nearly synonymous with but more emphatic than ábád, and never used in forming compounds. City (30.369238, 48.275891) in Írán to the north of Kuwait City, Kuwait. |
| Abadi | Ábádí, pl. Ábádiyán | Pers. pleasantness; a follower of Ábád or Mahábád, the first prophet sent to Persia, and alleged author of the Dasátír. |
| Abadih’i | Ábádih’í | Layla Ábádih’í, Mírzá Ḥusayn Khán Ábádih’í |
| Abahab, ‘Adhabat, A’dhiba | ‘Adháb, pl. ‘Adhábát, A‘dhiba | pain, torment, suffering, agony, torture; punishment, chastisement, castigation |
| Abarkuh (Abarqu, Abarquh, Abargu) | Abarkúh (Abar-Kúh) | city (31.129471, 53.282411) and capital of Abarkúh County, Yazd Province. 133 km SW of Yazd and 182 km NNW of Shíráz. Many variations of spelling. |
| Abasa, ‘Abs, ‘Ubs | ‘Abasa (‘Abs, ‘Ubs) | to frown, knit one’s brows; to glower, lower, scowl, look sternly |
| Abayd (Abaid), Bayda’, Bid, Bidan | Abayḍ, fem. Bayḍá’, pl. Bíḍ | (Abayze, Bayze) white; bright; clean, shiny, polished; blameless, noble, sincere (character); empty, blank (sheet of paper);—pl. al-bíḍán the white race; bayáḍ al-bíḍ white of egg, albumen. ad-dár al-Bayḍá’ “the white house”, Casablanca. Ni‘matu’lláh Dhuká’í Bayḍá’í (“The Blessing of God, Intelligent and Radiant”) is a pseudonym used by Karím Khán-i-Máfí, a famous Bahá’í author from Qazvín. Author of Tadhkiríy-i-Shu‘aray-i-Qarn-i-Awwal-i-Bahá’í (“Memoirs of the Poets of the First Bahá’í Century”). |
| Abaziya (Abazi, Abazih) | Abáẓíya[h or t] | the Republic of Abkhazia (capital Sukhumi), is a partially recognized state in the South Caucasus, on the Black Sea, north of Georgia. The Abaza family in Egypt originally came from Abaza, Russia. They were known as the “family of the pashas”. Abáẓih Páshá was a governor of ‘Akká during the time of Bahá’u’lláh, but Bahá’u’lláh would not meet him. |
| Abbas | ‘Abbás | the lion, also stern looking, formidable, stentorian. Derived from ‘abasa, originally meaning a furious lion, hence with a lion’s characteristics. al-‘Abbás ibn ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib; c. 568—c. 653) was paternal uncle and companion of Muḥammad, just three years older than his nephew. A wealthy merchant who protected Muḥammad while He was in Mecca, but only became a convert after the Battle of Baḍr in 624. His descendants founded the Abbasid Caliphate (al-Khiláfah al-‘Abbásíyah) in 750. His son, ‘Abd Alláh ibn ‘Abbás (c. 619–687), also known simply as Ibn ‘Abbás, was an early Qur’anic scholar and a nephew of Maymúnah ibnat al-Ḥárith al-Hilálíyah (c. 594–673)—she married Muhammad. |
| Abbas Abad, Abbas-Abad, Abbasabad | ‘Abbás Ábád, ‘Abbás-Ábád, ‘Abbásábád | villages in Írán: Caspian Sea coast and a part of Ṭihrán. |
| Abbas-‘Ali | ‘Abbás-‘Alí | Ḥájí Mullá ‘Abbás-‘Alí |
| Abbas-i-Nuri | ‘Abbás-i-Núrí | Mírzá ‘Abbás-i-Núrí or Mírzá Buzurg, Vazír-i-Núrí, Bahá’u’lláh’s father |
| Abbas-Quli Khan-i-Larijani | ‘Abbás-Qulí Khán-i-Laríjání | sniper who killed Mullá Ḥusayn, 1 February 1849. |
| Abbasi, Abbasiyyun, Abbasiyan | ‘Abbásí, pl. ‘Abbásiyyún, Per. ‘Abbásiyán | (“Abbassian”) Abbaside, descendant of al-‘Abbás, uncle of Muḥammad. Pl. the princes of the house of ‘Abbás, the Abbasides. ‘Alí Akbar ‘Abbásiyán, from Ishqábád, he had a horse carriage custom made and sent as a gift to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Now located within the compound of the house of ‘Abdu’lláh Páshá. |
| Abbasiya, 'Abbasiyya | ‘Abbásíya[h or t] | Pers. ‘Abbásiyya[h or t]. Fem. of ‘Abbásí. al-Khiláfah al-‘Abbásíyah, Abbasid (Abbaside) Caliphs (750–861). al-‘Abbásíya[h or t], formerly al-Yahúdíya[h or t], former Palestinian village, now Israeli city of Yehud. |
| Abbud | ‘Abbúd | devoted or obedient worshipper of God. Derived from ‘abada. Ilyás ‘Abbúd was a Christian merchant of ‘Akká. His house in ‘Akká (32.921563, 35.067297) is joined on the eastern side to the smaller house of ‘Údí Khammár. The common wall has been opened. Both are now known as the House of ‘Abbúd. |
| Abd Allah, ‘Abdu’llah | ‘Abd Alláh, ‘Abdu’lláh | (Abdallah, Abdillah, Abdullah, Abdo’llah) “Servant of God” |
| Abd an-Nabi | ‘Abd an-Nabí | Shaykh ‘Abd an-Nabí (d. 1583) served as ṣadr aṣ-ṣudúr (1566 and 1579), the head officer in charge of madad-i ma‘ash grants (revenue of tax-free lands given in charity to religious or worthy individuals) and of the appointment of judges throughout the Mughal empire. |
| Abd Manaf (Abdu Manaf), Abd-i-Manaf | ‘Abd Manáf, Pers. ‘Abd-i-Manáf | name of an Arab tribe |
| Abd, ‘Abid, ‘Ubdan, ‘Ibad | ‘Abd, pl. ‘Abíd, ‘Ubdán, ‘Ibád | slave, serf; bondsman, servant, worshipper (as a servant of God);—(pl. ‘ibád) servant (of God), human being, man. al-‘ibád humanity, mankind. Names as plurals (“worshippers”) of ‘Abd: ‘Abdín, ‘Abadín, ‘Abidín (“‘Abdin, ‘Abadin, ‘Abidin”). |
| Abda, ‘Abdat | ‘Abda, pl. ‘Abdát | woman slave, slave girl, bondwoman |
| Abda’ | Abda‘ | more amazing, more exceptional; of even greater originality. See Badí‘ |
| Abd-i-Hadir | ‘Abd-i-Ḥáḍir | “Servant in Attendance” |
| Abdar | Ábdár | Pers. watery, moist, juicy; of a good water (as a diamond or a sword); a keeper of water, a servant whose office is to keep water cool (hence water-carrier or butler); keen, sharp; glancing, dazzling, resplendent; flowing (verse); a sociable and convivial man; a man of understanding, reflection or wealth; a species of plant resembling the fibres of a palm-tree |
| Abdu’dh-Dhikr | ‘Abdu’dh-Dhikr | “the Servant of Remembrance”—a designation of the Báb |
| Abdu’l-... (“Abdil”, “Abdul”, etc.) | ‘Abdu’l-... | this is not a name or word, it is an iḍáfa or partial name [‘Abdu (slave or servant) + ’l (the) = slave or servant of the …] followed by the second part of the name (e.g. of God, ‘Abd Alláh or ‘Abdu’lláh). The same applies where the “l” is replaced by a sun letter reflecting the first letter of the second part of the name if it starts with one of the sun letters (e.g. ‘Abdu’s-Salám). |
| Abdu’l-‘Ali | ‘Abdu’l-‘Alí | |
| Abdu’l-‘Aliy-i-Harati | ‘Abdu’l-‘Alíy-i-Harátí | |
| Abdu’l-‘Azim | ‘Abdu’l-‘Aẓím | |
| Abdu’l-‘Azim-i-Khu’i | ‘Abdu’l-‘Aẓím-i-Khu’í | |
| Abdu’l-‘Aziz | ‘Abdu’l-‘Azíz | (1830–1876) Sulṭán of the Ottoman Empire |
| Abdu’l-Ahad | ‘Abdu’l-Aḥad | “servant of the only one”, a title of Mírzá Hádí Shírází, who served Bahá’u’lláh in ‘Akká |
| Abdu’l-Baghi | ‘Abdu’l-Baghí | Mírzá ‘Abdu’l Baghí, father of Mírzá Aḥmad Suhráb (known as Mirza Ahmad Sohrab) |
| Abdu’l-Baha | ‘Abdu’l-Bahá | “the Servant of Glory” (i.e. servant of Bahá). ‘Abbás Afandí (“Effendi”) (23 May 1844–28 November 1921). He initialled his correspondence, Tablets, etc., with the letters ع ع (‘Ayn ‘Ayn, A.A.). After the theft of His Seal, he signed with His name. Following the passing of Bahá’u’lláh he asked to be known as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Wife Munírih Khánum. 4 daughters: Ḍíyá’íyyih (mother of Shoghi Effendi), Ṭúbá, Rúḥá and Munavvar. The Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (under construction, 2020–2022) is a low dome with gently sloping sides within a 170 m circle of gardens on the NW side of the Riḍván Garden to the east of ‘Akká. |
| Abdu’l-Baqi | ‘Abdu’l-Baqi | “servant of the everlasting” |
| Abdu’l-Baqir | ‘Abdu’l-Báqir | |
| Abdu’l-Fattah | ‘Abdu’l-Fattáḥ | “Servant of the Conqueror” (not Faṭṭáḥ) |
| Abdu’l-Ghaffar | ‘Abdu’l-Ghaffár | (MF) |
| Abdu’l-Ghani | ‘Abdu’l-Ghaní | |
| Abdu’l-Ghani Baydun | ‘Abdu’l-Ghaní Bayḍún | |
| Abdu’l-Hadi | ‘Abdu’l-Hádí | |
| Abdu’l-Hamid | ‘Abdu’l-Ḥamíd | ‘Abdu’l-Ḥamíd Khán (1842–1918), Sulṭán of the Ottoman Empire. Nephew and successor of ‘Abdu’l-‘Azíz (both responsible for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s 40 year imprisonment). Known as the “Great Assassin”. |
| Abdu’l-Haqq | ‘Abdu’l-Ḥaqq | |
| Abdu’l-Husayn | ‘Abdu’l-Ḥusayn | |
| Abdu’l-Husayn-i-Shushtari | ‘Abdu’l-Ḥusayn-i-Shushtarí | |
| Abdu’l-Jalil | ‘Abdu’l-Jalíl | |
| Abdu’l-Javad | ‘Abdu’l-Javád | |
| Abdu’l-Karim | ‘Abdu’l-Karím | |
| Abdu’l-Karim-i-Iravani | ‘Abdu’l-Karím-i-Íravání | |
| Abdu’l-Karim-i-Qazvini | ‘Abdu’l-Karím-i-Qazvíní | |
| Abdu’l-Karim-i-Tihrani | ‘Abdu’l-Karím-i-Ṭihrání | |
| Abdu’l-Khaliq | ‘Abdu’l-Kháliq | “Servant of the Creator” |
| Abdu’l-Khaliq-i-Isfahani | ‘Abdu’l-Kháliq-i-Iṣfahání | he cut his throat when Ṭáhirih put aside her veil at the conference of Badasht |
| Abdu’l-Khaliq-i-Yazdi | ‘Abdu’l-Kháliq-i-Yazdí | |
| Abdu’l-Majid | ‘Abdu’l-Majíd | Sulṭán of the Ottoman Empire (1823–1861) |
| Abdu’l-Majid-i-Nishaburi | ‘Abdu’l-Majíd-i-Níshábúrí | |
| Abdu’l-Majid-i-Shirazi | ‘Abdu’l-Majíd-i-Shírází | |
| Abdu’l-Malik | ‘Abdu’l-Malik | Fifth Umayyad Caliph |
| Abdu’l-Muhammad | ‘Abdu’l-Muḥammad | |
| Abdu’l-Muttalib | ‘Abdu’l-Muṭṭalib | |
| Abdu’l-Qadir | ‘Abdu’l-Qádir | BKG 124 |
| Abdu’l-Vahhab-i-Qazvini | ‘Abdu’l-Vahháb-i-Qazvíní | |
| Abdu’l-Vahhab-i-Sha’rani | ‘Abdu’l-Vahháb-i-Sha‘rání | |
| Abdu’l-Vahhab-i-Shirazi | ‘Abdu’l-Vahháb-i-Shírází | Pers. Mírzá ‘Abdu’l-Vahhab-i-Shírází, martyred in Ṭihrán |
| Abdu’l-Vahhab-i-Turshizi | ‘Abdu’l-Vahháb-i-Turshízí | |
| Abdu’l-Vasi’ | ‘Abdu’l-Vási‘ | |
| Abdu’llah ibn Abd al-Muttalib | ‘Abdu’lláh ibn Abd al-Muṭṭalib | father of the Prophet Muḥammad (b. 546) |
| Abdu’llah ibn Ubayy | ‘Abdu’lláh ibn Ubayy ibn Salúl | a powerful Medinite chief and a bitter opponent of Muḥammad, whose hopes of sovereignty were defeated when the Medinites asked Muḥammad to rule over them. He was the leader of the Hypocrites (munáfiqún) who secretly resisted Muḥammad at Medina. |
| Abdu’llah Khan-i-Turkaman | ‘Abdu’lláh Khán-i-Turkamán | a commander of forces attacking at Shaykh Ṭabarsí (he was killed during the conflict) |
| Abdu’llah Pasha | ‘Abdu’lláh Páshá | his house in ‘Akká is now a Bahá’í centre. Grid co-ordinates 32.923799, 35.068098 |
| Abdu’llah Yusuf ‘Ali | ‘Abdu’lláh Yúsuf ‘Alí | (1872-1952) Indian barrister and translator of the Qur’án: The Meaning of the Holy Qur’án. |
| Abdu’llah-i-Ghawgha’ | ‘Abdu’lláh-i-Ghawghá’ | |
| Abdu’llah-i-Qazvini | ‘Abdu’lláh-i-Qazvíní | |
| Abdu’r-Rahim-i-Qannad | ‘Abdu’r-Raḥím-i-Qannád | |
| Abdu’r-Rahim-i-Yazdi | ‘Abdu’r-Raḥím-i-Yazdí | (MF) |
| Abdu’r-Rahman Afandi Alusi | ‘Abdu’r-Raḥmán Afandí Álúsí | |
| Abdu’r-Rahman-i-Karkuti | ‘Abdu’r-Raḥmán-i-Kárkútí | |
| Abdu’r-Rasul-i-Qumi | ‘Abdu’r-Rasúl-i-Qumí | |
| Abdu’r-Razzaq | ‘Abdu’r-Razzáq | |
| Abdu’s-Sahib | ‘Abdu’ṣ-Ṣáḥib | |
| Abdu’s-Salam | ‘Abdu’s-Salám | |
| Abdu’s-Salih | ‘Abdu’ṣ-Ṣáliḥ | the Gardener of the Riḍván Garden, ‘Akká |
| Abdu’s-Samad | ‘Abdu’ṣ-Ṣamad | (Sammad) |
| Abdu’s-Samad-i-Hamadani | ‘Abdu’ṣ-Ṣamad-i-Hamadání | |
| Abdu’sh-Shams, ‘Abd Shams | ‘Abdu’sh-Shams or ‘Abd Shams | ‘Abd Shams ibn ‘Abd Manáf was the oldest son of ‘Abd Manáf al-Mughírah ibn Quṣayy (great-great-grandfather of Muḥammad through his son Háshim) and grandson of Quṣayy ibn Kiláb. |
| Abduhu (‘Abduh) | ‘Abduhu | (from aná ‘abdu-hu) (I am) his servant or slave. Muḥammad ‘Abduh (1849–1905) an Egyptian Islamic jurist, religious scholar and liberal reformer, a key founding figure of Islamic Modernism, sometimes called Neo-Mu’tazilism after the medieval Islamic school of theology based on rationalism, Mu’tazila. He broke the rigidity of the Muslim ritual, dogma and family ties. He was a Freemason and had a close relationship with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Bahá’í Faith. See Salafíya |
| Abdus, ‘Ubdus | ‘Abdús, ‘Ubdús | ‘abdús = ‘abd aws (gift) alláh (ú from w).This is a theophoric name (from Greek: “bearing or carrying a god”) where the final sound(s) (the apocopate) are omitted.‘Abdús ibn Abí ‘Uthmán |
| Abgusht, Ab-Gusht (Abi-Gusht) | Ábgúsht, Áb-Gúsht | Pers. (“abgoosht”, “abi-Gosht”) gravy, broth, stew |
| Abha | Abhá | more splendid, more brilliant. “Most Glorious”. al-Abhá (El-Abha) “The Most Glorious”. Abhá Beauty—Jamál-i-Abhá—a title of Bahá’u’lláh. Abhá Kingdom—The Most Glorious Kingdom (also Abhá Paradise). See Alláh-u-Abhá and Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá |
| Abhal, Ubhul, Abhala | Abhal, Pers. Ubhul, fem. Abhala(h) | savin (Juniperus sabina; botanical) or Persian the seed of the mountain cypress, or juniper; juniper berries; mountain cypress |
| Abhar | Abhar | Ar. more brilliant, more magnificent |
| Abhar | Abhar | Pers. a water-mill; a vein in the back, the jugular vein; the back of a bow. Abhar, now a city (36.146396, 49.222503), is on the road between Zanján and Qazvín. Ḥájí Mírzá Muḥammad-Taqíy-i-Abharí is known as Ibn-i-Abhar, Hand of the Cause of God. |
| Abi-Ghafray-i-Ta’i | Abí-Ghafráy-i-Ṭá’í | Pers. (see Ṭayy’). See SDC 48. |
| Abi-Quhafih | Abí-Quḥáfih | The Dawn-Breakers liv |
| Abid, Abidun, ‘Ubbad, ‘Abada | ‘Ábid, pl. ‘Ábidún, ‘Ubbád, ‘Abada | an adorer, or servant of God; worshipper—used in conjunction with Zayn. |
| Abir | ‘Ábir, pl. ‘Ábirún | passing; crossing, traversing, etc.; fleeting (smile); transient, transitory, ephemeral; bygone, past, elapsed (time);—pl. passerby. ‘ábir ṭaríq wanderer, wayfarer. See Áwárih |
| Abiward, Abivard | Abíward, Abívard | Pers. now Dargaz, Raḍawí Khurásán Province, Írán |
| Abiy | Abíy | disdainful, scornful; proud, lofty, lofty-minded |
| Abjad | Abjad | “alphabet”. The word consists of the first four (in original order) consonants (alíf, bá’, jím and dál) of the Arabic alphabet. Abjab is a writing system, e.g. Arabic, in which only consonants are represented. Abjab is also used as a term for the Arabic numeral system, where each consonant has an abjad numerical value. |
| Abraha al-Ashram | ‘Abraha(h) al-‘Ashram | (“Abraha al-Ashram”) an Abyssinian prince, who built a Christian church in Ṣaná‘ to rival the Ka‘ba at Mecca. According to traditional Arab belief, he made an unsuccessful attack with his forces of elephants to destroy the Ka‘ba CE 570 (known as the year of the elephant and date of the birth of Muḥammad). |
| Absat | Absaṭ | simpler; wider, more extensive |
| Abtah, Abatih | Abṭaḥ, pl. Abaṭiḥ | flat, level;—pl. basin-shaped valley, wide bed of a wádí. al-Abṭaḥ is a wide valley that extends between Makkah and Miná. Muḥammad stopped here on His Ḥijjatu’l-Wadá‘ (Farewell Ḥajj) in AH 10. |
| Abtar | Abtar | curtailed, docked, clipped, trimmed; imperfect, defective, incomplete; without offspring. See root batara. |
| Abu ‘Abdu’llah ash-Shi’i | Abú ‘Abdu’lláh ash-Shí‘í | Abú ‘Abd Alláh al-Ḥusayn ibn Aḥmad ibn Zakaríya ash-Shí‘í (died 911) was a Da‘í (missionary) for the Isma‘ilis in Yemen and North Africa |
| Abu ‘Ali | Abú ‘Alí | |
| Abu ‘Amir al-Ashari | Abú ‘Ámir al-Asharí | father of Ḥanẓala |
| Abu ‘Imran Musa ibn Maymun | Abú ‘Imrán Músá ibn Maymún | Maimonides (originally Moshe ben Maimon) |
| Abu al-‘Ala’ (Abul A’la) | Abú al-‘Alá’ (أبو العلاء) | “father of glory” (“Abul A‘lá”) |
| Abu ad-Dawahi | Abú ad-Dawáhí | “Father of Iniquities”, Abú Bakr. See Dáhiya. |
| Abu al-Fida’, Abu’l-Fida’ | Abú al-Fidá’, Pers. Abu’l-Fidá’ | Abú al-Fidá’ Ismá‘íl ibn ‘Alí ibn Maḥmud al-Malik al-Mu’ayyad ’Imád ad-Dín (1273–1331), better known in English as Abulfeda, was a Kurdish historian, geographer and local governor of Hama. He was a prince of the Ayyubid dynasty and the author of The memoirs of a Syrian prince: Abu’l-Fidáʼ, Sulṭán of Ḥamáh. The moon crater, Abulfeda, is named after him. |
| Abu Dharr al-Ghifari al-Kinani | Abú Dharr al-Ghifárí al-Kinání | (“Abouzar”, “Abudhar”, “Abu-Dhar Ghefan”) (also known as Jundab bin Junádah bin Sufyán al-Ghifárí) (590–653) illiterate shepherd (of the Banú Ghifár,a Jewish tribe) who became a companion (4th or 5th) of Muḥammad and a companion of Imám ‘Alí |
| Abu Jahl | Abú Jahl | “father of ignorance”. Amr ibn Hishám ibn al-Mughíra, a leader of the polytheistic Quraysh tribe’s Banú Makhzúm clan. Abú-Jahl was the uncle of Muḥammad and his greatest enemy. He was known as Abu’l-Ḥikam (the father of wisdoms); but for his envy and opposition, Muḥammad named him, Abú-Jahl for his stringent opposition to Muḥammad. See ‘Ikrima. |
| Abu Nuwas | Abú Nuwáṣ (usually given as “Nuwás”) | nickname (“father of the forelocks”) of al-Ḥasan ibn Hání (Háni’) al-Ḥakamí (756–814), was a classical Arabic poet. See náṣiya and háni’. |
| Abu Sinan (Abu-Sinan, Abou Senan) | Abú Sínán (Abú-Sínán) | “Father of the teeth”. a Druze village (Hebrew Abu Snan) about 7.5 km east of Bahjí and 4 km west the Druze village of Yarká (Yirká) |
| Abu-‘Umar-‘Uthman | Abú-‘Umar-‘Uthmán | |
| Abu-Bakr | Abú-Bakr | first Muslim caliph, Abú Bakr ‘Abdalláh bin Abí Quḥáfah, called aṣ-Ṣiddíq by Muḥammad. |
| Abu-Bakri’s-Siddiq | Abú-Bakri’ṣ-Ṣiddíq | Abú-Bakri’ṣ-Ṣiddíq-ibn-i-Abí-Quḥáfa, the first caliph, CE 632–634 |
| Abu-Hanifa, Abu-Hanifih | Abú-Ḥanífa (or Ḥanífih) an-Nu‘mán | famous Persian theologian and jurist |
| Abu-Ja’far-i-Tusi | Abú-Ja‘far-i-Ṭúsí | follower of Imám Ṣádiq who handed down his traditions |
| Abu-Jahl | Abú-Jahl | (Abudjahl) (“father of ignorance”) Abu’l-Ḥakam ‘Amr Ibn Hishám |
| Abu-Nasr Muhammad al-Farabi | Abú-Naṣr Muḥammad al-Fárábí | (Alpharabius in the West) Persian philosopher and writer (c. 872–between 14 December 950 and 12 January 951) |
| Abu-Rahim | Abú-Raḥím | |
| Abu-Sufyan | Abú-Sufyán | Ṣakhr ibn Ḥarb, more commonly known as Abú Sufyán (580–640), was the leader of the Quraysh of Mecca, the most powerful tribe of pre-Islamic Arabia. He was a staunch opponent of Muḥammad, until later accepting Islám and becoming a warrior later in his life during the early Muslim conquests. |
| Abu-Talib | Abú-Ṭálib | Abú-Ṭálib, Mullá. Sons ‘Alí Ashraf and Áqá Bálá |
| Abu-Talib-i-Sang-Sari | Abú-Ṭálib-i-Sang-Sarí | Siyyid Abú-Ṭálib-i-Sang-Sarí (The Dawn-Breakers, p. 426 |
| Abu-Talib-i-Shahmirzadi | Abú-Ṭálib-i-Shahmírzádí | |
| Abu-Turab | Abú-Turáb | |
| Abu-Turab-i-Qazvini | Abú-Turáb-i-Qazvíní | |
| Abu’d-Dawahi | Abu’d-Dawáhí | Father of Misfortunes |
| Abu’l-Bashar | Abu’l-Bashar | “the father of man”—one of the titles given by Muslims to Adam |
| Abu’l-Fadl (Gulpaygani, Gulpayigani) | Abu’l-Faḍl | Mírzá Muḥammad Gulpáygání (also Gulpáyigání) (1844–1914) (pseudonym Abu’l-Faḍl—“Father or progenitor of Virtue”) was the foremost Baháʼí scholar who helped spread the Baháʼí Faith in Egypt, Turkmenistan, and the United States. He is one of the few Apostles of Baháʼu’lláh who never met Baháʼu’lláh. ʻAbdu’l-Bahá addressed him as Abu’l-Faḍá’il (“Progenitor of all Virtues” or “Father of all Excellences”). |
| Abu’l-Fath-i-Shahristani | Abu’l-Fatḥ-i-Shahristání | |
| Abu’l-Fida | Abu’l-Fidá’ | |
| Abu’l-Futuh | Abu’l-Futúḥ | (“the Father of Victories”) name given to Enoch Olinga by Shoghi Effendi |
| Abu’l-Hasan-i-Ardikani | Abu’l-Ḥasan-i-Ardikání, Mullá | Hájí Amín, Amín-i-Iláhí (“Trustee of God”) (Trustee of Ḥuqúqu’lláh) |
| Abu’l-Hasan-i-Bazzaz | Abu’l-Ḥasan-i-Bazzáz | |
| Abu’l-Hikam | Abu’l-Ḥikam | “the Father of Wisdoms”. See Ḥikma |
| Abu’l-Huda | Abu’l-Hudá, Shaykh | |
| Abu’l-Qasim-i-Hamadani | Abu’l-Qásim-i-Hamadání | |
| Abu’l-Qasim-i-Kashi | Abu’l-Qásim-i-Káshí | a learned Bábí from Káshán (Abu’l Káẓim) |
| Abu’l-Qasim-i-Khurasani | Abu’l-Qásim-i-Khurásání | |
| Abu’l-Qasim-i-Mazkani | Abu’l-Qásim-i-Mazkání | |
| Abu’l-Qasim-i-Qa’im-Maqam | Abu’l-Qásim-i-Qá’im-Maqám | |
| Abu’l-Qasim-i-Shirazi | Abu’l-Qásim-i-Shírází | |
| Abu’l-Qasim-ibn-i-Haji-Zayna | Abu’l-Qásim-ibn-i-Ḥájí-Zayná | |
| Abu’sh-Shurur | Abu’sh-Shurúr | “the father of iniquities or wickedness” (EGB, Balyuzi) |
| Abuqir, Abu Qir | Abúqír, now spelt Abú Qír | is a town (31.311532, 30.060205) visited by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on the coast 18 NE of Alexandria, Egypt |
| Abwa | al-Abwá’ | village 34 km NE of Rábigh (a town on the Red Sea coast) |
| Abwab al-Arba’ah, Abwab-i-Arba’ih | al-Abwáb al-Arba‘a[h] | (Pers. Abwáb-i-Arba‘ih or Abváb-i-Arba‘ih) “the Four Gates” for the Twelfth Imám. See Arba‘ and an-Nuwwáb al-‘Arba’a[h]. |
| Abyan | Abyan | clearer, more distinct, more obvious. Root bána, bayán |
| Ad | ‘Ád | Traditionally, a fourth generation descendant of Noah; an ancient Arabian tribe |
| Ad’iyah wa Munajat | Ad‘iyah (Ad‘iyyih) wa Munáját | “Prayers and Supplications” by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Ada, ‘Adat, ‘Awa’id, ‘Adatan | ‘Áda(t), pl. ‘Ádát, ‘Awá’id | habit, wont, custom, usage, practice; ‘Ádatan usually, customarily, ordinarily, habitually;—pl. ‘Awá’id taxes, duties; charges, fees, rates |
| Ada’ | ‘Adá’ | enmity, hostility, antagonism, animosity; aggression |
| Adab | Adab, pl. Ádáb | culture, refinement; good breeding, good manners, social graces, decorum, decency, propriety, seemliness; humanity, humaneness; the humanities; belles-lettres |
| Adall | Aḍall | more or most astray; more or most tending to lead astray |
| Adalla | Aḍalla | “to leave in error or lead astray” |
| Adam | Ádam | Adam, father of mankind. Abjad value is 45. |
| Adarisa | Adárisa(h) | the Idrisids (al-Adárisah) were an Arab Muslim dynasty of Morocco (788–974), founded by Idrís I. The Idrisids are considered the founders of the first Moroccan state. |
| Adasi | ‘Adasí | lenticular |
| Adasiya, Adasiyyih | ‘Adasíya[h], Pers. ‘Adasiyyih | now a town (32.666810, 35.623901) in Jordan 17 km SE of Tiberias. This is the resting place of a half brother of Bahá’u’lláh, and one of three villages (he purchased land in 1901) where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá grew corn and wheat during World War I. See as-Samrá and an-Nuqayb. |
| Addas | ‘Addás | (‘adás, lentil(s)) was a young Christian slave boy (originally from Nineveh, an ancient Assyrian city) who lived in Ṭá’if during the time of Muḥammad. He is believed to be the first person from the western province of Ṭá’if to convert to Islam. |
| Adhab-i-Qabr | ‘Adháb-i-Qabr | chastisement in the grave |
| Adham, Dahma’, Duhm | Adham, fem. Dahmá’, pl. Duhm | black, deep-black. Note Adham (ادهم, d-h-m) has the consonants d and h, not dh. |
| Adhan | Ádhán (variation Adhán) | announcing, giving notice; the signal for summoning to prayers, by the mu’adhdhin (mu’azzin) or crier, from the minarets or towers of the mosques; listening to. “I bear witness that Muḥammad is the Messenger of Alláh.” At the request of the Báb, Mullá Ṣádiq-i-Muqaddas added after the ádhán: “I bear witness that He whose name is ‘Alíy-Qabl-i-Muḥammad [‘Alí preceding Muḥammad, the Báb] is the servant of the Baqíyyatu’lláh [the “Remnant of God”, Bahá’u’lláh].” |
| Adhan, Adha | Aḍḥan, Aḍḥá[h] | (collective; nomen unitatis Aḍḥáh) slaughter animal, blood sacrifice, immolation. ‘Íd al-Aḍḥá “Festival of Sacrifice”. |
| Adhar (Azar), Adhur (Azur) | Ádhar, Ádhur | Pers. fire; and the 9th Persian solar month and the ninth day of every month |
| Adhar-bad-gan | Ádhar-bád-gán | Pers. a fire-temple. Evolution of name: Ádharbádhagn, Ádharbádgán, Ázarbáydján (New Persian) and present-day Ázarbayján (Azerbaijan). See Ádharbayján. |
| Adharbayjan, Adhirbayjan | Ádharbayján, (Ázarbayján) | Pers. “land of fire” or “land of fire guardians”. Azerbaijan is a region consisting of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Iranian Azerbaijan (north-western provinces of West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan and Ardabil. Alternatives: Ádhirbayján, Ázarbayján, Ázarbaygán. |
| Adharbayjani, Adhirbayjani | Ádharbayjání, (Ázarbayjání) | Pers. official language in Ádharbayján |
| Adhari, Adhariyan | Ádharí, pl. Ádhariyán | Pers. native of Ádharbayján (Ázarí, pl. Ázariyán) |
| Adi | ‘Ádí | customary, usual, common, ordinary, normal, regular; undistinguished, run-of-the-mill; ordinary, regular (e.g., meeting, as opposed to extraordinary, special, emergency); simple, plain, ordinary (man); old, ancient, antique |
| Adib | Ádib | host |
| Adib, Adiba, Udaba’ | Adíb, fem. Adíba, pl. Udabá’ | cultured, refined, educated; well-bred, well-mannered, civil, urbane; a man of culture and refined tastes; man of letters, writer, author (superlative form of ‘Aduba’ [to learn]) |
| Adibu’l-‘Ulama’ | Adíbu’l-‘Ulamá’ | littérateur or literary man of the ‘Ulamá’. Title given to Mírzá Muḥammad Ḥasan, known as Adíb, Hand of the Cause of God. |
| Adil (‘Adilih), ‘Adila, ‘Adawl | ‘Ádil, fem. ‘Ádila, pl. ‘Adawl | just, fair, equitable; upright, honest, straightforward, righteous. Persian fem. also ‘Ádilih |
| Adil Abad (Adel Abad, ‘Adilabad) | ‘Ádil Ábád (‘Ádilábád) | Zindán ‘Ádil Ábád (or Shiraz Central Prison) in Shíráz (29.576725, 52.506803) |
| Adirna, Adirnih, Adarnah | Adirna[h or t], Pers. Adirnih, T. Adarnah | Hadrianopolis (Greek), Adrianople (English), now known as Edirne. Same numerical value (260=+5+200+4+1 ادرنة,), as Sirr (60+200, “Mystery”). See Adrianople and Arḍ as-Sirr. |
| Adiya, ‘Adiyat, ‘Awadin | ‘Ádiya, pl. ‘Ádiyát, ‘Awádin | wrong, offense, misdeed, outrage; adversity, misfortune, reverse; obstacle, impediment, obstruction;—pl. vicissitudes. Root ‘adá’ |
| Adja’ | Adjá‘ | father of Qarád SDC 49 |
| Adl, ‘Udul | ‘Adl, pl. ‘Udúl | straightness, straightforwardness; justice, impartiality; fairness, equitableness, probity, honesty, uprightness; equitable composition, just compromise;—(pl.) just, equitable, fair, upright, honest; person of good reputation, person with an honourable record (Islamic Law); juristic adjunct assigned to a cadi (Maghrib) |
| Adliya | ‘Adlíya | justice, administration of justice, jurisprudence |
| Adna, Dunya, Adanin, Adnun | Adná, fem. Dunyá | pl. m. Adánin, Adnún, fem. Dunan) nearer, closer; situated lower down, nether; lower, inferior; lowlier; smaller, of less significance; more appropriate, better suited, more suitable. Femine: world; earth; this world (as opposed to al-úlá (“pre-existence”) and al-ákhira (“afterlife”)); life in this world, worldly existence; worldly. temporal things or possessions; earthly things or concerns. See Awwal and Ákhira entries. |
| Adrianople | Adrianople | now Edirne. See Adirna. |
| Adu’dh-Dhikr | ‘Adu’dh-Dhikr | Ar. Servant of the Remembrance. A designation of the Báb. |
| Adud (‘Azud), A’dad | ‘Aḍud, pl. A’ḍád | help, aid, assistance, support, backing; helper, aide, assistant, supporter, backer. (pl.) upper arm; strength, power, vigour, force |
| Adudu’d-Dawlih | ‘Aḍudu’d-Dawlih | (CE 978–983) |
| Aduw, A’da’, ‘Idan, ‘Udan, ‘Udah, A’adin | ‘Aduw, pl. A‘dá’, ‘Idan, ‘Udan, ‘Udáh | (pl. also A‘ádin; fem. ‘Adúwa, “‘Aduwa”) enemy |
| Afaf, ‘Iffa | ‘Afáf = ‘Iffa[h or t] | abstinence, continence, virtuousness, virtue, chastity, decency; purity; modesty; integrity, probity, honesty, uprightness, righteousness. ‘Iffat, a daughter of Badí‘u’lláh. See ‘Affa |
| Afandi (Efendi, Effendi) | Afandí, pl. Afandíyá | from Turkish efendi (pronounced effendi), title of nobility meaning a lord, master or gentleman (after the name, when referring to non-Europeans wearing Western clothes and the tarboosh). It designates a higher rank than Big. |
| Afdal, Fudla, Afdalun, Afadil, Fudlayat | Afḍal, fem. Fuḍlá | (pl. m. Afḍalún, Afáḍil, fem. Fuḍlayát) better, best; more excellent, preferable, etc. |
| Aff, ‘Affa | ‘Aff, fem. ‘Affa[h or t] | chaste, modest, virtuous, pure; decent; honest, upright, righteous |
| Affa (‘Iffa, ‘Afaf) | ‘Affa (‘Iffa[h or t] = ‘Afáfa) | to refrain, abstain (from something forbidden or indecent); to be abstinent, continent, virtuous, chaste, modest, decent, pure. Derivative: ‘iffa[h or t] abstinence, continence, virtuousness, virtue, chastity, decency; purity; modesty; integrity, probity, honesty, uprightness, righteousness. See ‘Afáf and ‘Iffatíya. |
| Affan | ‘Affán | Pers. name of the father of the caliph ‘Usmán (Othmán or ‘Uthmán) |
| Afghan | Afghán, pl. Afághina[h or t] | people living in the mountains between the mountains between Kandahár and the river Indus; lamentation, groaning, cries for help; alas! |
| Afghani | Afghání | of Afghán (adjective and noun) |
| Afghanistan | Afghánistán | Afghanistan |
| Afif, Afifa, A’fa’, A’iffa | ‘Afíf, fem. ‘Afífa[h or t], pl. A‘fá’, A‘iffa | haste, modest, virtuous, pure; decent; honest, upright, righteous. ‘Afíf is a city 343 km east of Medina. Iṣfahání Pers. ‘Afífih. |
| Afifi | ‘Afífí | of or from ‘Afíf. Muḥammad al-‘Afífí, Persian Consul in ‘Akká in 1880s. He owned the gardens (Ḥumaymih or ‘Afífí) near ‘Ayn Fawwár and the village of an-Nahr. Abú ‘Alá’ ‘Afífí (1919–2007) was a scholar and author known for his work on Sufism and mystical philosophy. He wrote “at-taṣawwuf: al-thawra al-rúḥíya fí’l-Islám” [“Mysticism: The Spiritual Revolution in Islám”], 1963. |
| Afirin (Afarin), Afrin | Áfirín, Áfrín | Pers. praise, glory, applause, encomium, benediction, blessing; blessed; well done! bravo! name of the first of the five intercalary days of the Persian year; (in compounds) creating |
| Afjah (Afjeh), Afchah (Afcheh) | Afjah, Afchah | (also Afjih, Afchih) Pers. village (35.859750, 51.689849; 36 km NE Ṭihrán) in Lavasanat District (Bakhsh Lavásánát), Shemiranat County (Sháristán Shimíránát), Teheran Province. It is 7.25 km NE of the town of Lavásán and 47.5 km SW of Takúr. Bahá’u’lláh was the guest of the Grand Vizir, Ja‘far-Qulí Khán, in his summer residence in the village, when the assassination attempt was made on the Sháh near his Níyávarán summer palace. |
| Aflatun | Afláṭún | Plato, from the Greek form of the name |
| Afnan-i-Kabir | Afnán-i-Kabír | |
| Afra | Afrá | Pers. bravo! well done! praise applause. Village SW of Qá’im Shahr and just to the east of the Shrine of Shaykh Ṭabarsí. The village masjid (36.436642, 52.815196) is 0.9 km to the east. The village was owned by Naẓar Khán. |
| Afranj | Afranj | Pers. Elegance, dignity, grace; magnificence, grandeur, power; maguitude; a throne; a crown; provisions, necessaries. The Franks, French; the crusaders; all Europeans. Khán-i-Afranj in ‘Akká. |
| Afrasiyab (“Afrasyab”) | Afrásiyáb | Pers. name of an ancient king celebrated in Persian poetry, sovereign of Túrán, and a Scythian or Turk by birth; one who moves leisurely on the road; a travelling companion |
| Afriqa, Ifriqiya, Afriqiya | Afríqá fem. | and Ifríqiyá (now usually pronounced Afríqiyá fem.) Africa |
| Afrukhta (Afrokhta, Afrukhtih) | Afrúkhta(h) | Pers. inflamed, lighted; shining, radiant; polished, furbished |
| Afruz (Afroz) | Afrúz | Pers. burning; illuminating, dazzling, animating. Feminine name. |
| Afsah, Fusha | Afṣaḥ, fem. Fuṣḥá | of purer language; more eloquent |
| Afsana (Afsanih, Afsaneh) | Áfsána, Afsána | Pers. fem. name. A charm, incantation; a fiction, tale, fable, romance, parable; a narrative, a story of past events; public, notorious, noted. |
| Afshar | Afshár | Pers. a largely nomadic Turkic tribe mostly found in Írán; (in compounds) speaking idly; fixing, inserting; pressing, squeezing out (water); a weaver’s foot treadle; an assistant, associate, companion, partner |
| Afshin | Afshín | Pers. name of a person known for his liberality |
| Aftab-parast | Áftáb-Parast | Pers. a worshipper of the sun; sun-flower; a chameleon (or iguana); a water-lily; in India, any blue flower |
| Aftab, Aftabam | Áftáb | Pers. masc. name, sunlight or sunshine; the sun; a day; wine; the soul. Áftábam (Áftáb+am) I am the sun. See Khurshíd |
| Aftabah (Aftabih) | Áftábah | Pers. a ewer, water-pot, or kettle |
| Aftah, Mufattah | Afṭaḥ and Mufaṭṭaḥ | broad-headed, broad-nosed |
| Afus | Afús | village 156 km WNW of Iṣfahán |
| Afuw | ‘Afúw | one who forgives much. al-‘Afúw, attribute of God, The Pardoner, The Effacer, The Forgiver |
| Afw | ‘Afw, Pers. also ‘Afú, ‘Ufú | effacement, obliteration, elimination; pardon, forgiveness; waiver of punishment (Islamic Law); amnesty (for); boon, kindness, favour; surplus |
| Afyah, Fayha | Afyaḥ, fem. Fayḥá’ | fragrant, redolent, aromatic, sweet-smelling; wide, vast, spacious, extensive. al-Fayḥá’ (another name for Tripoli), because of the smell of the orange pollen from vast orange orchards that were in the area. al-Fayḥá’ is a nickname of Damascus. |
| Agah | Ágáh | Pers. aware, wary; intelligent, knowing, acquainted with; prudent; vigilant, attentive; notice, news, indication, information |
| Agahu’llah | Ágáhu’lláh | Ágáhu’lláh Tízfahm, executed May 1982 |
| Agar, Ar | Agar, Ar | Pers. if; although |
| Agarih (Agareh, Agira, Agreh) | Agarih | Pers. a tiny village (36.1595203, 53.832541) 26 klm SW of Chashmah-i-‘Alí, in Semnan Province |
| Agha, Aghawat, Aghayan | Ágh;á, pl. Aghawát, Pers. Ágháyán | lord, master, sir; eunuch serving at royal court, harem chamberlain. Ághá Muḥammad Khán-i Qájár (14 March 1742–1797), castrated as a 6 year old, chieftain of the Quyúnlú branch of the Qájár tribe, as the founder of the Qájár dynasty of Írán (r. 1789–1797). Similar to áqá. |
| AH | AH | Anno Hejirae (Latin, “in the year of the Hijira”, used in the West)—precedes the date. H or Hijra in the Islamic calendar. |
| Ahad, Ihda | Aḥad, fem. Iḥdá, pl. Áḥád | one; somebody, someone, anybody, anyone (especially in negative sentences and questions). al-Aḥad (“the only one”), an attribute of God. |
| Ahadiya (Ahadiyya) | Aḥadíya(h or t) | unity, oneness (also absolute unity), singularity; concord, alliance |
| Ahamid (Ahamed) | Aḥamid | powerful, authoritative or influential. A variant used in the Indian region for Aḥmad. |
| Ahang | Áhang aḥám | Pers. concord, symphony, harmony, modulation, melody, pitch, tune; design, institution, purpose, intention; canon, regulation; rule, custom, manner of proceeding; a row, a series; the side (of a cistern); the curve or arch of a cupola or dome; a tether, stable, stall; haste, expedition; behold! |
| Ahangar | Áhangar | Pers. blacksmith, a dealer in iron |
| Ahd, ‘Uhud | ‘Ahd, pl. ‘Uhúd | knowledge; acquaintance, contact (with); the well-known, familiar nature (of something); close observance, strict adherence (to), keeping, fulfilment (of a promise); delegation, assignment, committing (of something to someone), vesting (in someone of something), commissioning, charging, entrusting (of someone with something); commission; making a will or testament;—pl. commitment, obligation, liability; responsibility; pledge, vow; promise; oath; contract, compact, covenant, pact, treaty, agreement; time, epoch, era. Meaning in Bahá’í Writings (see Kitáb-i-‘Ahd) is usually “covenant”. Muḥammad is described as having an “unwritten Covenant” since He was unable to write it. ibn al-‘Ahd Bahá’u’lláh, “The Child of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh” is the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Bahá’í Administrative Order (God Passes By, p. 243) |
| Ahda | Ahdá | better guided; more correct, more proper, better. Qur’án 28:49: Qur’án gives ahdá, “clearer” guidance; not afṣáḥ, “eloquent” language—this is the criterion for judging the inimitability (i‘jáz) of the Qur’án: “its ability to guide humanity to the truth, to Allah and to salvation, its ability to inspire people with devotion and to constrain people to act in ways that are moral and righteous.” Islam and the Bahá’í Faith, p. 230. |
| Ahdiya, Ahdiyih (Ahdieh) | ‘Ahdiya[h or t], “Pers.” ‘Ahdiyih | the one who keeps his covenant or word, a faithful one. Hushang Ahdieh. |
| Ahi | Áhí | Pers. a fawn |
| Ahkam | Aḥkam | wiser, stronger, strongest; very firm; more, most, or very stable; most able to decide |
| Ahl al-Kisa’ | Ahl al-Kisa’ | people of the cloak: Muḥammad; his daughter, Fáṭima; his cousin and son-in-law ‘Alí; and his two grandsons Ḥassan and Ḥusayn. |
| Ahl al-Kitab, Ahlu’l-Kitab | Ahl al-Kitáb, Ahlu’l-Kitáb | “people of the Book”. Used by members of some Christian denominations to refer to themselves; used in Judaism to refer to the Jewish people; and an Islamic term that refers to Jews, Christians, Sabians and Zoroastrians. |
| Ahl at-Tariq | Ahl aṭ-Ṭaríq | “people of the path” or “people of true religion” (Islamic) |
| Ahl-i-Baha | Ahl-i-Bahá | “people of Bahá” |
| Ahl-i-Bayan | Ahl-i-Bayán | “people of the Bayán” |
| Ahl-i-Haqq | Ahl-i-Ḥaqq | “people of the truth” |
| Ahl, Ahlun, Ahalin, Ahali | Ahl, pl. Ahlún, Ahálin, Ahálí | relatives, folks, family; kin, kinfolk; wife; (with following genitive) people, members, followers, adherents, possessors, etc.; inhabitants; deserving, worthy (of something); fit, suited, qualified (for);—pl. the natives, the native population;—pl. ahálí inhabitants, citizens, commons; persons, individuals, members; family-folk; consorts, spouses, wives; domestics, dependants, followers |
| Ahla | Aḥlá | spouses, wives; domestics, dependants, followers |
| Ahli | Ahli | (the) people, or (of the) people |
| Ahmad al-Ahsa’i, Shaykh | Aḥmad al-Aḥsá’í, Shaykh | Aḥmad b. Zayn ad-Dín b. Ibráhím al-‘Aḥsá’í known as Shaykh Aḥmad al-Aḥsá’í (1753–1826). Born in the village of al-Mutayrifí (25.478801, 49.557241), and died in Hadíyah (25.533908, 38.749569), Saudi Arabia, about 140 km NW of Medina. He is buried in the cemetery of al-Baqí‘ (24.46713, 39.616360) in Medina. The first of the “twin resplendent lights” (Bábayn, two gates) who taught their followers that the coming of the Promised One of Islám (the Báb) was at hand and prepared them for His advent. Founder of the 19th-century Shí‘í Shaykhism (ash-Shaykhiya[h]), whose followers are known as Shaykhis (Shaykhiyún). For successor, see Siyyid Káẓim Rashtí. |
| Ahli | Ahlí | domestic, family (adjective); native, resident; indigenous; home, national |
| Ahmad, Ahamid (Ahamed) | Aḥmad, pl. Aḥamíd | more laudable, more commendable, more praised [comparative form of ‘ḥamida’ (to praise)]—a title of Muḥammad |
| Ahmad Big Tawfiq | Aḥmad Big Tawfíq | |
| Ahmad-i-‘Allaf | Aḥmad-i-‘Alláf | |
| Ahmad-i-Azghandi | Aḥmad-i-Azghandí | |
| Ahmad-i-Bahrayni | Aḥmad-i-Baḥrayní | |
| Ahmad-i-Ibdal | Aḥmad-i-Ibdál | |
| Ahmad-i-Ibdal-i-Maraghi’i | Aḥmad-i-Ibdál-i-Marághi’í | |
| Ahmad-i-Kashani | Aḥmad-i-Káshání | |
| Ahmad-i-Katib | Aḥmad-i-Kátib | |
| Ahmad-i-Khurasani | Aḥmad-i-Khurásání | |
| Ahmad-i-Kirmani | Aḥmad-i-Kirmání | |
| Ahmad-i-Mu’allim | Aḥmad-i-Mu‘allim | |
| Ahmad-i-Nukhud-Biriz | Aḥmad-i-Nukhud-Biríz | |
| Ahmad-i-Payvandi | Aḥmad-i-Payvandí | |
| Ahmad-i-Qazvini | Aḥmad-i-Qazvíní | |
| Ahmad-i-Ruhi | Aḥmad-i-Rúḥí | |
| Ahmad-i-Saffar | Aḥmad-i-Ṣaffár | |
| Ahmad-i-Yazdi | Aḥmad-i-Yazdí | |
| Ahmad-ibn-i-Abi-Talib-i-Tabarsi | Aḥmad-ibn-i-Abí-Ṭálib-i-Ṭabarsí | |
| Ahmadiy, Ahmadi | Aḥmadíy, Aḥmadí | belonging to Aḥmad; a Muslim; name of a gold coin |
| Ahmadiya | Aḥmadíya[h], Pers. Aḥmadiyya[h] | followers of Aḥmad (alternative name for Muḥammad). al-Jamá‘ah al-Islámíyah al-Aḥmadíyah (the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community), founded by Mírzá Ghulám Aḥmad in Qádiyán, Punjab, India. Aḥmadíya Shaykh Maḥmúd al-Masjid in Haifa (32.804954, 34.969869). |
| Ahmar, Hamra, Humr | Aḥmar, fem. Ḥamrá’, pl. Ḥumr | red, red-coloured, ruddy; rosy, pink. Alhambra (Spanish), the Citadel of Granada, (“the Red Palace”; al-Ḥamrá’, lit. “the red one”). Baḥru’l-Aḥmar, the Red Sea.1 |
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1A system of color symbolism representing the cardinal directions, believed to be used by the Achaemenids (or First Persian Empire) (550–330 BC), had black for north (e.g. North or Black Sea), red for south (e.g. South or Red Sea), white for west (e.g. White or Mediterranean Sea), and green or light blue for east.
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| Ahrari | Aḥrárí | Ḍíyá’u’lláh Aḥrárí executed 1982. Aḥrár is pl. of Ḥurr |
| Ahsa’i | Aḥsá’í | of or from al-Aḥsá’. See Ḥisá’ and Shaykh Aḥmad-i-Aḥsá’í. |
| Ahsan, Ahasin | Aḥsan, pl. Aḥásin | better; nicer, lovelier, more beautiful; more excellent, more splendid, more admirable |
| Ahsanu’l-Qisas | Aḥsanu’l-Qiṣaṣ | The Best of Stories: a name for the Surih of Joseph.—Tafsír-i-Aḥsanu’l-Qiṣaṣ : the Báb’s commentary on the Súrih of Joseph, the Qayyúmu’l-Asmá’, called the Qur’án of the Bábís. Translated into Persian by Ṭáhirih. |
| Ahu | Áhú | Pers. a vice, fault, defect, stain, spot, villainy; flight, escape; an exclamation, cry for help; an asthma ; a deer, roe, gazelle ; any object of pursuit or chase; a beautiful eye; a mistress |
| Ahwa, Hawwa’ (Hauwa’) | Aḥwá, fem. Ḥawwá’ | black, dusky (in the lips); fem. Eve, the mother of mankind. Abjad value of Eve is 16. |
| Ahwar, Hawra (Haura), Hur, Huran | Aḥwár, fem. Ḥawrá’, pl. Ḥúr, Pers. Ḥúrán | having eyes with a marked contrast of white and black, (also, said of the eye:) intensely white and deep-black.—pl. Ḥúr (also used as singular in Pers.) interpreted as virgins or a “virgin of Paradise”. See ḥúríya and ḥúrí. |
| Aja’ibu’l-Makhluqat | ‘Ajá’ibu’l-Makhlúqat | “The marvels of creation” by Qazwíní |
| Ajab, A’jab | ‘Ajab, pl. A‘jáb | astonishment, amazement;—(pl.) wonder, marvel |
| Ajal | Ajal, pl. Ájál | appointed time (term), date, deadline; instant of death; respite, delay. In the Qur’án often refers to the term of nation(s). |
| Ajal, ‘Ajala | ‘Ajal, fem. ‘Ajala[h or t] | hurry, haste; precipitance, precipitation, ‘Ajal Alláhu Farajahu (“May God hasten his [Qá’im’s] glad advent”). |
| Ajam | ‘Ajam | (collective) mute in the sense of mumbling or to speak indistinctly, hence barbarians, non-Arabs (modern), Persians. Opposite of ‘Aran. Also (collective; noun denoting an individual) stone kernel, pit, pip, seed (of fruit) |
| Ajami, A’jam | ‘Ajamí, pl. A‘jám | barbarian, non-Arab; Persian (adj. and n.) |
| Ajda’ | Ajda‘ | mutilated (by having the nose, or the like cut off). SDC p. 49. |
| Ajiba, ‘Aja’ib | ‘Ajíba, pl. ‘Ajá’ib | wondrous thing, unheard of thing, prodigy, marvel, miracle, wonder;—pl. remarkable things, curiosities, oddities |
| Ajja, Ajij | Ajja, Ajíj | to burn, blaze, flame (fire). e.g. Má’ ujáj bitter, salty water. |
| Ajudan | Ájúdán | Pers. aide-de-camp, adjutant |
| Ajudan-Bashi | Ájúdán-Báshí | Pers. chief adjutant |
| Ajuz, ‘Ajz, A’jaz | ‘Ajuz, ‘Ajz, pl. A‘jáz | backside, rump, posteriors. Also stem, stump, trunk (of palm tree) Qur’án 54:20 & 69:7 |
| Ajwibatu’l-Masá’il, Ajwibatu’l-Masa’il | Ajwibat al-Masá’il | “Answers to some questions”, book by Shaykh Aḥmad. Pers. Ajwibatu’l-Masá’il (Ajvibatu’l-Masa’il). See Jawáb |
| Ajz | ‘Ajz | weakness, incapacity, disability, failure, impotence (for, to do something); deficit |
| Akasha (‘Akash, Akkash) | ‘Akásha[h or t] | awkwardness, clumsiness |
| Akbar-ibn-i-‘Abid | Akbar-ibn-i-‘Ábid | |
| Akbar, Akbarun, Akabir, Kubra, Kubrayat | Akbar, pl. Akbarún, Akábir | greater, bigger, larger; older; senior-ranking [comparative form of ‘kabura’ (to elevate)]. Note: akbar, اكبر, consists of four consonants: ر ب ك ا (right to left in Arabic, or Alif, Káf, Bá’ and Rá’ in English)—the first letter is an Alif, but shown as a short vowel.Fem. Kubrá, pl. Kubrayát. |
| Akh, Ikhwa, Ikhwan | Akh, pl. Ikhwa, Ikhwán | brother; fellow man, neighbour; friend;—pl. ikhwán specifically, brethren or members of an order; al-ikhwán religious brotherhood of the Wahabi sect, militant in character, established by Ibn Sa‘úd in 1910 |
| Akhar | Ákhar | another, different, second |
| Akhbari. Akhbariyun | Akhbárí, pl. Akhbaríyún | news. The Akhbaris are a group of Imámí jurists who only accept the traditions ascribed to the Prophet and the Imáms. The school was founded by Mullá Muḥammad-Amír of Astarábád. This is in contrast with the mujtahids or the Uṣúlí (they constitute the vast majority of the Twelvers), who maintain that the mujtahid has the right, as the deputy of the Hidden Imám, to deduce principles from the Qur’án as well as the traditions, and to use qiyás or ‘analogy’ to make an authoritative statement. See Khabar, pl. Akhbár. |
| Akhdar (Akhzar), Khadra’, Khudr | Akhḍar (f.), Khaḍrá’, pl. Khuḍr | green. al-Khaḍrá’ “the Verdant” (epithet of Tunis); the sky. Persian forms are similar and the ḍ is replaced by a ẓ. Khaḍrá’—final Hamza is left out in some books. |
| Akhir, Uthra, Awakhir | Akhír, irregular fem. Uthrá, pl. Awákhir | ast; latest; rearmost; the second of two. irregular fem. al-ukhrá, the invisible world, the afterlife, the hereafter. |
| Akhir, Akhira, Akhirun, Akhirat, Awakhir | Ákhir, pl. Ákhirún, Awákhir | (fem. Ákhira[h or t], pl. Ákhirát) last, ultimate, utmost, extreme; end, close, conclusion; foot, bottom (of a paper). fem. al-ákhira[h or t] the invisible world, the afterlife, the hereafter. See akhúr, dunyá and awwal. |
| Akhlat | Ákhlaṭ | Turkish (also Ahlat; Armenian Khlat) is a historic town and district on the west side of Lake Van. |
| Akhtar-Khawari (Akhtar-Khavari) | Akhtar-Kháwarí | |
| Akhtar, Akhtaran | Akhtar, pl. Akhtarán | Pers. a star; horoscope, predominant star at anyone’s nativity; an omen, augury; an ensign, standard; name of an angel. Name of a newspaper |
| Akhtaran Taban | Akhtarán-i-Tábán | Pers. “brilliant stars”. Book by Furúgh Arbáb. |
| Akhu’th-Thamarah | Akhu’th-Thamarah | “the Brother of the Fruit”. Báb: “Akhu’th-Thamarah, 238”—The fruit is Mírzá Yaḥyá and 238 equals Ḥusayn-‘Alí (Bahá’u’lláh) |
| Akhur | Akhúr, Pers. also Ákhur | a stall, a[n animal] stable or barn for horses; the collar-bone. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá substituted ákhur for ákhir on a number of occasions when referring to the ‘ulamá’: “They have held to this [animal] stable but they have not seen the ultimate of things.” Diary of Juliet Thompson, p. 102. See Ákhir. |
| Akhwand, Akhund, Akhwanda-ha | Akhwánd, Akhúnd, pl. Akhwánda-há | Pers. (also “Ákhúnd” and Akhond) tutor, master, preacher (low ranking Muslim priest or mullah). See ‘Alí-Akbar-i-Shahmírzádí |
| Akif, Akifan | ‘Ákif, pl. ‘Ákifán | Pers. assiduous, diligent; constantly staying in the mosque and employed in devotion |
| Akka, ‘Akk | ‘Akka (‘Akk) | to be sultry, muggy (day), sweltering |
| Akka, ‘Akka’ | ‘Akka[h], ‘Akká’ and ‘Akká | ‘Ako (Phoenician, “curved triangle”), more commonly spelt Akko or Acre (seaport in Israel). ‘Akká is the Arabic form used by Bahá’ís. Houses in ‘Akká used by the Bahá’ís: Malik, Khavvám and Rábi’ih, ‘Údí Khammár and ‘Abbúd. Bahá’u’lláh’s family left in 1877 for Mazra‘ih. |
| Akram, Akarim | Akram, pl. Akárim | nobler more distinguished; more precious, more valuable; most honourable; very high-minded, very noble-hearted, most generous |
| Akthar | Akthar | more; oftener, more frequently; more numerous; longer; most; major portion, greater part, majority |
| Al | Ál | family, relatives, kinsfolk, clan; companions, partisans, people; mirage, fatamorgana. This is not the Arabic definite article al-. Ál-mán (“our kin”) used by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as a play on the word alámán (a German) in Persian. |
| Al- | al- | the definite article in Arabic, often translated as “the” in English. The letter “l” is replaced by a sun letter if the following word starts with one of the 14 sun letters—refer to the Arabic letters and abjad values section. |
| Al-i-Muhammad | Ál-i-Muḥammad | children (or family) of Muḥammad |
| Ala | ‘Alá | (preposition) on, upon, on top of, above, over (place, rank); at, on, by; in, in the state of, in the manner of, in possession of; to, toward, for; in addition to; to the debit of, to the disadvantage of; against, in spite of, despite; on the basis of, on the strength of, by virtue of, due to, upon; by, through; according to, in accordance with, pursuant to; to (one’s taste, one’s mind, one’s liking, etc.); during |
| Ala | ‘Alá’ | high rank, high standing, nobility; loftiness |
| Ala, Uluw | ‘Alá, ‘Ulúw | to be high, elevated, rise high, loom, tower up; to rise, ascend; to ring out (voice); etc. |
| Ala’ | Álá’ | Pers. benefits, favours, kindnesses |
| Ala’i | ‘Alá’í (علائی) | from the root ‘Alá, high, elevated. Shu‘á‘u’lláh ‘Alá’í, Hand of the Cause of God. |
| Ala’u’d-Dawlih | ‘Alá’u’d-Dawlih, Yúsuf | |
| Alam | Alam, pl. Álám | pain, ache, suffering, agony |
| Alam al-Hayawan | ‘Álam al-Ḥayawán | the animal kingdom |
| Alam al-Ma’adin | ‘Álam al-Ma‘ádin | the mineral kingdom |
| Alam an-Nabat | ‘Álam an-Nabát | the vegetable kingdom |
| Alam-i-Dharr | ‘Álam-i-Dharr | “realm of subtle entities” is an allusion to the Covenant between God and Adam mentioned in Qur’án 7:172 |
| Alam, A’lam (I’lam) | ‘Alam, pl. A‘lám | sign, token, mark, badge, distinguishing mark, characteristic; road sign, signpost, guidepost; flag, banner, standard, ensign, streamer, pennants; mountain (Qur’án 55:24); a distinguished, outstanding man; an eminent personality, an authority, a star, a luminary |
| Alam, Alamun, Awalim | ‘Álam, pl. ‘Álamún, ‘Awálim | world; universe, cosmos;—pl. ‘Álamún—inhabitants of the world, specifically human beings. al-‘álamán the two worlds = Europe and America. See Baḥrání |
| Alama, Alamat, Ala’im | ‘Aláma[h or t], pl. ‘Alámát, ‘Alá’im | mark, sign, token; badge, emblem; distinguishing mark, characteristic. Used for the signs of the promised Resurrection. |
| Alamat | ‘Alámát al-Waqf | “signs for stops” are symbols used to indicate Qur’anic punctuation. Some are listed here. (م) mím: mandatory stop. (ج) jím: optional stop. (لا) lám alif: do not stop here. س)) sín: take a soft/short pause without taking a breath. (قلي): you can stop or move on, but stopping is preferred. (صلي): you can stop or continue, but continuing is preferred. (⸫) ta‘ánuq al-waqf: you can stop at one, but not both. ◯ the “perfect stop”, or various symbols, e.g. ֍ : the end of a verse |
| Alamat al-Faraj | ‘Alámát al-Faraj | “Signs of deliverance” will occur, according to Shaykh Aḥmad Aḥsá’í, in the year 68 (ḥín) or AH 1268 (ended 15 October 1852)/CE 1952, and he alluded to “after a while” (ba‘da ḥín) in Qur’án 38:88. This is about the time Bahá’u’lláh (sometime in October 1852) has a vision of the Maiden, who announces to Him that He is the Manifestation of God for this Age. The Báb repeatedly gave the year nine as the date of the appearance of “Him Whom God shall make manifest”. The Declaration of the Báb occurred in AH 1260, and the year nine (AH 1269) started 16 October 1952. |
| Alami | ‘Álami | worldly, secular, world (adj.); international; world-wide, world-famous, enjoying world-wide renown |
| Alamu’l-Amr | ‘Álamu’l-Amr | (lower) world of creation |
| Alamu’l-Haqq | ‘Álamu’l-Ḥaqq | (upper) eternally inaccessible world of God that is exalted beyond the grasp of the minds of men |
| Alamu’l-Huda | ‘Alamu’l-Hudá | “distinguished guide” |
| Alamu’l-Khalq | ‘Álamu’l-Khalq | (intermediate) world of the revelation of the divine command |
| Alamut | Alamút | eagle-nest. Name of a region in Írán on the western edge of the Alborz (Elburz) range and a ruined fortress (55 km NE of Qazvín and 110 km NW of Ṭihrán. |
| Alaniya | ‘Aláníya | openness, overtness, publicness, publicity (as opposed to secrecy) |
| Alaq, ‘Alaqun, ‘Alaqat | ‘Alaq(at), ‘Alaqun, pl. ‘Alaqát | medicinal leech; leech; (coagulated) blood, blood clot. Note: the tá’ marbúṭa here is represented by ‘at’. |
| Alast (Alastu) | Alast (Alastu) | “Am I not?” Cycle of alast is a reference to a pre historic Covenant between God and man. According to Qur’án 7:172, God called all the men in his presence before their creation and asked them alastu bi-rabbikum? “Am I not your Lord?” and all the men confirmed that by saying “yes, yes, thou art our Lord”. This demonstrates the total and inherent essential dependence of man to the continuous grace of God. So alast and the cycle of alast is a reference to this Covenant. |
| Alawi, ‘Alawiya, ‘Alawiyan | ‘Alawí, fem. ‘Alawíya[h or t] | pl. ‘alawiyán upper; heavenly, celestial; prince, lord (a descendant of ‘Alí ibn Abí Ṭálib). ‘Alawíya[h] is a follower of Imám ‘Alí; English Alawis or Alawites; official name of the Nusayris (Nuṣayríyah), an Islamic sect inhabiting the coastal district of Latakia in NW Syria, founded by Ibn Nusayr. Pers. also ‘Alawiyih. |
| Alayhi (‘Alaihi) | ‘Alayhi | upon, against, with him (or it);—‘alayhi’s-salám, Peace be upon him! (formula of reverence added after the name of any prophet). Abbreviation in English pbuh. |
| Alayka (‘Alaika), ‘Alayki, ‘Alaykum | ‘Alayka, fem. ‘Alayki, pl. ‘Alaykum | (fem. pl. ‘Alaykunna) (‘Alayka = ‘Alá + káf) above, on, or to thee, on you. In some places ‘Alayka is shortened to ‘Alayk. salám. |
| Alaʼ ad-Din, ʻAlaʼ ud-Din, ‘Ala’u’d-Din | ʻAláʼ ad-Dín, ʻAláʼ ud-Dín, ‘Alá’u’d-Dín | (علاء الدين) Aladdin (form dependent on whether nominative, genitive or accusative) is a male given name “nobility of faith” or “nobility of creed/religion”. Sometimes written ‘Alá’u-d-dín or ‘Alá ad-Dunyá wa ad-Dín Abu’l Muẓaffar Tekish (Tekiş? ibn Il-Arslán, Sháh of the Khwarezmian Empire (r. 1172–1200). His son, ‘Alá ad-Dín Muḥammad II (full name: ‘Alá ad-Dunyá wa ad-Dín Abu’l-Fatḥ Muḥammad Sanjar ibn Tekish), Sháh of the Khwarezmian Empire (r. 1200–1220). He is perhaps best known for inciting the Mongol invasion of Khwarezmia, which resulted in the utter destruction of his empire. |
| Alburz | Alburz, Alborz | the principal mountain range in northern Írán |
| Alf, Uluf | Alf, pl. Ulúf, Áláf | thousand; millennium |
| Alfi ‘Id | Alfí: Alfí ‘Íd | millennial celebration, millenary |
| Alfiya (Alfiyya) | Alfíya(h), Pers. Alfíyyih | millennium. al-Alfíya short title of al-Khuláṣa al-Alfíya (“Millennium Summary”), famous 1,000 line poem on the principles of Arabic grammar by Ibn Málik, Abú ‘Abd Alláh Jamál ad-Dín Muḥammad (c. 1204–1274), was an Arab grammarian born in Jaén, Spain, worked in Damascus. |
| Ali | ‘Alí | high, eminent. al-‘Alí, the divine name for the All-Knowing. |
| Ali an-Naqi, Ali-Naqi | ‘Alí an-Naqí, ‘Alí-Naqí | ‘Alí ibn Muḥammad ibn ‘Alí, commonly known as ‘Alí al-Hádí and ‘Alí an-Naqí, 10th Imám |
| Ali Baba | ‘Alí Bábá | Mullá ‘Alí Bábá of Tákur. ‘Alí Bábá wa al-Arbá‘ún Luṣúṣ (“‘Alí Bábá and the forty thieves”). Name in English has become Alibaba. |
| Ali Big Yuz-Bashi | ‘Alí Big Yúz-Báshí | |
| Ali ibn Abi Talib | ‘Alí ibn Abí Ṭálib | Imám ‘Alí (the first) (601–661), son of ‘Abú Ṭálib ibn ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib, was a cousin and son-in-law of Muḥammad, who ruled as the fourth caliph from 656 to 661. He is one of the central figures in Shí‘a Islám and is regarded as the rightful immediate successor to Muḥammad as an Imám by Shí‘a Muslims |
| Ali ibn Muhammad | ‘Alí ibn Muḥammad | |
| Ali ibn Musa’r-Rida | ‘Alí ibn Músá’r-Riḍá | |
| Ali Pasha | ‘Álí Páshá | Muḥammad Amín ‘Álí Páshá or in Turkish, Mehmed Emin Âli Pasha (1815–1871), five times he was appointed the Grand Vizier (or Prime Minister) of the Ottoman Empire by two Sultans. |
| Ali-‘Askar-i-Tabrizi | ‘Alí-‘Askar-i-Tabrízí | Merchant from Tabríz |
| Ali-Abad (Aliabad, Aliyabad) | ‘Alí-Ábád | a village 35 km SW of Ṭihrán. A very small village (35.1318499, 50.9764761) in the Central District of Qom County, Qom Province. A very common name. |
| Ali-Ahmad | ‘Alí-Aḥmad | |
| Ali-Akbar-i-Ardistani | ‘Alí-Akbar-i-Ardistání | |
| Ali-Akbar-i-Mazgani | ‘Alí-Akbar-i-Mázgání | (MF) |
| Ali-Akbar-i-Najjar | ‘Alí-Akbar-i-Najjár | (MF) |
| Ali-Akbar-i-Quchani | ‘Alí-Akbar-i-Qúchání | |
| Ali-Akbar-i-Shahmirzadi | ‘Alí-Akbar-i-Shahmírzádí | known as Ḥájí Ákhúnd, a Hand of the Cause of God (1842–1910) |
| Ali-Asghar | ‘Alí-Aṣghar | (MF) |
| Ali-Baba | ‘Alí-Bábá | |
| Ali-Hamzih | ‘Alí-Ḥamzih | |
| Ali-ibn-i-Abi-Talib | ‘Alí-ibn-i-Abí-Ṭálib | |
| Ali-ibn-i-Muhammad | ‘Alí-ibn-i-Muḥammad | |
| Ali-ibn-i-Musa’r-Rida | ‘Alí-ibn-i-Músá’r-Riḍá | |
| Ali-Jan | ‘Alí-Ján | |
| Ali-Khan | ‘Alí-Khán | |
| Ali-Mardan | ‘Alí-Mardán | |
| Ali-Mirzay-i-Shirazi | ‘Alí-Mírzáy-i-Shírází | |
| Ali-Muhammad | ‘Alí-Muḥammad | |
| Ali-Murad (‘Alimurad) | ‘Alí-Murád | (Sometimes shortened to ‘Alímurád) |
| Ali-Qabl-i-Muhammad | ‘Alí-Qabl-i-Muḥammad | |
| Ali-Quli Khan (Ali-Kuli Khan) | ‘Alí-Qulí Khán | better known as Ali-Kuli Khan (c. 1879-1966), married Florence Breed (parents of Marzieh Gail). He was born in Káshán. Persian diplomat (given the title Nabíl al-Dawla by the Qájár government in 1914) and a Bahá’í translator. |
| Ali-Rida | ‘Alí-Riḍá | |
| Ali-Shawkat | ‘Alí-Shawkat | (GPB 241) |
| Ali, 'Aliy, 'Aliya, 'Ilya | ‘Alí, adj. ‘Alíy, fem. ‘Alíya[h or t] | (pl. ‘Ilya[h or t]) high, tall, elevated: exalted, sublime, lofty, august, excellent; —pl. upper class, people of distinction, prominent people. Name of the son-in-law and fourth successor of the Prophet Muḥammad. al-‘Alí, the Most High, the Supreme (one of the attributes of God). |
| Alif | Alif | the vertically aligned or “upright” first consonant (ﺍ, á) with an abjad value of 1. The basic shape of the alif has two forms depending on its position in a word. The alif is one of three letters: alif ا, wáw و, and yá’ ي, which might be either a consonant or a vowel letter. The Báb is often identified as the “upright Alif”, a vertical line that is unwavering and straight, and thus the symbol of the true Path of God, the supreme Standard of truth, the straight line of justice and moderation. In writing the alif serves as a prop for vowel-signs (small vowel diacritics above or below): اَ a; اِ i; اُ u; اُو ú, o, au; and ای í, e, ai. Since an alif cannot occur at the end of a word, an alif maqṣúra, written as ى, and pronounced as á (e.g., ىمر ramá) is used, and the ى takes markings such as ḥamza like a regular alif. The ىٰ is called an alif qá’ima, alif khanjaríyah, or dagger alif. The alif at the end of the word is called الألف اللينة (al-alif al-layna[t]), which can be translated as “the soft or flexible alif” because it can be written as either a و or a ي. |
| Alil, A’illa’ | ‘Alíl, pl. A‘illa’ | sick, ill, ailing; sick person, patient; soft, gentle, mild, pleasant. meaning with place names: “lower” |
| Alim, ‘Ulama | ‘Alím, pl. ‘Ulamá’ (Pers. ‘Ulamá) | knowing; cognizant, informed; learned, erudite; al-‘Alím the omniscient (one of the attributes of God) |
| Alim, Alima, Ulama | ‘Álim, fem. ‘Álima, pl. ‘Ulamá’ | (adj. or noun) “scholar”, knowing; familiar, acquainted (with), cognizant (of); expert, connoisseur, professional;—pl. “learned ones”, learned, erudite; scholars (of Islamic law), savants, scientists, doctors, theologians. The ‘ulamá’ are Muslim scholars recognized as having specialist knowledge of Islamic sacred law and theology. The ‘ulamá’ are collectively known in Persian society as the Jámi‘a-i Rúḥáníyat (the spiritual concourse). Bahá’í Writings use ‘Ulamá. |
| Alima (‘Ilm) | ‘Alima (‘Ilm) | to know; teach; tell, notify; to learn, study; to inquire, ask |
| Alin | ‘Álin | high, tall, elevated; loud, strong (voice); higher (as opposed to elementary); lofty, exalted, sublime, high-ranking, of high standing; excellent, first-class, first-rate, outstanding, of top quality (commodity) |
| Alipur or Chah-i-Ahmad Vatn Dust | ‘Alípúr or Cháh-i-Aḥmad Vaṭn Dús | village in Yunesi Rural District, Yunesi District, Bajestan County, Razavi Khorasan Province, Írán |
| Aliy-i-Baraqani | ‘Alíy-i-Baraqání | |
| Aliy-i-Barfurushi | ‘Alíy-i-Bárfurúshí | Muḥammad-‘Alíy-i-Bárfurúshí (1820–1849) was entitled Quddús by Bahá’u’lláh at Badasht and this was later confirmed by the Báb. |
| Aliy-i-Bastami | ‘Alíy-i-Basṭámí | Mullá ‘Alíy-i-Basṭámí, a Letter of the Living |
| Aliy-i-Kani | ‘Alíy-i-Kání | |
| Aliy-i-Kirmanshahi | ‘Alíy-i-Kirmánsháhí | |
| Aliy-i-Las-Furush | ‘Alíy-i-Lás-Furúsh | |
| Aliy-i-Miri | ‘Alíy-i-Mírí | |
| Aliy-i-Mudhahhib | ‘Alíy-i-Mudhahhib | |
| Aliy-i-Qazvini | ‘Alíy-i-Qazvíní | |
| Aliy-i-Sabzivari | ‘Alíy-i-Sabzivárí | |
| Aliy-i-Salmani | ‘Alíy-i-Salmání | |
| Aliy-i-Sardar | ‘Alíy-i-Sardár | |
| Aliy-i-Sayyah-i-Maraghih’i | ‘Alíy-i-Sayyáḥ-i-Maraghih’í | |
| Aliy-i-Tabib-i-Zanjani | ‘Alíy-i-Ṭabíb-i-Zanjání | |
| Aliy-i-Tafrishi | ‘Alíy-i-Tafríshí | |
| Aliy-i-Turshizi | ‘Alíy-i-Turshízí | Mullá Shaykh ‘Alíy-i-Turshízí, surnamed ‘Aẓím |
| Aliy-i-Zanjani | ‘Alíy-i-Zanjání | |
| Aliy-i-Zargar | ‘Alíy-i-Zargar | |
| Aliy-i-Zunuzi | ‘Alíy-i-Zunúzí | |
| Aliy, ‘Aliya, ‘Ilya | ‘Alíy, fem. ‘Aliya[h], pl. ‘Ilya[h] | (“‘Aliyy”, “‘Alí”) high, tall, elevated, exalted, sublime, lofty, august, excellent. Iṣfahání Pers. fem. also ‘Alíyyih. |
| Aliya | ‘Alíya[h or t) | descent from, or the descendants of ‘Alí; English Alids. |
| Aliyabadi (‘Aliabadi) | ‘Alíyábádí | Pers. a surname. Derived from ‘Alíyábád (built or populated by ‘Alí). Mírzá Zakíy ‘Alíyábádí founded the Mírzá Zakíy Khán Seminary (36.548471, 52.682296) near Ḥaẓír Furúshán Square (“Mat sellers square”, 36.549107, 52.682804), Bárfurúsh. |
| Aliyu’llah | ‘Alíyu’lláh | ‘Alí is chosen by, or from God |
| Aliyu’llahi | ‘Alíyu’lláhí | a sect in western Írán that combines elements of Shí‘a Islám with older religions. Used as a general term for several denominations that venerate or deify Imám ‘Alí, like the Kaysáníya, the ‘Alawiyán, the Ahlu’l-Ḥaqq and Nuṣayríya. |
| Aliyu’l-‘Ala, ‘Aliyyu’l-‘Ala | ‘Alíyu’l-‘Alá, ‘Aliyyu’l-‘Alá | the exalted of the exalted |
| Alizad (‘Ali-Zad) ‘Alizada (‘Alizadeh) | ‘Alízád, ‘Alí Zád | (‘Alízáda, ‘Alí Záda) descendent of ‘Alí. Asadu’lláh ‘Alízád and Maqṣúd ‘Alízádah |
| Alladhi, Allati, Alladhina | Alladhí, fem. Allatí | (relative pronoun) he who, that which; who, which, that. Plurals: m. alladhína, fem. allátí, allawátí (“allawati”), allá’í (“alla’i”) |
| Allaf | ‘Alláf | seller of provender (dry food such as hay and oats for livestock) |
| Allah | Alláh (originally al-Iláh) | God: The God, by way of eminence (being a contraction of the compound of the definite article ال (al, The) and الهٰ (iláh, a God). See iláh. |
| Allah-Vardi, Allah-Virdi | Alláh-Vardí, Alláh-Virdí | |
| Allah-Yar | Alláh-Yár | Ḥájj Alláh-Yár. A small village 100 km west of Kirmánsháh. 34.249047, 45.986214 |
| Allahu ‘Azam, Allah-u-‘Azam | Alláhu ‘Aẓam, Pers. Alláh-u-‘Aẓam | God is Great |
| Allahu A’zam, Allah-u-A’zam | Alláhu A‘ẓam, Pers. Alláh-u-A‘ẓam | (greeting response to Alláh-u-Akbar—men) God is the Most Mighty |
| Allahu Abha, Allah-u-Abha | Alláhu Abhá, Pers. Alláh-u-Abhá | (greeting response to Alláh-u-Ajmal (“God the Most Beauteous”)—women) “God is Most Glorious, God is All-Glorious”. A form of the Greatest Name. A salutation that “is a clarion that pealeth out the lordship of the divine Beauty [Baháʼuʼlláh]”. (‘Abdu’l-Bahá) Its repetition 95 times each day is ordained by the Báb and adopted by Bahá’u’lláh. Lilláh (95) = Letters of the Living (18) × 5 + Báb (5). Bahá, or any of its derivatives such as Abhá, Yá Bahá’u’lláh, or Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá, are all referred to as the Greatest name. Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá (O Glory of Glories or O Glory of the All-Glorious) is an invocation used in the calligraphy designed by Mishkín-Qalam. |
| Allahu Ajmal, Allah-u-Ajmal | Alláhu Ajmal, Pers. Alláh-u-Ajmal | (greeting response to Alláh-u-Abhá—women) God is the Most Beautiful. |
| Allahu Akbar, Allah-u-Akbar | Alláhu Akbar, Pers. Alláh-u-Akbar | greeting by a man to a man. God is the Most Great or God is the Greatest. See Alláh-u-A‘ẓam above |
| Allahu Anwar, Allah-u-Anwar | Alláhu Anwár, Pers. Alláh-u-Anwár | God is Most Luminous |
| Allahu Aqdam, Allah-u-Aqdam | Alláhu Aqdam, Pers. Alláh-u-Aqdam | God is the Most Ancient |
| Allahu Athar, Allah-u-Athar | Alláhu Aṭhar, Pers. Alláh-u-Aṭhar | God the Most Pure |
| Allahu Azhar, Allah-u-Azhar | Alláhu Aẓhar, Pers. Alláh-u-Aẓhar | God is Most Manifest |
| Allahumma | Alláhumma | “O God!”, “O Thou My God”. Possible derivation from Hebrew elohim (pl. of eloah). |
| Allam | ‘Allám | knowing thoroughly |
| Allama | ‘Alláma[h or t] | most erudite, very learned (of the ‘ulamá); learned in every branch of the Islamic sciences |
| Allamiy | ‘Allámíy | very learned; possessed of the highest degree of knowledge, but never applied to God, because the letters ة and ى, although here expressive of intensity, not of femininity or relationship, might imply an imputation of the latter two qualities to the divine being. |
| Allamiy-i-Hilli | ‘Allámiy-i-Ḥillí | “the very erudite doctor” from al-Ḥillah, a title of the famed Shí‘ih theologian, Jamál ad-Dín al-Ḥasan bin Yúsuf bin ‘Alí ibn al-Muṭahhar al-Ḥillí (CE 1250–1325) (MF p. 169), commonly known as Alláma Ḥillí, was one of the well-known Twelver Shí‘í Muslim scholars of his time and an expert in Twelver theology and a mujtahid. His kunya was Abu Manṣūr, his first title was ‘Alláma “sage,” his second, Jamál ad-Dín, and third, Jamál al-Ḥillah wa’l-Ḥaqq wa’l-Dín. His given name was al-Ḥasan and his father’s given name was Yúsuf. |
| Allamiy-i-Nuri | ‘Allámiy-i-Núrí | |
| Alliyu’llahi | ‘Allíyu‘lláhí | a sect |
| Almaniya | Almániyá | Germany |
| Alqa | ‘Alqa | (e.g.) beating; bastinado; a thrashing, spanking. See falaqa. |
| Alus | Álús | Pers. amorous or angry side-glance |
| Alusi | Álúsí | (Alossy) Ibn-i-Álúsí, Muftí of Baghdád |
| Alvah-i-Laylatu’l-Quds | Alváḥ-i-Laylatu’l-Quds | Tablets of the Holy Night by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Alvah-i-Salatin | Alváḥ-i-Saláṭín | Tablets to the Sultans |
| Alvah-i-Tablighi-i-Amrika | Alváḥ-i-Tablíghí-i-Amríká | Pers. collection of Tablets by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to America, translated as Tablets of the Divine Plan. Amríká also given as Imríká |
| Alvah-i-Vasaya | Alváḥ-i-Vaṣáyá | Tablets of Commandments by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Am | Am | Pers. (first person of búdan, to be), I am, and as such, like the English “am”; the suffixed form of the pronoun of the first person, signifying “my” after a noun |
| Ama | ‘Amá’ | loss of the way; contention, litigation; a cloud, high, dense, rainy, thin; a black or white cloud; a cloud which has shed rain; blindness.] See root word ‘amiya. Hence, ‘Amá’ can be translated as blindness, secrecy, obscurity, etc.; though it also has the sense of “cloud”, possibly “heavy and thick clouds (which hide and obscure) or (the opposite!) light diaphanous clouds.1 In Islamic theology, it is sometimes used to describe a state of divine obscurity or the primordial state before creation. |
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| Ama, Ima, Amawat | Ama, pl. Imá’, Amawát | bondmaid, slave girl |
| Amad, Amadam | Ámad | Pers. he came; arrival. Dar Ámadam (“I have arisen”) |
| Amada | ‘Amada | to baptize, christen |
| Amadan az fawq | Ámadan az fawq | Pers. “come from on high” or “come down from on high”. Expression used by Bahá’ís meaning sent by Shoghi Effendi, etc. |
| Amadan | Ámadan | Pers. to come, to arrive; to exist, to be found; to become |
| Amal, A’mal | ‘Amal, pl. A‘mál | doing, acting, action, activity; work, labour; course of action, way of acting, practice; achievement, accomplishment; activity (for), work (in the service of something); making, production, manufacture, fabrication; performance, execution; make, workmanship; practical work, practice;—pl. act, action; operation (military); work, job, chore, labour; deed, feat, achievement, exploit; occupation, business; trade, craft, handicraft; vicegerency, province, district; administrative district |
| Aman | Amán | Ar. Security, safety; peace; shelter, protection; clemency, quarter (mil.); safeguarding, assurance of protection; indemnity, immunity from punishment |
| Aman’u’llah | Amán’u’lláh | the protection of God. Fí amánu’lláh (Be under God’s protection) is an expression used by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. |
| Amana, Amanat | Amána(h or t), Amánát | reliability, trustworthiness; loyalty, faithfulness, fidelity, fealty; integrity, honesty; confidence, trust, good faith; deposition in trust; trusteeship;—pl. something deposited in trust, a deposit, trust, charge, anything given in trust; security, safety, protection; safe-guard, safe-conduct. Ḥusayn Amánat (1942–) is an Iranian-Canadian architect and brother of academic ‘Abbás Amánat. He is the architect of the Burj-i-Shahyád (“Shah’s Memorial Tower”, renamed Burj-i-Ázádí, “Freedom Tower”) in Ṭihrán, three Bahá’í Arc buildings in Haifa, the Samoan House of Worship and the Shrine of ʻAbdu’l-Bahá. |
| Amara, Amarat, Ama’ir | Amára(h or t), pl. Amárát, Amá’ir | sign, token, indication, symptom, mark, characteristic |
| Amara, Amr, Awamir, Umur | Amara, Amr, pl. Awámir, Umúr | to order, command, bid, instruct (someone to do something), commission, charge, entrust (someone with something or to do something);—pl. Awámir order, command, instruction (to do something); ordinance, decree; power, authority; (grammar) imperative;—pl. Umúr matter, affair, concern, business. Hence, can be defined as “divine order” and “acts of obedience and pious deeds that are ordained” by God. |
| Amasiya | Amásiyá | (Amasya) city in Türkiye, 84 km SW of Samsun |
| Amatu’l-A’la | Amatu’l-A‘lá | (“the Handmaid of the Most High”) Title given to Dr Susan Moody by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Amatu’l-Baha | Amatu’l-Bahá | Hand of the Cause of God, Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum Rabbani (née Mary Sutherland Maxwell) (1910–2000). [“It was Amatu’l-Bahá’s preference that Rabbani not be” transcripted. Letter from her Literary Executors, 9 Jan. 2007 to M.W.T.] Her names mean “The Handmaiden of the Glory”, “Spiritual” and “Lady” respectively. |
| Amatu’l-Haqq | Amatu’l-Ḥaqq | “Maidservant of Truth (or God)”. Title given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Núríyyih, the first wife of Varqá. |
| Amatu’llah | Amatu’lláh | (The Handmaiden of God) |
| Amid, ‘Umada | ‘Amíd, pl. ‘Umadá’ | support; head, chief; dean (of a faculty); principal, headmaster, director (of a secondary school); doyen, dean (as, of a diplomatic corps; high commissioner |
| Amil az-Zakah, ‘Ummal az-Zakah | ‘Ámil az-Zakáh, pl. ‘Ummál az-Zakáh | to give alms or almsgiver (incorrect: ‘ummál-i-dhakát in PDC p. 92). Pers. ‘Ámil-i-Zakáh, pl. ‘Ummál-i-Zakáh. |
| Amil, Awamil, Ummal | ‘Ámil, pl. ‘Awámil, ‘Ummál | active; effective;—(pl. ‘awámil) factor, constituent, element, (causative) agent, motive power; word governing another in syntactical regimen, regent (grammar);—(pl. ‘ummál) maker, producer, manufacturer; doer, perpetrator, author; worker, workman, working man, labourer; wage earner, employee; governor. |
| Amili | ‘Ámilí | an agent |
| Amin-i-Halabi | Amín-i-Ḥalabí, Shaykh | [Amín Ḥalabí] |
| Amin-i-Ilahi | Amín-i-Iláhí | Trusted of God. See Ardakání |
| Amin, Amina | Ámin, fem. Ámina(h) | peaceful. Áminah bint Wahb, mother of Muḥammad; died AD 577 in the village of al-Abwá’. |
| Amin, Umana | Amín, pl. Umaná’ | reliable, trustworthy, loyal, faithful, upright, honest; safe, secure; authorized representative or agent; trustee; guarantor (of); chief, head; superintendent, curator, custodian, guardian, keeper; chamberlain; master of a guild. Superlative form of amuna or amána (to be faithful, reliable, trustworthy). Turkish Emin. |
| Amini | Amíní | Persian name. Office of amín; trust, guardianship, custody; security; commission, deputation; secure, safe. |
| Aminu’d-Dawlah | Amínu’d-Dawlah | Trusted of the state |
| Aminu’l-‘Ulama’ | Amínu’l-‘Ulamá’ | trustworthy scholars |
| Aminu’l-Bayan | Amínu’l-Bayán | “Trusted of the Bayán” |
| Aminu’llah | Amínu’lláh | “Trust of God” |
| Aminu’s-Sultan | Amínu’s-Sulṭán | (MF) |
| Amir, ‘Amira | ‘Ámir, fem. ‘Ámira(t) | inhabited; peopled, populated, populous; full, filled, filled up; jammed, crowded, filled to capacity (with); amply provided, splendidly furnished; civilized; cultivated (land); flourishing, thriving, prosperous |
| Amir | Ámir | commander; lord, master; orderer, purchaser, customer, client |
| Amir al-Mu’minin | Amír al-Mu’minín | Commander of the Faithful, Caliph. Sunnis believe the first to hold the title was ‘Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭáb, and Shí‘i believe the title applies exclusively to ‘Imám ‘Alí. |
| Amir Rud (Amirud) | Amír Rúd | Pers. a village (36.633470, 51.567460) on the Caspian Sea coast, Mazandaran Province. It is named after the river to its east. |
| Amir Tuman | Amír Túmán | military commander of 10,000 men |
| Amir-Divan | Amír-Díván | position of authority. al-Amírí ad-Díván is the sovereign body and administrative office of an Amír |
| Amir-i-Kabir | Amír-i-Kabír | Great Prince |
| Amir-Nizam | Amír-Niẓám | Grand Vizir or General of the Army |
| Amir-Tuman | Amír-Túmán | |
| Amir-Zada (Amir-Zadih) | Amír-Záda or Amírzáda | Pers. someone of noble birth or family; a king’s son, a prince. See Mírzá |
| Amir, Umara, Amirat | Amír, pl. Umará’, pl. fem. Amírát | commander, governor, lord; prince, emir; title of princes of a ruling house; tribal chief |
| Amira’l-Mu’minin | Amíra’l-Mu’minín | Commander of the Faithful |
| Amiru’l-Kuttab | Amíru’l-Kuttáb | Prince of Calligraphers |
| Amiru’sh-Shu’ara’ | Amíru’sh-Shu‘ará’ | (The Emir of Poets) (sing. shá‘ir) |
| Amiya, ‘Aman | ‘Amiya (‘Aman) | to be or become blind, lose one’s eyesight; to be blind (to something); to be obscure (to someone); form II to blind, render blind (someone); to blindfold (someone); to obscure, render cryptic, enigmatic or mysterious, mystify (something); form IV to blind, render blind (someone); to blindfold (someone); to make (someone) blind (to a fact); form V to be or become blind, lose one’s eyesight; form VI to shut one’s eyes (on something), pretend not to see (something); to be blind (to). That is, ‘to become blind, to be obscure’ |
| Amm | ‘Ámm | public; universal, prevalent; general; common |
| Amm, 'Ammu, 'Umum, A'mam | 'Amm, fem. 'Amma[h or t] | (pl. ‘Umúm, A‘mám; fem. ‘Ammát) father’s brother, paternal uncle (fem. paternal aunt); ibn al-‘amm cousin on the father’s side; bint al-‘amm female cousin on the father’s side. ‘Ammú (in colloquial Arabic), a paternal uncle, can be used out of respect for any older man, also used as a name. |
| Amma, ‘Ammatan, ‘Awamm | ‘Ámma(h), pl. ‘Awámm | (noun) generality; commonalty; the masses, the people;—‘ámmatan (adverb) in general; generally; commonly, altogether, in the aggregate, collectively;—pl. al-‘Awámm the common people, the populace; the laity (Christian). cf. Kháṣṣa. |
| Amman | ‘Ammán | Ancient Philadelphia, capital city of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan |
| Ammar, Ammara | Ammár, fem. Ammára[h or t] | constantly urging, always demanding (to do something); inciting, instigating |
| Amna’ | Amna‘ | harder to get at, more forbidding; offering greater resistance |
| Amr | ‘Amr | preserving; living long; visiting; faith, religion. ‘Amr ibn al-‘Áṣ as-Sahmí (c. 573–664) was the Arab commander who led the Muslim conquest of Egypt and served as its governor in 640–646 and 658–664. Also an Arab commander for the conquest of Syria. He conquered most of Palestine and appointed governor. He led the Arabs to decisive victories over the Byzantines in 634 and 636. |
| Amr al-Baha’i | Amr al-Bahá’í (Amr-i-Bahá’í) | “the Glorious Cause”, “the Bahá’í Cause”, the Bahá’í Faith |
| Amr Allah, Amru’llah | Amr Alláh, Amru’lláh | “command of God”, “House of God’s command” or “cause of God” |
| Amr va Khalq | Amr va Khalq | Revelation and creation, compilation by Fáḍil Mázandarání |
| Amr-i-Abda’ | Amr-i-Abda‘ | (the Most Wondrous New Cause) |
| Amr-i-Badi’ | Amr-i-Badí‘ | (the Wondrous New Cause) |
| Amr, ‘Amru (‘Amro) | ‘Amr, ‘Amrú (pronounced ‘Amr) | he final و being employed solely to distinguish this word from ‘umar, Omar. A proper name. See Ḥadíth-i-Jábir and ‘Amr (‘Amú) bin ‘Abdiwudd. |
| Amr, ‘Amru | Amr; pl. Awámir, Umúr | order, command, cause; (in grammar) imperative; affair, business, transaction; event, occurrence, fact, circumstance; matter, case, thing, particular; point, question.—pl. (Awámir) order, command, instruction (to do something); ordinance, decree; power, authority; (grammar) imperative;—pl. (Umúr) matter, affair, concern, business. |
| Amra | ‘Amra(h) | headgear (e.g., turban); (e.g.) repair, repair work |
| Amran | ‘Amrán | a small city in western central Yemen |
| Amrani | ‘Amrání | Muḥammad Muḥammad Ṣa‘íd al-Baqqálí al-‘Amrání, Bahá’í arrested in Morocco, 1962 |
| Amrika | Amríká | America |
| Amru’llah | Amru’llah | “God’s command”. Name given to a house (41.679178, 26.556450) occupied by Bahá’u’lláh on the northern side of the Sulṭán Salím Mosque in Erdine. |
| Amu (Amuya) | Ámú (Ámúya) | Pers. a tumour, swelling, inflation; Ámú Daryú modern name of the ancient Oxus River |
| Amu, ‘Ammu | ‘Amú, ‘Ammú | Pers. paternal uncle. Mullá Ḥasan ‘Amú. See ‘amm. |
| Amud, A’mida, Umud | ‘Amúd, pl. A‘mida, ‘Umud | flagpole, shaft (of a standard); pale, post, prop, shore, pier, buttress; lamppost; (telephone, telegraph) pole; column, pillar, pilaster; stem (of a glass); (pl.) column (of a newspaper) |
| Amud, Awamid (Avamid) | ‘Ámúd, pl. ‘Awámíd | column, pillar pole. post. Modern meaning: steering column, steering mechanism (of an automobile) |
| Amul (Amol) | Ámul | companion. A town (36.466423, 52.354574) in Mázindarán province, on the Haraz River, near the Caspian Sea. |
| An | ‘An | (preposition) off, away from; from (designating the source); out of (a feeling); about, on (a topic); according to, as attested or declared by, from what ... says, on the authority of; on the basis of, on the strength of; for, in defence of; as a substitute for |
| Anahita | Anáhítá | Old Pers. immaculate, undefiled. Venus, Aphrodite (Greek) and Venus Erucina (Roman). See modern form Náhíd |
| Anam | Anám | mankind, mortals; creatures; jinn; demons. al-anám mankind, the human race. |
| Anas | Anas | joy, friendliness, delight. Anas ibn Málik ibn Naḍr al-Khazrají al-Ansárí (c. 612-c. 712) was a well-known ṣaḥábí (companion) of Muḥammad. |
| Anaya, ‘Inaya, ‘Inayat | ‘Anáya[t], ‘Ináya[t], pl. ‘Ináyát | (“Enayat”) meaning, signifying, intending (somewhat by one’s words); bestowing pains upon; happening, occurring; agreeing with one (food); guarding, preserving; solicitude, anxiety, care; assistance, aid, favour; a gift, present, bounty. See ‘Ináyatu’lláh. |
| Anbar | Anbár | Pers. full to the brim, replete; a pond, a reservoir |
| Anbar, ‘Anabir | ‘Anbar, pl. ‘Anábir | ambergris;—pl. sperm whale |
| Anbar, Nibr, Anabir | Anbár, Nibr, pl. Anábir, Anábír | barn, shed, granary, storeroom, storehouse, warehouse. Anbar-i-Sháhí (“Royal Storehouse”, 35.678809, 51.420662—it is south of the Golestan Palace and north of the Síyáh-Chál). Its name later became synonymous with a ḥubús (dungeon) and then a zindán (jail) (i.e. the Anbar Prison). |
| Anbijaniya | Anbijániya | may be a plain, thick sheet or blanket, or a garment from the Syrian town of Manbij. In a ḥadíth, Muḥammad is said to have found a patterned khamíṣa (“khamisa”) distracting Him from His prayers and asked for a plain anbijániya (or a manbijániya garment). |
| Anbiq, Inbiq, Anabiq | Anbíq, Inbíq, pl. Anábíq | alembic, distilling flask; figuratively “something that refines or transmutes as if by a process of distillation” |
| and, ‘ind, ‘und, ‘anda, ‘inda | ‘and, ‘ind, ‘und | a side, part, quarter;—‘anda, ‘inda (adverb of time and place), near, nigh, with, before, about, in, according to. min ‘inda’lláh, “on God’s part”. min 'indaná, “from us” or “on our part”. |
| Andalib, ‘Anadil | ‘Andalíb, pl. ‘Anádil | Pers. a nightingale. See Láhíjání. |
| Andar | Andar | Pers. in, into, within; added to the words |
| Andarman (Enderman, Endermane) | Ándarmán | small village 10 km south of the centre of Ṭihrán and 3 km NW of the Sháh ‘Abdu’l-‘Aẓim Shrine (in Shahr-i-Ray) |
| Andarun | Andarún | Pers. within; the inside; the heart, bowels; intrinsic, interior, internal. Village 190 km ESE Ahváz, Írán |
| Andaruni | Andarúní | interior; inner women’s apartments. See bírúní |
| Andarz | Andarz | Pers. a testament, last will. It is most often applied to remarks made by a prominent person to his son, his courtiers, “people of the world,” etc., and commonly indicates a spiritual testament. As a literary designation, it denotes the type of literature which contains advice and injunctions for proper behavior, whether in matters of state, everyday life, or religion. |
| Andirmani (Andarmani) | Ándirmání | probably Ándarmání, of or from Ándarmán. See Ándarmán. |
| Andulus | al-Andalus | Spain |
| Anfusihim | Anfusihim | themselves |
| Angiz | Ángiz | Pers. raised, elevated; (in compounds) exciting, raising. village 84 km SW Ardabíl, and 95 km east of Tabríz, Írán |
| Angur | Angúr | Pers. a grape, a raisin; granulations in a healing sore [angoor] |
| Anis, Anisa | Anís, fem. Anísa[h or t] | close, intimate; close friend; friendly, kind, affable, civil, polite, courteous. Close Companion, Anís, is the title of Mírzá Muḥammad-‘Alíy-i-Zunúzí, the companion of the Báb in martyrdom, and Ḥájí Muḥammad-Ismá‘íl (referred to as Anís in Súriy-i-Ra’ís). |
| Anisa | Anísá | ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: By the gathering together under the shade of the symbolic “Tree of Anísá [Pers. شجره انيسا, shajarah anísá] is meant the Tabernacle of the Lord of Grace, the divine Lote-Tree, the Tree of Life, "the Olive [the blessed tree] that belongeth neither to the East nor to the West, whose oil would well nigh shine out even though fire touched it not”. (Qur’án 24:35) Shoghi Effendi said at times it refers to the Temple of the Manifestation. See The Hidden Words, Persian 19. |
| Anjuman (Anjoman) | Anjuman | Pers. a company, assembly, society, banquet, congregation, synagogue, congress, any place where people meet and converse; a multitude |
| Ankabut, Anakib | ‘Ankabút, pl. ‘Anákib | spider |
| Anqa’ (‘Anka) | ‘Anqá’ | a legendary bird, griffon |
| Anqura | Ánqura[h or t] | Greek Ánkyra (“anchor”); Ánqurah or Ankara, capital of Türkiye |
| Ans | ‘Ans | bending (a stick); a strong she-camel with a long tail; an eagle. |
| Ansari, Ansariyyah | Anṣárí, pl. Anṣaríyyah | related to Anṣár, the Helpers. Those who rallied around Muḥammad after His flight from Mecca to Medina. Anṣaríyyah is believed to be a mistranscription of Nuṣayríyyah. Abú al-Qásim Khalaf ibn al-‘Abbás az-Zahráwí al-Anṣárí (936–1013), popularly known as az-Zahrawi, Latinized as Abulcasis, was an Arab Andalusian physician, surgeon and chemist. Considered to be the greatest surgeon of the Middle Ages. See Náṣir (helper) and ‘Alawí. |
| Ansi | ‘Ansí | al-‘Ansí is an ancient and prolific tribe originating in the Ḥaḍramawt region of Yemen. After the final breach of the Ma’rib Dam about CE 570, its members spread across the Arabian Peninsula. al-Aswad ibn-Ka‘b ibn-‘Awf al-‘Ansí, better known as Abhala bin Ka‘b. Also known as Dhú’l-Ḥimári’l-Aswad. He was a leader of the al-Ansí tribe and was the second false prophet—he declared when Muḥammad became ill after his final pilgrimage to Mecca. |
| Antun (Anton, Antoun) | Antún | Latin Anthony |
| Anud | ‘Anúd | (“anoud”, not ánúd) contumacious (stubbornly or wilfully disobedient to authority), refractory, wayward; a cloud big with rain |
| Anushirwan (Anushirvan, Nushirvan) | Anúshírwán (Núshírván) | “immortal soul” or “eternal spirit”. Sásáníyán king of Persia known for his just rule (CE 531–578). The Prophet Muḥammad was born in Arabia at the time of his reign (c. 570–1) (SDC p. 68). Persians sometimes use Anúshírván or even Núshírván. There are instances of Núshíraván, Núshíruván and Nawshíraván (MF 20). |
| Anwari (Avari) | Anwárí (Anvárí) | Name of a famous Persian poet, who died AH 586/CE 1190. See núr |
| Anyabuli | Anyábulí | now Inebolu. A Black Sea port 225 km WNW of Samsun, Türkiye. |
| Anzali | Anzalí | Pers. Bandar-i-Anzalí (37.466949, 49.469869), Port of Enzeli, SW end of Caspian Sea, Írán. See nuzl. |
| Aq, Ak | Áq | Turkish white |
| Aqa Baba (Aqa-Baba, Aga Baba) | Áqá Bábá (Áqá-Bábá) | small villages in Qazvín Province: “Aka-Baba” 21 km south Qazvín and “Aga-Baba” (Ágha Bábá) 22 km SNW Qazvín |
| Aqa Buzurg-i-Nishapuri | Áqá Buzurg-i-Níshápúrí | born in Khurásán, but was the son of Ḥájí ‘Abdu’l-Majíd-i-Níshápúrí. Bahá’u’lláh sent Áqá Buzurg to Írán with a messenge for Náṣiri’d-Dín Sháh. Áqá Buzurg was then martyred. He was given the titles Badí‘ (Wonderful) and Fakhru’sh-Shuhadá’ (Pride of Martyrs) |
| Aqa Fatu’llah | Áqá Fatu’lláh | (Fatollah) |
| Aqa Jan Kashani | Áqá Ján Kashání | Mírzá Áqá Ján Kashání (1837–1901), the first person to believe in Bahá’u’lláh as “Him Whom God shall make manifest”. Bahá’u’lláh chose him to become His amanuensis (despite his limited education) and gave him the title of Khádim (“Servant”) and later Khádimu’lláh (“Servant of God”). Áqá Ján served as Bahá’u’lláh’s amanuensis for nearly 40 years, but was dismissed shortly before Bahá’u’lláh died in 1892. During Bahá’u’lláh’s retirement to the mountains of Kurdistan, Mírzá Áqá Ján worked for Mírzá Yaḥyá and even went on a secret mission to assassinate Násiri’d-Dín Sháh. He became a Covenant-Breaker about 1897. |
| Aqa Jan-i-Kaj-Kulah | Áqá Ján-i-Kaj-Kuláh | Áqá Ján was a native of Salmás in Ádharbáyján. Originally an officer in the Persian army, he defected to the Ottomans and joined the Ottoman army as an artillery officer. He retired as a Colonel in 1866. He became an accomplice of Siyyid Muḥammad Iṣfahání and was known as kaj-kuláh (“Skew-cap”). Seven Bahá’ís murdered Siyyid Muḥammad Iṣfahání, Áqá Ján and Mírzá Riḍá-Qulíy-i-Tafrishí in ‘Akká on 22 January 1872. |
| Aqa Mirza ‘Abdu’-r-Rahim-i-Burujirdi | Áqá Mírzá ‘Abdu’-r-Raḥím-i-Burújirdí | (Boroodjerdy) |
| Aqa Najaf-‘Aliy-i-Zanjani | Áqá Najaf-‘Alíy-i-Zanjání | |
| Aqa Siyyid | Áqá Siyyid | [Asseyid is an abbreviation] |
| Aqa, Aqayan | Áqá, pl. Áqáyán | Pers. master, sir, gentleman; when affixed to a name means Mr (a male honorific title—‘the Master’). Sarkár Áqá (Chief Master) or Áqá was a title given by Bahá’u’lláh solely to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. |
| Aqaba | ‘Aqaba | to follow (someone, something or after someone, after something), succeed (someone, something); to come after, ensue; to continue |
| Aqaba, ‘Iqab | ‘Aqaba[h or t], pl. ‘Iqáb | a tendon; mountain pass; the summit of Miná, where Muḥammad was first publicly acknowledged by a number of persons; steep mountain-summits difficult of approach;—pl. declivities or difficult passages of mountains. al-‘Aqaba (ancient name Elath, Ailath; modern name a shortened form of ‘aqabat Aylah, “the mountain-pass of Ayla”), the only coastal city in Jordan at the northern end of the Gulf of ‘Aqaba. Pledge of al-‘Aqaba (al-bay‘a al-‘Aqaba) is the oath of allegiance of people from Yathrib to Muḥammad, prior to his emigration to Yathrib (later Medina). The first pledge (known as Bay‘at an-Nisá’ since there was no pledge of war) in 621 and the second pledge (Bay‘at al-Ḥarb) in 622. The significance of these pledges is that both were important in the preparation for emigration of Muḥammad and Muslims from Mecca to Medina. |
| Aqasi | Áqásí | Turkish proper name, e.g. Ḥájí Mírzá Áqásí (Grand Vizier of Persia, the Antichrist of the Bábí Revelation) |
| Aqay-i-Kalim | Áqáy-i-Kalím | Mírzá Músá, known as Áqáy-i-Kalím, a faithful brother of Bahá’u’lláh |
| Aqay-i-Munir | Áqáy-i-Munír | |
| Aqay-i-Rikab-Saz | Áqáy-i-Rikáb-Sáz | |
| Aqay-i-Tabrizi | Áqáy-i-Tabrízí | (MF) |
| Aqdas | Aqdas | more hallowed, more sacred, holier. The Most holy. A derivative of qadusa, as is Quds. |
| Aqida, Aqa’id | ‘Aqída[h or t], pl. ‘Aqá’id | article of faith, tenet, doctrine; dogma; creed, faith, belief; conviction; ideology (modern meaning) |
| Aqil, ‘Uqala’ | ‘Aqil, pl. ‘Uqalá’ | intelligent, wise, judicious (persons) |
| Aql al-Awwal | al-‘Aql al-Awwal | first intellect |
| Aql, ‘Uqul | ‘Aql, pl. ‘Uqúl | intellect, intelligence, reason, insight, mind, rationality and wisdom;—(pl.) sense, sentience, reason, understanding, comprehension, discernment, insight, rationality, mind, intellect, intelligence |
| Aqli, ‘Aqliya, ‘Aqliyun | Aqlí, fem. ‘Aqlíya[h or t], pl. ‘Aqlíyún | reasonable, rational; ratiocinative; mental; intellectual; fem. mentality, mental attitude;—pl. rationalist; an intellectual |
| Aqliya | ‘Aqlíya(t) | mentality, mental attitude |
| Aqsa al-Madina | Aqṣá al-Madína[h or t] | most distant part of a city or the most distant city (in a country or world). e.g. Shíráz and Búshihr. See Qur’án 36:20. |
| Aqsa, Quswa, Aqasin | Aqṣá, fem. Quṣwá, pl. Aqáṣin | more distant, remoter, farther (away); al-Masjid al-Aqṣá, “the Farthest Mosque”, built on the claimed site of the Temple of Solomon on the southern end of Fort Antonia or the claimed “Temple Mount” in Jerusalem. See aṣ-Ṣakhrah and Ḥarám |
| Ara | Árá | Pers. (in compound, from árástan), embellishing, adorning; ornament (e.g. majlis-árá, gracing the banquet, etc.) |
| Arab Khayl (Arab Kheyl) | ‘Arab Khayl | is a village (36.6962440, 52.751382) in Mazandaran Province near the Caspian Sea. |
| Arab, Urab, A’rub, Urban, ‘Arabha | ‘Arab (collective), pl. ‘Urúb, A‘rub | Arabs; true Arabs, Arabs of the desert, Bedouins. Other plurals: ‘Urbán, A‘ráb. The Arabian Peninsula or simply Arabia: Shibhu’l-Jazírati’l-‘Arabiyyah, “Arabian Peninsula” or Jazíratu’l-‘Arab, “Island of the Arabs”. Pers. pl. also ‘Arabhá. |
| Arabi, ‘Arabiya | ‘Arabí, fem. ‘Arabíya[h or t] | Arab, Arabic, Arabian; truly Arabic; an Arab. al-‘Arabíya, the language of the ancient Arabs; classical, or literary, Arabic. ibn ‘Arabí (1165–1240), full name Abú ‘Abd Alláh Muḥammad ibn ‘Alí ibn Muḥammad ibn ‘Arabí al-Ḥátimí aṭ-Ṭá’í, was an Arab Andalusian Muslim scholar, mystic, poet, and philosopher; honorific titles ash-Shaykh al-Akbar (“the Greatest Shaykh”) and Muḥyí ad-Dín (“Renewer of the Faith”). Nuṣúṣ ‘Arabíya (“Arabic text”) consists of rasm, nuqaṭ al-i‘jám (points or dots to distinguish between say ص and ض), and at-tashkíl (supplementary diacritics to indicate vocalization, including the al-ḥarakát (to indicate short vowels, long consonants, and some other vocalizations)). |
| Arabistan | ‘Arabistán | the land of Arabia |
| Arabiyah al-Fusḥa | al-‘Arabíyah al-Fuṣḥá | “the most eloquent Arabic”. It is the standardised literary form of Arabic used from the 7th century and throughout the Middle Ages, most notably in Umayyad and Abbasid literary texts such as poetry, elevated prose and oratory, and is also the liturgical language of Islám. Modern Standard Arabic is based on classical Arabic. |
| Arad, A’rad | ‘Araḍ, pl. A‘ráḍ | accident (philosophy); contingent, non-essential characteristic; something non-essential, a contingent, something accidental; symptom, manifestation of disease |
| Arafa (‘Arfa), Arafih | ‘Arafa[h or t], Pers. ‘Arafih | wind; diligent inquiry. Yawm ‘Arafah (Day of Arafah) is day 9 of the month Dhu’l-Ḥijjah, and is the second day of the Ḥajj—it celebrates the revelation of Qur’án 5:3 to Muḥammad just before sunset while on Jabal ‘Arafát for His farewell sermon (Khuṭbatu’l-Wadá‘). He gathered the Muslims and recited the revelation after sunset, the day then considered to be 10 Dhu’l-Ḥijjah AH 10 (the Islamic Friday and Sunday 8 March 632)—hence part of the confusion over the date, see Yawm. See ‘Arafát. |
| Arafa, Ma’rifa, ‘Irfan | ‘Arafa, Ma‘rifa(h or t), ‘Irfán | to know (someone, something); to recognize, perceive (someone, something); to be cognizant, be aware (of something), be acquainted (with something), to discover, experience, find out (something) |
| Arafat | ‘Arafát | 70 m high granite hill (Jabal ‘Arafát (Mount ‘Arafát 21.354841, 39.984009)—also known as Jabal ar-Raḥmah (the Mount of Mercy), 18.5 km ESE of central Mecca) and adjacent plain. See ‘Arafa(h). |
| Araja, ‘Uruj | ‘Araja, ‘Urúj | to ascend, mount, rise |
| Arak | Arák | capital of Markazi Province, Írán (formerly Sulṭánábád) |
| Aram (Eram) | Árám | Pers. calm, rest, tranquillity, peace, quiet, repose, cessation, inaction; power, obedience, subjection. Can be translated as paradise. |
| Aramram | ‘Aramram | strong, violent, vehement |
| Aran va Bidgul | Árán va Bídgul | a city that grew from an amalgamation of two villages (Árán and Bídgul, 34.060281, 51.478633), 9 km NE of Kashan |
| Ararat | Ararat | European name of the Ararat peaks (Greater and Lesser: Ağrı Dağı, 5,137 m; Küçük Ağrı dağı, 3,896 m) in Türkiye. Prior to the 6th century, the traditional Armenian name was Masis, derived from the name of King Amasya. Genesis 8:4 refers to Noah’s ark resting “upon the mountains of Ararat”—the mountainous region of Armenia (Urartu) was known to the ancient Greeks as Ararat. See al-Júdí. |
| Aras | Aras | name of a river near Tiflís, the Araxes of the ancients. See Ra’s |
| Arastan | Árástan | Pers. to adorn, decorate, embellish; to set in order |
| Arastu | Arastú | Pers. a swallow; swallow-wort |
| Araysh | al-‘Aráysh | Larache, harbour town, Morocco |
| Arba’, Arba’a, Arba’un (Arba’in) | Arba‘, fem. Arba‘a[h or t], pl. Arbá‘ún | our;—pl. forty. Iṣfahání Pers. Arba‘ih. “Arba‘in” error of the genitive form (arba‘ín) in The Kitáb-i-Íqán, p. 242 (see Shaykh Bahá’í, author of al-Arba‘ún Ḥadíth). |
| Arba’ata ‘Ashara, Arba’a ‘Asharata | Arba‘ata(h) ‘Ashara, f. Arba‘a ‘Asharata(h) | fourteen |
| Arbil | Arbíl | (Erbil, Irbil) city 80 km ESE of Mosul, ‘Iráq |
| Ard al-Muqaddasa | al-Arḍ al-Muqaddasa | the Holy Land, Palestine. Shoghi Effendi stated it became the Most Holy Land (al-Arḍ al-Aqdas) after the arrival of Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Ard wa Sama’ | Arḍ wa Samá’ | earth and heaven. ‘Earth’ is the earth of knowledge and understanding, the earth of new insight, etc. ‘Heaven’ is the heaven of new teachings and religion. By the shattering of the heaven (sky) on the day of resurrection, is meant that the heaven of the old religion is removed and a new one is raised through the Advent of a new Manifestation and the earth of recognition of God is decorated with Faith. |
| Ard-i-A’la | Arḍ-i-A‘lá | “the Exalted Spot”, name given to the Shrine of the Báb and to the fort of Khájih (Khwája), Zanján, by the Báb (Zanján upheaval 13 May 1859–c. 2 January 1851. |
| Ard-i-Jannat | Arḍ-i-Jannat | the Land of Paradise, Mílán |
| Ard-i-Sirr | Arḍ-i-Sirr | Pers. the Land of Mystery, Adrianople. See Adirna. |
| Ardabil | Ardabíl or Ardibíl | city 175 km east of Tabriz, in the province of Ádhirbáyján, near the Caspian Sea |
| Arif, ‘Arifin | ‘Árif, pl. ‘Árifín | acquainted, conversant, familiar (with); connoisseur, expert; wise man, mystic, saint, gnostic;—pl. mystics, saints, gnostics |
| Ardabili | Ardabílí | of or from Ardabíl. 1. Ṣafí ad-dín Isḥáq Ardabílí (1252/1253–1334) was a poet, mystic, teacher and Ṣúfí master. He reformed the Záhidíya (Zahediyeh) and renamed it the Safaviyya, which he led from 1301 to 1334. He was the eponymous ancestor of the Safawiyan (Safavid dynasty), which ruled Írán from 1501 to 1736. 2. Son, and successor, Ṣadr ad-Dín Músá ibn Ṣafí ad-Dín Isḥaq Ardabílí (1305–1391), also known as Ṣadr ad-Dín aṣ-Ṣafaví or Ṣadr ad-Dín al-Khánagáh. He was the first to use the title Ṣadr al-Ardibílí. 3. Mírzá Muḥammad Ṣáliḥ ibn Músá ibn Ṣafí ad-Dín Isḥaq Ardabílí (d. 1704), grandson, second Ṣadr al-Ardibílí. 4. Mírzá Muḥammad Ibráhím (etc.; d. 1738), the third Ṣadr al-Ardibílí. ... 8. Mírzá Muḥammad Ḥasan (1789–1848), the seventh Ṣadr al-Ardibílí. He served as a spiritual guide and a political advisor for Muḥammad Sháh Qájár. |
| Ardakan | Ardakán or Ardikán | city 55 km NW of Yazd |
| Ard, Arz, Aradin, Aradun, Arazi | Arḍ fem., pl. Aráḍín, Aráḍún | earth; land, country, region, area; terrain, ground, soil. Pers. arẓ, pl. aráẓí |
| Ardakani (Ardikani) | Ardakání | of or from Ardakán. Ḥájí Abu’l-Ḥasan-i-Ardikání (1831–1928), also known as Amín-i-Iláhí. |
| Ardashir, Ardishir (Ardeshir) | Ardashír, Ardishír | Pers. “great lion”. Name of Persian rulers (Ardishír and Ardashír are derived from Middle Persian Artakhishatr, which was derived from the Greek Artaxerxes) and a small village 85 km NE of Tabríz in East Azerbaijan Province, Írán (38.750145, 46.746858). |
| Ardibili | Ardibíl | city on west side of Caspian Sea, Írán |
| Ardikan (Ardakan) | Ardikán | city 55 km NW of Yazd |
| Ardiya, Ardiyat | Arḍíya[h or t], pl. Arḍíyát | floor; ground (also, e.g., of a printed fabric, of a painting); ground floor; storage, warehouse charges |
| Ard as-Sirr, Ard-i-Sirr | Arḍ as-Sirr, Pers. Arḍ-i-Sirr | “Land of Mystery”, name given to Adrianople by Bahá’u’lláh. See Adirna. |
| Ardistan | Ardistán | Province in Írán |
| Ardshir | Ardshír | Pers. intrepid, courageous |
| Arf | ‘Arf | fragrance, perfume, scent, aroma |
| Arg (Ark) | Arg | Pers. the inner fortress or citadel of a walled city. Ark is a modern colloquialism for a small citadel. |
| Arghun | Arghún | an organ; a wild horse |
| Ari | Árí | Pers. yes, very well, indeed, truly; no |
| Arid, Irad | ‘Aríḍ, pl. ‘Iráḍ | broad, wide; extensive, vast |
| Arida, ‘Ara’id | ‘Aríḍa, pl. ‘Ará’iḍ | petition, application, memorial |
| Arif, ‘Arifun, ‘Arifin | ‘Árif, pl. ‘Árifún, ‘Árifín | knowing, perceiving; acquainted, conversant, familiar (with); scientific; wise, skilful, intelligent, sagacious; connoisseur, expert; well known, notorious; patient; a holy man, a saint, the highest grade to which a mystic can attain |
| Arif, ‘Urafa’ | ‘Aríf, pl. ‘Urafá’ | knowing (something), cognizant, aware (of something); expert, authority, specialist; teaching assistant, monitor (an older pupil assisting the teacher of a Qur’anic school) |
| Arish, ‘Urush, ‘Ara’ish | ‘Arísh, pl. ‘Urush, ‘Ará’ish | arbor, bower; hut made of twigs; booth, shack, shanty; trellis (for grapevines); shaft, carriage pole. al-‘Arísh, city on the northern coast of the Sinai Peninsula. |
| Aristu, Arasta, Arastu | Arisṭú, Pers. Arasṭá, Arasṭú | Aristotle (“the best purpose”). Dr Arisṭú Khán, brother of Dr Luṭfu’lláh Ḥakím, |
| Arjmand (Arjumand) | Arjmand | Pers. rare, excellent, worthy of great price, valuable, exquisite, beloved, dear, brave, generous, noble, distinguished; wise |
| Archiya, ‘Arshiyya (Arshiyyih) | ‘Arshíya[h or t], Pers. ‘Arshiyya[h or t] | follower of Mullá Ṣadrá, DB, p. 207. See ‘Arsh and Sadrá’íya. |
| Arjumand, Arjmand, Arzaman | Arjumand, Arjmand, Arzamán | Pers. town, formerly Arzamán, in and the capital of Arjumand District, in Fírúzkúh County, Ṭihrán Province, Írán. Also written “Arjomand”. |
| Arjumandi | Arjumandí | of, from Arjumand |
| Arman | Ármán | Pers. desire; a sigh; grief, sorrow; remorse |
| Arqam | Arqam | (a serpent) speckled with black and white (of a very dangerous species); name of an Arabian tribe |
| Arrab, ‘Arraba | ‘Arráb, fem. ‘Arrába[h or t] | godfather/godmother, sponsor |
| Arsh, ‘Arshiya, Urush, A’rash | ‘Arsh, fem. ‘Arsha[h or t] | (pl. ‘Urúsh, A‘rásh) a throne, chair of state; the throne of God (‘Arsh Alláh, the Shrine of the Báb or more generally, the Bahá’í World Centre); the empyrean (heaven); a palace, citadel; roof of a house; a canopy; a tent; a prop, buttress, stay, support; a leader or chief of the people |
| Arshi, ‘Arshiyan | ‘Arshí, pl. ‘Arshiyán | from the throne (of God) or divine “presence”, heavenly; pl. angels who carry the throne of God, bearers of the celestial throne |
| Arshin | Árshín | Russian cubit (арши́н) |
| Arshiyyih | ‘Arshíyyih | followers of Mullá Ṣadrá, DB, p. 207. See ‘Arsh |
| Arslan | Árslán, Arslán | Pers. from Turkish. A lion; surname adopted by several kings of Persia. Alp Arslán (honorific in Turkish meaning “Heroic Lion”, given because of his military prowess and fighting skills; full name Ḍiyá’ ad-Dunyá wa ad-Dín ‘Aḍud ad-Dawlah Abú Shujá‘ Muḥammad Alp Árslán ibn Dáwud (1029–1072), real name Muḥammad bin Dáwud Chaghri (Turkic Çağrı), was the second Sulṭán of the Seljuk Empire and great-grandson of Saljúq (Seljuk), the eponymous founder of the dynasty. |
| Arus, ‘Urus, ‘Ara’is, ‘Arusan | ‘Arús, pl. ‘Urus | bridegroom; f. (pl. ‘ará’is) bride; doll; al-‘arúsán bride and groom, the newlyweds |
| Aryamihr (Aryamehr) | Áryámihr | “Light of the Aryans” |
| As | ‘Áṣ | ‘Amr ibn al-‘Áṣ as-Sahmí (c. 585–664) was the Arab commander who led the Muslim conquest of Egypt and served as its governor in 640–646 and 658–664. He conquered most of Palestine, to which he was appointed governor, and led the Arabs to decisive victories over the Byzantines in 634 and 636. He was a contemporary of Muḥammad and one of the Ṣaḥába. |
| As’ilah wa Ajwiba | As’ilah wa Ajwiba | Questions and Answers |
| Asab, A’sab | ‘Aṣab, pl. A‘ṣáb | nerve; sinew |
| Asabi | ‘Aṣabí | sinewy, nerved, nervy; nervous, neural, nerve-, neuro-, neur- (in compounds); nervous, high-strung |
| Asadabad (Asad-Abad) | Asadábád | city (34.781937, 48.122466) in Hamadan Province, 130 km by road from Kirmánsháh. |
| Asad, Usud, Usd | Asad, pl. Usud, Usd, Usúd, Ásád | lion; Leo (astron.) |
| Asadu’llah | Asadu’lláh | Lion of God. Compound proper name |
| Asadu’llah Fadil Mazandarani | Asadu’lláh Fáḍil Mázandarání | Mírzá Asadu’lláh Fáḍil Mázandarání (c. 1880–1957), also known as Jináb-i-Fáḍil or Fazel, was a prominent Iranian Bahá’í scholar, noted for his travel teaching in North America. He was later appointed a Hand of the Cause of God by Shoghi Effendi.. |
| Asadu’llah-i-Isfahani | Asadu’lláh-i-Iṣfahání | Mírzá Asadu’lláh-i-Iṣfahání (c. 1826–1930) the emissary who took the remains of the Báb from Írán to the Holy Land. He married a sister of Munírih Khánum (Ḍiyá’ Khánum). Daughter Faraḥángíz Khánum (see Faraḥángíz entry) and son Dr Amínu’lláh (sometimes Amín, or Ameen Ullah Fareed) Faríd (1882–1953), known in Persian as Mírzá Amínu’lláh Asadu’lláh). Mírzá Asadu’lláh-i-Iṣfahání was sent (1900–1902) to consolidate the American community and to address the effects of Kheiralla’s disaffection. Shortly after (1914?), Mírzá Asadu’lláh and his son were expelled from the Faith. |
| Asadu’llah-i-Sabbagh | Asadu’lláh-i-Ṣabbágh | (GPB 297) |
| Asadu’llah-i-zadah | Asadu’lláh-i-Zádih, Ḥusayn | Ḥusayn Asadu’lláh-i-zádah |
| Asadyari | Asadyárí, ‘Abdu’l-‘Alí | |
| Asaf ad-Dawla, Asafu’d-Dawla | Áṣaf ad-Dawla, Áṣafu’d-Dawla | (1748–1797) was the Nawab wazir of Oudh (Awudh, r. 1775–1797) |
| Asala, Asalatan | Aṣála(t) | firmness, steadfastness, strength of character; nobility of descent, purity of origin (originality); aṣálatan immediately, directly, personally |
| Asalat-i-Naw’ | Aṣálat-i-Naw‘ | originality of species |
| Asara, ‘Asr | ‘Aṣara (‘Aṣr) | to press (out), squeeze (out) (something, e.g., grapes, olives, etc.); to wring (something, especially wet clothes); to compress (something). See ‘Aṣr listing for other Forms. |
| Asaran | Ásárán | Pers. small village (35.854657, 53.293100) in Semnan Province |
| Asas, Usus, Asasiyyun | Asás, pl. Usus, Asásiyyún | foundation (hence also principle), fundament, groundwork, ground, basis, pedestal; keynote;—pl. Asásiyyún people of principle. The term “assassin” likely has roots in ḥashsháshín (ḥashísh (hashish) smokers or users), a mispronunciation of the original Asásiyyún, but not a mispronunciation of Asásiyyín. The term assassin originally referred to the methods of political control exercised by the Asásiyún, and it can be seen how it became “assassin” in several languages to describe similar activities anywhere. The Asásiyún were medieval Nizárí (an-Nizáriyyún) Ismailis (Ismá‘íliyyún). |
| Asasi, Asasiyat, Asasiyyin | Asásí, fem. Asásíya[h or t] | (pl. Asásíyát, Asásiyyín) fundamental, basic; elementary; essential; principal, chief, main |
| Asaturiyan Marcard | Ásátúriyán Márcárd | (Dr Marcard Assadorian) |
| Asbah, Asbahi | Aṣbaḥ | Pers. of a handsome face; a tearing lion; red-coloured; name of a king of Yemen |
| Asbahi | Aṣbaḥí | (Pers. of Ar. influence) referring to King Aṣbaḥ of Yemen |
| Asbaq | Asbaq | earlier, antecedent; preceding, previous, prior; former, ex-; foremost, more or most excellent; surpassing; previous; past times |
| Asdaq | Aṣdaq | truer, sincerer. ibn-i-Aṣdaq (Mírzá ‘Alí-Muḥammad, 1850–1928). Designated by Bahá’u’lláh as Shahíd ibn-i-Shahíh (Martyr, son of the Martyr). He is the son of Mullá Ṣádiq-i-Khurásání (formerly known as Muqaddas)—both were named a Hand of the Cause of God. |
| Asdaqi | Aṣdaqí | |
| Asdiqa’ al-Iman | Aṣdiqá’ al-Ímán | friends of the faith |
| Asfal, Sufla (Sofla), Asafil | Asfal, fem. Suflá, pl. Asáfil | lower; lowest; lower or lowest part, bottom |
| Asfiya’, ‘Asfiyyih | Aṣfiyá’, Pers. Aṣfiyyih | Druse village of ‘Isfiya, east side Mt Carmel. See Ṣafíy |
| Asghar, Sughra, Asaghir | Aṣghar, fem. Ṣughra, pl. m. Aṣághir | smaller, younger [Comparative form of ṣaghíra (to belittle)]. Ṣughra is the name of a half-sister of Bahá’u’lláh and mother of ‘Alí Akbar Furútan. |
| Asgharzada (Asgharzadeh, Asghar zadih) | Aṣgharzáda, Aṣghar Záda, Aṣgharzádih | Pers. surname, e.g. Ḍíyá’u’lláh Aṣgharzádih |
| Ash | -ash | Pers. (added to a noun ending in soft ه he, i.e. not sounded), his, her |
| Ash | Ásh | Pers. meat, victuals, viands, soup, broth, gruel, pottage; drinking, a drinker |
| Ash-i-kashk | Ásh-i-kashk | (MF p. 68) barley soup with whey |
| Ash’ar | Ash‘ar | hairy, hirsute, long-haired, shaggy |
| Ash’ari | Ash‘arí | Abú al-Ḥasan ‘Alí ibn Ismá‘íl ibn Isḥáq al-Ash‘arí (c. 874—936) |
| Ash’ariyya, ‘Asha’ira | al-‘Ash‘aríyya(h) or al-‘Ashá‘ira(h) | Ash‘arism or Ash‘ari theology—a foremost theological school of Sunni Islam founded by Abú al-Ḥasan ‘Alí ibn Ismá‘íl ibn Isḥáq al-Ash‘arí (873–4 to 935–6). Followers: Ash‘arites. See Sha‘r and Kayfa. |
| Ash’ath | Ash‘ath | Pers. one whose hair is dishevelled and soiled with dust |
| Ashab al-Aykah | Aṣḥáb al-Aykah | “Companions of the Wood”, a name given to the Midianites, since they used to worship a large tree. |
| Ashab al-Kahf | Aṣḥáb al-Kahf | “Companions of the cave”, a Christian and Islamic tradition (Qur’án 18:9–26) that tells the story of the ‘Seven Sleepers’ (unknown number of youths according to Qur’án 18:22) who hide in a cave near a city around CE 250 to escape religious persecution and to emerge 300 years later. Identified as a cave 1 km east of Ephesus by Christians, and as a south facing (Qur’án 18:17) cave 7 km SE of Amman (31.898860, 35.973800) by Muslims. See ṣáḥib. |
| Ashab, Sahba’, Suhb | Aṣhab, f. Ṣahbá’, pl. Ṣuhb | reddish; wine |
| Ashar | Ashar | liveliness, high spirits, exuberance; wildness; insolence, impertinence |
| Ashr, Ashra, Ashar, ‘Asharha, ‘Asarat | ‘Ashr, ‘Ashra[h or t] | (fem. ‘Ashar, ‘Ashara[h or t], pl. ‘Asharát) ten; al-‘Ashara the first ten days of Muḥarram;—pl. decimal numbers, some tens, tens (of); decades |
| Ashchi | Áshchí | cook, maker of broth. Áqá Ḥusayn-i-Áshchí. See Ásh |
| Ashhadu | Ashhadu | I bear witness, I testify, I declare. See Sháhid. |
| Ashhal, Shahla | Ashhal, fem. Shahlá | having bluish-black eyes. (Pers. with Ar. influence) Shahlá, a black eye inclined to red, and having a sly, deceitful, sinister look; a dark-grey-eyed woman |
| Ashiq, ‘Ashiqa | ‘Ashiq, fem. ‘Ashiqa[h or t | to love passionately (someone, something), be passionately in love (with someone, with something) |
| Ashiq, Ushshaq, Awashiq (Avashiq) | ‘Áshiq, pl. ‘Ushsháq, ‘Awáshiq | lover; fancier, fan;—pl. knucklebone; (game of) knucklebones. Fem. ‘Áshiqa[h or t]. ‘Aváshiq is a village in the Diyálá Valley east of Baghdád. |
| Ashjari | Ashjárí | ‘Azízu’lláh Ashjárí |
| Ashmunin, Ushmunin, Ushmunayn | Ashmúnín (Ushmúnayn) | al-Ashmúnín (Ashmunein, derived from a Coptic form of the original Egyptian) is a town on the west bank of the Nile River 255 km south of Cairo. The town surrounds the remains of the major ancient city of Hermopolis Magna (“City of Hermes”). |
| Ashraf, Sharfa’ | Ashraf, fem. Sharfá’ | more or most noble; eminent; a person of noble birth, nobleman; gentleman. City in Írán, see Bihshahr. ‘Alí Ashraf Garden—a large garden on the west side of the Riḍván Garden (SE east of ‘Akká), with the Firdaws (Paradise) Garden to its north. Original owner Mullá Abú-Ṭálib. ‘Alí-Ashraf, his son, later donated it to the Faith. Áqá Siyyid Ashraf-i-Zanjání (mother: Umm-i-Ashraf). |
| Ashrafi | Ashrafí | Pers. a gold coin. Sháh Ashraf Hútak (c. 1700–c. 1730; r. 1725–1729) issued gold coins that were named after him. |
| Ashtiyan (Ashtian) | Áshtiyán | Pers. capital city of Áshtiyán County, Markazí Province, Írán. 81 km WSW of Qum. |
| Ashu (Asho) | Ashu | Pers. heavenly Ashu Zarathushtra |
| Ashura | ‘Áshúrá’, ‘Ashúrá’, Pers. also ‘Áshúrá | name of a voluntary fast day on the tenth day of the Muslim month Muḥarram—Shí‘ih Muslims observe the first 10 days of the month as a period of mourning for the Imáms, ending with the Yawm ‘Áshúrá’ (on the 10th day), the commemoration of the martyrdom of the Imám Ḥusayn at Karbilá |
| Ashyab, Shayba’ (Shaiba’), Shib | Ashyab, fem. Shaybá’, pl. Shíb | Ar. white, grey (hair); white-haired, grey-haired (person); old, aged; old man. |
| Asi, Asiya, Asiyih | Ásí, fem. Ásíya[h or t] | Pers. Melancholy, solicitous, sorrowful; a physician, surgeon. Ásíyih is the name of Pharaoh’s daughter who rescued Moses. See Navváb, Ásíyih is the title given to Bahá’u’lláh’s wife (Ásíyih Khánum). |
| Asif (Asaf, Assaf), Asifa | Áṣif, fem. Áṣifa[h or t] | from Hebrew Asaf, to gather or harvest. Áṣif bin Barkhiyá is the name of a sage that the Arabs claim was Sulayman’s grand wazír, hence proverbially used for any wise counsellor. The name is considered to be a symbol of strength and prosperity. |
| Asif, ‘Asifa, ‘Awasif | ‘Áṣif, fem. ‘Áṣifa[h or t], pl. ‘Awáṣif | violent wind, gale, tempest, storm, hurricane |
| Asifu’d-Dawla, Asifu’d-Dawlih | ‘Áṣifu’d-Dawla (Pers. ‘Áṣifu’d-Dawlih) | “Storm of the State” or “Storm of the Dynasty” |
| Asir, Aseer | ‘Asír | difficult, hard, harsh, rough; ‘Asír is a mountainous province in SW Arabia, between the Hejaz and Yemen, capital city is Abhá. |
| Asiya | Ásiyá | Asia |
| Askar, Asakir | ‘Askar, pl. ‘Asákir | army, host, troops |
| Askari | ‘Askarí, pl. ‘Askariyún, ‘Asákir | military, army-(in compounds);—(pl. al-‘askariyún) the military;—(pl. ‘asákir) soldier; private (military); policeman;—pl. enlisted men, ranks. ‘Alí al-Hádí (the tenth Imám) had the title al-‘Askarí (military) due to the town (Sámarrá) he had to live in was a military camp). The hidden Imám Mahdí (twelfth), Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan al-‘Askarí (disappeared CE 874). |
| Asl-i-Qullu’l-Khayr | Aṣl-i-Qullu’l-Khayr | “Words of Wisdom”, Tablet by Bahá’u’lláh, published in Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 153–7. |
| Asl, Usul, Asliyan | Aṣl, pl. Uṣúl, Pers. Aṣliyán | root; trunk (of a tree); origin, source; cause, reason; descent, lineage, stock (especially one of a noble character); foundation, fundament, basis; the origins!;—pl. principles, fundamentals, rudiments, elements (e.g., of a science):—Pers. nobles, gentlemen. |
| Aslam | Aslam | (adj. of salím) safer; freer; sounder; healthier (“most peaceful”) |
| Aslas | Aslas | more tractable, more pliable, more obedient; more flexible, smoother, more fluent. See salis |
| Asli, Usuli | Aṣlí, pl. Uṣúlí | original, primary, primal, initial; genuine, authentic, pure; basic, fundamental, principal, chief, main:—pl. in accordance with the rules, conforming to prevailing principles; traditional, usual; legist. |
| Asl-i-Kullu’l-Khayr | Aṣl-i-Kullu’l-Khayr | lit. source of all good. “Words of Wisdom” Tablet by Bahá’u’lláh, published in Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 153–7. |
| Asliya, Usuliya | Aṣlíya[h or t], pl. Uṣúlíya[h or t] | originality; genuineness; nobleness;—pl. fundamentalism (“usulism”). al-Uṣúlíya, the school of jurisprudence that emphasizes the study of uṣúl al-fiqh. In the 19th century, it is almost synonymous with the mujtahids. |
| Asma’ Allah al-Husna | Asmá’ Alláh al-Ḥusná | the Most Beautiful Names of God (usually 99, drawn mostly from descriptions of God in the Qur’án) |
| Asma’u’l-Husna | Asmá’u’l-Ḥusná | Most Beauteous Names (of God). According to a ḥadíth, Muḥammad said, “Verily there are 99 names of God, and whoever recites them shall enter Paradise.” The traditions also maintain that the “Almighty has a hundredth name, the ‘Most Great Name’, and that whoever calls on God by this Name shall obtain all his desires. Bahá’u’lláh revealed that the Greatest Name (Ism-i-A‘ẓam) is Bahá’. |
| Asman | Ásmán | Pers. heaven, the celestial orb; the ceiling of a house; name of the angel of death |
| Asmar, Samra’, Sumr, Samrawat | Asmar, f. Samrá’, pl. Sumr | brown; tawny;—pl. Samráwát brown-skinned women |
| Asqalan, Ashkelon, Ashqelon, Ascalon | ‘Asqalán, Heb. Ashkelon | a coastal city of Israel, 50 km south of Tel Aviv and 147 km SSW of ‘Akká. See ESW, p. 178. |
| Asr, ‘Asar, ‘Usur | ‘Aṣr, ‘Aṣar, pl. ‘Uṣúr | (fem.) afternoon; afternoon prayer (Islamic Law |
| Asr, A’sur, ‘Usur, A’sar | ‘Aṣr, pl. A‘ṣur, ‘Uṣúr, A‘ṣár | (act of) pressing (out), squeezing (out); (act of) wringing (out);—pl. age, era, time; period; epoch; afternoon |
| Asrar-i-Shihadat-i-Imam | Asrár-i-Shihádat-i-Imám | mysteries of the martyrdom of the Imám. Dar Asrár-i-Shihádat-i-Imám Ḥusayn by Siyyid Káẓim. |
| Asraru’l-Athar | Asráru’l-Áthár | The mysteries of the Writings by Fáḍil Mázanarání. |
| Ast | Ast | Pers. is (from búdan, to be); he willeth, he seeketh |
| Ast | Ást | Pers. praise, commendation |
| Astaghfiru’llah | Astaghfiru’lláh | (“I ask pardon of God”), God forgive me! God forbid! (modern colloquialism) not at all; on the contrary. A common response of those considering themselves deeply learned after meeting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and recognizing themselves as profoundly ignorant. |
| Astan, Astana (Astane) | Ástán, Ástána | Pers. the place where shoes are removed; a threshold; lying supine; a king’s court, royal palace; the Ottoman Porte; the tomb of a prophet or saint. Village (36.278167, 54.083907) near Chashma ‘Alí and NW of Dámghán, in Semnan Province. |
| Astani | Ástání | Yadu’lláh Ástání |
| Astar | Astar | Pers. a mule; a bone; a seed, a kernel |
| Astarabad (Gurgan, Gurgin or Gorgan) | Astarábád (Istarábád) | Pers. (astar+ábád, “city of mules”) (“Istarabad”) city (36.842300, 54.433518) near the south eastern corner of the Caspian Sea. Renamed Gúrgán (Gorgán) in 1937. |
| Astarabadi | Astarábádí | Mullá Muḥammad Amín bin Muḥammad Sharíf al-Akhbárí Astarábádí was an Iranian theologian and founder or proponent of the conservative (Akhbárí) strand in Twelver Shí‘a Islamic belief, those who favour aḥádíth over fatáwá. He opposed the uṣúlí tendency within the Twelver Shí‘a tradition. |
| Aswad, Sawda (Sauda), Sud, Sudan | Aswad, fem. Sawdá, pl. Súd | black; dark-coloured;—pl. súdán a black, Negro |
| Ata az-Zakata | Atá az-Zakáta | to give alms |
| Ata, Ityan, Aty, Ma’ta | Atá (Ityán, Aty, Ma’tá(h)) | to come, arrive |
| Ata’, ‘Atiya (‘Ata’iyih), A’tiya, ‘Ata’yat | ‘Aṭá’, fem. ‘Aṭíya[h or t] | pl. a‘tiya, ‘aṭá’yát, fem. ‘aṭáyá. Gift, present;—pl. ‘Aṭá’yát offer, tender. Pers. fem. ‘aṭa’íyih, “‘aṭa’íyyih”, “ataieh”. ‘Alí Akbar Furútan married ‘Aṭá’íyyih ‘Azíz-Khurásání in 1931. |
| Ata’u’llah | ‘Aṭá’u’lláh | Gift of God |
| Ataba, ‘Atab, A’tab | ‘Ataba(h), pl. ‘Atab, A‘táb | doorstep, threshold; (door) lintel; also al-‘Ataba(h) al-‘ulyá step, stair; ‘Utbah masc. name |
| Ataba, ‘Atab, A’tab, ‘Atabat | ‘Ataba[h or t], pl. ‘Atab, A‘tab, ‘Atabát | a gate, a port; the threshold; the lintel of a door; the round of a ladder, a step; a royal court; anything adverse or disagreeable. Also ‘Ataba[h or t] ‘ulyá, step or stair. Plural: steps, thresholds. “‘Atabát”, the Shi’ite holy shrines in ‘Iráq and the cities where they are located: the tombs of the first six Imams; and the cities of Karbalá’, Najaf, Káẓimayn, and Sámarrá. See al-‘Atabát al-‘Álíyát. |
| Atabak | Atábak | Pers. (from atá, a father, and bak, a lord), the lord father (a title given to the governors of Shíráz); a guardian, preceptor, teacher; the prime minister, or vizír; honorary title of an ámir |
| Atabak-i-A’zam (Atabik-i-A’zam) | Atábak-i-A‘ẓam | Title of Mírzá ‘Alí-Asghar Khán |
| Atabat al-‘Ali, Atabat-i-Aliyat | al-‘Atabát al-‘Álíyát | (Pers. ‘Atabát-i-‘Álíyát) (lit. Supreme Shrines). Bahá’í Shrines of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. Applied by Shí‘a Muslims to the cities of Karbalá’, Najaf, Káẓimayn and Sámarrá. Also known as al-‘Atabát al-Muqaddasa (“holy doorsteps”). |
| Ataturk | Atatürk | Turkish (Ata + türk, father of the turks) honorific surname given to Muṣṭafá Kemál Páshá |
| Athar | Aṭhar | Pers. more or most pure |
| Athar | Athar, pl. Áthár | track, trace, vestige; sign, mark; touch; impression, effect, action, influence (on); tradition (relating the deeds and utterances of Muḥammad and his Companions); work (of art, especially of literature); ancient monument;—pl. also: antiquities; remnants, vestiges; (religious) relics |
| Athar-i Qalam-i A’la | Athar-i-Qalam-i-A‘la | “Traces of the Most High Pen”. Collected Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh in Arabic and Persian |
| Athari | Atharí, Áthárí | archaeologic(al); archaeologist; old, ancient, antique |
| Athim, Athama, Uthama’ | Áthim, pl. Athama, Athím, Uthamá’ | sinful, criminal, wicked, evil; sinner |
| Athir | Athír | marking; marked, chosen, selected;—(from Greek αίθήρ) sky, ether; fire as an element. Pers. the sphere of fire; the sun; tears |
| Athiri | Athírí | ethereal |
| Atifi | ‘Áṭifí | sentimental; emotional; emotive, feeling; tender, affectionate, loving |
| Atiq | ‘Atíq | old, ancient, antique; matured, mellowed, aged (wine); of ancient tradition, long-standing; antiquated, outmoded, obsolete; free, emancipated (slave); noble |
| Atir, ‘Atira | ‘Aṭir, fem. ‘Aṭira[t] | sweet-smelling, fragrant, aromatic; perfumed, scented |
| Atish | Átish | Pers. fire; light, splendour; rage; levity, fickleness; valour, value, dignity; dearness, scarceness; (metaphorically) the Devil; a courageous man, bold, brave; a lover; fire of Jove; desire, appetite, greed; digestive heat; sulphur. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said Marzieh Gale had átish and namak. Arches of the years, p. 87. |
| Atish-Parast (Atishparast, Atishparastan) | Átish-Parast, pl. Átish-Parastán | fire-worshippers |
| Atiya, ‘Ataya | ‘Aṭíya(h or t), pl. ‘Aṭáyá | Pers. also ‘Atíyya(h) gift, present |
| Atlit (Athlit) | ‘Atlít | Hebrew. Atlit is a coastal town 14 km south of Haifa. It was a Crusader outpost until 1291. The ruins of the Crusader Château Pèlerin or Atlit Castle (1218–1291) are 1.5 km to the north on a small peninsula. |
| Atqan | Atqan | more perfect, more thorough |
| Attar, ‘Attara | ‘Aṭṭár, fem. ‘Aṭṭára[h or t] | 1. perfumer, perfume vendor; druggist; 2. sweet-smelling, fragrant, aromatic. From the form II root عطّر. Abú Ḥamíd bin Abú Bakr Ibráhím (c. 1145–c. 1221), better known by his pen-names Faríd ud-Dín and ‘Aṭṭár (apothecary), was a 12th-century Persian poet, theoretician of Sufism, and hagiographer from Níshápur who had an immense and lasting influence on Persian poetry and Sufism. Manṭiq-uṭ-Ṭayr (“The Conference of the Birds”) and Iláhí-Náma (“The Book of Divine”) are among his most famous works. |
| Attari | ‘Aṭṭárí | of or relating to a druggist; the business of a perfumer or druggist |
| Atyab, Atyaban, Atayib | Aṭyab, dual Aṭyabán, pl. Aṭáyib | better, best, more or most sweet, fragrant, delicate, pleasant, delightful;—(dual) the two delights, Ceres (goddess of agriculture) and Venus (goddess of love), or youth and gay spirits;—pl. the best parts (of something); pleasures, comforts, amenities; delicacies, dainties. See ṭúbá |
| Aw (Au) | Aw | or (with following subjunctive) unless, except that |
| Awara (Awarah, Avarih, Avareh) | Áwára | Pers. (آوراه) (Iṣfahání Pers. Áwárih, Ávárih) an account-book; computation; certainty, assuredness; lost, annihilated; ruined; scattered; destitute of name or character; an exile, outcast, vagabond, vagrant, wanderer, straggler, immigrant; iron filings; oppression, injustice; bane, ruin, desolation. For Arabic, see Ṭaríq. See also Áyatí. |
| Awasta (Avesta) | Awastá | Pers. the sacred books of Zoroaster. |
| Awf (Auf) | ‘Awf | flying round anything (as birds round a watering-place or carcase); state, condition; work, business; a guest; good fortune, happiness; one who takes care of his family |
| Awih (Avih, Aveh, Awah) | Áwih | villages in the provinces of Fárs, Markazí and Qazvín (26 km SSE Sávih (Sáveh) and 45 km NW of Qum). |
| Awin | Áwín | Áwín Zindán (Evin Prison, Ṭihrán) |
| Awj (“Auj”), Awji | Awj | noun. highest point, acme, pinnacle; culmination, climax; apogee (astron.); peak (fig.; of power. of fame). Adj. Awjí |
| Awn (‘Aun), A’wan | ‘Awn, pl. A‘wán | being middle-aged (a woman); helping, assisting; aid, assistance, succour, help; an aider, helper, defender, protector; an ally; a servant;—‘awni iláhí, Divine aid. Muḥammad ibn ‘Abd al-Mu‘ín ibn ‘Awn (1767–1858), was Sharíf and Imára (Emir) of Mecca from 1827–1836, 1840–1851 and 1856–1858. The Báb was in Mecca on Friday 20 December 1844 (Islamic Friday 10 Dhu’l-Ḥijjah AH 1260), hence Ḥajj-i-Akbar, fulfilling a ḥadíth for the appearance of the Qá’im, in this case, a Friday in both calendars! |
| Awrang (Aurang) | Awrang | Pers. a throne; wisdom, understanding; beauty, gracefulness; life; a manufacturing village; fraud, deceit; mirth; a worm which eats into wood; a line whereon things are hung to dry; glory, honour; a man’s name; (metaphorically) heaven. A low mountain near the village of Tákur, in the province of Núr, Persia, the summer residence of Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Awraq-i-Nariyyih | Awráq-i-Náríyyih | Pers. form “the Infernal Letters” See waraq (paper) and nárí |
| Aws (Aus) | Aws | giving in exchange or return, requiting, repaying; a gift; name of an Arab tribe (Banú Aws) |
| Awsa’ (Ausa’) | Awsa‘ | wider, larger, roomier, more spacious |
| Awsat (“Ausat”), Awasit, Wusta, Wusat | Awsaṭ, pl. Awsaṭ | middle, central; the middle finger |
| Awtad | Awtád | pegs or tent stakes. See Watad/Autád |
| Awwal (Auwal), Ula, Awwalun, Awa’il | Awwal, f. Úlá, pl. m. Awwalún, Awá’il | first; foremost, most important, principal, chief, main; first part, beginning; (with definite article also) earlier, previous, former. al-úlá “pre-existence”—ad-dunyá (earthly life) and al-ákhira (afterlife), pl. also Awwalín |
| Awwali | Awwalí | prime, primary, primordial, original, initial, first; elemental, fundamental, basic, principal, chief, main; elementary; primitive, pristine, primeval |
| Awwaliya, Awwaliyat | Awwalíya[h or t], pl. Awwalíyát | fundamental truth, axiom; primary constituent, essential component, element; primal; precedence; priority |
| Awwam | ‘Awwám | good swimmer. az-Zubayr ibn al-‘Awwám ibn Khuwaylid (594–656), was one of the companions of Muḥammad and Khadíjah’s nephew. |
| Ay | Ay | that is (to say), i.e.; namely, to wit |
| Aya (Ayih), Ay, Ayat | Áya(h or t), collective Áy, pl. Áyát | sign, token, mark; miracle; wonder, marvel, prodigy; model, exemplar, paragon, masterpiece. Commonly used to refer to each of the 6,236 verses in the Qur’án (6,348 áyát if all the Bismi’lláh [no plural] verses are included). Muslims regard each áya of the Qur’án as a sign from Alláh. (The Bahá’í Proofs). |
| Aya Sufiya (Sofiya) | Ayá Ṣúfiyá (Ayá Ṣófiyá) | Greek αγία σοφία, agia sofiya, “Holy wisdom”. English Hagia Sophia. Turkish based on the Greek sound: Ayasofya or Aya Sofya). Ar. from Greek Ayá Ṣúfiyá, but translated as al-Ḥikmat al-Muqadasa. The first St. Sophia (360–404) was a Christian cathedral built by Constantine the Great. It was largely destroyed during riots in 404. A second church (415–532) was destroyed by fire. in 532 Construction of the present structure was started that same year by Justinian I. Converted to become one of the most famous Muslim mosques (1453–1935), a museum (1935–2020), and now a mosque again. |
| Ayati | Áyatí | Mírzá ‘Abdu’l-Ḥusayn Áyatí Taftí (1871–1953), titled Ra’ís al-Muballighín (“chief of missionaries”) and Ávárih (wanderer) by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, was a prominent Iranian Bahá’í. Author of al-Kawákib ad-Durríya fí Ma’áthir al-Bahá’íya (“The Pearly Stars in the Achievements of the Bahá’í Faith”). After the death of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá he pressed for the election of the UHJ in the hope of becoming a member. When he failed, he withdrew from the Bahá’í Faith and began to publicly denounce it and published Kashfu’l-Ḥiyal (Uncovering of Trickery). |
| Ayatu’l-Kursi | Áyatu’l-Kursí | “Verse of the throne”, Qur’án 2:255 |
| Ayatu’llah | Áyatu’lláh | “sign of God” A senior Shí‘ih religious leader in Írán (title origin 19th century) and a title given to Shoghi Effendi by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in His Will and Testament |
| Ayatu’llah al-‘Uzma | Áyatu’lláh al-‘Uẓmá | the greatest sign of God, “Grand Ayatu’llah”, designates a Marji‘ at-taqlíd (“source to follow”) or Marji‘ ad-Díní (“religious reference”). In post 1979 revolution Írán, the next levels down are Áyatu’lláh, used for any established mujtahid; and Ḥujjatu’l-Islám for aspiring mujtahids. See a‘ẓam or ‘uẓm. |
| Ayatu’llah-i-Khurasani | Áyatu’lláh-i-Khurásání | (MF) |
| Ayaz | Áyáz and Ayáz | Pers. name of a favourite of Sulṭán Maḥmúd of Ghaznah; name of one of the Emirs of Sulṭán Ibrahím bin Mas‘úd bin Maḥmúd Ghaznawí. |
| Aydil-Khani | Aydil-Khání | |
| Ayk (Aik), Aykatun | Ayk, Ayka(h or t), pl. Aykatún | (collective; nomen unitatis ة) thicket, jungle, a forest, copse, grove, thicket, wood (أيكةة).—pl. the dwellers of woods (an epithet for the people of Midian (Midianites) to whom the prophet Shu‘ayb was sent). |
| Ayman (Aiman) | Ayman, fem. Yumná | right-hand, right, on the right; lucky |
| Ayn (‘Ain), ‘Aynan, ‘Uyun, A’yun | ‘Ayn fem., ‘Aynán | (pl. ‘Uyún, A‘yun, A‘yán) eye; evil eye; spring, source, fountainhead (of water); scout, reconnoiterer; hole; mesh; flower, choice, prime (of something);—(pl. a‘yán) an eminent, important man, used especially in plural: people of distinction, important people, leading personalities, leaders, notables, prominent persons; substances, essences; self, individuality;—chattel, object of material value, (corporeal or personal) property, personality, capital asset (Islamic Law);—ready money, cash; name of the letter ع (18th in Arabic and 21st in Persian alphabets—see hijá’í). A‘yán can also be used to mean archetypes or ideal forms in the Platonic sense. The Bahá’í Faith transcripts an ‘Ayn as a left single quotation mark ⟨‘⟩ [U+2108]. Two internationally accepted forms are a Greek rough breathing mark ⟨ʻ⟩ [U+02BB] and a modifier letter left half ring ⟨ʿ⟩ [U+02BF]—see the Special characters section. |
| Ayn-‘Ayn (E. E.) | ‘Ayn-‘Ayn | short form for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ‘Abbás |
| Ayni, ‘Aini | ‘Ayní | Pers. (Ar. influence) of or relating to the eye; genuine, essential, real |
| Aynu’l-Baqar (Aynu’l-Baghar) | ‘Aynu’l-Baqar | an ancient spring (“The spring of the cow”) about half-way between the moat around ‘Akká and Tel ‘Akká |
| Aynu’llah (‘Ainullah) | ‘Aynu’lláh | Eye of God. Brothers Sulaymán and Raḥmán ‘Aynu’lláhí, guards in the Disciplinary Forces (NAFA). |
| Aynu’s-Sitt | ‘Aynu’s-Sitt | “Spring of the woman”—about 200 metres south of ‘Aynu’l-Baqar |
| Ayyam-i-Ha | Ayyám-i-Há | “Days of Há” Intercalary days |
| Ayyam-i-Shidad | Ayyám-i-Shidád | “Days of stress”—the supreme crisis in Adrianople, engineered by the diabolical Siyyid Muḥammad (GPB 163) |
| Ayyub (Aiyub) | Ayyúb | Job (the prophet) |
| Ayyubiyun | al-Ayyúbíyún | Ayyubid dynasty, the Ayubites |
| Az | Áz | Pers. desire, love, passion, lust; avidity, avarice, covetousness; (at the end of compounds) greedy; name of a city. |
| Az | Az | Pers. from; of; for; by; out of; with; belonging to; by means of; in |
| Az-Bagh-i-Ilahi | Az-Bágh-i-Iláhí | “From the Garden of Holiness” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Azad | Ázád | Pers. free, independent, liberated, delivered, manumitted, exempted; fault, less; solitary, lonely; a kind of faqír, or devotee; a lily; a cypress; a fresh date; an evergreen; a delicious kind of fish |
| Azad Bun (Azad Bon) | Ázád Bun | Pers. a village (36.662395, 52.963961) 29 km NE Babol and 14 km NW of Sárí. Burial place of Ḥaydar, brother of Quddús. |
| Azadi | Ázádí | Pers. liberty; freedom from worldly cares; praise, thanksgiving |
| Azal | Azal | Pers. eternity (without beginning). cf. abad. |
| Azali | Azalí, pl. Azálál | Pers. existing from all eternity, eternal; God; a follower of Mírzá Yaḥyá based on his assumed title of “Ṣubḥ-i-Azal”. |
| Azaliya | Azalíya(t) | life everlasting, eternity |
| Azamat, ‘Azamut | ‘Azamat, ‘Azamút, pl. ‘Azamát | Pers. magnitude, magnificence, pride, pomp, grandeur; (met.) a grandee. |
| Azamatu’llah | ‘Aẓamatu’lláh | Magnificence of God |
| Azamut | ‘Aẓamút | Ar. greatness, magnitude, grandeur, dominion |
| Azan | Áẓán or Aẓán (also Adhán) | Pers. announcing, giving notice; the signal for summoning to prayers, by the Mu’aẓẓin or crier, from the minarets or towers of the mosques; listening to |
| Azar | Ázar | Muslim name for Abraham’s father, or, according to others, his uncle’s, that of his father being Tárikh. See Táraḥ and Tárakh. |
| Azariqa | Azáriqa(h) | al-Azáriqah were an extremist branch of al-Khárijíyat, who followed the leadership of Náfi‘ ibn al-Azraq. Adherents participated in armed struggles against the rulers of the Umayyad Caliphate, declared those who avoided this duty infidels, and allowed them to be murdered. The Azraqites did not extend the principle of killing “apostates” to Christians and Jews, since they believed that they did not betray the teachings of the prophets Jesus and Moses. |
| Azghand | Azghand | village (35.259502, 58.800555; 130 km SW Mashhad) and rural district |
| Azhar | Aẓhar | more distinct, more manifest, clearer |
| Azhar, Zahra, Zahra’i | Azhar, fem. Zahrá | shining, luminous, radiant, brilliant; bright. al-Azhar University, Cairo. Zahrá ehite splendid, clear, serene, bright, shining, beautiful, flourishing, blooming. Comparative form zahrá’ “bright”. Fátima bin Muhammad is commonly known as Fáṭimah az-Zahrá’, the “radiant one”. Surname Zahrá’í a radiant one, a dazzling beauty. See Zahr |
| Azib | ‘Ázib | unmarried; distant pasture; a camel which feeds abroad all night; name of a mountain. Bará’ ibn ‘Ázib of the Anṣár was a companion of Muḥammad and narrator of ḥadíth. He fought beside Muḥammad in 15. In 645, during the caliphate of ‘Uthmán, he was made governor of ar-Ray (in Persia). He died in 690. |
| Azim (Azzaam) | ‘Azím | applying the mind to, undertaking; determined to accomplish; a powerful enemy |
| Azim-i-Khu’i | ‘Aẓím-i-Khu’í | |
| Azim-i-Tafrishi | ‘Aẓím-i-Tafríshí | (MF) |
| Azim, Uzama, Izam, Aza’im | ‘Aẓím, pl. ‘Uẓamá, ‘Iẓám, ‘Aẓá’im | great, big, large; strong, powerful, mighty; significant, important; grand, grandiose, imposing, stately, magnificent; lofty, exalted, august, sublime, splendid, gorgeous, glorious, superb; huge, vast, prodigious, enormous, tremendous, immense, stupendous; hard, distressing, gruesome, trying, oppressive (see A‘ẓam) Mullá Shaykh ‘Alí of Khurásán was given the name ‘Aẓím by the Báb. The Great One (Superlative form of ‘aẓuma). |
| Azima, ‘Aza’im | ‘Azíma(h or t), pl. ‘Azá’im | determination, firm will, firm intention;—pl. resolution (to do something), decision; incantation; spell |
| Aziz, A’izza’, A’izza | ‘Azíz, pl. A‘izzá’, A‘izza[h or t] | mighty, powerful, respected, distinguished, notable; strong; noble, esteemed, venerable, august; honorable; rare, scarce, scarcely to be found; difficult, hard (for); precious, costly, valuable; dear, beloved (to), cherished, valued (by); friend; ruler, overlord |
| Aziz Khan-i-Sardar | ‘Azíz Khán-i-Sardár | he killed Ṭáhirih |
| Azizi | ‘Azízí | (Ar. element) greatness, valuableness |
| Azizu’llah | ‘Azízu’lláh | “Dear God”. ‘Azízu’lláh Khán Bahádur (Unfolding Destiny, p. 44) |
| Azm | ‘Azm | determination, firm will, firm intention, decision, resolution; energy |
| Azm, A’zum, ‘Izam | ‘Aẓm, pl. A‘ẓum, ‘Iẓám | bone |
| Azm, Uzm, ‘Azam, ‘Uzma | ‘Aẓm, ‘Uẓm, ‘Aẓam, fem. ‘Uẓmá | the principal or larger part of anything. ‘Uẓmá greater, most supreme. |
| Azraq, Zarqa’, Zurq | Azraq, fem. Zarqá’, pl. Zurq | blue; blue eyed; heaven, the sky. al-Azraq ash-Shámí, a Damascene blue dye, also name of a Syrian notorious for causing grave suffering to the captive family of Imám Ḥusayn after the tragedy of Karbila. |
| Azuma, Izam, Azama | ‘Aẓuma, ‘Iẓam, ‘Aẓáma | to be or become great, big, large, grand, grandiose, magnificent, imposing, powerful, or mighty; etc. |
| Azurdigan (Azordegan, Azordigan) | Ázúrdigán | Pers. name |
| Plain text | Transcripted text | Word meanings & comments |
| B | ||
| Ba | Bá | name of the second Arabic letter, b. This “lying down” letter (Persian can be transcripted as bih) can be used to represent humility. |
| Ba’ata (ba’t) | Ba‘ata (Ba‘t) | to send, send out, dispatch; to forward; to delegate; to emit; to evoke, arouse, call forth, awaken; to stir up, provoke, bring on; to revive, resuscitate; to resurrect (someone from death); to incite, induce, instigate; to cause (something; e.g., astonishment) |
| Ba’da | Ba‘da | (preposition) after; in addition to, beside; aside from |
| Ba’is, Bu’asa’ (Buasa, Buassa) | Ba’ís, pl. Bu’asá’ | miserable, wretched |
| Ba’ith, Bawa’ith | Bá‘ith, pl. Bawá‘ith | incentive, inducement, motive, spur, reason, cause, occasion. Root is ba‘ata, so can also mean to resurrect from death. |
| Ba’qubah, Baqubah, Baquba, Baqouba | Ba‘qúbah | city 51 km NNE of Baghdád, on the Diyálá River. Bahá’u’lláh passed here en route to Baghdád. |
| Ba’th, Bu’uth | Ba‘th, pl. Bu‘úth | sending out, emission, dispatching, delegation, etc.; resurrection;—pl. delegations, deputations. Yawm al-Ba‘th Day of Resurrection (from the dead) |
| Ba’tha (Bi’tha), Ba’atat | Ba‘tha[h or t], pl. Ba‘athát | delegation, deputation, mission; expedition; student exchange; group of exchange students; revival, rebirth, renaissance, rise. The Báb is said to calculate the beginning of the Islamic revelation from the year Ba‘tha (the Call in CE 612) instead of the year of the Hijra (CE 622) when Muḥammad migrated from Mecca to Medina. |
| Bab-i-Amin | Báb-i-Amín | Shrine of the Báb door—centre NW side |
| Bab-i-Ashraf | Báb-i-Ashraf | Shrine of the Báb door—centre NE side (Tomb ‘Abdu’l-Bahá) |
| Bab-i-Bala | Báb-i-Bálá | Shrine of the Báb door—centre SE side |
| Bab-i-Fadl | Báb-i-Faḍl | Shrine of the Báb door—northern end NW side |
| Bab-i-Giachery | Báb-i-Giachery | Shrine of the Báb door—southern end NW side |
| Bab-i-Ioas | Báb-i-Ioas | Shrine of the Báb octagon door—SW side |
| Bab-i-Karim | Báb-i-Karím | Shrine of the Báb door—northern end SE side |
| Bab-i-Makhsus | Báb-i-Makhṣúṣ | Special or specific gate |
| Bab-i-Maxwell | Báb-i-Maxwell | Shrine of the Báb door—centre SW side |
| Bab-i-Qassabchi | Báb-i-Qaṣṣábchí | Shrine of the Báb door—southern end, SE side |
| Bab, Babayn (Babain), Abwab, Abvab | Báb, dual Bábayn, pl. Abwáb, Pers. Abváb | door; gate; opening, gateway; entrance; chapter, section, column, rubric; group, class, category; field, domain (figurative). Title assumed by Siyyid Mírzá ‘Alí Muḥammad (al-Báb, the Gate; born 1 Muḥarram 1235, 20 October 1819; executed 27 Sha‘bán 1266, 9 July 1850 in the Tabriz barrack square) after the declaration of His Mission in Shíráz two hours and eleven minutes after sunset on 22 May 1844. Father was Mírzá Muḥammad-Riḍá, who died (1828) while he was still an infant. House location in Shíráz, see Baytu’l-Mahdí. He left to go on pilgrimage to Mecca, arriving in time to perform the sacrifice on Friday 10 Dhu’l-Ḥijjah 1260 (Friday 20 December 1844). Before leaving He addressed a Tablet to the Sharíf of Mecca (Muḥammad ibn ‘Abd al-Mu‘ín, see the ‘Awn entry) to proclaim His advent. He arrived in Medina on 1 Muḥarram 1261 (Friday 10 January 1845), His birthday. From Medina He travelled to Jiddah and sailed back to Búshihr. His wife was Khadíjih-Bagum. Writings: Qayyúmu’l-Asmá’, the Persian and Arabic Bayán, Dalá’il-i-Sab‘ih (“Seven Proofs”) and the Kitáb-i-Asmá’. Second wife, Fáṭimih (sister of Mullá Rajab ‘Alí Qahír and Mullá ‘Alí Muḥammad Siráj), married 6 months in Iṣfahán in 1847; Mírzá Yaḥyá married her for a few days (Bahá’u’lláh was in Kurdistán), on the basis that he was the Báb’s “successor”, then passed her to Siyyid Muḥammad. Some designations of the Báb are: Siyyid-i-Dhikr, Ṭal‘at-i-A‘lá, Siyyid-i-Báb, ‘Abdu’dh-Dhikr, Ḥaḍrat-i-A‘lá, Bábu’lláh, Rabb-i-A‘lá, Nuqṭiy-i-Úlá and Nuqṭiy-i-Bayán. (DB 72). |
| Baba-Iski | Bábá-Iskí | Babaeski, 50 km SE Adrianople, Türkiye |
| Baba-zadih (Babazadih) | Bábá-Zádih | |
| Baba, Babawat | Bábá, pl. Bábawát, Pers. Bábáyán | pope; papa, father, daddy |
| Babak | Bábak | Pers. (diminutive of báb), a little father; one who educates; faithful, constant, firm, strong; a turquoise stone; name of a king. |
| Babawayh | Bábawayh | Persian family name. Abú Ja‘far Muḥammad ibn ‘Alí ibn al-Ḥusayn ibn Músá ibn Bábawayh al-Qummí (c. 923–991), usually known as ibn Bábawayh or by the title ash-Shaykh aṣ-Ṣadúq (“the truthful scholar”), was a Persian Shí‘a Islamic scholar. |
| Babawi | Bábawí | papal, relating to the Pope |
| Babawiya | Bábawíya[h or t] | papacy, office of the Pope |
| Babi, Babiyun | Bábí, pl. Bábíyún (Pers. Bábiyyún) | a follower of the Báb. Generally, the hybrid plural Bábís is used. |
| Babiya, Babiyya, Babigari | Bábíya[h or t], Bábiyya[h or t] | the Bábí place (Pers. Bábígarí). Name given to the house Quddús asked Mullá Ḥusayn to build in Mashhad. al-Bábíya[h or t] or al-Bábiyya, Babism, or more commonly, the Bábí Faith. Also possible is al-Ímán al-Bábí. |
| Babr, Bubur | Babr, pl. Bubúr | (babur, babor, babar and baber) tiger |
| Babri | Babrí | of Babr. Babrí Masjid—formerly a famous mosque in Ayodhya, India. See Ẓáhir. |
| Babu’d-Din | Bábu’d-Dín | “The Gate of Religion” |
| Babu’l-Bab, Bab-i-Bab | Bábu’l-Báb, Pers. Báb-i-Báb | “gate of the Gate”, name given to Mullá Muḥammad-Ḥusayn-i-Bushrú’í (also Janáb-i-Bábu’l-Báb) |
| Babu’llah | Bábu’lláh | (“The Gate of God”) (a designation of the Báb) |
| Babu’llahu’l-A’zam | Bábu’lláhu’l-A‘ẓam | the Most Great Báb |
| Babul (Babol), Babil | Bábul, Babíl | Babel, Babylon, renowned for wine and magic; the planet Jupiter; the East. City (36.538588, 52.676906) in Mazandaran Province, formerly known as Bárfurúsh. |
| Babulsar, Babul Sar, Mashhad-i-Sar | Bábulsar, Bábul Sar | Pers. also known as Mashhadsar, Mashhad-i-Sar and Meshed-i-Sar; is a city and capital of Babolsar County, Mazandaran Province, Írán. It is located alongside the Caspian Sea north of Bábul. A busy seaport during the 18th and 19th centuries. |
| Bad | Bád | Pers. wind, air, breath |
| Bad’a, Badi’a, Bidaya | Bad’a[h or t], Badí’a[h or t] | Bidáya[h or t] (Badáya[h or t]) beginning, start |
| Bada | Badá | Ar. to appear, show, become evident, clear, plain or manifest, come to light; to be obvious; to seem good, acceptable, proper (to someone). Form III to show, display, evince, manifest, reveal, declare openly |
| Bada’ | Badá’ | Pers. coming in the mind; appearing; beginning. Two meanings: 1. Appearance after hiding involving alteration of the Divine Will or the non-fulfilment of the Divine Will. A Shí‘a concept where God may alter the course of human history as is seen to be fit. 2. Origination of a new idea. The Sunní view on Badá’ is that it is not applicable to God. The Báb made significant reinterpretations of the concept of badá’. 1. Change in divine revelation according to the principle of progressive revelation. 2. Acceptance embodies the recognition of God’s absolute power and authority and thus is the highest sign of spiritual maturity. 3. The concept of magnification (takbír), as the symbol of the completion of the four layers of the divine covenant. One’s faith is complete and will not be subject to alteration or negation if one believes in all four supports or pillars of the covenant. See Gate of the heart, pp. 207–11. |
| Bada’, Bada’a | Badá’, fem. Badá’a[h or t] | beginning, start; first step, first instance, new |
| Bad-Gir (Badgir), Bad-Gir-Ha | Bád-Gír (Bádgír), pl. Bád-Gír-Há | Pers. an airy house; a funnel perforated in every part for the admission of air. Also wind catcher, wind tower, or wind scoop—a traditional architectural element used to create cross ventilation and passive cooling in buildings. |
| Badakhshan | Badakhshán | “Badakh Mountains”. NE Afghánistán province |
| Badasht | Badasht | a village (36.421145, 55.052742) 7 km east of Sháhrúd and 8.5 km SE of Basṭám in Semnan Province, venue of the first Bábí conference. |
| Badawi, Badw | Badawí, pl. Badw | Bedouin, nomadic; rural (as distinguished from urban); a Bedouin;—pl. desert, nomads, Bedouins |
| Badawiya, Badawiyat | Badawíya, pl. Badawíyát | Bedouin woman, Bedouin girl |
| Badayi’u’l-Athar | Badáyi‘u’l-Áthár | “initial impressions”, diary of Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání. Given English title of “Travels of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the West. |
| Badhinjan, Baydhinjan (Baidinjan) | Bádhinján and Baydhinján | (collective; nomen unitatis ة) pl. -át. eggplant, aubergine |
| Badi’ | Badí‘ | unique, marvellous, wonderful, astonishing, surprising, wondrous, rare. Name of the calendar introduced by the Báb in the Kitabu’l-Asmáʼ (“Book of Divine Names) and used by the Bahá’ís. See abda‘ and Áqá Buzurg-i-Níshápúrí. Mírzá Badí‘ Khurásání delivered Bahá’u’lláh’s Epistle to Náṣir ad-Dín Sháh Qájár (Lawḥ-i-Sulṭán). |
| Badi’ al-Jamal, Badi’u’l-Jamal | Badí‘ al-Jamál, (Pers.) Badí‘u’l-Jamál | of astonishing beauty |
| Badi’ az-Zaman, Badi’u’z-Zaman | Badí‘ az-Zamán, (Pers.) Badí‘u’z-Zamán | the wonder of the age |
| Badi’a (Badi’ih), Bada’i | Badí‘a[h or t], pl. Badá’i‘ | (fem. of Badí‘) an astonishing, amazing thing, a marvel, a wonder; original creation. Pers. also Badí‘ih or Badí‘yyih? |
| Badi’i | Badí‘í | rhetorical |
| Badi’u’l-Hayat | Badí‘u’l-Ḥayát | “Wondrous Life” A name give by Bahá’u’lláh to Mírzá Ja‘far. |
| Badi’u’llah | Badí‘u’lláh | “wonder of God”. Mírzá Badí‘u’lláh (1867–1950), a son of Bahá’u’lláh and His second wife, Mahd-i-‘Ulyá. He wrote a “confession”, at-Ta‘límu’l-Bahá’íyat, which was translated as An Epistle to the Bahai World. |
| Badil, Badila, Budala’ | Badíl, fem. Badíla(h), pl. Budalá’ | substitute; stand-in, double (theatrical art); a good, just, religious man; (fem.) serving as a replacement or substitute. Budayl (Badíl) ibn Warqá‘ al-Khuzá‘í was a Meccan Companion of the Prophet and one of the shaykhs of the Khuzá‘ah tribe. |
| Badkubah (Badkubih), Bad-Kubah | Bádkúbah, Bád-Kúbah | “Wind-pounded city”. See Bákú |
| Badkubi’i (Badkoubei | Bádkúbi’í | Pers. (bád + kúb) |
| Badr, Budur | Badr, pl. Budúr | full moon. Badr Ḥunayn is a city 80 km SE of Yanbú‘. Site of the famous Battle of Badr, between the Quraysh led polytheists, and the Muslims under the leadership of Muḥammad, in 624. |
| Badri | Badrí | of or relating to the full moon; plenilunar; one who had been present at the battle of Badr; a purse full of money |
| Badshah, Padshah | Bádsháh, Pádsháh | Pers. an emperor, sovereign, monarch, king. Also Pád-Sháh (“Padeshah”) |
| Badw | Badw | desert; nomads, Bedouins |
| Bagh | Bágh | garden |
| Bagh | Bagh | Pers. a ditch; name of an idol; a god (enters into composition of names, as bagh-dád—“god-given”) |
| Bagh-i-Firdaws | Bágh-i-Firdaws | “Garden of Paradise”, agricultural land west of the Riḍván Garden, and east of old Akko (‘Akká) |
| Bagh-i-Jannat | Bágh-i-Jannat | “Garden of Paradise” |
| Bagh-i-Takht | Bágh-i-Takht | “Garden of the Throne” or “Garden of the Level”, in north western Shíráz (29.634226, 52.542910). A garden with a spring that once flowed over 7 terraces to a pool. |
| Bagh-Misha (Bagh-Mishih, Baghmisheh) | Bágh-Mísha | Pers. “garden of early man”; eastern district of Tabríz (38.075720, 46.384497) |
| Bagh-Panba (Bagh-Panbih) | Bágh-Panba | “cotton garden”. Bagh-Panbeh is an old district of Qum (≈ 2 km NE of city centre; 34.647643, 50.891723) |
| Baghban-Bashi | Bághbán-Báshí | |
| Baghban, Bagh-Pira | Bághbán, Bágh-pírá | Pers. a gardener; a vine-dresser |
| Baghcha | Bághcha | Pers. a little garden, a garden |
| Baghdad | Baghdád | the original circular city of Baghdád (about 3 km NW of the present city centre) was built on the site of an earlier village by the Abbasid Caliph al-Manṣúr in CE 762–766 as the official residence of the Abbasid court. Its official name in Abbasid times was Madínat as-Salám (“The City of Peace”), Dár as-Salám (“the Abode of Peace”) or Madínatu’lláh (“the City of God”, because peace is an attribute of God). Baghdád may have derived from ancient Persian Bagh (“God”) and Dád (“gift”), i.e. “Gift of God” or “God-given”. Alternatively, also from Persian, Bagh and Dádh (“founded”), hence city “Founded by God”. In Islamic times, the west bank was known as az-Zawrá and the east bank as ar-Rawḥá’. |
| Baghdadi, Baghdadyun, Baghdida | Baghdádí, pl. Baghdádyún, Baghádida | native of Baghdád |
| Bagum (Begum, Bigum) | Bagum | (Turk) dame. Feminine form of ‘Big’. A title placed after the name. |
| Baha | Baha | Pers. far be it! |
| Baha | Bahá | Pers. price, value |
| Baha’ | Bahá’ (بَهاء) | beauty, magnificence, splendour; brilliancy; glory or light. Title of Bahá’u’lláh. See Abhá. An Islamic Tradition states the Most great Name (Huwu) consists of four names:, 1. “God” (Alláh), 2. “the Blessed” (Tabáraka), 3. “the Exalted” (Ta‘álá, from the same root as ‘Alí), 4. The hidden name of God—identified by the Báb as hidden in Ta‘álá, i.e. ‘Ali, but the ultimate name is Bahá’ [the Greatest Name]. See Gate of the heart, pp. 105–7. Abjad of Bahá’ (B = 2, h = 5, á = 1, hamza (apostrophe) = 1) is = 9, hence the significance of the number 9 in the Bahá’í Faith. Refer to the Bearers of the throne of God (8) section. |
| Baha’ ad-Din, Baha’u’d-Din | Bahá’ ad-Dín, Bahá’u’d-Dín | literally “splendour of the faith”. Bahá’u’lláh was known by the locals in the Haifa ‘Akká area as Bahá’u’d-Dín, a name that was less theologically problematic than Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Baha’i Holy Year | Bahá’í Holy Year | 1. Centennial of “year nine” AH 1269/CE 1952 (Revelation received by Bahá’u’lláh about two months after imprisonment in Siyàh Chál)—October 1952 to October 1953. 2. Centennial Ascension Bahá’u’lláh, Riḍván 1992 to Riḍván 1993. |
| Baha’i Khun | Baháʼi Khún | Pers. the price of blood (which is paid to the relations of a person killed, as an atonement) |
| Baha’i, Baha’iyun (Baha’iun) | Bahá’í, pl. Bahá’iyún (بهائيين) | precious, valuable. “Follower of the Glory” (Bahá’ís is a generally used hybrid plural) A follower of Bahá’u’lláh; a person of light, of enlightenment. al-Ímán al-Bahá’í: Bahá’í Faith. “Bahá’íán” (the Bahá’ís) by Siyyid Muḥammad Báqir Najafí. |
| Baha’iya, Baha’iyya, Baha’igari | Bahá’íya[h or t], Bahá’iyya[h or t] | (Pers. Bahá’ígarí) (Ar. pl. Bahá’íyyát). Fem. of Bahá’í “Radiant” or “Full of Glory”. Bahá’íyyih Khánum (also known by Persians as the variant Bahíyyih Khánum), the Greatest Holy Leaf, daughter of Bahá’u’lláh. al-Bahá’íya or al-Bahá’iyya, Baha’ism, the doctrine of practice of the Bahá’ís, or more commonly, the Bahá’í Faith. Also possible is al-Ímán al-Bahá’í. |
| Baha’u’l-Abha | Bahá’u’l-Abhá | (previously written as Baha-el-Abha) “The Glory of the All-Glorious” “The Glory of the Most Glorious” |
| Baha’u’llah | Bahá’u’lláh (بهاءاله or بهاءالله) | (“The Glory of God”) Title of Mírzá Ḥusayn-‘Alí of Núr, founder of the Bahá’í Faith (1233–1309; 1817–1892). Born (2 Muḥarram 1233; 12 November 1817) in Ṭihrán. His parents were Mírzá ʻAbbás-i-Núrí (or Mírzá Buzurg Núrí) and his second wife Khadíjih Khánum. When Bahá’u’lláh, the Supreme Manifestation for this age, first heard of the Báb’s Revelation prior to His own declaration, He instantly acclaimed its truth, and arose to champion and promote its cause. He became known incorrectly as a “follower” and a “disciple” of the Báb. Wives: Ásíyih Khánum, Fáṭimih Khánum and Gawhar Khánum. |
| Bahadur, Bahaduran | Bahádur, pl. Bahádurán | Pers. brave, bold, valiant, courageous, magnanimous, warlike, strong, athletic; a soldier, champion, hero, chevalier, knight, horseman; a title of honour conferred by the Great Mogul and other Eastern potentates, bearing some resemblance to the European title of military knighthood. Abú Sa‘íd Baḥádur—should be Bahádur |
| Bahar | Bahár | Pers. spring, beginning of summer; a blossom; orange-flower; a Buddhist temple; an idol; the harem of a prince |
| Bahar, Baharat | Bahár, pl. Bahárát | spice; a species of odoriferous herb; anything beautiful and splendid; name of a village 14 km NW Hamadán |
| Bahari | Bahárí | Pers. belonging to the spring, vernal |
| Baharistan | Baháristán | Pers. spring; vernal blossoms; title of a celebrated work of Ṣúfí, Persian poet, native of Jám, Búshihr Province, Írán |
| Bahariyih, Bahariyyih, Baharieh | Baháríya[h or t], Baháriyya | Pers. (Bahariyyih, Bahareh), fem., “someone or something that arises in the spring”. Baháriyyih Rúḥání Ma‘ání. |
| Bahhaj | Bahháj | delightful, blissful. Form of the word bahija |
| Bahij | Bahij, Bahíj | magnificent, splendid, beautiful; happy, joyous; delightful |
| Bahija | Bahija | to be glad, be happy (about), be delighted (at). Root of Bahij and Bahja. |
| Bahir | Báhir | dazzling, brilliant, splendid, sparkling |
| Bahira | Baḥírá | known as Sergius the Monk to the Latin West, was a Syriac or Arab Arian, Nestorian or possibly Gnostic Nasorean monk who, according to Islamic tradition, foretold to the adolescent Muḥammad his future as a prophet. His name derives from the Syriac bḥírá, meaning “tested (by God) and approved”. |
| Bahiri | Báhirí | Mihdí Báhirí (martyr) |
| Bahiy al-Abhá, Bahiyu’l-Abhá | Bahíy al-Abhá, Bahíyu’l-Abhá | most glorious, magnificent and brilliant. “Ere long God will shine from the face of Bahíyu’l-Abhá with the name of Bahá’, on the Day of Absolute, in the plain of ‘Akká.” (Dalá’il al-‘Irfán, p. 156) |
| Bahjatu’s-Sudur (Bihjatu’s-Sudur) | Bahjatu’ṣ-Ṣudúr, “Bihjatu’ṣ-Ṣudúr” | “Delight of hearts” by Ḥájí Mírzá Ḥaydar-‘Alí. See bahja and ṣadr |
| Bahji, Bahij | Bahij, Bahíj, Bahjí | derivatives of bahija. Bahij: happy, joyous; delightful. Bahíj: magnificent, splendid, beautiful. Bahjí: less common form and can be considered a derivative or a colloquial variation, with a similar meaning to bahij. Bahjí (it has been translated as “place of delight”) is a part of the plain of ‘Akká where the Shrine and the Mansion of Bahá’u’lláh are located. See Núr ‘Alá Núr; and “Khammár, ‘Údí” for his doorway inscription. |
| Bahman | Bahman | Pers. intelligent, acute, adroit; the supreme intelligence; a cloud pouring rain; (also bahmani barf, “snow”) an avalanche of snow. The 11th month of the Persian solar calendar. |
| Bahnimir (Behnamir) | Bahnimír | city (36.667845, 52.761898) near southern coast of the Caspian Sea |
| Bahr, Bihar, Buhar, Abhar, Abhur | Baḥr, pl. Biḥár, Buḥúr, Abḥár, Abḥur | sea; large river; a noble, or great man (whose magnanimity or knowledge is comparable to the vastness of the sea); meter (poetry). Dual forms: Baḥrán (“Bahran”) (nominative, not used for the modern nation) and Baḥrayn (“Bahrayn, Bahrain”) (genitive and accusative). al-Baḥrán or al-Baḥrayn: “the two seas or rivers”. Qur’án 25:53 “two bodies of flowing water, one sweet and fresh and the other salty and bitter”. Dual form occurs 5× (figuratively?) in the Qur’án, only once in the nominative case, they do not refer to the modern nation (originally known to the Arabs as “Awwal”) but possibly to the oases of al-Qaṭíf and Ḥadjár (modern al-Ḥasá). The Bahrayn nation consists of 50 natural and 33 artificial islands in the western Persian Gulf. See Yamm and Biḥáru’l-Anwár. |
| Bahram | Bahrám | Pers. the planet Mars; name of several kings of Persia, and of other kingdoms in the East (corrupted by the Greeks into Varanes); name of several heroes; the twentieth day of every month. The older form is Vahrám (Middle Persian), also spelled Wahrám, literally meaning “smiting of resistance” or “victorious”. |
| Bahram Shahi, Bahramshahi | Bahrám Sháhí, Bahrámsháhí | Rúḥu’lláh Bahrámsháhí |
| Bahrami | Bahrámí | Pers. bravery, valour; slaughter |
| Bahran (Bahrain, Bahrein) | Baḥrán | Bahrain Islands |
| Bahrani | Baḥrání | of the Bahrain Islands. Shaykh ‘Abdu’lláh bin Núru’lláh al-Baḥrání al-Iṣfahání (d. CE 1711) compiled 11 vol. collection of traditions and Islamic history known as ‘Awálim or ‘Awálim al-‘Ulúm (‘Awálim al-‘Ulúm wa al-Ma‘árif wa al-aḥwál min al-Áyát wa al-Akhbar wa al-Aqwál, “The worlds of science, knowledge and conditions of verses, news and sayings”). The books are a revised arrangement and consummation of Bihar al-Anwar, the famous collection of Shí‘a traditions compiled by ‘Allámah Majlisí. The books are also known as Ḥadíth al-Ghadír. |
| Bahru’l-‘Ulum | Baḥru’l-‘Ulúm | “sea of all knowledge” |
| Bahru’l-Iram | Baḥru’l-Iram | Pers. “calm sea” or Sea of paradise”, name of a lake with a large island (the lake has since been reclaimed; 36.530251, 52.676284) on which a palace was built (Bágh-i-Sháh). Bágh Baḥru’l-Iram, an island garden. |
| Bahth, Buhuth, Abhath | Baḥth, pl. Buḥút, Abḥáth | search (for), quest (of); examination, study; research; investigation, exploration; discussion; treatise; (pl.) study, scientific report (on) |
| Bajastan (Bajestan, Bejestan, Bijestan) | Bajastán, Bajistán | a city (34.517094, 58.184451; 232 km SW of Mashhad) and capital of Bajestan County, Írán. |
| Bajastani (Bajestani, Bejestani, Bijestani) | Bajastání, Bajistání | Mullá Ḥasan-i-Bajistání, a Letter of the Living. |
| Baji | Bájí | Pers. sister; miss, lady (modern colloquialism) |
| Baka, Buka, Bukan | Baká (Buká’, Bukan) | to cry, weep (over); to bemoan, lament, bewail (someone), mourn (for) II and IV to make (someone) cry X to move (someone) to tears, make (someone) cry |
| Bakhit | Bakhít | lucky, fortunate |
| Bakhsh | Bakhsh | Pers. fate, destiny, portion, share, fortune, lot, part (a land division equal to a district) |
| Bakhshandagi (Bakhshandegi) | Bakhshandagí | Pers. liberality; pardon |
| Bakht | Bakht | Pers. fortune, prosperity, felicity, happiness; luck (good or bad); a horoscope, nativity, planet, constellation; the nightmare |
| Bakhtar | Bakhtar | Pers. commonly “the west”, if the subject is the rising sun, then “the east”. Otherwise, use sharq for “the east”. |
| Bakhtaran | Bakhtarán | Pers. name of Kirmánsháh (1987–95) |
| Bakhtawar (Bakhtavar) | Bakhtáwar | lucky, fortunate |
| Bakhtiyari | Bakhtíyárí (بختياري) | Pers. prosperity, riches. Tribe of western Írán (Bachtiari) |
| Bakk | Bakk | bruising, knocking; tearing, rending; crowding |
| Bakka | Bakka | (verb) to crowd as in a bazaar |
| Bakkah, Bakkat | Bakka(h or t) | believed to be an ancient name of Mecca (the b and m were interchangeable in the Arabic used in that area at the time of Muḥammad), but Muslim scholars say Bakkah refers to the Ka‘ba and the sacred site immediately surrounding it (due to the crowding and congestion of people in the area), while Mecca is the name of the city in which they are both located. |
| Bakr, Bakra, Abkhur, Bukran | Bakr, fem. Bakra[h or t] | (pl. Abkur, Bukrán) young camel. Caliph Abú-Bakr. |
| Bakri, Bakriyun | Bakrí, pl. Bakríyún | follower of Abú-Bakr (i.e. traditionalist), used by Shi‘as to refer to Sunnis. |
| Bakshish | Bakshísh | Per. See Baqshísh |
| Baku (Bad-kubah, Badkubah) | Bákú | Baku, capital city of Azerbaijan. The name is derived from the old Persian name for the city Bád-kúbah (or Bádkúbah), meaning “wind-beaten”, thus referring to a place where wind is strong and pounding. |
| Bakus (Bakos, Bacos, Bacus, Bakkos) | Bákús | suburb of Alexandria, Egypt. |
| Bala | Bálá | upper, up, above, better quality or prestigious. Where there are two nearby villages, it can be used to indicate one is above the other or is of a better quality. See ‘ulyá, and contrast with pá’in and suflá (asfal) (used for lower parts of villages) |
| Bala, Balih (Bale) | Balá (Pers. Balih) | yes, yes indeed, certainly, surely |
| Bala-Khanih | Bálá-Khánih | Balcony |
| Bala-Khiyaban | Bálá-Khíyábán | a neighbourhood (36.293903, 59.612958) in Mashhad |
| Bala-Rastaq | Bálá-Rastáq | a village in Írán |
| Bala-Sari, Balasari, Balasariyun | Bálá-Sarí, Bálásarí, pl. Bálásaríyún | Pers. “above the head”. A term used by Shaykhis (Shaykhí followers) to distinguish ordinary (later only those hostile to the Shaykhis) Shi’ites (the Bálá-Sarí—those who pray standing at the head of the Imám while facing the Qiblih; i.e. with their backs to the Imám) from members of their own sect—they preferred to call themselves Kashfíya (“those who reveal”) or the Pusht-sarí (“behind the head” [of the Imám]). Persians may use bálásarí-há (balasari-ha). |
| Bala’ | Bala’ | to test, to afflict |
| Bala’ | Balá’ | trial, tribulation, visitation, affliction, distress, misfortune; scourge, plague; creditable performance, bravery, gallantry, heroic action |
| Balad, Bilad, Buldan | Balad m. and f., pl. Bilád, Buldán | country; town, city; place, community, village;—(pl. bilád) regions, habitations; provinces, territories; an inhabited country;—(pl. buldán) cities, countries. bilád al-ḥabash, Ethiopia; bilád. aṣ-ṣín, China; bilád al-hind, India. |
| Balada (Baladeh) | Balada | Pers. the first woman, eve. A village (36.200139, 51.807656) 18 km west of Tákur. The family home of the prime minister, Mírzá Áqá Khán. |
| Baladu’l-Amin | Baladu’l-Amín | “protected land” or “safe city”, i.e. Makkah |
| Balagh, Balagha, Balaghat | Balágh, fem. Balágha[h], pl. Balághát | communication, information, message, report; announcement, proclamation; communiqué; statement; notification (of the police). Balágha eloquence; art, of good style, art of composition; literature. |
| Balah (Balih, Baleh), Bali (Bale) | Balah (Balí) | Pers. yes |
| Balal | Balál | Pers. moisture, humidity, freshness (of youth or young plants); water |
| Balat, Balata, Ablita | Baláṭ, fem. Baláṭa, pl. Abliṭa(h) | pavement, tiled floor; floor tiles; palace;—pl. floor tiles. Tall Baláṭa (Nablus, West Bank) is believed to be the site of Sychar (or Shechem). |
| Balinus | Bálinus | Apollonius was also known as Bálinus |
| Balkh | Balkh | city (formerly Bámí; 36.758235, 66.898352) and province in Afghánistán. The city is in what was Ancient or Greater Khurásán, a historical eastern region in the Iranian Plateau between Western and Central Asia. |
| Ballur, Billaur, Bulur | Ballúr, Billaur, Bulúr | Pers. crystal; beryl |
| Baluch | Balúch | Iranian tribe who live mainly in the Balochistan region of the southeastern-most edge of the Iranian plateau in Pákistán, Írán, and Afghánistán. |
| Baluchistan | Balúchistán | SW province of Pakistan |
| Baluz, Baluza, Baluzat | Balúz, Balúza, pl. Balúzát | blouse |
| Balyuz | Bályúz | said to derive through Turkish (from Balius, Baylus (بالیوز, “balyoz”) and Baliuz) from Venetian Italian balio (or bailo, meaning governor, later ambassador), which is derived from Latin (bájulus, pl. bájulí: porter, carrier; manager, steward, bailiff; administrator) |
| Balyuzi | Bályúzí | Ḥasan Muwaqqar Bályúzí (1908–1980). |
| Bamdad, Bamdadan | Bámdád, Bámdádán | Pers. early morning |
| Bana, Bayan | Bána (Bayán) | to be or become plain, evident, come out,come to light; to be clear (to someone) |
| Banadak Sadat | Banádak Sádát | village (31.574338, 54.206706) 40 km south Yazd |
| Banan | Banán | finger tips |
| Banani | Banání | Hand of the Cause Músá Banání, and wife Samíḥih |
| Band Amir (Band-e Amir) | Band Amír | “The ruler’s dam”. National Park in Afghánistán (34.840170, 67.234339) consisting of six intensely blue lakes created by natural travertine dams high in the Hindu Kush. “Bendemir” in Thomas Moore’s “Lalla Rookh”, see Lála-Rukn. |
| Banda (Bandih), Bandagan | Banda, pl. Bandagán | Pers. bondsman, servant, slave |
| Banda Astanash | Banda Ástánash | “the servant of His Threshold”. Shoghi Effendi’s well-known signature on his correspondence with the East was Bandih ástánash, Shoghi [the servant of His Threshold, Shoghi]. |
| Bandar-i-‘Abbas, Bandar ‘Abbas | Bandar-i-‘Abbás, Bandar ‘Abbás | Pers. a port city and capital of Hurmúzgán Province on the southern Persian Gulf coast of Írán |
| Bandar-i-Gaz | Bandar-i-Gaz (Bandar-i-Jaz) | Pers. port city (36.775484, 53.949476) in Golestan Province, on the Caspian Sea (SE corner). It is the “port of Gaz”, a village (36.738585, 53.972901) 4 km to the SSE. |
| Bandar, Banadir | Bandar, pl. Banádir | seaport; commercial centre; district capital (Egyptian) |
| Bandiy-i-Bab-i-Baha | Bandiy-i-Báb-i-Bahá | Pers. bondsman at the door of Bahá (Bahá’u’lláh). A designation used by Mishkín-Qalam. See banda |
| Bandiy-i-Khuda | Bandiy-i-Khudá | bondsman or slave of God. See banda |
| Bani-Hashim | Baní-Háshim | The sons or children of Háshim, great-grandfather of Muḥammad. That is, the people deriving from the quasi-mythical Shem (Sám), son of Noah. |
| Bank | Bánk | Pers. bank (money). Bánk Millí Írán (BMI; the “National Bank of Iran”) |
| Banna | Banná’ (Banná) | Pers. a builder, mason, architect |
| Banu | Bánú | Pers. a princess; a lady; a bride; a flagon of wine; a goblet of rose-water |
| Banu an-Nadir, Banu’n-Nadir | Banú an-Naḍír or Banú’n-Naḍír | (Pers. Banú Naḍír) were a Jewish Arab tribe who lived in northern Arabia until the 7th century at the oasis of Medina. The tribe challenged Muḥammad’s leadership of Medina, planned along with allied nomads to attack Muḥammad and were expelled from Medina as a result. The Banú an-Naḍír then planned the battle of the Trench (Ghazwat al-Khandaq) together with the Quraysh. They later participated in the battle of Khaybar. |
| Baqa’ | Baqá’ | remaining, staying, lingering, abiding; continuation, continuance, duration; survival, continuation of existence after life; immortality, eternal life; existence; permanence. See Faná’ |
| Banu Tamim | Banú Tamím | Arabian tribe. Tamím ibn Murr, the ancestor of the tribe, is a direct descendant of Abraham. Hence this large tribe is considered to be an Ishmaelite tribe. |
| Banu Umayya | Banú Umayya | was a clan in the Quraysh tribe named after ‘Abd Shams ibn ‘Abd Manáf’s adopted son Umayya ibn ‘Abd Shams. |
| Baqar | Baqar | cattle |
| Baqara, Baqarat | Baqara, pl. Baqarát | cow |
| Baqi | Báqí | remaining, left; alive; permanent, durable, fixed, firm; immortal, everlasting, eternal; one of the names of God; remainder, rest; balance, arrears; (adverb) for the rest; upon the whole |
| Baqi’ | Baqí‘ | a place in which there are a number of trees; Jannat al-Baqí‘ or Baqí‘u’l-Gharqad (because it formerly abounded large boxthorn trees), the cemetery of Medina (demolished in the 19th and 20th centuries). It was the resting place of many of Muḥammad’s relatives and companions. It is SE of the Prophet’s Mosque containing the tomb of Muḥammad. |
| Baqila’ | Báqilá’ | a bean (Faba sativa) |
| Baqillani | Báqillání | (Ar. influence) a vendor of beans; nickname of a celebrated scholar. Abú Bakr Muḥammad ibn aṭ-Ṭayyib al-Báqillání (c. 940–1013), I‘jáz al-Qur’án (The Inimitability of the Qur’án). See Báqilá’ |
| Baqir | Báqir | (“One who expands or breaks”) Title of the fifth Shí‘a Imám and an Ethiopian slave who was one of the very early converts to Islám. |
| Baqir-Abad, Baqirabad (Baghirabad) | Báqirábád | now Báqirshahr (35.532500, 51.402500) a city in Rayy County, Teheran Province. 18 km south of Ṭihrán. Baqer Abad caravanserai (34.930381, 50.823423) on Teheran-Qom Old Rd. |
| Baqir-i-Bastami | Báqir-i-Basṭámí | |
| Baqir-i-Kafsh-Duz | Báqir-i-Kafsh-Dúz | |
| Baqir-i-Kandi | Báqir-i-Kandí | |
| Baqir-i-Kashani | Báqir-i-Káshání | |
| Baqir-i-Qa’ini | Báqir-i-Qá’iní | |
| Baqir-i-Rashti | Báqir-i-Rashtí | |
| Baqir-i-Sabbagh | Báqir-i-Ṣabbágh | |
| Baqir-i-Shiraz | Báqir-i-Shíráz | |
| Baqir-i-Tabrizi | Báqir-i-Tabrízí | |
| Baqiri | Báqirí | descendant of Imám Muḥammad al-Báqir |
| Baqiriya (Bakiriya) | Báqiríya | followers of the fifth Imám |
| Baqíya as-Sayf | Baqíya as-Sayf | “remnant of the sword”, a title given to the survivors of the Shaykh Ṭabarsí upheaval. |
| Baqiya, Baqaya | Baqíya(h or t), pl. Baqáyá | remainder, rest; remnant, residue |
| Baqiya, Baqiyat | Báqiya(h or t), pl. Báqiyát | remaining; remainders;—pl. remainders, balances, arrears |
| Baqiyatu’llah, Baqiyyatu’llah | Baqíyatu’lláh (Pers. Baqiyyatu’lláh) | “Remnant of God”. Abjad 183. A title of the Twelfth Imám that is also applied to the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Baqlava | Báqlavá | a sweetmeat |
| Baqqal (Bakkal), Baqqalun, Baqqala | Baqqál, pl. Baqqálún, Baqqála | greengrocer; grocer |
| Baqshish | Baqshísh, pl. Baqáshísh | present of money; tip, gratuity, baksheesh |
| Bar | Bar | Pers. (preposition) on, upon, onto |
| Bara’, Bara’a, Bara’at | Bará’, fem. Bará’a, pl. Bará’át | free, exempt (from); fem. being free; disavowal, withdrawal, repudiation; innocence, guiltlessness; naiveté, guilelessness, artlessness;—pl. license, diploma, patent. See Bismi’lláhi’r-Raḥmáni’r-Raḥím for Súra 9:1. |
| Barafrukhta (Bar-afrokhta) | Barafrúkhta(h) | Pers. inflamed, fired, lit up. Dr Ali Mohammed Barafroukhteh, the only member of the 1960 French NSA to reject Mason Remey’s claims. Three others later repented and asked for forgiveness. |
| Barak | Barak | Pers. a firm and durable woven cloth used for coats, overcoats, shawls (in Afghánistán) and leggings. Good quality barak is made from mohair, inferior quality from camel hair. |
| Baraka, Barakat | Baraka(t), pl. Barakát | blessing, benediction; abundance, prosperity |
| Baraka’llahu Fikum | Báraka’lláhu Fíkum | “May God bless you” |
| Barakatu’llah | Barakatu’lláh | “God bless you” |
| Baramaki, Baramika | Barmakí, pl. Barámika(t) | a hero, a noble, liberal man; of the Persian family of Barmacides (highly celebrated all over the East for their generosity, magnificence, and distinguished patronage of men of genius) founded by Khalid ibn Barmak (705–782). When Balkh, the native town of Barmakids fell to the Arabs, Khalid ibn Barmak and his brothers moved to the garrison town of Baṣra in ‘Iráq, where they converted to Islám. Their ancestor was a Pramukh (pronounced in Arabic as Barmak), a title borne by the high priest in the Buddhist temple of Nawbahár (naw + bahár, new monastery). |
| Baraqan (Baraghan), Savojbolagh | Baraqán | village, in Sávajbulágh county, 14 km north of Karaj and 52 km WNW of Ṭihrán |
| Baraqani (Baraghani) | Baraqání | from Baraqán (Baraghán). Fáṭima Zarrín Táj Baraqání (Ṭáhirih). |
| Barazat | Barázát | Temptation |
| Barfurush | Bárfurúsh | a town in Mázindarán, now known as Bábul (Babol) |
| Bari’ | Bári‘ | skilled, skilful, proficient, capable, efficient; brilliant, outstanding (work of art) |
| Bari’ | Bári’ | the creator, God, the Deity. Hence, al-Bári’ |
| Barid | Baríd | Pers. a fast or light breed of horse; courier’s horse; hunter; courier, messenger, running footman; a measure of two parasangs or twelve miles |
| Barik | Bárik | Pers. thin, slender, minute |
| Baris, Paris | Bárís, Pers. Párís | Paris |
| Barmakiyan, Baramika | Barmakíyán, Ar. Barámika(h) | Pers. the Barmakids (Ar. al-Barámikah), also spelled Barmecides, were an influential Iranian family from Balkh where they were originally hereditary Buddhist leaders (in the Nawbahár monastery), and subsequently came to great political power under the Abbasid caliphs of Baghdád. |
| Barq, Buruq | Barq, pl. Burúq | lightning; flash of lightning; telegraph |
| Barqi (Barki) | Barqí (Barkí) | pertaining or relating to lightning; electric; telegraphic, telegraph- (in compounds). Aḥmad bin Muḥammad bin Khálid bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmán al-Barqí (b. ~200/815-816—d. 274/887–888 or 280/893–894) was a renowned Twelver Shí‘a muḥaddith (ḥadíth scholar) and historian of 3rd/9th century. |
| Barr | Barr | land (as opposed to sea), terra firma, mainland; open country |
| Barr, Abrar, Barara | Barr and Bárr, pl. Abrár and Barara | reverent, dutiful (+ preposition bi—toward), devoted (+ preposition bi—to); pious, godly, upright, righteous; kind |
| Bartalla (Bartella, “Baratallih”) | Barṭalla[h or t] | to bribe. A town (36.351768, 43.379366) 21 km east of Mosul, ‘Iráq. |
| Barzakh, Barazikh | Barzakh, pl. Barázikh | interval, gap, break, partition, bar, obstruction; isthmus. An interworld, boundary between the mundane and celestial realms. Example: between this life and the next, between Heaven and Hell, the period between two manifestations etc. |
| Bas | Bas | Pers. a great number, many, more; very much, greatly; enough, sufficient; often; yes, indeed, certainly, it is so, very true, surely, undoubtedly, unquestionably |
| Basar (“Bassar”), Absar | Baṣar, pl. Abṣár | vision, eye-sight; glance, look; insight; sight, discernment, perception. Name (“Baṣṣár”) given by Bahá’u’lláh to blind poet Mírzá Baqir Bihishtí |
| Bash | Básh | Ar. senior, chief (in compounds). Pers. (imperative of búdan) be, stay, remain, wait, be still. |
| Basha, Bashawat, Pasha | Báshá, (Pers. Páshá), pl. Báshawát | Ar. being, existing; English a basha or pasha (corruptions of bádsháh (a king), pádsháh, pádisháh, etc.); governor of a province, counsellor of state, great lord (or boy, prince); also sometimes the grand vazir. Former honorary title given to Turkish officers of high rank. bin-bashí (Turkish binbaşı) rank of major (1,000 men). Pers. pl. Pásháhá. Turkish paşa, pl. paşalar. |
| Buratha (Baratha) | Buráthá | Buratha Mosque (Jámi‘ Buráthá or Majid Shaykh Junayd; 33.351195, 44.361215) is between central Baghdád and Kaẓímayn (now a suburb of Baghdád) |
| Bashar | Bashar | man, human being; men, mankind; mortals, the human race |
| Bashi | Báshí | (in compounds) chief, head or commander of |
| Bashir wa Nadhir | Bashír wa Nadhír | Bahá’u’lláh appeared as the “Announcer and Warner”, cf. Qur’án 35:22. |
| Bashir-i-Ilahi | Bashír-i-Iláhí | Announcer of God |
| Bashir, Bushara’ | Bashír, pl. Bushará’ | bringer of glad tidings (announcer), messenger, herald, harbinger, forerunner, precursor; evangelist (Christian) |
| Bashiri | Bashírí | |
| Bashnih (Beshneh) | Bashnih | a village (29.362013, 54.834977) 53 km ENE of Nayríz; a town (28.793284, 55.036605) 85 km SE Nayríz. Both are in Fárs Province. |
| Basir | Baṣír | (most insightful, discerning, endowed with insight, seeing) Adjective, superlative form of Baṣár (sight). |
| Basir-i-Hindi | Baṣír-i-Hindí | Siyyid Baṣír-i-Hindí, the blind Indian Bábí |
| Basira | Baṣíra, pl. Baṣá’ir | (keen) insight, penetration, discernment, understanding, (power of) mental perception, mental vision |
| Basit | Básiṭ | Pers. one who spreads abroad or stretches out; a name of God, who dispenses riches to whom he will; distant from water (pasture). “open” |
| Basit | Basíṭ, pl. Busaṭá’ | simple; plain, uncomplicated; slight, little, modest, inconsiderable, trivial, trifling;—pl. simple souls, ingenuous people |
| Basita | al-Basíṭa[h or t] | the earth, the world |
| Bazargan (Bayazid) | Bázargán | Pers. a merchant, a trader. An Iranian (since 1913) border city (39.391611, 44.387709) about a 20 km walk from Máh-Kú Qal‘a. An area marked as the village of “Bayazid” on old maps—the “Báyazíd” in DB p. 244? See Báyazíd. |
| Basmala | Basmala, pl. Basmalát | “word” meaning to utter the invocation bismi’lláh ar-raḥmání ar-raḥímí “In the name of God, the Benificent, the Merciful”. The “word” is derived from “in the name of” and is the act of uttering the above invocation. |
| Basra (Basrih) | Baṣra[h or t] (Pers. Bahá’í Baṣrih) | a single pimple or pustule. Baṣrah “port” in southern ‘Iráq (untranscripted variations: The new al-Fáw Grand Harbour (Míná’ al-Fáw al-Kabír), about 100 km SE of Basrah, on the Persian Gulf is under construction. Basra, Bosrah, Basorah, Balsora) |
| Basri, Basriyun | Baṣrí, pl. Baṣriyún | native of al-Baṣrah. Baṣriyún (English Basran, school of) grammarians. See Kúfí |
| Bast | Basṭ | Pers. (verbal noun), Stretching out (the hand); distension; diffusiveness; being wide enough for; preferring, exalting |
| Bast | Bast | Pers. be bound or connected; a lover, a sweetheart, one in whom the heart is bound up; a turban, wreath for the head; a knot; a hundred; a sanctuary, asylum; a bank, a rampart; a mountain; distribution of water into canals, ditches, or drains |
| Bastam, Bistam, Bustam | Basṭám, Bisṭám or Busṭám | city in and capital of the Basṭám District of Sháhrúd County, Semnan Province, Írán. 8 km north of Sháhrúd. Home of Mullá ‘Alí, the fourth Letter of Living. |
| Bastami, Bistami | Basṭámí, Bisṭámí | from or of Basṭám. Abú Yazíd Ṭayfúr bin ‘Ísá bin Surúshán al-Bisṭámí (804–874), commonly known in the Iranian world as Báyazíd Bisṭámí, was a Persian Ṣúfí. Known to later Sufis as Sulṭán al-‘Árifín (“the king among those who have Knowledge (of God)”, metaphorically, “the first among the Wise”; or “King of the Gnostics”). Shrine is in central Basṭám. |
| Bastan | Bástán | Pers. ancient, preceding, old; the past; the world, fortune; solitary |
| Batara (Batr) | Batara (Batr) | to cut off, sever (something); to amputate (something); to mutilate, render fragmentarily (a text) Form VII to be cut off, be severed, be amputated |
| Batha’, Bitah, Bathawat | Baṭḥá’, pl. Biṭáḥ, Baṭḥawát | basin-shaped valley; plain, level land, flatland, open country. Baṭḥá’ Quraysh is a southern neighbourhood of Mecca. See Makkah. |
| Batil, Abatil | Báṭil, pl. Abáṭíl | nugatory (of no value or importance), vain, futile; false, untrue; absurd, groundless, baseless; worthless; invalid, null, void; deception, lie, falsehood;—pl. vanities, trivialities, trifles, flimflam, idle talk, prattle |
| Batin, Bawatin | Báṭin, pl. Bawáṭin | inner, interior, inward, inmost, intrinsic; hidden (concealed), secret. Derived from baṭn. See opposite ẓáhir. báṭin al-báṭin—inner inward meaning. |
| Batini | Báṭiní | internal |
| Batn, Butun, Abutun | Baṭn, pl. Buṭún, Abṭun | belly, stomach, abdomen; womb; interior, inside, inner portion; depth |
| Batt (Butt) | Batt | settlement, decision |
| Battah | Baṭṭáh | village on coast of Libya, 115 km east of Bengazi |
| Battani | Battání | Battán is thought to be a street or a part of Ḥarrán. Abú ‘Abdu’lláh Muḥammad ibn Jábir ibn Sinán ar-Raqqí al-Ḥarrání aṣ-Ṣábi’ al-Battání (Latinized as Albategnius, Albategni or Albatenius) (c. 858–929) was an Arab astronomer, astrologer, and mathematician. He is perhaps the greatest and best known astronomer of the medieval Islamic world. He was the author of a set of Astronomical Tables, which in its Latin version provided the groundwork of astronomy in Europe for several centuries. |
| Battuta, Batuta | Baṭṭúṭa[h] | Muḥammad ibn Baṭṭúṭa or Ibn Baṭúṭah; 1304–1368 or 1369), was a Moroccan scholar who widely travelled the medieval world. |
| Batul | Batúl | virgin |
| Batuli | Batúlí | virginal |
| Batum | Báṭúm | now Batumi, Black Sea port city, Georgia |
| Bawanat (Bavanat) | Bawánát | Bawánát-i-Fárs, county (whose boundary has changed a number of times) in Fars Province. County capital city of Súriyán (Surian) renamed (2001) Bavánát (30.489738, 53.593380). |
| Bawil, Bavil | Báwíl, Bávíl | village 23 km SW of Tabríz. It consists of Bávíl ‘Ulyá or Bávíl Bálá (Upper Bavil), and Bávíl Suflá or Bávíl Pá’ín (Lower Bavil). See Mílán and Uskú |
| Bawwab, Bawwaba, Bawwabun | Bawwáb, pl. Bawwábún | a porter, warder, doorkeeper, gatekeeper. Feminine bawwába[h or t], pl. bawwábát: (large) gate, portal. As the Shí‘a Muslims were awaiting the return of the “Hidden Imám”, the Báb’s initial use of the title reflected the gate-hood” (al-bawwába), figurative, of the four consecutive “báb”s (gates or portals) through whom the Hidden Imám communicated with the faithful before going into his “Greater Occultation”. “Babhood” should be replaced by Gate-hood or Door-ship] (-hood or -ship—state of being, quality or condition). |
| Bay, Baya, Bayat | Báy, f. Báya, pl. Báyát | formerly, in Tunisia, a title after the names of the members of the Bey’s family. See Beg |
| Bay’a (Bai’a) | Bay‘a(h or t) | agreement, arrangement; business deal, commercial transaction, bargain; sale; purchase; homage; inauguration, salutation, or acknowledging the authority of a great man; swearing allegiance; homage, fealty. Bay‘ah originally referred to the striking together of hands between buyer and seller to mark an agreement. Bay‘at is sometimes taken under a written pact given on behalf of the subjects by leading members of the tribe with the understanding that as long as the leader abides by certain requirements towards his people, they are to maintain their allegiance to him. The Pledge of the Tree (bayʻat ash-shajarah), Pledge of Satisfaction or of Riḍwán (bayʻat ar-riḍwán) was a pledge that was sworn to Muḥammad by his Ṣaḥába (companions) prior to the Treaty of Ḥudaybiyyah (AH 6/ CE 628). The pledge, sworn under a tree, was to avenge the rumoured death of ‘Uthmán ibn ‘Affán. |
| Bayad, Bayadat | Bayáḍ, Bayáḍát | white, whiteness: whitewash;—pl. barren, desolate, uncultivated land, wasteland; gap, blank space (in a manuscript); blank; leucoma (medicine); linen |
| Bayan-i-‘Arabi, Arabic Bayan | Bayán-i-‘Arabí | “Arabic Bayán” by the Báb completed after the Bayán-i-Fársí |
| Bayan-i-Farsi, Persian Bayan | Bayán-i-Fársí | “Persian Bayán” (Mother Book of the Bábí Revelation) by the Báb |
| Bayan, Bayanat | Bayán, pl. Bayánát | clearness (particularly of the meaning of revelation), plainness, patency, obviousness; statement, declaration, announcement; manifestation; explanation, elucidation, illustration; information, news; (official) report, (official) statement; enumeration, index, list; eloquence. Also exposition or utterance. Title given by the Báb to His Revelation, and, in particular, to His Books. Muslims are puzzled by the chronology given in Qur’án 55:2–4. “Bayán (exposition) [“speech”, 55:4] signifies the Revelation of the Báb, which unveils the hidden truth of the Qur’án. ‘Man’ [55:3] signifies the ‘Perfect Human Being’—the Manifestation of the Names and attributes of God ....” Gate of the heart, p. 262. al-Bayán (نايبل or “ن ا ي ب ل ا”) has an abjad value of 94 (“al” (value 31) consists of an unstressed Alif and Lám). Compare lilláh |
| Bayani, Bayaniya (Bayanis) | Bayání, fem. Bayáníya | (pl. bayáníyún, fem. bayáníyát) explanatory, illustrative; rhetorical. A follower of the Báb, but not Bahá’u’lláh. Some also followed Mírzá Yaḥyá (Ṣubḥi-i-Azal). |
| Bayat | Bayát | Ar. passing the night; doing anything in the night; a nocturnal invasion; place name, name of a tribe. Pers. grief, anxiety, care. |
| Bayazid, Bayizid | Báyazíd, Báyizíd | Pers. (Turkish beyazıt) Bayezid I, also known as Bayezid the Thunderbolt (Yıldırım Beyazıt; c. 1360–1403), was the sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1389 to 1402. Born in Bursa (first capital of the Ottoman Empire), moved court to Edirne in 1393 (second capital), captured by Timur in 1402 in Ankara. See Íldirím. Doğubeyazıt (East Beyazıt, 39.547069, 44.069424), Türkiye, 47 km NW Máh-Kú Qal‘a. Hence, unlikely to be the “Báyazíd” in DB p. 244. See Bázargán. |
| Bayda (Baida, Baiza), Baydun, Baydat | Bayḍa(h), pl. Bayḍún, Bayḍát | egg; helmet; main part, substance, essence. Pers. also Baiẓa. ‘Abdu’l-Ghaní Bayḍún owned 14.5 ha of land adjacent to Bahjí, but he and his family fled in 1948 and the land reverted to the state. The land was swapped in 1952 for the land purchased by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for Dhikru’lláh SE of the Sea of Galilee, near the Jordan River. |
| Baydi (Baidi, Baizi), Baydawi | Bayḍí, Bayḍawí and Bayḍáwí | egg-shaped, oviform, oval, ovate. “bayḍ” is often written as “baiḍ”, “beyd”, “bayz”, “beyz” and “baiz”. |
| Baydun | Bayḍún | white (a pl. form of abyaḍ). ‘Abdu’lláh Páshá built a palace south of Bahjí (now part of the Atidot Research Institute) that was purchased by ‘Abdu’l-Ghání Bayḍún, he was from a prominent Muslim family of ‘Akká, who were always antagonistic to the Bahá’í Faith. |
| Bayg (Bag, Big), Bayk | Bayg, Bayk | Pers. town (35.374245, 59.038781) in Razavi Khorasan Province. Áqá Bálá Bayg from Shíshaván was the Naqqásh-Báshí, chief artist in the court of the crown prince. He made the only portrait of the Báb. |
| Bayhaq (Baihaq) | Bayhaq | See Sabzivár. Abú Bakr Aḥmad ibn Ḥusayn ibn ‘Alí ibn Músá al-Khusrawjirdí al-Bayhaqí, also known as Imám al-Bayhaqí was born 994 in Khusrawjird, near Bayhaq. During his lifetime, he became a famous Sunní ḥadíth expert, following the Sháfi‘í school in fiqh and the Ash‘arí school of Islamic Theology. |
| Bayigani | Báyigání | Pers. Siyyid Muḥammad-i-Báyigání |
| Bayn (Bain) | Bayn | separation, division; interval; difference |
| Bayram (Bairam) | Bayrám | Turkish festival. Due to past influence of Ottoman Turkish, many Muslims have adopted the use of the word Bayrám, using the term “Lesser Bayrám” to refer to their own Eid al-Fitr (‘Íd al-Fiṭr) celebrations; “Greater Bayrám” refers to Eid al Adha (‘Íd al-Aḍḥá) (see Aḍḥan). |
| Bayrut (Bairut) | Bayrút | Beirut (capital of Lebanon). See Lawḥ-i-Arḍ-i-Bá. |
| Bayt (Bait), Buyut, Buyutat, Abyat | Bayt, pl. Buyút, Buyútát | house, building, temple, edifice; fabric, tent (of nomads); room; apartment, flat; (garden) bed; family; case, box, covering, sheath; verse, couplet;—pl. large, respectable houses; respectable families;—(pl. abyát) verses, couplets. Baytu’l-Ḥarám (Baytu’d-Du‘á, Baytu’l-‘Atíq, Baytu’llah) = The temple of Mecca. |
| Bayt al-Maqdis | Bayt al-Maqdis | the Holy Land |
| Bayt-i-A’zam | Bayt-i-A‘ẓam | “The Most Great House” (House of Bahá’u’lláh in the Kakh quarter of Baghdád,occupied by the family shortly before Bahá’u’lláh returned from Kurdistán) See Madad, house of. |
| Baytu’l-Funduq (Bayt-i-Fanduq) | Baytu’l-Funduq (Bayt-i-Funduq) | “hotel house”. A house in the German Templar colony, Haifa, where Bahá’u’lláh stayed, 1883. |
| Bayt-i-Zahlan | Bayt-i-Zahlan | German zählen (“to count”)?, hence “Counting house” |
| Baytu’l-‘Adl | Baytu’l-‘Adl | Pers. House of Justice |
| Baytu’l-‘Adl-i-A’zam | Baytu’l-‘Adl-i-A‘ẓam | Pers. Universal House of Justice. See Universal House of Justice listing. |
| Baytu’l-Hazan | Baytu’l-Ḥazan | house of sadness |
| Baytu’l-Ma’mur | Baytu’l-Ma‘múr | Frequented Fane. In Islám, the Ka‘bah or its archetype in heaven. |
| Baytu’l-Mahdi (Beitol Mahdi) | Baytu’l-Mahdí | Masjid Baytu’l-Mahdí (29.612247, 52.540839) built on the site of the House of the Báb in Shíráz, It is across the main street from the huge Masjid Naw (29.610966, 52.541609). |
| Baytu’l-Maqdis | Baytu’l-Maqdis | al-Aqṣá Mosque, Jerusalem |
| Baytu’l-Muqaddas | Baytu’l-Muqaddas | “The House of Holiness”—name given to Jerusalem |
| Baytu’llah | Baytu’lláh | the House of God—the Ka‘bah in Mecca |
| Bayyina (Bayyinah), Bayyinat | Bayyina (Bayyinah), pl. Bayyinát | clear proof, indisputable evidence; evidence (Islamic Law); a document serving as evidence |
| Baz-Av-u-Bidih-Jami | Báz-Áv-u-Bidih-Jámí | “Return and grant a chalice” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Bazar, Bazarat | Bázár, pl. Bázárát | bazaar, permanent, enclosed oriental market (Pers. origin, and Middle Persian wázár) |
| Bazari | Bázárí | merchant or craftsman of the bazzaar |
| Bazzaz | Bazzáz | draper, cloth merchant; the mercer |
| Bedikian | Bedikian | Armenian. “Auntie” Victoria Schnabel (1879–1955) married Díkrán (Տիգրան, tigran (pronounced díkrán) “fighting with arrows”) Mardiros (Մարտիրոս, “martyr”) Bedikian (Պետիկյան, petikyan, pronounced bítíkyán) (1866–1945), in 1901. |
| Beg (Big, Bag), Bey, Begum, Beygum | Beg (Big), fem. Begum | Turkish from old Turkic Bey (gentleman, chieftain, lord, prince). Variations used: Bayk (Persian), “Beik”, “Beyk”, “Beyg”, “Baig”, etc. Title for a chieftain, and an honourific, traditionally applied to leaders or rulers. A title placed after the names of servants and petty officials. Today, a social title for men, similar to the English “sir” and “mister”. See Báy. |
| Ben Gurion | Sderot Ben Gurion | Ben Gurion Ave passes through the German Colony from Haifa Harbour up to the base of the Bahá’í terraces. As part of the restoration of the German Templer Colony 2003 and onwards, the Haifa municipality moved the upper end of Ben Gurion Avenue 1.86 m to bring it into alignment with the terraces’ central stairs. |
| Bethulia, Bethulie | Bethulia, Bethulie | Bethulia is a Biblical city (location uncertain), situated on a mountain overlooking the plain of Jezrael, whose deliverance by Judith, when besieged by Holofernes, forms the subject of the Book of Judith. Hebrew בתוליה (a virgin). Similar to Ar. Batúlí (virginal). |
| bi | bi | (prep.) in, at, on (place and time); with (indicating connection, association, attendance); with, through, by means of (designating instrumentality or agency, also with pass. = by); for (= at the price of); by (= to the amount of); by (introducing an oath) |
| bi | bí | Pers. be (a privative particle or preposition), without; when prefixed to nouns, implying wanting, or being destitute |
| bi-Chara, bi-Charawar | bí-Chára, bí-Chárawár | Pers. without remedy; remediless; hopeless; helpless, destitute, desperate, miserable, reduced to the last extremity, or even “poor”. |
| bi-Farmayid (Bifarmayid) | bi-Farmáyíd | Pers. “here you are”, please come and eat, please come and sit, ..., etc. |
| bi-Qamis al-Babiyya | bi-Qamíṣ al-Bábiyya | garment of Gatehood |
| bi-Qamis al-Wilaya | bi-Qamíṣ al-Wiláya | garment of Sanctity |
| bi’l-Haqq | bi’l-Ḥaqq | of a truth |
| bi’l-Quwa | bi’l-Qúwa(t) | with power, powerfully, vigorously |
| bi’llah | bi’lláh | “by God!”, “with God” or “through God” |
| Bi’r (Ber), Abar, Bi’ar | Bi’r fem., pl. Ábár, Bi’ár | well, spring |
| bi’t-Tasrih | bi’t-Taṣríḥ | Pers. in detail; expressly, distinctly, explicitly |
| Biba (Beba, “Babba”) | Bibá | city (28.922043, 30.980567) in Bibá district, Muḥáfẓat Baní Sawíf (Beni Suef Governorate), 130 km SSW of Cairo, Egypt. See Kawm as-Sa’aydah |
| Bibi | Bíbí | Pers. a lady, a matron; wife, mistress of the house |
| Bibi-Dukhtaran | Bíbí-Dukhtarán | Shrine of Bíbí Dukhtarán in Shíráz (29.613000, 52.538959) where the Báb’s son, Aḥmad, is buried |
| Bibinid (Bebeeneed) | Bibíníd ببینید | Pers. look and see; behold. A favourite word of Shoghi Effendi and Zikrullah Khadem. |
| Bid’, Bid’a, Abda’, Bida’ | Bid‘, fem. Bid‘a[h or t] | (pl. Abdá‘, fem. Bida‘) innovator; new, original; unprecedented, novel;—fem. innovation. novelty; heretical doctrine, heresy;—fem. pl. creations (of fashion, of art). ahl al-bida‘ heretics. |
| Bidil | Bídil | Pers. heartless, dispirited, out of heart; pusillanimous; love-sick; ignorant; melancholy, dejected, sad, stupid. |
| Bidil, Abdu’l-Qadir | Bídil, Abdu’l-Qádir | Mawláná Abu’l-Ma‘ání Mírzá ‘Abdu’l-Qádir Bídil (1642–1720), a famous representative of Dari poetry and Sufism in Afghánistán. He is considered the most difficult and challenging poet of Safavid-Mughal poetry. The pairing of Bídil’s patronymic, Abu’l-Ma‘ání, “The Father of Meanings”, with his devastating nom de plume, Bídil, “The Heartless”, illustrates perfectly the conceptual coupling of Love and Meaning in the sensibilities of the literary self-expression of his audiences. |
| Bidpay (Pilpay) | Bídpáy (Pílpáy) | friendship; a famous Indian philosopher and author of the celebrated collection of fables about animals (in reality moral stories about kings, ministers, etc.). Better known by the Arabic version Kalílah wa Dimnah (after the names of two jackals), and the Persian version Anwár-i-Suhaylí (Lights of Canopus)—both derived from the Sanskrit Panchatantra (of Bídpáy) and Hitopadesa stories. |
| Bigliyirbigi | Biglíyirbigí | Beylerbey or Beylerbeyi (Ottoman Turkish: “Bey of Beys”, meaning “the Commander of Commanders” or “the Lord of Lords”). Initially designating a commander-in-chief, it eventually came to be held by senior provincial governors. In Ottoman usage it designated the governors-general of some of the largest and most important provinces. Equivalents in Arabic were ámir al-umará, and in Persian, mír-i mírán. |
| Bih | Bih | Pers. good, excellent; elegant; better; safe, sound |
| Biharu’l-Anwar (Bihar al-Anwar) | Biḥáru’l-Anwár (Biḥár al-Anwár) | Seas of Lights”. A 26 vol. compilation of Shí‘í traditions (aḥádíth) compiled by Shí‘a scholar Muḥammad-Báqir Majlisí. The full title: Biḥár al-‘Anwár al-Jámi‘ah li-Durar ‘Akhbár al-‘A’immah al-Aṭhár (“Oceans of lights, an encyclopedia for pearls of traditions of the pure imams”). See Majlisí. |
| Bihbahan, Behbahan, Behbehan | Bihbahán | Pers. city and capital of Behbahan County, Khuzestan Province, Írán. 100 km east of Bandar Máhshahr. |
| Bihbahani | Bihbahání | of or from Bihbahán. Áqá Muḥammad Báqir al-Bihbahání (b. 1118/1706–7—d. 1205/1791) known as al-Waḥíd al-Bihbahání, was a twelver Shí‘a scholar in fiqh, uṣúl. He was titled as Waḥíd al-‘Aṣr (The exceptional of the time) by as-Sayyid Muḥammad aṭ-Ṭabáṭabá’í al-Iṣfahání. His son was Sayyid Muḥammad ‘Alí b. Waḥíd Bihbahání (b. 1144/1731–32, d. 1216/1801) known as Áqá Muḥammad ‘Alí Kirmánsháhí. He was an influential Shí‘a jurist, uṣúlí and rijál (biographical evaluation) in twelfth/eighteenth and thirteenth/nineteenth century. His fame was mostly due to his serious broad fight with Sufism at the time of the Qájárs, so that some Sufis called him “Ṣúfí-kush” (Sufi-killer). |
| Bihi | Bihi | with, for, from, in, or by him, or it |
| Bihmard | Bihmard | Pers. bih + mard |
| Bihmardi | Bihmardí | Pers. Faríd Bihmardí. Bih+Mardí |
| Bihnam | Bihnám | Pers. bih + nám. Bihnám Páshá’í |
| Bihnaz (Behnaz) | Bihnáz | Pers. fem. name |
| Bihruz | Bihrúz | Pers. (Behrouz, Behrooz, Behruz Behrus, Bihuroz) Bih+rúz = “good day or lifetime”, success |
| Bihshahr (Behshahr) | Bihshahr | Pers. city (36.696676, 53.545713) in Mazindaran, 47 km NE Sárí. Formerly named Ashraf and Ashraf al-Bilád. |
| Bijan, Bizhan | Bíjan or Bízhan | Pers. “hero”. One of the main Iranian heroes in the Sháhnámih |
| Bika (not Baka) | Bika | A composite comprising the prefix “bi” with the suffix “ka”, which stands for the 2nd person singular masculine pronoun “Thou” or “Thee”. “Bika” can be translated as “upon Thee”, “to Thee”, “on Thee” or “about Thee”, depending on the context. “Baka” in Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas should be Bika. |
| Biktash, Baktash, Bektashi | Biktáshí, Baktáshí, Bektáshí | Turkish. Dervish order, mainly in Antolia and the Balkans. |
| Bilad al-Kurd, Kurdistan | Bilád al-Kurd, Pers. Kurdistán | Kurdistan (English) or the land (bilád) of the Kurds (al-Kurd). Greater Kurdistan, a roughly defined geo-cultural historical region wherein the Kurdish people form a prominent majority population and Kurdish culture, languages and national identity have historically been based. |
| Bilal | Bilál | Bilál ibn Rabáḥ (580–640) also known as Bilál ibn Riyáḥ and Bilál al-Ḥabashí, a freed Ethiopian slave born in Mecca, he was one of the most trusted and loyal companions of Muḥammad, who appointed him as the first muezzin. He was criticized for his pronunciation because a speech defect caused him to mispronounce the letter "shín" as “sín”. |
| Billahi’l-‘Aliyyi’l-‘Azim | Billáhi’l-‘Alíyyi’l-‘Aẓím | “in God, the Exalted, the Mighty” (bi+Alláh) |
| Bilqis | Bilqís | queen of “Sheba” in Arabian tradition. She is also known as Queen Makeda in Ethiopian tradition, her capital was in the Azeba district, Tigray Region, Ethiopia (about 13 km SW Adigrat). See Saba’ |
| Bimar | Bímár | Pers. sick, infirm, afflicted; the eye of a mistress |
| Bimaristan | Bímáristán | hospital; lunatic asylum |
| Bin | Bin | the son of |
| Bint | Bint | daughter of |
| Binyamin | Binyámín | Benjamin |
| Biradar | Birádar | Pers. brother |
| Biradar-zadar | Birádar-záda | Pers. brother’s son, nephew |
| Biraw (Birau) | Biraw | Pers. (“biro”, “buro”, “burro”) go!, get away!, get off! |
| Birjand | Bírjand | city in eastern Írán |
| Birjis | al-Birjís | Jupiter (astronomy). Martyr, Dr Sulaymán Birjís, Káshán (1897–1950) |
| Birkas | Birkás | now Lüleburgaz (“Lule Burgas”), Türkiye. It is 23 km ESE Babaeski and 75 SE Edirne. |
| Birujird | Birújird | Capital city of the province of Luristán, Mírzá Bururg was governor |
| Birun | Bírún | Pers. without, out of doors; exterior, extrinsic, foreign; the outside; from, a great way from |
| Biruni | Bírúní | Pers. outer or men’s quarters. See andarúní |
| Bisat, Bisatat, Absita, Busut | Bisáṭ, pl. Bisáṭát, Absiṭa[h or t], Busuṭ | (anything spread out such as) carpet, rug; bedding; goods, wares |
| Bishara, Bisharat, Basha’ir | Bishára(t), pl. Bishárát, Bashá’ir | good news, glad-tidings; annunciation, prophecy; gospel; bashá’ir good omens, propitious signs. Glad-Tidings by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Bisharat-i-‘Uzma | Bishárát-i-‘Uẓmá | Supreme Glad-tidings |
| Bishr | Bishr | joy |
| Bisitun (Bisotun) | Bísítún | city (34.396402, 47.444158) in Kermanshah Province |
| Bismi’llah | Bismi’lláh | “word” derived from the expression “In the name of God” = bi-ismi-alláh = bi’smi-alláh. Basmala is the act (verb) of saying the recurring Islamic phrase “Bismi’lláhi ar-Raḥmáni ar-Raḥími”—“In the name of God, the Most Compassionate (or Gracious), the Most Merciful”. Bismi’lláh is the first phrase of the first verse of every súra of the Qur’án except the ninth, and is repeated in 27:30, i.e. it occurs 114 times in the Qur’án. The verse/expression consists of 19 letters. |
| Bismi’llahu’l-Amna’u’l-Aqdas | Bismi’lláhu’l-Amna‘u’l-Aqdas | (“In the Name of God, the Most Unapproachable, the Most Holy”—Báb) (DB 66), the formula substituted by the Báb for the Muslim Bismi’lláhi’r-Raḥmáni’r-Raḥím. |
| Bismi’llahi’l-Bahiyyi’l-Abha | Bismi’lláhi’l-Bahíyyi’l-Abhá | “In the name of God, the Glorious, the Most Glorious” (used in calligraphic bird design by Mishkín-Qalam—described as a “bird of paradise in the form of the Greatest Holy Name sitting on the tree of Ṭúbá (tree of paradise)” |
| Bismi’llahi’r-Rahmani’r-Rahim | Bismi’lláhi’r-Raḥmáni’r-Raḥím | or Bismi’lláh ar-Raḥmán ar-Raḥím (there are 19 consonants in بِسْمِ ٱللّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ, and it has an abjad value of 786) “In the Name of God, the Most gracious, the Most Merciful”—it appears at the start of every sura, except Súra 9, and constitutes the first verse of Súra 1 in the traditional order. Súra 9:1 also starts with the letter “B”, the word Bará’at”. It is claimed that ‘Alí said: “All that is in the Qur’án is contained in the first sura, all that is in the first sura is contained in Bismi’lláhi’r-Raḥmáni’r-Raḥím, all that is in Bismi’lláhi’r-Raḥmáni’r-Raḥím is contained in the B of Bismi’lláh, all that is contained in the B of Bismi’lláh is contained in the point which is beneath the B—and I am that Point.” |
| Bistami | Bisṭámí | native of Basṭám |
| Bistum | Bistum, Bístum | Pers. the twentieth |
| Bisutun (Bisotun) | Bísutún | Pers. pillarless. Bísutún city 36 km NE Kirmásháh, at the foot of Mount Bísutún on which there is the huge Bísutún Inscription in 3 cuneiform scripts (crucial to the decipherment of one of the cuneiform scripts) |
| Bisyar | Bisyár | Pers. many, much; numerous; frequent; copious; very; exceedingly |
| Bisyar Khub | Bisyár Khúb | Pers. very well, all right, very or most good |
| Bitra’, Batra’ | Bitrá’, Batrá’ | from Greek for “rock”. al-Bitrá’ (Petra) is a ruined ancient city of the Edomites and Nabataeans; 185 km SSW of Amman in SW Jordan. Original name was Raqmu. |
| Biya | Biyá | Pers. (imperative of ámadan), come, come hither, approach |
| Biya inja | Biyá ínjá | Pers. come here |
| Biyaban, Bayaban | Biyábán, Bayábán | Pers. uncultivated, desert; a desert. A mountain (30.563130, 57.439224; 2,724 m) 47 km NE of Kirmán. A village, Qal‘ah Biyábán (28.526147, 54.872187). The mountain range to the south of Nayríz. It lies between the Nayríz plain and the Biyábán Plain. It is accessed via the “Bísámán” track from the mill on the Farusht Stream. |
| Biyarjumand (Beyarjomand) | Bíyárjumand | a small village (36.080803, 55.804240) in Semnan Province |
| Bronlundfjord | Brønlundfjord | (error “Bronlunsfjord”) a former research and radio station on the shore of Jørgen Brønlund Fjord (a northern branch of Independence Fjord) in southern Peary Land, north Greenland. MBW p. 149 (“147”) |
| Biyaban | Bíyábán | a mountain near Zanján |
| Brummana (Broummana) | Brummáná | (Beit Roumana, Aramaic name possibly meaning the “house of Rammana, the God of Air, Storm and Thunder") town 13 km east of Beirut, Lebanon |
| Budan | Búdan | Pers. to be; to become; to exist; existence |
| Buddha | Búdhá (Ar.) | Buddha Maitreya-Amitábha, the Buddha of the future, the Lord of the Age. Maitrya or Maitreya—”Kindness”; Amitábha—“Infinite light”. |
| Bughḍ, Bighda and Baghda’ | Bughḍ, Bighḍa(h) and Baghḍá’ | hatred, hate |
| Bujnurd (Bojnord) | Bujnúrd | city (37.474359, 57.324294) in North Khurasan province. 242 km NW of Mashhad. |
| Bukhar, Bukharat, Abkhira | Bukhár, pl. Bukhárát, Abkhira | vapour, fume; steam |
| Bukhara | Bukhárá | city in Uzbekistan |
| Bukharan | Bukhárán | people of Bukhárá |
| Bukhari | Bukhárí | steam (adjective), steam-driven. Abú ‘Abd Alláh Muḥammad ibn Ismá‘íl ibn Ibráhím ibn al-Mughírah ibn Bardizbah al-Ju‘fí al-Bukhárí (810–870), Persian Islamic scholar, author of the aṣ Ṣaḥíḥ al-Bukhárí collection of hadiths (aḥádíth).). |
| Bulbul, Bulbula, Balabil | Bulbul, fem. Bulbula[h or t], pl. Balábil | nightingale |
| Buli, Bolu | Búlí | Ar. for town (Bolu) 260 km east of Istanbul. |
| Buluk | Bulúk | Pers. a tract of country that a subject obtains either by gift, purchase, or succession, holding of the sovereign upon feudal tenure; a district (modern colloquialism) |
| Bulus | Búlus | Arabic form of Paul |
| Bun | Bun | Pers. root, basis, foundation; the bottom; the stern of a ship; extremity, point, end, tip (of anything); a cluster of dates; the trunk of a tree |
| Bun (Bon) | Bún | Pers. foundation, root, origin; end, limit |
| Bunab | Bunáb | Pers. the bottom or depth of water |
| Bunduq, Banadiq | Bunduq, pl. Banádiq | hazelnut(s), filberts; hazel, hazel tree. Pers. Funduq, Turk. Findík |
| Buni | Búní | ‘Abdu’lláh Búní (SDC 104) |
| Bunn | Bunn | coffee beans; coffee |
| Buq’a, Buqa’, Biqa’ | Buq‘a, pl. Buqa‘, Biqá‘ | spot, blot, smudge, stain; place, site, plot, patch, lot |
| Buq’atu’l-Hamra | Buq‘atu’l-Ḥamrá’ | “Crimson Spot”—a term used in several allegorical and symbolic senses in the Bahá’í Writings, including for the prison-city of ‘Akká. Samaríyyih Hill (32.961469, 35.092595, designated Buq‘atu’l-Ḥamrá’ by Bahá’u’lláh), 2 km north of Bahjí, opposite the kibbutz of Lohamei HaGeta’ot, where red flowers grew in abundance in the time of Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Buq’atu’l-Khadra’ | Buq‘atu’l-Khaḍrá’ | “The Verdant Spot”, a former private cemetery near the government “castle”, Yazd. Designated as such by Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Buqrat | Buqráṭ | Hippocrates, from the Greek Ippokrátis. Hippocrates II of Kos, usually known simply as Hippocrates. The most celebrated physician of ancient Greece and the grandson of Hippocrates I. |
| Bur | Búr | uncultivated, fallow |
| Burhan (Borhan), Barahin | Burhán, pl. Baráhín | proof, demonstration |
| Burhan-i-Lami’ | Burhán-i-Lámi’ | (Burhane Lame) published as “The Brilliant Proof” |
| Burhani’d-Din | Burháni’d-Dín | Proof of religion |
| Burida Gush (Borideh Gosh) | Burída(h) Gush | Pers. crop-eared, i.e. ear cut off. Name applied to ‘Abdu’l-Karím (assisted with the internment of the remains of the Báb) |
| Burj-i-Azadi (Burj-i-Shahyad) | Burj-i-Ázádí | Pers. “Freedom Tower” since 1979, formerly known as the Burj-i-Shahyád (“Shah’s Memorial Tower”). Designed by the Bahá’í architect Ḥusayn Amánát. Since moving to Canada in 1980, he has designed three administrative buildings on the Baháʼí Arc in Haifa, and the Baháʼí House of Worship in Samoa. |
| Burj, Buruj, Abraj | Burj, pl. Burúj, Abráj | tower, castle, sign of the zodiac |
| Burnus, Baranis, Barnus,Burnus | Burnus, pl. Baránis | (also barnús, burnús, pl. baranís) burnoose, hooded cloak; casula, chasuble (of Coptic priests) |
| Burqa, Burqu’, Baraqi’ | Burqu‘, (Pers. also Burqa‘), pl. Baráqi‘ | veil (worn by women; long, leaving the eyes exposed) |
| Burujird | Burújird | Capital city of the province of Luristán, place of the governorship of Mírzá Buzurg |
| Busayra, Busayrah, Busaira, Bozrah | Buṣayrá (Ar.), Boṣrah (Heb.) | historical site and former capital of Edom. Adjacent to the town of Basira (Bouseira, Busaira), Jordan—about 30 km SE of the “southern end” of the Dead Sea. |
| Bushihr (Bushehr or Bushire) | Búshihr | also known as Bandar Búshihr, previously Beh Ardasher, Antiochia in Persis and Bukht Ardashir. Iranian city (once the primary port of Írán) and province on the Persian Gulf. |
| Bushr | Bushr | glad-tidings |
| Bushru’i | Bushrú’í | (of or from Bushrúyih) |
| Bushruyih (Boshrouyeh) | Bushrúyih | a town in Khurásán, 55 km NE of Ṭabas and 70 km WSW of Tún. It is the birthplace of Mullá Ḥusayn, first disciple of the Báb. |
| Busra (Bosra, Bozra, Bozrah) | Buṣrá | officially named Buṣrá ash-Shám, town SW Syria where 12-year old Muḥammad met the monk Baḥírá |
| Bustan, Basatin | Bustán, pl. Basátín | garden or orchard. Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas “Boston” |
| Bustani | Bustání | gardener; garden (adj.); horticultural |
| Butrus | Buṭrus | Peter (Petros). See batrá |
| Buy | Búy | Pers. odour, fragrance, perfume; scent, spice; hope, wish, desire; search, quest; love; nature, disposition; portion, part, lot |
| Buy-i-Juy-i-Muliyan | Búy-i-Júy-i-Múliyán | Pers. "The fragrance of the Muliyan Brook" poem by Rúdakí |
| Buya (Boya) | Buya | Pers. hope, desire; fumitory; a Persian dynasty (Buyid) of the Dailamites (Daylamígán) founded by ‘Alí ibn Buya. |
| Buyuk | Búyúk | Turkic (Büyük), great, big, large, major, grand |
| Buyuk-Aqa | Búyúk-Áqá | |
| Buyukcekmece (“Buyuk-Chakmachih”) | Büyükçekmece | Turkish “Big drawbridge”, a district and municipality of Istanbul Province (about 30 km west of the city), on the European shore of the Sea of Marmara coast. It is west of Küçükçekmece. Iṣfahání Persian phonetic form is Búyúk-Chakmachih. |
| Buzurg-Banna | Buzurg-Banná | Ustád Áqá Buzurg-Banná |
| Buzurg-Mihr | Buzurg-Mihr | Pers. “large sun”. Buzurg-Mihr-i-Búkhtagán was an Iranian sage and dignitary, who served as minister of the Sasanian king Kavad I (r. 498–531), and the latter’s son and successor Khusraw I (r. 531–579). He also served as a military commander under Khusraw I and his successor Hurmúzd IV (r. 579–590). He was regarded as a man of “exceptional wisdom and sage counsels” and later became a characterisation of the expression. |
| Buzurj, Buzurg | Buzurj, Pers. Buzurg | great, grand. The title given by Fatḥ-‘Alí Sháh to Mírzá ‘Abbás-i-Núrí (better known as Mírzá Buzurg-i-Vazír of Núr, hence also Buzurg-i-Núrí). Bahá’u’lláh was his third child by second wife, Khadíjih Khánum. |
| Buzurjzada, Buzurgzada | Buzurjzáda, Pers. Buzurgzáda | (Buzurgzadeh) Bozorgadeh Kahn |
| Plain text | Transcripted text | Word meanings & comments |
| C | ||
| Caelum, Cælum, Coelo, Cœlo | ex cœlo | Latin. cælum is sky, heaven. Cœlum is a variation of cælum. Hence, ex cœlo is “from the sky” or “from heaven”. Compare with ex cathedra “from the chair”, with the full authority of office. The Catholic pope is said to occupy the “chair of Peter”. Refer to The heart of the Gospel, p. 66. |
| Chadar, Chadur (Chador) | Chádar, Chádur | Pers. A tent, pavilion; a mantle, scarf; a veil; a sheet; a shroud, winding-sheet; a table-cloth. Shawl or a long, loose cloak worn over other garments by Muslim women. |
| Chah | Cháh | Pers. a well, pit; a prison, dungeon; a snare |
| Chah-Qilan | Cháh-Qílán | locality, possibly near Kirmánsháh. Mentioned in DB p. 13. |
| Chahar (Char, Chihar), Chahar juy | Chahár | Pers. four, a crab. Contraction chár. Chahár júy, the rivers of Paradise; the elements; name of a province in Khurásán. |
| Chahar Bagh, Charbagh (Chihar Bagh) | Chahár Bágh | Pers. “four gardens”, a Persian, Indo-Persian, and Islamic quadrilateral garden layout based on the four gardens of Paradise mentioned in the Qur’án. The quadrilateral garden is divided by walkways or flowing water into four smaller parts. |
| Chahar Sham’ Pish | Chahár Sham’ Písh | “four candles ahead” or the time to burn four candles. A shrine (36.553683, 52.685930) in Babol, a former suburb and the area of the Áq-rúd village where Quddús was born. |
| Chahar Vadi (Chihar-Vadi) | Chahár Vádí | “Four Valleys” by Bahá’u’lláh. Addressed to Shaykh ‘Abdu’r-Raḥmán-i-Karkútí. See chahár and wádí |
| Chahardar | Chahárdah | Pers. fourteen |
| Chahishk | Cháhishk | Pers. village on the NW side of Mashhad |
| Chal | Chál | Pers. a hole wherein one may stand upright without being buried, pit, cavern, trench |
| Chaman, Chamman | Chamán (Chammán) | Pers. walking, giving oneself haughty, swinging, or graceful airs in walking; a goblet of wine; a party of friends |
| Changiz | Changíz | Genghis Khán (c. 1162–1227) |
| Chapan, Chupan (Chuppan) | Chapán, Chupán | Pers. tattered garments |
| Chapar | Chápár | Turkish a runner, mounted messenger, courier; post; mail. Persian government post, called in old times, Baríd, where post horses may be hired by private individuals. |
| Chapar-chi, Chaparchi | Chápár-chí, Chápárchí | Turkish courier |
| Chaq | Cháq | Pers. time; health; healthy, well; stout, obese |
| Chardivari | Chárdívárí | private home or four walls |
| Chashm, Chashmha | Chashm, pl. Chashmhá | Pers. the eye; hope; an amulet or charm (particularly of holy writ) against fascination or enchantment; the individual himself (as ‘ayn in Arabic); anything resembling an eye, as the hole of a sieve, the eye of a needle, the mesh of a net, etc. |
| Chashma (Cheshmeh, Chashmih) | Chashma (چشمه) | Pers. (also “Chashmih”) a fountain, source, spring; the sun; spectacles; eye of a needle; a vaulted arch |
| Chashma ‘Ali (Chashmih-‘Ali) | Chashma ‘Alí or Chashmah-i-‘Alí | Pers. “spring of ‘Alí”, “Chashmih-‘Alí”, “Cheshmeh-‘Ali”, “Chishmih-‘Alí”. Name of many locations. A spring (35.607392, 51.444928) 10 km SSE city centre of Ṭihrán. A village (36.278167, 54.083907) near Ástána and NW of Dámghán, all are in Semnan Province. |
| Chawush | Cháwush | Turkish a sergeant, a beadle; a herald; the leader of an army or caravan; a guide. A guide who would chant poems praising the Prophet or the Imams, and he would call on people to take him as a guide for a pilgrimage either to Mecca, the ‘Atabát, or Mashhad. He would hoist a special banner to announce the imminent pilgrimage. This may explain why Mullá Ḥusayn’s party were able to carry a black banner without arousing any suspicions. |
| Chawush-Khwani | Cháwush-Khwání | recitation by a guide |
| Chay (Cha’i) | Cháy (Chá’í) | Pers. tea. See Sháy |
| Chi or Chih, Chiha | Chi or Chih, pl. Chihá | Pers. something; who? what? which? a Turkish affix to form words denoting the agent |
| Chigan, Jigan | Chígán, Jígán | village (32.897875, 50.334005) 128 km WNW of Iṣfahán |
| Chihal (Chihil) | Chihal, Chihil | Pers. forty |
| Chihr, Chihra | Chihr, fem. Chihra (چره) | Pers. face, visage; original essence; a map; small shot |
| Chihra-Nama (Chehreh-Nama) | Chihra-Namá | Pers. “Face view”, “portrait painter” or “real face of people”. Iranian newspaper first published (possibly 1890s) in Alexandria and then Cairo. It acted as a conduit of ideas (unable to be published in Írán) between Egypt and Írán in the campaigns of political, social, and cultural reform. |
| Chihriq, Chehriq, Chahriq | Chihríq | (Čahrīk, Turkic “challenge”) Qal‘ah Chihríq (“Shimko Castle”, see Şikák) is a citadel in Kurdish Ádhirbáyján, designated by the Báb as Jabal-i-Shadíd (the “Grievous Mountain”), name chosen based on Chihríq and Shadíd (“grievous”) having the same abjad value of 318. He was imprisoned there May 1848–July 1850. There are two villages: Chihríq-i-Ulya (“Upper” Chihríq, 38.079311, 44.599834), about 70 km NW of Urmia; and Chihríq-i-Suflá (“Lower” Chihríq, 38.076439, 44.611989) is 1 km ESE of Chihríq-i-Ulya. The ruins of the fortress (38.080166, 44.589550) is on the end of a ridge with steep sides between the now largely dry Zúlá Cháy River and a side stream. It is about 0.8 km to the west of Chihríq-i-Ulya and 19 km SE of the modern Türkye border. Access to the fort was only possible by crossing the river, making it more difficult for the Báb’s followers to reach him. Armenian Christians (they left about 1830) lived in the walled village (with a church) below the castle. They had a second church (38.078982, 44.591295) 200 m to the south and a cemetery west of this church. |
| Chilaw-kabab | Chiláw-kabáb | “national dish” of Írán; cooked rice with one of many varieties of kebab |
| Chinar | Chinár | Pers. chenar or Oriental plane tree |
| Chinar-Sukhtih | Chinár-Súkhtih | “burnt tree”, a section of Nayriz (south and SW of city centre) that includes the Masjid Jámi‘ Kabír. Varqá’s house ≈ 29.189037, 54.326549. Qal‘ah-i-Khwájah (≈ 29.194332, 54.337368) was ≈ 1 km to the east. |
| Chiragh (Cheragh, Chiraq) | Chirágh | Pers. a lamp; light; the wick of a candle; a guide, director; a client, dependant; a horse’s rearing; a pasture. Sháh Chirágh (29.609674, 52.543340) is a funerary monument and mosque in Shíráz. See Ar. Siráj. |
| Chisht | Chisht | town (now city, Chishti Sharíf, 34.342240, 63.738131) 140 km east of Heart, Afghánistán (formerly eastern Persia) |
| Chishti | Chishtí | Chishtí Ṣúfí Order is known for its emphasis on love, tolerance and openness. It began with Abú Isḥáq Shámí (d. 940) in Chisht, c. CE 930. It was the first of the four main Ṣúfí orders (Chishtí, Qádiríya, Suhrawardí and Naqshbandí) to be established in this region. |
| Chiz, Chi | Chíz, Chí | Pers. something; who? what? which? a Turkish affix to form words denoting the agent |
| Chub (Chob) | Chúb | Pers. a log; wood; a tree; a staff, rod, baton, stick; a drumstick; a beam; a plough-tail; a shoot of a tree, sucker |
| Chubin Dar, Chubindar, Jubin | Chúbín Dar | (Choobindar Choubindar; also known as Júbín Dar, Chúbín, and Chundar) is a village to the SW of Qazvín. Chúbín Dar Zindán (Prison) is on the west side of the village. See Sijn-i-Matín |
| Chula (Chuleh, Chulih, Choleh) | Chúla (چوله) | Pers. porcupine |
| Chulaw (Chulav), Chilaw | Chuláw (Chuláv) | Pers. plain boiled rice |
| Chupan | Chúpán | Pers. (Chopan, Copan) a shepherd. Amír Chúpán and Dr Chúpán |
| Comforter | Comforter | (Gk. Paracletos) Muḥammad and Aḥmad (“the Praised One”, “a Mercy for all creatures” and “most kind and merciful to the Believers”) are almost a translation of the Greek word Periclytos. The use of “Comforter” in the John 14:16 and 16:7 is based on the Greek word Paracletos (“Advocate”, “one called to the help of another, a kind friend”). Muslims argue that Paracletos is a corrupt reading for Periclytos. |
| Cunningham | Cunningham | 1919 model car arrived at Port Said early January 1920 (Prelude to the Guardianship, p. 126). It is stored in an air conditioned garage at the front of 7 Har-Parsim St, Haifa. It was restored about 2015. |
| Plain text | Transcripted text | Word meanings & comments |
| D | ||
| Da’a, Du’a’ | Da‘á, Du‘á’ | Ar. to call (someone); to summon, call or send for someone; to call up; to call upon someone, appeal to someone for something or to do something; to propagate, propagandize (something), make propaganda, make publicity (for) |
| Da’i or Du’at | Dá‘í, pl. Du‘át | Pers. who or what invites or stimulates (others) to anything; who prays for, invokes a blessing upon; the Muezzm who calls to prayers; Muhammad (as caller to the faith). Meaning also a missionary, see da’wa. |
| Da’if, Du’afa | Ḍa‘if, pl. m. Ḍu‘afa’ | weak, feeble; frail, weakly, delicate, debilitated, impotent, languid, flabby, slack |
| Da’im | Dá’im | lasting, enduring; endless, eternal, perpetual, everlasting; perennial; continued, continuous, continual, incessant, unceasing, constant; permanent, standing, established; durable. As in permanent marriage. Compare with munqaṭi‘. |
| Da’iman | Dá’iman | continually, forever |
| Da’ir | Dá’ir | turning, revolving, spinning; circulating; current (e.g., expression), common; ambulant, itinerant; in progress, under way; working, in operation; running (machine, engine); round |
| Da’ira, Dawa’ir | Dá’ira(h), pl. Dawá’ir | circle (also mathematics); ring; circumference, perimeter, periphery; sphere, scope, range, compass, extent, circuit; field, domain (figurative); official agency, department (especially Ir., Syr., Leb.); office, bureau; department of a court of justice (e.g., Tun.); farm, country estate (e.g.); misfortune, calamity, affliction. The Dá’ira represents the Sun of Truth (the Manifestation of the Names and attributes of God) (from the Báb). Hence, women are called the “possessors of the circle (dá’ira)” because the Manifestation of the Names and attributes of God is enshrined within the heart of each individual. See haykal. |
| Da’ish (Daesh) | Dá‘ish | The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, ad-Dawlah al-Islámiyah fí’l-‘Iráq wa sh-Shám), officially known as the Islamic State (IS) and also known by its Arabic-language acronym Daesh (Dá‘ish), is a terrorist militant group that follows a fundamentalist, Salafi jihadist doctrine of Sunni Islam. |
| Da’iya (Da’i), Dawa’in | Dá‘iya (“Dá‘í”), pl. Dawá‘in | one who calls for something, invites to something; propagandist, herald; (pl.) motive, reason, cause, occasion; requirements, exigencies. Hence, ad-dá‘iya, the caller. |
| Da’wa, Da’awa, Da’awin | Da‘wá, pl. Da‘áwá, Da‘áwin | allegation, pretension; claim; lawsuit, case, action, legal proceedings (Islamic Law) |
| Da’wa, Da’awat | Da‘wa(h), pl. Da‘awát | call; appeal; bidding, demand, request; call, convocation, summons (to), calling up, summoning; (official) summons, citation; invitation; claim, demand, plea; missionary activity, missionary work, propaganda;—pl. invocation, imploration, supplication, prayer; good wish. The summons to Islám that precedes or replaces holy war; Islamic missionary endeavour, proselytization. |
| Dabb, Dabab, Adubb, Dubban | Ḍabb, pl. Ḍabáb, Aḍubb, Ḍubbán | lizard |
| Dabba, Dawabb | Dábba(h or t), pl. Dawább | animal (including man), beast; riding animal (horse, mule, donkey). See Qur’án 11:59 and 27:19. |
| Dabir, Dibir | Dabír, Dibír | Pers. a writer, secretary, notary; a writing-master; dabíru’l-mulk, Secretary of State |
| Dabiristan (Dabistan), Dibiristan | Dabíristán, Dibíristán | Pers. a high school; a record office. Dabistán (“Debistan”) is either a contraction of dabíristán or an abbreviation of adabistán. |
| Dabistan al-Madhhahib | Dabistán al-Madhháhib | title of a book (“School of doctrines”) containing historical records of religions and creeds, we find stories and traditions concerning the Brahaman and Zoroastrian miracles. Persian Dabistánu’l-Madhháhib |
| Dabit, Dubbat, Dawabit | Ḍábiṭ | controlling device, control, governor, regulator (techn.); prepositor entrusted with discipline (in e.g. schools); (pl. ḍubbáṭ) officer; (pl. ḍawábiṭ) general rule, canon, (moral) precept or order |
| Dabita, Dawabit | Ḍábiṭa, Ḍawábiṭ | police; (pl.) curbing force, order |
| Dad | Dád | Persian. He gave; a gift; justice, equity; redress of grievances; complaint, lamentation (under oppression); measure; a part, portion; revenge; a ringworm; life; age; a year |
| Dada | Dada (Dadih) | Pers. a grandfather; a title given to dervishes, especially qalandars; a nurse who brings up children |
| Dada | Dáda | governess, dry nurse, nurse |
| Dada | Dádá | Pers. a female servant, particularly an old one who has attended upon anyone from her youth; a handmaid. |
| Dadash | Dádásh | Pers. brother |
| Dah | Dah | Pers. ten; indicating sometimes a large, sometimes a small number; displeasure; annoyance, trouble; curses, imprecations; commanding what is right and forbidding what is wrong |
| Dahaj (Dehaj) | Dahaj (Dahíj) | town (30.690764, 54.877358) between Shíráz and Kirmán |
| Dahaji | Dahají | from Dahaj. Siyyid-i-Mihdíy-i-Dahají was named Ismu’lláhu’l-Jamál by Bahá’u’lláh. He rebelled against ‘Abdu’l-Bahá after the death of Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Dahan, Dihan | Dahán, Dihán | Pers. the mouth; an orifice |
| Dahiya, Dawahin | Dáhiya(t), pl. Dawáhin | calamity, disaster, catastrophe; misfortune |
| Dahmubidi | Dahmúbidí (Dah + múbidí) | Dáryúsh Dahmúbidí |
| Dahr, Duhur, Adhur | Dahr, pl. Duhúr, Adhur (ادھر) | time; long time, age, epoch; lifetime; eternity; fate, destiny; “world of duration”. Note adhur plural has the letters d and h, not dh. |
| Dai’a, Diya’ | Ḍai‘a, pl. Ḍiyá‘ | landed estate, country estate, domain; small village, hamlet |
| Daidanaw (Daidanow), Day Da Naw | Daidanaw, Day Da Naw | Burmese. Daidanaw, known as “‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s village”, is 4.25 km NE along the road to Kawhmu from the main road junction in Kungangon, Burma (Myanmar). Siyyid Muṣṭafá Rúmí’s shrine is to the north of the Bahá’í Centre (16.465353, 96.040762). Refer to https://bahai-library.com/history_bahai_faith_myanmar |
| Dajjal, Dajjalun, Dajajila | Dajjál, pl. Dajjálún, Dajájila | (“Dedjal”) swindler, cheat, imposter; quack, charlatan; Antichrist (false Christ or anti-Christ). The Antichrist (Siyyid Muḥammad Iṣfahání, the “Antichrist of the Bahá’í revelation”), who would appear at the Advent of the Promised One (Bahá’u’lláh), to contend with and ultimately be defeated by Him. See Sufyání and Áqásí. |
| Dakhan | Dakhan | smoke, fume, vapour. Town 98 km ENE Hamadán |
| Dakhil, Dukhala’ | Dakhíl, pl. Dukhalá’ | inner, inward, internal; inner self, heart, core;—pl. extraneous; foreign, alien; exotic; foreigner, alien, stranger; not genuine, false, spurious; newly added (to); novice; (new) convert; guest; protégé, charge, ward |
| Dakhili | Dakhílí | Masrúr Dakhílí executed 1981 |
| Dakhma (Dakhmih, Dakhmeh) | Dakhma | a Pársí word for a circular stone building in the form of a cylinder (so-called “tower of silence”, tower of khámushí “silence”). Zoroastrians lay the bodies of their dead on its flat top surface (the receptacle for the dead); a tomb; a coffin; a mausoleum (modern colloquialism) |
| Dal | Dál | Letter ‘D’ |
| Dala’il al-‘Irfan, Dala’ilu’l-‘Irfan | Dalá’il al-‘Irfán, Dalá’ilu’l-‘Irfán | “Signs of knowledge” by Ḥájí Mírzá Ḥaydar ‘Alí Iṣfahání |
| Dala’il-i-Sab’a (Dala’il-i-Sab’ih) | Dalá’il-i-Sab‘a (Dalá’il-i-Sab‘ih) | “The Seven Proofs” in Persian by the Báb |
| Dalaki | Dálakí | city 73 km NE of Búshihr and 15 km SW Kunár Takhta. The Báb was arrested in this city in 1846. |
| Dalal | Ḍalál | a straying from the right path or from truth; error |
| Dalil, Adilla, Dala’l, Adilla’, Dala’il | Dalíl, pl. Adilla, Dalá’l, Adillá’ | (the latter of persons) indication (of); sign, token; symptom; proof, evidence (of); guide; tourist guide; pilot (of a ship, of an airplane);guidebook, guide manual, handbook; directory, telephone directory; railroad guide, timetable; guide rail (technical); roller path (in steel construction). pl. also dalá’il. |
| Dalilu’l-Mutahayyirin | Dalílu’l-Mutaḥayyirín | Guide of the astonished, bewildered, helpless or perplexed |
| Daliyat ar-Rawha’ | Dálíyá(t) ar-Rawḥá’ | (fragrant vine”) a Palestinian village 24.5 km SE of Haifa. The Jewish colony of Dalia was established on land purchased in the village in 1939. It was depopulated of its Arab inhabitants in late March during the 1948 Palestine War. |
| Dall, Dawall, Dallin | Ḍáll, pl. Ḍawáll, Ḍállín | straying, roaming, wandering; astray, lost; erroneous, false. Ḍállín (gone astray) |
| Dallal | Dallál | auctioneer; broker, jobber, middleman, agent, commission merchant; hawker |
| Dalvand | Dálvand | Sháhín Dálvand |
| Damawand, Damavand | Damáwand, Damávand | city (58 km east Tehran), county and mountain (5,609 m, 27 km north of the city) |
| Damdam | Ḍamḍám | one who comprehends, contains, grasps, or holds everything; anything that contains, surrounds, or comprises another |
| Damghan | Dámghán | city (36.162988, 54.333824) 125 km SE Sari and 60 km SW of Sháhrúd |
| Damir | Ḍámir | loan, skinny, thin; slender, slim, svelte, lank (camel or any riding animal). See Qur’án 22:27 where it is often translated as “lean camel”. |
| Damma, Dammat | Ḍamma, pl. Ḍammát | the vowel point for the short vowel u;—pl. embrace, hug. See kasra and fatḥa |
| Dana (Danih) | Dána | Pers. grain; a berry; stone of fruit, seed of grain or fruit; a pimple; grain or bait scattered for catching birds; a cannon-ball; knowledge, science, learning; learned |
| Danaq, Daniq, Dawaniq | Dánaq, Dániq, pl. Dawániq | two carats (2 qíráṭ, 1/6 dirham); an ancient coin; small coin; a square measure. Abú Dawáníq, a nickname of the Caliph Abú-Ja‘far Manṣúr on account of his avarice. |
| Dani’, Adniya’, Adna’ | Daní’,pl. Adniyá’, Adná’ | low, base, mean, vile, despicable, contemptible; inferior, second-rate, of poor quality. Adná’ also “lowest” or “even closer”—being the second station (the other is that of divinity) of the Báb, that of servitude. (Gate of the heart, p. 223) |
| Danish | Dánish | Pers. science, knowledge, learning; excellence |
| Danishniya | Dánishníyá[t] | Pers. (dánish + níyá[t]) knowledgeable or learned. Adíb Dánishníyá. |
| Dannun (Danun, Dunnun, Thulnoon) | Dannún | shrines of Shaykh Dannún (32.991081, 35.147904) and Shaykh Dawúd (32.993921, 35.150093) in small villages of the same name are now merged as the village of Sheikh Dannun, 5 km ESE of the city of Nahariya, Israel. Bahá’u’lláh would have passed through or near here enroute to the former village of an-Nahr in 1880. See Nahr. For “thulnoon”, see Dhú’n-Nún. |
| Daqiqa, Daqa’iq | Daqíqa, pl. Daqá’iq | particle; nicety (“subtlety”); intricacy; detail, particular; minute (time unit) |
| Dar | Dar | Pers. 1. (preposition) in, into, within, among; on, upon, above; of, concerning, about; by, for; because of; near, hard by, at; to, as far as, according to; before, in presence of; against; with; under; at length; after; so much; out, out of doors. 2. (noun) a door, gate, passage, door-way or gate-way; a chapter (of the Zand); a subject, topic; way, manner, method; genus, sort, kind; turn, step, degree; a kind of wild bird; a gnat; a blackberry; a valley; a mountain-pass; the foot, also summit, of a mountain. 3. (imperative of darídan), tear thou; (in composition) tearing, as parda-dar, veil-tearing, dishonouring. |
| Dar al-Athar, Daru’l-Athar | Dár al-Áthár, (Pers.) Dáru’l-Áthár | museum, archives |
| Dar al-Funun, Daru’l-Funun | Dár al-Funún, Dáru’l-Funún | building or centre for arts and sciences) The first technical college of Írán in Teheran founded by Prime Minister Mírzá Taqí Khán. BKG 72 |
| Dar as-Salam, Daru’s-Salam | Dár as-Salám, Pers. Dáru’s-Salám | (Darussalam, Dar es Salaam) paradise, heaven; epithet of Baghdád (Abode of Peace or the City of God since peace is an attribute of God). See Bahá’u’lláh King of Glory, p. 296. Dar es Salaam (seaport and capital of Tanzania). |
| Dar Kula, Darkula, Darab Kola, Dara Kola | Dár Kulá (Dárkulá) | a village (36.512137, 52.301776) in the Central District of Amol County, Mazandaran Province |
| Dar, Daran | Dár, pl. Dárán | Pers. wood; a gallows; a beam; the roofing of a house; a tree, stake; (imperfect of dáshtan, in compounds) holding, possessing, keeping; a keeper, possessor, lord, master |
| Dar, Dur, Diyar, Diyarat, Diyara | Dár f., pl. Dúr, Diyár, Diyárát, Diyara[h] | house; building, structure, edifice; habitation, dwelling, abode; residence, home; seat, side, locality; area, region; land, country (especially diyár). dár al-baqá’ the eternal abode, the hereafter; dár as-sa‘áda and dár as-salṭana Constantinople (designation before World War I); dár as-salám paradise, heaven; dár al-hijra Medina. Example Dúru’l-Bahá’íyya. Pers. in compounds as an imperative of dáshtan: holding, possessing, keeping; a keeper, possessor, lord, master. |
| Dara | Dárá | Pers. holding fast; a possessor; God; Darius, son of Dáráb; the Darii, kings of Persia; a sovereign |
| Darab | Daráb (Dar Áb) | Pers. dar+áb (در آب), in the water |
| Darab | Dáráb | A town in Fárs, southern Persia, home of Vaḥíd’s ancestors. |
| Darabi | Dárábí | Sayyid Yaḥyá Dárábí (1811–1850), Bábí leader usually known as Waḥíd Akbar (Peerless One), a title given him by the Báb. The eldest son of Sayyid Ja‘far al-Kashfí Iṣṭahbánátí. |
| Daraja, Darajat | Daraja, pl. Daraját | step, stair; flight of steps, stairs, staircase; degree, step, tone (of a scale; music); degree (mathematics, geography; of temperature); grade, fate; degree, order, rank; club (also, e.g., in trains, of a decoration); phase state, stage (of a development); mark, grade (in school) |
| Darb, Durab, Adrab | Ḍarb, pl. Ḍurúb, Aḍráb | beating, striking, hitting, rapping; shooting, shelling, gunning, bombing, bombardment; multiplication; coining, formation; minting (of money);— (pl. ḍurúb) kind, sort, specimen, species, variety; (pl. aḍráb) similar, like |
| Darband | Darband | Pers. gateway or mountain door. City (renamed Derbent) in the province of Dághistán (Russia) on the western banks of the Caspian Sea (gateway to the Caucasus). Also a village (gateway to Mt. Tochal (Tuchál), mountain and ski resort) that is now a neighbourhood on the north side of Ṭihrán. |
| Dard, Darad | Dárd, Dárad | Pers. an attribute of God; dárad he holds, has, is possessed of |
| Dargaz (Dar Gaz) | Dargaz (Dar Gaz) | also known as Darreh Gaz; formerly, Muḥammadábád, Muḥammadábád Arbáb, and Abíward (Abivard), is a city 65 km NE of Qúchán, in Raḍawí Khurásán Ústán (province), Írán. |
| Dari | Darí | Pers. belonging to a door; belonging to the royal court, courtly; one of the three surviving dialects of the seven anciently spoken in Persia, said to prevail chiefly in Balkh, Bukhárá, and Badakhshán, and called the language of the court and of Paradise |
| Daridan | Darídan | Pers. to tear, rend, lacerate; to cut out (cloth); to lay open; to subtract; to be loosed; to be torn |
| Darkala or Dar-Kala (Dar-Kola) | Dárkalá or Dár-Kalá | (“Kalaa”, “Dhakala”) a village (36.161685, 51.939188) in Núr County (8 km SW of Tákur) in Mázindarán, a second ancestral home of Mírzá Ḥusayn-‘Alí. A village (36.464393, 52.193668) 14 km west of Ámul where Bahá’u’lláh’s family stayed away from the winter cold of Tákur. |
| Darr | Ḍárr | harmful, injurious, detrimental, noxious, disadvantageous. Abú Dharr al-Ghifárí al-Kinání, also Jundab ibn Junádah, was the 4th or 5th convert to Islam, and a Muhájirún |
| Dars, Durus | Dars, pl. Durús | effacement, obliteration, extinction;—pl. study, studies; lesson, chapter (of a textbook); class, class hour, period; lecture; lesson (taught by experience, etc.) |
| Darsu’l-Akhláq, Dars-i-Akhlaq | Darsu’l-Akhláq, (Pers.) Dars-i-Akhláq | “Lessons in morals, good behaviour and character building” (“Dars Akhláq”) |
| Daru’l-Tabigh or Daru’l-Tarwij | Dáru’l-Tabígh or Dáru’l-Tarwíj | (Teaching or Propagation Centre, for the Hands) |
| Daru’l-Tashri’ | Dáru’l-Tashrí‘ | (House of Legislation, Universal House of Justice) |
| Daru’s-Surur | Dáru’s-Surúr | “the happy home” |
| Daru’sh-Shafa | Dáru’sh-Shafá | Pers. house of treatment, a building constructed for medical purposes, equivalent of a modern hospital or health clinic |
| Daru’sh-Shafay-i-Masjid-i-Shah | Dáru’sh-Shafáy-i-Masjid-i-Sháh | Pers. hospital at the Sháh Mosque in Tehran |
| Darugha (Darughih) | Dárúgha (Pers. Bahá’í Dárúghih) | Pers. from Chinese, a territorial subdivision (later a province) in the Mongol Empire that was ruled by a darughachí. In Safavid Persia, a dárúgha was the head man of an office, prefect of a town or village, overseer, or superintendent of any department. Similarly, in the Mughal Empire of South Asia, dárúgha was the title of the district police officer or police magistrate. |
| Darughagi (Darughachi) | Dárúghagí | Pers. from Mongolian dárúghachí. A superintendency. He was in charge of administration and taxes—sometimes referred to as a governor. |
| Darvish Muhammad-i-Irani | Darvísh Muḥammad-i-Írání | Name used by Bahá’u’lláh while in Sulaymáníyyih |
| Darvish Sidq-‘Ali | Darvísh Ṣidq-‘Alí | |
| Darvish-Salah | Darvísh-Ṣaláḥ | |
| Darwaz, Darwaza (Darvarza, Darvazih) | Darwáz, Darwáza | Pers. large gates, or doors of a city, palace, or fortress (always open); a square, market-place; mendacity;—fem. a door; a gate; a square, market-place, or exchange where merchants meet, and mendicants beg; (hence) begging; a pass through mountains. |
| Darwaza Kazirun | Darwáza Kázirún | Kázirún Gate (29.609111, 52.532378) is the west side old city gate (destroyed) of Shíráz on the Kázirún to Shíráz road. The Báb met Mullá Ḥusayn here on 22 May 1844. |
| Darwaza Qur’an | Darwáza Qur’án | (or Darwáza Shíráz) “Qur’án Gate”, was at the northern entrance gate to Shíráz on the Iṣfahán road. The gate once had two very large and heavy, hand-written “Qur’áns” (i.e. maṣḥafayn; named hafdah man (weight 51 kg)) stored in a room on top of the arch. The maṣḥafayn were moved in 1937 and are now in the Pars Museum. The modern gate is a “recreation”. All the other city gates have been destroyed. |
| Darwish (Darvish), Darawish | Darwísh, pl. Daráwísh | poor, indigent; dervish or monk. A beggar or faqír (poor one) “... those who are completely severed from all but God, who cleave to His laws, are firm in His Faith, loyal to His Covenant, and constant in worship.” Attributed to Bahá’u’lláh in MF 39. May be written as Darwesh or Darvesh in Persian. |
| Darya | Daryá | Pers. a sea, ocean; a river; (in the language of mysticism) pure, uncreated, divine essence |
| Daryay-i-Nur (Daryay-i-Noor) | Daryáy-i-Núr | Pers. the Sea of Light or the Ocean of Light—the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh. Name of the famous and largest pink cut diamond (≈182 carats, from India), the colour is a very rare pale pink. See Kúh-i-Núr. |
| Daryun (Dariun), Daryan (Darian) | Dáryún (Dáríún), Dáryán (Dáríán)) | city (29.563709, 52.931288; 35 km east of Shíráz) in the Central District of Shíráz County, Fárs Province; city (38.216401, 45.628214; 60 km WNW Tabriz) in East Azerbaijan; village (35.145114, 46.315736) 1 km SE of the Daryan Dam in Kirmánsháh Province. An area (32.677209, 51.707902) in Iṣfahán (5 km NE of city centre). |
| Daryush (Dariush, Darioush) | Dáryúsh | Pers. (“Dáriúsh”, Darioush) a common Persian male given name. Old Persian Dárayavush = Dáraya- [hold] + vush (wash) [good], i.e. “holding firm the good”. Historically it has been translated into English and Latin as “Darius”. Dáryúsh Dahmúbidí.. |
| Darz, Duruz | Darz, pl. Durúz | seam, hem; suture |
| Darzi | Darzí | Pers. a tailor |
| Dasht | Dasht | Pers. a desert, plain without water; a burial-ground; a chess-board; dry musk |
| Dashtan | Dáshtan | Pers. to have; to hold; to possess; to profess, maintain |
| Dast, Dast ba Dast | Dast, Dast bá Dast | Pers. the hand; the forearm; a cubit. dast bá dast, hand in hand; very near; agile, quick, speedy. |
| Dast, Dust | Dast, pl. Dusút | place of honour, seat of honour, seat of office; council; dast al-ḥukm (a ruler’s) throne |
| Dastan | Dastán | Pers. history, romance, fable; song, melody, trill, shake; the key of a musical instrument; foolish, idle talk; fraud, imposture, stratagem |
| Dastjird | Dastjird | (Dastjerd) city 60 km WSW of Qum, Írán |
| Dastjirdan | Dastjirdán | people of Dastjird |
| Dastmal-Girih-Zan | Dastmál-Girih-Zan | Pers. literally “handkerchief-knot-woman” |
| Dastmal, Dast-mal | Dast-mál, Dastmál | Pers. rubbing the hands; a towel; a handkerchief; a kettle-holder; dinner-plate; easy, smooth; bare; a prisoner; wealth |
| Dastur, Datwar, Dasturan | Dastúr, pl. Dasátír or Dastúrán | Pers. (borrowed from Arabic dustúr) leave, permission, licence; congé; a prime minister, vazír, senator, councillor of state; a confidential person; a model, exemplar, rule, basis, foundation, canon, original of a book, record, formula, or any writing of authority to which people have recourse; custom, mode, manner, fashion; constitution, privilege; a customary fee, tax, or percentage; fulfilment of a promise; a bolt, bar; a large log laid across a ship as ballast; a high Zoroastrian priest; a powerful man; in India a Pársí priest. See dustúr. |
| Dasturi | Dastúrí | Pers. perquisites paid to servants by one who sells to their master, fees; leave; custom; anything thrown in, or placed upon another (as if one should buy a pound of sugar, and an apple should be put on the top) |
| Dawachi (Davachi) | Dawachí | an old district of Tabriz to the north of the city centre |
| Dawla (Daula, Daulih, Dawlih), Duwal | Dawla[h or t], pl. Duwal | originally: alternation, rotation, cycle, change; change of time, period of rule. Used in particular by the early Abbasid caliphs to denote “the time of their success”, i.e. the period of their rule, and soon became associated specifically with the ruling house and acquired the connotation of “dynasty”. Since 19th century: dynasty; state or government, country; power, empire. e.g. Dawlat-Ábád and Dawlat-Ábádí. Pers. also dawlih. |
| Dawli (Dauli), Duwali | Dawlí | state (adjective); duwalí international |
| Dawr (Daur), Adwar | Dawr, pl. Adwár | Pers. (Ar. influence) time, age; a revolution, period of years; a period of 360 solar years; evil times; days of oppression; a state of poverty; the world, fortune; the repetition of a lesson; a cup handed round by the guests; intelligence which spies transmit to the court of their sovereign;—pl. orbs, orbits, revolutions, circles; periods, ages |
| Dawr (Dur, Daur), Adwar | Dawr, pl. Adwár | round (of a patrol; in sports); role, part (played by someone or something); film role, stage role; periodic change, rotation, alternation; crop rotation; period; (one’s) turn; phase, stage, step, degree, station; epoch, age, era, cycle; fit, attack, paroxysm (of a disease); floor, story; musical composition; number, single performance (within a program) |
| Dawr an-Nabawi, Dur-i-Nabuwwat | Dawr an-Nabawí, Dur-i-Nabuwwat | Prophetic Cycle |
| Dawra (Daura, Zorah), Dawrat | Dawra[h or t], pl. Dawrát | urn, revolution, gyration, rotation; circulation; cycle; circuit; round, patrol; procession (Christian); round trip; tour (in general, of an artist or performer); detour; period (also electricity); session (of parliament); course (of instruction). ad-Dawra is a neighbourhood of southern Baghdád. |
| Dawran (Dauran), Dawaran | Dawrán, Dawarán | Pers. (Ar. influence) a revolution, period, circle, cycle; time, an age; fortune, vicissitude; rolling round. |
| Daws (Daus) | Daws | treading, trampling, tread, step |
| Dawud (Davud), Da’ud (Daoud) | Dáwud, Dáwúd, Dá’úd | David. Hebrew Daoud. Other variants: Daut, Dawood and Davut. Abú Dáwud Sulaymán ibn al-Ash‘ath al-Azdí as-Sijistání, commonly known simply as Abú Dáwúd, was a Persian scholar of prophetic ḥadíth who compiled the third of the six “canonical” ḥadíth collections recognized by Sunní Muslims. |
| Dawudi (Daoudi), Daiudi | Dáwúdí, Dá’údí | of David. Followers (Daoudis) of David, a small sect of Islám. Dr ‘Alí Murád Dávúdí (1922–1979) |
| Day (Dai) | Day | Pers the 10th month of the Persian solar year |
| Dayf (Daif), Duyuf, Adyaf, Difan | Ḍayf, pl. Ḍuyúf, Aḍyáf, Ḍífán | guest; visitor |
| Daylam | Daylam | Old Province SW cnr Caspian Sea (now Gílán) |
| Dayr (Dair), Adyar, Adyira, Duyura | Dayr, pl. Adyár, Adyira, Duyúra | (“deir”) monastery, convent, cloister |
| Dayyan (Daiyan) | Dayyán | pious, godly, devout, religious, a requiter (rewarder) of good and evil; metaphorical accountant who rewards people for their deeds on the Day of Resurrection: hence an epithet of God; a conqueror, a subduer; a judge, umpire, administrator. Mirza Asadu’lláh was given the title Dayyán (Judge) by the Báb and “the third Letter to believe in Him whom God shall make manifest” by Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Dha Kifl, Dha’l-Kifl (Dha’u’l-Kifl) | Dhá Kifl, Dha’l-Kifl (Dhá’u’l-Kifl) | or dhú Kifl, Dhu’l-Kifl (Dhú’u’l-Kifl) “Possessor of the Fold”. Kifl occurs in Qur’án 21:85 and 38:48. Name believed to be Elijah, Joshua, Zachariah or Ezekiel. Sometimes zul, dhul, etc. are used. |
| Dhabih, Dhaboha, Dhaba’ih | Dhabíḥ, fem. Dhabíḥa[h or t] | pl. Dhabíḥíyún fem. pl. dhabá’iḥ. sacrifice or slaughtered. fem. slaughter animal; sacrificial victim, blood sacrifice; sacrifice, immolation; offering, oblation. Pers. zabíḥ. Ḥájí Muḥammad Ismá‘íl was known as Dhabíḥ. The name Ismá‘íl in Bábí-Bahá’í history is associated with the soubriquet ‘Dhabíḥ’. Ismá‘íl (Ishmael), the son that Abraham had by Hagar, and according to the Qur’án, it was Ishmael whom Abraham offered to sacrifice—hence the association of the name Ismá‘íl with Dhabíḥ. (Balyuzi, E. G. Browne) Azízu’lláh Dhabíhíyán, martyred in Yazd in 1980.) |
| Dhabih Allah, Dhabihu’llah | Dhabíḥ Alláh, Dhabíḥu’lláh | “Sacrifice of God”, reference to Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice His eldest and patient (Qur’án 37:101, 21:85) son, Ismá‘íl (Ishmael). |
| Dhahab | Dhahab (m. and f.), pl. Dhiháb | gold; gold piece, gold coin; having the eyes dazzled at the glare of gold, or on entering suddenly into a glittering mine; the yolk of an egg |
| Dhahaba, Dhahab, Madhhab (Mazhab) | Dhahaba (Dhaháb, Madhhab) | to go (to); to betake oneself, travel (to); to go away, leave, depart; to disappear, vanish, decline, dwindle; to perish, die, be destroyed; with to carry something off, take something away, abduct, steal something, sweep something or someone away, annihilate, destroy something or someone |
| Dhahabi | Dhahabí | golden, of gold; precious, excellent, apposite (e.g., advice, saying, etc.) |
| Dhahabiya, Dhahabiyyat | Dhahabíya[h or t], pl. Dhahabíyát | Pers. (English dahabeah) a long, light-draft houseboat, used on the Nile. Pers. dhahabiyya[h]. adh-Dhahabiyya, Shí‘í Ṣúfí order in Írán. |
| Dhaka’, Dhuka’ | Dhaká’ | acumen, mental, acuteness, intelligence, brightness, cleverness;—dhuká’, may have the same meaning and “the sun” |
| Dhaka’i, Dhuka’i | Dhaká’í | adjective form of Dhaká’; intelligent or clever |
| Dhakawa (Dhakava, Zakawa) | Dhakáwa[h or t] | brightness of genius, wit, intelligence, sharp-mindedness |
| Dhaki | Dhakí | Pers. acute; strong, diffusive musk |
| Dhakir, Dhakirin | Dhákir, pl. Dhákirín | Pers. rememberer; a praiser of God |
| Dhakira | Dhákira | memory |
| Dhakiy, Adhkiya’ | Dhakíy, pl. Adhkiyá’ | person of discernment, penetration, or understanding; acute, witty |
| Dhanb, Dhunub | Dhanb, pl. Dhunúb | offence, sin, crime, misdeed |
| Dhaqa, Dhawq (Dhauq), Madhaq | Dháqa, (Dhawq, Dhawáq, Madháq) | to taste, sample (food, etc.); to try, try out, test (something); to get a taste (of something), experience, undergo, suffer (something), go through something; form IV to have (someone) taste or sample (something), give (someone something) to taste; form V to taste (something) slowly, repeatedly, thoroughly; to get a taste (of something); to sense, perceive (something); to enjoy thoroughly, savour, relish (something); to derive pleasure (from) |
| Dhar’ | Dhar‘ | (verbal noun of dhara‘a) power, ability, capability (to do something) |
| Dhara’a | Dhara‘a | (verb) to measure (something); to take the measure or measurements (of something); to cover (a distance); to cross, travel (a country), travel through; to intercede, intervene, mediate, put in a word (for someone, on behalf of someone, with someone else) |
| Dhariyatun, Dhariyat | Dháriyatun, pl. Dháriyát | quick-scattering wind; that which scatters, that which blows away |
| Dharr (Zarr), Dharra (Zarra), Dharrat | Dharr, fem. Dharra[h or t] | (fem. pl. Dharrát) strewing, scattering, sprinkling; (collective) tiny particles, atoms, specks, motes. Fem. atom; tiny particle; speck, mote. Root word dharra has another derivative, dhurríya, so dharr can be understood as “seeds”, as in progeny. See dhurríya. |
| Dharrati (Zarrati), Dharratiyan | Dharratí, pl. Dharrátíyán | belonging to a particle |
| Dharw | Dharw | scattering, dispersing, the act of blowing away |
| Dhat, Dhawat, Dhatan | Dhát, pl. Dhawát | (fem. of dhú) being, essence, nature; self; person, personality; the same, the self-same; adh-Dhawát people of rank, people of distinction, notables; dhátan personally. Examples: dhátu’ṣ-ṣadr, dhátu’l-‘amúd, (Pers.) dháti sharíf. |
| Dhatiya, Dhatiyat | Dhátíya(h or t), pl. Dhátíyát | personality; subjectivism (philosophy); identity (of a person) |
| Dhawq (Dhauq), Adhaq | Dhawq, pl. Adhwáq | gustatory sense; taste (for; also, e.g., literary taste); perceptivity, responsiveness (for); sensitivity, sensitiveness; savoir-vivre, suavity, urbanity, tact; liking, inclination; taste, flavour (of food, etc.) |
| Dhawqi (Dhauqi) | Dhawqí | of taste, gustative, gustatory. Form V “of sensing, perceiving”—see Dháqa |
| Dhi’b, Dhi’ab, Dhu’ban | Dhi’b, pl. Dhi’áb, Dhu’bán | wolf, jackal. Bahá’u’lláh named Shaykh Muḥammad Báqir (1819–1883) the “Wolf” and his son, Shaykh Muḥammad-Taqíy-i-Najafí (1846–1914), Ibn-i-Dhi’b (“Son of the Wolf”). The son forbade people from chanting the Muslim Pre-Dawn Prayer because of its mentions of Bahá’. |
| Dhi’l-Hijjih | Dhi’l-Ḥijjih | Pers. Twelth month in Islamic calendar |
| Dhi’l-Jawshan | Dhi’l-Jawshan | Ar. “clad in armour”. Term applied to Mullá ‘Abdu’lláh the arch-killer of Imám Ḥusayn |
| Dhi’l-Qa’dih | Dhi’l-Qa‘dih | Pers. Eleventh month in Islamic calendar |
| Dhibh | Dhibḥ | sacrificial victim, blood sacrifice |
| Dhikr, Adhkar | Dhikr, pl. Adhkár | recollection, remembrance (e.g of God), reminiscence, memory, commemoration; reputation, repute, renown; naming, stating, mention(ing), quoting, citation; report, account, narration, narrative; invocation of God, mention of the Lord’s name; (in Sufism) incessant repetition of certain words or formulae in praise of God, often accompanied by music and dancing. A name of the Qur’án. |
| Dhikra, Dhikayat | Dhikrá, pl. Dhikrayát | remembrance, recollection, memory;—pl. reminiscences, memoirs |
| Dhikran | Dhikrán | remembrance |
| Dhikriya, Dhikriyya (Dhikriyyih) | Dhikríya, Pers. Dhikriyya | remembrance |
| Dhikru’llah (Dhikr Allah, Zikhru’llah) | Dhikru’lláh (Dhikr Alláh) | “Remembrance of God” (Pers. Zikru’lláh), an early title used by the Báb. Zikru’lláh Khádim (Zikrullah Khadem, 1904–1986) Hand of the Cause of God. |
| Dhikru’llah-i-A’zam | Dhikru’lláh-i-A‘ẓam | “Greater remembrance of God”, term used by Siyyid Káẓim to refer to the Báb. |
| Dhimmi, Dhimmiyun | Dhimmí, pl. Dhimmíyún | a non-Muslim, but follower of another religion mentioned in the Qur’án, who lives as a protected subject in an Islamic state |
| Dhira’, Adhru’, Dhur’an | Dhirá‘, pl. Adhru‘, Dhur‘án | arm; forearm; connecting rod; cubit |
| Dhu, Dhi, Dha, Dhat, Dhawu, Ulu, Dhawat | Dhú gen., Dhí accus., fem. Dhá, Dhát | pl. masc. Dhát, Dhawú, Ulú; pl. fem. Dhawát (with following genitive) possessor, owner, holder or master of, endowed or provided with, embodying or comprising something. ulú’l-amr (“ulu’l-amr”), the companions of Muhammad; also their followers in learning and authority. ulú’l-‘azm (“ulu’l-‘azm”), those resolved to obey the commands of God (Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Muhammad); those with constancy and patience (Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, David and Jesus). See Dhát for fem. examples: dhú aḍ‘áf, dhú’l-jalál, dhú’n-najmat. |
| Dhu’l-Awtad | Dhu’l-Awtád | is variously rendered by translators of the Qur’án as The Impaler, The Contriver of the Stakes, The Lord of a Strong Dominion, The One Surrounded by Ministers, etc. |
| Dhu’l-Faqar (Zulfiqar, Dhulfiqar) | Dhu’l-Faqár | “that which possesses a spine”. The name of the well-known sword of Muḥammad and Imám ‘Alí. So named because it had projections and jags, like the spinal cord, on its back. |
| Dhu’l-Faqar Khan | Dhu’l-Faqár Khán | Fort in “vicinity” of Sháhrúd. Possibly Qal‘ah Naw-Rúz Khán (36.405557, 54.965566), Sháhrúd. |
| Dhu’l-Hijjah, Dhu’l-Hijjih | Dhu’l-Ḥijjah (Pers. Dhu’l-Ḥijjih) | twelfth month of Islamic calendar (the one of pilgrimage or “Possessor of the Pilgrimage”) |
| Dhu’l-Qa‘da | Dhu’l-Qa‘da | Eleventh month of Islamic calendar (the one of truce/sitting) |
| Dhu’l-Qarnayn, Dhu’l-Qarnain | Dhu’l-Qarnayn | a prophet in Qur’án 18:83–101—”the one with two horns (of the world)” or “He of the Two Ages”. In traditional scholarship, the character is usually identified as Alexander the Great. See Sikandar. |
| Dhu’n-Nun, Dha’n-Nun | Dhú Nún (Dhú’n-Nún) | fem. Dhá Nún (Dhá’n-Nún) (“dhu’l-nun”, “dha’l-nun”, “dhul-nun”, “dhal-Nun”, “zu‘l-nun”, “zul-nun”, “thulnoon”, etc.) “him of the fish” or “one with a fish”, the Prophet Jonah. Dhú’n-Nún Abú’l-Fayḍ Thawbán bin Ibráhím al-Miṣrí (d. Giza 245/CE 859 or 248/CE 862), often referred to as Dhú’l-Nún al-Miṣrí or Zúl-Nún al-Miṣrí, was an early Egyptian Muslim mystic and ascetic. |
| Dhughal, Shugal, Zugal | Dhughál, Shugál, Zugál | Pers. charcoal |
| Dhurriya, Dhurriyat, Dharariy | Dhurríya, pl. Dhurríyát, Dharáríy | progeny, descendants, children, offspring. See root Dharra |
| Didan, Didam | Dídan | Pers. to see, look, observe; to perceive, feel; to expect, hope for; to visit (modern colloquialism).Dídam, saw. Dídam ín Bahá’u’lláh ast, “I beheld the countenance of Bahá’u’lláh in Him”. |
| Didha (Deza, Dezah, Dizah, Dizeh) | Dídha (d-dh-h) | Pers. a horse or mule of an ash-colour; a dark colour; a fortress |
| Dighth, Adghath | Ḍighth, pl. Áḍgháth | a handful of herbs partly green and partly dry. Also translated as “a handful of worldly goods”. Word used in Qur’án 38:44. |
| Dih (Deh), Dihak | Dih, pl. Dihák | village, country |
| Dih-Bala | Dih-Bálá | (Deh-i-Bala) common place name in Írán (GPB p. 298) |
| Dih-Chah (Deh Chah) | Dih-Cháh | a village ((29.367806, 54.464782)) 23 km NNE Nayríz |
| Dih-Mulla (Deh-Mulla) | Dih-Mullá | Pers. a small village (36.272722, 54.755498) in Semnan Province |
| Dihi | Díhí | peasant, villager |
| Dihqan, Dahaqina, Dahqin, Duhqan | Dihqán, pl. Daháqina, Daháqín | man of importance, one who plays an important role, leading personality; grandee (in ancient Persia). Pers.: also duhqán (from Per. dih-khán or dihgán), chief man or magistrate of a village, prince or head of the farmers (among the Persians); a husbandman, cultivator of the ground; a historian; a minstrel, bard. |
| Dihqani, Dahqani | Dihqání, Dahqání | (Ar. element) tillage, husbandry; a husbandman |
| Dil | Dil | Pers. the heart, mind, soul; marrow; pith of a tree; trunk of a tree; the centre; the eye; a dot; an enigma; cote (animal shelter) |
| Dil-Dari | Dil-Dárí | Pers. demonstrations of love; comfort, consolation |
| Dil-Gusha (Dilgusha) | Dil-Gushá | Pers. exhilarating; “expansion” or “delight” of the heart |
| Dilaram (Dil-aram) | Dilárám | Pers. quieting the mind; heart-approving; a lovely woman, sweet-heart; anything admired or wished for |
| Dili-‘Abbas | Dilí-‘Abbás | (Delli Abbas) a small town 12 km NW of al-Miqdádiyah and 90 km NE of Baghdád, in ‘Iráq |
| Dilir | Dilír | Pers. brave, valiant, intrepid; audacious, fearless, insolent, bold |
| Dimagh (Damagh), Admigha | Dimágh (Pers. Damágh) | pl. Admigha[h or t] brain. Pers. also the palate; the nose; pride, haughtiness, consequential airs. |
| Dimashq (Damashq), Dimishq | Dimashq, Dimishq | Damascus, capital of Syria, colloquially known in Syria as ash-Shám and titled the “City of Jasmine” (Madínat al-Yásamín) |
| Dimashqi (Damashqi), Dimishqi | Dimashqí, Dimishqí | of Damascus, e.g. Damashqí Gate, the city gate facing Damascus near a mosque in ‘Akká, or the gate on the NW side of old Jerusalem |
| Din al-Qayyin | ad-Dín al-Qayyim | True Religion (Qur’án 30:30 |
| Din-i-Ilahi | Dín-i-Iláhí | (The Divine Faith) |
| Din-Muhammad-Vazir | Dín-Muḥammad-Vazír | |
| Din, Adyan | Dín, pl. Adyán | religion, creed, faith, belief. Suffix in proper names, i.e. Salah ad-Dín, Pers. Salah-ud-Dín. |
| Dinar, Dananir | Dínár, pl. Danánír | (originally dinnár), a coin; a gold coin, a ducat, a dinar; a weight of gold (variously stated); (metaphorically) the sun |
| Dini | Díní | religious; spiritual |
| Dinur, Dinwar (Dinyar) | Dínúr, Dínwar | (Pers. with Ar. influence) religious, faithful; who knows the law |
| Dirakh (Derakh) | Dirakh | Pers. (for dirakht), a tree; a beam |
| Dirakhshani (Derakhshani) | Dirakhshání | Pers. name |
| Dirbas, Darabis (Pers. Zarrabis) | Dirbás, Darábís | bolt, door bolt |
| Dirham, Darahim | Dirham, pl. Daráhim | dirhem, drachma; a weight; money, cash. Dirham = 6 dániq = 12 qíráṭ. |
| Disatir (Desatir) | Disátír | Pers. is a literary forgery with Sufi leanings published in Bombay in 1818 from an Iranian manuscript |
| Disciples of ‘Abdu’l-Baha | Disciples or Heralds of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá | Designated by Shoghi Effendi: Dr John Ebenezer Esslemont, Thornton Chase, Howard MacNutt, Sarah Farmer, Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney, Lillian Kappes, Robert Turner (first Afro-American Bahá’í in America), Dr Arthur Brauns, W. H. Randall, Lua Getsinger (née Louisa Aurora Moore—Livá (banner)), Joseph Hannan, Chester I. Thatcher, Charles Greenleaf, Mrs J. D. Brittingham, Mrs Thornburgh, Helen S. Goodall, Arthur P. Dodge, William H. Hoar and Dr J. G. Augur. |
| Diwan (Daywan, Divan), Dawawin | Díwán (Díván), pl. Dawáwín | Pers. origin, loaned to Ar. Original meaning was “bundle (of written sheets)”, hence “book”, especially “book of accounts”, and hence “office of accounts”, “custom house”, “council chamber”. The meaning of the Engliah divan, “long, cushioned seat” is because such seats were placed along the walls in Middle Eastern council chambers. A royal court; tribunal of justice or revenue; a council of state, senate; account books of the treasury (in older Islamic administration); collection of poems by an author; governmental office, administrative office; chancellery, office, bureau, secretariat; council or state, cabinet; council, consultative assembly, board of advisers, executive committee; government; hall. Used in titles, as in Amír-Díwán, Head of the Court, or Prime Minister. |
| Diwan-Khanih, Divan-Khanih | Díwán-Khánih | Court |
| Diya (Deya), Dia, Ziya, Zia | Ḍiyá’ (ضياء), Ḍíyá’ (ضيىاء) | light, brightness, glow. Transcriped as ḍiyá’ (dictionaries, elsewhere also with ẓ instead of ḍ) or ḍíyá’ (Shoghi Effendi). The same issue with the “íyá” letter combination also occurs with díyár. |
| Diya Baghdadi | Ḍíyá’ Baghdádí | Dr Zia (Ḍíyá’) Baghdádí (1882–1937). Named Ḍíyá’ and Afandí by Bahá’u’lláh (He also called him Mabsúṭ Afandí, “the happy one”) |
| Diya’ ad-Din, Diya’u’d-Din | Ḍiyá’ ad-Dín, Ḍiyá’u’d-Dín | light of faith or light of religion |
| Diya’i | Ḍíyá’í | of Ḍíyá’. Nuṣratu’lláh Ḍíyá’í |
| Diya’iya (Ziaiya, Zia’iya), Diya’iyyih | Ḍíyá’íya[h or t] | radiant, bright. (Iṣfahání Pers. Ḍíyá’iyyih (“Ziaiyyih” or “Zia’iyyih”)). Ḍíyá’íyyih Khánum, eldest daughter of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and mother of Shoghi Effendi. |
| Diya’ ad-Din, Diya’u’d-Din | Ḍiyá’ ad-Dín, Ḍiyá’u’d-Dín | light of faith or light of religion |
| Diya’u’l-Hajiyyih | Ḍíyá’u’l-Ḥájíyyih | title of ‘Udhra Khánum |
| Diya’u’llah | Ḍíyá’u’lláh | light of God (Zíá’u’lláh or Ziaoullah). Mírzá Ḍíyá’u’lláh—a son of Bahá’u’lláh |
| Diyafa | Ḍiyáfa(t) | hospitable reception, entertainment as guest, accommodation; hospitality; “feast” |
| Diyala, Sirwan | Diyálá (in ‘Iráq), Sírwan (in Írán) | 445 km tributary of Tigris River in eastern ‘Iráq, flowing on east side of Baghdád and joining the Tigris River to the south side of the city. Given incorrectly as Dajli in Star of the West. |
| Diyar-Bakr (Diar-Bakr) | Diyár-Bakr | (Diyár Bakr or Diyárbakir, “land of Bakr” tribe) city (37.925386, 40.205236) in SE Türkiye, 630 km NW of Baghdád. Transcribed Díyár-Bakr by Shoghi Effendi. Arabic: ديار بكر (Diyár Bakr). Renamed Diyabakir (Turkish, “land of copper”) by Atatürk in 1931. See Ma‘dan-i-Mis. |
| Diyar-i-Khatt | Díyár-i-Khaṭṭ | “domain of writing” or “realm of calligraphy”. Verse inscribed by Nabíl when asked by Mishkín-Qalam: Dar díyár-i-khaṭṭ sháh-i-ṣáḥib-‘alam Bandiy-i-báb-i-Bahá, Mishkín-Qalam.” “In the realm of calligraphy, the king who possesses the Banner, is the servant of the gate of Bahá [the Báb], Mishkín-Qalam.” |
| Diz-Abad, Dizabad | Díz-Ábád (Dízábád) | a village (34.490278, 49.181111) in Markazi Province. A village (36.423725, 52.806759; “Dízvá” (“Dizva”); 1.3 km south of the Shrine of Shaykh Ṭabarsí) in the Central District of Qaem Shahr County, Mazandaran Province. |
| Dizful (Dezful) | Dizfúl | a city and capital of Dezful County, Khuzestan Province, Írán. 120 km NNW of Ahváz. |
| Dizij Abad (Dizaj Abad) | Dízij Ábád | village (36.628908, 48.595490) 11 km ESE of the centre of Zanjan |
| Dolgorukov (Dolgorouki) | Dolgorukov | Prince Dimitri Ivanovich Dolgorukov (1797–1867) was a Russian career diplomat born into one of the most prominent Russian families. He held a number diplomatic posts: Constantinople and Madrid (1826–1830); The Hague (1832–1837), Naples (1838–1842), and again in Constantinople (1842–1845). He was the Russian Minister in Írán (1845–1854). |
| Droshky (Doroshky, Durushkih) | Droshky, Pers. Durushkih | a low four-wheeled open carriage once used in Russia |
| Du, Do | Dú, Du, Do | Pers. two |
| Du’a’ | Du‘á’, pl. Ad‘iya(h or t), Pers. Ad‘iyyih | call; invocation of God, supplication, prayer; request, plea; good wish; imprecation, course. Prayer (supplication) for certain occasions and requirements. |
| Du’a’ al-Baha’ | Du‘á’ al-Bahá’ | (also known as Du‘á’ as-Saḥar, “Supplication of pre-dawn”) is a prayer recommended to Muslims to recite during the pre-dawns of Ramaḍán. The prayer contains the names (and in the same order), which refer to attributes of God, of the months adopted by the Báb for the Badí‘ calendar. This prayer also gives precedence to the name Bahá’ (4 times in the first verse), which apparently does not appear in the Qur’án. “I beseech Thee by Thy Splendour (Bahá’) at its most splendid (abhá’) for all Thy Splendour (Bahá’) is truly resplendent (bahíy). I, verily, O my God! beseech Thee by the fullness of Thy Splendour (bahá’). See Shaykh Bahá’í. |
| Du’ab (Doab) | Dú’áb | Pers. “two” + “water”, water-rich tract of land lying between two converging, or confluent, rivers. Village (36.017927, 53.046496) in Mazandaran Province. |
| Dudman | Dúdmán | Pers. a great tribe, family, illustrious house; generation, race; fragrance; dynasty |
| Dugh | Dúgh | Pers. a mixture of yoghurt and water, to which mint salt and pepper may be added. |
| Dugh-Abad (Dughabad) | Dúgh-Ábád | village (35.085454, 58.854295) in Razavi Khorasan Province, Írán. It is 150 km SW of Mashhad. Named Fúrúgh by Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Duhan, Duha, Zuha, Zuhwat | Ḍuḥan, Ḍuḥá, Pers. Ḍuḥwat | Forenoon, luncheon-time |
| Dukhan | Dukhán (Dukkán), pl. Adkhina | smoke, fume, vapour; tobacco |
| Dukht | Dukht | Pers. a daughter; a virgin; ability, strength; contempt and hatred |
| Dukhtar, Dukhtaran | Dukhtar, Pl. Dukhtarán | Pers. a daughter; a girl; a virgin; power, strength |
| Duldul, Daladil | Duldul and Duldúl, pl. Daládil | porcupine; the name of a mule gifted to Muḥammad by al-Muqawqis, probably the governor of Egypt. See Ya‘fúr. |
| Dumit (Domat, Domet, Doumit) | Ḍúmiṭ (ضومط) | Lebanese surname. ‘Azíz Sulaymán Ḍúmiṭ (a fanatical Protestant Christian) who spelt his name “Asis Domet” (Cairo 1890– Berlin 1943). He was an Arabic-German writer and poet who lived in Jerusalem and Haifa. His wife was Adelheid Domet Köbhe. He owned a house in Haifa on the eastern side of the Pilgrim House near the Shrine of the Báb. Shoghi Effendi added a bright light on the Shrine of the Báb in 1923. Some years later He erected a large illuminated cross on the roof of his house. Shoghi Effendi purchased and demolished the house in 1935. |
| Dunam | Dunam | Ottoman Turkish origin. Modern metric unit is 0.1 ha of land (about 0.25 acre). |
| Durar al-Baha’iya, Durar’u’l-Baha’iya | ad-Durar al-Bahá’íya | Pers. Duraru’l-Bahá’íyyah (or -ih) or ad-Durar al-Bahiyyah (Dorar-ul-Bahiyyih) “The Brilliant Pearls” by Mírzá Abu’l-Faḍl, translated into English and published as Miracles and Metaphors. |
| Durr | Durr | (collective) pearls |
| Durra, Durar, Durrat | Durra[h or t], pl. Durar, Durrát | (fem.) pearl, e.g. Durratu’l-Bahá’íyya |
| Durri, Darri, Dirri | Durrí, (Pers. Darrí, Dirrí) | glittering, twinkling, brilliant (star), a sparkling star glittering like a gem |
| Durud | Durúd | (Dorud) place 260 km NW of Iṣfahán |
| Durukhshan, Derakhshan | Durukhshán | Pers. (pronounced Derakhshan) shining, flashing |
| Durzi, Darzi, Duruz | Durzí, Darzí, pl. Durúz | Druze. The name is derived from the name of Muḥammad bin Ismá‘íl Nashtakín ad-Darazí (from Persian darzí, “tailor”) who was an early preacher. However, the people prefer the name al-Muwaḥḥidún (“Unitarian” or “people of monotheism”) |
| Dust (Dost), Dustan | Dúst, pl. Dústán | Pers. friend; lover; mistress, sweetheart. Dúst Muḥammad, friend of Muḥammad, town (31.145648, 61.791519) in eastern Írán, and 16th century Persian painter of miniatures, calligrapher, and art historian. |
| Dusti (Dosti) | Dústí | Pers. friendship; love, affection. Insán-dústí, “love of humankind in general” or philanthropy. |
| Dustur, Dasatir | Dustúr, pl. Dasátír | Pers. (Ar. influence) a note or common-place book; a senator, grandee; a pillar; a canon, copy, exemplar, model |
| Dustur, Dasatir | Dustúr, pl. Dasátír | statute; regulations; by-laws; (basic) constitutional law; constitution (politics);—(colloquial) dastúr permission |
| Dusturi | Dustúrí | constitutional |
| Dusturiyya | Dustúríyya(h) | constitutionality |
| Duwaliya | Duwalíya | internationality; internationalism; the International ... |
| Duz (Doz) | Dúz | Pers. (in compound word) sewing |
| Duzd, Duzdan | Duzd, pl. Duzdán | Pers. A thief, robber, assassin; theft |
| Duzdab | Duzdáb | Pers. “water thieves”, renamed Záhidán (pl. “pious”) late 1920s, capital of Sístán, Írán |
| Duzdgah (Duzd-gar) | Duzdgáh | Pers. home or hiding-place of thieves |
| Plain text | Transcripted text | Word meanings & comments |
| F | ||
| Fa | Fa | (conjunction, often as a prefix, e.g. fatabayyanú) then, and then; and so, thus, hence, therefore; but then, then however; for, because; (with subjective) so that |
| Fa’id, Fa’ida, Fawa’id (Fava’id) | Fá’id, fem. Fá’ida[h or t], pl. Fawá’id | utility, avail, benefit, advantage; gain, profit; interest (on money); useful lesson, moral; use (e.g. of a medicine). The Qur’án forbids usury, not reasonable interest. See riban. |
| Fa’il, Fa’ilun, Fa’ala | Fá‘il, pl. Fá‘ilún, Fa‘ala | effective; efficacious, efficient; (with pl. fá‘ilún) doer, actor, perpetrator; (with pl. fa‘ala) worker, workman, labourer; active subject of a verbal clause (grammar). See maf‘úl, manṣúb and marfú‘ |
| Fa’iq (Faeg) | Fá’iq | superior; surpassing, excellent, exquisite, first-rate; outstanding, remarkable, striking; pre-eminent; exceeding, extraordinary; going far beyond (a restriction, etc.); awake, waking, wakeful. Aḥmad Fá’iq Afandí (Armenian) rebelled against the leadership of Shoghi Effendi. |
| Fa’iz, Fa’iza, Fa’izun | Fá’iz, fem. Fá’iza, pl. Fá’izún | successful, victorious, triumphant; victor, winner; reaching, attaining. Fá’izih (Pers. variation)—name given to Gulsurkh Bagum by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. |
| Fad-dan | Fad-dán | (feddan) about an acre in size |
| Fada, Fayd, Fayadan (Fayazan) | Fáḍa (Fayḍ, Fayaḍán) | to overflow, flow over, run over; to inundate, flood, flood, inundation, deluge |
| Fadak | Fadak | a large, formerly Jewish owned oasis region (25.978874, 40.470053) south of the city of al-Ḥá’iṭ, and 122 km ENE of Khaybar. See Taymár’ and Wádí al-Qurá’. |
| Fadhlaka | Fadhlaka | brief summary, résumé, survey, outline, abstract, epitome |
| Fadil (Fazil), Fawadil, Fadilun, Fudala | Fáḍil, pl. Fawáḍil, Fáḍilún, Fuḍalá | Ar. (Fazel is an old Persian form) remaining, leftover, left, surplus, exceeding, in excess; (pl. fawáḍil) remainder, remnant, residue, rest, leftover, surplus, excess;—(pl. fáḍilún, fuḍalá) outstanding, eminent, very good, first-rate, superior, excellent, distinguished, deserving; learned; man of culture and refinement. Persian (ẓ may be used instead of ḍ): fáḍil, fem. fáḍilat, fáḍila, pl. fáḍilát. |
| Fadil (Fazil), Fadila, Fudala, Fada’il | Faḍíl, fem. Faḍíla[h or t], pl. Fuḍalá’ | (fem. pl. Faḍá’il) outstanding, eminent, very good, first-rate, excellent; distinguished, deserving; learned, erudite. As the day of the Badí‘ week, Faḍíl: grace, favour. Fem. moral excellence, excellent quality, virtue; merit, advantage, excellence, exquisiteness. |
| Fadil-i-Furughi | Faḍíl-i-Furúghí | Pers. savant of Furúgh. See Furúghí |
| Fadil-i-Qa’ini | Fáḍil-i-Qá’iní | the Learned One of the Qá’in. A district in the province of Khurásán |
| Fadil-i-Yazdi | Fáḍil-i-Yazdí | “scholar of Yazd”. Fáḍil-i-Yazdí (‘Alí Muntazi‘ of Nadúshun) was a poet, religious scholar, and a devoted servant of Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Fadilabad (Fazelabad) | Fáḍilábád | 28 km ENE of Gurgán (SE corner of the Caspian Sea), Írán |
| Fadl (Fazl), Fudul, Afdal | Faḍl, pl. Fuḍúl, Afḍál | surplus, excess, superfluity, overflow; leftover, remainder, remnant, rest; matter of secondary importance, subordinate matter;—pl. fuḍúl that which is superfluous, redundant or in excess, a surplus, superfluity; waste, refuse; droppings, excrement;—pl. afḍál merit, desert (on behalf of, with respect to), credit (for, in), service(s) (to); benefit, favour, gift, present. Persian: ẓ may be used instead of ḍ. |
| Fadla, Fadalat | Faḍla[h or t], pl. Faḍalát | (fem. of faḍl) remnant, remainder, residue, leftover, rest, surplus; waste, scrap, discard, offal, waste product; pl. excretions (physiology), excrements. Persian: ẓ may be used instead of ḍ. |
| Fadlu’llah (Fazlu’llah), Fadl Khuda | Faḍlu’lláh, Faḍl Alláh (Faḍlalláh) | Grace or bounty of God. Pers. Faḍl Khudá |
| Fahandizh | Fahandizh | Pers. a family name |
| Fahd, Fuhud, Afhud | Fahd, pl. Fuhúd, Afhud | lynx (also the term for cheetah and panther) |
| Fahima, Fahm, Faham | Fahima, Fahm, Faham | to understand, comprehend, realize (something); to note (something), take note, take cognizance (of something); to hear, learn (of something from), be informed (of something by) |
| Fahm, Afham | Fahm, pl. Afhám | understanding; comprehension, grasp; perceptive faculty, perceptivity; brains, intellect; discernment, acumen, penetration, insight, intelligence |
| Fahnih (Faneh), Panah, Dakhin | Fahnih | (also known as Panáh and Ḍakhín) is a small village 72 km SSW Qúchán in Razavi Khorasan Province, Írán. See Panábandán. |
| Fajr | Fajr | dawn, daybreak, morning twilight; dawn (figurative), beginning, outset, start; morning prayer (Islamic Law) |
| Fakara, Fakr | Fakara (Fakr) | to reflect, meditate, cogitate, ponder, muse, speculate (on), revolve in ones mind, think over, contemplate, consider (something) form V to reflect, meditate, cogitate, ponder, muse, speculate (on), revolve in ones mind, think, over, contemplate, consider (something); to think (of) forms V & VIII to remember, recall, recollect (someone, something) |
| Fakhkhar | Fakhkhárár | (fired) clay; earthenware, crockery, pottery. Tel ‘Akká (inaccurately also called Tel al-Fakhkhár (Hill of Shards) or “Napoleon’s Hill”. See Tall al-Fakhkhár |
| Fakhm | Fakhm | stately, imposing, splendid, superb, magnificent, grand, grandiose |
| Fakhr | Fakhr | glory, pride; honor; vainglorious poetry (as a literary genre) |
| Fakhru’d-Dawlih | Fakhkhru’d-Dawlih | (MF) |
| Fakhru’d-Din | Fakhru’d-Dín | (Fakr ed Din) |
| Fakhru’sh-Shuhada’ | Fakhru’sh-Shuhadá | Pride of Martyrs. Note final Hamza. See Áqá Buzurg-i-Níshápúrí. |
| Fakhura | Fákhúra | pottery, earthenware manufactory |
| Falah | Faláḥ | thriving, prosperity; salvation; welfare; success |
| Falaj, Aflaj | Falaj, pl. Aflaj | split into parts. The irrigation system (see qanáh) in Oman and UAE that conducts underground water into channels that is then evenly divided between farms. |
| Falak al-Buruj | Falak al-Burúj | the celestial spheres |
| Falak, Aflak | Falak, pl. Aflák | celestial sphere; celestial body, star; circuit, orbit (of celestial bodies). Hence, falak al-burúj (the celestial spheres); falak al-manázil (the celestial stations); falak az-zuḥal (the sphere of Saturn); falak al-mushtarí (the sphere of Jupiter); falak al-mirrikh (the sphere of Mars); falak ash-shams (the sphere of the Sun); falak az-zuhrah (the sphere of Venus); falak ‘uṭárid (the sphere of Mercury); falak al-qamar (the sphere of the moon) |
| Falaki, Falakun, Falakiya, Aflakiya | Falakí, pl. Falakún, Falakíya, Aflákíya | astronomic(al); astrologic(al), ie. astronomical or related to the heavens;—pl. astronomer, astrologer; astronomical or heavenly things. Aflákíya extends the concept to refer to multiple celestial or heavenly entities, i.e. heavenly bodies or celestial objects |
| Falaq | Falaq | daybreak, dawn |
| Falaqa (Falaka, Falakih) | Falaqa[h or t] | a device (pole, stick) to hold the feet of a person when the bastinado is given. A rope is fixed to the ends of the stick to form a loose loop. The feet are passed through the loop and two men turn the stick to tighten the rope, and then lift the stick. A third man strikes the soles of the person’s feet with a cane. |
| Falasifiyya sharq | Falásifiyya sharq | “philosophers of the East”. See Faylasúf |
| Fallah, Fallahun, Fallaha | Falláḥ, pl. Falláḥún, Falláḥa[h or t] | tiller of the soil, husbandman; peasant, farmer, fellah |
| Fallscheer | Fallscheer | Dr Josephina Therese Fallscheer-Zürcher (1866–1932), a Swiss physician who lived in the Middle East for many years, including Haifa (1905-1912). Dr Fallscheer served as physician for the family of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and was a confidant of the women of the household of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Married Heinrich Samuel Fallscheer (b. 1872) in 1899. Daughter Gerda Margarethe Sdun-Fallscheer (1901–1990). |
| Falsaf, Falsafa | Falsaf, fem. Falsafa[h or t], pl. Falsafát | to philosophize; philosophy |
| Falsafat al-Ilahiyat | al-Falsafat al-Iláhíyat | Pers. Falsafa-yi-Iláhíya, divine philosophy in the sense of al-Falsafat al-Rúḥíyat, spiritual philosophy |
| Falsafi | Falsafí | Pers. philosophical; a philosopher. Shaykh Áqá Muḥammad Taqí (1908–1998), known as Falsafí, strongly campaigned against the Baháʼí Faith in the mid 1950s. |
| Fam Ghadir | Fam Ghadír | (“Fama Ghadir”) Fam Ghadír (Khumm), i.e. the mouth or orifice of the pool (ghadír). Symbolically, talk or speech. |
| Fam, Afwah | Fam, pl. Afwáh | mouth; muzzle; orifice, aperture, hole, vent; mouth (of a river), head (of a canal, etc.) |
| Fana’ | Faná’ | passing away, perish, cessation of being; perdition, ruin, destruction, annihilation; evanescence, vanishing, termination, extinction; exhaustion; non-being, non-existence, non-entity; extinction of individual consciousness, recedence of the ego, obliteration of the self (mysticism) |
| Fana’ Fi’lláh | Faná’ Fí’lláh | the annihilation of self in God (Scholl, Remembrance of God, p. 5) |
| Fana’ wa Baqa | Faná’ wa Baqá’ | annihilation and subsistence (Scholl, Remembrance of God, p. 5) |
| Fana’yan (Fana’ian, Fanaian, Fanaiyan) | Faná’yán (Faná’íyán) | Mírzá Faraju’lláh Faná’yán (Junún) (CE 1871–1945)—a shoemaker, Bahá’í and poet |
| Fanan, Afnan | Fanan, pl. Afnán | bough or twig. Afnán used to denote those indirectly related to the Báb (there were no surviving children), specifically of His three maternal uncles and His wife’s two brothers. Family name of Ṭúbá Khánum (daughter of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá) who married Mírzá Muḥsin. Children: Rúḥí, Suhayl, Fu’ád and Thurayyá. |
| Fani, Faniyat (Faniyyat) | Fání, pl. Fáníyát (Fániyyát) | frail, transitory, perishable, inconstant; tottering (old man); (in the parlance of the Sufis) one who has reached the state of faná’, or annihilation |
| Fanin | Fánin | evanescent, transitory, transient, ephemeral, vain; exhausted; far advanced in years, very old |
| Faniya, Fana’ | Faniya (Faná’) | to pass away, perish, cease to exist, come to nought; to come to an end, cease, wane, dwindle, evanesce, vanish; to be extinguished, become extinct; to be exhausted, be consumed, be spent; to undergo obliteration of the self; to become totally absorbed (by). See Baqá’ |
| Fann, Funun, Afnan, Afanin | Fann, pl. Funún, Afnán, Afánín | kind, specimen, variety;—pl. Afánín various sides (of something), diversity;—pl. Funún sciences, arts; modes, ways, manners; tricks, artifices; arts and sciences or technology. Thamarát al-Funún (1875–1908) “The fruits of the arts”, first Syrian Islamic newspaper. |
| Fannan (Fananan), Fannana, Fannanun | Fannán, fem. Fannána, pl. Fannánún | artist. Khazeh Fananapazir (Khaḍih Fannánpazír) |
| Faqa, (Fawq, Fawaq) | Fáqa (Fawq, Fawáq) | to surpass, excel, overtop (someone, something), tower (above); to be superior (to someone); to outweigh, outbalance; to transcend, exceed (something) |
| Faqara, Faqar | Faqára[h or t], pl. Faqár | back joint or vertebra |
| Faqih, Fuqaha | Faqíh, pl. Fuqahá’ | legist, jurisprudent (and theologian), expert of fiqh |
| Faqir, Fuqara’ | Faqír, pl. Fuqará’ | poor, poverty-stricken; poor man, pauper; mendicant dervish, Sufi mendicant |
| Faqnas | Faqnas | phoenix |
| Faqr | Faqr | poverty; need, lack, want |
| Far, Farr | Far, Farr | Pers. beauty, comeliness, ornament, elegance, decoration; light, splendour, brilliancy, lustre; voice, sound; a feather; a torrent of water; justice; government; infliction of punishment; magnificence, glory, power, dignity, dominion, pomp, state |
| Far’, Furu’, Afru’ | Far‘, pl. Furú‘, Afru‘ | twig, branch, bough, limb, (also colloquial) branches, twigs; derivative; section, subdivision; branch office, subsidiary establishment, branch; branch line, feeder line; branch wire (electricity); a fundamental institution or doctrine. al-farú‘ or ‘ilm al-farú‘ the doctrine of the branches, i.e., applied fiqh, applied ethics (consisting in the systematic elaboration of canonical law in Islam) |
| Farab | Fáráb | land watered by irrigation. There are a number of places with this name: a village 60 km south of Ardabíl, Írán; Fáráb (Farap) a town in Turkmenistan adjacent to Alat (Olat), Uzbekistan; Farob a town in western Tajikistan. |
| Farabi | Fárábí | Abú Naṣr Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad al Fárábí (known in West as Alpharabius). Renowned Arab philosopher and jurist. Possibly born in Fáráb or Fáryáb, which one? |
| Faraburz, Fariburz | Faráburz, Faríburz | Pers. glorious and mighty. Name of a mighty champion and minister of Írán. |
| Farada, Faruda, Furud | Farada and Faruda (Furúd) | to be single, be alone; to be singular, be unique;—farada (furúd) to withdraw, retire, segregate (from) |
| Faraghih (Farugh) | Farághih | (Faraghe, Faragheh) village 160 km SW Yazd |
| Farah-Abad | Faraḥ-Ábád | “The Fair Abode of Joy”, palace near Tehran that was built by Muẓaffari’d-Dín |
| Farah, Afrah | Faraḥ, pl. Afráḥ | joy, gladness, glee, gaiety, hilarity, mirth, exhilaration, merriment, happiness; wedding;—pl. feast of rejoicing, celebration, festival, festivity; wedding (feast). |
| Farahan | Faráhán | merry, gay, cheerful, joyful, glad, delighted, happy. County in Markazí Province, Írán. |
| Farahangiz (Farahangise) | Faraḥángíz (Faraḥ+ángíz) | Faraḥángíz (Faraḥ) Khánum (1894–1967) was a niece of Fáṭimah Naḥrí (Munírih Khánum), sister of Dr Amínu’lláh (Amín) Faríd (their father was Mírzá Asadu’lláh-i-Iṣfahání), she married Sydney Sprague (1875–1943). All (including the father) were Covenant-Breakers. She owned a small piece of land in the area of the International Bahá’í Archives Building and resisted all efforts to purchase it for over 30 years—expropriated by the government in 1954. Sydney changed his mind in 1937, and eventually returned to the Bahá’í Faith in 1941. |
| Farahmand, Farhmand, Farhamand | Farahmand, Farhmand, Farhamand | Pers. intelligent, wise; near |
| Faraj, Faraja | Faraj, fem. Faraja[h or t] | freedom from grief or sorrow, release from suffering; joy; relaxation; relief, ease, repose, pleasure, comfort; happy ending |
| Faraju’llah | Faraju’lláh | God’s relief or rescue |
| Faraju’llah Dhaki al-Kurdi | Faraju’lláh Dhakí al-Kurdí | (not Zakí) Shaykh Faraju’lláh Dhakí al-Kurdí, a religious student at al-Azhar University who became a Bahá’í; and later an editor and publisher in Cairo |
| Faraju’llah Tafrishi | Faraju’lláh Tafrishí | Ḥájí Faraju’lláh Tafrishí (from Tafrish) |
| Faramarz | Farámarz | Pers. keeper of a citadel or fortress; name of the son of Rustam |
| Faramush | Fáramúsh | Pers. forgotten, forgetfulness |
| Faramush-Khanih | Farámúsh-Khánih | Pers. house of oblivion, Freemasonry headquarters, a corruption of franc-maçonnerie (Freemasonry) |
| Faran | Fárán | (from Hebrew ) desert, mountain, wilderness, etc. A small village in Ardistán (32.989358, 52.624571). See Párán. |
| Farang, Firing | Farang (hence Farangí), Firing | Pers. from old French word franc (“Frank”), an Italian, European; a Christian; all nations that wear short garments; ruddy, of pleasing aspect; a galley. See afranj and ifranjí |
| Farangis | Farangís | Pers. character in Sháhnáma, daughter of Afrásyáb, married to Siyáwush and mother of Kay Khusraw. |
| Faraqlit | Fáraqlíṭ (Fáriq + líṭ) | Arabic rendering of the Greek Paráklétos (Paraclete). “The Comforter”; defender, deputy, or intercessor; a distinguisher between truth and error. Bahá’u’lláh claimed to be the Father foretold by Isaiah and the Comforter covenanted by Jesus. (SLH p. 63) |
| Farash, Farasha, Farashah, Farashun | Farásh, fem. Farásha[h or t] | (Pers. “Farásháh”) moth; butterfly; flighty, fickle person. Farásháh (now Islámiyih, Eslamiyeh) is a town SW of Yazd, Írán. pl. faráshún, fem. faráshát. |
| Faraz | Faráz | Pers. above, up, upon, on, upwards, aloft, on the top; above and below, up and down; back, behind; after, hereafter |
| Farazistan | Farázistán | “The heavenly world”, title of a volume by Muḥammad Ismá‘íl Khán |
| Fard, Afrad, Furada | Fard, pl. Afrád, Furádá | alone, single; sole, only; solitary, lone, lonely; singular, unique, matchless, unrivaled, peerless, incomparable; one, a single one, a single thing, a single person, individual; odd, uneven (number) |
| Fard, Furud | Farḍ, pl. Furúḍ | notch, incision; duty, precept, injunction, order, decree, ordinance, command; religious duty (Islamic Law); statutory portion, lawful shore (Islamic Law); assumption, supposition, presupposition, premise, postulate, hypothesis |
| Farda | Fardá | Pers. tomorrow. A reply sometimes given to creditors since it never arrives |
| Farda | Farda[h or t] (fem. of Fard) | one part, one half, one of a pair |
| Farhad | Farhád | Pers. elation, happiness. A deserted village 12 km SSW of Níshápúr (36.113013, 58.741850), in the Central District of Nishapur County, Khorasan Province, Írán. Farhád is a famous character in Persian literature and Persian mythology. The story of his love with Shírín is one of the most famous love stories in Persian culture. |
| Farhan | Farhán | joyful, joyous, glad, happy; saucy |
| Farhand | Farhand | Pers. an excavation formed by a torrent; an artificial canal newly dug; a ditch; a stream above ground flowing from one spot to another; a subterraneous canal which works its way from one well to another; anything falling to pieces from age. |
| Farhang | Farhang | Pers. good-breeding; greatness; excellence; gravity; wisdom, science; jurisprudence, a dictionary, lexicon, vocabulary, glossary; a vine-branch bent under ground, so that the other extremity shoots up at a distance from the other trunk; a subterraneous canal |
| Farhangi | Farhangí | Pers. a preceptor, tutor, teacher, instructor; a man learned in the law. |
| Farhumand (Fahomand, Farhoumand) | Farhúmand | Pers. virtuous and enlightened |
| Fariba | Faríbá | Pers. charming, attractive, fem. name |
| Fariburz (Fariborz, Faribarz) | Faríburz | Pers. name of the son of Kay Káwús |
| Farid | Fáriḍ | old, advanced in years. ‘Umar ibn ‘Alí ibn al-Fáriḍ (1181–1234) was an Arab poet. |
| Farid, Farida, Fara’id | Faríd, fem. Farída[h or t], pl. Fará’id | alone, one, lonely, solitary; singular, unique, incomparable, matchless, peerless, unrivalled, incomparable; bright, glittering (sword); a precious gem, pearl, especially one of a larger size, or a bead of gold placed alternately between smaller ones in a necklace or bracelet. Kitábu’l-Fará’id (Book of peerless gems) by Mírzá Faḍl. Fará’id as-Simṭayn (“Two chains of pearls (on the virtues of ‘Alí, Fáṭima, the Imams and their descendants) i.e. two vols) by Ibráhim bin Muḥammad al-Ḥamawí al-Juwayní (1246–1322), mostly hadiths that are also found in Shi’ite sources. |
| Farida, Fara’d | Faríḍa(h), pl. Fará’ḍ | religious duty (Islamic Law); divine precept, ordinance of God (Islamic Law); obligatory prayer (Islamic Law);—pl. distributive shares in estate (Islamic Law) |
| Faridu’d-Din ‘Attar | Farídu’d-Dín ‘Aṭṭár | Great Persian mystic poet “the druggist” |
| Fariq, Fawariq | Fáriq, pl. Fawáriq | distinguishing, differential, distinctive, discriminative, separative;—pl. a separating or distinctive factor; distinctive characteristic, criterion; difference, distinction, dissimilarity, disparity |
| Faris, Farisa, Farisat, Fursan, Fawaris | Fáris, pl. Fursán, Fawáris (fem. Fárisa, pl. Fárisát) | mounted upon any solid-hoofed animal; a horseman, a cavalier (hence, a knight), rider; a lion; the Persians; Persia (also balad Fáris—land of Persia);—pl. cavalry. Shoghi Effendi used various terms for “Knights (Fárisán) of Bahá’u’lláh”: “Fárisán-i-Maydán-i-Iláhí”, the similar “Fárisán-i-Miḍmár-i-Iláhí” (“The knights of the divine arena”); “Fárisán-i-Jaysh-i-Iláhí” (“The knights of the divine army”), “Fárisán-i-Dilír-i-Ḥaḍrat-i-Bahá’u’lláh” (“The valiant knights of Bahá’u’lláh”), etc. |
| Farisi | Fárisí | Persian; a Persian |
| Farkhunda (Farkhundih) | Farkhunda | Pers. fem. happy; fortunate, prosperous |
| Farma | Farmá | One who issues orders. From the infinitive Farmúdan (to bid, to order), but never used alone, i.e. Farmán-Farmá, the one who establishes order; the Governor. |
| Farma | Farma | Pers. violet |
| Farmahin, Farahan | Farmahín, Farahán | Farmahín is in Farahán County and is 40 km north of Arák, Írán |
| Farman-Farma | Farmán-Farmá | the one who establishes or issues the order; the commander or governor. Title of Prince Ḥusayn ‘Alí Mírzá, grandson of Fatḥ-‘Alí-Sháh |
| Farman, Firman, Faraman | Farmán, Per. also Firmán, pl. Farámán | Royal decree, command, order or edict. Ar. plural also Faramát or Farámín |
| Farmaniyyih | Farmáníyyih | (“Farmanieh”) once a garden named after Prince Ḥusayn ‘Alí Mírzá, now a district in NE of Teheran |
| Farnaz | Farnaz | Old Pers. fem. name = far+náz: “the most beautiful”, “the most elegant”, “the most charming” |
| Farnush | Farnúsh | Pers. fem. name |
| Farrash-Bashi | Farrásh-Báshí | chief or head of the servant |
| Farrash, Farrashun | Farrásh, pl. Farráshún | one who spreads the carpets; servant, attendant; house servant, valet; office boy, errand boy |
| Farrukh | Farrukh | Pers. Beautiful-faced; happy, fortunate |
| Fars | Fárs | Pers. Persia, Parthia. Párs is the proper and original name of Írán, Arabs, who do not have the letter p in their language, replaced it by an F: Fárs. Also the name of a southern province. |
| Farsakh, Farasikh | Farsakh, pl. Farásikh | Ar. a farasang, a league; an hour; a long time; an interval; a chink, cleft; quiet, repose; perpetual; much. See farsang. |
| Farsang, Farsang-ha | Farsang, pl. Farsang-há | Pers. a historical Persian unit of distance; a parsang, league; the distance a laden mule can travel in an hour, which varied according to terrain and the speed of travel (about 4.8 to 5.6 km); 6.23 km in 19th century Persia; and 10 km in modern Írán and Türkiye. Derived from the Persian parsang (sang, “stone”, for stone markers (sára) placed by the road). |
| Farsh, Furush | Farsh, pl. Furúsh | furnishing; furniture, household effects; mat, rug, carpet; anything spread on the ground as bedding; foundation (architecture) |
| Farsi, Farsiyan | Fársí, pl. Fársiyán | modern (or new) Persian, also known by its endonym Fársí, has been “enriched by the wealth of Arabic, far more expressive, far more mellifluous than its Pársík forbear”. Muḥammad and the Course of Islám, p. 232 See Pársí and Pahlawí. |
| Fars-Namah (Farsnamah), Fars an-Nama | Fárs-Námih (Ar. Fárs an-Náma) | “The Book of Fárs”. A Persian-language history and geography of the Fars province, written between 1105 and 1116 during the Seljuk period. |
| Faruhar | Farúhar | Pers. possibly a form of Furúhar (same consonants) |
| Faruq (Faroogh) | Fárúq | very timorous. al-Fárúq “he who distinguishes truth from falsehood” (epithet Caliph ‘Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭáb (2nd)). A village (29.965218, 53.046784) in Fars Province. |
| Farwardin (Farvardin) | Farwardín | Pers. first month of the Persian solar year; the 19th day of every month |
| Faryab, Faryaw, Firyab | Fáryáb, Fáryáw | Pers. ground watered by irrigation. Fáryáb (also Fíryáb), a village 140 km NE of Bandar Abbas, Írán; and another 195 km SW of Balkh, Afghánistán. |
| Farzad | Farzád | Pers. Far+zád (“greatness” or “majesty” + “born”), a male name “born into a great family” |
| Farzam | Farzám | Pers. worthy, suiting, befitting. Dr Arbáb Farzám |
| Farzan | Farzán | Pers. science, learning; strength, constancy; wise, learned |
| Farzanih-Mu’ayyad | Farzánih-Mu’ayyad | Manúchihr Farzánih-Mu’ayyad, martyred 1982 |
| Fas, Fez or Fes | Fás | a city in northern inland Morocco. It is the second largest city in Morocco after Casablanca. For the fez (hat), see ṭarbúsh. |
| Fasa | Fasá | village (28.948488, 53.637617) SW Nayriz. |
| Fasaha | Faṣáḥa(h) | purity of the language; fluency, eloquence |
| Fashar, Fishar | Fashar, Fishár | Pers. a scattering; diffusion; compression, constriction, squeezing; the piercing of one thing with another |
| Fasih, Fusaha’, Fisah, Fusuh | Faṣíḥ, pl. Fuṣaḥá’, Fiṣáḥ, Fuṣuḥ | pure, good Arabic (language), literary; skilful in using the correct literary language; clear, plain, distinct, intelligible (language, speech); fluent, eloquent |
| Fasiq, Fasiqun, Fussaq, Fasaqa | Fásiq, pl. Fásiqún, Fussáq, Fasaqa | godless, sinful, dissolute, wanton, licentious, profligate, vicious, iniquitous, nefarious; trespasser, offender, sinner; fornicator, adulterer; a person not meeting the legal requirements of righteousness (Islamic Law) |
| Fasl al-Khitab, Faslu’l-Khitab | Faṣl al-Khiṭáb, Pers. Faṣlu’l-Khiṭáb | “sound or unmistakable judgement” (Fassl-ul-Khitab). The Conclusive Proof or The Decisive Decree by Mírzá Faḍl |
| Fasl, Fusul | Faṣl, pl. Fuṣúl | parting, disjunction, detachment, severance, sunderance, cutting off; separation; division, partition; discharge, dismissal.—plural: section, part; chapter; act (of a play); movement (of a symphony, etc.); article (in a newspaper); class, grade (school); season. |
| Fass, Fusus | Faṣṣ, pl. Fuṣúṣ | stone of a ring; clove (of garlic); segment (of an orange); lobe (anatatomy, botanical); joint; essence |
| Fassala, Fussila | Faṣṣala, Fuṣṣila | to detail, to enumerate; to expound, to elucidate, to explain; to make understandable, to clarify; to be made distinct |
| Fata | Fatá’ | youth, boy, adolescence; a young man; a man-servant |
| Fata’ | Fata’ | forgetting; desisting |
| Fata’l-Malih | Fatá’l-Malíḥ | handsome young man |
| Fata’l-Qazvini | Fatá’l-Qazvíní | youth of Qazvín |
| Fatah, Fatayat | Fatáh, pl. Fatayát | (young) girl, young woman |
| Fataha | Fataḥa | to open (something); to turn on (a faucet); to switch on, turn on (an apparatus); to dig (a canal); to build (a road); to open, preface, introduce, begin (something); to conquer, capture (something); to reveal, disclose (to someone or something); to grant victory or success (to someone over or in something; of God). |
| Fatama, Fatm | Faṭama, Faṭm | to wean (an infant or a young animal |
| Fath-‘Ali | Fatḥ-‘Alí | Fatḥ-‘Alí Sháh Qájár (1772–1834), father of Muḥammad Sháh |
| Fath-al-Futuh | Fatḥ-al-Futúḥ | Victory of Victories |
| Fath-i-A’zam | Fatḥ-i-A‘ẓam | (“Fatheazam”) “supreme victory”. Hushmand Fatheazam [Húshmand Fatḥ-i-A‘ẓam] (1924–2013), member of the Universal House of Justice for 40 years (1963 until he retired in 2003). |
| Fath, Futuh, Futuhat | Fatḥ, pl. Futúḥ, Futúḥát | opening; introduction, commencement, beginning;—(pl. futúḥ, futúḥát) conquest; victory, triumph;—pl. futúḥát alms; donations, contributions |
| Fatha | Fatḥa(h or t) | the vowel point, the short vowel a (grammar). See ḍamma and kasra |
| Fathu’llah | Fatḥu’lláh (Fatḥ+Alláh) | “God’s opening" or “God’s conquest” |
| Fathu’llah-i-Hakkak | Fatḥu’lláh-i-Ḥakkák | |
| Fathu’llah-i-Hakkak-i-Qumi | Fatḥu’lláh-i-Ḥakkák-i-Qumí | |
| Fathu’llah-i-Qumi | Fatḥu’lláh-i-Qumí | |
| Fatih, Fatiha (Pers. Fatihih), Fawatih | Fátiḥ, fem. Fátiḥa[h or t], pl. Fawátiḥ | opener; beginner; conqueror, victor; light (colour). Feminine: start, opening, beginning, commencement, inception, incipience; introduction, preface, preamble, proem. al-Fátiḥa (or as-Sab‘a al Mathání (the seven oft-repeated) since the verses of al-Fátiḥa must be read in every prayer) is the first surah (with 7 verses) of the Qur’án. See Qur’án 15:87. According to a ḥádíth and Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, this súra was revealed twice—in Mecca and Medina—as was the Preamble to Lawḥ-i-Ishráqát. Iṣfahání Pers. Fátiḥih. See Ḥurúf Muqaṭṭa‘át. |
| Fatim, Fatima (Fatimih), Futum | Faṭím, fem. Fáṭima[h or t], pl. | weaned. Fem. a woman who weans her child; a female proper name. Fáṭima bint Muḥammad (CE 605 or 15–632), commonly known as Fáṭima az-Zahrá’, was the daughter of Muḥammad and wife of the Imám ‘Alí. Fáṭimih-Bagum was the mother of the Báb. Fáṭimih Khánum (b. 1828, m. 1849, d. 1904; referred to as Mahd-i-‘Ulyá), was the second wife of Bahá’u’lláh. Her children were: Ṣamadíyyih (daughter), and sons Muḥammad, Ḍíyá’u’lláh and Badí‘u’lláh. See umm al-Kitáb. |
| Fatima-i-Ma’sumih (Fatima Masumeh) | Fáṭima-i-Ma‘ṣúma | sister of the eighth Imam. Pers. Fáṭimih-i-Ma‘ṣúmih. DB p. 224 is incorrect. |
| Fatimi, Fatimiya | Fáṭimí, pl. Fáṭimíya(h or t) | Fatimite, a dynasty that reigned in Egypt from 908 to 1171 |
| Fatimi, Fatimiyun | Fáṭimí, pl. Fáṭimíyún | Fatimid (adj. and n.); al-Fáṭimíyún, the Fatimids |
| Fatiq | Fatíq | unstitched, ripped, ripped open, slit, rent, torn; sharp, shining (dawn), eloquent |
| Fatir | Fáṭir | originator or creator. al-Fáṭir, the Creator (God) |
| Fatra, Fatarat | Fatra, Fatarát | lassitude, languor, listlessness, slackness, weakness, feebleness, debility; tepidity, indifference, coolness (of a feeling); (pl.) interval of time, intermission, pause; period, spell, while |
| Fattah | Fattáḥ | an opener (of the gates of profit, of sustenance; a conqueror; a judge, an arbiter; one of the names of God (al-Fattáḥ)); name of a bird. Derived from Fataḥa. |
| Fattuh (Fattouh, Fatou, Fatoo) | Fattúḥ | little conqueror; diminutive of Fattáḥ |
| Fatwa (Fatva), Fatwin, Fatawa | Fatwá, pl. Fatáwin, Fatáwá | formal (possibly non-binding) legal opinion (Islamic law), a judgement or sentence made by a recognized authority, a qualified jurist (muftí), in response to a question posed by a private individual, judge or government. The stature of a muftí, and hence of their fatwá, derives from their reputation for scholarly expertise and upright character. |
| Fawa’id al-Hikmiyyah | al-Fawá‘id al-Ḥikmiyyah | (written by Shaykh Aḥmad-i-Aḥsá’í) observations in wisdom |
| Fawj (Fauj, Fouj, Fuj), Afwaj, Afwajan | Fawj, pl. Afwáj | group, crowd, troop, band; detachment; party; shift (in a mine); battalion; regiment. Afwájan in droves, in crowds. |
| Fawj-Dar (Fuzdar) | Fawj-Dár (“Fúzdár”) | Pers. (Fauj-dar, Fouj-dar, Foj-dar, Fuj-dar, Fauz-dar, Fouz-dar, Foz-dar, Fozdar, etc.). A police or military officer; a criminal judge. |
| Fawq | Fawq | being above, superior to (one’s fellows); superiority, excellence; the top, upper part; above, more than, beyond; besides, except. az fawq ámadan, Bahá’í expression for “come from on high” (i.e. from Haifa, or Shoghi Effendi, etc.) |
| Fawwar | Fawwár | boiling up, ebullient; effervescent, fizzing; bubbling (spring, etc.); foaming, frothy; hot-headed, irascible |
| Fawz (Fauz, Faouz) | Fawz | success, triumph, victory; obtainment, attainment, achievement, accomplishment; escape |
| Fawzi (Fauzi, Faouzi) | Fawzí | triumphal, triumphant |
| Fayd (Faid, Faiz), Fayz, Fuyud, Fiyud | Fayḍ, Pers. Fayẓ, pl. Fuyúḍ, Fiyúḍ | flood, inundation, deluge; emanation; superabundance, plenty, copiousness, abundance;—pl. stream.—pl. Fayúdát (Fayudat) emanations, bounties. |
| Fayd-i-Aqdas | Fayḍ-i-Aqdas | (“most holy outpouring”) Signifies revelation in the realm of absolute divine unity itself. |
| Fayd-i-Muqaddas | Fayḍ-i-Muqaddas | (“holy outpouring”) and “most holy outpouring” (fayḍ-i-aqdas), as symbols of differential stages of divine revelation (as discussed in The Kitáb-i-Íqán), may also be inferred from the title of The Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Fayḍ-i-Muqaddas signifies revelation and manifestation of the divine in the realm of creation. See Fayḍ. |
| Faydi (Faidi, Faizi), Fayzi | Fayḍí, Pers. Fayẓí | e.g. Afnán Fayḍí |
| Faydu’llah (Fazu’llah) | Fayḍu’lláh | abundance from God |
| Faylasuf (Failasuf), Falasifa | Faylasúf, pl. Falásifa | philosopher |
| Fayruz (Fairuz), Fayruzaj (Fairuzaj) | Fayrúz and Fayrúzaj | turquoise. In Egypt, the Sinai Peninsula (a modern name) is called Arḍ al-Fayrúz (“the land of turquoise”). The ancient Egyptian name was Ta Mefkat (“Land of turquoise”, ‘Ard al-Fayrúz in Arabic) |
| Fayruzabadi (Fairuzabadi, Firuz Abadi) | al-Fayrúzábádí | Muḥammad ibn Ya‘qúb al-Fayrúzábádí (1329–1414) was a lexicographer and the compiler of a comprehensive Arabic dictionary, al-Qámús, that was one of the most widely used for nearly 500 years |
| Faysal (Faizal) | Fayṣal | decisive criterion; arbitrator, arbiter. Fayṣal bin ‘Abdu’l-Ázíz, King of Saudi Arabia (1964 to 1975). |
| Fayyad | Fayyáḍ | overflowing, effusive, exuberant; elaborate, exhaustive (speech); munificent, bountiful, liberal, generous |
| Fi | Fí | (preposition) in; at; on; near, by; within, during; among, in the company of, with; about, on; concerning, regarding, with reference to, with regard or respect to, as to dealing with, treating of, consisting in (in book titles); for the sake of, on behalf of, because of, for; according to; in proportion to. |
| Fi Khalali and Fi Khilali | Fí Khalali and Fí Khiláli | during; in the course of, within, in a given period of |
| Fi’l | Fi‘l, pl. Af‘ál, Afá‘íl | activity, doing, work, action, performance; function;— (pl. af‘ál, fi‘ál) deed, act, action; effect, impact;— (pl. af‘ál) verb (gram.);—pl. afá‘íl great deeds, exploits, feats; machinations |
| Fi’s-Suluk | Fi’s-Sulúk I and II | “On the Virtuous Journey” by the Báb [elided form of: fí as-Sulúk] |
| Fida’ | Fidá’ | redemption, ransoming; ransom; price (one has to pay for something), sacrifice (one makes for something). |
| Fida’i, Fida’iyan | Fidá’í, pl. Fidá’iyán | one who sacrifices himself (especially for his country); especially the plural. Fadá’íyán-i-Islám: “Fedayeen of Islam” or “Devotees of Islam” (literally “Self-Sacrificers of Islam”) is a Shí‘a fundamentalist group in Írán with a strong activist political orientation. An alleged terrorist organization that sought to purify Islám in Írán by assassinating ‘corrupting individuals’. |
| Fidal | Fiḍál | grace, favour. Name given to Tuesday in Badí‘ calendar. See Faḍíl |
| Fidda, Fiddih (Fizza) | Fiḍḍa[h or t] (Pers. fem. Fiḍḍih) | silver. Name of the maid of the wife of the Báb. Pers. may be written as Fiẓẓa. |
| Fidya, Fidayat, Fidan | Fidya[h or t], pl. Fidayát, Fidan | ransom; redemption (from the omission of certain religious duties, by a material donation or a ritual act—Islamic law) |
| Fihris, Fihrist, Faharis | Fihris and Fihrist, pl. Faháris | table of contents, index; catalogue; list. al-Fihrist or Kitáb al-Fihrist by Muḥammad ibn Isḥáq. See Isḥáq. |
| Fikr | Fikr | meditation or reflection |
| Fikum | Fíkum | Fí+kum, on you |
| Fil, Fiyala, Fuyul, Afyal | Fíl, pl. Fiyala, Fuyúl, Afyál | (ivory) elephant; bishop (chess) |
| Fin | Fín | Pers. city (27.632331, 55.886223) and capital of Fín District in southern Írán. Bagh-i-Fín, a very old recreational garden (33.946123, 51.372367) with many water features fed by a spring, in southwestern Káshán, Írán. To the east is the former village of Fín-i-Buzurg (33.953073, 51.403053). |
| Findarisk, Galand, Garland | Findarisk or Garland | Pers. a small village (37.032943, 55.030977) west of the small city of Daland (60 km NE of Gúrgán and 12 km SW of Ázádshahr) in Golestan Province, Írán. |
| Findariski | Findariskí | of or from Findirisk. Abu’l-Qásim Findiriskí, known as Mír Findiriskí (b. ~1562–d. ~1640), was a philosopher and a scholar of Iṣfahán in the Safavid period. |
| Findik | Findík | Turkish “hazelnut” |
| Fiqh | Fiqh | understanding, comprehension; knowledge. Islamic jurisprudence |
| Fir’awn, Fara’ina | Fir‘awn, pl. Fará‘ina[h or t] | Pharaoh |
| Firaydan (Faridan, Feredan) | Firaydán (alt. pronunciation Farídán) | Pers. county in Iṣfahán Province. The capital of the county is Dárán (or Dárún). |
| Firaydani (Faridani, Feredani) | Firaydání | person from Firaydán |
| Faridun, Firidun, Afridun | Farídún, Firídún, Afrídún | Pers. also Faraydún, Firaydún (Fereydun, Fereidun, Firaydun, Fraydun, Freydun) an ancient and celebrated Persian king (mythical?), the commencement of whose reign is placed about 750 BCE. His sons were sons Túr (Túraj), Salm and Íraj. |
| Firayjat | Firayját | was a place on the banks of the Tigris River in what is now the Baghdád neighbourhood of al-Ṣáliḥíyah. Bahá’u’lláh stayed seven days in this area after leaving the Baghdád Riḍván Garden. It is about 5 km ENW of the garden. |
| Firdaws-i-A’la | Firdaws-i-A‘lá | “Supreme Paradise” |
| Firdawsi (Firdausi, Ferdowsi) | Firdawsí | paradisiacal, heavenly. Abu’l-Qásim Firdawsí Ṭúsí (c. 940–1020), or Ferdowsi (“Firdusi, Firdosi”) was a Persian poet and the author of Sháhnámah. Ferdowsi is celebrated as the most influential figure in Persian literature and one of the greatest in the history of literature. |
| Firdawsiyah (Ferdowsieh) | Firdawsíyah | Pers. paradise. Iranian city (35.602251, 51.063356) in Tehran Province. |
| Firishta, Firishtagan | Firishta, pl. Firishtagán | Pers. an angel; a messenger, apostle. Pers. form Firishtih (Fereshteh). See Ar. Mal’ak/Malak |
| Firman | Firmán | Pers. See Farmán |
| Firq | Firq | part, portion, division, section, unit; band, company, party, detachment, troop, group; herd, flock |
| Firqa, Firaq | Firqa(h or t), pl. Firaq | part, portion, division, section, unit; band, company, party, detachment, troop, group; class; grade, class (in school); pupils or students of a course; troupe, ensemble; team, crew; division (military); sect |
| Firush (Firosh), Firushan | Firúsh, pl. Furúshán | Pers. selling, a seller. Often added or hyphenated after another word indicating what type of goods are sold, e.g. dhughál-furúshán (“charcoal sellers”). |
| Firutan (Firotan), Furutan | Firútan, Furútan | Pers. lowly; humble, depressed; submissive. ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan (1905–2003), educator, author and Hand of the Cause of God. |
| Firuz (Firoz), Piruz (Piroz) | Fírúz, Pírúz | Pers. victorious, triumphant, prosperous, successful; victory; prosperity; the third of the five supplemental days added to the Persian year; name of several Persian kings. See Ẓáfir |
| Firuzabad (Fayruzabad) | Fírúzábád (Fayrúzábád) | city (28.845032, 52.571049) 85 km south of Shíráz |
| Firuz-Kuh, Firuzkuh | Fírúz-Kúh or Fírúzkúh | city (35.759529, 52.775432) 125 km east of Teheran |
| Firydunkinar (Fereydunkenar) | Firaydúnkinár (Firaydún Kinár) | also known as Qaşabih, is a city (36.684245, 52.524089) and capital of Fereydunkenar County, Mazandaran Province. It is a Caspian Sea resort. |
| Fishar-i-Qabr | Fishár-i-Qabr | Pers. constriction in the grave. Promised after death tortures leading to a fear of being squeezed in the grave. |
| Fisq | Fisq | sinfulness, viciousness, moral depravity, dissolute life |
| Fitna, Fitan | Fitna[h or t], pl. Fitan | temptation, trial; charm, attractiveness; enchantment, captivation, fascination, enticement, temptation; infatuation; intrigue; sedition, riot, discord, dissension, civil strife. Occurs when a Manifestation appears. See also Imtiḥán. |
| Fitr | Fiṭr | breaking fast, alms giving at ‘Íd al-Fiṭr (a Muslim festival marking the end of Ramaḍán) |
| Fitr, Aftar | Fitr, pl. Aftár | small div (the space between the end of the thumb and the end of the index finger when extended); corner |
| Fitra, Fitar | Fiṭra(t), pl. Fiṭar | creation; idiosyncrasy; tendency; wisdom, sagacity; deceit, trick; religion; the power of the Creator;—(pl.) nature, (natural) disposition, constitution, temperament, innate character, instinct |
| Fitrat | Fitrat | Ar. There are several meanings: original Reality, creating, and gap. Also the interval between two prophets, or the time between the martyrdom of the Báb and the rise of Bahá’u’lláh. (The Bahá’í Proofs, p. 66) |
| Fizan (Fezan), Fizzan (Fezzan, Fazzan) | Fízán (Turkish), Fizzán (Ar.) | “rough rocks”, a large south-western region (one of three) of modern Libya. It is largely desert, but broken by mountains, uplands, and dry river valleys (wadis) in the north, where oases enable ancient towns and villages to survive deep in the otherwise inhospitable Sahara Desert. The capital (near the centre) is Sabhá. |
| Friedberg | Friedberg | Beyle Friedberg (1864,–1944), a Russian-Jewish novelist, poet, and dramatist; better known by the pen names Isabella and Isabella Arkadevna Grinevskaya. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá sent a Tablet to her. |
| Fu’ad (Fuad), Fu’ada, Af’ida | Fu’ád, fem. Fu’áda[h or t], pl. Af’ida[h or t] | heart. Shoghi Effendi described the Shrine of the Báb as being the “Heart” of Mt. Carmel. |
| Fu’adiya, Fu’adiyya (Fu’adiyyih) | Fu’ádíya, Pers. Fu’ádiyya | Fu’ádíyyih, daughter (died in infancy) of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Munírih Khánum |
| Fuhayra | Fuhayra(h) | ‘Ámir ibn Fuhayra (586–625) (also known by the kunya Abú ‘Amr) was a companion of Muḥammad. Of African ancestry, he was born a slave. He became a Muslim in Mecca and later was bought and manumitted by Abú Bakr. When Abú Bakr and Muḥammad escaped from Mecca in 622, ‘Ámir grazed Abú Bakr’s flocks by day, then brought them at evening to the cave on Mount Thawr (5 km south of Mecca) where Abú Bakr and Muḥammad were hiding, presumably so that the sheep would cover the tracks of Abú-Bakr’s son, ‘Abdu’lláh, who stayed near the cave overnight. When they left the cave to travel to Medina, ‘Ámir accompanied them. |
| Fujita | Fujita | Mr Saichirō Fujita (1886–1976), a native of Yamaguchi Prefecture, was the second Japanese to become a Baháʼí. He was also distinguished by serving at the Baháʼí World Centre for ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, the Custodians, and the Universal House of Justice. |
| Fulad Maḥallih (Foulad-Mahalleh) | Fúlád Maḥallih | a village (36.060963, 53.707101) in Semnan Province |
| Fulad, Fuladi | Fúlád, adj. Fúládí and Fuládí | steel, of steel, made of steel; steely, steel-like, steel-hard |
| Fulan, Fulana | Fulán, fem. Fulána | (substituting for an unnamed or unspecified person or thing) so and so |
| Fulk | Fulk (m. and f.) | ship, (also collective) ships; Ark (as in Noah’s) |
| Funduq, Funduqa (Findik) | Funduq, Funduqa | Pers. hazelnut of filbert-nut; a nut good against the sting of a scorpion; a ball for cannon, musketry, or cross-bow. Ar. Bunduq, Turk. Findík |
| Furat | Furát | Pers. very fine, sweet water or waters; the river Euphrates; the sea |
| Furqan | Furqán | proof, evidence, discriminator, distinguishing; whatever discriminates between truth and falsehood, the Qur’án, any sacred book. An important attribute of al-Qur’án (see 2:185) is that of distinction (furqán), for the word Qur’án describes how al-Qur’án is recited, whereas the word Furqán describes the criterion that distinguishes between truth (ḥaqq) and falsehood (báṭil) (see 25:1). Name of sura 25. |
| Furs | Furs | Persia; the Persians |
| Fursi | Fursí | (Pers. Ar. influence) Persian |
| Furugh | Furúgh | Ar. emptiness, vacuity; vacancy; termination, expiration, exhaustion |
| Furugh | Furúgh | Pers. splendour, light, brightness, flame. Name given by Bahá’u’lláh to the remote village of Dúghábád. See Dúgh-Ábád |
| Furughi | Furúghí | (Forooghy) the erudite Mírzá Maḥmúd Mírzá Maḥmúd Furúghí came from the village of Dúghábád. That is why Mírzá Maḥmúd is known as Furúghí. Faḍíl-i-Furúghí—the Savant of Furúgh—is also an appellation by which he is remembered. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá described him as a leader of the legion of the believers. Eminent Bahá’ís in the Time of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 157, 164. See jaysh ‘aramram. |
| Furughiyyih | Furúghíyyih | name of a daughter of Bahá’u’lláh |
| Furuhar, Farawahar (Faravahar) | Furúhar, Farawahár | classical Pers. matter, essence (distinguished from accident). The new Persian reading of Furúhar (FRWHR فروهر) is Farawahár, Faravahár, Forouhar. The Farawahár, also known as Farr-i-Kiyání (فرکیانی) or Ashu Farúhar, is one of the best-known symbols of Írán. It symbolizes Zoroastrianism and Iranian nationalism. The Farawahár is the most worn pendant among Iranians and has become a secular national symbol, rather than a religious symbol. It symbolizes good thoughts (pindár-i-nik), good words (speech) (guftár-i-nik) and good deeds (kirdár-i-nik), which are the basic tenets and principles of Zoroastrianism. The winged-disc symbol (“guardian angel”) of Zoroastrianism is traditionally interpreted as a depiction of a frawashi—the Avestan language term for the Zoroastrian concept of a personal spirit of an individual, whether dead, living and yet-unborn. |
| Fustat, Fasatit | Fusṭáṭ, pl. Fasáṭíṭ | (large) tent made of haircloth; tent, pavilion, canopy; al-Fusṭáṭ ancient Islamic city 5 km south of present-day Cairo. It was the first capital of Egypt under Muslim rule. Built by the Muslim general ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aṣ immediately after the Muslim conquest of Egypt in 641, and featured the Mosque of ‘Amr, the first mosque built in Egypt and in Africa. |
| Fususu’l-Hikam | Fuṣúṣu’l-Ḥikam | The Bezels of Wisdom by Ibnu’l-‘Arabí. See Faṣṣ and Ḥikma |
| Futa, Fuwat | Fúṭa(t), pl. Fuwat | apron, pinafore; napkin, serviette; towel. Wrap-around male skirt worn by men in Yemen. |
| Futuh ar-Rasul | Futúḥ ar-Rasúl | “Victories of the Messenger”. It is possible the Báb travelled on a ship of this name from Búshihr to Jiddah in 1844. |
| Futuhat al-Makkiyah | Futúḥát al-Makkiyyah | Kitáb al-Futúḥát al-Makkiyyah, “The Book of Meccan Revelations” by Shaykh ibn ‘Arabí. See Fataḥa and Makkí. |
| Plain text | Transcripted text | Word meanings & comments |
| G | ||
| Gabr | Gabr | Pers. (Persian ethnic slur for non-Muslims; also historically equivalent to the Arabic Majús) a guebre (also geubre, gabrak, gawr, gaur, gyaur, gabre) originally an ancient Persian (i.e. a Zoroastrian), one of the Magi of the sect of Zoroaster (a priest of the worshippers of fire); by the 13th century the word denoted a pagan, an infidel; a plant resembling ginger; a vest; a stone. After gabr came to have a pejorative implication, it was superseded in literature by the respectable Zartushtí (“Zoroastrian”). See gawr. |
| Gach | Gach | Pers. a kind of white earth of which lime is made of; a plaster of lime and gypsum mixed with sand and pounded marble. |
| Gaf | Gáf | Persian letter representing g—a form of the Arabic letter káf |
| Gah-bar, Gah.Barba, Gahanbarha | Gáh-bár, Gáh-bárhá, Gáhanbárhá | Pers. “proper season”, the six days or periods in which (according to the cosmogony of the ancient Persians) God created the world. |
| Gallipoli | Gallipoli | Italian form of the Greek Kallipolis (“beautiful city”), Turkish Gelibolu. Gallipoli is a coastal city on the Gallipoli peninsula, which was a district of the Rumelia province of the Ottoman Empire, later Turkey, and now Türkiye. |
| Ganavih (Genaveh) | Ganávih | Bandar (Port) Ganávih, or Ganávih, formerly Jannáb, is a city in and capital of Genaveh County, Bushehr Province, Írán. It is on the Persian Gulf coast 75 km NNW of Búshihr |
| Gand | Gand | Pers. anything fetid, bad smell, stink, funk. Can result from a mispronounciation of qand |
| Gandum | Gandum | Pers. wheat |
| Gandum-Pak-Kun | Gandum-Pák-Kun | Mullá Muḥammad Ja‘far—the first person in Iṣfahán to accept the Faith of the Báb |
| Ganj | Ganj | Pers. a store, hoard, (hidden) treasure; a magazine, granary, grain-market, storehouse; a mart; a case |
| Ganj Panhan, Ganj Pinhan | Ganj Panhán | Pers. “hidden treasure”. The Báb called Quddús a Ganj Pinhán Khudá (a “Hidden treasure of God”). Ganj-i-Pinhán by Hooshmand Dehghan. |
| Ganja, Ganjih, Ganjeh, Ganza, Gandzha | Ganja | city (40.691348, 46.376470; 3rd largest) in Ádharbayján. It was named Yelizavetpól (Elisabethpol) in the Russian Empire period. Under the Soviet Union (1920), the city regained its original name, then changed to Kirovabád in 1935. In 1989 the city regained its original name. Known as Gyandzha, Gandzak, and Ganjeh in Russian, Armenian and Persian, respectively. |
| Gar | Gár | Pers. a suffix that, subjoined to a word, denotes agency or possession |
| Garb | Garb | west; occident; vehemence, violence, impetuosity, tempestuousness; al-Garb—the West, the Occident |
| Garbi | Garbí | western, westerly; occidental, Western; European; an Occidental, a Westerner;—al-Garbíyún the Western Church (Christian) |
| Gardan | Gardán | Pers. turning, winding, changing, inverting, converting; one who turns or goes round; conjugation, inflexion; meat parboiled and roasted with spices |
| Gardanih-i-Asad-Abad | Gardánih-i-Ásad-Ábád | (Gardaneh-ye-Asadabad) a stopping place (34.812973, 48.162259) for Bahá’u’lláh during exile between Hamadán and Ásad-Ábád. |
| Gari | Garí | Pers. any standard of measure, whether for land, cloth, grain, liquids, or time; a measure of time, twenty-two minutes and thirty seconds; the itch, scab. Practice, trade, craft, office (when used as a suffix). |
| Garm Rud, Garmrud (Garmroud) | Garm Rúd (or Garmrúd) | village northern Írán (16 km SSE of Sárí). Pers.: warm or hot (garm) flowing water (rúd) |
| Garm-Siri | Garm-Sírí | “warm place” |
| Gawhar (Gohar, Gauhar, Guhar) | Gawhar | Pers. a gem, jewel, pearl, precious stone; lustre of a gem or sword; root, origin; of a noble family; essence, substance, form; offspring; any hidden virtue; intellect, wisdom; a substitute. See jawhar |
| Gawhar Khanum | Gawhar Khánum | third wife of Bahá’u’lláh (broke Covenant after the passing of Bahá’u’lláh)—her daughter is Furúghíyyih |
| Gawhar-Maliki | Gawhar-Malikí | Royal jewel |
| Gawhar-Shad | Gawhar-Shád | “joyful or shining jewel”. Name (“Gowharshad Begum”) of the wife of Sháhrukh, and a large congregational mosque in Mashhad (36.287504, 59.614551). |
| Gawhar, Gawharan | Gawhar, pl. Gawharán | Pers. (“Gohar”, “Gauhar”, “Guhar”) a gem, jewel, pearl, precious stone; lustre of a gem or sword; root, origin; of a noble family; element, essence, substance, form; offspring; any hidden virtue; intellect, wisdom; a substitute. See jawhar. |
| Gawhardasht (Gawhar Dasht) | Gawhardasht (Gawhar + Dasht) | (“Gohardasht”) formerly Rajá‘í Shahr, a neighbourhood (with prison, Gawhardasht Zindán) on north side of Karaj |
| Gawr (Gaur), Gawran (Gauran) | Gawr, pl. Gawrán | Pers. a pagan, infidel, guebre, or worshipper of fire |
| Gawr (Gavr), Gawur | Gáwr, Gáwur | Pers. (for gabr?), an infidel |
| Gaziantep, ‘Ayntab, Antep | Gaziantep, ‘Ayntáb | Turkish previously and still informally called Aintab or Antep, is a city (37.068339, 37.386658) in the westernmost part of Turkey’s South-eastern Anatolia Region. |
| Gha’i | Ghá’í | final |
| Gha’ib | Ghá’ib | invisible world; the invisible being, God, the Deity; (in grammar) the third person. See Ghayb. |
| Ghadanfar | Ghaḍanfar | lion |
| Ghadir Khumm | Ghadír Khumm | is a pool fed by a spring. Muḥammad gave a speech (during which he designated ‘Alí as the leader of the Muslim ummah) on 18th of Dhu’l-Ḥijjah AH 10 (CE 632) at Ghadír Khumm (22.739690, 39.137236), 4.5 km WNW of al-Juḥfah. See Juḥfa. |
| Ghadir, Ghudur, Ghudran | Ghadír, pl. Ghudur, Ghudrán | pond, pool, puddle; stream, brook, creek, river |
| Ghafara, Gafr, Maghfira, Ghufran | Ghafara, Ghafr, Maghfira, Ghufrán | to forgive (someone something), grant pardon (to someone for something), remit (something) |
| Ghaffar (“Gaffar”) | Ghaffár | readily inclined to pardon, much-forgiving (especially of God). ‘Abdu’l-Ghaffár is claimed to be the real name of Noah. See Núḥ. |
| Ghaffari | Ghaffárí | Pers. Iranian family name. |
| Ghafir | Gháfir | forgiving; merciful, compassionate |
| Ghafr, Ghufur | Ghafr, pl. Ghufúr | covering; pardoning (sins); laying up, enclosing in a case or in a repository; rankling, being raw (a wound); relapsing (a sick person); relapse; tingeing, dyeing (grey hair) |
| Ghafra | Ghafrá | forgiving. Abí Ghafráy-i-Ṭá’i‘. See SDC 48. |
| Ghafur | Ghafúr | readily inclined to pardon, much-forgiving (esp. of God) |
| Ghali | Ghalí | Pers. dear, highly-priced |
| Ghalib | Ghálib | overcoming, overpowering; prevailing, predominant; triumphant, victorious; a conqueror; Port Ghálib, Red Sea, Egypt. Mírzá Asadu’lláh Baig Khán (1797–1869), was a prominent Urdu and Persian poet during the last years of the Mughal Empire. His pen names were Ghálib and Asad. Honourifics: Dabíru’l-Mulk, Najmu’d-Dawla. |
| Ghalin, Ghula | Ghálin, pl. Ghulá[h or t] | expensive, high priced; valuable, costly; dear, beloved;—pl. adherent of an extreme sect; extremist; exaggerator, radical; fanatic adherent, fanatic. A Shí‘a term for theological extremists who go beyond what is considered reasonable in what they claim about Muḥammad and the Imams. The Shaykhis and Babis fall into this category. |
| Ghalwa, Ghalwat | Ghalwa[h or t], pl. Ghalwát | the shooting of an arrow as far as possible; bow-shot distance (≈230 m); the utmost stretch of a horse. See Manzil. |
| Ghamam, Ghamamun, Ghama’im | Ghamám, pl. Ghamá’im | clouds (collective noun Ghamámun) |
| Ghamim | Ghamím | milk thickened by boiling; sour, coagulated milk; Kurá‘u’l-Ghamím (Kurá‘ al-Ghamím), a valley NW of Mecca on the main route to Madínah |
| Ghani | Ghaní | rich, wealthy; independent, self-sufficient (able to do without, detached). Khájih Ghaní or ‘Abdu’l-Ghaní Baydún |
| Ghaní ad-Dahr | Ghaní ad-Dahr | the appreciative |
| Ghani, Ghunat | Ghání, pl. Ghunát | rich; able to do without, detached |
| Ghanim | Ghánim | Ar. successful |
| Ghanima, Ghana’im | Ghaníma(h), pl. Ghaná’im | spoils, booty, loot, prey |
| Ghannam | Ghannám | shepherd. House of Sulaymán-i-Ghannám in Baghdád. See Bayt-i-A‘ẓam |
| Ghar, Aghwar, Ghiran | Ghár, pl. Aghwár, Ghírán | cave, cavern |
| Gharb | Gharb | being hid; going, departing, going to a great distance or to one side; the place where the sun sets; sunset; the West; Africa; being shed (tears); the flowing of tears |
| Gharbi | Gharbí | west, western, westerly; exposed to the setting sun; e.g. Gaz-i-Gharbí, western Gaz, village located west of the village of Gaz, and south of Bandar-i-Gaz |
| Ghariq, Gharqa | Gharíq, pl. Gharqá | drowned; a drowned person; immersed, engrossed, absorbed (in). Abjad value of 1,310. Nabíl drowned in AH 1310—the year began 26 July 1892. |
| Ghars, Aghras, Ghiras | Ghars, pl. Aghrás, Ghirás | planted (abjad 1,260);—pl. plant, layer, cion, nursery plant, seedling |
| Gharsa (Gharasa, Gharasih) | Gharsa[h or t] | plant. Abjad value of 1,265 |
| Gharsi | Gharsí | abjad value of 1,270 |
| Ghashiya, Ghawashin | Gháshiya(h or t), pl. Ghawáshin | pericardium; misfortune, calamity, disaster; faint, swoon; insensibility, stupor; servants, attendants, retinue; a covering. al Gháshiyah, the overwhelming event, Súra 88. |
| Ghashiyatun, Ghawash | Gháshiyatun fem., pl. Ghawash | something that covers or overwhelms; a covering, an overwhelming calamity. Qur’án 12:107. |
| Ghasil | Ghasíl | washed; (dirty or washed) clothes, washing |
| Ghassan, Ghasasinah | Ghassán | prime; vigour (of youth); the impetuosity of youth. al-Ghasásinah (Ghassanids), also Banú Ghassán (“Sons of Ghassán”), were a pre-Islamic Arab tribe that founded an Arab kingdom. The Christian Ghassanid Dynasty were descendants of the al-Azd tribe from Yemen who migrated in the early 3rd century to the Levant region. |
| Ghataf | Ghaṭaf | comforts (of life); bigness of the eye; length of the eye-lashes |
| Ghatafan | Ghaṭafán | name of an Arab tribe |
| Ghawgha’ (Ghaugha’) | Ghawghá’ (Pers. also Ghawghá) | mob, rabble, riffraff, din, noise, clamour |
| Ghawr (Ghaur), Aghwar | Ghawr, pl. Aghwár | bottom; declivity, depression; depth (also figurative); al-Ghawr designates part of the Syrian Graben that constitutes the Jordan Valley (Ghawr al-Urdunn), usually considered to be the valley south of Tiberias. |
| Ghawth | Ghawth | call for help; help, aid, succour |
| Ghawthiya, Ghawthiyyih | Ghawthíya[h or t], Ghawthiyyih | The state or quality of a ghauth (ghauth), saintship, sanctity; devoteeism. Garden of Ghawthiyyih—riyáḍ al-ghawthiyya—(loosely) “Garden of Intercessory Sainthood”. |
| Ghayb (Ghaib) | Ghayb, pl. Ghuyúb | absence; hidden, concealed, invisible;—(pl.) that which is hidden, the invisible; that which is transcendental, the supernatural; divine secret. (invisible realm) |
| Ghayba (Ghaiba) | Ghayba(t) | absence; concealment, invisibility; occultation. State of being hidden from view. See Tablet of Aḥmad |
| Ghaybat al-Kubra | al-Ghaybat al-Kubrá | Major Occultation (c. AH 329/941–AH 1260/1844). See appended Occultation note. |
| Ghaybat as-Sughra | al-Ghaybat aṣ-Ṣughrá | Minor Occultation (AH 260/CE 874–c. 941). The “Deputies” or “Gates” during the Minor Occultation: ‘Uthmán ibn Sa‘íd, his son Muḥammad ibn ‘Uthmán, Ḥusayn ibn Rúḥ and ‘Alí ibn Muḥammad Símarí. See appended Occultation note. |
| Ghaym (Ghaim), Ghuyum, Ghiyam | Ghaym, pl. Ghuyúm, Ghiyám | (collective) clouds; mist, fog |
| Ghaym ar-Raqiq | Ghaym ar-Raqíq | thin cloud |
| Ghayn | Ghayn | Arabic letter transcripted as gh |
| Ghayr (Ghair) | Ghayr | other than (with dependent genitive), different from, unlike, no, not, non-, un-, in-, dis-; (preposition) ghayra except, save, but |
| Ghayr (Ghair), Ghayra (Ghair) | Ghayr | other than (with dependent genititive), different from, unlike, no, not, non-, un-, in-, dis-; (preposition) ghayra except, save, but |
| Ghayr Mutashabih | Ghayr Mutashábíh | unambiguous |
| Ghayra (Ghaira) | Ghayra[h or t] | jealously; zeal, fervor, earnest concern, vigilant care, solicitude (for); sense of honour, self-respect. Ghayrah ar-Rabb (“zeal of the Lord”), Isaiah 9:7. |
| Ghayriya (Ghairiya) | Ghayríya[h or t] | altruism. Also change, alteration; strangeness, unreality; jealousy. |
| Ghayur (Ghayoor), Ghuyur, Ghayuran | Ghayúr, pl. Ghuyur, Pers. Ghayúrán | (very) jealous; zealous, fervid, eager (in, in the pursuit of), keen, eagerly intent (on), earnestly concerned (with), enthusiastic (for). A character, infamous for his moral laxity and indifference to honour and fidelity, mentioned in Ottoman Turkish sources. |
| Ghaz, Ghazat | Gház, pl. Gházát | gas; petroleum, oil (north African) |
| Ghazal | Ghazal | to sweet-talk, to flirt, to display amorous gestures; a poetic form consisting of rhyming couplets and a refrain, with each line sharing the same metre. See Ghazl. |
| Ghazal, Ghazala, Ghizla, Ghizlan | Ghazál, fem. Ghazála[h] | gazelle; a village near or now in Tús (see Ghazálí);—pl. Ghizla, Ghizlán |
| Ghazali | Ghazálí | a native of Ghazál. Abú Ḥámid Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad aṭ-Ṭúsí al-Ghazálí (c. 1058–1111), Persian, was one of the most prominent and influential philosophers, theologians, jurists, and mystics of Sunni Islám. His tomb is on the northern edge of Tús. Known in the West as Algazel. |
| Ghazi | Ghází | gaseous, gas-like. ghází a conqueror, hero, gallant soldier (especially combating infidels); a general, leader of an expedition; see Gházin. |
| Ghazin, Ghuzah, Ghazi | Gházin, pl. Ghuzáh | one who carries out a military expedition or a foray; raider, invader, aggressor, conqueror; al-ghází the war lord, warrior champion, ghazi |
| Ghazl, Ghuzul | Ghazl, pl. Ghuzúl | spinning;—pl. spun thread, yarn. Same Arabic letters as Ghazal. |
| Ghazna | Ghazná or Ghazní | “jewel”, city (historically known as Ghaznín or Ghazna(h)) in Afghánistán 128 km SW of Kabul |
| Ghazwa, Ghazawat | Ghazwa(h or t), pl. Ghazawát | military expedition, foray; raid, incursion, inroad, invasion, attack, aggression; conquest; campaign of conquest. See Mu’ta |
| Ghazwat al-Khandaq | Ghazwat al-Khandaq | “Battle of the Trench”, also known as the Battle of Khandaq (Ma‘rakah al-Khandaq) and the Battle of the Confederates (Ghazwat al-Aḥzáb), was a 30-day-long siege of Yathrib (now Medina) by Arab and Jewish tribes, Jan-Feb 627 (AH 5) |
| Ghazwat Khaybar | Ghazwat Khaybar | the Battle of Khaybar, fought in 628 between Muslims and the Jews living in the oasis of Khaybar, 140 km NNW of Medina |
| Ghazza | Ghazza | Gaza (seaport in the Gaza strip) |
| Ghazzi | Ghazzí | gauze |
| Ghifar | Ghifár | a helmet; father of the Banú Ghifár |
| Ghill, Aghlal | Ghill, pl. Aghlál (used by Bahá’u’lláh) | rancour, hatred, spite, malice. See ghull and mughill. |
| Ghina | Ghiná | being rich, riches, wealth. “Guinea” may be derived from a contraction of Balad al-Ghiná (“land of riches”) |
| Ghina’ | Ghiná’ | singing, vocal song without music |
| Ghirsh, Ghursh, Ghurush | Ghirsh, Ghursh, pl. Ghurúsh | silver coin, piaster |
| Ghita’, Aghitiya | Ghiṭá’, pl. Aghṭiya(h) | cover, covering, integument, wrap, wrapper, wrapping, envelope; covering (= clothing); lid |
| Ghiyath | Ghiyáth | help, succour. Abjad 1,511 |
| Ghulam al-Khuld | Ghulám al-Khuld | Tablet of the Deathless Youth by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Ghulam-Ahmad | Ghulám-Aḥmad | Mírzá Ghulám-Aḥmad (1839–1908) of Qádiyán, India. Followers later split into Aḥmadíyyah and Qádiyáníyyah. |
| Ghulam-Husayn | Ghulám-Ḥusayn | |
| Ghulam-Rida | Ghulám-Riḍá | |
| Ghulam-Riday-i-Kuchik | Ghulám-Riḍáy-i-Kúchik | |
| Ghulam-Riday-i-Yazdi | Ghulám-Riḍáy-i-Yazdí | |
| Ghulam, Ghilman, Ghilma | Ghulám, pl. Ghilmán, Ghilma[h or t] | boy, youth, lad; slave; servant, waiter. 1. Slave-soldiers and/or mercenaries in armies by Islamic states from the early 9th century to the early 19th century. 2. The Qur’án 52:24 mentions ghilmán who are servant boys provided especially for believers in heaven. Some suggest that in heaven the ghilmán might be the male equivalent of the beautiful female húr that the faithful marry in heaven. |
| Ghulaman, Gholaman, Qulaman | Ghulámán, Qulámán | is a village (38.057515, 57.141576) in Gholaman Rural District, Raz and Jargalan District, Bojnord County, North Khorasan Province, Írán (on the Turkish-Iranian border) |
| Ghulamu’llah | Ghulámu’lláh | servant of God. son of Javáv-i-Qazvíní |
| Ghull, Aghlal, Ghullun | Ghull, pl. Aghlál, Ghullún | burning thirst; (—pl. aghlál) iron collar; manacles, handcuffs;—pl. chains, shackles, fetters |
| Ghuluw | Ghulúw | exceeding of proper bounds, excess, extravagance; exaggeration |
| Ghuluww, Ghaliyya | Ghuluww, Gháliyya | exaggeration, extremism |
| Ghusl, Aghsal | Ghusl, pl. Aghsál | washing, ablution; the major ritual ablution, i.e., a washing of the whole body (Islamic Law); wash water |
| Ghusn-i-A’zam | Ghuṣn-i-A‘ẓám | Most Great or Greatest Branch, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Ghusn-i-Akbar | Ghuṣn-i-Akbar | Greater Branch, Mírzá Muḥammad-‘Ali. Later described as the Greater Firewood since his deeds demonstrated that a dead branch is worthy of a fire. |
| Ghusn-i-Anwar | Ghuṣn-i-Anwar | "the Most Luminous Branch", a title invented by Dr Khayr'lláh for Mírzá Badí'u'lláh. |
| Ghusn-i-Athar | Ghuṣn-i-Aṭhar | "Purest Branch" or "Purer Branch". Title given to Mírzá Mihdí by Bahá'u'lláh. |
| Ghusn-i-Mumtaz | Ghuṣn-i-Mumtáz | The Chosen Branch i.e. Shoghi Effendi |
| Ghusn, Ghusun, Aghsan | Ghuṣn, dual Ghuṣún, pl. Aghṣán | twig, bough, limb, branch. Aghṣán (branches) denotes the descendants of Bahá’u’lláh. Only two Aghṣán are mentioned in the Kitáb-i-‘Ahd: Ghuṣn-i-A‘ẓám (‘Abdu’l-Bahá) and Ghuṣn-i-Akbar (Mírzá Muḥammad-‘Ali) |
| Ghusniyyih | Ghuṣniyyih | Pers. followers of Mírzá Muḥammad ‘Alí, the “Ghuṣn-i-Akbar”, the half-brother of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Ghusnu’llahu’l-A’zam | Ghuṣnu’lláhu’l-A‘ẓam | “The Greatest Branch of God” BKG 250, 311, 420, 485 |
| Ghusnu’llahu’l-Athar | Ghuṣnu’lláhu’l-Aṭhar | “The Purest Branch of God” |
| Gilan | Gílán | a northern province of Írán on the Caspian Sea. |
| Gilani | Gílání | Pers. a native of Gílán |
| Gilim (Kilim) | Gilím | Pers. (Turkish kilim, Azerbaijani kílím) a garment made of goats’ hair or wool; a carpet or rug to lie on; a blanket |
| Giltughi | Giltúghí | Ḥájí Káẓim Giltúghí |
| Giran (Garan) | Girán | Pers. heavy, weighty, ponderous; slow; great, important, difficult; precious, dear, valuable; gain, profit; penury |
| Gird | Gird | Pers. round; a circle, orbit, circumference, circuit; environs, parts adjacent; a collection, assembly; a host; a city; a tent, pavilion; (adverb) around |
| Girih | Girih | Pers. a knot, a knur (as in a thread or on wood), a knob, a joint; a button or anything for fastening garments; a gland; a kernel; a purse; an abscess; a knuckle; articulation; three finger-breadths; a difficulty; the seed of a thorny tree used for tanning; the heart |
| Gisu (Gesu), Gisuwan (Gesuwan) | Gísú, pl. Gísúwán | Pers. a ringlet of hair, a forelock, a sidelock, curl;—pl. hair, locks. Daughter of Dr Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir. |
| Giwah (Givah, Giveh, Giwa) | Giwah | Pers. a soft, comfortable, durable and hand woven-top shoe common in several parts of Írán especially in rural and mountainous areas of Kirmánsháh Province. |
| Goumoens | Goumoëns | city in Switzerland. Austrian Captain Alfred von Goumoëns witnessed and reported on the attempted assassination of Náṣir ad-Dín Sháh on 15 August 1852. His 29 August 1852 letter was first published in German in the Austrian newspaper Oesterreichischer Soldatenfruend (“Austrian Soldier Friend”), 12 October 1852, vol. 123, p. 514. |
| Guardian | Guardian | Title given to Shoghi Effendi by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: “After the passing away of this wronged one, it is incumbent upon the Aghsán, the Afnán of the Sacred Lote-Tree, the Hands of the Cause of God and the loved ones of the Abhá Beauty to turn unto Shoghi Effendi—the youthful branch branched from the two hallowed and sacred Lote-Trees and the fruit grown from the union of the two offshoots of the Tree of Holiness,—as he is the sign of God, the chosen branch, the Guardian of the Cause of God [Walíy-i-Amru’lláh].... He is the Interpreter of the Word of God ....” (The Will and Testament, p. 11) |
| Guftar | Guftár | Pers. speech, conversation; a saying; a chapter |
| Guftgu | Guftgú | Pers. parley |
| Gugan (Gavgan (Gav-Gan), Gavkan) | Gúgán | village 50 km SW of Tabríz. Letters transcribe as “Gawgán” |
| Guhar (Gohar), Gawhar (Gauhar) | Guhar, Gawhar | Pers. a gem, jewel, pearl, precious stone; lustre of a gem or sword; root, origin; of a noble family; essence, substance, form; offspring; any hidden virtue; intellect, wisdom |
| Gul-i-Gulab | Gul-i-Guláb | red rose, literally, “the flower of the rose-water”. See Ar. Jull and Julláb |
| Gul-i-Mawla | Gul-i-Mawlá | “the master’s rose”. name given to Darvish Siḍq-‘Alí |
| Gul-Muhammad (Gulmuhammad) | Gul-Muḥammad | GPB p. 200 |
| Gul-Muhammadi (GulMuhammadi) | Gul-Muḥammadí | Ar. Dhabíḥu’lláh Gul-Muḥammadí or Pers. Zabíḥu’lláh Gulmuḥammadí |
| Gul-Saba | Gul-Sabá | Pers. Sheba rose |
| Gul, Gulan, Gulha | Gul, pl. Gulán (Gulhá) | Pers. a rose; a flower; embers; a red colour. See Ar. Jull |
| Gulab | Guláb | Pers. rose water. gul (flower) + áb (water). |
| Guldan, Guldana (Guldanih) | Guldán, fem. Guldána[h] | Pers. gul (flower) + dán (suffix, holder, pot, vase). Guldánih ‘Alipúr |
| Gulistan (Golestan) | Gulistán | Pers. flower garden, rose garden; place where flowers grow. Gulistán-i-Sa‘dí, a celebrated Persian book (CE 1258) in prose and verse, by Abú-Muḥammad Muṣliḥ ad-Dín bin ‘Abdu’lláh Shírází (better known by his pen-name Sa‘dí) (1175–1291). Book structure: Introduction and 8 chapters, each consisting of a number of stories and poetry: 1. The Manners of Kings; 2. On the Morals of Dervishes; 3. On the Excellence of Contentment; 4. On the Advantages of Silence; 5. On Love and Youth; 6. On Weakness and Old Age; 7. On the Effects of Education; 8. On Rules for Conduct in Life. Kákh-i-Gulistán (Golestan Palace) is the former royal Qajar complex in Ṭihrán. |
| Gulistan-i-Javid | Gulistán-i-Jávid | Pers. “eternal garden”, name given to Bahá’í cemeteries in Írán |
| Gulmuhammadi | Gulmuḥammadí | Zabíḥu’lláh (Ar. Dhabíḥu’lláh) Gulmuḥammadí |
| Gulnar (Golnar) | Gulnár | (for gul+anár) pomegranate flowers; sour cherry. Gülnar (Azerbaijani, Turkish), pseudonym of Olga Sergeyevna Lebedeva (1854–193?), translator, linguist and Orientalist (first Russian woman) from the Russian Empire. |
| Gulpayigan, Gulpayagan (Gulpayegan) | Gulpáyigán, Gulpáyagán, Gulpáygán | Pers. (Bahá’ís use Gulpaygan) “fortress of flowers”, “land of red tulips” or “land of red flowers” (supposedly derived from sar-zamín-i-gul-háy-i-surkh, “land, tulips/flowers, red”). Gulpáyigán is a city (33.457344, 50.288305) in and the capital of Gulpáyigán County, Iṣfahán Province, Írán (about 160 km NW of Iṣfahán). See Abu’l-Faḍl. |
| Gulpayigani | Gulpáyigání | from or of Gulpáyigán. Siyyid Muḥammad-i-Gulpáyigání, pen-name Ṭá’ir, styled Fatá’l-Malíḥ by Ṭáhirih. Mullá Ibráhím-i-Gulpáyigání was martyred. See Abu’l-Faḍl and Kashf al-Ghiṭá’. |
| Gulshan (Golshan) | Gulshán | Pers. a rose or flower-garden; a bed of roses or flowers; a delightful spot; a place where a person enjoys himself; a pleasure-palace; florid, cheerful, agreeable. Former name of Ṭabas—city in South Khorasan Province, Írán. |
| Gulshani | Gulshaní | a Sufi order founded by Ibráhím al-Gulshaní, an influential Sufi shaykh from Azerbaijan |
| Gumruk, Gamarik | Gumruk, pl. Gamárik | customs; customhouse |
| Gunabad (Gonabad) | Gunábád | city 225 km SW of Mashhad, Khurásán province |
| Gundishapur, Jund-i-Shapur | Gundíshápúr (Ar. Jundaysábúr) | (“Gundeshapur”; Jund-i-Shápúr) city ruins (32.286493, 48.514108) of what was once a major city of the Persian empire, 2 km south of the village of Islámábád (Eslamabad, or Sháhábád), which is 12 km SE of Dizfúl (Dezful); in Khuzestan province. |
| Gunjishk | Gunjishk | Pers. a sparrow; a chick; any small bird. gáf or káf (kafara, “renounce”) + nún (nazih, “purify”) + jím (jánib, “draw back”) + shín (ush’kur, “thank”, “be grateful”) + káf (kafara)—see The Seven Valleys 1st edn. |
| Guran | Gúrán | Pers. the rendezvous of an army; an assembly-room; rice browned in the oven. A village (33.297500, 49.758333) in Lorestan Province, 174 km SW of Káshán. |
| Gurgin (Gurgan, Gorgan), Jurjan | Gurgín or Gurgán, Jurján | city near the Caspian Sea (formerly Astrabád or Astarábád), east of Sárí (36.844352, 54.442692) |
| Gurgin Khan | Gurgín Khán | Nephew and successor of Governor Manúchihr Khán in Iṣfahán. |
| Gusha | Gushá | Pers. opening, loosening, solving |
| Gusht, Gosht | Gúsht | Pers. flesh, meat; pulp of fruit |
| Gushtasb, Gushasb | Gushtásb, Gushásb (also Gushtásp) | Pers. an ancient king of Persia (Darius Hystaspes) |
| Guzel (Guzal, Ghuzal) | Güzel (Guzal) | Turkish “beautiful” (Persian zíbá) Mírzá ‘Ádí-Guzal-i-Marághih’í, the messenger (Sayyáh) for the Báb, hence the title ‘Alíy-i-Sayyáḥ (Mírzá ‘Alíy-i-Sayyáḥ-i-Marághihí). |
| Gyawur-Kyuy | Gyáwur-Kyuy | probably the Turkish village of Güneyli Köyü (“Southern Village”), 11 km north of Gallipoli |
| Plain text | Transcripted text | Word meanings & comments |
| H | ||
| Ha, Ha’at | Há’, pl. Ha’át | name of the thirty-first letter (ه) of the Arabic-Persian alphabet, it is a slight aspirate, like the h in “hope” |
| Ha, Had, Hadihi, Hadi, Ha’ula’i, Hadani | Há | look! there! há huwa look, there he is! há antum you there! as a prefix (mostly written defectively): hádá, f. hádihí, hádí,—pl. há’ulá’i, dual m. hádání, f. hátáni this one, this |
| Ha’ | Ḥa’ | name of the eighth letter (ح, transcripted as ḥ) of the Arabic-Persian alphabet, is a strong aspirate generated deep in the throat. |
| Ha’ik, Haka | Ḥá’ik, pl. Ḥáka | weaver; (Moroccan) an outer garment consisting of a long piece of white material, covering body and head |
| Ha’it (Hait) | Ḥá’iṭ | wall, enclosure, fence; a garden. al-Ḥá’iṭ (25.993191, 40.466906) is a city 191 km NNE of Medina and just to the north of the Fadak oasis. |
| Habash, Ahbash | al-Ḥabash, pl. al-Aḥbash | Abyssinia, Ethiopia;—pl. the Abyssinians, Ethiopians |
| Habashi | Ḥabashí, pl. Aḥbásh | Abyssinian, Ethiopian |
| Habb, Hubub | Ḥabb, pl. Ḥubúb | (collective; nomen unitatis ة) grains; seed;—pl. grain, cereals, corn; seed(s); grains, kernels; granules; pellets; pills, pastilles; berries; acne, pustules, pimple |
| Habba, Habbat | Ḥabba(h), pl. Habbát | (nomen unitatis; see also ḥabb) grain, granule; seed; kernel; pill, pastille; berry; pustule, pimple; triviality; a square measure |
| Habba, Hubb | Ḥabba, Ḥubb | to love, like; to evoke (in someone), love or a liking (for something or someone); to endear (something to someone), make (something) dear, lovable, attractive (for someone), make (something) palatable, acceptable (to someone); to urge (something on someone), suggest (something to someone) |
| Habib, Ahibba, | Ḥabíb, pl. Aḥabbá’, Aḥibba[h or t] | beloved, sweetheart, lover; darling; dear one, friend; dear |
| Habiba (Habibih, Habibeh), Haba’ib | Ḥabíba[h or t], pl. Ḥabá’ib | (fem. of ḥabíb) sweet-heart, darling, beloved woman |
| Habibi | Ḥabíbi | my love |
| Habibu’llah | Ḥabíbu’lláh | “beloved of God” |
| Habibu’llah-i-Afnan | Ḥabíbu’lláh-i-Afnán, Ḥájí Mírzá | |
| Habr, Hibr, Ahbar | Ḥabr, Ḥibr, pl. Aḥbár | a non-Muslim religious authority, learned man, scribe; bishop; rabbi.—ḥabr beautifying, adorning; putting ink into an inkstand; making glad; joy, gladness, cheerfulness;—ḥibr, ink; beauty; a sign; signs of joy. |
| Habs, Hubus | Ḥabs, pl. Ḥubús | (act of) holding or keeping back, obstruction, check, repression; blocking off, barring, confinement; damming up, staving off; safekeeping, custody, retention; imprisonment, arrest, detention, jailing;—pl. prison, jail |
| Hada, Hadihi, Hadi | Hádá, fem. Hádihí, Hádí, pl. Há’ulá’i | this one, this |
| Hada, Hadihi, Hadi, cont. | Hádání dual m., f. Hátáni | |
| Hada, Hadihi, Hadi, Ha’ula’i, Hadani | Hádá | (demonstrative pronoun) fem. hádihí, hádí, dual masc. hádáni, dual fem. hátáni (hatani);—pl. há’ulá’i: this one, this |
| Hadatha, Huduth | Ḥadatha (Ḥudúth) | to happen, occur, take place, come to pass. Root of ḥadíth |
| Hadba, Ahdab | Ḥadbá’, fem. Aḥdab, pl. Ḥudb | hunchbacked, humped. The historic Great Mosque of an-Núrí in Mosul is famous for its leaning minaret which gave the city its nickname “the hunchback” (al-Ḥadbá’). See root word Ḥadiba |
| Hadd, Hudud | Ḥadd, pl. Ḥudúd | (cutting) edge (of a knife, of a sword); edge, border, brink, brim, verge; border (of a country), boundary, borderline; limit (fig.), the utmost, extremity, termination, end, terminal point, terminus; a (certain) measure, extent, or degree (attained); (math.) member (of an equation), term (of a fraction, of a proportion); divine ordinance, divine statute (limit, prohibition or penalty fixed by God); legal punishment (Islamic Law) |
| Haddad | Ḥaddád | a smith, a worker in iron, ironsmith, blacksmith; a farrier. Anton F. Haddad (1862–1924) was a Lebanese Christian who became a Bahá’í. He emigrated to the United States in 1892 and was the first Bahá’í there. Haddad returned to Lebanon in later life where he reportedly became a Protestant Minister. |
| Hadha, Hadhihi, hadhi, Ha’ula’i | Hádhá (demonstrative pronoun) | fem. hádhihí, hádhí, pl. há’ulá’i, dual m. hádháni, fem. hátáni this one, this |
| Hadi, Hadiya | Hádí, fem. Hádíya[h or t] | a director, leader, guide; one who enjoys rest or peace; the neck; head or point of an arrow; an ox in the centre of a threshing-floor, round which the other oxen move when treading out the grain. ‘Alí ibn Muḥammad al-Hádí (829–868) was the tenth Imám. He is commonly referred to by the title al-Hádí (the guide to the right path) and sometimes as ‘Alí an-Naqí (the pure one). |
| Hadiba, Hadab | Ḥadiba, (verbal noun Ḥadab) | to be convex, dome-shaped, cambered, bent outward; to be hunchbacked; to be nice, kind, friendly |
| Hadid, Hada’id | Ḥadíd, pl. Ḥadá’id | iron;—pl. iron parts (of a structure); forgings, hardware, ironware |
| Hadid, Hidad, Ahidda | Ḥadíd, pl. Ḥidád, Aḥiddá’, Aḥidda | sharp (knife, eye, tongue, etc.), keen (mind) |
| Hadin, Hadinun, Huha | Hádin, pl. Hádinún, Hudá(h) | leading, guiding; leader, guide |
| Hadiqat, Hada’iq | Ḥadíqa(h or t), pl. Ḥadá’iq | an enclosed garden; an orchard, a palm-plantation |
| Hadiqatu’r-Rahman | Ḥadíqatu’r-Raḥmán | the “Orchard of the Merciful”. Name given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the burial site (in Ábádah or Abadeh) of the heads (200?) of the martyrs of Nayríz. NW of the city and near the cemetary? Wrecked by a fanatical mob in 1955. |
| Hadir, Huddar, Hudur, Hadara | Ḥáḍir, pl. Ḥuḍḍar, Ḥuḍúr, Ḥaḍara | present; attending;—(pl. ḥuḍḍár, ḥaḍara) settled, sedentary, resident, village or town dweller, not nomadic. (pl. ḥuḍúr) presence; visit, participation, attendance. ḥáḍirihim (their present, hadirihim). See ḥáẓir |
| Hadith, Ahadith | Ḥadíth, pl. Aḥádíth, Ḥádithán | speech; chat, chitchat, small talk; conversation, talk, discussion; interview; prattle, gossip; report, account, tale, narrative; Prophetic tradition, ḥadíth, narrative relating deeds and utterances of the Prophet and his Companions. Root of ḥadíth is ḥadatha. Aḥádíth are the oral sayings of the Prophet Muḥammad and the Imáms. Two distinct types: al-Ḥadíth an-Nabawí and al-Ḥadíth al-Qudsí. The former (Prophetic or regular) being restricted to the sayings of Muḥammad (a ḥadíth where one of the Companions reports Muḥammad’s statements, his deeds, or things that happened in his presence and he approved of them), while the latter (Divine) pertains to the sayings of the Prophet through the medium of Divine inspiration. Note: الأحاديث is written al-aḥádíth. |
| Hadith, Hawadith | Ḥádith, pl. Ḥawádith, also Ḥáwádithát | occurring, happening, taking place; new, recent; fresh;—(pl.) occurrence, incident, event, happening; episode; case (jurisprudence) accident, mishap |
| Haditha, Hawadith | Ḥáditha, pl. Ḥawádith | occurrence, event, happening; plot (of a play); incident, episode; accident, mishap |
| Hadith-i-Jabir | Ḥadíth-i-Jábir | ḥadíth collection by Jábir ibn ‘Abdu’lláh ibn ‘Amr ibn Ḥarám al-Anṣárí, a companion of Muḥammad |
| Hadiya | Ḥadiya | to remain, stay (at a place), stick (to a place) |
| Hadiya, Hadaya | Hadíya[h or t], pl. Hadáyá | gift, present, donation; offering, sacrifice. Shaykh Aḥmad al-Aḥsá’í, the leader of the Shaykhís, died near or in Hadíyah (25.534381, 38.749422, about 145 km NW of Medina) while travelling on pilgrimage to Medina. |
| Hadiy-i-Dawlat-Abadi | Hádíy-i-Dawlat-Ábádí | |
| Hadiy-i-Nahri | Hádíy-i-Nahrí | Mírzá Hádíy-i-Nahrí, uncle of Munírih Khánum, married Shamsu’ḍ-Ḍuḥá (Khurshíd Bagum) |
| Hadiy-i-Qazvini | Hádíy-i-Qazvíní | |
| Hadj | Ḥadj | loading a camel (particularly with a ḥidj (litter); charging a man with fraud |
| Hadra (Hadrat), Hazrat, Hadarat | Ḥaḍra[h or t], pl. Ḥaḍárát | (Pers. also Ḥaẓrat) presence, threshold; dignity; majesty; dominion, power; an epithet often joined with the names of the Deity; also a title by which kings and great men are addressed, similar to majesty, highness, lordship, worship. Used broadly by mystics as a synonym of ḥuḍúr, “being in the presence [of Alláh]”. Holiness (‘his excellency’ or ‘his honour’). Placed before the name of the Manifestation or other figures with a high spiritual station. |
| Hadramawt (Hadramaut), Hadhramaut | Ḥaḍramawt (Ḥaḍramút) | a region in the south of the Arabian peninsula—part of Yemen (claimed burial place of Húd) |
| Hadrami, Hadarim | Ḥaḍramí, pl. Ḥaḍárim | man from Hadhramaut; Hadhramautian (adjective) |
| Hadrat-i-A’la or Hadrat-i-‘Ala | Ḥaḍrat-i-A‘lá | “His Holiness the Most Exalted One” (a designation of the Báb) |
| Hadrat-i-Ghusnu’llahu’l-Athar | Ḥaḍrat-i-Ghuṣnu’lláhu’l-Aṭhar | “His Holiness, the Most Pure Branch of God”. Title by A. H. Ishráq-Khávarí regarding Mírzá Mihdí (“Purest Branch”). |
| Hadrat-i-Mubashshir | Ḥaḍrat-i-Mubashshir | “His holiness the Herald” |
| Hadrat-i-Walidah | Ḥaḍrat-i-Wálidah (Ḥaḍrat-i-Válidih) | (her eminence, the Mother). Form of address used by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in His letters to His mother, Ásíyih Khánum. |
| Hadratu’llah (Hazratu’llah) | Ḥaḍratu’lláh | The Lord God |
| Hafid, Ahfad, Hafada | Ḥafíd, pl. Aḥfád, Ḥafada(h | grandson; descendant, offspring, scion. Qur’án 16:74 sons (banín) and grandsons (ḥafadah) [male only] |
| Hafiz, Huffaz | Ḥáfiẓ, pl. Ḥuffáz | a keeper, preserver, guardian; a commander, governor; the Preserver of all things (God); gifted with a good memory; one who has by heart the whole Qur’án; a blind man (because such fall frequently under the preceding category); master of ḥadíth, known for the large quantity of ḥadíth expertly memorized; pen name of the greatest lyric, mystical poet of Persia, Khwája Shams ad-Dín Muḥammad Ḥáfiẓ-i-Shírází (1320–1390), author of odes in the ghazal form. The Tomb of Ḥáfiẓ and its associated memorial hall, the Ḥáfiẓih, are two memorial structures erected in the northern edge of Shíráz, in his memory. |
| Hafizu’llah | Ḥáfiẓu’lláh | “Remembrance of God” |
| Hafizu’s-Sihhih | Ḥafiẓu’ṣ-Ṣiḥḥih | Mírzá ‘Abdu’l-Rahím Khán Ḥafiẓu’ṣ-Ṣiḥḥih, Bahá’í World, vol. ix, pp. 613–4. |
| Hafs, Hafsa | Ḥafṣ, fem. Ḥafṣa[h or t] | collecting, gathering; throwing from the hand; a leathern sack with which they draw earth out of wells; a name given to ‘Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭáb by Muḥammad. Ḥafṣah bint ‘Umar, daughter of ‘Umar, married Muḥammad (625) after her husband was killed at Badr in 624. |
| Haft-Dast | Haft-Dast | Pers. seven hands |
| Haft-Sad (Haftsad) | Haft-Ṣad | Pers. (Ar. influence) 700 |
| Haft-Vadi | Haft-Vádí | “Seven Valleys” by Bahá’u’lláh written in anwer to questions from Shaykh Muḥyi’d-Dín, the Qáḍí of Khániqayn |
| Hahut | Háhút | The essence of God unmanifested. The “Hidden Mystery” or the “Hidden Treasure”, the Absolute Unknown, the Primal Oneness. Realm of the “Absolute Unknown”, where God’s essence has been hidden from time immemorial and will continue to remain so for eternity.1 See Láhút, Jabarút, Malakút, and Násút. |
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| Haja, Hajat, Hawa’ij | Ḥája[h or t], pl. Ḥáját | need; necessity, requirement, prerequisite; natural, bodily need; pressing need, neediness, poverty, indigence, destitution; object of need or desire; desire, wish, request; necessary article, requisite; matter, concern, business, job, work; thing, object;—pl. ḥawá’ij needs, necessities, necessaries; everyday objects, effects, belongings, possessions, stuff; clothes, clothing |
| Hajar | Hájar | Hagar, a former Nubian slave, and later a wife of Abraham and the mother of Ismá‘íl. Shoghi Effendi lived with his nurse Hájar Khátún until he was about 10 years old. |
| Hajar al-Aswad | al-Ḥajar al-Aswad | Pers. al-Ḥajaru’l-Aswad. the Black Stone in the eastern corner of the Ka‘ba at Mecca. Size about 160 (6.3”) × 200 (7.9”) mm. |
| Hajar, Hijarat, Ahjar, Hijar | Ḥajar, pl. Ḥijára(t), Aḥjár, Ḥijár | stone; the philosopher’s stone; weight (placed as an equipoise on the scale of a balance) |
| Hajara, Hajr, Hijran | Hajara, Hajr, Hijrán | to emigrate; to dissociate oneself, separate, part, secede, keep away |
| Haji Abad, Hajiabad, Hajjiabad | Ḥájí Ábád | Pers. a small village (34.340598, 47.351340) 25 km east of Kirmanshah. This may be the meeting place (Tadj Abad) mentioned by A. L. M. Nicolas, Essai sur le Chéikhisme, I, p. 30, and DB, p. 13. |
| Haji Baba Afshar | Ḥájí Bábá Afshár | He was one of the first medical practitioners in Írán who studied modern medicine in Europe. Although he stayed for eight years in England, he did not receive a degree. Upon return to Írán in 1819 he was the court physician under the Crown Prince, who later became Muḥammad Sháh Qájár (r. 1834–1848). He may have been an inspiration for the best-selling novels, The Adventures of Hajji Baba of Ispahan (1824) and The Adventures of Hajji Baba of Ispahan in England (1828), by James Justinian Morier. See Ílchí. |
| Haji Shah-Muhammad | Ḥájí Sháh-Muḥammad | Sháh-Muḥammad Manshadí, Amín’l-Bayán (Trustee of Ḥuqúqu’lláh) |
| Hajib, Hujjab | Ḥájib, pl. Ḥujjáb, Ḥajaba | concealing, screening, protecting; doorman, gatekeeper; court official, equivalent to a chamberlain. Classical Arabic grammarian ‘Uthmán ibn ‘Umar ibn al-Ḥájib, author of grammars ash-Sháfíya and al-Káfíya. |
| Hajibu’d-Dawla (Hajibu’d-Dawlih) | Ḥájibu’d-Dawla | grand usher. Title given to the “bloodthirsty fiend” (GPB p. 83), Ḥájí ‘Alí Khán Muqaddam Marágha’í (1807–1867). |
| Hajipur | Ḥájípúr (Ḥájí + Púr) | Pers. Mr. Jamáli’d-Dín Ḥájípúr. Also name of city in Indian state of Bihar. It is to the north of Patna. |
| Hajir | Hájir | elegant, excellent (thing); delirious, speaking foolishly or deliriously; emigrating; name of a tribe |
| Hajiyyat | Ḥájíyyát | everyday commodities, utensils, utilities, necessaries, necessities |
| Hajj, Haji (Hajji), Hajja, Hajjaj, Hajij, Hajjat | Ḥájj (Pers. Ḥájí), pl. Ḥujjáj, Ḥajíj | pilgrim; hadji; Mecca pilgrim, honorific title of one who has performed the “greater” pilgrimage to Mecca. Fem. ḥájja[h or t], pl. ḥájját. Pers. also ḥájiya[h] (“ḥájíyyih”), pl. ḥájiyán. |
| Hajj, Hijja, Hijaj | Ḥajj, fem. Ḥijja[h or t], pl. Ḥijaj | the official “greater” pilgrimage to Mecca (performed over 5 days). English hadj. Yawm al-Ḥajj al-Akbar (the day of the greater pilgrimage) understood as being on the 9th (if the evening is considered to be the next day) and 10th of Dhu’l-Ḥijjah. In AH 9 (CE 631) Muḥammad sent Abú Bakr and ‘Alí to perform the first Islamic Ḥajj al-Akbar (see Qur’án 9:3). al-Ḥajj al-Aṣghar is the minor pilgrimage performed at any time of the year. Persians use the term Ḥajj-i-Akbar (“Most Great Hajj”) whenever the ‘Id-al-Adha (10 Dhu’l-Ḥijjah) falls on an Islamic Friday as occurred for the only pilgrimage of Muḥammad in AH 10 (Sunday 8 March 632) and for the Báb in AH 1260 (Friday 20 December 1844). There is an Islamic tradition that the Qá’im will appear in a year of the Ḥajj-i-Akbar. See Yawm, the Báb and ‘umra. |
| Hajjaj | Ḥajjáj | a litigious man, a squabbler; name of the celebrated governor of Arabia and Iraq, Abú Muḥammad al-Ḥajjáj ibn Yúsuf ibn al-Ḥakam ibn ʿAqíl ath-Thaqafí |
| Hajr | Hajr | abandonment, forsaking, leaving, separation; avoidance, abstention; separation from the beloved one; hottest time of the day. Variation hijr. |
| Hajr | Ḥajr | restriction, curb(ing), check(ing), obstruction, impeding, limitation, curtailing (of something); barring, closing, debarment, preclusion; detention; blocking, confinement, containment, suppression (as a protective measure); interdiction, prohibition, ban. Pre-Islamic name of modern Riyadh (ar-Riyáḍ), capital of Saudi Arabia. |
| Hakam, Hukkam | Ḥakam, pl. Ḥukkám | arbitrator, arbiter; umpire, referee |
| Ḥakamanish | Ḥakámanish (Ḥaká + manish) | Pers. Írándukht Ḥakámanish |
| Haka, Hikaya, Hikayat | Ḥaká, fem. Ḥikáya[h or t], pl. Ḥikáyát | to tell, relate (something), report, give an account (of); to speak, talk (Syr., Leb.); to imitate, copy (something); to resemble (someone, something). Fem. story, tale, narrative, account; (grammar) literal quotation (of the words of others). |
| Hakim Abu’l-Qasim Firdawsi Tusi | Ḥakím Abu’l-Qásim Firdawsí Ṭúsí | commonly referred to as Ferdowsi, is a revered Persian poet, the author of the epic of Shahnameh (Book of Kings) |
| Hakim-Bashi | Ḥakím-Báshí | Chief physician |
| Hakim-Ilahi | Ḥakím-Iláhí | the Divine Philosopher |
| Hakim, Hakimun, Hukkam | Ḥákim, pl. Ḥákimún, Ḥukkam | ruling, governing; decisive;—pl. ruIer, sovereign; governor; judge |
| Hakim, Hukama’ | Ḥakím, pl. Ḥukamá’ | wise, judicious; wise man, sage; philosopher; physician, doctor. al-Ḥakím, the divine name for the All-Wise. |
| Hakiman | Ḥakímán | Raḥmatu’lláh Ḥakímán |
| Hakkak | Ḥakkák | a jeweller; a polisher of precious stones; a borer of pearls; a lapidary |
| Hal, Ahwal | Ḥál m. and f., pl. Aḥwál | condition, state; situation; position, status; circumstance; case; present, actuality (as opposed to future); circumstantial expression or phrase (grammar);—pl. conditions, circumstances; matters, affairs, concerns; cases; ḥála (preposition) during; immediately upon, right after; just at; in case of ..., in the event of ..., ḥálan presently, immediately, at once, right away, without delay; now, actually, at present. Pers. Ḥal-i-Shumá, (pl.) Aḥwál-i-Shumá (How are you?) |
| Hala, Halat | Ḥála[h or t] (fem. of Ḥál), pl. Ḥálát | condition, state; situation; (possible, actual) case; ḥálata (preposition) during.—pl. states, fleeting and ephemeral, of the Ṣúfí spiritual journey |
| Hala, Halat | Hála, pl. Hálát | halo (around moon or sun, also, e.g., of a saint); ring around the eye; nimbus, aureole, glory; fem. name |
| Halab | Ḥalab | milk; milking; Aleppo in Syria |
| Halabi | Ḥalabí | belonging to a milch cow; native of Aleppo; white iron, tin-plate |
| Halaku, Hulagu | Halákú, Pers. Hulágú | Hulagu Khán (c. 1217–1265). Hülegü or Hulegu (Mongolian). Grandson of Genghis Khán, conquered Baghdád (1258) and Syria (1260) |
| Halal | Ḥalál | that which is allowed, permitted or permissible; allowed, permitted, permissible, allowable, admissible, lawful, legal, licit, legitimate; lawful possession |
| Halawa | Ḥaláwa | sweetness; candies, confectionery, sweetmeats; grace, gracefulness, charm, refinement, wittiness, wit; present of money; ransom |
| Halawi | Ḥaláwí | Ḥusayn-i-Ḥaláwí |
| Halih Halih Ya Bisharat | Halih Halih Yá Bishárát | “Hallelujah, Hallelujah, O Glad-Tidings” by Bahá’u’lláh (hallilúyá, hallelujah) |
| Halim, Halima, Hulama | Ḥalím, fem. Ḥalíma(h), pl. Ḥulamá | mild, mild-tempered, gentle; patient; forbearing. Ḥalímah was Muḥammad’s foster-mother until aged 6. |
| Hallaj | Ḥalláj | cotton ginner. Manṣúr al-Ḥalláj (Abú’l-Mughíth al-Ḥusayn bin Manṣúr al-Ḥalláj) (c. 858–922) was a Persian mystic, poet and Ṣúfí teacher. His most famous ecstatic utterance, Aná al-Ḥaqq (“I am the Truth”), was taken to mean that he was claiming to be God, since al-Ḥaqq (“the Truth”) is one of the Islamic names of God. See Ṭáwásín. |
| Halliluya | Hallilúyá | hallelujah (from Hebrew) or alleluia, praise (God). Hallilúyá (praise) ash-shukr (returning thanks (to God) Alláh (God) |
| Halqa, Halaqa, Halaq, Halaqat | Ḥalqa(t), Ḥalaqa pl. Ḥalaq, Ḥalaqát | ring (also earring, etc.); link (of a chain); circle (also of people); group of students studying under a professor, hence: lecture, course (e.g., at al-Azhar University); part of a sequence or series; ringlet; disk; decade; market |
| Halqat adh-Dhahabiyya | al-Ḥalqat adh-Dhahabiyya | the golden circle |
| Ham | Ḥám | Ham, son of Noah |
| Hama, Hamw | Hamá, Hamw | to flow; to pour forth |
| Hamad | Ḥamád | Pers. a village in Mahshahr County, Khúzistán Province, Írán (may no loner exist) |
| Hamadan | Hamadán | “quelled or subsided”. Hamadán city in Írán, 144 km NE Kirmánsháh. Originally Ecbatana of the ancient Medes. |
| Hamadani | Hamadání | Badí‘ az-Zamán (“The Wonder of the Age”) al-Hamadání (969–1007) was a medieval Arabo-Persian man of letters. |
| Hamam, Hamama, Hamamat, Hama’im | Ḥamám, pl. Ḥamámát, Ḥamá’im | Ar. dove, pigeon. nomen unitatis ḥamáma(h) |
| Haman | Hamán | Pers. only, solely; self-same, all one, one and the same, even that, that very; in this manner, exactly so, thus, equally; always, continually. Name of Abraham's brother; name of Pharaoh’s vizier; name of a place in Kirmán where Sháh Ni‘matu’lláh Walí is buried |
| Hamaza, Hamz | Ḥamaza, Ḥamz | to bite, or burn, the tongue (taste) |
| Hamaza, Hamz | Hamaza, Hamz | to prick; to drive, urge on, prod, goad on (someone, something); to spur (one’s horse); (gram.) to provide with hamza (a letter or word) |
| Hamd | Ḥamd | commendation, praise, laudation |
| Hamdan | Ḥamdán | praise, one who praises (God) |
| Hamdaniyun | Ḥamdáníyún | al-Ḥamdáníyún, the Hamdanid dynasty, was a Shí‘a Muslim Arab dynasty of northern Mesopotamia and Syria (890–1004); was founded by Ḥamdán ibn Ḥamdún ibn al-Ḥárith at-Taghlibí (flourished 868–895). |
| Hamdi | al-Ḥamdí | “praise be” to God |
| Hamdu li’llah | al-Ḥamdu Li’lláh | thank God!, praise be to God! or praised be the Lord! Alhamdulillah”. A longer variant is al-ḥamdu li’lláhi rabbi al-‘álamín, meaning “all praise is due to God, Lord of all the worlds” (Qur’án 1:2) |
| Hamdu’llah | Ḥamdu’lláh | Praise of God |
| Hami | Ḥámí | a son or descendant of Ham, Hamitic |
| Hamid | Ḥámid | one who praises, a praiser |
| Hamid, Hamida (Hamidih, Hamideh) | Ḥamíd, fem. Ḥamída(t) (Pers. Ḥamídih) | praiseworthy, laudable, commendable; benign, harmless (disease) |
| Hamida | Ḥamida | to praise, commend, laud, extol (someone for something) Form II to praise highly (someone) |
| Hamidu’llah | Ḥamídu’lláh | praised by God |
| Hamma, Hammayat | Ḥamma[h or t], pl. Ḥammayát | fever or hot spring. al-Ḥamma was a Palestinian Arab village 12 km SE of Tiberias, famous for its hot springs (on the south side of the village), which are considered therapeutic due to their high sulphur content. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited the springs in 1914. The village was depopulated in July 1949. In 1977 the health resort of Hamat Gader, “hot springs of (the ancient city of) Gadara”, opened on the site of al-Ḥamma as-Súriyá (“the Syrian ḥamma”) hot springs (32.683087, 35.662995). |
| Hamma, Humma | Ḥamma | heat, make hot (something); passive ḥumma to be feverish, have a fever. Root of Ḥamma[h or t], Ḥumma[h or t]. |
| Hammad (Hamad) | Ḥammád | much praising (God) |
| Hammal, Hammala | Ḥammál, fem. Ḥammála[h or t] | (pl. ḥammálún) a porter, carrier of burdens. Fem. (carrier) beam, girder, support, base, post, pier, pillar; suspenders. |
| Hammam | Hammám | careworn, worried; anxious, solicitous; eager, active, energetic |
| Hammam, Hammamat | Ḥammám, pl. Ḥammámát | (vulgate ḥamám) (warm or hot) bath; a Turkish bath; swimming pool; spa, watering place (public baths). Error: Bahá’í writings may omit the underdot. |
| Hamsaya (Hamsayih), Hamsayagan | Hamsáya (Hamsáyih), pl. Hamsáyagán | Pers. under the same shade, i.e. neighbouring, neighbour |
| Hamza, Hamazat | Hamza(h or t), pl. Hamazát | Arabic glottal stop consonant that is pronounced as an a. Since a hamza is not actually a letter, it is sometimes counted as an a, and sometimes it is disregarded. Thus, the abjad value of Bahá’ (the hamza is usually dropped) can be read as either eight or nine. |
| Hamza (Hamzeh) | Ḥamza(h or t) | the herb rocket. Muḥammad’s uncle, Ḥamzah ibn ‘Abdu’l-Muṭṭalib. |
| Hana | Ḥaná | to bend, curve, twist, turn; to lean, incline (toward someone); to feel for someone, sympathize (with someone), commiserate, pity (someone), feel compassion, feel pity (for someone) |
| Hana-Sab (Hina-Saz) | Ḥaná-Sáb | loosely, the “henna maker”, Ḥiná-Sáz. Muḥammad-i-Ḥaná-Sáb. |
| Hanbali, Hanabilat | Ḥanbalí, pl. Ḥanábila(t) | Hanbalitic, of or pertaining to the madhab of Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal; puritanical, strict in religious matters. A system of traditional Sunní jurisprudence—smallest of the four (the Ḥanafí, the Ḥanbalí, the Málikí and the Sháfi‘í) |
| Hanafi, Hanafyun | Ḥanafí, pl. Hanafyún, Ḥunafá’ | orthodox. One of the four (the Ḥanafí, the Ḥanbalí, the Málikí and the Sháfi‘í) religious Sunní Islamic schools of jurisprudence (fiqh). It is named after the scholar Abú Ḥanífa an-Nu‘man ibn Thábit. |
| Hanafiya, Hanafiyya | Ḥanafíya(t), Ḥanafiyya(t) | true religion, orthodoxy |
| Hanbal | Ḥanbal | Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal |
| Hani, Hani’a | Háni’, fem. Háni’a(h) | happy, delighted, glad; servant; fem. servant girl, maid |
| Hani’ | Haní’ | healthful, salutary, salubrious, wholesome, beneficial; pleasant, agreeable; easy, smooth, comfortable |
| Hanif, Hunafa’ | Ḥaníf, pl. Ḥunafá’ | true believer, orthodox; one who scorns the false creeds surrounding him and professes the true religion; true (religion) |
| Hanifa | Ḥanífa(h) | al-ḥanífa as-samḥá’ the true and tolerant (religion, i.e., Islám). Ḥanífih (Pers. form) |
| Hanifiya | al-Ḥanífíya(h) | the true (i.e., Islamic) religion |
| Hanza | Hanzá | village in Kirman Province, Írán (also known as Hamzá). About 110 km south of Kirmán. |
| Hanzal (Handal), Hanzala | Ḥanẓal, fem. Ḥanẓala[h or t] | (collective noun; nomen unitatis ة) colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis). Also called a wild gourd, bitter apple and bitter cucumber. Ḥanḍal and ḥanḍala are dialect variations. Ḥanḍala is the name given to a Palestinian cartoon defiance symbol. Pre-Islamic Christian, Ḥanẓala ibn Abí Ghafráy-i-Ṭá’i‘ (SDC pp. 48–51). Ḥanẓala ibn Abí ‘Ámir (c. 601–625), son of Abú Amír al-Asharí), a companion of Muḥammad, entitled Ghasíl al-Malá’ika (“the one cleansed by the angels”); father of ‘Abdu’lláh ibn Ḥanẓala. In the Lawḥ-i-Sarráj, Mírzá Yaḥyá, the “one time ‘Blessed Fruit’” (thamara ṭúba), whose rejection of Bahá’u’lláh is said have transformed him into a mere ḥanẓal. |
| HaParsim | HaParsim | Hebrew. Rechov HaParsim “Street of the Persians”. House of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is 7 Rechov HaParsim. |
| Haqiq, Ahiqqa’ | Ḥaqíq, pl. Aḥiqqá’ | worthy, deserving (of something), fit, competent, qualified; entitled (to) |
| Haqiqa, Haqa'iq, Haqiqatan | Ḥaqíqa[h or t], pl. Ḥaqá’iq | truth, reality (also philosophy); fact; the true state of affairs, the facts; true nature, essence; real meaning, true sense; the object of the mystic searcher (ṣúfí). ḥaqíqatan really, in reality, in effect, actually, in fact, indeed, truly, in truth. Ḍíyá’u’lláh Ḥaqíqat (1928–1978), a Persian Bahá’í, born in the village of Khána Kahdán, and martyred in Jahrum. |
| Haqiqatu’l-Haqa’iq | Ḥaqíqatu’l-Ḥaqá’iq | reality of realities or truth of truths |
| Haqiqi | Ḥaqíqí | real, true; actual; proper, intrinsic, essential; genuine; authentic; positive |
| Haqq (Haq, Hagh), Huquq | Ḥaqq, Pers. also Ḥaq, pl. Ḥuqúq | truth; correctness, rightness; rightful possession; property; ones due; duty; proper manner; true, authentic, real; right, fair and reasonable; correct, sound, valid; al-Ḥaqq an attribute of God;—pl. right, title, claim, legal claim. Persian: name of a bird said to suspend itself by the claws at night and continually to cry ḥaq ḥaq. |
| Haqq, Haqqa | Ḥáqq, fem. Ḥáqqa[h or t] | middle of anything; that which sorts out truth from falsehood; that which is inevitable (an epithet of the Day of Judgement). Qur’án 69. The Sure Reality or the Reality |
| Haqqa | Ḥaqqa[h or t] | (fem. of ḥaqq) to be true, turn out to be true, be confirmed; to be right, correct; (also passive ḥuqqa) to be necessary, obligatory, requisite |
| Haq-guy (Haq-goy, Haqguy) | Ḥaq-gúy (Ḥaqgúy) | Pers. (Ar. influence) speaking truth (“truth speaker”); the essence of a thing; name of a bird that hangs by a tree and vociferates all night |
| Haq-shinas (Haqshinas) | Ḥaq-shinás (Ḥaqshinás) | Pers. knowing and performing one’s duty; rendering to everyone his due; able to appreciate; grateful (“truth-knower”) |
| Haqqa (Haqqah or Haqqat) | Ḥáqqa[h] or Ḥáqqa[t] | that which sorts out truth from falsehood; that which is inevitable (an epithet of the Day of Judgement). Qur’án 69. The Sure Reality or the Reality |
| Haqqan | Ḥaqqan | really, in reality, in effect, actually, in fact, indeed, truly, in truth; justly, rightly, by rights |
| Haqqani | Ḥaqqání | correct, right, proper, sound, valid, legitimate, legal |
| Haqqu’llah, Huququ’llah | Ḥaqqu’lláh, pl. Ḥuqúqu’lláh | “Right of God” |
| Hara | Hará[h or t] | Herat (city in NW Afghánistán) |
| Haraka, Harakat | Ḥaraka[h or t], pl. Harakát | movement, motion; commotion; physical exercise; stirring, impulse; proceeding, procedure, policy; action, undertaking, enterprise; military operation; continuation, progress; traffic (rail, shipping, street); movement (as a social phenomenon); vowel (grammar) |
| Haram ash-Sharif | al-Ḥaram ash-Sharíf | “the Noble Sanctuary” or Temple Mount in Jerusalem |
| Haram-i-Aqdas | Ḥaram-i-Aqdas | Most Holy Sanctuary or Precincts, i.e. the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh in the Jannat-i-Abhá (Abhá paradise) (according to Shoghi Effendi) and the surrounding gardens at Bahjí. |
| Haram-i-Fatimih-i-Ma’sumih | Ḥaram-i-Fáṭimih-i-Ma‘ṣúmih | Pers. form of Ḥaram (Shrine of) Fáṭima al-Ma‘ṣúma (34.641822, 50.879045), sister of Imám ‘Alí ar-Riḍá (8th Imám), in Qum, Írán. See Ma‘ṣúm. |
| Haram, Ahram | Ḥaram, dual Ḥaramayn, pl. Aḥrám | forbidden, prohibited, interdicted; taboo; holy, sacred, sacrosanct; something sacred, sacred object; sacred possession; wife; sanctum, sanctuary, sacred precinct; the two Holy Places, Mecca and Medina, and thálith al-ḥaramayn the third Holy Place, i.e., Jerusalem. The sacred sanctuary at Mecca where no blood may be spilled, and the four months with the same sanction in the Arabic calendar. Fort Antonia or “Temple Mount” in Jerusalem is also known by Muslims (in the belief that it is the site of the Jewish Temples) as al-Ḥaram ash-Sharíf, “the Noble Sanctuary”, or al-Ḥaram al-Qudsí ash-Sharíf, “the Noble Sanctuary of Jerusalem”. Compare with Ḥill. |
| Haram, Ahram | Haram, pl. Ahrám, Ahrámát | pyramid. al-Ahrám (“The Pyramids”) (5 August 1875–) is the most widely circulating Egyptian daily newspaper, and the second oldest after al-Waqá’i‘ al-Maṣriyyah. It is majority owned by the Egyptian government. |
| Haram, Hurum | Ḥarám, pl. Ḥurum | forbidden, interdicted, prohibited, unlawful; something forbidden, offense, sin; inviolable, taboo; sacred, sacrosanct; cursed, accursed. Ḥarám is a variation of Ḥaram. |
| Haramayn (Haramain) | al-Ḥaramayn | (dual pl. form of Ḥaram, sanctuary) “The Two Holy Places” or “The Two Sanctuaries”, traditional Islamic appellations of the two holy cities of Islam, Mecca and Medina. The “Twin Sacred Shrines” now refers to the places in Shíráz where the Báb was born (house of His uncle, Ḥájí Mírzá Siyyid ‘Alí) and where He made His public declaration (House of the Báb). |
| Harat (Herat) | Harát | city (30.055184, 54.372201) in Írán, 180 km ENE Shíráz. Also the third largest city in Afghánistán. |
| Harati | Harátí | from Harát (Herat), Írán |
| Harawi, Hirawi | Harawí | from Herat, Afghánistán |
| Harb, Hurub | Ḥarb fem., pl. Ḥurúb | war, warfare; fight, combat, battle; enemy, enemies |
| Harf-i-Baqa | Ḥarf-i-Baqá | “Letter of Eternity” |
| Harf, Hiraf, Huruf, Ahruf | Ḥarf, pl. Ḥiraf, Ḥurúf, Aḥruf | (cutting) edge (of a knife, of a sword); sharp edge; border, edge, rim, brink, verge;—(pl. ḥurúf, aḥruf) letter; consonant; particle (grammar); type (typography) |
| Harfi | Ḥarfí | literal |
| Hargah (Har-gah) | Hargáh | Pers. whenever, wherever; constantly |
| Harir, Hara’ir | Ḥarír, pl. Ḥará’ir | silk;—pl. silken wares, silks |
| Hariri | Ḥarírí | silken, silky, of silk. Abú Muḥammad al-Qásim ibn ‘Alí ibn Muḥammad ibn Uthmán al-Ḥarírí, popularly known as al-Hariri of Basra (1054–1122) was an Arab poet, scholar of the Arabic language and a high government official of the Seljuk Empire. |
| Harith, Haritha, Hurrath | Ḥárith, fem. Ḥáritha[h], pl. Ḥurráth | ploughman, cultivator, farmer. Banú al-Ḥárith Jewish tribe of Arabia. Naḍr-ibn-i-Ḥárith : religious leader during the time of Muḥammad. Ubaydah ibn al-Ḥárith (c. 562–624) was a cousin and a companion of Muḥammad. Zayd ibn Ḥárithah (c. 581–629) a companion of Muḥammad and adopted as his son. He is the only Muslim apart from Muḥammad who is mentioned by name (as Zayd) in the Qur’án (33:37). |
| Harj | Harj | excitement, agitation, commotion; disorder, muddle, confusion. Harj can be interpreted as “killing”. |
| Harra, Harrat | Ḥarra[h or t], pl. Ḥarrát | stony area; volcanic country, lava field. The Battle of al-Ḥarra (Yawm al-Ḥarra, “the day of al-Harra”) was fought between the Syrian army of the Umayyad caliph Yazíd I (r. 680–683) led by Muslim ibn ‘Uqba and the local defenders of Medina who had rebelled against the caliph. The battle occurred at the lava field of Ḥarrat Wáqim (Black stone land of Waqim to the east of Medina) in the northeastern outskirts of Medina on 26 August 683. Ḥarrat Raháṭ is a large volcanic lava field located south of Medina and extending 300 km south. It has a number of volcanic cones. In CE 1256 a lava flow travelled to within 4 km of Medina. |
| Harran, Harra, Hirar, Harara | Ḥarrán, fem. Ḥarrá, pl. Ḥirár, Ḥarárá | thirsty; passionate, fervent, hot (figurative). Ḥarrán (once the major ancient Parthian Empire city of Carrhae in Upper Mesopotamia; now Türkiye), 40 km SE of Urfa (officially Şanlıurfa, ancient Edessa) and 100 km north of ar-Raqqah (Syria). See Battání. |
| Harun, Arina (Arna) | Hárún, fem. Arnína | Aaron (Hebrew אהרון, Ahrwn); chief, leader; a messenger, courier; helplessness, indigence; astonishment; amazement. Fem. Arnína (ארנינה, Arnính), can be shortened to Arna. |
| Harun-Abad | Hárún-Ábád | now Islám-Ábád-i-Gharb, Írán |
| Harunu’r-Rashid | Hárúnu’r-Rashíd | Aaron the Just. Fifth Abbasid Caliph. See Zubayda. |
| Harut | Hárút | name of an angel, who, together with another named Márút (Qur’án 2:102), having severely censured mankind before the throne of God, was sent with him down to earth in human shapes to judge of the temptations to which man is subject. They could not withstand them: they were seduced by women, and committed every kind of iniquity; for which they were suspended by the feet in a well in Babylon, where they are to remain in great torment till the day of judgement. They are said to be teachers of magic to man. See Márút |
| Hasan-‘Ali | Ḥasan-‘Alí | Siyyid Mírzá Ḥasan-‘Alí, youngest maternal uncle of the Báb |
| Hasan-‘Amu Murtada | Ḥasan-‘Amú Murtaḍá | (MF) |
| Hasan-Abad (Hasanabad) | Ḥasan Ábád | an old and historical area (District 3) to the north side of Ṭihrán (35.769492, 51.432398). A town (also known as Ḥasanábád-i-Fasháfúyih) in Rayy County, Tehran Province (3rd stop from Ṭihrán for Bahá’u’lláh’s exile to Baghdád) |
| Hasan-i-‘Ammu | Ḥasan-i-‘Ammú | |
| Hasan-i-Hakim-Bashi | Ḥasan-i-Ḥakím-Báshí | |
| Hasan-i-Khurasani | Ḥasan-i-Khurásání | |
| Hasan-i-Mazindarani | Ḥasan-i-Mázindarání | |
| Hasan-i-Niku | Ḥasan-i-Níkú | |
| Hasan-i-Safa | Ḥasan-i-Ṣafá | |
| Hasan-i-Vazir | Ḥasan-i-Vazír | |
| Hasan-i-Zunuzi | Ḥasan-i-Zunúzí | |
| Hisan | Ḥasan (حسان), pl. Ḥisán | (masculine) beautiful, handsome, lovely; pretty, nice; good, agreeable; excellent, superior, exquisite. Ḥasan is the name of the second Imám. Compare Ḥassán. |
| Hasana, Hasanat | Ḥasana[h or t] (حسنة), pl. Ḥasanát | (feminine of Ḥasan) good deed, benefaction; charity, alms; pl. advantages, merits. |
| Hasani | Ḥasaní | of Ḥasaní, descendant of Ḥasan |
| Hasanzadih-Shakiri | Ḥasanzádih-Shákirí | (Ḥasan-i-Zádih-Shákirí) |
| Hashara, Hashr | Ḥashara, Ḥashr | 1. to gather, assemble, rally (people), raising from the dead; to cram, crowd, pack, jam (together); to squeeze, press, force, stuff. 2. migration, evacuation, exile. |
| Hashim | Háshim | breaker of bread into a broth; surname of an ancestor (Háshim ibn ‘Abd Manáf al-Mughírah, great grandfather) of Muḥammad, on account of his providing broth to the poor at the time of a great famine. The Banú-Háshim were Muḥammad’s ancestors, a tribal group in southern Arabia. From ‘hashama’, “to destroy or smash to pieces”. |
| Hashimi | Háshimí, pl. Háshimíyún | Hashemite, member of the Banú-Háshim |
| Hashish, Hasha’ish | Ḥashísh, pl. Ḥashá’ish | herbs, grasses; weeds; hay; hemp (Cannabis sativa), hashish, cannabis; stillborn child. Known by many names in Persia: ‘Parrot of all mysteries’, plain ‘Mysteries’; ‘Secrets’ or ‘Master Sayyid’—it being green, and the Sayyids, descendants of the Prophet, wear a turban as green as parrot feathers. An ode of Ḥáfiẓ which must have puzzled translators is addressed to hashish and begins, ‘O thou parrot, speaker of secrets, may thy beak never lack for sugar!’ Summon up remembrance, p. 87. |
| Hashishi, Hashishiyya, Hashishiyyin | Ḥashíshí | (e.g.) sap-green, reseda green (RGB 108, 124, 89; CMYK 13, 0, 28, 51)—a standard colour whose name derives from the colour of the leaves of Reseda odorata, commonly known as mignonette;—pl. Ḥashíshiyya or Ḥashíshiyyín (Pers. Ḥashashiyan) known in English (due to a mispronunciation) as the Assassins, and applied to a Nizárí Ismá‘ílí sect who lived in the mountains of Persia and Syria (1090–1275). See Asás. |
| Hashiya, Hawashin | Ḥashiya, pl. Ḥawashin | border; seam, hem; edge; margin (of a book); marginal gives; marginal notes; commentary on certain words and passages of a book, supercommentary; footnote; postscript; retinue, entourage, suite, servants; dependents;—pl. critical apparatus |
| Hashshash, Hashshashun, Hashshashin | Ḥashshásh, pl. Ḥashsháshún | smoker or chewer of hashish. hashish addict. Plural also Ḥashsháshín. See Asás. |
| Hasht | Hasht | eight |
| Hasht Bihisht | Hasht Bihisht | The eight paradises by Shaykh Aḥmad-i-Rúḥí |
| Hashtjird, Hashtgird (Savujbulagh) | Hashtjird, Hashtgird | city and capital of Sávujbulagh County in Alborz Province, Írán. 27 km NW of Karaj |
| Hashtrud (Hashtrood) | Hashtrúd | (also known as Ádharán, Saráskand, Sar Eskand, Sar Eskandar, and Sar Eskand Khan) is a city (93 km SE Tabríz) and capital of Hashtrud County, East Azerbaijan Province, Írán |
| Hasib, Husaba’ | Ḥasíb, pl. Ḥusabá | respected, esteemed; noble, of noble birth, highborn. Also a revenger or resenter of an injury; a reckoner (al-Ḥasíb a name of God). |
| Hassan | Ḥassán (حسَّان) | beautifier, doer of good, benefactor. Ḥassán ibn Thábit (c. 563–674) was an Arabian poet and a Ṣaḥába, hence he was best known for his poems in defence of Muḥammad. Compare Ḥasan. |
| Hast | Hast | Pers. is, exists, remains; existence, being. hastam (I am), hastí (you are), hast (he, she, it is), hastím (we are), hastíd (you are), hastand (they are) |
| Hasur | Ḥaṣúr | close, confinement, avaricious; chaste |
| Hasuri | Ḥaṣúrí | Rúḥu’lláh Ḥaṣúrí |
| Hatib | Ḥátib | wood cutter. Ḥáṭib ibn Abí-Balta‘ah was a ṣaḥábí (companion), a veteran of the Battle of Badr, who carried a letter to Muqawqis, an Egyptian Coptic Christian official. He returned (CE 628) with gifts, including two slaves, Máríah al-Qibṭíyah (see Qibṭí) and her sister Shírín. Muhammad married Máríah. The Maqawqis also sent a white mule, named Duldul, and a donkey named Ya‘fúr. |
| Hatif, Hawatif | Hátif, pl. Hawátif | shouting, calling loudly; (in earlier Sufism) invisible caller, voice;—pl. telephone; loudspeaker; exclamations, shouts, cries, calls. Siyyid Aḥmad Hátif Iṣfahání (d. 1783), a famous Iranian poet of the 18th century. He wrote: Split the atom’s heart, and lo! Within it thou wilt find a sun. Quoted by Bahá’u’lláh, The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys in Call of the Divine Beloved, p. 8. |
| Hatim at-Ta’i, Hatim-i-Ta’i | Ḥátim aṭ-Ṭá’í, Pers. Ḥátim-i-Ṭá’í | Arab poet known for his generosity/liberality. Also transcripted as Ḥátim aṭ-Ṭáyy (“Hatim al-Tai” or “Hatim al-Taaey”), Ḥátim of the Ṭáyy or Ṭá’í tribe, but formally Ḥátim bin ‘Abdu’lláh bin Sa‘d aṭ-Ṭá’iyy. The nisba (patronymic) of Ṭayy is aṭ-Ṭá’í. |
| Hatim, Hatam | Ḥátim, Pers. Ḥátam | Arab poet known for his generosity/liberality. Also transcripted as Ḥátim aṭ-Ṭáyy (“Hatim at-Tai” or “Hatim at-Taaey”), Ḥátim of the Ṭáyy or Ṭá’í tribe, but formally Ḥátim bin ‘Abdu’lláh bin Sa‘d aṭ-Ṭá’iyy. The nisba (patronymic) of Ṭayy is aṭ-Ṭá’í. |
| Hatta | Ḥattá | (preposition) until, till, up to, as far as; (conjugated with perfect) until, so that; (with subjunctive) until, that, so that, in order that |
| Hattab | Ḥaṭṭáb | wood gatherer; wood-cutter, lumberjack; vendor of firewood |
| Hattin | Haṭṭín | Qurún Haṭṭín “The Horns of Hattin” (7 km west of Tiberias) is an extinct volcano with twin peaks overlooking the plains of Hattin, Israel. It is the “supposed” site of the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered his Sermon on the Mount. The Battle of Hattin (Ma‘rakah Haṭṭín or the Battle of the Horns of Hattin) on 4 July 1187, was between the Crusader states of the Levant and the forces of the Ayyubid Sulṭán Ṣaláḥ ad-Dín. The Muslim armies captured or killed the vast majority of the Crusader forces. As a result, Muslims again became the eminent military power in the Holy Land, re-conquering Jerusalem and many other Crusader-held cities. Two years later these Christian defeats prompted the Third Crusade. |
| Hawari, Hawariyyun (“Hawariyun”) | Ḥawárí, pl. Ḥawáriyyún | disciple, apostle (but not a Rasúl) (of Jesus Christ); disciple, follower. الْحَوَارِيُّونَ—the disciples in Qur’án 3:52. |
| Hawd (Haud), Ahwad, Hiyad | Ḥawḍ, pl. Aḥwáḍ, Ḥiyáḍ | basin; water basin; trough, tank, cistern, reservoir, container; basin of a river or sea; pool; (in the Egyptian irrigation system) a patch of land surrounded by dikes, flooded by high water of the Nile; pond; (garden) bed; dock; pl. (ḥiyāḍ) ground, area, domain (to be protected), sanctum |
| Hawda (Hauda) | Ḥawḍa | Pers. basin, a basin-shaped litter to ride in upon an elephant |
| Hawdaj (Haudaj, Houdaj) | Hawdaj, pl. Hawádij | camel litter or bed, howdah (from Hindi); sedan chair, litter. Carried by a camel, mule, horse or elephant for travelling purposes. |
| Hawl (Haul), Ahwal, Hu’ul | Hawl, pl. Ahwál, Hu’úl | terror, fright, alarm, shook, horror, dismay; power |
| Hawran (Hauran, Houran) | Ḥawrán | the Hauran, a mountainous plateau in SW Syria and N Jordan. The Druze of the area. |
| Hawz (Hauz), Ahwaz (Ahvaz) | Ḥawz, pl. Aḥwáz, Pers. also Aḥváz | possession, holding, tenure; obtainment, attainment, acquisition; taking possession, occupation, occupancy; (jurisprudence) tenancy;—pl. enclosed area, enclosure; precinct(s), boundary, city limits. al-Aḥwáz, city in south-west Írán, 460 km SE of Baghdád. |
| Hawza (Hauza) | Ḥauza(h or t) | possession, holding, tenure; property; area, territory |
| Hawzah ‘Ilmiyah | Ḥawzah ‘Ilmíyah | is a seminary where Shí‘a Muslim scholars are educated |
| Haya, Hayawat | Ḥayá(h or t), pl. Ḥayawát | life, existence; life-blood; liveliness animation |
| Hayat-i-Bagh | Ḥayát-i-Bágh | land was purchased in ‘Udláján district 12 of Ṭihrán (35.680768, 51.429470; east of the Gulistan Palace) in 1800 by Mírzá Buzurg-i-Núrí. A house completed in 1802 was called Saráy-i-Naw Sákht (“The newly built House”). It was later known as Ḥayát-i-Bágh (“Garden life”) and the House of Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’u’lláh’s father later added six more houses. He was forced to sell them about 1835. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá later purchased an enclave of Bahá’í homes around a large garden (same?) and it was named Ḥayát-i-Bágh. |
| Hayat-Quli Khan | Ḥayát-Qulí Khán | Governor of Karand and a member of the ‘Alíyu’lláhí, a sect that equates Imám ‘Alí with God. |
| Hayawan, Hayawanat | Ḥayawán, pl. Ḥayawánát | animal, beast; (collectively) animals, living creatures. Alternative spelling: ḥaywán (haiwan), etc. |
| Hayawaniya | Ḥayawáníya(h or t) | bestiality; animality, animal nature. Alternative spelling ḥayawán (haiawan). |
| Haydar (Haidar) | Ḥaydar | Pers. a lion; a proper name |
| Haydar-‘Ali | Ḥaydar-‘Alí, Ḥájí Mírzá | noted early Bahá’í, born into Shaykhí family of Iṣfahán. Known as the “Angel of Carmel”. |
| Haydari | Ḥaydarí | Pers. of or belonging to Ḥaydar; an adherent of Quṭb ad-Dín Ḥaydar, the founder of the Ḥaydaríya mystic sect. |
| Haydariya (Haydariyya) | Ḥaydaríya | Persian Sufi mendicant, mystical order known for their celibacy and mortification of the flesh through piercing their bodies with iron rings (cannabis was used to deaden the pain). Compare with the Ni‘matu’lláhí sufi order. |
| Hayf (Haif) | Ḥayf | (pun on the name Haifa) Pers. practising injustice; injustice, violence, oppression; revenge; a pity; alas! what a pity |
| Hayfa’ (Haifa’) | Ḥayfá’ | Haifa. Hefa or Hepha in Hebrew. |
| Hayiya, Hayya, Yahya | Hayiya, Ḥayya, Yaḥyá (Ḥayáh) | to live; ḥayya to live to see, experience, witness (something), live (through a time) |
| Haykal (Haikal), Hayakil | Haykal, pl. Hayákil | temple; large building, edifice; altar; skeleton; framework (of a structure), frame; chassis (of an automobile); colossal, gigantic, huge. Broader definition from: a figure, image, face, form, stature or shape of the body; a long or tall horse; anything large-sized; a giant; a tall plant; a temple of idolaters; a palace, stately edifice; a Christian church; a monastery; an amulet or talisman inscribed with magic figures, hung round the body, as a defence against fascination or misfortune. The haykal (as used by the Báb) represents the temple of a human being, the Perfect Man (the Manifestation of the names and attributes of God). Hence, men are called the “possessors of the pentagram (haykal)” because the Manifestation of the names and attributes of God is enshrined within the heart of each individual. See dá’ira. |
| Haykalu’t-tawhid | Haykalu’t-tawḥíd | “posture of unity”, or freely translated as cross-legged |
| Hayra (Haira) | Ḥayra(h or t) | confusion, perplexity, bewilderment, embarrassment, helplessness, embarrassed, at a loss, helpless |
| Hayran (Hairan), Hayara, Huyara | Ḥayrán, f. Ḥayrá, pl. Ḥayárá, Ḥuyárá | confused, perplexed, startled, dismayed, disconcerted, baffled, Nonplused, bewildered, appalled, taken aback, stunned; embarrassed, at a loss, at one’s wit’s end; uncertain, helpless, sheepish (smile, etc.), confused, incoherent (words, and the like) |
| Haytham (Haitham) | Haytham | young eagle. Abú ‘Alí al-Ḥasan ibn al-Ḥasan ibn al-Haytham (c. 965–c. 1040), Muslim Arab scientist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher. Known in the West as Alhazen or Alhacen. Author of Kitáb al-Manáẓir (The Book of Optics). |
| Hayula, Hayyula | Hayúlá, Hayyúlá | primordial matter; matter; substance |
| Hayy | Ḥayy, pl. Aḥyá’ | living, live, alive; lively, lusty, animated, active, energetic, unbroken, undaunted, undismayed; living being, organism; tribe, tribal community; block of apartment houses; section, quarter or neighbourhood (of a city). al-Ḥayy, divine name the Ever-Living. e.g. al-Ḥayy al-Manyal (El Manial district) of Cairo. |
| Hayyan | Ḥayyán | lively, energetic. Abú Músá Jábir ibn Hayyán (Geber) |
| Hazar (Hizar), Hazaran | Hazár, pl. Hazárán | Pers. a thousand; a bird called the thousand voices, having an uncommon variety of melodious notes, a species of nightingale; a term employed in the game of nard. Hazár dara (“thousand valleys”), a barren area of conical hillocks to the east of Iṣfahán. |
| Hazara (Hizara, Hizarih) | Hazára | Pers. a double flower; a divided stream or water jet; name of a tribe of Afghans. |
| Hazir, Haziran | Ḥáẓir, pl. Ḥáẓirán | present, at hand, ready, prepared; at the service of, willing, content; (in grammar) the present tense; the second person; a large tribe;—pl. the people present, the audience. See ḥáḍir |
| Hazira, Haza’ir | Ḥaẓíra[h or t], pl. Ḥaẓá’ir | enclosure, railing, fence, palisade, hedge; compound, yard, pound, pinfold; corral, pen, paddock, coop; hangar, shed; field, domain, realm (figurative). Pers. a city, a fixed residence. |
| Haziratu’l-Quds, Haza’iru’l-Quds | Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, pl. Ḥaẓá’iru’l-Quds | Sacred Fold or Paradise. al- used in transcription, but not in Persian script. Title (sometimes shortened to Ḥaẓíra) given to Bahá’í administrative headquarters owned by the Bahá’ís—local, regional and national. If rented it is a Bahá’í Centre. |
| Hiba, Hibat | Hiba(t), pl. Hibát | gift, present, donation, grant |
| Hibatu’llah | Hibatu’lláh | gift from God |
| Hibb, Ahbab | Ḥibb, pl. Aḥbáb, Ḥababa[h or t] | darling, dear, dearest (one), lover, friend |
| Hidayat (Hedayat) | Hidáya[t] | guidance, showing the way and guiding in the right path to the goal of perfection. Riḍá Qulí Khán Hidáyat (1800–1871), Persian literary historian, administrator, and poet of the Qájár period. |
| Hidayatu’llah | Hidáyatu’lláh | Guidance of God |
| Hidayatu’t-Taliban (Hidayatu’t-Talibin) | Hidáyatu’ṭ-Ṭálibán | Pers. “Guidance for students”, by Ḥájí Mírzá Muḥammad Karím Khán Kirmání |
| Hidj, Huduj, Ahday | Ḥidj, pl. Ḥudúj, Aḥdáj | load, burden, encumbrance; a camel’s litter in which women ride |
| Hifz | Ḥifẓ | preservation; maintenance, sustentation, conservation, upholding; protection, defense, guarding; custody, safekeeping, keeping, storage; retention; observance, compliance (with); memorizing, memorization; memory; (jurisprudence) discontinuance, stay, suspension (of legal action, of a judicial investigation); expert mastery of ḥadíth (including expert memorization of a large number thereof. See ḥáfiẓ. |
| Hija’i | Hijá’í | alphabetical; satiric. Modern dictionaries and other reference books use the hijá’í order of the letters where the Arabic letters are partially grouped together by similarity of shape. |
| Hijab | Ḥijáb, pl. Ḥujub, Aḥjiba | cover, wrap, drape; curtain; woman’s veil, head scarf; screen, partition, folding screen; barrier, bar; diaphragm. A veil that covers the head and chest. |
| Hijaz | Ḥijáz | prohibiting, keeping asunder; a barrier, or anything similar, by which two things are separated; a rope; one of the principal musical modes or styles of the Persians. al-Ḥijáz (Hejaz, “the barrier”) is a region in the west of present-day Saudi Arabia. It is bordered on the west by the Red Sea, on the north by Jordan, on the east by Najd, and on the south by Asir. |
| Hijazi, Hijazun | Ḥijází, pl. Ḥijázūn | of or pertaining to Hejaz; an inhabitant of Hejaz; the 7th century dialect of Arabic of the Hejaz was selected as the basis of classical or Qur’anic Arabic. The mother tongue of the Prophet Muḥammad was Arabic, and He spoke using the dialect of the Quraysh tribe, the people of Makkah in the Ḥijáz region. |
| Hijr | Ḥijr | forbidden, interdicted, prohibited; northern wall of the Ka‘ba; lap; mare. Name of chapter 15 of the Qur’án (from 15:80, which refers to the rocky country of the Thamúd tribe to the north of al-Madínah) and translated as “rocky tract”. For al-Ḥijr, see Madá’in Ṣáliḥ |
| Hijra | Hijra(h) | departure, exit; emigration, exodus; immigration to; al-Hijra (the Hegira), the emigration of the Prophet Muḥammad from Mecca to Medina in AD 622 and start of Islamic calendar (assumed to be 15 July 622). |
| Hijri | Hijrí | of the Hegira pertaining to Muḥammad’s emigration in CE 622. A year (sana) of the Hegira, a year of the Muslim era (beginning with Muḥammad’s emigration. Muslim lunar calendar. |
| Hijriya | Hijríya | Muslim era, after the Hegira, until the end of the time of the Imams in CE 873 (AH 260), i.e. 260 years |
| Hikaya, Hikayat | Ḥikáya[h or t], pl. Ḥikáyát | story, tale, narrative, account; (grammar) literal quotation (of the words of others) |
| Hikma, Hikam | Ḥikma[h or t], pl. Ḥikam | prudence and wisdom, philosophy |
| Hikmat-i-Ishraqi | Ḥikmat-i-Ishráqí | (Hekmat-i-Eshrakieh)—a system of old philosophies |
| Hila, Hiyal, Ahayil | Ḥíla, pl. Ḥiyal, Aḥáyíl | artifice, ruse, stratagem, manoeuver, subterfuge, wile, trick; device, shift; a means to accomplish an end; expedient, makeshift, dodge, way-out; legal stratagem (for the purpose of in fraudem legis agere (in circumvention of the rules of law) |
| Hilal, Ahilla, Ahalil | Hilál, pl. Ahilla(h), Ahálíl | new moon; half-moon, crescent; parenthesis; any crescent-shaped object |
| Hilali | Hilálí | lunar; crescent-shaped, lunate, sickle-shaped |
| Hill | Ḥill | Pers. being lawful; a lawful thing; the dissolution of an oath; doffing the pilgrim’s garb; a butt or mark for archers |
| Hill, Hillin | Ḥill, Ḥillin | he was free to ..., he was at liberty to ...; he had free disposal of .... The unprotected area (outside the Sanctuary) and the unprotected months. Compare with Ḥaram. |
| Hilla, Hillih | Ḥilla[h or t] | wway station, stopping place, stop, stopover; encampment; absolution (Christian); dispensation (Christian). al-Ḥillah (or al-Ḥilla) city (32.474383, 44.423853) in central ‘Iráq on the river Euphrates, 100 km south of Baghdád. Iṣfahání Persian Ḥillih. |
| Hilm, Hulum, Ahlam | Ḥilm, pl. Ḥulúm, Aḥlám | gentleness, clemency, mildness; forbearance, indulgence; patience; insight, discernment, understanding, intelligence, reason |
| Hilmi | Ḥilmí | |
| Hiltit, Haltit, Hiltith, Angizha | Ḥiltít, Ḥaltít, Ḥiltíth, Pers. Anguzha | asafoetida or asafetida (Ferula assafoetida) hard, aromatic, resinous gum that is extruded from the rhizome or tap root of several species of Ferula, large perennial herbs of the Apiaceae or umbelliferae family. The pungent odour of this resin-based spice dissipates upon cooking, where it delivers a smooth flavour reminiscent of leeks or other onion relatives. The Báb banned its use. |
| Himar, Hamir, Humur, Ahmira | Ḥimár, pl. Ḥamír, Ḥumur, Aḥmira | donkey, ass |
| Himma, Himam | Himma[h or t], pl. Himam | endeavor, ambition |
| Himmat-Abad (Hemat Abad) | Himmat-Ábád | city in Raḍawí Khurásán Ústán Province, Írán. A village (29.757615, 52.174587) 44 km NW of Shíráz. |
| Himmis, Hammas, Hummus, Nukhud | Ḥimmiṣ, Ḥimmaṣ, Pers. Nukhúd | (ḥummuṣ (collective; nomen unitatis ة)) chickpea; dried pea unit of weight ≈ 0.2 gm, Pers. a vetch [a legume], pulse [e.g. dried beans, chick peas and lentils]. |
| Hims | Ḥimṣ | Homs, city in Syria 140 km north of Damascus. Previously known as Emesa or Emisa (Greek). |
| Himyar | Ḥimyar | place and tribe of Yemen (Himyartes) |
| Himyari | Ḥimyarí | of Ḥimyar. Ḥarbí al-Ḥimyarí was an Arab scholar from Yemen |
| Hin, Ahyan, Ahayin | Ḥín, pl. Aḥyán, Aḥáyín | time, an age; propitious time, good time, opportunity; the day of judgement. Abjad value of ḥín is 68. Hence, Shaykh Aḥmad’s “year of Ḥín” refers to AH 1268 or CE 1851–1852. Hin is an ancient Hebrew liquid measurement (mentioned in the Bible) of 3.8 to 6 litres. |
| Hind, Hindat | Hind, pl. Hindát | India; the (East) Indians; fem. name (in particular Hind bint ‘Utbah, a wife of Abú Sufyán, and the mother of Mu‘áwiyah I) |
| Hindi, Hunud | Hindí, pl. Hunúd | Ar. Indian |
| Hindiya (Hindiyyih) | al-Hindiya(h) (Pers. Hindíyyih | 1. city (on the Euphrates River, 20 km se Karbilá) and district in the Karbilá Governorate. The city used to be known as Ṭuwaíríj. 2. Saddat al-Hindíya(h) is a city on the Euphrates River in Iraq, 25 km NE of Karbilá and 8 km south of Musayyib (المسيب). Name derived from the Arabic word for “Indian”, in reference to the dozens of Indian manual labourers imported to the area by the British post World War I, to work on the cities vast agricultural lands. |
| Hindiyan (Hindian, Hinijan) | Hindíyán (Hindíján) | (Hendijan, Hendian) a city in and the capital of Hendijan County, Khuzestan Province, SW Írán |
| Hindu, Hinduwan | Hindú, pl. Hinduwán | Pers. Indian; black; servant; slave; robber; infidel; watch-man |
| Hindustan | Hindústán | Pers. India |
| Hinna’ (Hina) | Ḥinná’ (vulgate Ḥiná) | henna, a reddish-orange dye contained in the leaves. The leaves are crushed (to release the chemical lawsone) and sold as a powder. The skin and hair is dyed by the application of freshly soaked powder. Muḥammad Ḥiná-Sáz. Pers. ṣifat-i-ḥiná-i-sáz is a manufacturer of henna (a job done by a “mázár”). |
| Hiqf, Ahqaf | Ḥiqf, pl. Aḥqáf | wavy heap of sand;—pl. hills of sand extending a great way; name of a large district in Arabia formerly inhabited by the people of ‘Ád. Qur’án 46: al-Aḥqáf “The Wind-curved Sand Hills” or “The Winding Sand-tracts” |
| Hira | Ḥirá’ | Ghár Ḥirá’ (the Cave of Hira, 21.457561, 39.859395) is located at the western end (6.3 km from the centre of Mecca) of Jabal Ḥirá’ (Mount Hira). The “mountain” was renamed Jabal an-Núr after Muḥammad’s revelation in the cave. See Jabal an-Núr. |
| Hirah, Hirih | Ḥíra(h), Ḥíri(h) | al-Ḥírah was an ancient city (31.887078, 44.4804) in Mesopotamia. Located in the modern city of al-Ḥírah, it is 18 km SSE of al-Kúfah. |
| Hirat | Hirát | Pers. good fortune; a man of good fortune. Herat, Afghánistán, was once in Greater Khurásán, a historical eastern region in the Iranian Plateau between Western and Central Asia. |
| Hirawi | Hirawí | Pers. a native of Herat |
| Hirbud | Hirbúd | [Herbod or Herbud]—the mystics and holy people |
| Hirman | Ḥirmán | deprivation, bereavement, dispossession (of someone, of something) debarment, exclusion, preclusion (from); excommunication (Christian); privation |
| Hirz (Harz), Ahraz | Ḥirz (Ḥarz), pl. Aḥráz | a fortification; garrison town, castle; an amulet or charm against fascination or enchantment. Ḥirz Alláh, protection of God. |
| Hisa’, Ahsa’ | Ḥisá’, pl. Aḥsá’ | aaccumulated sand with an impermeable layer underneath. Rain will soak through the sand, be protected from evaporation by the upper sand, and be retained by the base layer, forming an aquifer. Wáḥat al-Aḥsá’ (25.429444, 49.621944) is largest oasis (also known as Wáḥat al-Ḥasá’ or Ḥadjár (locally Wáḥat al-Aḥasá)) in the world, largest date production, and birthplace of Shaykh Aḥmad al-Aḥsá’í. al-Hufúf (al-Hufuf) is the major urban centre in the oasis. It is in eastern Saudi Arabia, about 125 km SW of Bahrain. See Qurayn. |
| Hisab, Hisabat | Ḥisáb, pl. Ḥisábát | arithmetic, reckoning, calculus; computation; calculation, estimation, appraisal; accounting, settlement; consideration; caution;— (pl.) bill, invoice; statement of costs (bank) account |
| Hisan, Husan, Ahsina | Ḥiṣán, pl. Ḥuṣun, Aḥsina | horse; stallion; Ḥiṣán al-baḥr: hippopotamus (Ancient Greek, Hippos, Aramaic, Sussita, names of ancient city east side Sea of Galilee) |
| Hisar | Ḥiṣár | block, blockage, barrier; blockade; siege. A town in Khurásán province. |
| Hisham | Hishám | Pers. beneficence, liberality. Hishám ibn ‘Abdu’l-Malik, 10th Umayyad Caliph |
| Hishma | Ḥishma[h or t] (fem.) | shame, bashfulness, timidity, diffidence; modesty; decency, decorum |
| Hishmat | Ḥishmat | decorum, chastity, bashful, modesty (fem.) |
| Hishmatu’d-Dawlih | Ḥishmatu’d-Dawlih | |
| Hishmatu’llah | Ḥishmatu’lláh | “chaste one of God” |
| Hisn, Husun | Ḥiṣn, pl. Ḥuṣún | fortress, fort, castle, citadel, stronghold; fortification, entrenchment; protection |
| Hitta | Ḥiṭṭa(t) | remission of sins (pardon), taxes, or burdens; a prayer for a remission (of sins); alleviation, relief, mitigation; abasement, debasement, demotion, degradation (in rank, dignity, prestige); humiliation, insult, indignity |
| Hizam, Hizamat, Ahzima, Huzum | Ḥizám, pl. Ḥizámát, Aḥzima, Ḥuzum | belt, girth; girdle; cummerbund, waistband (worn over the caftan to fasten it); sword belt |
| Hizar (Hezar) | Hizár | joking, jesting, fun-making. Used in Persian with the same meaning as Hazár. A village (29.886533, 52.518113) in Fars Province. |
| Hizar Dastan | Hizár Dastán | Pers. “thousand songs” |
| Hizavih | Hizávih | (Hazaveh, Hazareh, Hizaveh, and Hizawah) village 17 km NW of Arák (Sulṭán Ábád), Markazi Province, Írán |
| Hizb ash-Shaytan | Ḥizb ash-Shayṭán | “Party of Satan” Qur’án 58:19 |
| Hizb, Ahzab | Ḥizb, pl. Aḥzab | group, troop, band, cohort, gang; associates, auxiliaries, confederates; arms, armour; party (politics); a 60th part of the Qur’án |
| Hizbu’llah (Hezbollah, Hizbullah) | Ḥizbu’lláh | “Party of Allah” or “Party of God”. Name of a Shí‘a Islamist political party and militant group based in Lebanon. In Írán, Ḥizbu’lláh, not a reference to the Ḥizbu’lláhíyún, but rather to the idea that the divisiveness of political parties has no place among Muslims who all belong to the “Party of God”. |
| Hizbu’llahi, Hizbu’llahiyun | Ḥizbu’lláhí, pl. Ḥizbu’lláhíyún | ollowers of the party of God. Iranian movement formed at the time of the Iranian Revolution to assist [‘Áyatu’lláh] Rúḥu’lláh Khumayní and his forces in consolidating power. The “Ḥizbu’lláh” was/is not a tightly structured independent organisation, but more a movement of loosely bound groups, often the lúṭíyún that were historically controlled by the local ‘ulamá’. |
| Hizqil | Ḥizqíl | Pers. Ezekiel |
| Hubal (Hobal) | Hubal | a god worshipped in pre-Islamic Arabia, notably by Quraysh at the Ka‘bah in Mecca. His idol was a human figure, believed to control acts of divination, which was in the form of tossing arrows before the statue. The direction in which the arrows pointed answered questions asked of the idol. |
| Hubb | Ḥubb | love; affection, attachment. ḥubbu’l-waṭan, love of one’s country, patriotism. ḥubbu’l-waṭani mina’l-i’mán, love of country (is an article) of religion (a Muslim saying) (cited by Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, p. 95). |
| Hubbu’llah | Ḥubbu’lláh | Love of God |
| Hubur | Ḥubúr | joy. Ḥubúr (Hobour) Khánum |
| Hud | Húd | a prophet sent to the tribe of ‘Ád. He is a descendant of Noah. |
| Huda | Hudá | guiding, showing the right way, right guidance |
| Hudaybiyyah (Hudaibiyyah, Hudaybiyah) | Ḥudaybiyya(h) | Treaty of Ḥudaybiyyah (Ṣalaḥ al-Ḥadaybiyyah), in 628 (AH 6), at al-Ḥudaybiyyah spring 20 km WNW of Mecca on the Old Mecca-Jiddah Road. This was a pivotal treaty between Muḥammad, representing the state of Medina, and the Quraysh tribe of Mecca. The ruins of an old mosque marking the site is at 21.441960, 39.625601. Sometimes written as Ḥudaybiya and Ḥudaybíyya. |
| Huduri | Ḥuḍúrí | ḥuḍúrí (presence of) aḥkám (judgements)—judgements delivered in the presence of the litigant parties after oral proceedings. Imám’s knowledge is inspired since it is obtained “in the presence of” (ḥuḍúrí) God. |
| Huduth | Ḥudúth | setting in (of a state or condition), occurrence, incidence (of a phenomenon); occurrence, incident, happening; appearing; being new, fresh, young; novelty, originality, invention (creation). “originated nature”—contrast with Imkán (Gate of the heart, p. 189) |
| Hujaja’l Bahiya | al-Ḥújaja’l-Bahíya | (Pers. al-Ḥújaja’l-Bahiyyih) beautiful proofs, translated as The Bahá’í Proofs, by Mírzá Abu’l-Faḍl |
| Hujja, Hujaj | Ḥujja(h or t), pl. Ḥújaj | argument; pretense, pretext, plea; proof, evidence; document, writ, deed, record; authority. A term used in Shí‘í terminology meaning “proof [implied: proof of God]”. It is usually used to refer to a single individual in any given human era who represents God’s “proof” to humanity. The ḥujja is a prophet or an Imám who possess a relationship with God that is greater than anyone else. “Ḥujahs” in The Promised Day is Come, p. 97 should be Ḥújaj. |
| Hujja ala al-kull | ḥujja alá al-kull | “proof for all”. The Báb’s praise for Qurratu’l-‘Ayn |
| Hujjat’u’llah | Ḥujjat’u’lláh | the proof of God. The last Imám is known as the Proof of God. Title given to an aspiring mujtahid. |
| Hujjatiya (Hojjatieh) | Ḥujjatíya(h) | Ḥujjatíyya Society, Írán, was started by Shaykh Maḥmúd Ḥalabí to persecute and harass the Bahá’ís. Ánjuman Khayríya Ḥujjatíyah Mahdíyah (“Charitable Society of Allah’s Proof Over Creation”). The Hojjatieh Society (1953–1983), Írán, was a traditionalist Iranian Shi’a lay religious organization that promoted orthodoxy through non-violent evangelism. Both groups aimed to counter the proofs offered by the Bahá’í Faith. |
| Hujjatu’l-Islam | Ḥujjatu’l-Islám | Proof of Islám. Mullá Muḥammad-‘Alí of Zanján was called Ḥujjatu’l-Islám. The Báb called him Ḥujjatu’l-Zanjání. |
| Hujr, Hajara, Hijr, Hujr, Hijran, Hujran | Ḥujr, Ḥajara | to deny access (Ḥajr, Ḥijr, Ḥujr, Ḥijrán, Ḥujrán) |
| Hujra, Hujarat, Hujar | Ḥujra, pl. Ḥujarát, Ḥujar | Ar. room; cell; (railroad) compartment; chamber |
| Hujrat (Hujrih), Hujra, Hujarat | Ḥujrat, Ḥujra, pl. Ḥujarát | Pers. a chamber, closet, cell; a box in a theatre, circus |
| Hujwiri | al-Hujwírí | Abu’l-Ḥasan ‘Alí bin ‘Uthmán bin ‘Alí al-Ghaznawí al-Jullábī al-Hujwírí (c. 1009–1072/77), known reverentially as Shaykh Sayyid ‘Alí al-Hujwírí by Muslims of South Asia, was an 11th-century Sunní Muslim mystic, theologian, and preacher from Ghaznavid Empire. |
| Hukm, Ahkam | Ḥukm, pl. Aḥkám | (logic) judgement, valuation, opinion; decision, (legal) judgement, verdict, sentence; condemnation, conviction; administration of justice; jurisdiction, legal consequence of the facts of a case (Islamic Law); regulation, rule, provision, order, ordinance, decree; judiciousness, wisdom, judgeship, command, authority, control, dominion, power; government, regime;—pl. statutes, by-laws, regulations, rules, provisions, stipulations, principles, precepts |
| Hukuma, Hukumat | Ḥukúma(t), pl. Ḥukúmát | government |
| Hulayfa | Ḥulayfa(h) | a name of a medicinal seed. Dhu’l-Ḥulayfah (now a suburb), 5 km SW of the centre of Medina one of several Mawáqí (places where the iḥrám is put on) for Muslims on pilgrimage to Mecca for ‘Umrah or Ḥajj. Ritual established by Muḥammad in 628, when He and about sixteen hundred men set out on pilgrimage to Mecca. |
| Hulul | Ḥulúl | stopping, putting up, staying; descending, coming on, befalling, overtaking; incarnation; setting in, advent, arrival (of a time, of a deadline), beginning, dawn; substitution (for someone). In the sense of incarnation: the descent of God or the spirit of God into a person. |
| Huma (Homa) | Humá | Pers. a bird of Eastern fable, supposed to fly constantly in the air without touching the ground, and looked upon as a bird of happy omen, prognosticating a crown to every head it overshades; a bird of paradise, phoenix, large royal eagle, or pelican. Fem. name. |
| Humay | Humáy | Pers. a queen of Persia, grandmother to Dáráb II; name of a sister of Isfandyár; name of a daughter of Bahman; name of a daughter of the Emperor of Constantinople married to Bahrám Gúr; name of the lover of Humáyún; a standard bearing a figure of the bird humá. |
| Humayun | Humáyún | Pers. blessed, sacred, fortunate, august, royal, imperial; name of several kings; name of the mistress of Humáy |
| Humaza | Humaza(h or t) | one who defames or reproaches (especially a person present) |
| Humazatun | Humazatun | one given to backbiting, defamer, slander-monger |
| Humma, Hummayat | Ḥumma[h or t] fem., Ḥummayát | blackness, swarthiness, dark colouration; fever. |
| Hums | Ḥums | al-Ḥums is the name traditionally given to the inhabitants of the ḥaram of Mecca at the time of Muḥammad’s appearance, in so far as they were distinguished by special customs during the iḥrám from the other tribes who were together known as al-Ḥilla. |
| Hunar | Hunar | Pers. skill, science, knowledge, ingenuity, art, industry, excellence, virtue; profession; a bill of exchange |
| Hunayn (Hunain) | Ḥunayn | Battle of Ḥunayn (Qur’án 9:25) in a valley (21.523122, 40.141720) between Mecca and the city of Ṭá’if to the east of Mecca |
| Huquq | Ḥuqúq | rights |
| Hur-i-‘Ujab | Ḥúr-i-‘Ujáb | “The Wondrous Maiden” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Hurayra (Huraira), Hurayrih | Hurayra(h), Pers. also Hurayrih | a little cat or kitten. Spelling variations of i or y, and endings of “ah” or “ih”. Surname given to Abú Hurayrih ‘Abdu’r-Raḥmán bin Sakhr (a companion of Muḥammad) because he carried a kitten with him. A village (33.669543, 36.120067) 24 km NW of central Damascus, Syria. |
| Huriy, Huri, Hur (“Huris”), Huran | Ḥúríy (Pers. Ḥúrí), pl. Ḥúr | Pers and Turkish short form for houri (“huri”). Plural ḥúr also used as sing. with plural ḥúrán. See fem. ḥúríya and Ghulám. |
| Huriya, Huriyat, Hur | Ḥúríya[h or t] (fem.), pl. Ḥúríyát, Ḥúr | houri (a beautriful young woman), virgin of paradise; nymph; young locust. Adjective, literally, “white one”. Assumed meaning attached to a number of verses in the Qur’án where “Companions” in Paradise, those with “with large and beautiful eyes” or biḥúrin (“fair ones (with) large eyes”) are mentioned. “Most Great Spirit” symbolized by the “Maiden” (Bahá’u’lláh); formerly the “Sacred Fire” (Zoroastrian), “Burning Bush” (Mosaic), “Dove” (Christian) and “Angel Gabriel” (Islam). See aḥwár. |
| Hurmuduk (Hurmuzak) | Húrmudúk | Hormodok, small village 55 km SW of Yazd. 5.5 km by road from the village of Sakhvíd (Sakhoid) (to the NW) |
| Hurmuz (Hormuz), Hurmuzd (Hormuzd) | Hurmúz, Hurmúzd | Pers. name of an angel; the first day of the solar month; the planet Jupiter; name of the grandson of Isfandíyár; Strait of Hurmúz (Tang-i-Hurmúz) between Írán and Oman |
| Hurmuzan (Hormuzan, Hormazdan) | Hurmuzán | was an Iranian aristocrat who served as the governor of Khúzistán, and was one of the Sasanian military officers at the Battle of al-Qádisiyyah. He was later taken prisoner by the Muslims after the fall of Shúshtar in 642. |
| Hurqalya, Havarqalya | Húrqalyá, Havarqalyá (speculative Pers.) | intermediary world between the physical and spiritual worlds. Everything in the physical world has its counterpart in the world of Húrqalyá. Each individual human being has two bodies, one of which exists in the physical world and one in Húrqalyá. The occulted but living twelfth Imám and the cities of Jábulsá and Jábulqá, where he is supposed to live, all exist in the realm of Húrqalyá. Introduction to Shi‘i Islam, Moojan Momen, p. 227. From Hebrew רָקִיעַ (firmament, sky, ductile, heaven, expanse, canopy).[1] |
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1See www.scribd.com/document/ 21263244/HURQALYA-HAVARQALYA and The development of Shaykhí thought in Shí‘í Islam, pp. 106–7
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| Hurr, Ahrar, Hara’ir | Ḥurr, pl. m. Aḥrár, f. Ḥará’ir | noble, free-born; genuine (jewels, etc.), pure, unadulterated; free; living in freedom; freeman; independent; free unrestrained; liberal. al-Ḥurr ibn Yazíd bin an-Nájiyah at-Tamímí al-Yarbú‘í ar-Riyáḥí was the general of the Umayyad army dispatched from Kúfa, ‘Iráq to intercept al-Ḥusayn ibn ‘Alí ibn Abú Ṭálib. |
| Hurriya al-‘Ibada | Ḥurriya al-‘Ibada | freedom of worship |
| Hurriya al-Fikr | Ḥurriya al-Fikr | freedom of thought |
| Hurriya al-Kalam | Ḥurriya al-Kalam | freedom of speech |
| Hurriya an-Naṣr | Ḥurriya an-Naṣr | liberty of the press |
| Hurriya, Huriyat | Ḥurriya, Pers. Ḥurriyyah, pl. Ḥurriyát | freedom, liberty; independence, unrestraint, licence (e.g., poetic) |
| Huruf al-Hayy, Huruf-i-Hayy | Ḥurúf al-Ḥayy, Pers. Ḥurúf-i-Ḥayy | Letters of the Living. Supposedly 18 in Islam: Muḥammad, Fáṭimah, 12 Imams, and 4 gates. The 18 Bábí “Letters of the Living” (see the table towards the end of this document), were the “first Letters generated from the Primal Point” (the Báb, who is not a “Letter of the Living”). The abjad value of Ḥayy is 18, hence Ḥurúf al-Ḥayy refers to the number 18. See Muḥammad Afnán, “Number of the Letters of the Living”. Lights of Irfán, Vol. 5, p. 217. https://bahai-library.com/afnan_number_letters_living. See Ḥarf and Sábiq. |
| Huruf Muqatta’at | Ḥurúf Muqaṭṭa‘át (or just Muqaṭṭa‘át) | “disjoined letters”, “disconnected letters”, and also “mysterious letters” are combinations of one to five Arabic letters following the Bismi’lláh at the beginning of 29 suras of the Qur’án. The Arabic text of the Qur’án is written with full diacritical marks. However, the disconnected letters are written together without diacritical marks and are pronounced individually. The letters are also known as fawátiḥ or “openers” as they form the opening verse of their respective suras. Four suras are named for their muqaṭṭa‘át: Ṭá’ Há’, Yá-Sín, Ṣád and Qáf. See Muqaṭṭa‘ and Fátiḥa. |
| Huruf Qamariya | al-Ḥurúf al-Qamaríya(h) | (Pers. Ḥurúfi Qamaríyya(h)) the moon letters (grammar) (to which the l of the definite article “al” does not assimilate |
| Huruf Shamsiya | al-Ḥurúf ash-Shamsíya(h) | (Pers. Ḥurúfi Shamsíyya(h)) the solar (sun) letters (grammar) which assimilate the l of the definite article “al” |
| Hurufat-i-‘Alin | Ḥurúfát-i-‘Álín | The Exalted letters by Bahá’u’lláh. See Ḥarf |
| Hurufi | Ḥurúfí | (Pers. with Ar. influence) a relator of traditions, a traditionist. See singular Ḥarf |
| Hurufiyyya | Ḥurúfiyyya | Hurufism, Sufi doctrine. Not ḥurúfís (MCI , p. 403) |
| Husam (Hisam) | Ḥusám (Ḥisám) | (sharp) sword, sword edge |
| Husam-i-Din, Hisam-i-Din | Ḥusám-i-Dín (Ḥisám-i-Dín) | sword of faith |
| Husamu’s-Sultana, Hisamu’s-Saltanih | Ḥusámu’s-Sulṭana (Ḥisámu’s-Salṭanih) | “Sword of the sovereign”. Title of Prince Sulṭán Murád Mírzá, son of ‘Abbás Mírzá and grandson of Fatḥ-‘Alí Sháh. |
| Husayn | Ḥusayn | (diminutive form of Haṣan “Good”) Name of the third Imám, Ḥusayn. Khawlí bin Yazíd al-Aṣbaḥí al-Iyádí ad-Dárimí and Ḥumayd bin Muslim az-Azdí took Ḥusayn’s head to Ibn Ziyád |
| Husayn-‘Ali | Ḥusayn-‘Alí | |
| Husayn-‘Aliy-i-Isfahani | Ḥusayn-‘Alíy-i-Iṣfahání | |
| Husayn-‘Aliy-i-Jahrumi | Ḥusayn-‘Alíy-i-Jahrúmí | |
| Husayn-‘Aliy-i-Nur | Ḥusayn-‘Alíy-i-Núr | (GPB p. 338) |
| Husayn-‘Aliy-i-Nuri | Ḥusayn-‘Alíy-i-Núrí | Ḥusayn-‘Alíy-i-Núrí, Mírzá Bahá’u’lláh |
| Husayn-Abad | Ḥusayn-Ábád | |
| Husayn-Aqa | Ḥusayn-Áqá | (MF) |
| Husayn-Aqay-i-Tabrizi | Ḥusayn-Áqáy-i-Tabrízí | (MF) |
| Husayn-i-Ashchi | Ḥusayn-i-Áshchí | |
| Husayn-i-Bushru’i | Ḥusayn-i-Bushrú’í | Muḥammad-Ḥusayn-i-Bushrú’í, Mullá From Bushrúyih, Khurásán |
| Husayn-i-Kashani | Ḥusayn-i-Káshání | |
| Husayn-i-Kashi | Ḥusayn-i-Káshí | |
| Husayn-i-Shiraziy-i-Khurtumi | Ḥusayn-i-Shírázíy-i-Khurṭúmí | |
| Husayn-i-Turshizi | Ḥusayn-i-Turshízí | |
| Husayn-i-Yazdi | Ḥusayn-i-Yazdí | |
| Husayn-ibn-Ruh | Ḥusayn-ibn-Rúḥ | (one of “Four Gates”) |
| Husayn-Khan | Ḥusayn-Khán | (the Mushiru’d-Dawlih) |
| Husayni | Ḥusayní | of Ḥusayn |
| Husayniya, Husayniyyih | Ḥusayníya, Pers. Ḥusayniyyih | a congregation hall for Shí‘a Muslims to hold commemoration ceremonies to mourn the death of Imám Ḥusayn |
| Husaynzada | Ḥusaynzáda | Pers. (Ḥusayn+záda), a surname |
| Husban | Ḥusbán | calculation, reckoning, accounting; computation. bi-Ḥuṣbán “By final calculation” |
| Hush | Húsh | Pers. understanding, judgement, intellect; the mind, the soul; destruction, perdition, ruin, death |
| Hushang (Hoshang) | Húshang | Pers. name of the second king of Persia, of the Peshdadian dynasty; wisdom, prudence, intellect. “The first emanation, intelligence” |
| Hushidar (Hoshidar) | Hushidár | Pers. (or Úshídar) attend, be careful, warning. One who increases holiness or promotes righteousness; name of a future saviour (the Báb). Zoroastrian origin. See Úshídar-Máh. |
| Hushmand | Húshmand | Pers. wise |
| Husn | Ḥusn | beauty, handsomeness, prettiness, loveliness; excellence, superiority, perfection |
| Husn al-Madkhal | Ḥusn al-Madkhal | good manners, good conduct |
| Husni-Farang | Ḥusní-Farang | Pers. white, as the complexion of Europeans |
| Husniya, Husniyyih | Ḥusniya[h or t] fem., Pers. Ḥusníyyih | possessing beauty |
| Huss | Ḥuṡṣ | saffron. See za‘farán |
| Huwa (Pers. Huva), Hum | Huwa, pl. Hum | he; it (3rd pers. m. sing. of the pers. pronoun); God (or “the Most Great Name of God” according to the Báb). Huwa (“he” or “he is”) in the context of “‘He is’ God” is often incorrectly understood (as in the definition) to be the name of God. In the Bible it is represented in Hebrew by the tetragrammaton “YHWH”, sometimes pronounced as Yahweh. However, the Jews were forbidden to utter the name of God, and as ancient Hebrew script did not use vowels, it is not known how YHWH would have been pronounced, if it was permitted. If we say “yá huwa” in Arabic in reference to God, it means “O He is ...”. Since Hebrew and Arabic are sister languages, it is not surprising that “yá huwa” sounds like Yahweh, which has commonly been represented by Jehovah. (In some European languages the “J” is pronounced as “Y”, “V” as “U”, and “W” as “UU”.) See note under Bahá’. |
| Huwa’llah | Huwa’lláh | “He is God” (Huwa + Alláh). Replacement phrase for the Islamic “There is none other God but God” in this dispensation (removal of the negation) (see Lawḥ-i-Salmán I). The command confirming the removal of the letter of negation, as described in the Tablet of Salmán I, is believed to be in the Kitáb-i-‘Ahd, the Will and Testament of Bahá’u’lláh, that established the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh and appointed its Centre, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. |
| Huwayda (Huwaida, Hoveida) | Huwaydá | Pers. clear, evident, open, manifest, conspicuous; pale; clearly, publicly. Amír ‘Abbás Hoveyda (1919–1979) was an Iranian economist and politician. He was tried by the new (1979) Revolutionary Court and executed. |
| Huwaydar, Huvaydar | Huwaydar, Pers. Huvaydar | village north of the city Ba‘qúba, which is 60 km NE of Baghdád |
| Huwaydar, Huvaydar | Huwíya[h or t], Huwiyya[h or t] | essence, nature; co-essentiality, consubstantiality; identity; identity card; “Essence of Divinity”; ipseity, selfhood. Iṣfahání Pers. Huviyyih. Name given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Inez Cook (later Greeven) (1889–1983). Also name of one of four daughters of ibn-i Aṣdaq and Ḍiyá’u’l-Ḥájiyyih. |
| Huzn, Hazan, Ahzan | Ḥuzn, Pers. Ḥazan, pl. Aḥzán | grief, sadness, affliction, sorrow |
| Plain text | Transcripted text | Word meanings & comments |
| I | ||
| I‘tidal | I‘tidál | moderation |
| I’jam | I‘jám | marking a consonant (Arabic) with diacritical points |
| I’jaz | I‘jáz | inimitability, wondrous nature (of the Qur’án—I‘jáz al-Qur’án). See ahdá |
| I’qilhá wa tawakkal | I‘qilhá wa tawakkal | Tie up (your camel) and trust (in God)—in Tirmidhi’s collection of traditions |
| I’rab (“a’rab”, “A’rabs”) | I‘ráb | manifestation, declaration, proclamation, pronouncement, utterance; expression (of a sentiment); desinential inflection (grammar: inflectional endings (nom., accus. and gen,). However, also more broadly defined as speaking or reasoning in Arabic; inflecting, declining in an Arabic noun or verb; the vowels and diacritical points in Arabic. |
| I’rab (A’rab) | I‘ráb | manifestation, declaration, proclamation, pronouncement, utterance; speaking, reasoning in Arabic; inflecting, declining in an Arabic noun or verb; the vowels and diacritical points in Arabic. An Arabic term for the system of nominal, adjectival, or verbal suffixes of Classical Arabic. Literally means “making [the word] Arabic”, “making a thing expressed, disclosed or eloquent” (variation IV of ‘Arab). Grammatical cases: the nominative (al-marfú‘); the accusative (al-manṣúb); the genitive case (al-majrúr). For fully declined nouns the case endings are -u, -a, -i (nominative, accusative, and genitive case respectively), with the addition of a final “n” (nunnation, or tanwín) when the word is indefinite. Also applies to feminine nouns ending in ة (tá’ marbúṭah) (i.e. “-a” or “-at)and ء (hamzah), but for these, ا (alif) is not written in the accusative case. When the noun is made definite, such as by adding the definite article (al-) to it, then there is no nunation, that is, without the “n” at the end of the suffix. The masculine plural endings are: -ún, -án and -ín. Feminine plural endings are generally -át. |
| I’tidad (I’tizad, E’tezad) | I‘tiḍád | begging assistance; taking or putting under the arm |
| I’tidad as-Saltana (E’tezadol-Saltaneh) | I‘tiḍád as-Salṭana | honorary title, one given to ‘Alí Qulí Mírzá Qájár (1822-1880), a son of Fatḥ-‘Alí Sháh. Chancellor of the Dár’u’l-Funún (“polytechnic”) school, he established the Iranian Ministry of Science in 1855 and he was first minister of Science for its first 22 years. He was also the Minister of Telegraphic Industries and served as head of Persia’s printing office a number of times. |
| I’tikaf | I‘tikáf | continuing in prayer, remaining constantly in the mosque; retirement, seclusion (in a place of worship); restraining one’s passions from religious motives; constant devotions. |
| I’timad, I’timadat | I‘timád, pl. I‘timádát | reliance, dependence (on), confidence, trust (in); confirmation; sanction, approbation, authorization; accreditation (of diplomats);—(pl.) credit, loan |
| I’timadu’d-Dawlih | I‘timádu’d-Dawlih | “Trusted of the state”. Mírzá Áqá Khán-i-Núrí, the I‘timádu’d-Dawlih, chief minister of state at time of the attempt on the Sháh’s life by a crazed Bábi, August 1852. |
| I’timadu’t-Tujjar | I‘timádu’t-Tujjár | |
| I’tiqad, I’taqadat | I‘tiqád, pl. I‘tiqádát | (firm) belief, faith, trust, confidence, conviction;—pl. (religious) creed, faith; article of faith; principle of faith, tenet; doctrine; dogma |
| I’tiraf, I’tirafat | I‘tiráf, pl. I‘tiráfát | recognition, acceptance; acknowledgment, avowal, admission, confession; (Christian) confession |
| I’tisam (E’tisam) | I‘tiṣám | clinging, adherence (to), maintenance, preservation, guarding, safeguarding |
| Ibada, ‘Ibadat | ‘Ibáda(t), pl. ‘Ibádát | worship, adoration, veneration; devotional service, divine service (Christian);—pl. acts of devotion, religious observances (Islamic Law) |
| Ibadu’llah | ‘Ibádu’lláh | worshippers of God |
| Ibaha, Ibahih | Ibáḥa(h), Pers. Ibáḥih | divulgence, disclosure (of a secret); permission, authorization; licentiousness. “Permission” or abrogation of Islamic law on return of the Hidden Imám. |
| Ibda‘ | Ibdá‘ | creation, fashioning, shaping; a marvellous, unique achievement; uniqueness, singularity, originality; creative ability |
| Ibda’i | Ibdá‘í | romantic (literally) |
| Ibda’iya | Ibdá‘íya | romanticism (literally) |
| Ibdal | Ibdál | exchange, interchange, replacement (by), substitution (of); change; phonetic change. |
| Iblis (Eblis), Abalisa | Iblís, pl. Abálisa | devil, Satan. A figure often occurring in the Qur’án, regarded by many classical scholars as an angel, but as a jinn in most contemporary scholarship. |
| Ibn ‘Arabi | Ibn ‘Arabí | ʻAbd Alláh Muḥammad ibn al-ʻArabí aṭ-Ṭá’í al-Ḥátimí (1165–1240), nicknamed al-Qushayrí and Sulṭán al-‘Árifín (‘Sultan of the Knowers’), was an Arab Andalusian Muslim scholar, mystic, poet, and philosopher. He was extremely influential within Islamic thought. |
| Ibn, Abna’, Banun, Bani, Banin, Banu | Ibn, (colloquial bin), pl. Abná’, Banún | son; descendant, scion; offspring, son (of a nation or people). Use ibn at the start of a name, not bin. Other plurals: baní, banín and banú. Sometimes bin is contracted as “b.”. Usually lowercase used in names. Turkish oğlu (son (of), ughlú, “oghlu”, “oghlou”, is also used as a suffix). In Persian also púr (“pur”), e.g. púri Síná. See ‘Amm. |
| Ibna, Bint, Banat | Ibna(t) (colloquial bint), pl. Banát | feminine of ibn. daughter; bint girl. Usually lowercase used in names. See ‘Amm. |
| Ibnu’l-, Ibn-i- | Ibnu’l-, Pers. Ibn-i- | elided forms of ibn |
| Ibnu’l-Alusi | Ibnu’l-Álúsí | the chief jurisconsult [muftí] of Baghdád—one of the five sons of the famous Shaykh Maḥmúd al-Álúsí. Probably one of the three eldest: ‘Abdu’lláh, Bahá’u’d-Dín; ‘Abdu’l-Baqí‘; and Siyyid Na‘mán, Khayru’d-Dín. |
| Ibrahim | Ibráhím | (Abraham) Patriarch of the people of Israel. Variations: ibráhim, ibráhum, ibráham, or ibráhúm. |
| Ibrahim-i-Isfahani | Ibráhím-i-Iṣfahání | |
| Ibrahim-i-Khalil | Ibráhím-i-Khalíl | |
| Ibrahim-i-Khayru’llah | Ibráhím-i-Khayru’lláh | Syrian doctor, the first Bahá’í teacher in America, and later joined forces with Muḥammad-‘Ali, the half-brother of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. His English wife, Miriam, remained loyal to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and later they were divorced. Refer to Balyuzi: Edward Granville Browne and the Bahá’í Faith, pp. 114–117. |
| Ibrani | Ibrání | Hebrew, Hebraic; a Hebrew |
| Ibtihaj | Ibtiháj | joy, rejoicing, delight (at) |
| Ibtihaju’l-Mulk | Ibtiháju’l-Mulk | Ibtiháju’l-Mulk of Gílán |
| Id (Eid), ‘Ayad | ‘Íd, pl. ‘Ayád | anything which returns (of care, grief, or sickness); a solemnity, feast, festival, holiday;—pl. manners, customs, habits |
| Id al-Adha | ‘Íd al-Aḍḥá | the Feast of Immolation (see Aḍḥan), or Greater Bayrám, on the 10th of Dhu’l-Ḥijjah |
| Id al-Fitr | ‘Íd al-Fiṭr | Feast of Breaking the Ramaḍán Feast, or Lesser Bayrám, celebrated on the 1st of Shawwál |
| Id al-Mab’ath | ‘Íd al-Mab‘ath | Feast of Resurgence commemorating revelation of first verses to Muḥammad in 10 August CE 610, celebrated on 27 Rajab |
| Idafa (Izafa, Izafe, Ezafe, Izofa) | Iḍáfa[h or t] | Arabic (إِضَافَة): addition, apposition; annexation, appending, attachment, augmentation, supplementation; assignment, allocation; ascription, attribution (to); genitive construction (grammar) mostly used to indicate possession. In Persian (اضافه, literal meaning “extra” or “added”), it is a grammatical particle (also Persian influenced languages, e.g. Turkish), that links two words together. In Persian it consists of the unstressed short vowel “-e-” or -i- (“y-e” or y-i- after long vowels)1 between the words it connects and often approximately corresponds to the English preposition “of”. The iḍáfah is generally not indicated in Persian script, which is also normally written without short vowels. Possessive: barádar-i-Maryam “Maryam’s brother” (it can also apply to pronominal possession, barádar-i-man “my brother”. Adjective-noun: barádar-i-buzurg “the big brother”. Given name/title of family name: Muḥammad-i-Muṣaddiq; Ágháy-i-Muṣaddiq, “Mr Mosaddeq”. Linking two nouns: Khíyábán-i-Tiḥrán “Tehran Avenue” or “Road to Tehran”. |
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1 “We feel that the effect on the average reader of spelling ‘Alíy-i-Kaní as ‘Alí-yi-Kaní might be to cause him to stress the ‘yi’ unconsciously.” Universal House of Justice, Memorandum, 13 October 1978.
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| Idafiya (Idafiyyah) | Iḍáfíya(h) | relativity or correlational (philosophical) |
| Idal | ‘Idál | justice. See ‘adl |
| Idbar | Idbár | flight, retreat; “turn around” |
| Idda (‘Iddah, ‘Iddat) | ‘Idda | number; several, numerous, many. ‘iddat, legally prescribed period of waiting during which a woman may not remarry after being widowed or divorced (Islamic Law) |
| Idha | Idhá | 1. (introducing a nominal clause the subject of which may he expressed by ب ("b") with following genitive) and then, and all of a sudden; (with noun in nominative case or with ب) there was ... and all of a sudden there was ...; 2. (conjunction) when; if, whenever; whether, if (introducing indirect questions) |
| Idhn | Idhn | permission, authorization |
| Idris (Edris) | Idrís | Idris. Islamic Prophet typically identified as Enoch (akhnúk), but Bahá’u’lláh identifies him with Hermes. Mentioned in Qur’án 19:56 (Rodwell 19:57) and 21:85. See Urmus |
| Idrisiyah | Idrísiyah | Imárah ‘Asír Idrísiyah (the Idrisid Emirate of Asir) was a state located on the Arabian Peninsula. See ‘Asír. |
| ‘Iffatiya, Iffatiyyah | ‘Iffatíya[h or t], Pers. ‘Iffatiyyah | place of chastity, used in the sense of ‘Iffatíyah school for girls. See ‘Affa. |
| Iflat | Iflát | (“Aflát”) escape |
| Ifranj | al-Ifranj | Ar. the Franks, the Europeans |
| Ifranj, Afranj | al-Ifranj, Pers. Afranj | the Franks, French; the crusaders; the Europeans |
| Ifridaws | al-Ifrídaws | Garden of Innermost Paradise (Gate of the Heart 60) |
| Ifrit (‘Afrit), ‘Afarit | ‘Ifrít, pl. ‘Afarít | a giant, demon, any fancied spectre of a horrible appearance, a fright; powerful, independent; one who does a thing in a careful and masterly way, skilful, clever. ‘ifrít, ‘afrít, a sly, dangerous, inhuman man (Qur’án 27:39). |
| Iftar | Ifṭár | fast breaking; breakfast; first meal after sunset during Ramaḍán |
| Ihata | Iḥáṭa | encirclement, encompassment; comprehension, grasp, understanding, knowledge, cognizance (of something), acquaintance, familiarity (with); information, communication |
| Ihram | Iḥrám | state of ritual consecration of the Mecca pilgrim (during which the pilgrim, wearing two seamless woollen or linen sheets, usually white, neither combs nor shaves, and observes sexual continence); garments of the Mecca pilgrim |
| Ihsan (Ehsan) | Iḥsán | beneficence, charity, almsgiving, performance of good deeds |
| Ihsanu’llah | Iḥsánu’lláh | beneficence of God |
| Ihtifal, Ihtifalat | Iḥtifál, pl. Iḥtifálát | celebration, ceremony, festival, festivities |
| Ihtiraq | Iḥtiráq | burning, combustion; fire, conflagration |
| Ihtisham | Iḥtishám | being ashamed; bashfulness, chastity, modesty, decency, decorum; having many dependants, followers, or domestics; pomp, retinue, magnificence, grandeur, state. See Taḥashshum |
| Ihtisham ad-Dawla, Ihtisham-i-Dawlih | Iḥtishám ad-Dawla | (Pers. Iḥtishám-i-Dawlih) “The modesty of the state” |
| Ihtiyaj, Ihtiyajat | Iḥtiyáj, pl. Iḥtiyáját | want, need, requirement, (pre)requisite, necessity;—pl. needs, necessities, necessaries |
| Ihtiyat, Ihtiyatat | Iḥtiyáṭ, pl. Iḥtiyáṭát | caution, cautiousness, prudence, circumspection, carefulness; provision, care, attention, precaution, prevention; (pl.) precautionary measures, precautions |
| Ihya’ | Iḥyá’ | animation, enlivening; revival, revitalization, revivification; arranging, staging, conducting, putting on, holding (of a celebration) |
| Ijaba | Ijába[h or t] | answer(ing), reply(ing), response, respondence; compliance; fulfilment, granting (of a request); accession, consent, assent |
| Ijad | Íjád | creation, procreation, production, origination; procuring, procurement, furnishing, supply; calculation, computation, evaluation |
| Ijadiyah (Ijadiyyah) | Íjádíya(h) | an islamic school of mystical philosophy—creationists or transcendentalists, who believe in a God separate from His creation |
| Ijaza (Ijazih), Ijazat | Ijáza(h), Pers. also Ijázih, pl. Ijázát | licence or diploma bestowed by higher-ranking members of the ulama on those deemed knowledgeable in particular aspects of Islamic sciences |
| Ijl, ‘Ujul, ‘Ijala | ‘Ijl, pl. ‘Ujúl, ‘Ijala | calf (e.g. the golden calf, al-‘ijl adh-dhahabí) |
| Ijma’ | Ijmá‘ | agreement, unanimity; unanimous resolution; (Isl. Law) consensus (of the authorities in a legal question; one of the four uṣúl of Islamic Law) |
| Ijtihad | Ijtihád | effort, exertion, endeavour, pains, trouble; application, industry, diligence; (Islamic Law) independent judgement in a legal or theological question, based on the interpretation and application of the four uṣúl, as opposed to taqlíd; individual judgement. The power of a Shí‘ih divine to issue ex cathedra decrees and judgements. |
| Ijtihadi | Ijtihádí | term sometimes used for the Uṣúlí school in Shi’ism. |
| Ijtima’, Ijyima’at, ijtima’yya | Ijtimá‘, pl. Ijtimá‘át | meeting; get-together, gathering, assembly; reunion; rally; convention; conjunction, constellation (astron.); confluence (of rivers); life in a social group, community life, social life |
| Ijtima’i | Ijtimá‘í | community, group (used attributively); social; socialist(ic); sociological. ijtimá‘íya(h) socialism |
| Ikhlas | Ikhláṣ | purifying, rendering sincere; purity, sincerity, candour; affection, pure friendship, sincere attachment; loyalty, fidelity; intimacy; show or pretence of friendship |
| Ikhtisas | Ikhtiṣáṣ | distinguishing; peculiarity, speciality; appropriation |
| Ikhtiyar, Ikhtiyarat | Ikhtiyár, pl. Ikhtiyárát | choice; election (pl. also politics); selection; preference (to); option; free will (philosophy) |
| Ikhwan as-Safa | Ikhwán aṣ-Ṣafá | The Brethren of Purity, The Brethren of Sincerity. A secret society of Muslim philosophers in Baṣra, ‘Iráq, in the 8th or 10th century CE. |
| Ikram | Ikrám | honour, respect, deference, tribute; hospitable reception, hospitality; kindness; honorarium |
| Ikrima (‘Akrima, ‘Akrama) | ‘Ikrima[h or t] | a female dove. ‘Ikrima ibn Abí Jahl Amr ibn Hishám (598–634 or 636) was a leading opponent-turned companion of Muḥammad. ‘Ikrima’s father was Amr ibn Hishám ibn al-Mughíra. See Abú Jahl. |
| Iksir | Iksír | elixir, the philosopher’s stone; alchemy |
| Il-Khan or Ilkhan | Íl-Khán or Ílkhán | Pers. a commander; a title of the Mogul emperors |
| Il, Ilat | Íl, pl. Ílat | Turkish. tribe (especially nomadic) |
| Ilah, Ilaha (Elahe), Aliha, Ilahat | Iláh, fem. Iláha[t], pl. Áliha, fem. Ilahát | a god, deity, godhead. Dual iláhayn. Normally, if the dual form is used, the word for “two” (ithnán) is implied and is not added. However, in Qur’án 16:51, not only is the word for “two” included, but it itself is used in its dual form: “iláhayn ithnayn”. This emphasizes the prohibition of worshipping “more than one deity”—i.e., anything but the One God (Alláh). |
| Ilahi (Alahi), Ilahiya, Ilahiyat | Iláhí, fem. Iláhíya[h or t], pl. Iláhíyát | divine, of God; my God; theological; (Ar. influence) referring or belonging to God. Bashír-i-Iláhí |
| Ilahiya, Ilahiyat | Iláhíya[t], pl. Iláhíyát | divinity, deity, divine revelation; theophany (Christian). al-iláhíyát theological, spiritual concerns. ‘ilm al-iláhíyát theology. |
| Ilan | Ílán | a village 60 km NE of Qazvín and another 70 km SW Shíráz |
| Ilchi | Ílchí | Turkish, an envoy. Mírzá Abu’l-Ḥasan Khán-i-Ílchí, Persian envoy to Britain, original for a character in The Adventures of Hajji Baba of Ispahan. See Ḥájí Bábá Afshár. |
| Ildirim | Íldirím | from Turkish yıldırım (lightning or thunderbolt). Íldirím (Yıldırım) Báyizíd Mírzá, younger brother of Muḥammad Mírzá (later Muḥammad Sháh Qájár) and Khánlar Mírzá, all were sons of ‘Abbas Mírzá (1789–1833) and grandsons of Fatḥ-‘Alí Sháh Qájár. Íldirím Mírzá died as a result of torture ordered by Khánlar Mírzá. |
| Ilhad | Ilḥád | apostasy; heterodoxy, heresy |
| Ilham, Ilhamat | Ilhám, pl. Ilhámát | inspiration; instinct; divine revelation |
| Iliya’ | Íliyá’, Ílíyá’ | Elia |
| Ilkhani | Ílkhání | Pers. belonging or referring to an Íl-khán; the leader of an army. Bagh-i-Ílkhání, garden described as being “next” to the modern (in the Atábak Garden, since 1915) Embassy of Russia (35.698626, 51.414187), which is nearly 2 km NW of the old city Shimran Gate, and 2.2 km NNW of the Golestan Palace. It was the garden where Ṭáhirih was martyred between August and October 1852.. |
| Ilkhchi | Ílkhchí | is a town and capital of Ílkhchí District, East Azerbaijan Province, Írán. |
| Illa | Illá | (= ل نا in lá) unless if not; except, save; (after negation) only, but, not until |
| Illa, ‘Illat, ‘Ilal | ‘Illa(t), pl. ‘Illát, ‘Ilal | illness, sickness, disease, malady; deficiency, defect, weakness; weakness, defectiveness (of a letter or word; grammar); a cause, reason; metrical variation or irregularity (prosody);—(pl. ‘Ilal) cause, reason, occasion; excuse, pretence, pretext, plea. Aristotle claimed that there are four causes (or explanations) needed to explain change in the world: ‘illat al-máddí, material cause, matter of which a thing is made; ‘illat aṣ-ṣúrí, formal cause, i.e. that form in which the essence of a thing consists; ‘illat al-fá‘ilí, notional or efficient cause (as the maker, if the work of man); and ‘illat agh ghá’í, final cause for which it was made. |
| Illa’llah | Illa’lláh | “but God” or “save God” |
| Illiyun or ‘Illiyyun | ‘Illíyún or ‘Illiyyún | (plural form of ‘ulúw or ‘illiyy) high, sublime; high places or the persons who sit in high places; the upper apartments of heaven; a place in the seventh heaven, where the records of men’s actions are laid up; the books themselves; a ledger for the righteous deeds. See Qur’án 83:18–20. The opposite of sajín. |
| Ilm adh-Dhawqi | al-‘Ilm adh-Dhawqi | intuitive insight (Remembrance of God, p. 5, Scholl) |
| Ilm al-Ilahi | ‘Ilm al-Iláhí | theology |
| Ilm al-wujudi | ‘ilm al-Wujudi | existential knowledge |
| Ilm Ilahiyat, ‘Ilm Ilahiyun | ‘Ílm Iláhíyat, pl. ‘Ílm Iláhíyún | theologian |
| Ilm-al-Yaqin | ‘Ilm-al-Yaqín | “certain knowledge” or knowledge that is impossible to deny or disprove |
| Ilm, ‘Ulum | ‘Ilm, pl. ‘Ulúm | knowledge, learning, lore; cognizance, acquaintance; information; cognition, intellection, perception, knowledge; (pl.) science; al-‘ulúm, the (natural) sciences |
| Ilmi | ‘Ilmí | scientific; erudite (book); learned (society) |
| Ilmiya, ‘Ilmiyyyih | ‘Ilmíya[t], Pers. also ‘Ilmiyyih | learning, scholarship |
| Ilmu’t-Tajwid | ‘Ilmu’t-Tajwíd | al-‘Ilmu’t-Tajwíd or ‘Ilmu’l-Qira’ah—the science of reading the Qur’an correctly. |
| Iltibas | Iltibás | confusion, tangle, intricacy, obscurity, ambiguity, dubiousness, doubt. Also veiled or disguised. |
| Ilya | Ílyá | Elia is a name which may be a variant of the names Elias, Elijah, Eli or Eliahu |
| Ilyas, Alyas (Alyaz) | Ilyás, Alyás | Hebrew ליהו, Eliahu or Eliyahu, “One whose God is the Lord”; English Elijah (alternative spelling: Elyas, Ilias, Eliasor, Elias, Eliahu, Elyahu, Eliyahu) |
| Ilzam | Ilzám | coercion, compulsion |
| Ilzami | Ilzámí | forced, compulsory, obligatory, required. As a philosophical term, “necessary” may give a clearer meaning of the word. |
| Imad, Amad | ‘Imád, pl. ‘Amad | support, prop, stay (also figuratively); bracket, buttress, post, pole, pillar. Mír ‘Imád famous calligrapher. |
| Imadi’d-Dawlih | ‘Imádi’d-Dawlih | “the Mainstay of the State” |
| Imadu’d-Din | Imádu’d-Dín | pillar of the Faith |
| Imam, A’imma | Imám, pl. A’imma[h or t] | pillar of the Faith Imam, A’immaImám, pl. A’imma[h or t] imam, prayer leader; leader; master; plumb line. The person who leads the congregation in the mosque, in prayer (hence, “prayer leader”). The A’imma are called the “Kindred of God”, “Suns of immaculacy and Moons of majesty” by Bahá’u’lláh (Pen of Glory, p. 27). Imáma[h or t] (English imamah), function or office of the prayer leader; imamate; leading position; precedence. |
| Imam-Husayn | Imám-Ḥusayn | the third Imám. One wife, Shahrbánú, was a daughter of Yazdigird III |
| Imam-Jum’ih | Imám-Jum‘ih | Pers. (Imam-Jom’a or Imam Jomai) The leader of the Shí‘ah Friday prayers in the mosque of a city or town. |
| Imam-Zada, Imam-Zadagan | Imám-Záda, pl. Imám-Zádagán | Pers. (“Emamzadeh”, “Emamzadegan”) descendant of an Imám; son of a priest; term for a shrine-tomb of the descendants (not the Imám) of Imams, who are directly related to Muḥammad. There are many Imám-Zádagán shrines in Qum. Pers. imám-zádih. |
| Imam-Zadih Ma’sum | Imám-Zádih Ma‘ṣúm | also known as the Shrine of ibn Bábuyyih (Babawayh) in the ibn Bábuyyih Cemetery, south of Ṭihrán. Place where the Báb’s body was kept at the instruction of Bahá’u’lláh. Nabil suggests the Shrine of Imám-Zádih-Ḥasan. |
| Imama | Imáma(h or t) | function or office of the prayer leader; imamate; leading position; precedence |
| Iman | Ímán | faith, belief |
| Imanu’llah | Ímánu’lláh | Faith of God |
| Imara | Imára(h) | position or rank of an emir; princely bearing or manners; principality, emirate; authority, power |
| Imara, Imarat | ‘Imára(h or t), pl. ‘Imárát, ‘Amá’ir | building, edifice, structure; real estate, tract, lot |
| Imarat-i-Khurshid | ‘Imárat-i-Khurshíd | structure of the sun or sun room. Name of private house in Iṣfahán of the Mu‘tamidu’d-Dawlih (Manúchihr Khán) where the Báb stayed for four months. |
| Imda’ | Imḍá’ | realization, execution, accomplishment, completion; signing, signature |
| Imkan, Imkanat | Imkán, pl. Imkánát | power, capacity, capability; faculty, ability; possibility. “inherent contingency”—contrast with Ḥudúth (Gate of the heart, p. 189) |
| Imkani | Imkání | possible, potential; contingent |
| Imma | Immá | if; be it — or, either — or |
| Imra’, Imru’, al-Mar’ | Imra’ and Imru’ | (with definite article, al-mar’) a man; person, human being; al-mar’ frequently for son, human being; al-mar’ frequently for English “one”, as yaẓunnu’l-mir’ “one would think”. See Rajul. |
| Imra’a, al-Mar’a, Niswa, Niswan, Nisa’ | Imra’a[h or t] | (pl. Niswa[h or t], Niswán, Nisá’), fem. of Imra’. With definite article, al-mar’a[h or t]. A woman, lady, a wife. Nisá’ Khánum was a younger sister of Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Imran (Omran) | ‘Imrán | (Amran in Bible, and Joachim is known as ‘Imrán in the al-Qur’án); prosperity; father of Moses, Mary and of Abú Tálib |
| Imru’ al-Qays (Imru’u’l-Qays) | Imrú’ al-Qays ibn Ḥujr al-Kindí | 6th century Arab poet |
| Imruz | Imrúz | today or this day. See yúm |
| Imtihan, Imtihanat | Imtiḥán, pl. Imtiḥánát | test, experiment; examination. Tests occur when a Manifestation appears. See also Fitna. |
| Imtiyaz, Imtiyazat | Imtiyáz, pl. Imtiyazát | distinction, (mark of) honour; advantage, benefit, merit; difference, distinction, differentiation, discrimination; special right, privilege; concession, patent, permit, license, franchise; (oil) concession; prerogative, priority right |
| In | Ín | Pers. this, the demonstrative pronoun for the nearer object; doubt; irresolution |
| Inab, Inabun, A’nab | ‘Inab (coll.; n. ‘Inabun), pl. A‘náb | grape(s). Not ‘Anab as in PUP 248. |
| Inayatu’llah | ‘Ináyatu’lláh | (Enayet’o’llah) meaning or care of God. Male given name and surname. ‘Ináyatu’lláh Ishráqí. Mírzá ‘Ináyatu’lláh Khán, the son of Ḥájí Mullá Ismá‘íl (martyred at Shaykh Ṭabarsí) |
| Infi’al, Infi’alat | Infi‘ál, pl. Infi‘álát | (state of) being affected, acted upon, or influenced, passivity; stimulation, irritation (biology);—pl. agitation, excitement, excitation, commotion |
| Infi’ali | Infi‘álí | excitable, irritable, susceptible (biology); caused by affect, affective (philosophy) |
| Infisal | Infiṣál | separation; disengagement, dissociation, withdrawal; secession; interruption |
| Infitar | Infiṭár | being split, cleft, riven |
| Inhitat | Inḥiṭáṭ | decline, fall, decay, decadence; inferiority |
| Inja | Ínjá | Pers. this place; here |
| Injil, Anajil | Injíl, pl. Anájíl | (Gk. Evangel) gospel. Injíl occurs twelve times in the Qur’án (as Gospel in English) and refers to the book given to Jesus by God. It is believed to be the true lost original Gospel promulgated by Jesus. |
| Inkar | Inkár | denial, disavowal, negation, contestation; refusal, rejection, non-acceptance, e.g. of Imám ‘Alí |
| Ins | Ins | (colloquial) man, mankind, human race |
| Insaf | Inṣáf | justice, equity |
| Insan-i-Kamil | Insán-i-Kámil | perfect human being |
| Insan, Insana | Insán, fem. Insána[h or t] | man (in general), human being. Insán al-‘ain pupil (of the eye). See gender based words: rajul, imra’. |
| Insani | Insání | human; humane; humanitarian, philanthropist |
| Insaniya | Insáníya(h or t) | humanity, humaneness; politeness, civility; mankind, the human race |
| Insha’ | Inshá’ | creation; origination; bringing about; setting up. Establishment, organization, institution; formation; making, manufacture, production; erection; building, construction; founding, foundation; installation; composition, compilation, writing; letter writing; style, art of composition; essay, treatise. |
| Insha’allah | Inshá’alláh (’in shá’a lláhu) | literally “If God has willed (it)”, “God willing” or “if it is God’s will”; it is to be hoped; I hope; we hope so. The phrase comes from a Quranic command (Qur’án 18:23–4) that commands Muslims to use it when speaking of future events. |
| Inshaqqa | Inshaqqa | (verb, form VII intransitive of Shaqqa) to split up, to crack, be cleft; to split, crack, burst; to split off, separate, segregate, secede, break away (Qur’án 54:1) |
| Inshaqqu’l-Qamar | ’Inshaqqu’l-Qamar | splitting, cleaving or cracking the moon. A miracle or “an impossible act”. Refer to Qur’án 54:1. |
| Inshiqaq | Inshiqáq | separation, segregation, dissociation, spilt; schism (Christian); dissension, discord, disunion |
| Inshirah | Inshiráḥ | relaxedness, relaxation, joy, delight, glee, gaiety |
| Insi | Insí | human; human being |
| Intifada | Intifáḍa(h) | (nomen vicis, single instance), (derived from Nafaḍ), shiver, shudder, tremor. A key concept (as a rebellion, uprising or a resistance movement) in contemporary Arabic usage referring to a legitimate uprising against oppression. In the Palestinian context, the word refers to attempts to “shake off” the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the First and Second Intifadas, where it was originally chosen to connote “aggressive non-violent resistance”. |
| Intizam | Intiẓám | (a variation of niẓám), being arranged, strung in a line; arrangement, regulation, disposition, order, method, system; plan, scheme; administration, government |
| Intizar | Intiẓár | waiting, wait; expectation |
| Iqab | ‘Iqáb | infliction of punishment, punishment; penalty. Translated by Shoghi Effendi as “retribution” in The Hidden Words #93 (Persian). Mistaken for “eagle” in an early translation. See ‘uqáb |
| Iqal, ‘Uqal | ‘Iqál, pl. ‘Uqul | cord used for hobbling the feet of a camel; a headband made of camel’s hair, holding the kúfíya (headdress) in place |
| Iqan | Íqán | being sure, knowing for certain; certitude |
| Iqbal (Eqbal) | Iqbál | drawing near, advance, approach; coming, arrival, advent; turning, application, attention, response, responsiveness. Sir Muhammad Iqbal (1877–1938), widely known as Allama Iqbal, was a poet, philosopher and politician, academic, barrister and scholar from the Punjab (now part of Pakistan). He had close contact with Bahá’ís and was influenced by them. ‘Abbás Iqbál Ashtiyání (1896/97–1956) was an Iranian literary scholar, historian, translator, and an attacker of the Bahá’í Faith. |
| Iqbal-i-Dawla (Iqbal-i-Dawlih) | Iqbál-i-Dawla (Iqbál-i-Dawlih) | “Fortune of the state” |
| Iqd, ‘Uqud | ‘Iqd, pl. ‘Uqúd | chaplet, necklace |
| Iqlim, Aqalim | Iqlím, pl. Aqálím | climate; area, region; province, district; administrative district. |
| Iqrar | Iqrár | establishing, fixing (in a place); promise, agreement, assurance, pledge; consent, acquiescence, acceptance; confirmation, ratification, affirmation, attestation, declaration; settlement, compact, bargain; confession, acknowledgment. |
| Iqtidar, Iqtidarat | Iqtidár, fem. pl. Iqtidárát | might, power, strength, potency; ability, capability, faculty, capacity, efficiency, aptitude. Iqtidárát wa chand lawḥ-i-dígár ḥaḍrat-i-Bahá’u’lláh (Magnificences and select other Tablets of His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh)—a compilation of Tablets by Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Iqtiran | Iqtirán | connection, conjunction, union, association, affiliation; link, connectedness, simultaneous interaction; conjunction (astron.); new moon (as an astronomical aspect); marriage, wedding |
| Irada (Iradih), Iradat | Iráda(h), (Pers. Irádih), pl. Irádát | will, volition; wish; desire;—(pl.) irade (a decree of an Islamic ruler), decree (of a ruler); will power |
| Iraj (Iradj, Eraj) | Íraj | Pers. the sun; name of the youngest son of Farídún; name of a king of Babylon. Dih Íraj, a village, near Nayríz. |
| Iram (Erum, Errum, Eyrom), Aram | Iram (Arim), pl. Árám | Pers. heaven, paradise; stone placed in the desert to guide travellers. Iram of the Pillars (Iram dhát al-‘imád), also called “Aram”, “Irum”, “Irem”, “Erum”, or the “City of the tent poles”, is a reference to a lost city, country or area mentioned in Qur’án 89:7. Fabulous gardens said to have been devised by Shaddád bin ‘Ad in emulation of the gardens of Paradise. Bághi Iram, “heaven on Earth”, the “terrestrial paradise”, fabulous gardens said to have been devised by Shaddád bin ‘Ad to emulate and out compete with the heavenly gardens of Paradise. Bágh Baḥru’l-Arim (≈500 m dia., centre 36.531656, 52.676842), a famous Persian “island-garden”, set in the Baḥru’l-Arim (“Sea of Paradise”), a lake (≈1 km dia., centre 36.532487, 52.675997), now reclaimed, in Bárfurúsh. Now the campus of the Babol University of Medical Sciences. |
| Iran | Írán | Iran; “land of the Aryans”, derived from 3rd-century Sasanian Middle Persian érán (“of the Iranians”); a region in southwestern Asia—the Islamic Republic of Írán managed to hold on to most of it. Formerly known in the west as Persia until 21 March 1935 when Muḥammad Riḍá Sháh Pahlaví requested it be called Írán. |
| Irandukht | Írándukht | Írán + dukht |
| Irani, Iranun | Írání, pl. Íránún | Iranian, Persian;—(pl.) a Persian, an Iranian |
| Iranzad | Íránzád | Pers. son of Írán |
| Iraq | al-‘Iráq | Iraq |
| Iraq al-‘Ajam | ‘Iráq al-‘Ajam, ‘Iráq-i-‘Ajam | Persian ‘Iráq. ‘Iráq between the 11th to 19th centuries consisted of two neighbouring regions: Arabic ‘Iráq (‘Iráq al-‘Arab) and Persian ‘Iráq (‘Iráq al-‘Ajam). Arabic ‘Iráq = ancient Babylonia (now central-southern ‘Iráq), and Persian ‘Iráq = ancient Media (now central-western Írán). The two regions were separated by the Zagros Mountains. |
| Iraq al-‘Arab | ‘Iráq al-‘Arab, ‘Iráq-i-‘Arab | Arabic ‘Iráq. See ‘Iráq al-‘Ajam. |
| Iraq al-A’zam | ‘Iráq al-A‘ẓam, ‘Iráq-i-A‘ẓam | historical region (Media or Mád) of western Írán, once incorrectly known as Persian ‘Iráq (‘Iráq-i-‘Ajamí). It consisted roughly of a triangle formed by the ancient cities of Ecbatana (believed near Hamadan), Rhagae (southern Ṭihrán) and Aspadana (Iṣfahán). |
| Iraqan (Iraqain, Iraqayn) | al-‘Iráqán, Pers. al-‘Iráqayn | cities of Baṣra and Kúfa. Shaykhu’l-‘Iráqayn (Mujtahid Shaykh ‘Abdu’l-Ḥusayn-i-Ṭihrání) opposed Bahá’u’lláh when He was in ‘Iráq. |
| Iraqi, Iraqun | ‘Iráqí, pl. ‘Iráqún | Iraqi, Iraqian;—(pl.) an Iraqi |
| Irbil | Irbíl | (“)Erbil) capital of ‘Iráqí Kurdistán |
| Irfan | ‘Irfán | cognition, knowledge, perception; recognition, acknowledgment; gnosis, mystic knowledge, true or spiritual understanding |
| Irhaq | Irháq | pressure, oppression; suppression; heavy load (e.g., of work) |
| Irhas, Irhasat | Irháṣ, pl. Irháṣát | “laying a foundation”; term used for any miracle performed by a prophet before his assumption of the prophetical office. |
| Irivan, Iravan | Iriván, Iraván | (Azerbaijani) Yerevan, Erivan or Erevan (40.166688, 44.510875), capital of Armenia, west of Lake Sevan |
| Irshad al-‘Awamm, Irshadu’l-‘Avam | Irshád al-‘Awámm, Pers. Irshádu’l-‘Avám | “Guidance unto the ignorant” by Hájí Muḥammad-Karím Khán |
| Irshad, Irshadat | Irshád, pl. fem. Irshádát | guidance; a conducting, showing the way (to); guiding hand; care; spiritual guidance; instruction; direction; directive; information; advising, advice;—pl. directives, directions, instructions, advice |
| Irtidad | Irtidád | retreat, withdrawal; retrogression; renunciation, desertion; apostasy (withdraw from Islam) |
| Irtifa’ | Irtifá‘ | rise (e.g., of prices); elevation; increase; height, altitude (e.g., of a mountain). The Báb uses irtifá‘ to simultaneously have two meanings: one is negation, abrogation or cancelation, and the other is exaltation and elevation; this is in relation to the abrogation of a former Dispensation and its fulfilment and exaltation by a new Dispensation. “Each Revelation, in simultaneously abrogating and exalting the previous Dispensation, is the return of the previous Revelation in the station of its perfection.” Gate of the heart, p. 277. |
| Irtiqa’ | Irtiqá‘ | climbing, mounting; ascension; ascent; progress, rise, progressive development; “evolution” |
| Isa | ‘Ísá | Jesus. See Yasú’ |
| Isam, A’sima, ‘Usum | ‘Iṣám, fem. ‘Iṣámí, pl. A‘ṣima, ‘Uṣum | (“Essam”) strap, thong. Also safeguard. Male given name and surname. Derived from ‘Iṣma. |
| Isawi | ‘Ísáwí | Christian |
| Isfahan | Iṣfahán | Pers. city 340 km south of Ṭihrán (sometimes given as Iṣfáhán, Ispáhán and Ṣifáhán). Called the land of Ṣád by the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. Described as Iṣfahán niṣf-i-jáhán ást, “Isfahan is half (of) the world”. |
| Isfahani | Iṣfahání | of or from Iṣfahán. Ḥájí Mírzá Ḥaydar ‘Alíy-i-Iṣfahání (b. Iṣfahán, 1834; d. Haifa, 1920). Bahá’u’lláh gave him the titles “The Angel of Carmel” and “Sulṭán-i-Mu‘allimún” (The king of teachers). Author of Bihjatu’ṣ-Ṣudúr (Delight of Hearts) |
| Isfand | Isfand | Pers. a species of rue; a province of Nishábúr; 12th month of Persian solar calendar |
| Isfandabad (Esfandabad, Isfand-Abad) | Isfandábád | (Esfand Abad) village between Yazd and Shíráz (30.918674, 53.434260) |
| Isfandiyar | Isfandíyár | Pers. Esfandiyár, Sepandiár, Sepandiyar, Esfandyar, Isfandiar, Isfandiyar or Esfandiar. Legendary Iranian hero. (“Created holy and pure”) Name of loyal servant of Bahá. |
| Isfiya | ‘Isfiya | is a Druze-majority town (32.717905, 35.064655) on Mount Carmel, to the south of the highest point. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá owned land in the area. |
| Isha | Íshá (for íshán) | Pers. they. An honorific form of Persian pronoun for the third person singular. Íshá, a designation (also Jináb Íshá, derived from Ṣúfí usage) by which Bahá’u’lláh was known: “When the followers of the Báb gathered under special circumstances at Badasht, it was there that everyone received a new name. It was then that they knew this shining diadem of majesty and might found its eternal manifestation, not on the forehead of one who was clad in the garments of the learned; but shone instead on that of a Youth who was majestic in appearance, glorious in gait and manners, and-godly in every atom of His being. So exalted was He in the eyes of the people, so highly respected and adored, that out of sheer homage and love they did not dare to mention His name. Instead He was referred to as ‘Íshá’.” (Abu’l-Qasím Fayẓí, An Explanation of the Greatest Name, p. 9) |
| Isha’ | ‘Ishá’ | evening; (feminine) evening prayer (Islamic Law) |
| Ishan, Ishanan | Íshán, pl. Íshánán | Pers. they (rational beings) |
| Ishaq | Isḥáq | Isaac; becoming threadbare; shrinking after milking (the teats); drying up. Muḥammad ibn Isḥáq ibn Yasár ibn Khiyár; according to some sources, ibn Khabbár, or Kúmán, or Kútán, or simply ibn Isḥáq (“the son of Isaac”) (d. 767) was an Arab Muslim historian and hagiographer. Abú al-Faraj Muḥammad ibn Isḥáq an-Nadím; ibn Abí Ya’qúb Isḥáq ibn Muḥammad ibn Isḥáq al-Warráq and erroneously known as ibn an-Nadím (ca. 932–995 or 998). Isḥáq an-Nadím was a 10th-century Arab Muslim bibliographer of Baghdád who compiled the bibliographic encyclopaedia Kitáb al-Fihrist (“The Book Catalogue” of all books in Arabic). His epithets were an-Nadím (“the Court Companion” and al-Warráq (“the copyist of manuscripts”. |
| Ishara, Isharat | Ishára[h or t], pl. Ishárát | sign, motion, nod, wink, wave; gesture; signal; indication; allusion, hint, intimation; symbolic expression; (silent) reminder; advice, counsel, suggestion; instruction, order, command |
| Ishq, ‘Ishiqa | ‘Ishq, fem. ‘Ishqa[h or t] | love, ardour of love, passion. e.g. ‘Ishqábád is also known as ‘Ishq. |
| Ishqabad (‘Ishq-Abad) | ‘Ishqábád | Pers. “City of Love”. Now Ashgabat (Turkmen: Aşgabat; Ashkhabad “city of tears” before 1991), is the capital and largest city (37.954001, 58.374044) of Turkmenistan. The first Bahá’í Mashriqu’l-Adhkár was completed in 1908 (possibly 37.944962, 58.384192), it was totally expropriated by the Soviet authorities in 1938, damaged beyond repair by an earthquake that devastated the city in 1948, and demolished in 1963. |
| Ishqi | ‘Ishqí | belonging to love |
| Ishqiy-i-Qarn-i-Bistum | ‘Ishqíy-i-Qarn-i-Bístum | “‘Ishqí of the twentieth century” (abjad value 1342 (AH 1342 or CE 1923.). See Arches of the Years, p. 257. |
| Ishraq, Ishraqa, Ishraqatt | Ishráq, fem. Ishráqa[h or t], pl. Ishráqát | radiance; radiation, eradiation, emanation; illumination; Pers. rising (the sun); sunrise, morning; splendour, lustre, beauty. Tablet of Ishráqát (Splendours) by Bahá’u’lláh published in Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 99–134. Ishráq Khávarí ‘Adbu’l-Ḥamíd. |
| Ishraqi Namaz | Ishraqi, Ishraqiyun | (Pers. with Ar. influence) of or pertaining to sunrise; eastern, oriental; having the splendour of the East |
| Ishraqi, Ishraqiyan, Ishraqiyun | Ishráqí, pl. Ishráqiyán, Ishráqiyún | a Persian mystical order, the Iranian school of Illuminationism, which is an important school in Islamic philosophy. Founded by Shaháb ad-Dín Yaḥyá ibn Ḥabash Suhrawardí (“Shaykh al-‘Ishráq”) (c. 1155–1191), a Persian theologian and philosopher. The “light” in his Philosophy of Illumination is the source of knowledge. al-Ishráqíyún the Illuminists, adherents of Illuminism. |
| Ishraqiya (Ishraqiyyih), Ishraqiyun | Ishráqíya[h or t], pl. Ishráqíyún (Iṣfahání Pers. Ishráqiyyih) | a Persian mystical order founded by Shaháb ad-Dín Yaḥyá ibn Ḥabash Suhrawardí (c. 1155–1191), a Persian theologian and philosopher. Ideas arose out of perpatetic philosophy. |
| Ishraqu’llah | Ishraqu’lláh | “light or radiance of God” |
| Ishrun, Bist | ‘Ishrún, Pers. Bíst | twenty |
| Ishti’al | Ishti‘ál | ignition, inflammation, combustion, burning. Name/pen name Ishti‘ál (“aflame” or “blazing fire”) ibn-i-Kalantár given to Ali-Kuli Khan by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Ishtihard (Eshtehard) | Ishtihárd | a village (35.721649, 50.368472) 69 km SE of Qazvín and 54 km SW of Karaj |
| Iskaf (Uskaf), Iskafi | Iskáf and Iskáfí, pl. Asákifa | shoemaker. Iskáf (33.110695, 45.015302) was an ancient and medieval city on the Nahrawan Canal, about 65 km ESE of Baghdád. Abú ‘Alí Muḥammad bin Aḥmad bin al-Junayd al-Kátib al-Iskáfí, known as Ibn al-Junayd al-Iskáfí, was an Imámí scholar of jurisprudence and theology in the tenth century. See Yanbú‘. |
| Iskandar, Askandar | Iskandar, Askandar | Greek (iskandarús, garlic) Alexander, said to be the son of Dárá (Darius, the last king of the Kayanian dynasty), who married Náhíd, daughter of Fílqús (Philippus). On account of her fetid breath, her husband sent her back to her father, who cured her by the use of iskandarús, Garlic, whence her son’s name. |
| Iskandariya | al-Iskandaríya | Alexandria, Egypt (sixteen cities of this name are ascribed to Alexander) |
| Iskandaruna | Iskandarúna[h or t] | Turkish city of İskenderun (36.584676, 36.174635) on the Turkish coast north of Syria. Original settlement in the area named Alexandretta (“Little Alexandria”) by Alexandria the Great in 333 BCE. |
| Iski-Shahr | Iskí-Shahr | Turkish eski şehir or eski+shahr, “old town”. “Old” Chihríq? |
| Islah, Islahat | Iṣláḥ, pl. Iṣláḥát | restoration, restitution, redressing, reparation; improvement, amelioration, betterment, mending, correction; reconstruction; reconditioning, repair; renovation, refurbishing; adjustment, settling, remedying, removal, elimination; restoration of order, establishment of peace, happiness and order; reformation, reform; reclamation, cultivation (of land); (re) conciliation, settlement, compromise, peace making. “he who is the possessor of armaments (iṣláḥát) arose to redress the wrongs [asliḥa]” play on words in a Tablet of Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Islam | Islám | submission, resignation, reconciliation (to the will of God in every age); or the total surrender of oneself to God. Titled “Perspicuous Religion” and “Well-established Path”. Redefined by the Báb as “Verily, the essence of religion is none other than submission unto This Remembrance [the Báb].” Root is as-Silm rather than as-Salima or as-Salám. |
| Islamabad | Islámábád (Islám Ábád) | Pers. & Urdu “city of Islam”, capital city of Pakistan |
| Islami | Islámí | Islamic (no accents for the English Islamic). Muslims object to the English words Muhammadan and Muhammadic because they imply Islam is the religion of Muḥammad. |
| Islamiya | Islámíya(h or t) | the idea of Islám, Islamism; status or capacity of a Muslim |
| Islamshahr (Eslamshahr, Islam-Shahr) | Islámshahr | city on SW side of Ṭihrán |
| Ism al-A’zam, Ism-i-A’zam | al-Ism al-A‘ẓam, Pers. Ism-i-A‘ẓam | The Greatest Name (of God), the 100th, is Bahá’. There is a Sufi tradition that the 99 names of God point to a mystical “Most Supreme and Superior Name” (al-Ismu’l al-A‘ẓam). A ḥadíth narrated by ‘Abdu’lláh ibn Masúd states some names of God have been hidden from mankind (they are not in the Qur’án). See Asmá’u’l-Ḥusná and Ism Alláh al-A‘ẓam. |
| Ism al-Abha, al-Ismu’l-Abha | al-Ism al-Abhá, al-Ismu’l-Abhá | “the most beautiful name” or “the most splendid name” |
| Ism Allah al-A’zam | Ism Alláh al-A‘ẓam | The Greatest Name of God |
| Ism, Asma, Asamin | Ism, pl. Asmá’, Asámin | name; appellation; reputation, standing, prestige |
| Isma adh-dhatiyya | al-‘Iṣma adh-Dhátiyya | Essential infallibility |
| Isma as-sifatiya | al-‘Iṣma aṣ-Ṣifátíya | Conferred infallibility (bestowed rather than innate). Immunity from error and infallibility of judgement—not freedom from sin, sinlessness or immaculateness. |
| Isma (Asmat, Esmat), ‘Isam | ‘Iṣma(h or t), pl. ‘Iṣam | hindering, hindrance, prevention, obviation; preservation, guarding, defending, safeguarding; keeping back (from sin or danger); a defence, guard; protection; chastity, purity, modesty, virtuousness; impeccant, sinlessness; a necklace, collar, belt. A male and female given name meaning purity, chastity or modesty and in classical Arabic infallibility, immaculate, impeccability, faultlessness. ‘immunity from sin and error’, (from ‘aṣama, ya‘ṣimu = to protect, to save from) |
| Isma’il | Ismá‘íl | Ismael (Ishmael in Hebrew, “God listens or hears”), the son of Abraham and the Egyptian Hagar, who was considered to be the forerunner of the desert Arabs. |
| Isma’il-i-Kashani | Ismá‘íl-i-Kashání | |
| Isma’il-i-Kashi | Ismá‘íl-i-Káshí | |
| Isma’il-i-Zavari’i | Ismá‘íl-i-Zavari’í | |
| Isma’ili, Isma’iliyyun | al-Ismá‘ílí, pl. al-Ismá‘íliyyún | disciple, follower, Ismaelite; descendant of Ismá‘íl |
| Isma’iliya, Isma’iliyya, Isma’iliyyun | Ismá‘ílíya[h or t], pl. Ismá‘íliyyún | Pers. Ismá‘íliyya[h or t] (“Ismá‘íliyyih”) Isma’ilism—branch of Shí‘a Islam that followed the Imam succession through the eldest son (he died before his father) of Ja‘far aṣ-Ṣádiq. A Shí‘a sect of great intellectual significance whose adherents believe that Ismá‘íl, eldest son of the sixth Imam, was the rightful seventh Imam (and last, hence called Seveners), and who diverge from the more numerous Twelver Shí‘a. Their imamate continues to the present day, running in the line of the Áqá Kháns. al-Ismáʻílíyah (30.596618, 32.271465) is a city in north-eastern Egypt. |
| Ismat Khanum | ‘Iṣmat Khánum | ‘Iṣmat Khánum Ṭihrání, Bahá’í, journalist, feminist, known as Ṭá’irih (“Bird”) |
| Ismatu’l-Kubra, Ismat-i-Kubra | al-‘Iṣmatu’l-Kubrá, Pers. ‘Iṣmat-i-Kubrá | “the Great or Most Great Infallibility” of the Manifestation of the Names and attributes of God, doctrine enunciated by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Ismu’l-Azal | Ismu’l-Azal | Name of Eternity (Mírzá Yaḥyá) |
| Ismu’llah | Ismu’lláh | “Name of God” |
| Ismu’llahi’l-A’zam | Ismu’lláhi’l-A‘ẓam | Name of God, Greatest |
| Ismu’llahi’l-Akhar | Ismu’lláhi’l-Ákhar | “The Last Name of God”. Name the Báb bestowed on Quddús. |
| Ismu’llahi’l-Akhir | Ismu’lláhi’l-Ákhir | The Last name of God”. Title given to Quddús by the Báb. |
| Ismu’llahi’l-Asdaq | Ismu’lláhi’l-Aṣdaq | “The Name of God, the Most Truthful”, name given to Mullá Ṣádiq-i-Khurásání (formerly known as Muqaddas). |
| Ismu’llahi’l-Fatiq | Ismu’lláhi’l-Fatíq | “In the Name of God, the Eloquent” |
| Ismu’llahi’l-Jamal | Ismu’lláhi’l-Jamál | “The Name of God, Jamál”. Name given to Siyyid-i-Mihdíy-i-Dahají by Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Ismu’llahi’l-Javad | Ismu’lláhi’l-Javád | “The Name of God, the All-Bountiful”. Title given to Muḥammad Javád-i-Qazvíní by Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Ismu’llahi’l-Jud | Ismu’lláhi’l-Júd | “The Name of God, the Bounteous” (name given to Muḥammad Javád-i-Qazvíní by Bahá’u’lláh) |
| Ismu’llahi’l-Mihdi | Ismu’lláhi’l-Mihdí | “The Name of God, Mihdí”. Name given to Siyyid Mihdíy-i-Dahají. |
| Ismu’llahi’l-Munib | Ismu’lláhi’l-Muníb | “The Name of God, the Patron” |
| Isnad, Asanid | Isnád, pl. Asáníd | ascription (of an Islamic tradition), the (uninterrupted) chain of authorities on which a tradition is based |
| Ispahan | Ispáhán | Middle Persian. Arabicized modern form is Iṣfahán |
| Isr, Asar | Iṣr, pl. Áṣár | covenant, compact,contract; load, encumbrance, burden; sin;—pl. bonds, ties |
| Isra’ | Isrá‘ | acceleration, speed-up; hurry |
| Isra’ | Isrá’ | nocturnal journey; al-Isrá’ (“the night journey”) of Muḥammad to al-Aqṣá [understood to be Jerusalem] |
| Isra’il | Isrá’íl | Israel. Banú Isrá’íl—the Israelites; Dawlat Isrá’ílíya[h or t] the State of Israel. |
| Isra’ili, Isra’iliya | Isrá’ílí, fem. Isrá’ílíya[h or t] | Israelitish (Jewishness); Israelite; Israeli (adjective, of or relating to the Israelites; Hebrew) and noun. Uncommon usage since the 1910s: Israelite, Israelitic. |
| Israfil | Isráfíl | “the burning one” (Israfel) seraph. The angel whose function is to sound the trumpet (ram’s horn) on the Day of Judgement. See ‘Izrá’íl. |
| Istahbanat (Estahbanat), Istahban | Iṣṭahbánát, Pers. Istahbán | Istahbán (pre-1970 name was Iṣṭahbánát, “Iṣtạh-bánát”), is a city (29.127187, 54.038803) 29 km WSW of Nayríz and 150 km ESE Shíráz) and capital of Estahban County, Fárs Province, Írán. |
| Istanbul, Islambul | Istanbúl | Istanbul, Constantinople. Islámbúl (“full of Islam”) appeared after Ottoman conquest in 1453. Modern Turkish, İstanbul. |
| Istanbuli | Istanbúlí | of Istanbúl |
| Isti’ara | Isti‘ára(h) | borrowing; metaphor |
| Istidlal | Istidlál | reasoning, argumentation, demonstration; conclusion, inference, deduction; proof, evidence (of) |
| Istidlaliya, Istidlaliyya | Istidlálíya[h or t], Istidláliyya[h or t] | testimony (book) or (book) of apologetics. Iṣfahání Pers. Istidláliyyih. |
| Istifham, Istifhamat | Istifhám, pl. Istifhámát | desiring to know or to be taught, informing oneself by asking questions; interrogation |
| Istiftah | Istiftáḥ | start, beginning, commencement, inception, incipience; asking assistance; opening; conquering |
| Istijlal | Istijlál | majesty |
| Istikhlaf | Istikhláf | appoint someone to be successor. In the Qur’anic context, appointing a trustee or vicegerent, or “Law of Succession of Prophets”. |
| Istilah, Istilahat | Iṣṭiláḥ, pl. Iṣṭiláḥát | being reconciled; phraseology, phrase, idiom; technical term, terminology; cant, slang.—pl. forms of speech; idioms; technicalities. |
| Istilahi | Iṣṭiláḥí | technical, conventional |
| Istiqama | Istiqáma[t] | straightness; sincerity, uprightness, rectitude, integrity, probity, honesty; rightness, soundness, correctness. Lawḥ Istiqámat, “Tablet of Constancy”, by Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Istiqbal, Istiqbalat | Istiqbál, pl. Istiqbálát | reception; opposition (astron.); full moon (as an astronomical aspect); the future |
| Istiqlal | Istiqlál | independence |
| Itabaki-A’zam | Íṭábakí-A‘ẓam | “the greatest tutor”. Probably should be Atábak-i-A‘ẓam |
| Itabaki-Chupan | Íṭábakí-Chúpán | probably should be Atábak-i-Chúpán (The Dawn-Breakers, p. 421) |
| Ithbat | Ithbát | establishment; assertion; confirmation; affirmation, attestation; demonstration; proof, evidence; registration, entering, listing, recording; documentation, authentication, verification |
| Ithna ‘Ashara, Ithnata ‘Ashrata | Ithná ‘Ashara | (fem. Ithnatá ‘Ashrata[h or t]) twelve |
| Ithna-‘Ashariya, Ithna-‘Ashariyya | Ithná-‘Asharíya[h or t] | (Pers, Ithná-‘Ashariyya[h or t]) “twelver”. The followers of the twelve Imams, the Twelvers, or the Twelver Shí‘í Muslims (also known as Imámíya[h or t] or the Imamites). It is the largest branch of Shí‘a Islám that believes 12 Imams (A’imma) succeeded Muḥammad. |
| Ithnan, Ithnatan | Ithnán, fem. Ithnatán, dual Ithnayn | two |
| Itmam | Itmám | completion; perfection; termination, conclusion; consummation, execution, fulfilment, realization, effectuation, accomplishment |
| Itmam-i-Ni’mat | Itmám-i-Ni‘mat | completion of favour |
| Itmi’nan (Itminan) | Iṭmi’nán | calm, repose, serenity, peace, peacefulness, tranquillity; reassurance, peace of mind, composure, calmness, equanimity; trust, confidence |
| Itmi’nan-i-Qalb (Itminan-i-Qalb) | Iṭmi’nán-i-Qalb | heart attaining tranquillity or composure of the heart |
| Itqan | Itqán | perfection; thoroughness, exactitude, precision; thorough skill, proficiency; mastery, command (e.g., of a special field, of a language) |
| Itr, ‘Utur, ‘Uturat | ‘Iṭr, pl. ‘Uṭúr, ‘Uṭúrát | perfume, scent; essence, fragrance, attar, attar (of roses). From the form II root عطّر. Pers. ‘Iṭr-sáz “perfume maker”. ‘Iṭr al-ward attar of roses, rose oil. |
| Itra, ‘Itrat | ‘Itra[t] | little balls formed of musk or other aromatics, and worn as a necklace; a progeny, family, near relations; a bit of pure musk; sweet marjoram;—‘Itrat an-Nabí “Family of the Prophet” |
| Itri | ‘Iṭrí | sweet-smelling, fragrant, aromatic |
| Ittaqa, Ittaqu’lláh | Ittaqá, Ittaqú’lláh | to beware, be wary (of), guard, be on one’s guard, protect oneself, make sure (against). Ittaqú’lláh, to fear God, is the command or imperative form of taqwá and Alláh. It is found in several Qur’anic verses. Variously translated as “fear God”, “keep your duty to God and fear Him”, “guard your duty to God”, “be careful of (your duty to) God”, “be pious to God”, “be aware of God”, and to “love and be faithful to God”. |
| Ittihad | Ittiḥád | oneness, singleness, unity; concord, accord, unison, harmony, unanimity, agreement; combination; consolidation, amalgamation, merger, fusion; alliance, confederacy; association; federation; union. Symbolically, the identification of man with God |
| Ittihadi, Ittihadiyyih | Ittiḥádí, Pers. also Ittiḥádiyyih | unionist; unionistic; federal |
| Ittila’, Ittila’a, Ittila’at | Iṭṭilá‘, fem. Ittila’a[h or t], pl. Iṭṭilá‘át | study, examination, inspection; perusal; information, intelligence, knowledge; notice, cognizance; acquaintance, conversance, familiarity |
| Iwil, Ivil | Íwil, Ívil | (“Ivel”, also known as Ídel) is a small village (36.240230, 53.677921) 12 km east of Kiyásar, 90 km SE of Sárí, 45 km west of Dámghán in Sari County, Mazandaran Province. |
| Iyala (Iyalih), Iyalat | Iyála(h or t), pl. Iyálát | province; regency; governing, administering; government, dominion |
| Izadi | Ízadí | Pers. God; an angel |
| Izar, Uzur | Izár m. and f., pl. Uzur | loincloth; wrap, shawl; wrapper, covering, cover |
| Izdiwaj (Izdivaj) | Izdiwáj | Pers. marrying; marriage, wedding |
| Izhaq (Azhaq) | Izháq | destroying, crushing |
| Izhar | Iẓhár | presentation, exposition, demonstration, exhibition, disclosure, exposure, revelation, announcement, declaration, manifestation, display; developing (photography) |
| Izmir (Smyrna) | Izmír | city in western extremity of Anatolia, Türkiye. Formerly ancient city of Smyrna |
| Izra’il | ‘Izrá’íl | Azrael (Israfel), the angel of death |
| Izz, ‘Izza | ‘Izz, fem. ‘Izza[h or t] | might, power, standing, weight; strength, force; honour, glory, high rank, fame, celebrity, renown; pride |
| Izzat | ‘Izzat | Pers. being great, powerful, rare, valuable; grandeur, glory, power, might; honour, esteem; rareness |
| Izzatu’llah | ‘Izzatu’lláh | Might or Power of God |
| Izzatu’llah Zahra’i | ‘Izzatu’lláh Zahrá’í | (Ezzat Zahrai) |
| Izziya | ‘Izziya[h or t] | mighty, strong. ‘Izzíya Khánum. See Kulthúm. |
| Izzu’d-Dawla (‘Izzu’d-Dawlih) | ‘Izzu’d-Dawla (‘Izzu’d-Dawlih) | “glory of the state” |
| Plain text | Transcripted text | Word meanings & comments |
| J | ||
| Ja’ba, Ji’ab | Ja‘ba(t), pl. Ji‘áb | quiver; tube, pipe; gun barrel; a case, box, desk, a cabinet |
| Ja’far | Ja‘far | little river, creek (Djaffar). Abu’l-‘Abbás Aḥmad ibn Ja‘far (c. 842–892, r. 870–892), better known by his regnal name al-Mu‘tamid ‘alá ’lláh (“Dependent on God”), was the 15th Caliph of the (restored) Abbasid Caliphate. |
| Ja’far as-Sadiq, Ja’far-i-Sadiq | Ja‘far aṣ-Ṣádiq, Pers. Ja‘far-i-Ṣádiq | the Sixth Imám |
| Ja’far-i-Istarabadi | Ja‘far-i-Istarábádí | |
| Ja’far-i-Tabrizi | Ja‘far-i-Tabrízí | |
| Ja’far-i-Yazdi | Ja‘far-i-Yazdí | (MF) |
| Ja’far-Quli | Ja‘far-Qulí | |
| Ja’fari | Ja‘farí | Pers. the finest kind of gold (named after a celebrated alchemist); a kind of cupola; a sort of screen (the interstices of the frame being lozenged); lattice-work; name of a yellow flower; parsley; name of a fortress. Ja‘farí jurisprudence, derived from the name of the sixth Imám |
| Ja’fariya, Ja’fariyyih | Ja‘faríya(t), Pers. Ja‘fariyya, Ja‘fariyyih | followers of the Sixth Imám |
| Jabal al-Basit, Jabal-i-Basit | Jabal al-Básiṭ, Pers. Jabal-i-Básiṭ | “the Open Mountain”—Máh-Kú (same numerical value as Básiṭ, 72) al-Básiṭ “the one who expands or stretches”) |
| Jabal al-Lawz | Jabal al-Lawz | “Almond mountain” (light-coloured granite), a mountain located in NW Saudi Arabia (28.654166, 35.305833) 72 km south of the Jordan border and 51 km east of the Gulf of Aqaba, and elevation of 2,580 m. Logic suggests that this is the true Mountain of Moses or the biblical “Mt. Sinai” (a modern name), also known (in Exodus, Deuteronomy, 1 Kings 8:9 and 2 Chronicles 5:10) as Mount Horeb (Jabal al-Ḥúríb). See Jabal al-Maqlá, Ṭúr as-Síná, and Ṭúr. |
| Jabal al-Maqla | Jabal al-Maqlá | “burnt mountain” (dark-coloured hornfels), about 7 km to the south (28.596194, 35.334111), and slightly lower (2,326 m) than Jabal al-Lawz. |
| Jabal ash-Shadid, Jabal-i-Shadid | Jabal ash-Shadíd, Pers. Jabal-i-Shadíd | “the Grievous Mountain”—fortress of Chihríq |
| Kuh-i-Nur, Jabal an-Nur | Kúh-i-Núr (Ar. Jabal an-Núr) | Pers. (Koh-i-Noor, Kohinoor and Koh-i-nur) Mountain of Light—Shrine of the Báb. Name of a famous colourless diamond (once 191 carats, from India). See Daryáy-i-Núr. |
| Jabal Mar Ilyas | Jabal Már Ilyás | Mount Saint Elijah, Arabic name for Mt. Carmel |
| Jabal Qaf, Qaf-Kuh (Kaf-Qaf) | Jabal Qáf, Pers. Qáf-Kúh, Kúh-Qáf | Mount Qaf (Koh-Qaf, Qaf-i-Kuh, and Gapkuh “unknown mountain”) is a legendary mountain in the popular mythology of the Middle East. In Iranian tradition, the northern Caucasus mountains, and ancient lore shrouded these high mountains in mystery. In Arabian tradition, a mysterious mountain renowned as the “farthest point of the earth” owing to its location at the far side of the ocean encircling the earth. Also the mountains surrounding the terrestrial world. he name of the Caucasus mountains is said to have ultimately come from Kapkof or Kafkaz, corrupted variants of Gapkuh. |
| Jabal Sahyun (Jabal Sahioun) | Jabal Ṣahyún | Mount Zion. #1 the Lower Eastern Hill (southern end of the City of David), #2 the Upper Eastern Hill (“Temple Mount” to the north of the Jewish Temple site), and today #3 the Western Hill to the southwest of Old Jerusalem. |
| Jabal, Jibal, Ajbal | Jabal, pl. Jibál, Ajbál | mountain; mountains, mountain range |
| Jabalaq wa Jabalas, Jabulqa wa Jabulsa | Jábalaq wa Jábalaṣ | (Pers. Jábulqá wa Jábulsá, the west and the east) twin mythical cities (in Shí‘í ḥadíth), the dwelling place of the Hidden Imám (the Promised One), whence He will appear on the Day of Resurrection. |
| Jabalaq, Jabulqa | Jábalaq, Pers. Jábulqá | the east; name of another city, the limits of the world towards the east |
| Jabalas, Jabursa, Jabulsa | Jábalaṣ, Pers. Jábursá, Jábulsá | the west; name of a city in the west, beyond which there is no habitation. |
| Jabarut | Jabarút | omnipotence; power, might; tyranny. ‘álami jabarút, “the highest heaven”, “the All-highest Dominion” or “the Empyrean Heaven”—realm of being. See Háhút, Láhút and Násút. |
| Jabaruti, Jabarutiya | Jabarútí, fem. Jabarútíya[h or t] | mighty; heavenly, celestial |
| Jabban | Jabbán | cheese merchant |
| Jabbani | Jabbání | Siyyid Jabbání |
| Jabbar, Jabbarun, Jababir, Jababira | Jabbár, pl. Jabbárún, Jabábir, Jabábira | giant; colossus; tyrant, oppressor; almighty, omnipotent (God); gigantic, giant, colossal, huge; Orion (astronomy) |
| Jabir | Jábir | bonesetter Jábir Ibn-i-Ḥayyán was a follower of Imám Ṣádiq who handed down his traditions. |
| Jabr | Jabr | setting (of broken bones); force, compulsion; coercion, duress; power, might; (predestined, inescapable) decree of fate. ‘ilm al-jabr—algebra |
| Jabr wa’l-muqabala | Jabr wa’l-muqábala | al-Jabr wa’l-muqábala (“completing” or “restoring”, and “simplifying” or “balancing”). Part of a book title from which the word “algebra” is derived. See Khwárizmí |
| Jabra’il (Jibra’il), Jibril | Jabra’íl (Jibra’íl), Jibríl | Gabriel |
| Jabri, Jabariyan | Jabrí, pl. Jabariyán | one who believes in predestination, a fatalist |
| Jabríya and Mujabbira | Jabríya[h] and Mujabbira[h or t] | “believers in forceful fate”, an early Islamic philosophical school that believes man has no free-will and are controlled by predestination. Mujabbira forced. See Qadaríya. |
| Jadal | Jadal | quarrel, argument; debate, dispute, discussion, controversy |
| Jadhb (Jazb) | Jadhb | attraction; gravitation; appeal, lure, enticement, captivation |
| Jadhba (Jazba), Jadhbat (Jazbat) | Jadhba (Jaẓba), pl. Jadhbát (Jaẓbat) | Pers. passion, rage, fury; strong desire, craving for |
| Jadhbatu’llah (Jazbatu’llah) | Jadhbátu’lláh (Jaẓbátu’lláh) | Pers. rages of God |
| Jadhib, Jadhiba, Jawadhib | Jádhib, fem. Jádhiba[h or t] | (fem. pl. jawádhib) attractive; magnetic (figuratively); winning, fetching, engaging; charming, enticing, captivating, gripping |
| Jadhib | Jádhib | attractive; magnetic (fig.); winning, fetching, engaging; charming, enticing, captivating, gripping |
| Jadhibiya, Jadhbiyyih | Jádhibíya[h or t] | gravitation; attraction; attractiveness; charm; fascination; magnetism (figuratively); lure, enticement. Iṣfahání Persian Jadhibíyyih.. |
| Jadid, Jadida, Judud, Judad, Jadidan | Jadíd, fem. Jadída(h), pl. Judud, Judad | new, recent; renewed; modern; novel, unprecedented. al-jadídán (dual form) day and night. al-judayda |
| Jadidu’llah | Jadídu’lláh | “New one of God” Jadídu’lláh Ashraf |
| Jaffa, Jafaf, Jufuf | Jaffa, Jafáf, Jufúf | to dry, become dry; to dry out |
| Jafr | Jafr | Islamic science of the numerical values of 28 letters of the Arabic alphabet, ‘ilm al-ḥurúf; numerology. It is applied to words, phrases, and letters of the Qur’án, the prophetic traditions (ḥádith), and other sources considered divinely inspired. ‘ilm al-jafr (“science of jafr”): divination, fortune telling. |
| Jahada, Jahd | Jahada (Jahd) | to endeavour, strive, labour, take pains, put oneself out; to over-work, overtax, fatigue, exhaust (someone). Form III to endeavour, strive; to fight (for something); to wage holy war against the infidels. Form IV to strain, exert (something); to tire, wear out, fatigue (someone), give trouble (to). |
| Jahan (Jihan) | Jahán (Jihán) | Pers. the world; an age; worldly possessions |
| Jahangir | Jahángír | Pers. “conqueror of the world” Núri’d-Dín Muḥammad Salím (Mughal Emperor) |
| Jahansuz | Jahánsúz | Pers. Jahán+súz “the burning of the world” |
| Jahil, Jahala, Juhhal, Juhala | Jáhil, pl. Jahala, Juhhal, Juhhál, Juhalá’ | not knowing (something, how to do something); ignorant, uneducated, illiterate; foolish; fool |
| Jahiliya, Jahiliyyih | Jáhilíya(h or t), Pers. Jáhilíyyih | state of ignorance; pre-Islamic paganism, pre-Islamic times (before 610), often translated as “Age of Ignorance”. The dark age of ignorance among the Arabs before the appearance of Muḥammad. |
| Jahiz | Jahíz | running, flowing; fleet, agile; (Pers.) vestments and furniture of every kind which a bride brings to her husband’s house; a dowry. Also called jahízíya. it is separate from mahr. |
| Jahiz | Jáḥiẓ | one who has prominent eyes. Abú ‘Uthman ‘Amr ibn Baḥr al-Kinání al-Baṣrí, commonly known as al-Jáḥiẓ (The Bug Eyed, 776–c. Dec. 868/Jan. 869) was a prose writer and author of works of literature, theology, zoology, and politico-religious polemics. |
| Jahl, Jahal | Jahl and Jahála | ignorance; folly, foolishness, stupidity. Amr ibn Hishám, often known as Abú Jahl (556–624), was one of the Meccan polytheist pagan Qurayshí leaders known for his critical opposition towards Muḥammad and early Muslims in Mecca. |
| Jahrum (Jahram, Jahrom) | Jahrum | city (28.517094, 53.574092) and county 155 km SE of Shíráz |
| Jahsha, Jihash, Jihshan, Ajhash, Juhush | Jaḥsh, fem. Jaḥsha | pl. Jiḥásh, Jiḥshán, Ajḥásh young donkey;—(pl. Juḥúsh) trestle, horse |
| Jahul | Jahúl | ignorant; foolish, stupid. Jahúl (translated as “ignorant”) in Qur’án 33:72 is a different form of the word meaning “unknown” according to the Báb (see SWB, p. 70) and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (Má’idiy-i-Ásmání, vol. 2, p. 50). See ẓalúm. |
| Jajim | Jájim, Jájím | Pers. a fine bedding or carpet (often wool and with vertical stripes) |
| Jalal | Jalál | loftiness, sublimity, augustness; splendor, glory |
| Jalal | Jalal | important, significant, momentous, weighty |
| Jalal ad-Dawla, Jalalu’d-Dawlih | Jalál ad-Dawla, Pers. Jalálu’d-Dawlih | a title, “the glory of the state” |
| Jalal Khadih | Jalál Kháḍih | Jalál Kházeh (1897–1990) was a Hand of the Cause of God |
| Jalali | Jalálí | Ar.? great, illustrious, majestic, glorious; terrible, awe-inspiring; an era reckoned from Jalálu’d-Dín (Akbar Sháh), and beginning CE 1079 |
| Jalaliya, Jalaliyyih | Jalálíya[t], Pers. also Jaláliyyih | name of a sect who worships the more terrible attributes of the deity; the followers of Jalál Bukhárí |
| Jalalu’d-Din | Jalálu’d-Dín | (or Jaláli’d-Dín or Jalála’d-Dín) “Glory of the Faith” |
| Jalalu’d-Din Rumi | Jalálu’d-Dín Rúmí | [or Jaláli’d-Dín Rúmí or Jalála’d-Dín Rúmí] (called Mawláná (“our Master”), is the greatest of all Persian Súfí poets, and founder of the Mawlaví “whirling” dervish order.) |
| Jalálu’d-Dín-Dawla, Jalálu’d-Dín-Dawlih | Jalálu’d-Dín-Dawla | (Pers. Jalálu’d-Dín-Dawlih) title, “Glory of the Faith of the State”. Seven Bahá’ís were executed on the order of the governor of Yazd, Ḥusayn Mírzá (name also given as Maḥmúd Mírzá), the Jalálu’d-Dín-Dawlih (the grandson of Náṣir ad-Dín Sháh and the son of Mas‘úd Mírzá, the Ẓillu’s-Sulṭán) in 1891. As a result, Baha’u’llah referred to him as the tyrant of the land of Yá (Yazd). |
| Jali, Jaliy | Jalí, Jálí, Jalíy | clear, plain, evident, patent, manifest, obvious, conspicuous; shining, polished. Loudly and publicly, as in prayers, etc. |
| Jalil-i-Khu’i | Jalíl-i-Khu’í | |
| Jalil-i-Tabrizi | Jalíl-i-Tabrízí | |
| Jalil, Ajilla’, Ajilla, Jala’il | Jalíl, Ajillá’, Ajilla, Jalá’il | great, important, significant, weighty, momentous; lofty, exalted, sublime; revered, honourable, venerable; glorious, splendid |
| Jalinus, Ghalinua, Isqinus | Jálínús | from Greek Galenus. Aelius or Claudius Galenus (CE 129–c. 200/ 216), commonly known as Galen of Pergamon, a very famous physician, surgeon and philosopher in the Roman Empire. Also from Greek, Ghálínús or Isqilínus. |
| Jallabiya, Jallabiyat, Jalalib, Jalabiya | Jallábíya, pl. Jallábíyát, Jalálíb, Jalabiya | (Egyptian) a loose, shirtlike garment, the common dress of the male population in Egypt. Gallábíya, pl. Gallábíyát, Galálíb, Galabiya |
| Jalwa, Jilwa | Jalwa(t), Jilwa(t) | bride to her husband adorned and unveiled; the meeting of the bride and bridegroom; the nuptial bed; the bridal ornaments. See jilwa |
| Jam | Jam | Pers. name of an ancient king of Persia, whom they confound with Solomon and Alexander the Great; a monarch, a great king; the pupil of the eye; pure, free, exempt; essence, nature, person. (Zend or Avestan: yima and Sanskrit: yama [“the twins”]. Yama became Jam). See Jamshíd |
| Jam, Jamat | Jám, pl. Jámát | cup; drinking vessel; bowl |
| Jami’, Jawami’ | Jámi‘, pl. Jawámi‘ | comprehensive, extensive, broad, general, universal; collector; compiler (of a book); compositor, typesetter;—pl. comprehensive, full; temples, mosques. Masjid jámi‘ great, central mosque where the public prayer is performed on Fridays. Jafr or Jafr al-Jámi‘ (“Universal Jafr”) is a collection of esoteric knowledge of an apocalyptic nature reserved to the Imams. |
| Jami’a, Jami’at | Jámi‘a[h or t], pl. Jámi‘át | (fem. of jámi‘) league, union, association; community; federation; religious community, communion; commonness, community of interests or purpose; university |
| Jami’i | Jámi‘í | academic, collegiate, university (adj.); university graduate |
| Jami’iya | Jámi‘íya[h or t] | universality, generality |
| Jam’, Jumu’ | Jam‘, pl. Jumú‘ | gathering; collection; combination; connection, coupling, joining; accumulation; (arithmetic) addition; union, merger, aggregation, integration (of) holding together (of divergent, separate things);—(pl.) gathering, crowd, throng; gang, troop |
| Jam’i | Jam‘í | a total, assembly, a many. |
| Jam’iya, Jam’iyat | Jam‘iya(t), pl. Jam‘iyát | club, association, society; corporation, organization; assembly, community |
| Jam’iyah al-‘Ilmiyyah wa al-Adabiyyah | al-Jam‘íyah al-‘Ilmiyyah wa al-Adabiyyah | “The Scientific and Literary Society” established in Cairo after the death of Mírzá Abu’l-Faḍl Gulpaygání, by some of his pupils, with the approval of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. After some years, this society, under the leadership of Fá’iq (see Fá’iq entry), came into conflict with the Egyptian Bahá’í administration and Fá’iq was expelled |
| Jama’a, Jama’at | Jamá‘a(h or t), pl. Jamá‘át | group (of people); band, gang, party, troop; community; squad (military unit) |
| Jamad, Jamadat | Jamád, pl. Jamádát | a solid; inorganic body; mineral; inanimate body, inanimate being |
| Jamadiyu’l-Awwal (Jamadiyu’l-Avval) | Jamádíyu’l-Awwal | fifth month in Islamic calendar or Jamádíyu’l-‘Úla (both as transcripted in Bahá’í writings). See Jumádá al-Awwal. |
| Jamadiyu’th-Thani | Jamádíyu’th-Thání | sixth month in Islamic calendar or Jamádíyu’l-‘Ákhirah (both as transcripted in Bahá’í writings). See Jumádá ath-Thání. |
| Jamal | Jamál | beauty |
| Jamal Afandi (Jamal Effendi) | Jamál Afandí (Effendi) | name given to Sulaymán Khán-i-Tunukábání |
| Jamal-Abha | Jamál-Abhá | Abhá Beauty, a title of Bahá’u’lláh |
| Jamal-i-Burujirdi | Jamál-i-Burújirdí | |
| Jamal-i-Mubarak | Jamál-i-Mubárak | “The Blessed Beauty”. Title used by some Bahá’ís for Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Jamal-i-Qidam | Jamál-i-Qidam | Ar. The Ancient Beauty. A title of Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Jamal, Jimal | Jamal, pl. Jimál, Ajmál | camel. Qur’án 7:40 expresses an impossibility (“a camel passing through a needle’s eye”), and it is unlikely that al-jamal within the verse should be translated as “camel”. A better reading is obtained using jummal (“a thick rope” or “a twisted cable”). It is argued that God would not have coined such an inappropriate metaphor, whereas, “a twisted rope passing through a needle’s eye” has a relationship between the rope and needle. Source Imám ‘Alí. Muhammad Asad in The Message of the Qur’án, fn. 32, p. 292. |
| Jamali | Jamálí | (Ar. influence) amiable, lovable |
| Jamali’d-Din | Jamáli’d-Dín | Beauty of the Faith |
| Jamalu’d-Din-i-Afghani | Jamálu’d-Dín-i-Afghání | |
| Jami | Jámí | of or from Jámí (modern Ghor Province, Afghánistán) in Khorasan. Núr ad-Dín ‘Abd ar-Raḥmán Jámí, also known as Mawlaná Núr ad-Dín ‘Abd ar-Raḥmán or ‘Abd ar-Raḥmán Núr ad-Dín Muḥammad Dashtí, or simply as Jámí or Djámí (1414–1492), was a Persian Sunní poet who is known for his achievements as a prolific scholar and writer of mystical ṣúfí literature. |
| Jami’, Jami’ an-Nas, Jami’an | Jamí‘ | (with following genitive) total; whole, entire; all; entirety; e.g., jamí‘ an-nás all men, all mankind; al-jamí‘ all people, everybody; the public at large; jamí‘an in a body, altogether, one and all, all of them; entirely, wholly, totally |
| Jamil, Jamila, Jamilih | Jamíl, fem. Jamíla(h), Pers. Jamílih | beautiful, graceful, lovely, comely, pretty, handsome; friendly act, favour, service, good turn; courtesy |
| Jammal, Jammalun | Jammál, pl. Jammálún | camel driver. Gardens of Jammál are at the south entrance of the Mansion of Bahjí. |
| Jamra, Jamarat | Jamra(t), Jamarát | a live coal; gravel or small pebbles; heat from the ground; vapours, a sacred solemnity or peregrination performed in the valley of Miná, near Mecca, in which pilgrims defy and throw stones at a figure (3 pillars, now walls) representing the devil: Jamrat al-‘Aqaba (east, largest), Jarat al-Wusṭá (middle) and Jamrat aṣ-Ṣughra (west, smallest). See ramy and Aṣghar. |
| Jamshid | Jamshíd | (“Djemsheed”) mythical King in Iranian traditions and culture. A compound of Jam and shíd formed by changes to the original Avestran names. |
| Jamshid-i-Gurji | Jamshíd-i-Gurjí | (MF) |
| Jan | Ján | Pers. soul, vital spirit, mind; self; life; spirit, courage; wind; the mouth; arms; the father of demons; name of a race said to have inhabited the world before Adam; in modern conversation a word of endearment. See nafs |
| Jan Aqa Big | Ján Áqá Big | known as a Kaj Kuláh |
| Jan-i-Khamsih | Ján-i-Khamsih | |
| Janab (Jinab) | Janáb (Jináb) | side, margin, brink; an inner court, yard, vestibule; threshold; a place of refuge, hence, as a title of respect, your honour, excellency, majesty, etc.; power, dignity, dominion |
| Janami | Jánamí | you are my life and soul; you are close to me |
| Jandal, Janadil | Jandal, pl. Janádil | stone. Dúmat al-Jandal (“Dúmah of the Stone”, 29.8110412, 39.875476), also known as al-Jawf (“depression”, i.e. the Wádí Sirḥán), is an ancient city of ruins and town in north western Saudi Arabia. It is located 37 km SW of the city of Sakáká. Dúmah (Aramaic “silence”) was the sixth son (of 12) of Ishmael. August 626 Muḥammad led an expedition to Dúmat al-Jandal. |
| Jandaq | Jandaq | city 230 km north of Yazd and 178 km NE of Ná’ín, Írán |
| Jang | Jang | Pers. war, battle, combat, engagement, fight, skirmish, rencounter; brawling, squabbling, litigating |
| Jangal | Jangal | Pers. a wood, forest, thicket; a country overgrown with wood, reeds, or long grass; a jungle |
| Jangali | Jangalí | Pers. wild, untilled, jungle-like. Insult referring to uncultured people (raised in jungles) |
| Jani | Jání | Pers. soul; cordial, heartily loved, devoted. Title of a merchant of Kashán, Ḥájí Mírzá Jání, early historian of the Bábí Cause and a martyr. |
| Jani, Junat | Jání, pl. Junát | one who gathers fruit; sinning, a sinner |
| Janib, Jawanib | Jánib, pl. Jawánib | side; lateral portion; sidepiece; flank; wing; face (geometry); part, portion, partial amount; partial view, section (of a scene, picture or panorama); quantity, amount; a certain number (of), a few, some. “draw back”? Seven Valleys p. 43 |
| Janna, Jannat (“Jinnat”), Jinan | Janna(h or t), pl. Jannát, Jinán | garden; paradise, heaven |
| Jarib | Jaríb | 10,000 sq metres |
| Jariya, Jariyat | Járiya(h), pl. Járiyát, Jawárin | girl; slave girl; maid, servant; ship, vessel. Ḥadíth al-Járiyah |
| Jarra (Jarrih), Jirar | Jarra [جرة] | a jar (earthenware or copper) water-vessel, ewer |
| Jarrah, Jarrahun | Jarráḥ, pl. Jarráḥún | surgeon |
| Jasad, Ajsad | Jasad, pl. Ajsád | body. Compare Jism |
| Jasb | Jásb | rural district, Markazí Province, Írán |
| Jashn | Jashn | Pers. A feast, social entertainment; convivial meeting; a solemn feast |
| Jashn-i-A’zam | Jashn-i-A‘ẓam | (the Greatest Festival because ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was known as the Ghusn-i-A’ẓám [the Greatest Branch])—Day of the Covenant |
| Jasim | Jásim | healthy, strong, powerful, good health. Bahá’u’lláh sent Ḥájí Jásim-i-Baghdádí to Sudan. Small city in southern Syria. |
| Jasim, Jisam | Jasím, pl. Jisám | great, big, large; voluminous, bulky, huge; vast, immense; stout, corpulent; weighty, most significant, momentous, prodigious |
| Jasus | Jásús | Pers. a spy; an emissary |
| Jathiya | Játhiya | fem., the kneeling or crouching one |
| Jatt (Jat) | Jatt | Muslim town nearly 50 km south of Haifa. Area is the source of strong atzmon or jatt stone used on the Bahá’í terraces. |
| Javad-i-Karbila’i | Javád-i-Karbilá’í | |
| Javad-i-Qazvini | Javád-i-Qazvíní | Muḥammad Javád-i-Qazvíní. He went to Adrianople in 1867 and worked for many years as one of Bahá’u’lláh’s amanuenses. Bahá’u’lláh gave him the title Ismu’llahu’l-Javad (The Name of God, the All-Bountiful). He later joined Mírzá Muḥammad ‘Alí in opposing ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. |
| Javad-i-Tabataba’i | Javád-i-Ṭabáṭabá’í | |
| Javahiru’l-Asrar | Javáhiru’l-Asrár | “Gems of Divine Mysteries” or “The Essence of Mysteries” by Bahá’u’lláh. See jawhar and sirr |
| Jaw’an (Jau’an), Jaw’a’ (Jau’a), Jiya’ | Jaw‘án, fem. Jaw‘á’, pl. Jiyá‘ | hungry, starved, famished |
| Jawab (Javab), Ajwiba, Jawabat | Jawáb, fem. Jawába[h or t] | (pl. Ajwiba[h or t], fem. Jawabát) answer, reply;—pl. jawabát letter, message |
| Jawad (Jaouad), Ajwad, Ajawid, Jud | Jawád, pl. Ajwád, Ajáwid, Ajawíd, Júd | openhanded, liberal, generous, magnanimous;—pl. jiyád, ajyád, ajáwíd race horse, racer; charger |
| Jawahiri | Jawáhirí | Pers. (Ar influence) a dealer in jewels, a jeweller |
| Jawan (Javan), Jawanan | Jawán, pl. Jawánán | Pers. young; young man, youth, lad |
| Jawanmardi | Jawánmardí | loosely translated as chivalry. See lúṭígarí. |
| Jawhar (Jauhar), Jawhara, Jawahir | Jawhar, fem. Jawhara(h), pl. Jawáhir | intrinsic, essential nature, essence; content, substance (as opposed to form; philosophy); matter, substance; atom; jewel, gem, pearl;—pl. jewellry. From Persian Gawhar |
| Jawhar (Jauhar), Jawahir, Jawwal | Jawhar, pl. Jawáhir, Jawwál | wandering, migrant, itinerant, roving; cruising; traveling; ambulant; traveler, tourist |
| Jawhara (Jauhara), Jawharat | Jawhara(t), pl. Jawharát | jewel, gem |
| Jawhari (Jauhari) | Jawharí | substantial (opposite to accidental); intrinsic, essential, inherent; fundamental, main, chief, principal; material; jeweler |
| Jawhariya (Jauhariya, Jawhariyyah) | Jawharíya(h) | substantiality, essentiality |
| Jawid | Jáwid or Jáwíd | Pers. eternal; eternity |
| Jawidukht, Javidukht | Jáwidukht (Jáwid-ukht) | sister of Jáwid. Jávidukht, wife of Dhikru’lláh Khádim (Khádem). See ukht |
| Jawsh (Jaush) | Jawsh | Pers. the breast; the middle of a man; midnight; a large section of the night, or the latter part of it; a march during the whole of the night. See jayb |
| Jawshan (Jaushan) | Jawshan | breast plate, steel plate or chain mail |
| Jawshan Kabir | Jawshan Kabír | long (“big”) Islamic prayer with 1,000 names and attributes of God that is Muḥammad’s “coat of amour” to protect Him from injuries |
| Jayb (Jaib), Juyub | Jayb, pl. Juyúb | breast, bosom, heart; hole, hollow, cavity, excavation, opening; pocket (Latin sinum, English sine in mathematics); purse |
| Jayhun | Jayḥún | Bactrus River (now the Balkháb or Balkh River)—it once flowed into the Oxus River |
| Jaysh ‘Aramram | Jaysh ‘Aramram | a numerous, huge army. See furúghí |
| Jaysh (Jaish), Juyush | Jaysh, pl. Juyush | army, troops, armed forces |
| Jaz | Jaz | Pers. An island; name of a country between Euphrates and Tigris (Mesopotamia, al-Jazírat) |
| Jazira (Jazirih), Jaza’ir, Juzur | Jazíra[h or t], pl. Jazá’ir, Juzur | island. Cizre (Kurdish), Jazírat ibn ‘Umar (Ar.), Jazírih (Pers.), town and district in SE Türkiye. NW or upper Mesopotemia became known as al-Jazíra after the Arab Islamic conquest of the mid-7th century CE. |
| Jazirat al-Bahr | Jazírat al-Baḥr | Name given to Búshihr by the Báb |
| Jazira al-Khadra, Jaziray-i-Khadra | al-Jazíra al-Khaḍrá’ | (Pers. Jazíray-i-Khaḍrá’) “The Verdant Isle” or “The Green Island”, a reference by the Báb to the forests of Mázandarán Province (Quddús and Mullá Ḥusayn), and Bahá’u’lláh to the Riḍván Garden of Na‘mayn near ‘Akká. |
| Jazzar, Jazzarun | Jazzár, pl. Jazzárún | butcher |
| Ji’rana (Jarana) | Ji‘rána(h) | al-Ji‘ránah (21.551166, 39.952983) is a town that Muḥammad returned to after the Battle of Hunayn. The booty and the prisoners taken at Ḥunayn were gathered together at al-Ji‘ránah. Masjid al-Ji‘ránah (on the north side) is one of the Míqát al-ḥájj rendezvous points. |
| Jibt | Jibt | sorcery, divination or any false belief. Name of a pagan idol (Qur’án 4:51). |
| Jidal, Mujadala, Mujadalat | Jidál (m.), Mujádala (f.), pl. Mujádalát | quarrel, argument; dispute, discussion, debate |
| Jidda | Jidda(h) | newness, novelty; modernity; rebirth, renaissance. Judda(h)—Jidda, seaport western Saudi Arabia. |
| Jiha, Jihat, Juhat | Jiha (Pers. Jihat, Juhat), pl. Jihát | side; direction; region, part, section, area; district, precinct, city quarter; agency, authority; administrative agency |
| Jihad | Jihád | fight, battle, combat; jihad (English), holy war (against the infidels, as a religious duty); a crusade; endeavour, effort. Literally means “striving” (see root jahada)—a witness or martyr. During and immediately after the time of Muḥammad, jihád was directed against pagans and idolaters—the polytheists—and was undertaken in defence of the realm of Islám. Two main forms: 1. jihádí aṣghar (the lesser warfare), war against infidels (which is further subdivided into jihád of the pen/tongue (debate or persuasion) and jihád of the sword); 2. jihádí akbar (fem. kubrá; the greater warfare, and more important), war against one’s own inclinations. Shoghi Effendi used the expressions “Jihád-i-Kabír-i-Akbar” (“The supremely great crusade”) and “Jihád-i-Kabír” (“The great crusade”) in Persian for the “Ten Year Crusade”. See Qitál |
| Jihadi | Jihádí | fighting, military; one who fights against the infidels, a crusader |
| Jihan | Jihán | Pers. world |
| Jihat-i-Mahiyyati | Jihat-i-Máhíyyatí | Pers. essential aspect |
| Jihat-i-Vujudi | Jihat-i-Vujúdí | Pers. existential aspect |
| Jihun | Jíhún | (from Gihon) Ar. for Oxus River |
| Jilard, Gilard (Jiliard, Giliard) | Jílárd, Gílárd | village 4 km SSW of Damávand. Ṭáhirih was a guest of Áqá Naṣru’lláh Gílárdí in Wáz-i-‘Ulyá, in 1849. |
| Jilf-ast | Jilf-ast | “he is a light-weight” |
| Jilf, Ajlaf | Jilf, pl. Ajláf | Ar. boorish, rude, uncivil. Pers. i) any empty vessel, pot or pan; an animal disembowelled, and skinned; anything empty in the middle; ii) silly, trifling |
| Jillabiya (Jilabiya, Jellabiya, Gallabiya) | Jillábíya, pl. Jilábi | galabia or galabieh, a loose, shirt-like garment, the common dress of the male population in Egypt, Sudan and Eritrea. Gallábíya, pl. Gallábíyát, Galálíb in Egyptian Arabic. |
| Jilwa | Jilwa | Pers, with Ar. influence; splendour; blandishment, loveliness; (metaphorically) the world. See jalwat. |
| Jim | Jím | Arabic letter (j) |
| Jinab-i | Jináb-i | (Janabe) |
| Jinab-i-‘Azim | Jináb-i-‘Aẓím | |
| Jinab-i-Amin | Jináb-i-Amín | |
| Jinab-i-Avarih | Jináb-i-Ávárih | (Unfolding Destiny, p. 13.) |
| Jinab-i-Fadil-i-Mazindarani | Jináb-i-Fáḍil-i-Mázindarání | (Jenabi Fazel) |
| Jinab-i-Husayn | Jináb-i-Ḥusayn | |
| Jinab-i-Ibn-‘Abhar | Jináb-i-Ibn-‘Abhar | (Jenabe Ayadi, Ibn Abhar) |
| Jinab-i-Ismu’llah | Jináb-i-Ismu’lláh | |
| Jinab-i-Ismu’llahu’l-Asdaq | Jináb-i-Ismu’lláhu’l-Aṣdaq | |
| Jinab-i-Khan | Jináb-i-Khán | |
| Jinab-i-Mirza | Jináb-i-Mírzá | |
| Jinab-i-Mishkin | Jináb-i-Mishkín | (MF p. 100) |
| Jinab-i-Muhammad-Taqi | Jináb-i-Muḥammad-Taqí | |
| Jinab-i-Mulla | Jináb-i-Mullá | |
| Jinab-i-Munib | Jináb-i-Muníb | (Memorials of the Faithful, GPB & Child of the Covenant 73) |
| Jinab-i-Munir | Jináb-i-Munír | Bahá’í exile who died at Smyrna en route to ‘Akká prison |
| Jinab-i-Nabil-i-Akbar | Jináb-i-Nabíl-i-Akbar | |
| Jinab-i-Quddus | Jináb-i-Quddús | |
| Jinab-i-Sayyah | Jináb-i-Sayyáḥ | (MF) |
| Jinab-i-Shaykh | Jináb-i-Shaykh | |
| Jinab-i-Tahirih | Jináb-i-Ṭáhirih | |
| Jinab-i-Varqa | Jináb-i-Varqá | |
| Jinab-i-Zayn | Jináb-i-Zayn | (Jinabi Zain) |
| Jinaza, Janaza, Jinazat, Janazat, Jana’iz | Jináza[t], Janáza[t], pl. -át, Janá’iz | bier; funeral procession. Pers. singular also jinázih. |
| Jinn (Djinn) | Jinn (collective noun) | jinn, demons (invisible beings, either harmful or helpful, that interfere with the lives of mortals). ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stated that jinn can be people whose faith or denial is veiled and concealed. He also said it refers to evil passions in man, such as lusts (Louis Gregory, A Heavenly Vista, p. 9) Others, including Sayyid Abul A‘lá Mawdúdí, state jinn can include foreigners from afar, or be those with hitherto unknown skills that appear magical to the uninitiated.. |
| Jinni, Jinniya | Jinní, fem. Jinníya[h or t] | jinní, (demonic); jinni (demon); Jinníya (female demon) |
| Jins, Ajnas | Jins, pl. Ajnás | kind, sort, variety, species, class, genus; category; sex (male, female); gender (grammar); race; nation |
| Jirjis | Jirjís | Pers. George, particularly St. George of England; ranked among the prophets by Muslims. |
| Jism al-Kull | Jism al-Kull | the universal substance |
| Jism, Ajsam, Jusum | Jism, pl. Ajsám, Jusúm | body (also [new meaning] of an automobile); substance, matter; mass; form, shape. Compare jasad |
| Jisr as-Sirat, Pul-i-Sirat | al-Jisr aṣ-Ṣiráṭ, Pers. Pul-i-Ṣiráṭ | The Bridge on the Path or the Bridge of Sirat. The hair-narrow bridge (symbolic) that every person must cross on the Yawm ad-Dín (“Day of the Way of Life”, i.e. the Day of Judgement) to enter Paradise. It is said to be covered in hooks similar to the thorns (shawk) of as-Sa‘dán (a thorny tree). |
| Jisr, Ajsur, Jusur, Jusura | Jisr, pl. Ajsur, Jusúr | bridge; dam, dike, embankment, levee;—pl. jusúra(h) beam, girder; axle, axletree. |
| Jizya (Pers. Jizyah), Jizan, Jiza’ | Jizya(h), pl. Jizan, Jizá’ | tax; tribute; head tax on free non-Muslims under Muslim rule |
| Ju | Jú‘ | hunger, starvation |
| Ju‘an | Jú‘án | be hungry |
| Jubayl (Jubail, J(e)beil) | Jubayl | coastal city of Jubayl or Byblos in Lebanon, 30 km NNE of Beirut. A tradition states ‘Akká is on a plain between Mt. Carmel and Mt. Jubayl (location unknown) |
| Jubayr (Jubair) | Jubayr | Sa‘íd bin Jubayr (665–714), also known as Abú Muḥammad, was originally from Kufá. He was a leading Shí‘a jurist of the time. |
| Jubba, Jubab, Jibab, Jaba’ib | Jubba(h or t), pl. Jubab, Jibáb, Jabá’ib | a long outer garment, open in front, with wide sleeves. Pers. also Jubbih. |
| Jubbiy-i-Hizari’i | Jubbiy-i-Hizári’í | A type of overcoat |
| Jud | Júd | open-handedness, liberality, generosity, bounty |
| Judi | al-Júdí | Jabal al-Júdí, Türkiye (Cudi Daǧi in Turkish, 2,089 m peak, the Tigris River flows along its western side), mentioned in Qur’án 11:44 as the landing site for Noah’s ark. 134 km NW Mosul, 15 km WNW Silopi and 15 km ENE of Cizre. Modern Mt Ararat is 310 km ENE of Jabal al-Júdí. |
| Juhd | Juhd | strain, exertion |
| Juhfa, Jihfa (Jehfa) | Juḥfa(h), Jiḥfa(h) | al-Juḥfah (22.700209, 39.145654) is a small settlement 4.5 km SSE of Ghadír Khumm and 13 km from the Red Sea. It is 16 km SE of Rábigh and 158 km NNW of Mecca. Muḥammad stopped near al-Juḥfah during His flight from Mecca to Medina. It is now one of the five main meeting points (míqát, i.e. Míqát al-Juḥfah) for pilgrims before heading to Mecca. See Ghadír Khumm. |
| Juj (Jujih), Jawj (Jauj) | Júj, Jawj | Pers. a cock’s comb; a crest; a pennant, vane |
| Jujih Khanum | Jújih Khánum | The minuscule Leona Barnitz was called Jújih Khánum (Little Chick Lady) by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Juk | Júk | Jug-Basisht (Book of Juk), the Persian translation of the Yoga Vasistha, a syncretic philosophic text |
| Julab | Juláb, Julláb | rose water |
| Julfa (Jolfa) | Julfá | “new” Julfá (since CE 1606) is an Armenian-populated area (one of the world’s largest) of Iṣfahán, located south of the Záyandí-Rúd. The people migrated from the Armenian city of Julfá in Azerbaijan. |
| Juljul, Jalajil | Juljul, pl. Jalájil | (little) bell, sleigh bell; cowbell; jingle |
| Jull, Gul | Jull, Pers. Gul | rose |
| Jullah, Julah | Julláh, Juláh | Pers. a weaver. Yulláh may be a variation. |
| Jum’a, Jum’ih, Juma’, Juma’at | Jum‘a(h), Pers. Jum‘ih, pl. Juma‘, Juma‘át | week; Friday, gathering, “the gathering together of people”. See jam‘ |
| Jum’a-Bazar, Jum’ih-Bazar | Jum‘a-Bázár | Pers. Friday Bazaar. The Friday market is a special market day in many towns and cities when the permanent traders are joined by many temporary traders. Iṣfahání Persian jum‘ih-bázár. Arabic súq al-jum‘a. |
| Jumada | Jumádá | dry. Name of the fifth and sixth months of the Muslim year |
| Jumada al-Awwal, Jumada al-Ula | Jumádá al-Awwal | “the initial Jumádá”, the fifth Islamic calendar month (the first of parched land). Also known as Jumádá al-‘Úlá (fem.) “the first Jumádá”. |
| Jumada ath-Thani, Jumada al-Akhir | Jumádá ath-Thání | “the second Jumádá”, sixth Islamic calendar month (the second/last of parched land). Also known as Jumádá al-Ákhir, “the last Jumádá”. |
| Jumhur, Jamahir | Jumhúr, pl. Jamáhír | multitude; crowd, throng; general public, public; a community; a republic |
| Jumhuriya, Jumhuriyat | Jumhúriya, pl. Jumhúriyát | republic |
| Jumad, Jumada | Jumúd, fem. Jumúda[h or t] | frozen state; solid, compact state, compactness, solidity; rigor, rigidity, stiffness; inorganic state; hardening, induration; hardness, inflexibility; deadlock, standstill; inertia, inaction, inactivity; lethargy, apathy, passivity, indifference |
| Juml, Jumal, Jummal | Juml, Jumal | a cable. Jumal, addition; the whole, aggregate, sum. Jummal, a cable; addition. All consist of the letters جمل. |
| Jumu’at | al-Jumu‘at | [a proper name] [the day of gathering, the day of congregating] Friday. Súra 62 named al-Jumu‘ah because verse 9 mentions the call for the 'Congregational Prayer on Friday”. See jum‘a |
| Junayd (Junaid) | Junayd | soldier or warrior |
| Junayn, Junayna, Junaynat | Junayn, fem. Junayna[h or t], pl. Junaynát | (“Junain”, “Junaina”) garden; little garden. Junaynih Garden (32.993857, 35.095354)—a garden NWM of Mazra‘ih, Israel. Pers. fem. also junaynih. |
| Jund, Junud, Ajnad, Junayd (Junaid) | Jund m. and f., pl. Junúd, Ajnád | soldiers; army. Junayd (a name, soldier or warrior) is a diminutive of jund. Abu’l-Qásim al-Junayd ibn Muḥammad ibn al-Junayd al-Khazzáz al-Qawárírí was a mystic and one of the most famous of the early Saints of Islam. |
| Jundab | Jundab | (born Jundab bin Junáda) Jundab bin Junáda bin Sufyán al-Ghifárí (590–653) known as Abú Dhar al-Ghifárí was one of the greatest companions of Muḥammad and a companion of Imám ‘Alí |
| Jundub, Jundab, Janadib | Jundub, pl. Janádib | grasshopper |
| Junun | Junún | possession, obsession; mania, madness, insanity, dementia; foolishness, folly; frenzy, rage, fury; ecstasy, rapture. Pen name of Mírzá Faraju’lláh Faná’yán, see Faná’yán. |
| Jurayn, Jurayna, Juraynat | Jurayn, fem. Jurayna[h or t], pl. Juraynát | (“Jurain”, “Juraina”) green. Pers. fem. also juraynih. Juraynah (31.766670, 35.799831) is a settlement in Jordan. |
| Jurj | Jurj | Pers. wallets; saddlebags. Jurjí Zaydán |
| Justan | Justan | Pers. to search, seek, inquire, ask for, examine, investigate; to heap up, accumulate; to find, acquire. |
| Juwayn, Juvayn | Juwayn, Pers. Juvayn | Joveyn, area about 50 km NNW of Sabzivár, Írán. |
| Juwayni | Juwayní | Imám al Ḥaramayn Ḍiyá’ ad-Dín ‘Abd al-Malik ibn Yúsuf al-Juwayní ash-Sháfi’í (1028–1085), abbreviated as al-Juwayní, was a Persian Sunní Sháfi'í jurist and mutakallim theologian |
| Juy (Joy) | Júy | Pers. (imperative and participle of justan), seek thou; seeking, desiring, wishing, asking. A running stream, rivulet; a canal or gutter cut for the purposes of irrigation; a groove in the back of a sword. |
| Juz’, Ajza’ | Juz’, pl. Ajzá’ | part, portion; constituent, component; fraction; division; section; a 30th part (of varying length) of the Qur’án (= 2 ḥizb), into which the Qur’án was divided due to printing costs in medieval times or to facilitate recitation of the Qurʼán in a month. |
| Plain text | Transcripted text | Word meanings & comments |
| K | ||
| Ka | Ka | (an inseparable adverb of similitude prefixed to Arabic nouns or particles, never to pronouns), as, like; as though |
| Ka’aba, Ku’ub | Ka‘aba (Ku‘úb) | (verb) to be full and round, be swelling (breasts) Form II to make cubic, to cube (something); to dice (something) |
| Ka’b-ibn-i-Ashraf | Ka‘b-ibn-i-Ashraf | a Jewish leader in Medina and a poet. He condemned by Muḥammad after the Battle of Badr (CE 624). |
| Ka’b, Ka’ba, Ka’aba, Ka’iba | Ka’b, Ka’ba(h), Ka’ába(h), Ka’iba | to be dejected, dispirited, downcast, sad |
| Ka’b, Ki’ab, Ku’ub | Ka‘b, pl. Ki‘áb, Ku‘úb | knot, knob, node (of cane); joint, articulation; ankle, anklebone; heel (of a shoe); ferrule; die; cube; high rank, fame, glory, honour |
| Ka’ba (Ka’bih), Ka’abat | Ka‘ba[h or t] (Pers. Ka‘bih), pl. Ka‘abát | cube, cubic structure; (figurative) shrine; object of veneration, focus of interest. The cubic building (al-Ka‘ba or al-Ka‘ba al-Musharrafah, “the exalted cube”) in the centre of the main Mosque in Mecca (Masjid al-Ḥaram) that contains the Black Stone (al-Ḥajar al-Aswad). The sanctuary is believed to have been originally built by Ibráhím (Abraham) and Ismá‘íl (Ishmael), and appointed by Muḥammad as the Qiblah (the Point of Adoration) to which people turn in prayer in Mecca. The structure is 13.1 × 11.03 × 12.86 m (H × W × D) |
| Kabab (Kebab) | Kabáb | fried or broiled meat; meat roasted in small pieces on a skewer; meatballs made of finely chopped meat (Syria, Egypt) |
| Kabara, Kabr, Kabri | Kabara, Kabr | to exceed in age (someone by), be older (than someone). Aqueduct from Kabrí (NE of Naháríya) to ‘Akká. |
| Kabir, Kibar, Kubara, Akabir | Kabír, pl. Kibár, Kubará, Akabír | great, big, large, sizable; bulky, voluminous, spacious; extensive, comprehensive; significant, considerable, formidable, huge, vast, enormous; powerful, influential, distinguished, eminent; important; old. e.g. Amír Kabír. Superlative form of kabura. |
| Kabira, Kabirat, Kaba’ir, Kubar | Kabíra[h], pl. Kabírát, Kabá’ir, Kubur | (fem. Kabír) great sin, grave offense, atrocious crime |
| Kabri | Kabrí | possibly derived from kabír refering to the plentiful water from the springs. al-Kabrí (33.015543, 35.150862) former Arab town 0.25 km south of kibbutz Kabri (centre 33.020988, 35.147014). Well known for its springs, including (NE to SW): Ein HaShayara (“the caravan”) or ‘Ayn Kabrí (33.015173, 35.151351—in al-Kabrí); Ein Tzuf (“nectar”) or ‘Ayn al-‘Asal (“honey”) (33.014761, 35.151093—in al-Kabrí); Ein Giah (or Gea) or ‘Ayn Fawwár (“effervescent”) 33.009398, 35.141897 (ENE of Tel Kabri); Ein Shefa (“abundance”) or ‘Ayn Mafshuh (33.008332, 35.138160—on Tel Kabri).1 The number of springs made al-Kabri the main supplier of water in the District of Acre. Ancient aqueducts supplied water from the springs to Acre, and two additional canals were built in 1800 and 1814. |
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| Kabul | Kábul | capital of Afghánistán |
| Kabura | Kabura | to be or become great, big, large, to grow, increase |
| Kad-Khuda, Kad-Khudayan | Kad-Khudá, pl. Kad-Khudáyán | Pers. master of a family; a bridegroom, married man; anyone looked up to with reverence and respect; a magistrate; a king; an alderman, a sheriff (modern colloquialism); the soul; God; chief officer of a district; a mayor, magistrate, alderman or bailiff. Head man of a village, town, district or ward. |
| Kad, Kad-ha | Kad, pl. Kad-há | Pers. a house; beginning, first |
| Kadhdhab | Kadhdháb | liar, swindler; lying, untruthful; false, deceitful |
| Kadhub | Kadhúb | liar |
| Kaf | Káf | Arabic letter (k) |
| Kafan, Akfan | Kafan, pl. Akfán | shroud, winding sheet |
| Kafara | Kafara | to disbelieve (in), to close oneself off to; to be ungrateful; to disclaim association with, to renounce |
| Kaffara | Kaffara(h) | to cover, hide; to expiate, do penance, atone; to forgive, grant pardon; to make an infidel, seduce to unbelief; to accuse of infidelity, charge with unbelief. A religious donation of money or food, made to help those in need, when someone deliberately misses a fast or intentionally breaks their fast. |
| Kaffara, Kaffarih | Kaffára(h), Pers. also Kaffárih | penance, atonement (‘an for a sin), expiation (‘an of); reparation, amends; expiatory gifts, expiations (distributed to the poor at a funeral) |
| Kafi | Káfí | Pers. sufficient, enough; efficacious, effective; entire, perfect. Kitáb al-Káfí (The Sufficient Book) is a Twelver Shí‘í ḥadíth collection compiled by Muḥammad ibn Ya‘qúb al-Kulayní. |
| Kafir, Kafirun, Kuffar, Kafara, Kifar | Káfir, pl. Káfirún, Kuffár, Kafara, Kifár | irreligious, unbelieving; unbeliever, infidel, atheist; ungrateful |
| Kafiya | Káfíya or Káfiya | Pers. name of a celebrated grammatical work by al-Ḥájíb |
| Kafshgarkula, Kafshgar Kula | Kafshgarkulá, Kafshgar Kulá | (“Kafshgar Kola”, “Khafagarkolah”) 1) village 12 km south of Babol, in Babol County, Mázandarán Province. It is near and to the west of the Shrine of Shaykh Ṭabarsí. 2) Kafshgar Kulá-i-Áraṭah (also known as Kafshgar Kulá) is a village 8 km NE of Qá’im Shahr. |
| Kafur | Káfúr | (kafur) (a fountain intended to be drunk by the true and firm believers)—literally camphor, a medicine that is given as a soothing tonic in Eastern medicine. It is cool and it may have a good odour. Symbolically it is referred to as a spring in heaven or an added spiritual flavour etc. Used to denote whiteness—a compound of all colours |
| Kahf, Kuhuf | Kahf, pl. Kuhúf | cave, cavern; depression, hollow, cavity |
| Kahin, Kuhan, Kahana | Káhin, pl. Kuhhán, Kahana | diviner, soothsayer, prognosticator, fortuneteller; priest |
| Kahraba | Kahrabá’ and Kahrabá | amber; electricity |
| Kahraba’i, Kahrabi | Kahrabá’í and Kahrabí | electric(al); electrician. Áqá Muḥammad Ḥusayn ‘Alí Akbarúf (“Akbaroff”), known as Kahrubá’í because he worked on the electrical lighting of the holy shrines in Haifa and Bahjí. |
| Kahrabiya, Kahrabiya | Kahrabá’íya and Kahrabíya | electricity |
| Kahruba’i | Kahrubáʼí | Pers. electricity |
| Kaj | Kaj | Pers. crooked, curved, wry, distorted, bent, dislocated; a hook; a grappling iron; a kind of silk of little value. A dishonest person is described in Persian as “his hat is kaj”. |
| Kaj Kulah (Kaj-Kulah) | Kaj Kuláh (or Kaj-Kuláh) | Pers. a beau, literally “wearing the cap awry” or “skew cap”; a beloved object. A name given to Áqá Ján, a native of Salmás. |
| Kajawa (Kajawih, Kajavih, Kijawih) | Kajawa, Kajáwa, Kazáwa | Pers. a type of pannier, a less elegant form of a howdah or litter for women, placed on camels and mules. See hawdaj. |
| Kala | Kalá | Pers. a frog; potash |
| Kalam | Kalám | talking, speaking; speech; language, mode of expression, style; talk, conversation, discussion; debate, dispute, controversy; words, word, saying, utterance, statement, remark; aphorism, maxim, phrase, idiom, figure of speech; (grammar) sentence, clause. Described as “speculative theology” by Momen. In Islám “the term ‘theology’ has never been used. Instead, the term kalám (discourse on the divine) was coined because the term ‘theology’ was identified with the doctrine of the holy trinity.” Making the crooked straight, p. 786. Ilm al-kalám (“knowledge of speech”), often shortened to kalám, is the scholastic, speculative, or philosophical study of Islamic theology (‘aqída, “creed”). |
| Kalantar, Kalantar-ha | Kalántar, pl. Kalántar-há | Pers. bigger, greater, larger; the chief man (especially for life) in a town, in whose name everything is done; sherrif—kalántarí shahr, mayor (of town). Ḥájí Ibráhím Kalántar Shírází (1745–1801), also known as I‘timád ad-Dawla. Lord mayor (kalántar) of Shíráz during the late Zand era, the first grand vizier (Ṣadr-i-A‘ẓam), and a major political figure of the Qájár period. See ‘umad. |
| Kalat-i-Nadiri | Kalát-i-Nádirí | Kalat Nader, city 80 km north of Mashhad |
| Kalb, Kilab | Kalb, pl. Kiláb | dog. The Banú Kalb (“Kalbites”) was an Arab tribe. Nisba Kalbí. |
| Kalbasi | Kalbásí | Ḥájí Muḥammad-Ibráhím-i-Kalbásí |
| Kaldah, Kalda | Kaldah (Kaldih), Kalda | Pers. dry, barren ground; a name. Mas’súd-Kaldih |
| Kalim, Kalma, Kulama | Kalím | two meanings: 1. wounded, injured; sore; (pl. kalmá). 2. person addressed; speaker, spokesman, mouthpiece (pl. kulamá’). Hence, “The Interlocutor” (i.e. Moses)—title of Mírzá Músá, Bahá’u’lláh’s faithful brother; also Áqáy-i Kalím, Master of Discourse, his usual full title. |
| Kalima, Kalimat, Kalim | Kalima(h or t) fem., pl. Kalimát, Kalim | (Kalim is the collective masc. pl.) word; speech, address; utterance, remark, saying; aphorism, maxim; brief announcement, a few (introductory) words; short treatise; importance, weight, influence, authority, ascendancy, powerful position |
| Kalimat al-Firdawsiyah | Kalimát al-Firdawsíyah | “The Words of Paradise” in Persian by Bahá’u’lláh. Pers. Kalimát-i-Firdawsiyah, Kalimát-i-Firdawsiyyah or Iṣfahání Pers. Kalimát-i-Firdawsíyyih (Kalimat-i-Firdawsiyyih). |
| Kalimat-i-Maknunih | Kalimát-i-Maknúnih | “The Hidden Words” by Bahá’u’lláh. Once (1858 to c. 1885) known as “Hidden Book of Fatimih” (Ṣaḥífiyyih-Maknúniyh-Fáṭimíyyih). Now also known as Ṣaḥífiy-i-Fáṭimíyyih (Book of Fatimih) and Muṣḥaf Fáṭimah (“Book of Fatimah”). |
| Kalimu’llah | Kalímu’lláh | “One who converses with God”. Title given to Moses in the Islamic Dispensation. |
| Kalisa | Kalísá | Pers. a church, synagogue |
| Kam | Kam | Pers. few, little; deficient, defective, mutilated, wanting, diminished, scarce, less (hence frequently imparting a negative sense); worse; poor, wretched; base; abandonment; deficiency, destitution; excellent, precious, glorious, honoured; the waist, side. Kam-kam, little by little |
| Kam, Chand | Kam, Pers. Chand | (interrogative and exclamatory particle with following noun in accusative) how much? how many! how much! |
| Kamal, Kamalat | Kamál, pl. Kamalát | perfection; completeness; completion, consummation, conclusion, termination, windup; maturity, ripeness |
| Kamana, Kamina, Kumun | Kamana and Kamina (Kumún) | to hide; to be hidden, concealed, latent; to have its secret seat (in); to ambush, waylay (someone) Form V to lie in wait (for someone), ambush, waylay (someone) Form X to hide, lie concealed |
| Kamil-Muqaddam | Kámil-Muqaddam | |
| Kamil, Kamila, Kamala | Kámil, fem. Kámila, pl. Kamala[h or t] | perfect, consummate; genuine, sterling; complete, full, plenary, full-strength; completed, concluded; whole, entire, total, integral. al-Kámil, the second commonest metre (after the aṭ-ṭawíl) used in pre-Islamic and classical Arabic poetry. |
| Kammun (Kumun, Kamoun) | Kammún | cumin-seed |
| Kamran | Kámrán | Pers. successful, blessed, fortunate |
| Kan | Kán | Pers. a sheath; a mine or quarry; digging, excavating |
| Kana (Kawn, Kun, Kiyan, Kaynuna) | Kána | to be (past tense); to exist; to happen, occur, take place. Kun be!, fiat!. Kuntu (I was). See Kawn, Kiyán, Kaynúna. |
| Kanad | Kanád | Pers. a turtle-dove |
| Kand (Kond-e-olya, Kond Sofla) | Kand | Ar. cutting. Pers. hemp; sugar; a wound; a pick-axe; flight. Kand-i-‘Ulyá (upper; 35.871498, 51.653033) and Kand-i-Suflá (lower; 35.866553, 51.645985) villages 32.5 and 33.5 km ENE from the centre of Ṭihrán. |
| Kandag | Kandag | Pers. a ditch, a moat. Middle Persian meaning “that which has been dug”. See Khandaq. |
| Kangavar | Kangávar | Persian town (34.502416, 47.960880) 50 km SW of Mt. Alvand (Qulla Alvand, 3,580 m) and 60 km SW of Hamadán. |
| Kani | Kání | Pers. mineral. Ḥájí Mullá ‘Alí Kání. |
| Kanisa, Kana’is | Kanísa[h or t], pl. Kaná’is | church (Christian); synagogue, temple (Judaism) |
| Kaniz | Kaníz | Pers. a female slave, maid-servant; a maid, virgin, girl |
| Kanz, Kunuz | Kanz, pl. Kunúz | treasure |
| Kar, Karat | Kár, pl. Karát | Ar. work, job, occupation, business; calling, vocation, profession, trade. e.g. Ustádhkár |
| Karaj | Karaj | becoming stale and mouldy (bread). Karaj is the capital of Alborz Province, Írán, and effectively a suburb on the NW side of Tehran. |
| Karam | Karam | noble nature; high-mindedness, noble-mindedness, noble-heartedness, generosity, magnanimity; kindness, friendliness, amicability; liberality, munificence. Muḥammad Mahdí ibn Karbalá’í Sháh-Karam |
| Karama (Kirama, Kiramat), Karamat | Karáma(t), Karámát | nobility; high-mindedness, noble-heartedness; generosity, magnanimity; liberality, munificence; honour, dignity; respect, esteem, standing, prestige; mark of honour, token of esteem, favour;—pl. miracle (worked by a saint) |
| Karand, Kirand (Kerand) | Karand, Kirand | a village about 100 km SE of Ṭihrán (35.231533, 52.339868), home of the ‘Alíyu’lláhí (an Islamic sect, followers of Imám ‘Alí). |
| Karb | Karb | pressing heavily, weighing down the spirits (grief); drawing tight (a fetter); ploughing; twisting a rope; being near setting (the sun), almost extinguished (fire); affliction, anguish, vexation, distress |
| Karbala, Karbila | Karbalá’, Karbilá’, Pers. Karbalá, Karbilá | Shi’ite holy city in ‘Iráq where the Ḥusayn ibn ‘Alí was murdered (AH 61/CE 680), along with most of his family and many companions, and is buried. Imám Ḥusayn said of the name: “Anguish and distress” (a combination of karb, the land that will cause many agonies; and balá’, afflictions). There are two villages of the same name in Fars and Zanjan Provinces. See Karb and Balá’ |
| Karbala’i, Karbila’i | Karbalá’í, Karbila’i | prefixed title given to those performing/performed the pilgrimage to Karbalá. Karbalá’í Mihdí Mílání (Kerbelaiy Mehdi Milani). Ḥájí Sayyid Javád-i-Karbilá’í was given the title Sayyid-i-Núr (“Radiant Sayyid”) by Bahá’u’lláh. Abbreviation “Kal”. |
| Karama, Karamat | Karáma, pl. Karámát | nobility; high-mindedness, noble-heartedness; generosity, magnanimity; liberality, munificence; honor, dignity; respect, esteem, standing, prestige; mark of honor, token of esteem, favour;—pl. miracle wonders wrought by saints for the good of the people as well as in proof of their own saintship. |
| Karij | Khárij | outer, outside, outward, exterior; external, foreign; outside, exterior (noun); foreign country or countries; quotient (arithmetic) |
| Karim Khan | Karím Khán | Ḥájí Mírzá Muḥammad Karím Khán Kirmání (1810–1873), a Shí‘a scholar, a self-appointed leader of the Shaykhí community after the death of his mentor, Sayyid Kaẓím Rashtí, a writer described as “ambitious and hypocritical” (GPB 91), and condemned by Bahá’u’lláh for advocating the study of the science of metaphysical abstractions, of alchemy and natural magic, which Bahá’u’lláh described as “vain and discarded learnings”. He wrote a vicious attack on the Bábí Faith at the request of the Sháh. (GPB 91) He developed the doctrine of (and the claim to be) the Rukn ar-Rábi‘ (“the fourth pillar”) of Islám. |
| Karim, Kurama’, Kiram | Karím, pl. Kuramá’, Kirám | noble; distinguished, high-ranking, eminent; high-minded, noble-minded, noble-hearted; generous, liberal, munificent, hospitable, beneficent; benefactor; kind, kindly, friendly, amicable, obliging, gracious; respectable, honourable, decent; precious, valuable, costly; thoroughbred; “All-Bountiful” |
| Karima, Kara’im | Karíma(h) (fem. of Karím), pl. Kará’im | noble, precious thing, object of value, valuable; vital part (of the body; especially the eye); the hand; generous; a princess, lady |
| Karkh | Karkh | Pers. mansion, habitation, turreted building; al-Karkh is a quarter in Baghdád bounded by the west bank of the Tigris River. Bahá’u’lláh’s family moved to al-Karkh prior to His return from Kurdistan |
| Karkuk (Kirkuk) | Karkúk | city (35.466009, 44.380987) in northern ‘Iráq between Mosul and Baghdád |
| Karm, Kurum | Karm, pl. Kurúm | (collective) (Hebrew כֶּרֶם (k-r-m), plantation, etc.) vine, grapes, grapevines; vineyard; garden, orchard |
| Karmal, Karmil, Karmel (Carmel) | Karmal, Karmil | Hebrew karm+el “fresh (planted)” or “vineyard (planted)” of God (assumed). Karm+ suffix l may be used as the name for the scrubby woodland typical of the area. Mount Carmel (Har HaKarmel, Jabal al-Karmil) is defined as: 1. the 39 km long mountain range; 2. North-western 19 km of the mountain range; and 3. the headland at the north-western end of the range (Shoghi Effendi said the temple site (elev. 192 m) is the “Head” of Mt. Carmel and the Shrine of the Báb (elev. 134 m) is the “Heart” of Mt. Carmel). The highest point (32.741851, 35.048391) is 545.9 m. The Bahá’í terraces rise from 47 to 258 m over a length of 730 m, but the ridge above rises to 273 m. The description Jabal al-Quds (the Holy Mountain) in Miracles & Metaphors, p. 45, may refer to Mt. Carmel. See Jabal Már Ilyás and Muḥraqa. |
| Karmali | Karmalí | Carmelite. Carmelite Monastery (Kamalí Dayr) |
| Karwan (Karvan) | Kárwán | Pers. a caravan (derived from the Persian, as is “van”), a large company of travellers or merchants |
| Karwan-saray (Karvan-saray) | Kárwán-saráy (Kárwánsaráy) | Pers. “caravan” + “palace” or “building with enclosed courtyard”, a “caravan house”. Derivation of the English a caravanserai or caravansary (a roadside inn for travellers, often travelling together as a caravan for safety) |
| Kas | Kas | Pers. a man, person; one, anyone |
| Kasa (Kasih, Kase, Kasse) | Kása | Ar. to be smart, clever, intelligent; to be nice, fine, pretty, comely, handsome, attractive, chic. Pers. a cup, goblet; a plate, saucer, large or small, of brass, wood, or clay; porcelain; the body of a violin or guitar; a large drum; the firmament; the sun; the earth, world. |
| Kasagiran (Kasihgaran, Kasagaran) | Kásagirán (Kása+girán) | Pers. Madrasa Kásagirán is a school (built 1694) in the Grand Bazaar of Iṣfahán, Írán. Also “Kasegaran” and “Kassegaran”. |
| Kashan, Kashana (Kashanih) | Káshán, fem. Káshána[h or t] | Pers. a winter-habitation. Fem. a bird’s-nest; a small house; a hall, dining-room, or parlour; a gallery, balcony, portico, lodge; a stove; a winter-dwelling. Káshán is one of the oldest cities of Írán, located in north central Persia. Káshánah (or Káshánih) name given by Persians to the town (Keşan, Türkiye) that Bahá’u’lláh passed through on His way to Gallipoli (100 km south of Edirne). Arḍ-i-Káf, “Land of Káshán”. |
| Kashani | Káshání | from Káshán. Mullá Muḥsin Fayḍ Káshání, Kalimát al-Maknúnah (Hidden Words). Kamál ad-Dín Abú’l-Faḍl ʻAbdu’r-Razzáq ibn Jamál al-Dín Abú al-Gháním al-Káshání was a 13–14th-century Persian Shi‘ite Ṣúfí mystic and scholar. He wrote Risála fí al-qaḍá’ wa’l-qadar (“Treatise on predestination and destiny”). |
| Kashf al-Ghita’ | Kashf al-Ghiṭá’ ‘an Ḥiyal al-A‘dá’ | “Removal of the veil from the schemes of the enemies”, refutation of Nuqṭatu’l-Káf started by Mírzá Abu’l-Faḍl-i-Gulpáygání and his notes used by nephew, Áqá Sayyid Mahdí Gulpáyigání, to complete it. |
| Kashf, Kushuf, Kushufat | Kashf, pl. Kushúf, Kushúfát | uncovering, disclosure; baring, exposure, unveiling; revelation, illumination (mysticism); investigation, inquiry, search, quest, study; examination, scrutiny; inspection; boy scout movement;—(pl.) report, account; statement, specification, enumeration; table, schedule, chart; list, roster, index, register, inventory;—(pl. kushúfát) discoveries |
| Kashfi | Kashfí | of or pertaining to boy scouts. The “Discloser” or “one who discovers and explains the divine secrets”. |
| Kashfiya | Kashfíya | alternative name for the Shaykhis because God lifted (kashf) from their intellect and from their vision the veil of ignorance and lack of insight into the Religion, and removed the darkness of doubt and uncertainty from their minds and their hearts. They are the ones whose hearts God illumined with the light of guidance. The development of Shaykhí thought in Shí‘í Islam, p. 48. |
| Kashghar | Káshghar | (Kashgar) part of Sinkiang, China |
| Kashi | Káshí | Pers. short form of Káshání |
| Kashif, Kashafa | Káshif, pl. Kashafa | uncovering, revealing, etc.; serving exploratory purposes, instrumental in reconnaissance, conducive to discovery, detection or disclosure; examiner, investigator, discoverer; supervisor, inspector |
| Kashifi (Kashefi) | Káshifí | (Pers. with Ar influence) revelation, manifestation |
| Kashk | Kashk | Pers. sour milk dried; a condiment made of butter-milk; a thick pottage made of wheaten flour or barley-meal with sheep’s milk, to which is added flesh or wheat; barley; barleywater |
| Kashkul | Kashkúl | beggar’s bag; scrapbook; album. Described as a globe-shaped alms-basket (originally made from a sea-coconut) carried by dervishes. |
| Kashmar (Keshmar), Turshiz | Káshmar | formerly Turshíz (Torshiz), Ṭuraythíth (Turaythith) or Sulṭánabád (Soltanabad); is a city (35.243022, 58.468591; 155 km SW Mashhad) and the capital of Kashmar County, in Razavi (Raḍawí) Khorasan Province, Írán. |
| Kashmir | Kashmír | cashmir—a soft, twilled woolen fabric. Jammu and Kashmír is a state in northern India. |
| Kashmiri | Kashmírí | a native of Kashmír |
| Kasr-i-Hudud | Kasr-i-Ḥudúd | lift or break bounds imposed by God |
| Kasr, Kusur | Kasr, pl. Kusúr | breaking, fracturing; shattering, fragmentation; (pl.) break, breach, fracture; crack, rupture; fracture of a bone |
| Kasra | Kasra | defeat, breakdown, collapse; the vowel point for the short vowel i (grammar); nook of the house. See ḍamma and fatḥa |
| Katama, Katm, Kitman | Katama (Katm, Kitmán) | to hide (something, from someone); to conceal, secrete, keep secret (something, from someone); to suppress, repress, restrain, check, curb, subdue (anger, passion); to hold (one’s breath); to lower, muffle (the voice); to stifle, smother, quench (fire) |
| Kathir, Kithar | Kathír, pl. Kithár | much, many, numerous, abundant, plentiful, copious; frequent; a large portion, a great deal, a great many, a lot |
| Kathiran | Kathírán | very, much, to a large extent; often, frequently |
| Kathiri | Kathírí | al-Kathírí, officially the Kathiri State of Seiyun in Hadhramaut (Arabic: as-Salṭanah al-Kathíríyah-Say’ún-Ḥaḍramawt) was a sultanate in the Hadhramaut region of the southern Arabian Peninsula, in what is now part of Yemen and the Dhofar region of Oman. |
| Kathr | Kathr | much; surplus |
| Kathra | Kathra(t) | large quantity, great number, multitude, abundance, copiousness, numerousness, frequency, multiplicity, plurality; majority, major portion (of) |
| Katibu’s-Sirr, Katib-i-Sirr | Kátibu’s-Sirr, Pers. Kátib-i-Sirr | private secretary |
| Katib, Katibun, Kuttab | Kátib, pl. Kátibún, Kuttáb, Kataba | writer; scribe, scrivener; secretary; clerk typist; office worker, clerical employee; clerk, registrar, actuary, court clerk; notary; writer, author. Kátib áyát, “verse writer” or amanuensis. |
| Katiba, Katibat | Kátiba[h or t], pl. Katibát | (fem. of kátib) woman secretary; authoress, writer |
| Katibpur-Shahidi | Kátibpúr-Shahídí | Ni‘matu’lláh Kátibpúr-Shahídí |
| Katurah | Katúráh | Abraham’s third wife |
| Kawih (Kavih) | Káwih | Pers. “Kaveh” in Iranian mythology is a blacksmith (Áhangar) from Isfahan. Pers./Kurdish Káwa. May mean strength, vigour. May have derived from the Ar. Qahwa. |
| Kawkab, Kawkaba, Kawakib | Kawkab, fem. Kawkaba[h], pl. Kawákib | (Kaukab, Kokab) star (also, figuratively, of screen, stage, etc.); group, troop, party; white opacity in the cornea of the eye. Name (Kawkab) given to Miss H. A. MacCutcheon. |
| Kawm (Kaum), Akwam, Kiman | Kawm, pl. Akwám, Kímán | heap, pile; hill;—pl. kímán especially garbage piles, refuse dump |
| Kawm as-Sa’ayidah, Kawmu’s-Sa’ayidih | Kawm aṣ-Ṣa‘áyidah | (“Kom al-Sa’ida”, Per. “Kawmu’ṣ-Ṣa‘áyidih”). A village or town (28.887858, 30.913262) 7.5 km WSW of the city of Bibá, Egypt. It is in Hayy al-Fuqqá‘í (district), Markaz Bibá (region), Muḥáfázah Baní Suwayf (governorate). A fierce attack on a small band of Bahá’ís in this village ended in being the “initial step”, Shoghi Effendi said, in “the eventual universal acceptance of the Bahá’í Faith, as one of the independent recognized religious systems of the world” (Bahá’í Administration, p. 101) by the Appellate religious court of Bibá, which delivered its judgement on 10 May 1925. (Priceless Pearl, p. 318). See entry for Bibá. See also The Bahá’í World, III:48–50, God Passes By, pp. 364–6. |
| Kawmu | Kawmú | gathering, assembly, group of people |
| Kawn (Kaun), Akwan | Kawn, pl. Akwán | being, esse; existence; event, occurrence, incident. al-kawn the existent, the existing, reality; the world; the cosmos, the universe. al-Kawn al-A‘lá, the Supreme Being, God. See kána. |
| Kawthar (Kauthar, Kawsar) | Kawthar | much, ample, abundant, plentiful, large quantity; al-Kawthar—name of a lake or river in Paradise (that Muḥammad saw on his mystic night journey, Qur’án 108:1) whence all the other rivers derive their source. See Tasním. |
| Kawus (Kavus) | Káwús | Pers. name of an ancient king of Persia; pure; elegant, graceful; radical; firm, constant; generous, noble; strengthened by divine aid; a subduer, conqueror; a spark; light, splendour, coruscation; swiftness, impetuosity. |
| Kay (Kai), Kayan | Kay, pl. Kayán | Pers. a star; the point made by the compasses at the centre of a circle; (pl.) great kings; the surname of the second dynasty of the Persian kings |
| Kayani, Kayaniyan | Kayání, pl. Kayániyán | Pers. of the Kayanian race; imperial, royal. Dynasty [time of Alexander the Great] of the Kayániyán (Keyanian) kings of Persia. See Kiyání. |
| Kayf (Kaif, Kief, Keef, Kif), Kuyuf | Kayf, pl. Kuyúf | state, condition; mood, humor, state of mind, frame of mind; pleasure, delight, well-being, good humor, high spirits; discretion, option, will;—pl. narcotic, opiate |
| Kayfa (Kaiyha) | Kayfa | (interrogative and exclamatory particle) how? how ...! The Arabic phrase bi-la kayfa, also bilá kayfa, is roughly translated as “without asking how”. It was a way of resolving theological problems in Islám over apparent questioning in áyát (verses of the Qur’án) by accepting without questioning. This becomes an impediment to free thought and speculation. al-Ash‘arí originated the use of the term in his development of the orthodox Ash‘arí school against some of the paradoxes of the rationalist Mu‘tazila. This view was held by the vast majority of the early Sunní Muslims. |
| Kayfiya (Kayfiyya, Kaifiya) | Kayfíya(t), Pers. also Kayfiyya(t) | manner, mode, fashion; property, quality; nature, state, condition; particulars, particular circumstances (e.g., of an event); story, statement, account, relation; detailed circumstances, particulars, news |
| Kaykhusraw (Kaikhusraw) | Kaykhusraw | Pers. Also Kay Khusraw, Kay-Khusraw. Legendary Persian warrior |
| Kaynuna (Kainuna), Kaynunat | Kaynúna[h or t], pl. Kaynúnát | being, existing; happening, coming to pass |
| Kaysaniya, Kaysaniyya | Kaysáníya, Kaysániyya | Kaysanite, see Mukhtáriyya. Name may have been based on the kunya (surname) Kaysán, allegedly given to al-Mukhtár (see Mukhtár) by ‘Alí, or the name of a freed Mawlá of ‘Alí who was killed at the Battle of Ṣiffín called Kaysán. More likely named after Abú ‘Amra Kaysán, a prominent Mawlá and chief of al-Mukhtár’s personal bodyguard. The Kaysanites were also known as Ḥanafiyya (after Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥanafiyyah) |
| Kayumarth (Kayumart, Kayumars) | Kayúmarth | Pers. first of Adam’s offspring who ever exercised regal authority; he is generally considered as the first king of the Pishdádiyán dynasty, and is sometimes confounded with Adam and Noah. First mythical king mentioned at the beginning of the Sháhnáma. |
| Kaywan (Kaiwan, Kayvan) | Kaywán | the planet Saturn; like-wise his orbit; a bow; the seventh heaven |
| Kazim (Kadhim) | Kaẓím | filled with anger |
| Kazim (Kazem, Kadhim), Kazima | Káẓim, fem. Káẓima[h or t] | tolerant, forgiving, and having patience. “One who suppresses his passion or anger”. The title of the seventh Imám of Shí‘a Islám. |
| Kazim-i-Zanjani | Káẓim-i-Zanjání | |
| Kazimayn (Kadhimayn) | Káẓimayn | (“Kazemain”) dual of Káẓim, “Two who swallow their anger”, referring to “the two Kazims” (Músá ibn Ja‘far al-Káẓim (d. CE 799) and his grandson Muḥammad ibn ‘Alí al-Jawád (d. CE 835), the seventh and ninth A’imma respectively). al-Kaẓimayn Shrine (Ḥaram al-Káẓimayn), also known as Masjid al-Káẓimíyah, is a combined Shí‘a Muslim mosque and shrine built over their graves. It is now located in the al-Káẓimíyah suburb of Baghdád. The mosque is also known as Jámi‘ al-Yásín, al-Yassin Mosque. |
| Kazimi-Manshadi | Káẓimí-Manshádí | |
| Kazimiya (Kadhimiya) | Káẓimíya[h or t] | followers of Káẓim or “Kazimism”. al-Káẓimíyah was a city built around the shrines of two A’imma (al-Káẓim and al-Jawád), and is now a suburb of Baghdád (about 7 km north of the city centre). Pers. Káẓimiyya[h or t]. |
| Kazimzada (Kazenzadeh) | Káẓimzáda (Káẓim + záda) | son of Káẓim (Pers. Bahá’í Káẓimzádih) |
| Kazirun, Kazrun | Kázirún | (Kazerun, Kázirán, Kázarún) also known as Kasrun, is a city (90 km west of Shíráz) and capital of Kazeroon County, Fars Province, Írán. See Darwáza Kázirún. |
| Kha | Khá | name of an Arabic letter. Land of Khá: reference to the Khurásán Province and neighbouring areas, including the city of ‘Ishqábád (Ashkhabad). |
| Khabar-Dar | Khabar-Dár | Pers. informed, appraised, certified; aware; careful, cautious; an informer, scout, spy; take care! beware! look out! |
| Khabar, Akhbar | Khabar, pl. Akhbár | news; information, intelligence: report, communication, message; notification; rumor; story; matter, affair. Traditions, sayings attributed to Muḥammad and to the Imams. |
| Khabir | Khabír | experienced, expert (in); familiar, conversant, well-acquainted (with), cognizant (of) |
| Khada (Khadih), Khawd, Khiyad | Kháḍa (Khawḍ, Khiyáḍ) | to wade (into water); to plunge, dive, rush (into something), tackle courageously (something), embark boldly (on). Pers. also kháḍih (“khadeh” or “khazeh”). Jalálu’lláh Kháḍih, last name also transcripted Kházih or Kházeh (1897–21 February 1990), a Hand of the Cause of God appointed by Shoghi Effendi in 1953. |
| Khadar | Khaḍár | green, greenness, green colour; greens, herbs, pot-herbs |
| Khadhala, Khadhl, Khidhlan | Khadhala (Khadhl, Khidhlán) | to leave, abandon, forsake, desert, leave in the lurch (or someone); to stay behind; to disappoint; pass |
| Khadi’, Khuda’, Khud’an, Khid’an | Kháḍi‘ pl. Khuḍa‘, Khuḍ‘án, Khiḍ‘án | submissive, humble; obedient, pliant, tractable; subject, liable, prone (to something). Pers. “Khádih”. Jalál Kháḍih, Hand of the Cause of God. |
| Khadi’i | Kháḍi‘í | [Doubtful Kháḍí’í in MUHJ 1963–86, p. 502.] |
| Khadij | Khadíj | premature child |
| Khadija, Khadijih | Khadíja(h or t), Pers. Khadíjih | Khadíjah bint Khuwaylid (555–619), Muḥammad’s first wife and first female follower of Muḥammad. Khadíjah was the daughter of Khuwaylid ibn Asad, a leader of Quraysh tribe in Mecca, and a successful businesswoman in her own right. |
| Khadijih Khanum | Khadíjih Khánum | Mother of Bahá’u’lláh. Children of second marriage—Daughters Sárih Khánum and Nisá’ Khánum. Sons Bahá’u’lláh, Mírzá Músá and Mírzá Mihdí. |
| Khadijih-Bagum | Khadíjih-Bagum | Khadíjih-Bagum (1820–1882) was the wife of her second cousin, the Báb. She was the daughter of Sayyid Mírzá ‘Alí, a merchant, the paternal uncle of the Báb’s mother. Her brother, Ḥájí Mírzá Abu’l-Qásim, was the father of Sayyid Muḥammad-Ḥusayn, the grandfather of Ḥájí Mírzá Hádí Shírází, and the great grandfather of Shoghi Effendi. |
| Khadijih-Sultan | Khadíjih-Sulṭán | |
| Khadim, Khuddam, Khudama | Khádim, pl. Khuddám, Khudama | (“Khadem”) domestic servant, help; manservant; woman servant; employee; attendant; waiter; deacon (Christian) (Dhikru’lláh Khádem (sic), appointed Hand of the Cause of God, 1957) |
| Khadimu’llah, Khadimatu’llah | Khádimu’lláh, fem. Khádimatu’lláh | “Servant of God” or “Maidservant of God”. Bahá’u’lláh gave this title to Mírzá Áqá Ján (1837–1901), the first believer in Him, his personal attendant, later also His amanuensis. He broke the Covenant after the death of Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Khadir | Khaḍir | green, verdant; verdure, greenery; young green crop (of grain) |
| Khadir, Khidir, Khidr | al-Khaḍir, al-Khiḍir (al-Khiḍr) | a well-known legendary figure (“The Green One”) or immortal saint. Identified as “One of our servants” Qur’án 18:65. His name is not mentioned in the Qur’án, but tradition gives it as Khiḍr. His knowledge is fresh and green, and drawn out of the living sources of life (Alláh). Equivalent in the Bible is considered to be Melchizedek. Bahíyya Khánum, p. 99 states the Cave of Khiḍr is the Cave of Elijah. |
| Khafid | Kháfiḍ | a depressor; one of the attributes of God (as depressing the proud) |
| Khafiy | Khafíy | hidden, concealed; secret, unknown; unseen, invisible; mysterious |
| Khafiya, Khafiyyih, Khafaya | Khafíya(h), (Pers. Khafiyyih), pl. Khafáyá | a secret, a secret affair. Quietly and privately, as in prayers, etc. |
| Khal-i-A’zam | Khál-i-A‘ẓam | “the Greatest Uncle”, Ḥájí Mírzá Siyyid ‘Alí, middle maternal uncle and guardian of the Báb |
| Khal-i-Akbar | Khál-i-Akbar | “the greater uncle”, Ḥájí Mírzá Siyyid Muḥammad, eldest maternal uncle |
| Khal-i-Asghar | Khál-i-Aṣghar | “younger or junior uncle”, Siyyid Mírzá Ḥasan-‘Alí, youngest maternal uncle of the Báb |
| Khal, Akhwal, Khu’ul, Khu’la | Khál, pl. Akhwál, Khu’úl, Khu’úla | (maternal) uncle;— (pl. khílán) mole, birthmark (on the face); patch, beauty spot |
| Khalaf, Akhlaf | Khalaf, pl. Akhláf | substitute; successor; descendant, offspring, scion |
| Khalaj | Khalaj | Pers. the aching of the bones from excessive labour. The Khalaj people (also spelt Xalaj or Khaladzh; Persian: Xalajhá) are primarily classified as a Turkic people likely of Indo-Iranian origin that speak the Khalaj language. Became largely Persianized in the mid-20th century. |
| Khalajabadi | Khalajábádí (Khalaj + Ábádí) | Pers. Kayván Khalajábádí |
| Khalal, Khilal | Khalal, pl. Khilál | gap, interval, interstice; cleft, crack, rupture, fissure; a defective, unbalanced state, imbalance; defectiveness, imperfection; fault, flaw, defeat, shortcoming; disturbance, upset, disorder; damage, injury, harm (that something suffers or suffered); khilála during; between; through |
| Khalaqa, (Khalq) | Khalaqa (Khalq) | to create, make, originate (something); to shape, form, mould (something) |
| Khaldi, Khaldun | Khaldí, pl. Khaldún | adjective eternity (from root khalada and noun khald). ibn Khaldún (1332–1406, “Ibn-Kaldoon”, “son of immortals”) is a famous Arab philosopher and historian. |
| Khali (Khalin) | Khálí (Khálin) | free, unrestrained, open, vacant (office, position), void; idle, unemployed; free (from), devoid |
| Khalid, Khwalid | Khálid, pl. Khwálid | everlasting, perpetual, eternal; immortal, deathless, undying; unforgettable, glorious;—pl. mountains |
| Khalidiya, Khalidiyyih | Khálidíya(h), Pers. Khálidíyyih | al-Khálidíya “belonging to Khálid”. Naqshbandíya Khálidíya, Khálidíya or Khálidí is the title of a branch of the Naqshbandíya Ṣúfí lineage, from the time of Khálid al-Baghdádí |
| Khalifa, Khulafa | Khalífa(h or t), pl. Khulafá’, Khalá’if | caliph, literally successor. The vicar, deputy, successor or representative of the Messenger of God. See Khiláfa. |
| Khalij, Khulj, Khuljan | Khalíj, pl. Khulj, Khulján | bay, gulf; canal; al-Khalíj—name of Cairo’s ancient city canal that was abandoned and leveled at the end of the 19th century. al-Khalíj Fársí, the Persian Gulf. Khalíj Gurgán, Gulf of Gorgon or Gorgon Bay, SE corner of the Caspian Sea. |
| Khalil | Khalíl, pl. Akhillá, Khullán | friend, bosom friend; lovers. al-Khalíl, the Friend, i.e. Abraham. |
| Khalil-i-Khu’i | Khalíl-i-Khu’í | |
| Khalilu’llah | Khalílu’lláh | the Friend of God (Abraham is known as) |
| Khaliq | Kháliq | creative; Creator, Maker (God). Used as a name, preceded by ‘Abd (servant)—‘Abdu’l-Kháliq “Servant of the Creator”. |
| Khalis, Khalisa, Khullas | Kháliṣ, fem. Kháliṣa[h], pl. Khullaṣ | clear; pure, unmixed, unadulterated; sincere, frank, candid, true; free, exempt (from); name of a stream in the east of Baghdád on the banks of which a castle of the same name is situated. In Persian, also government revenue department office; lands under government management. |
| Khalisizádih | Kháliṣízádih | itinerant traveller, Ákhúnd Turábí, Shaykh Muḥammad Kháliṣízádih |
| Khalji | Khaljí | ‘Alá’ud-Dín Khaljí (r. 1296–1316) was the second and the most powerful ruler of the Khaljí dynasty in India |
| Khalkhal, Khalakhil | Khalkhál, Khalákhíl | anklet. Azerbaijani Khálkhál; formerly and local Azerbaijani Híruw; Persian Híruwábád or Hírábád. A city and capital of Khalkhál County, in Ardabíl Province, Írán. |
| Khall | Khall | Ar. vinegar. See Pers. Sirka |
| Khalq | Khalq | creation; making; origination; something which is created, a creation; creatures; people, man, mankind; physical constitution. Khalqan a creation |
| Khalq-i-Jadid | Khalq-i-Jadíd | Pers. (spiritual) rebirth |
| Khalwa, Khalawat | Khalwa(t), pl. Khalawát | privacy, solitude; seclusion, isolation, retirement; place of retirement or seclusion, retreat, recess; secluded room; hermitage; religious assembly hall of the Druses; booth, cabin |
| Khamanih Khamaneh, Khameneh | Khámanih, Kháminih | Pers. (also Khamneh, Khumla and Khumna) is a town 60 km WNW of Tabríz. |
| Khaminiy (Khamenei) | Kháminíy | Pers. Sayyid ‘Alí Ḥusayní Kháminíy (family are from Kháminih, the h is silent in his name), known in the Western world as Ayatollah Khamenei (second “supreme leader” of Írán) |
| Khamir | Khamír | leavened (dough); ripe, mature, mellow; leaven; leavened bread |
| Khamis, Khamisa | Khamís, fem. Khamísa[h] | a fifth; the fifth day of the week (Thursday); a garment or piece of cloth of five cubits; anything consisting of five parts (especially an army composed of van, centre, rear, and two wings) |
| Khammar | Khammár | vintner, wine merchant, keeper of a wineshop |
| Khammar, ‘Udi | Khammár, ‘Údí | d. 1879. Previous owner of the House of ‘Abbúd, in ‘Akká. In 1870 he completed the restoration and expansion of the mansion at Bahjí as a summer palace. He placed the following interesting inscription over the mansion door: “Greetings and salutations rest upon this mansion which increaseth in splendour through the passage of time. Manifold wonders and marvels are found therein, and pens are baffled in attempting to describe them.” (Shoghi Effendi: recollections, p. 138). Grid co-ordinates 32.921563, 35.067297. |
| Khamsa, Khams | Khamsa[h or t], fem. Khams | five; the five fingers, the hand |
| Khamsih (Khamseh) | Khamsih | former name of Zanjan Province. Khamsih, “the five” tribes in an area that is now divided between the provinces of Fárs, Kirmán and Hurmuzgán. |
| Khamsun, Khamsin, Khamasin | Khamsún | (“chasin”, “hamsin”) fifty. Khamsín is derived from khamsún. ‘íd al-khamsín Whitsuntide, Pentecost; aḥad al-khamsín Whitsunday; ayyám al-khamásín the period of about 50 days between Easter and Whitsuntide; and khamsín and khamásín, khamsin (English), a dry, hot, sandy, southerly windstorm in Egypt—these windstorms blow sporadically over a fifty-day period in spring, hence the name. Similar winds in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula have local names, e.g. sharav in Israel. |
| Khamush | Khámush | Pers. silent; discreet; tame; dead; extinguished. Often used in connection with the dead. |
| Khamushi | Khámushí | Pers. silence, taciturnity. The dead are alluded to as being Khámush, i.e., silent. |
| Khan al-‘Umdan | Khán al-‘Umdán | “the Inn of the Pillars” (32.919986, 35.069020), large merchant’s inn, ‘Akká. Also known as Khán al-‘Avámíd, Khán al-Jurayní. |
| Khan al-Ifranj (Khan al-Franj) | Khán al-Ifranj | “the Franks (or Europeans) Inn” (32.921118, 35.069777), ‘Akká |
| Khan ash-Shawarda or Khan at-Tujjar | Khán ash-Shawárda or Khán at-Tujjár | “the Merchant’s Inn” (32.921852, 35.071308), ‘Akká |
| Khan ash-Shuna | Khán ash-Shúna | “the Granary Inn” (36.197565, 37.160959), oldest inn in ‘Akká |
| Khan-i-‘Arab | Khán-i-‘Arab | |
| Khan-i-‘Avamid | Khán-i-‘Avámíd | Inn of Pillars, ‘Akká. Also known as Khán-i-Jurayní, or Khán al-‘Umdán. See ‘Awámíd. |
| Khan-i-Ahi | Khán-i-Áhí | Mírzá Majíd Khán-i-Áhí, a secretary of Russian Legation |
| Khan-i-Kalantar | Khán-i-Kalántar | |
| Khan-i-Kashi | Khán-i-Káshí | |
| Khan-i-Khudi (Khankowdi) | Khán-i-Khúdí | small village (36.023428, 55.982993) in Semnan Province |
| Khan-i-Kirmani | Khán-i-Kirmání | Ḥaji Mírzá Muḥammad Karím Khán Kirmání (1810–1873), was a Shaykhi-Shí‘a Muslim scholar. He was the third leader of Kirmání Shaykhi community. He is believed to be among the first Shaykhí scholars to have rejected the messianic claims of the Báb. He wrote a dozen anti-Bábí books, one such being Risála izháq al-báṭil fí radd al-bábíya (“The Crushing of Falsehood in Refutation of Bábism”) |
| Khan-i-Larijani | Khán-i-Laríjání | |
| Khan-i-Nuri | Khán-i-Núrí | |
| Khan-i-Qazvini | Khán-i-Qazvíní | |
| Khan-i-Shavirdi | Khán-i-Shávirdí | (A caravanserai in ‘Akká) |
| Khan-i-Tanakabuni | Khan-i-Tanakabuni | (GPB) Khán-i-Tunukábúní, Sulaymán (MF) |
| Khan, Khana, Khanat, Khawanin | Khán, fem. Khána[h or t] | (pl. Kháwánín, fem. Khánát) hostel, caravanserai; inn, pub, tavern. Fem. column (e.g., of a newspaper); square (e.g., on a chessboard). Pers., originally from the Mongolian term for a ruler; a title meaning prince, chieftain, warrior or man of rank. The political entity ruled by a Khán is a Khánát or Khanate (Khaganate). |
| Khana (Khanih), Khana-ha | Khána (خانه), pl. Khána-há | Pers. a house, dwelling, habitation; a tent, pavilion; a receptacle; a drawer, partition, compartment; department; the arm from the shoulder to the elbow; a field; a woman; a page of paper; a heap of corn; a hillock of sand; verse, poetry |
| Khana Kahdan (Khanakahdan) | Khána Kahdán | a small village (28.932759, 53.310710) SW of the city of Kháwarán |
| Khanadan | Khánadán | Pers. a family; house; household; the court, king’s household; of noble blood; the master of a family |
| Khanadan (Khandan) | Khánadán (Khándán) | Pers. to echo; to obtain celebrity |
| Khanaqin (Khanaqayn) | Khánaqín (Khánaqín-i-‘Iráqí) | a town in ‘Iráq on the border of Írán, 143 km NE Baghdád and 155 km west of Kirmánsháh |
| Khandaq, Khanadiq | Khandaq, pl. Khanádiq | ditch; trench. Arabized form of kandag following suggestion of Salmán to build a trench north of Medina in December CE 626. |
| Khandil | Khándil | pronunciation of Turkish Kandil (candle or oil lamp). Arabic qindíl |
| Khangah, Khanagah Khan-gah, Khana-gah | Khánagáh (Khángáh) | Pers. khána-gah (khán-gah), a monastery for Sufis or Darwishes; a convent, chapel; a hospice. Also with “q” instead of “g”. |
| Khani | Khání | Pers. a fountain, pure water; a vessel in which water is cooled; a bath; gold; imperial rank |
| Khani Abad (Khan-i-Abad, Khaniabad) | Khání Ábád | Pers. a village “near” Ṭihrán may be: 35.663238, 51.409908 neighbourhood District 12, south of Gulistan Palace; 35.633734, 51.390302 North Khání Ábád, District 19; 35.619525, 51.394887 South Khání Ábád, District 19; or the village of village (35.568146, 51.526189) of Ghání Ábád (Khání Ábád). |
| Khaniq, Khawaniq | Khániq, Khawániq | choking, strangling; suffocating, asphyxiating, stifling, smothering; throttling, throttle (in compounds; tech.); (pl.) choke coil, reactor (radio); gorge, ravine, canyon |
| Khaniqiyi | Khángiyí | Pers. homemade |
| Khanjar, Khanajir | Khanjar, pl. Khanájir | dagger. Shaykh Khanjar was given the name Salmán by Bahá’u’lláh—thereafter known as Shaykh Salmán |
| Khanlar | Khánlár | name of a village in Írán and Azerbayjan |
| Khanlar | Khánlar | Khánlar Mirza (1812–1856) (royal title Iḥtishám-i-Dawla) |
| Khannas | Khannás | the devil; a wicked person; al-khannás epithet of the Devil (properly speaking, “he who withdraws when the name of God is mentioned”), i.e. “Evil Whisperer” |
| Khanum (Khanam) | Khánum (Khánam) | Pers. fem. lady, wife (placed after the proper name) |
| Khaqan, Khawaqin | Kháqán, pl. Khawáqín | overlord, ruler, sovereign, monarch, emperor |
| Khaqani | Kháqání | Imperial. Afḍal al-Dín Badíl ibn ‘Alí ibn ‘Uthmán (commonly known as Kháqání; c. 1120–c. 1199) was a major Persian poet and prose-writer. |
| Khar | Khar | Pers. an ass; a stupid fool; black viscous clay; sediment; the bridge of a violin; the commonest, ugliest, largest, or coarsest of its kind |
| Kharab, Akhriba | Kharáb, pl. Akhriba | ruin, ruination; state of destruction or dilapidation; desolation;—pl. (site of) ruins |
| Kharaba, Kharabat, Khara’ib | Kharába, pl. Kharábát, Khará’ib | (fem. of Kharáb) disintegrating structure, ruin, ruins, desolation; destroyed, deserted, depopulated, spoiled; debauched; overcome by wine, drunk, intoxicated; reprobate; noxious, vicious; indecent; miserable. (Pers. with Ar. influence) Kharábát, a tavern; a gaming-house. |
| Kharaj | Kharáj | tax; land tax (Islamic Law) |
| Kharaja, Khuruj | Kharaja, Khurúj | to go out, walk out; to come out. An act of rebellion against authorities. |
| Kharand | Kharand | Pers. agricultural settlement (35.935449, 53.441426) in Seman Province |
| Kharash | Kharash | a wild ass. Shaykh al-Kharashí. |
| Kharazm (Khwarazm) | Khárazm | (Pers.) or Chorasmia, is a large (former) oasis region on the Ámú Daryá (river) delta in western Central Asia to the south of the (former) Aral Sea |
| Kharazmi (Khwarazm) | Khárazmí | from Khárazm (a Khorasmian). Muḥammad ibn Músá al-Khárazmí (Persian and a native of Baghdád) extended the work in astronomy of Muḥammad ibn Ibráhím al-Fazárí and produced the famous Astronomical Tables (Zíj). His work in the field of mathematics even more important. He who adopted Indian numerals and made use of zero. al-Khárazmí was also the originator of algebra whose name appeared in Europe as Algorism or Algorithm. |
| Kharazmshah (Khwarazmshah) | Khárazmsháh | Pers. generic title of the rulers of two dynasties who were based on Khárazm, especially of ‘Alá’ ad-Dín Muḥammad II (r. 1200–1220). |
| Kharif | Kharíf | autumn, fall |
| Khariji, Kharijiya, Khawarij | Khárijí, fem. Khárijíya, pl. Khawárij | outer, out- (in compounds), outside, outward, exterior, external; foreign; non-resident; a member of the al-Khárijíyat (the Kharijite sect), the first identifiable sect of Islam;—pl. dissenters, dissidents, backsliders, rebels, outsiders or seceders, especially those who rebelled against ‘Alí—the Kharijite sect (the oldest religious sect of Islam). al-khárijíya foreign affairs. |
| Khariq-i-‘Adat | Kháriq-i-‘Ádat | (Khareki-Adat) Things that are contrary, rend or change the habits of men. Hence, sometimes ‘miracles’. |
| Kharput | Khárpút | Harput/Khárpút, ancient fortress about 5 km NE of Elâziǧ, Türkiye |
| Kharras (Kharraz), Kharrasun | Kharráṣ, pl. Kharráṣún | liar, slanderer, calumniator |
| Kharrat, Kharratun | Kharráṭ pl. Kharráṭún | turner (of wood), lather; braggart, bluffer, storyteller. Ustád ‘Abdu’l-Karím Kharráṭ from Isfahan secretly and stealthily associated with Covenant-breakers, he was their spy in Palestine. |
| Kharrub, Kharnub, Khurnub | Kharrúb | (collective; nomen unitatis ة) carob, locust; carob bean, locust pod, St. John’s-bread. Also kharnúb, khurnúb. |
| Khartum, Kharatim | Kharṭúm, pl. Kharáṭím | proboscis, trunk (of the elephant); hose. al-Kharṭúm (Khartoum)—capital of Sudan. |
| Khasa’il-i-Sab’ih | Khaṣá’il-i-Sab‘ih | “The Seven Proofs or Qualifications” by the Báb |
| Khash | Khásh | city in SE of Írán |
| Khasilat, Khasa’il | Khaṣílat, pl. Khaṣá’il | Pers. manner, custom, usage, moral |
| Khasm, Khusum, Akhsam | Khaṣm, pl. Khuṣúm, Akhṣám | adversary, antagonist, opponent; opposing party (in a lawsuit) |
| Khass (Khas), Khassan | Kháṣṣ, pl. Pers. Kháṣṣán | special, particular; specific, peculiar; relative, relevant, pertinent (to), concerning (something); earmarked, designated, destined, set aside (for); especially valid or true (for), especially applicable (to), characteristic (of); distinguished; private; exclusive, not public;—pl. men of rank |
| Khassa, Khawass | Kháṣṣa[h or t], pl. Khawáṣṣ | exclusive property; private possession; specialty, particularity, peculiarity, characteristic, property, attribute; essence, intrinsic nature; leading personalities, people of distinction. al-kháṣṣa the upper class, the educated. cf. ‘Ámma. |
| Khassiya, Khassiyat, Khasa’is | Kháṣṣíya, pl. Kháṣṣíyát, Khaṣá’iṣ | Ar. specialty, particularity, characteristic, peculiarity, property, special attribute, feature, trait, qualification; prerogative, privilege; jurisdiction, competence |
| Khata | Khatá | Pers. region in Tibet known for musk production |
| Khata’i | Khatá’í | Pers. derived from Cathay, a name by which North China was known in medieval Europe. The word is derived from Khitay (or Khitan), the name of a semi-nomadic people who left south-eastern Mongolia in the 10th century CE to conquer part of Manchuria and northern China. |
| Khataba, Khatabat | Khaṭába[h or t], pl. Khaṭábát | preaching, sermonizing, oratory |
| Khatam al-Anbiya’, Khatam an-Nabiyyun | Khátam al-Anbiyá’, Khátam an-Nabiyyún | the Seal (of approval, i.e. that he fulfilled or confirmed the earlier Revelations) of the Prophets. Form used in Qur’án 33:40 is Khátama’n-Nabiyyína (accusative) or “the best of prophets” (khayr an-nabiyyín).1 Endings: -ún (nom.), -ín (gen.) and -án (accus.). Muḥammad was the last Manifestation to prophesy the coming of Bahá’u’lláh, and His Dispensation the last of the prophetic cycle of religion. The appearance of the Báb closed this cycle. The Báb’s Mission was to announce the Day of God, not to foretell it (Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh I:66) Umayyah ibn Abí aṣ-Ṣalt (a contemporary of Muḥammad) says Muḥammad was the one through whom “Allah sealed the prophets before him and after him”, thus clearly indicating an expectation of prophets after Muḥammad. See “A Bahá’í approach to the claim of finality in Islam”, Seena Fazel and Khazeh Fananapazir, Journal of Bahá’í Studies, 5:3, pp. 17–40; Islam and the Bahá’í Faith, Momen, chapter 3. Some adult sons of Prophets were also known as prophets, but Muḥammad had none (Qur’án 33:40). Zayd was an adopted slave and ‘Alí a son-in-law. Pers. see Muhr-i-Payámbarán. |
| Khatima, Khwatim | Khátima(h or t), pl. Khawátim, Khawátím | end, close, conclusion, termination; epilogue (of a book); final stage khawátím |
| Khatir, Khatirat | Kháṭir, pl. Kháṭirát | Pers. Whatever occurs to or passes in the mind; cogitation, thought, suggestion; memory, remembrance; mind, soul, heart; inclination, propensity; affection, favour; pleasure, will, choice; sake, account, behalf |
| Khatirat-i-Malmiri | Kháṭirát-i-Málmírí | Pers. Memoirs of Málmírí |
| Khatirat-i-Nuh-Saliy-i-‘Akka | Kháṭirat-i-Nuh-Sáliy-i-‘Akká | Pers. Yúnis Khán, Memories of Nine Years in ‘Akká |
| Khatm, Akhtam, Khutum | Khatm, pl. Akhtám, Khutúm | sealing;—pl. seal, signet, seal imprint; stamp, stamp imprint |
| Khatt-i-Murghi | Khaṭṭ-i-Murghí | writing or calligraphy in the shape of a bird |
| Khatt, Khutut | Khaṭṭ (Pers. Khaṭ), pl. Khuṭúṭ | line; stroke; stripe, streak; (railroad) line, line of communication; telephone line; frontline (military); furrow, ridge; handwriting; writing, script; calligraphy, penmanship |
| Khattab | Khaṭṭáb | a name derived from the word "sermon" (Khaṭíb) (literally book-narration). ʻUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭáb, c. 584–3 November 644, was one of the most powerful and influential Muslim caliphs in history. |
| Khatun Jan | Khátún Ján | wife of Hádíy-i-Qazvíní (MF) |
| Khatun, Khawatin | Khátún, pl. Khawátín | Pers. lady, matron, socially prominent woman; proper fem. name |
| Khatunabad | Khátúnábád (Khátún ábád) | Pers. a town (30.00805, 55.42111) 160 km WSW Kerman and 278 km ENE of Shíráz, in Kerman Province. Name is written in Persian as two words. |
| Khatunabadi | Khátúnábádí (Khátún ábádí) | Pers. of or from Khátúnábád. The Khátúnábádí family (i.e. khándán Khátún ábádí) was a well-known and influential scholarly family in Isfahan and Tehran. Its ancesters moved from Medina to Iṣfahán and Qum. After an outbreak of plague in Iṣfahán, the head of the family sought temporary refuge in the village of Khátúnábád. |
| Khawaja, Khawajat | Khawája[h or t], pl. Khawáját | sir, Mr (title and form of address, especially for Christians and Westerners, used with or without the name of the person so addressed), e.g. Khwája Naṣíru’d-Dín Ṭúsí. |
| Khawar (Khavar) | Kháwar | Pers. the west, but often used by poets for the east; the sun; a thorn. Pers. also Khávar. |
| Khwan | Khwán | Pers. a table, covered table, and the meat upon it; a spacious tray; household furniture; rubbish of sticks and straws; weeds, tares; (imperative of khwandan, in compounds) reading; a reader; asking, begging; a chanter; a crier, invoker, inviter. See khuwán. |
| Khwanda, Khwandagan | Khwánda, pl. Khwándagán | Pers. read, sung; called, invited; knowing how to read and write; a lecture or lesson; (in comp.) adopted;—pl. learned people, readers |
| Khwandagi | Khwándagí | reading, recital; invocation; calling; adoption |
| Khwandan, Khundan | Khwandan, Khúndan | Pers. to read, to recite; to invite, invoke, convoke, call; to sing, to chant; to decipher, to explain; to study |
| Khwani (Khani) | Khwání | Pers. reading. Note: since a و (wáw) after a خ (kh) may not be pronounced, it may be written as khání (see PDC p. 93). |
| Khwarazm (Chorasmia) | Khwárazm | a huge oasis region (centred on 42.189608, 59.326172) on the Ámú Daryá (Amu River, formerly the Oxus River) delta south of the (former) Aral Sea (45.338444, 59.946321; in Turkenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan) in Turkmenistan. Near the centre of the oasis is Köneürgench (Turkmen), Kuhnah Gurgánj (Pers.), a city (42.322890, 59.168301) in north Turkmenistan. Near the southern end of the oasis is the site of the ancient town of Ürgenç (Urgench; 41.553738, 60.621765), which contains the ruins of the capital of Khwárazm. Oasis was part of the Achaemenid Empire from about 550 BCE to about CE 100. |
| Khwarizmi | Khwárizmí | Muḥammad ibn Músá al-Khwárizmí (c. 780–c. 850), a Persian scholar who produced works in mathematics, astronomy, and geography. “Algorithm” derived from Latin form of surname. His The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing (Arabic: al-kitáb al-mukhtaṣar fí ḥisáb al-jabr wa’l-muqábala; Latin: Liber Algebrae et Almucabola), also known as al-jabr. The Latin translation introduced his solution of quadratic equations and the codification of the various Indian numerals (including zero (ṣifr) and the decimal point) to the Western world. |
| Khwush-Amad | Khwush-Ámad | Pers. flattery; welcome; gratification |
| Khwush-Amadi (Khushamadi) | Khwush-Ámadí | Pers. flattery; assenting; you are welcome. A blessed arrival? |
| Khwush-Qadam (Khush Ghadam) | Khwush-Qadam (“Khush Ghadam”) | Pers. a person who brings good fortune, welcome news, good omen (Maḥmúd’s Diary) |
| Khawaran | Kháwarán | Pers. east and west; a district in Khurásán. City (28.937469, 53.314119) in Fars Province. |
| Khawari (Khavari) | Kháwarí or Khávarí | Pers. western; (poetical) eastern; the sun; surname of the poet Anwárí; from Kháwar. ‘Abdu’l-Ḥamíd Ishráq-Khávarí (1902–1972), a prominent Iranian Bahá’í scholar. |
| Khawf (Khauf), Khawfan (Khaufan) | Khawf, Khawfan | fear, dread (of); khawfan for fear (of), fearing (for). al-Khawf—mystical station of fear of the wrath and displeasure of God. |
| Khawli (Khauli, Khuli) | Khawlí | supervisor, overseer (of a plantation); gardener |
| Khawwam, Khavvam | Khawwám, Pers. Khavvám | a surname |
| Khaybar | Khaybar | The name of a famous oasis, and of its principle settlement, 138 km north of Medina. The Battle of Khaybar was fought in the year 628 between Muslims and the Jews living in the oasis of Khaybar. |
| Khayl (Khail), Khuyul | Khayl, pl. Khuyúl | (collective) imagining, thinking; horses; horsemen, cavalry; a tribe (especially of horsemen); horsepower (hp). When Zayda’l-Khayl of the tribe of Ḥátim accepted Islám, Muḥammad called him Zayda’l-Khayr—Zayd of Goodness (or Zayd the Good). |
| Khayli (Khaili) | Khaylí | Pers. many, very much; very long |
| Khayli Khub | Khaylí Khúb | Pers. (“Kheili Khoob”) very good, very well, all right |
| Khayli khush (khosh) amidad | Khaylí khush ámadíd | Pers. a very blessed/welcome arrival that can be translated as “your coming gives me most great pleasure and delight”. See Khwush |
| Khayma (Khaima), Khaymat | Khayma, pl. Khaymát, Khiyám, Khiyam | tent; tarpaulin; arbor, bower; pavilion |
| Khayr (Khair), Khiyar, Akhyar, Khuyur | Khayr, pl. Khiyár, Akhyár | good; excellent, outstanding, superior, admirable; better; best; (pl. Khuyúr) good thing, blessing; wealth, property; good, benefit, interest, advantage; welfare; charity |
| Khayriya (Khairiya) | Khayríya | charity, charitableness, benevolence, beneficence |
| Khayrkhah | Khayrkháh | Ibráhím Khayrkháh from Bábulsar |
| Khayru’l-Qura (Kheirol-Gora) | Khayru’l-Qurá | “best of villages”. Name given by Bahá’u’lláh to Zírak, a small village (33.811111, 57.306944) 13 km SW Bushrúyih. See Zírak. |
| Khayru’l-Ummah (Khairu’l-Ummah) | Khayru’l-Ummah | good people/community Qur’án 3:110 |
| Khayru’llah (Khairu’llah) | Khayru’lláh | “God’s Blessing” (“Kheiralla”). Ibrahim George Kheiralla (1849–1929) [Ibrahim Jurj Khayru’lláh] (“PhD” was purchased) |
| Khayru’n Nisa’ (Khairu’n Nisa’) | Khayru’n Nisá’ | “The Most Virtuous among Women”—a title that Bahá’u’lláh gave to Khadíjih Bagum (wife of the Báb), and forbade all women, save Fáṭimih Bagum (the Báb’s mother) from adopting the title. |
| Khayyam | Khayyám | tentmaker |
| Khayyat, Khayyatun | Khayyáṭ, pl. Khayyáṭún | tailor |
| Khazan | Khazán | Pers. creeping, slow walk; reptiles; autumn. Khazán (also known as Khízu) is a village (62 km ENE of Birjand) in Shakhen Rural District, in the Central District of Birjand County, South Khorasan Province, Írán. |
| Khazana, Khazn | Khazana (Khazn) | to store, stock, lay up, hoard, amass, accumulate; to keep secret, keep (a secret) Form II and VIII to store, stock, lay up, warehouse (something); to store up, accumulate (something); to dam (something); to put in safekeeping, keep (something) |
| Khazar | Khazar | inhabitants of the shores of the Caspian; a member of a confederation of Turkic-speaking tribes that in the late 6th century CE established a major commercial empire covering the southeastern section of modern European Russia. Baḥr al-Khazar (the Caspian Sea). |
| Khazina (Khazinih), Khaza’in | Khazína, pl. Khazá’in | treasure house; public treasury, exchequer; treasury, treasury department (of an official agency), any office for the deposit and disbursement of funds; cashier’s office; vault, coffer, safe; cashbox, till (of a merchant). Persian also khazínih. Root khazana. |
| Khazmshahiyan (Khazmshahiyan) | Kházmsháhiyán | Kharazmian dynasty centred on Khárazm |
| Khazraj | Khazraj | Banú al-Khazraj, a tribe of Arabia up to the time of Muḥammad; renowned for their generosity and hospitality |
| Khidiw, Khidiwar, Khidaywi | Khidíw (Khidív), Khidíwar, pl. Khidaywí | “Khidiw, Khidiv, Khidaiwi”) Pers. Khidív (a king, great prince, sovereign; a benevolent, excellent man; master, possessor, rich man; a friend). Khedive (English, title of the viceroy of Egypt under Turkish rule), adjective Khidíwí (English khedivial) and plural Khidaywí (“ay” or “í” may better represent the ي after the letter d in the singular and plural forms) |
| Khidma, Khidam, Khidamat | Khidma(t), pl. Khidam, Khidamát | a service (rendered); attendance, service; operation; office, employment, occupation, job; work |
| Khil’a, Khila’ | Khil‘a[h or t], pl. Khila‘ | robe of honor; a honorific dress with which princes confer dignity upon subjects, consisting at the least of turban, robe, and girdle |
| Khilafa | Khiláfa (h or t) | vicarship, deputyship; succession; caliphate, office or rule of a caliph; (formerly) administrative department of caliphate |
| Khilqa, Khilaq | Khilqa[h or t], pl. Khilaq | creation; innate peculiarity of character, natural disposition, nature; constitution; physiognomy |
| Khilt, Akhlat | Khilṭ, pl. Akhláṭ | component of a mixture; ingredient;—pl. mixture, blend (Siyyid Muḥammad Akhláṭ) |
| Khirman, Kharman | Khirman, Kharman | Pers. the harvest; reaped corn, but unthreshed, and piled up in a large circular stack |
| Khirqat, Khirqa | Khirqat, Khirqa | Pers. a patch, rag; a garment made of shreds and patches; a religious habit |
| Khirqiy-i-Sharif | Khirqiy-i-Sharíf al-Masjid | the Mosque of the Prophets’ Cloak, Istanbul. See Khirqa |
| Khitab, Khitabat, Akhtiba | Khiṭáb, pl. Khiṭábát, Akhṭiba | public address, speech; oration; letter, note, message. Khiṭábát (Talks of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, corresponds to Paris Talks) |
| Khitabat dar Urupa va Imrika | Khiṭábát dar Urúpá va Imríká | Letters to Europe and America by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Khitam | Khitám | sealing wax; end, close, conclusion, termination. Qur’án 83:26. fí al-khitám, at the end, at last, finally, eventually. |
| Khitam al-Anbiya’, Khitam an-nabiyun | Khitám al-Anbiyá’, Khitám an-Nabíyún | the “last” of the Prophets |
| Khiva, Khivah, Khiwah | Khiva, Khívah (Pers.) | modern name for Khárazm. Xiva (Uzbek) and Khívah (Persian). Alternative or historical names include: Kheeva, Khorasam, Khoresm, Chorezm, Khárazm (Persian); Khwarezm, Khwárizm, Khwárazm, Khawárzam (“Arabic”).1 City in Uzbekistan (41.389706, 60.335722) located west of the Ámú (or Ámúya) Daryú (the ancient Oxus River). |
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1Khárazm is an example of a word where the “v” (váv, Persian) or “w” (wáw, Arabic) after the Khá’ is not pronounced and should not be included in the transcription. The same applies to al-Khárazmí, Khárazmsháh and Khárazmsháhiyán.
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| Khiyaban (Kheyaban, Khiaban) | Khíyábán | Pers. a parterre (formal garden), flower-bed; an avenue (modern meaning). Two central intersecting avenues in Mashhad (Bala-Khíyábán (upper) and Pa’in-Khíyábán (lower)—since renamed Shirazi Ave and Ayotolah Bahjet Ave resp.); a village in eastern Írán 200 km SE of Mashhad (34.739307, 60.580232). |
| Khu’i (Kho’i) | Khu’í | Pers. mood |
| Khub | Khúb | Pers. good; beautiful, elegant, pleasant, graceful, lovely, amiable, charming, excellent, gracious; beautifully, excellently; firm, strong |
| Khuda (Khoda), Khudayan | Khudá, pl. Khudáyán | Pers. master, prince, Lord, God, owner |
| Khuda Bakhsh (Khudabakhsh) | Khudá Bakhsh (Khudábakhsh) | Pers. “Gift of God” |
| Khudarahm | Khudáraḥm | Pers. compassion of God |
| Khudawand | Khudáwand | Pers. a king, prince; a lord, master; a possessor, man of great authority |
| Khudayar | Khudáyár | Pers. khudá + yár. Khudáyár Akhtarkhawárí (Akhtar + khawárí) |
| Khujand, Khuqand, Khukand | Khujand, Khúkand | city in Chinese Turestan about 110 km SSE Tashkent |
| Khujasta, Khujastah (Khujasteh) | Khujasta (Khujastah) | Pers. (ends with an “h”) happy, fortunate, auspicious, blessed; a flower yellow without and black within; a woman’s name. |
| Khul | Khul | Pers. bent, curved, crooked; mad; ashes; fundament. Possible word for ‘ashes’ in Arches of the years, p. 304. |
| Khulafa’u’r Rashidun | al-Khulafá’u’r-Ráshidún | The Rightly-Guided Caliphate—consisting of the first four caliphs in Islám’s history—was founded after Muḥammad’s death in 632. (sometimes al-Khulafá’a’r-Ráshidín, Khulafá’ Ráshidún or al-Khiláfah ar-Ráshidún). See Caliphs section below this list. |
| Khulasa, Khulasat | Khuláṣa(t), pl. Khuláṣát | excerpt; extract, essence; quintessence, substance, gist (of something); abstract, resume, summary, epitome; synopsis |
| Khuld | Khuld | infinite duration, endless time, perpetuity, eternity |
| Khulq, Khuluq, Akhlaq | Khulq, Khuluq, pl. Akhláq | innate peculiarity; natural disposition, character, temper, nature;—pl. character (of a person); morals; morality. Akhlaq is the practice of virtue, morality and manners in Islamic theology and falsafah (philosophy). Bahá’íy-i-bihi’l-akhláq (“a Bahá’í of high ethical standards”), can be used as a reference to Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Khulus | Khulúṣ | clearness, purity; sincerity, candor; frankness |
| Khulusiya | Khulúṣíya(t) | purity, candour, honesty. |
| Khumasi | Khumásí | fivefold, quintuple; consisting of five consonants (grammar) |
| Khumayn | Khumayn | Pers. (Khomein, Khomeyn, Khowmeyn, and Khumain) a city (28 km NW Gulpáygán) in and the capital of Khumayn County, Markazí Province, Írán |
| Khumayni (Khomeini) | Khumayní | Pers. of or from Khumayn. Sayyid Rúḥu’lláh Músaví Khumayní (1902–1989), known in the Western world as Ayatollah Khomeini (first “Supreme Leader” of Írán), was an Iranian politician and cleric. Succeeded by Ayatollah Khamenei. See Kháminíy |
| Khums, Akhmas | Khums, pl. Akhmás | one fifth. An additional religious tax (one-fifth) paid by Shí‘í Muslims to the Imám or his deputies |
| Khun | Khún | Pers. blood; bloody; killing; revenge; a shedder of blood; life, soul; selfishness; pride; a table; reading; singing |
| Khun-Baha | Khún-Bahá | blood price or value, “blood-money”. See Bahá’i Khun |
| Khuqan | Khúqand | Khánát Khúqand was a Central Asian polity (1709–1876) in eastern part of the Fergana (Firghána) Valley, Central Asia, within the territory of eastern Uzbekistan, modern Kyrgyzstan, eastern Tajikistan and south eastern Kazakhstan. |
| Khur | Khur | Pers. the sun |
| Khurasan (Khorasan, Korasan) | Khurásán | Pers. sunrise or east, “where the sun arrives from”. Province in the northeastern part of Írán until 2004—replaced by North Khurásán, South Khurásán and Raḍawí (Razavi) Khurásán (also called Markazí (Central) Khurásán) Provinces. The former Greater Khorasan (with 4 main and historical quarters: Nishapur, Merv, Herat, and Balkh) was a region that included parts that are today in Írán, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Arḍ-i-Khá’. |
| Khurasani | Khurásání | Mírzá Abu’l-Qásim-i-Khurásání caretaker of the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh and the gardens |
| Khurdad (Khordad) | Khurdád | Pers. third month of the Persian solar calendar |
| Khuri, Khawarina | Khúrí, pl. Khawárina(h) | parson, curate, priest |
| Khuriyih (Khureyeh) | Khúríyih | Pers. two small agricultural settlements in Semnan Province: Khúríyih-Bálá (35.907770, 53.364087; “upper”) and Khúríyih-Pá’ín (35.890498, 53.309956; “lower”) on the Khúríyih Road. |
| Khurma | Khurmá | Pers. date (fruit) |
| Khurma’i | Khurmá’í | Mrs Írán Raḥímpúr (née Khurmá’í) |
| Khurramabad (Khorramabad) | Khurramábád, Khurram-Abád | Pers. a city (33.465808, 48.339875) in Loristan Province; a city (36.539747, 51.924426) in Tunikábun (Tonekabon) County (formerly Shahsawár), Mazandaran Province. |
| Khursand, Khursanda | Khursand, Khursanda | Pers. (Khursanda ends with an “h”) content, satisfied, pleased. Town 190 km west of Kirmán |
| Khurshid (Khorshid, Khurshed) | Khurshíd | Pers. a name; the sun; sunshine; radiant sunshine. See Áftáb. |
| Khurshid-i-Khawar | Khurshíd-i-Kháwar | Sun of the east, or sunrise. Name of Bahá’í magazine published in the early 20th century in Ishqábád. Contrast with Najm-i-Bákhtar. |
| Khuruj | Khurúj | exit; egression, emergence; departure; exodus; emigration; raid, foray, sortie (against), attack, assault (on) |
| Khusf (Khosf) | Khúsf | name of towns in South Khorasan Province (32 km WSW Birjand; Bahá’í martyrs; mentioned in The Bahá’í World : 32.778556, 58.887931) and Kerman Province (31.594244, 56.096502). It is possible that Khúsif in Bahíyyih Khánum should be Khúsf. |
| Khusha (Khosha) | Khúsha | Pers. a cluster or bunch of grapes or dates; an ear of corn; the constellation Virgo; gleaning; the rainbow. Khúshih-i-Há’í Az Kharman-i-Adab va Hunar “from the rich harvest of Persian culture and literature”, 20 volumes of scholarship in Persian, based on proceedings and papers from the Society of Persian Arts and Letters conferences (1989-2018). |
| Khushk | Khushk | Pers. dry, withered; useless, barren; pure, mere, genuine; avaricious, tenacious |
| Khushk-i-Nusrat (Khooshk Nosrat) | Khushk-i-Nuṣrat | a village between Ṭihrán and Qum (possibly 37 km north Qum and west of Ḥawḍ Sulṭán Salt Lake) |
| Khushkhu | Khushkhú (Khwush-Khú) | Pers. good-natured, of an excellent disposition |
| Khushnud (Khoshnud), Khushnudan | Khushnúd | Pers. content, pleased, happy;—pl. khushnúdán, happy people. Rúzbih Khushnúdán, born in Kázirún, Fars Province. Later known as Salmán al-Fárisí. A Zoroastrian who became a Christian and, being told a Prophet was about to arise in Arabia, journeyed there. He met Muḥammad at Qubá’ on His migration to Medina, recognized His station and became a Muslim (the first Persian). He became a Companion of Muḥammad and is credited with suggesting a trench be dug around Medina before it was attacked by non-Muslims in the Battle of the Trench. |
| Khusraw (Khusrav, Khusrau) | Khusraw | Pers. A celebrated Persian king (Khosrow, Khosroe, Khosru or Cyrus). Kay Khusraw Khudádád, believed to be the first to embrace the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh from the Zoroastrian community |
| Khusraw Parviz (Parvez) | Khusraw Parvíz | (Chosroes II), the Sasanian monarch |
| Khusrawjird | Khusrawjird | village 7 km west of Sabzivár |
| Khusus | Khuṣúṣ | specialness |
| Khutan (Khotan, Khoten) | Khutan | Pers. Ancient Buddhist city/region west of modern Hotan, Tibet, known for musk production |
| Khutba, Khutab | Khuṭba[h or t], pl. Khuṭab | public address; speech; lecture, discourse; oration; sermon, specif., Muslim Friday sermon, khutbah |
| Khutba, Khutbih, Khutab | Khuṭba(t), Pers. Khuṭbih, pl. Khuṭab | public address; speech; lecture, discourse; oration; sermon, specifically, Muslim Friday midday sermon |
| Khutbat at-Tutunjiya | Khuṭbat aṭ-Ṭutunjíya[h] | Ar. loosely “Sermon of the Gulf” or “Sermon of the Twin Gulfs”—a sermon or discourse attributed to Imám ‘Alí who delivered it between Kufah and Medina. Name derived from the occurrence (5x—in singular and dual forms) of the Arabic quadrilateral طتنج (Ṭ-T-N-J= ṭutunj) or تطنج (T-Ṭ-N-J = ṭatanj). Pers. Khuṭbih-i-Ṭutunjiyya or Khuṭbatu’l-Ṭutunjiyah. |
| Khutbat ash-Shaqshaqiy | al-Khuṭbat ash-Shaqshaqíya | (al-Khuṭbatu’sh-Shaqshaqíya, also al-Khuṭbat ash-Shiqshiqíya) “the roaring camel sermon” or the Shaqshaqiya sermon, a sermon preached by Imám ‘Alí (a favourite among Shí‘í Muslims because it is a rare statement by ‘Alí on the usurpation of the caliphate by Abú Bakr) that was interrupted by a member of the audience asking a question. When begged by Ibn ‘Abbás to continue his address, ‘Alí answered, “The shiqshiqa has roared and subsided”, meaning the inspiration of the moment has gone. |
| Khutbiy-i-Shahadat-i-Azaliya | Khuṭbiy-i-Sháhádat-i-Azalíya | Pers. “the sermon on the Eternal Witness” by Quddús |
| Khutbiy-i-Dhikriyyih | Khuṭbiy-i-Dhikríyyih | “Sermon of Remembrance” by the Báb. Also called Tafsír-i-Há’ (Interpretation of the Letter Há’) and Ṣaḥifiy-i-Ja‘faríyyih (Epistle of Ja‘far) |
| Khutbiy-i-Jiddah | Khuṭbiy-i-Jiddah | “Sermon of Jiddah” by the Báb |
| Khutbiy-i-Qahriyyih | Khuṭbiy-i-Qahríyyih | “Sermon of Wrath” by the Báb |
| Khutbiy-i-Salawat | Khuṭbiy-i-Ṣalawát | “Sermon of Salutations” by Bahá’u’lláh. “Extols the Cause of the Báb and encourages His followers to seek out and turn to the ‘countenance of light’.” |
| Khuwan, Khiwan, Akhwina, Akhawin | Khuwán, Khiwán, pl. Akhwina, Akháwín | table |
| Khuwar (“Khu’ar”) | Khuwárr | the lowing or mooing of oxen, bleating of sheep, goats, or fallow deer; the whiz of an arrow. Mullá Javád Qazvíní Baraqání (or Ghazvíní Baraghání) (cousin of Ṭáhirih), Mullá ‘Abdu’l-‘Alíy-i-Harátí and Mírzá Ibráhím-i-Shírází were expelled by the Báb (The Dawn-Breakers, p. 161). The first two were described by the Báb as “the Jibt and Tághút, the twin idols of this perverse people.” (The Dawn-Breakers, p. 162; see Qur’án 4:51) Nabíl-i-Zarandí likened all three to the lowing (khuwár) of the golden calf (al-‘ijl adh-dhahabí). Mullá Javád, in particular, is often referred to in Bábí and Bahá’í literature as “khuwár”. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on the same topic includes other Covenant Breakers, such as Mírzá Yaḥyá. See Sámirí. |
| Khuwayt | Khuwayt | diminuitive of kut (“a fort”). al-Khuwayt or State of Khuwait. |
| Khuy (Khoy) | Khuy | Pers. manner, custom, mode, humour, habit, nature, disposition, temper, principles. Capital city (38.546919, 44.956088; 93 km SSW of Máh-Kú) of Khoy County, West Azerbaijan Province, Írán. |
| Khuza’ | Khuzá‘ | name of a great man at the time of Iskandar |
| Khuza’i | Khuzá‘í | al-Khuzá‘í is the nisbah for a member of the al-Khuzá‘ah tribe founded by ‘Amr ibn Luḥay al-Khuzá‘í. Sa‘d bin Ḥárith al-Khuzá‘í (martyred 61/680 in Karbalá’), agent of Imám ‘Alí, the companion of Imám al-Ḥasan and Imám al-Ḥusayn. Brigadier-General Ḥusayn Khuzá‘í, army commander in Mashhad, 1924. |
| Khuzistan | Khúzistán | Iranian Province at the north end of Persian Gulf (Khuzestan) |
| Khuzzan, Khuzzanat, Khazazin | Khuzzán, pl. Khuzzánát, Khazázín | dam; reservoir; basin, sump, pool; storage tank (also for oil);—(pl. khuzzánún) storehouse man, warehouse man. Same root, khazana, as khazína. |
| Khwaja, Khawaja, Khwajah, Khwajih | Khwája, Khwájah, Khwájih | Pers. “master”, “lord”; honorific title, particularly for Sufi teachers. A man of distinction; a rich merchant; a doctor, professor, teacher, preceptor, school-master; a pedant; a venerable old man; lord, master, owner; honorific title of a wazír or other great dignitary; a eunuch; the master of a family; heart, soul. Khwája Naṣíru’d-Dín Ṭúsí. Qal‘ah-i-Khwájah (variation khájih, “khajih”) is a small village (29.177653, 54.330066) 2 km south of central Nayríz—site of the fort “outside of Nayríz” (The Báb, p. 179) that was “burned to the ground” (DB, p. 495). See Arabic Khawája. |
| Khwush, Khwash | Khwush, Khwash | Pers. good, sweet, excellent, beautiful, fair, charming, pleasant, delightful, agreeable, cheerful, amiable, lovely, delicate, tender, kind, gentle, humane, mild, meek, elegant; healthy, wholesome, temperate; happy, well, pleased; willingly |
| Kibdani (Kebdani) | Kibdání | Dar al-Kibdání, town in Morocco. Kibdání Muḥammad Muḥammad ‘Alí, Bahá’í arrested in Morocco, 1962. |
| Kifl, Kiflayn | Kifl, dual Kiflayn | part, portion, share. Also archaic Arabic “double” or “duplicate”, from a root meaning “to double” or “to fold”. Kifl can be interpreted as a prophet or Messenger of God. Kiflayn two share, double share or large share. Qur’án 57:28 can be understood as referring to two Messengers of God. |
| Kimiya’ | Kímiyá’ | chemistry, alchemy; the philosopher’s stone; al-Kímiyá’ alchemy |
| Kimiya’i, Kimawi, Kimiya’un | Kímiyá’í, Kímáwí | chemical;—pl. Kímiyá’ún chemist; alchemist |
| Kinan, Kinanat | Kinán, pl. Kinánát, Akinna | shed roof, pent roof, awning |
| Kinana, Kanan’in | Kinána (Kinánih), pl. Kaná’in | quiver (for arrows). The Banú Kinánah is a tribe south of Mecca. |
| Kinar | Kinár | Pers. the lap; the bosom; an embrace; dalliance |
| Kinar-Gird | Kinár-Gird | a small fortress (caravanserai 35.375999, 51.253600) and village about 40 km SSW of Ṭihrán on the old Iṣfahán road. The Báb paused (28 March 1846, before being moved to the village of Kulayn) in the village on His exile journey to Máh-Kú. Possibly the village of Kinár Gird-i-Pá’ín (Kenar Gerd-i-Pain, 35.368333, 51.269722), 4 km NW of the village of Kulayn. |
| Kinari | Kinárí | Pers. (gold or silver) lace |
| Kinya, Kunya, Kuna, Kaniy, Kani | Kinya(t), Kunya(t), pl. Kuná, Kaníy, Kaní | surname, agnomen (honourable adult nickname consisting of abú (father or ancestor, a patronymic) or umm (mother) followed by the name of the eldest child (often a son, a filionymic ) (Pers. also Kunyah, Kunyih, etc.). Calling or naming (anyone) by a word that has another meaning. By extension, it may also have hypothetical or metaphorical references, e.g. as a nickname or reference of an attachment (Abú Bakr, “father of the camel foal”, given because of this person’s love for camels), without literally referring to a son or a daughter. |
| Kirdar | Kirdár | Pers. work, business, continued labour; employment in which a man is constantly engaged; profession, trade, art, occupation; effect; manner, conduct; action (good or bad) |
| Kirin, Kirind | Kirin, Kirind | (southern Kurdish: Kirin, Persian: Kirind-i-Gharb (“Kerend-e Gharb”); also known as Kerend (“Krend”), Karand, and Karínd. A city 75 km west of Kirmánsháh in Kirmánsháh Province |
| Kirman (Kerman) | Kirmán | Pers. a castle; an emporium. Capital city of Kirmán province, Írán. Called the “Land of Káf and Rá’” by Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Kirmani | Kirmání | of or from Kirmán. Ḥájí Mírzá Muḥammad Karím Khán Kirmání (1810–1871), a polymath and polemical opponent of the Bábí‑Bahá’í religions. Regarded by a proportion of the Shaykhí admirers or followers of Shaykh Aḥmad and Sayyid Kazím Rashtí as the “third” Shaykhí leader and the first Kirmání Shaykhí leader. |
| Kirmanshah (Kermanshah) | Kirmánsháh | Province and city in western Írán. |
| Kisa’ | Kisá’, pl. Aksiya | garment; dress |
| Kishik | Kishík | Pers. a guards-man, a guard |
| Kishikchi | Kishíkchí | Pers. a sentinel, night watchman |
| Kishon | Kishon River, Nachal HaKishon | flows to the north side of Haifa into the Mediterranean Sea. Arabic Naḥr al-Muquṭṭa‘ (the river of slaughter or dismemberment) or al-Kíshwan. |
| Kisra, Akasira, Akasir | Kisrá, pl. Akásira, Akásir | Khosraw (Chosroes); designation of the Persian kings in general |
| Kiswa, Kusan, Kisan, Kasawin | Kiswa, pl. Kusan, Kisan, Kasáwin | clothing, clothes, apparel, attire, raiment; dress, garment; suit of clothes; uniform; draping, lining, casing, facing, panelling, wainscoting (e.g., of walls). Persian Kiswat (Kisvat), Kuswat, pl. Kusá |
| Kitab al-Asma’ | Kitáb al-Asmáʼ | Book of Divine Names (also known as the Chahár Sha’n, “The [Book of the] Four Grades”) written by the Báb in Arabic during his imprisonment in Máh-Kú and Chihríq in Írán (1847–1850). With over 3,000 pages, it is the largest revealed scripture in religious history. |
| Kitab al-Badi’, Kitab-i-Badi’ | al-Kitáb al-Badí‘, Pers. Kitáb-i-Badí‘ | “The Wondrous or Unique Book” by Bahá’u’lláh in 1867–68 in Adrianople. Written mainly in Persian, but it contains many passages in Arabic. Twice the size of the Kitáb-i-Íqán, it contains insights into the prophecies of the Báb concerning “Him Whom God shall make manifest” and was written in defence of the Bahá’í Revelation. Recipient was Mírzá Mihdíy-i-Gílání (a Bábí of “perfidy and hypocrisy”, Adib Taherzadeh). |
| Kitab al-Hayy | al-Kitáb al-Ḥayy | “The Living Book”, the Manifestation of God for the time being considered. An alternative exression is “The Speaking Book” (al-Kitáb an-Náṭiq). See al-Kitáb aṣ-Ṣámit. |
| Kitab al-Mubin | al-Kitáb al-Mubín (Pers. Kitáb-i-Mubín) | “the clear or perspicuous book”. Expression used in Qur’án 5:15, 6:59, 11:6. 12:1, 26:2, 27:1, 28:2, 34:3, 37:117, 43:2 and 44:2. Verses 12:1, 27:1, 28:2, 43:2 and 44:2 state that this expression refers to the Qur’án. Qur’án 3:7 states there are muḥkamát (“precise”) and mutashábihát (“allegorical”) verses. |
| Kitab al-Yawaqit Wa al-Jawahir | al-Kitáb al-Yawáqít wa al-Jawáhir | (Pers. Kitábu’l-Yawáqít-i-wa’l-Javáhir, also with v instead of w) by Siyyid ‘Abd al-Wahháb ibn Aḥmad ash-Sha‘rání (1492/3–1565, AH 898–973) was an Egyptian Sháfi‘í scholar and mystic, founder of an Egyptian order of Sufism, eponymously known as Sha‘ráwiyyah. Full title: Kitáb al-Yawáqít wa al-jawáhir fí bayán ‘aqá’id al-akábir (The book of rubies and jewels: an explanation of the tenets of faith of mystic luminaries). |
| Kitab as-Samit | al-Kitáb aṣ-Ṣámit | “The Silent Book” is the previous Manifestation of God for the time being considered. e.g. at the time of the Báb, Muḥammad and the Qur’án is His Mute Book (al-Kitáb al-Abkam)—it cannot be used to refute the “Living Book”, the Báb or now Bahá’u’lláh. See al-Kitáb al-Ḥayy. |
| Kitab-i-‘Ahd | Kitáb-i-‘Ahd | “Book of the Covenant” or Testament of Bahá’u’lláh written in Persian, designated by Him as His “Most Great Tablet” and alluded to by Him as the “Crimson Book” (once known as the “Red Epistle”), and the ‘word’ recorded in it is the power of the Covenant—the power for unity that the Covenant possesses and radiates. |
| Kitab-i-‘Ahdi | Kitáb-i-‘Ahdí | “Book of My Covenant” (a name that is sometimes used for Kitáb-i-‘Ahd) |
| Kitab-i-Haykal | Kitáb-i-Haykal | “Book of the Temple” by the Báb. Alternative name, Kitáb-i-Hayákil (Book of Temples or Talismans), or more loosely, as Kitábí dar Hayákil-i-Wáḥid (Book concerning the Temples (Talismans) of Unity). Information provided by Bahá’u’lláh “... serve to identify the work referred to by these varying titles as ... the final five sections ... of the” Kitáb-i-Panj-Sha’n, pp. 405–47. The sources for early Bábí doctrine and history, Denis MacEoin p. 89. |
| Kitab-i-Iqan | Kitáb-i-Íqán | “Book of Certitude” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Kitab-i-Mubin | Kitáb-i-Mubín | Pers. form, “the clear book”, a selected compilation of Bahá’u’lláh’s Writings in the handwriting of his half brother, Mírzá Muḥammad-‘Alí. He was sent to Bombay to have the compilation printed, but He altered passages (easily exposed when compared with the originals) that alluded to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s exalted station. See The Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 130. |
| Kitab-i-Natiq | Kitáb-i-Náṭiq | “The Speaking Book” |
| Kitab-i-Panj-Sha’n | Kitáb-i-Panj-Sha’n | “Book of the Five Modes of Revelation” by the Báb |
| Kitab-Khana | Kitáb-Khána | Pers. a library; a study; a bookseller’s shop |
| Kitab, Kutub | Kitáb, pl. Kutub | piece of writing, record, paper; letter, note, message; document, deed; contract (esp. marriage contract); book. Kitábun, a book |
| Kitabu’l-Aqdas, Kitab-i-Aqdas | al-Kitábu’l-Aqdas, Pers. Kitáb-i-Aqdas | “The Most Holy Book” by Bahá’u’lláh in Arabic. The first authorised English translation was published in 1992 as The Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book (the title is based on Persian pronunciation). The book in Arabic has been given in both forms. It is the main source of Bahá’í laws and practices, and is sometimes known as the “Book of Laws”. |
| Kitabu’l-Fara’id | Kitábu’l-Fará’id | “Priceless Things” (by Mírzá Abu’l-Faḍl) |
| Kitabu’l-Fihrist | Kitábu’l-Fihrist | “Indexical Tablet” by the Báb |
| Kitabu’l-Haramayn | Kitábu’l-Ḥaramayn | “Kitáb [Ṣaḥífa] bayn al-Ḥaramayn” (“The Book [Treatise] revealed between the Two Shrines [Mecca and Medina]”) written by the Báb. |
| Kitabu’l-Muqaddas | al-Kitábu’l-Muqaddas | The Most Holy Book |
| Kitabu’r-Ruh | Kitábu’r-Rúḥ | “Book of the Spirit” by the Báb |
| Kitman | Kitmán | Persian. The act of paying lip service to authority while holding personal opposition. Saying something that is not true. See Taqíya (Ar) |
| Kiya | Kiyá | Pers. a king, protector, defender; a hero, champion; a lord, master; a lord marcher, landgrave, margrave; a peasant; powerful; work, labour; the four elements; pure, clear, innocent; heat, cold, dryness, or moisture; the mouth; mastic. [MUHJ 521 has Kíyá] |
| Kiyan | Kiyán | (keyan) being, existence; essence, substance; nature. |
| Kiyani | Kiyání, pl. Kiyániyán | Khujastah Khursand (Khojasteh Khorshand) Kiyání (1917–2002) and Ḥusayn-Qulí (Hossein-Gholi) Kiyání. See MBW p. “141” (143) and Hugh C. Adamson, Historical Dictionary of the Bahá’í Faith, p. 276. Pers. also Kiyání. See Kayání. |
| Kiyasar | Kiyásar | (“Kiasar”, “Kíásar”, “Keyásar” and “Kíya Sar”) is a small city 57 km SE Sárí, in Sari County, Mázandarán Province |
| Kosher, Treyf (Taraf) | Kosher, Ṭreyf (Ṭaraf) | Yiddish kásh’r (“fit”, “proper”), kosher. Yiddish ṭreyf, derived from Hebrew “torn” (by wild animal), treyf (treyfe, treifa, treife, treif, trayf, traif, traife) or non-kosher. |
| Ku | Kú | Pers. where? where is he gone? a broad street, square, market-place; a narrow street, an alley |
| Kub | Kúb, pl. Akwáb | drinking glass, tumbler, (‘Iráq) cup, or any vessel without spout or handle, an ewer |
| Kubidan | Kúbídan | Pers. to beat, strike, bruise, pound |
| Kucha (Kuchih) | Kúcha | Pers. a narrow street; a lane, slum, row, passage; a street, square, market-place;—kúcha’i bázár, a street leading to the market; the market-quarter;—kúcha’i bágh, the street leading to the gardens; the quarter of the gardens. |
| Kuchak (Kuchik) | Kúchak (also Kúchik) | Pers. small, little; a musical mode or style; diminutive; younger, junior; a youngster, a child |
| Kucukcekmece (“Kuchik-Chakmachih”) | Küçükçekmece | Turkish “Small drawbridge”, now municipality and eastern suburb of Istanbul, 23 km west of the city centre, on the European shore of the Sea of Marmara, Türkiye. It is east of Büyükçekmece. Iṣfahání Persian phonetic form is Kúchik-Chakmachih. |
| Kuduk (Kodok, Kothok), Fashuda | Kúdúk, Fashúda[h or t] | Kúdúk is a town (9.892291, 32.108312; 9.848296, 32.019305) on the west bank of the White Nile in South Sudan. Known as Fashúda prior to 1904. |
| Kufa, Kufah, Kufih | Kúfa(h), Pers. Kúfih | a round tumulus of sand (especially red and mixed with gravel); a blemish. al-Kúfah, city on the west bank of the Euphrates River 110 km south of Baghdád. The Imám ‘Alí made it the centre of his operations, and was murdered in its mosque. |
| Kufi, Kufiyun | Kúfí, pl. Kúfiyún | of or from al-Kúfah. Kufic, Kufic writing—ancient Arabic letters. Kúfiyún (English Kufan, school of) grammarians. See Baṣrí |
| Kufiya, Kufiyat | Kúfíya, pl. Kúfíyát | English keffiyeh or kaffiyeh, square kerchief diagonally folded and worn under the ‘iqál as a headdress |
| Kufr, Kufran | Kufr and Kufrán | unbelief, infidelity |
| Kuh (Koh), Kuh-Ha | Kúh, pl. Kúh-há | Pers. a mountain, hill |
| Kuh-i-Nur, Jabal an-Nur | Kúh-i-Núr (Ar. Jabal an-Núr) | Pers. (Koh-i-Noor, Kohinoor and Koh-i-nur) Mountain of Light—Shrine of the Báb. Name of a famous colourless diamond (once 191 carats, from India). See Daryáy-i-Núr. |
| Kujur (Kojur) | Kujúr | a town 23 km south of the Caspian Sea in Mázandarán Province, Írán (36.384099, 51.729516) |
| Kulah | Kuláh | Pers. a conic hat of (usually) black lambskin worn by Muslim priests, dervishes, government employees and civilians; any head-gear, a Tartar cap, a turban; a mitre, tiara, fillet, wreath; a crown; a night-cap |
| Kulah Darrih | Kulah Darrih | Pers. (Kolah Darreh, Kaleh Darreh, Kolá Darreh, Kulah Darreh, “Kuldarih“) is a small village in Zahray-i-Pain (Zahráy-i-Páyín) Rural District, Qazvín Province. 17 km WNW of the village of Ishtihárd. |
| Kulah-i-Farangi | Kuláh-i-Farangí | (European hat—PDC p. 92) |
| Kulayn (Koleyn, Kolin, Kulin) | Kulayn | a village (35.340106, 51.298575) near Rey. 41 km SSW of Tehran. It was here that the Báb received some gifts and a message from Bahá’u’lláh. The Báb’s response described in GPB p. 68 and that in DB p. 228 regarding a physical meeting are not to be taken literally, but merely a way of describing events in human terms. See Kinár-Gird. |
| Kull | Kull | totality, entirety; everyone, each one, anyone; (with following definite noun) whole, entire, all; (with following indefinite noun) every |
| Kulli | Kullí | total, entire, all-round, overall, sweeping, comprehensive, complete; absolute, universal |
| Kulliya, Kulliyat | Kullíya(t), pl. Kullíyát | totality, entirety; integrity, wholeness, entireness, completeness;—pl. faculty, school (of a university); college; institute of higher learning, academy, secondary school |
| Kulliyya | Kulliyya fem. | totality, entirety; completeness, fullness, wholeness; universality, generality; integrity |
| Kullu-Shay’, Kull-i-Shay’ | Kullu-Shay’, Pers. Kull-i-Shay’ | “all things”, numerical value of 361 (19×19) and a time period of 361 years). See Váḥid (unity 19) |
| Kulthum | Kulthúm | full of flesh about the face and cheeks; an elephant; the silken pennant at the top of a standard. Kulthúm Khánum-i-Núrí, third wife of Mírzá Buzúrg, father of Bahá’u’lláh. Her eldest daughter was Sháh-Sulṭán Khánum (also called ‘Izzíyih (‘Izzíya) Khánum), a supporter of Mírzá Yaḥyá, and presumed author of Tanbíh al-Ná’imín (“The Awakening of the Sleepers”). Alternatively, written by Shaykh Aḥmad-i-Rúḥí, a son-in-law of Mírzá Yaḥyá. |
| Kumayl | Kumayl bin-i-Ziyád an-Nakha’í | Companion of Imám ‘Alí. Known as Kumayl. It is also the name of a prayer that he wrote. |
| Kun | Kun | Pers. with Ar. influence (imperative Be!) be thou, the creative word. The word kun contains the consonants káf and nún (káf wa nún), which in English, by happy circumstance, Shoghi Effendi was able to represent using the letters ‘B’ and ‘E’. The ‘B’ has been identified with the primal will and the ‘E’ with the divine purpose, which is the subsequent stage of unfoldment. Alternatively, ‘B’ “means the creative Power of God Who through His command causes all things to come into being” and ‘E’ “the power of the Manifestation of God, His great spiritual creative force”. |
| Kun fayakun | Kun Fayakún (Fa+ yakún) | (God said) Be, and it was or it is (Qur’án 2:117; 3:47, 59; 6:73; 16:40; 19:35; 36:82 & 40:68). Tablet of Visitation (Bahá’í Prayers pp. 230–3) uses “Be Thou”. An older translation in Star of the West used “káf and nún” for “kun fayakún” (the first and last letters of the words). |
| Kunar Takhteh, Konartakhteh | Kunár Takhta | (Konar Takhteh) city on Búshihr-Shíráz road in Kazerun County, Fárs Province. 15 km NE Dálakí. |
| Kur | Kúr | Pers. blind; one-eyed; blind in a moral sense |
| Kur (Kor, Qor, Qur) | Rúd Kur | Pers. river runs NW to SE along the Zagros Mountains to the east of Shíráz. Possible water (Qor) mentioned by A. L. M. Nicolas, “Siyyid ‘Alí-Muḥammad dit le Báb”, p. 334. |
| Kura, Kurat | Kura(h), pl. Kurát, Kuran | globe, sphere; ball. Hence, kura al-athíríy (the ethereal globe); kura al-hawá (the atmospheric globe); kura al-má’ (the water globe); kura at-turáb (the earth globe) |
| Kura’ | Kurá‘ | sheep or cow shin; the rocky projection of a mountain; a troop of horses; the side or extremity of anything |
| Kurash (Kurush) | Kúrash (Kúrush) | Pers. Cyrus, king of Persia |
| Kurd | al-Kurd | the Kurds |
| Kurdi, Akrad | Kurdí, pl. Akrád | Kurdish;—pl. Kurd. Pers. kurdí a native of Kurdistán |
| Kurji, Gurji | Kurjí, Pers. Gurjí | Georgian (adj and n). al-Kurj the Georgians |
| Kurr | Kurr | sandy ground that filters and cleans water flowing through it; a well; a small cistern or reservoir; a Babylonian dry measure of six ass-loads (assumed to be 480 kg)—a volume of water that is considered pure in Islamic law |
| Kursi, Karasiy | Kursí, pl. Karásíy, Karásin | chair; throne; seat; professorial chair; base, pedestal, socle (architecture); bearing (technology). A low, square wooden table over which a large quilt is spread. Under the kursí is placed a brazier of charcoal fire covered with ashes. People sit on mattresses round the kursí and lean against cushions, their legs stretched under the kursí and covered with the quilt. Fire on the mountain-top, p. 71. |
| Kurur | Kurúr | return, comeback, recurrence; succession, sequence, order. A crore (10 million in India, 500,000 in Persia) |
| Kurush | Kurush | Cyrus II of Persia c. 600–530 BC, commonly known as Cyrus the Great. Koresh in the Bible. |
| Kush | Kush | Pers. A male; (imp. of kushtan (“kill”) in compound words) a killer, who kills, slays, murders, oppresses, as in azhdaha-kush, a dragon-killer |
| Kushk | Kushk | Pers. an upper chamber, gallery, or balcony on the top of a house; a hall, parlour |
| Kushk-i-Nusrat (Khooshk Nosrat) | Kushk-i-Nuṣrat | A very small village (35.109773, 50.896706) on the Tihran-Qom Old Rd |
| Kushtan | Kushtan | Pers. to kill, murder; to slay, sacrifice; to be killed, to beat, bruise; to extinguish (a fire or candle); to dilute (wine); to melt (metals) |
| Kusti (Kasti, Kushti, Koshti) | Kustí | Pers. wrestling; a belt or sacred cord worn by the Zoroastrians and Brahmins; also by the wrestlers of Khurásán. See ṣadrí |
| Plain text | Transcripted text | Word meanings & comments |
| L | ||
| La | La | (intensifying particle) truly, verily; certainly, surely |
| La | Lá | (particle) not, no!; (for laysa) it is not, there is no |
| La ilaha illa Huwa | Lá iláha illá Huwa | [10 letters] “There is no God but He” |
| La ilaha illa’llah | Lá iláha illa’lláh | [12 letters] “There is no God [Letters of Denial (5)] but/save God” [Letters of Affirmation (7)] or “There is none other god but God”. The shaháda, the Muslim profession of faith, starts with this phrase, and it contains the most fundamental truth upon which the religion of Islam is based. All else besides the Letters of Paradise is in Denial, while whatsoever appertaineth to the Letters of Paradise is Affirmation. Lá iláha illa’lláh, Muḥammadun rasúlu’lláh (“There is no God but God and Muḥammad is His Messenger”), the Shí‘a call to prayer (adhán) contains the additional statement: ‘Alíun valíu’lláh (“‘Alí is God’s friend, helper, defender and/or vice-gerent”). See Huwa’lláh. |
| La’ali al-Hikmat | La’álí al-Ḥikmat | “Pearls of Wisdom” |
| La’im, Luwwam, Lawwam, Luyyam | Lá’im, pl. Luwwam, Lawwám, Luyyam | censurer, critic, accuser, blamer, reprover |
| La’ima, Lawa’im | Lá’ima[h or t], pl. Lawá’im | (fem. of lá’im) censure, rebuke, reproof, blame, reproach |
| La’in and Mal’un, Mala’in | La‘ín and Mal‘ún, pl. Malá‘ín | cursed; confounded; damned; outcast, execrable; detested, abhorred, abominable |
| La’nat | La‘nat | imprecation, curse, anathema; objurgation, reproach |
| Labad | Labád | Pers. any outer wet weather garment |
| Labada (Labbadih) | Labáda | Pers. (for Arabic lubbádát) a rain cloak; a quilted cloak; a great-coat, pelisse; a wrapper |
| Laban, Alban, Liban | Laban, pl. Albán, Libán | milk; (Syrian) leban, coagulated sour milk;—pl. albán dairy products, milk products |
| Labba | Labbá | to follow, obey (a call, an invitation) |
| Labbad | Labbád | felt-maker; felt |
| Labbayka (Labbayk, Labbaika, Labieck) | Labbayka (Labbá + ká) | a phrase that can mean: “here I am!”, “at your service!”, “I am obedient to thee”, or “what is your command?” |
| Labib, Alibba’ | Labíb, pl. Alibbá | understanding, reasonable, sensible, intelligent. At the request of Shoghi Effendi, Effie Baker (1880–1968) and Muḥammad Labíb (1893–1981) toured Írán in 1930–1931, to take photographs for his translation of The Dawn-Breakers. |
| Labid | Labíd | Pers. boast, brag; a historian; a poet |
| Labs | Labs | proposing to anyone anything obscure or confused, mystifying; mixture, confusion, ambiguity |
| Ladan, Ladin (Laden) | Ládan, Ládin | laudanum |
| Ladud, Aladd, Ladda’, Lidad, Alidda’ | Ladúd, Aladd, fem. Laddá’, pl. Ludd | (other plurals: Lidád, Aliddá’) fierce, grim, dogged, tough. al-Ludd or the city of Lod 15 km SE Tel Aviv; formerly Lydda (Latin). |
| Ladun | Ladun | (preposition) at, by, near, close to; in the presence of, in front of, before, with; in possession of |
| Laduni | Laduní | (i.e. from near God) mystic; (from on high) inspired, infused (knowledge); “innate”; hidden (knowledge); ‘ilm al-laduní, “direct knowledge” (from God) or “divinely inspired knowledge” (from God) |
| Lafz, Alfaz | Lafẓ, pl. Alfáẓ | sound-group, phonetic complex; expression, term; word; wording; formulation; articulation, enunciation, pronunciation (of Qur’anic text) |
| Lafzi | Lafẓí | of or pertaining to words, verbal; literal; pronounced; oral |
| Lahab, Lahib, Luhab | Lahab, Lahíb, Luháb | flame, blaze, flare. Abú Lahab (the ‘Father of Flame’) is known for his hatred of his nephew, Muḥammad. |
| Lahay, Lahih | Láháy, Pers. Láhih | The Hague (city in SW Netherlands) |
| Lahijan | Láhíján | (láh+ján, “a place to obtain silk fibre”) Caspian sea resort (37.206573, 50.003119) and the capital of Láhíján County |
| Lahijani | Láhíjání | ‘Alí Ashraf Láhíjání (1853–1919), famous Bahá’í poet and known by his sobriquet, ‘Andalíb (“nightingale”) |
| Lahm, Luhum, Liham | Laḥm, pl. Luḥúm, Liḥám | flesh; meat |
| Lahut | Láhút | godhead, deity; divine nature, divinity. (world of the Heavenly Court (‘álami láhút)—realm of being, “divinity”). See Háhút, Jabarút, Malakút, and Násút |
| Lahuti, Lahutiya | Láhútí, fem. Láhútiya[h or t] | theological, theologian; divine |
| Lahutiya | Láhútíya[h or t] | la-Láhútíya theology; “realm of the primal will” |
| Lakhm | Lakhm | a cutting, amputation; a box, a blow |
| Lakhmiyun | al-Lakhmíyún | Lakhmids or Lakhmid (“Lakhmite”) dynasty AD 300–602. Lakhmids (al-Lakhmíyún (اللخميون—“íwn” transcripted as “íyún”), in Arabic usually referred to as al-Manádhirah or Banú Lakhm) in southern ‘Iráq (capital al-Ḥírah, near modern al-Kúfah). |
| La-Madhhab | Lá-Madhhab | Persian without religion, non-religious, “atheist” |
| Lakin, Lakinna | Lákin, lákinna | however, yet, but |
| Lala (Lalih) | Lala | Pers. a mentor, a tutor. Riḍá-Qulí Khán-i-Lalih-Báshí. |
| Lala (Lalah, Laleh) | Lála | Pers. a tulip; any wild flower; a passionate lover; the lip of a mistress. |
| Lala-Rukh (Lalla Rookh) | Lála-Rukn | “Tulip-cheeked”. “Lalla Rookh” is an Oriental romance by Irish poet Thomas Moore, published in 1817. |
| Lam | Lám | Arabic letter transcripted as L |
| Lam’, Lam’a, Lama’an, Lama’at | Lam‘ and Lama‘án, fem. Lam‘a[h or t] | (pl. fem. lama‘át, splendours, effulgencies) lustre, sheen, shine; shimmer, gleam, glow, brightness, light |
| Lamha, Lamhat | Lamḥa(t), pl. Lamaḥát | quick, casual look, glance; wink; glow of light, light, brightness, flash (of lightning) |
| Lami, Lamiya (Lamiyya) | Lámí, fem. Lámíya[h or t] | lám-shaped, resembling the letter ل. Fem. a poem rhyming on the letter ل. Sharḥ al-Qaṣídah al-Lámíyah “Explanation of the Lámíya poem” by ibn Qá’id. |
| Lami’, Lami’a, Lawami’ | Lámi‘, fem. Lámí‘a(h or t), pl. Lawámi‘ | brilliant, lustrous, shining, gleaming, shimmering |
| Landan | Landan | London |
| Lang | Lang | Pers. lame; maimed; the halting of a caravan for a day or two |
| Laqab, Alqab | Laqab, pl. Alqáb | agnomen; cognomen; nickname; title, honourific; last name, surname, family name (as opposed to ism, given name, first name). The laqab is typically descriptive of the person. |
| Lar | Lár | city in province of Fárs |
| Larijan | Láríján | district of Mázandarán Province |
| Las | Lás | Pers. refuse of silk; coarse silk |
| Las-Furush | Lás-Furúsh | Pers. silk merchant. See Farsh |
| Lashkar-Nivis | Lashkar-Nivís | Paymaster-General |
| Lastu | Lastu | (from negative verb laysa), I am not |
| Latafa | Laṭáfa[h or t] | thinness fineness, delicateness; gracefulness, loveliness, charm; kindness, benevolence; friendliness; politeness, esprit, intellectual refinement, sophistication; suavity, urbaneness |
| Latif, Litaf, Lutafa’ | Laṭíf, pl. Liṭáf, Luṭafá‘ | thin; fine; delicate, dainty; little, small, insignificant; gentle, soft, light, mild; pleasant, agreeable; amiable, friendly, kind, nice; civil, courteous, polite; affable, genial; pretty, charming, lovely, graceful; intellectually refined, full of esprit, brilliant, witty; elegant; al-Laṭíf the Kind (one of the attributes of God) |
| Latifa (Latifih), Lata’if | Laṭífa[h or t], pl. Laṭá’if | (fem. Laṭíf) witticism, quip; joke, jest; subtlety, nicety. Name given to Helen Hotchkiss Lielnors by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. |
| Lavasan | Lavásán | affluent town in Shemiranat County, Tehran Province. 23 km NE of the centre of Tehran. |
| Law (Lau) | Law | (conjunction) if (as a rule, introducing hypothetical conditional clauses) |
| Lawh (Lauh), Alwah (Alavah), Alawih | Lawḥ (Lauḥ), pl. Alwáḥ, Aláwíḥ | (masculine) board, blackboard; slate; tablet, epistle; slab; plate, sheet; pane; plank, board, table; panel; small board, signboard; shoulder blade, scapula |
| Lawh Ahmad | Lawḥ Aḥmad | “Tablet of Aḥmad” in Arabic by Bahá’u’lláh. Revealed for Aḥmad-i-Yazdí. |
| Lawh al-Ayiy an-Nur | Lawḥ al-Áyiy an-Núr | “Tablet of the Verse of Light” by Bahá’u’lláh in Arabic. Also known as Tafsír al-Ḥurúfát al-Muqaṭṭa‘ih |
| Lawh al-Mahfuz, Lawh-i-Mahfuz | al-Lawḥ al-Maḥfúẓ, Pers. Lawḥ-i-Maḥfúẓ | Guarded or Preserved Tablet, a symbol for the knowledge of God Who “knoweth all things and is known of none”. Mentioned in Qur’án 85:22. |
| Lawh al-Ziyara li-Tumas Brikwul | Lawh az-Ziyara li-Tumás Bríkwúl | “Tablet of Visitation for Thomas Breakwell” by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The first English Bahá’í. Thomas Breakwell worked in a cotton mill in the south of the United States that was buttressed by child labour. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá advised him to resign. He did. He returned to Paris from ‘Akká and made it his home. |
| Lawh Basit al-Haqiqa | Lawḥ Basíṭ al-Ḥaqíqa | “Tablet of the Uncompounded Reality, of the Ground of Being” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-‘Abdu’l-‘Aziz-Va-Vukala | Lawḥ-i-‘Abdu’l-‘Azíz-Va-Vukalá | “Tablet to ‘Abdu’l-‘Azíz and ministers” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-‘Abdu’l-Vahhab | Lawḥ-i-‘Abdu’l-Vahháb | “Tablet to ‘Abdu’l-Vahháb” 0by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-‘Abdu’r-Razzaq | Lawḥ-i-‘Abdu’r-Razzáq | “Tablet to ‘Abdu’r-Razzáq” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-‘Ahd va Mithaq | Lawḥ-i-‘Ahd va Mitháq (Imríká) | “Will and Testament” by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Lawh-i-‘Ammih | Lawḥ-i-‘Ammih | “Tablet to the Aunt” by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Lawh-i-‘Ashiq-va-Ma’shuq | Lawḥ-i-‘Áshiq va Ma‘shúq | “Tablet of the Lover and the Beloved”, Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Aflakiya | Lawḥ-i-Aflákíya | • commonly known as the “Tablet of the Universe” by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (“Aflákíyyih” (Iṣfahání Pers.) used in Bahá’í Writings) |
| Lawh-i-Ahbab | Lawḥ-i-Aḥbáb | “Tablet for the Friends” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Ahmad | Lawḥ-i-Aḥmad | “Tablet of Aḥmad” in Persian by Bahá’u’lláh. Written in honour of Aḥmad-i-Káshání. |
| Lawh-i-Amr | Lawḥ-i-Amr | “Tablet of the Command” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Amvaj | Lawḥ-i-Amváj | “Tablet of the Waves” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Anta’l-Kafi | Lawḥ-i-Anta’l-Káfí | “Tablet of ‘Thou the Sufficing’, known as the long healing prayer, Tablet of protection” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Aqdas | Lawḥ-i-Aqdas | “The Most Holy Tablet”, sometimes referred to as ‘Tablet to the Christians’ by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Ard-i-Ba | Lawḥ-i-Arḍ-i-Bá | “Tablet of the Land of Bá” by Bahá’u’lláh. Tablet sent to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá while visiting Beirut (“Land of Bá”) 1–17 June 1880. |
| Lawh-i-Ashraf | Lawḥ-i-Ashraf | “Tablet for Ashraf (the Noble)” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Ayat | Lawḥ-i-Áyát | “Tablet of the Verses” by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Lawh-i-Ayiy-i-Nur | Lawḥ-i-Áyiy-i-Núr | “Tablet of the Light Verse” by Bahá’u’lláh written in response to questions from Mírzá Áqáy-i-Rikáb-Sáz. See Qur’án 24:35. Also known as Tafsír [Lawḥ-i] Ḥurúfát al-Muqaṭṭ‘ah. |
| Lawh-i-Baha | Lawḥ-i-Bahá | “Tablet of Glory” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Baqa | Lawḥ-i-Baqá | “Tablet of Eternity” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Basitatu’l-Haqiqih | Lawḥ-i-Basíṭatu’l-Ḥaqíqíh | “Tablet of the Uncompounded Reality, of the Ground of Being” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Bisharat | Lawḥ-i-Bishárát | “Tablet of Glad Tidings” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Bismilih | Lawḥ-i-Bismilih | “Tablet of ‘In the Name of God’” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Bulbulu’l-Firaq | Lawḥ-i-Bulbulu’l-Firáq | “Tablet of the Nightingale of Bereavement” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Burhan | Lawḥ-i-Burhán | “Tablet of the Proof” by Bahá’u’lláh addressed to Shaykh Muḥammad Báqir (the “Wolf”) |
| Lawh-i-Dr Forel | Lawḥ-i-Dr Forel | “Tablet to Dr Forel” by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Lawh-i-Du-Niday-i-Falah va Najah | Lawḥ-i-Du-Nidáy-i-Faláḥ va Najáḥ | “Tablet of Supplication” by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. More literally the Tablet of two Calls (the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh) for salvation and emancipation” |
| Lawh-i-Dunya | Lawḥ-i-Dunyá | “Tablet of the World” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Fitnih | Lawḥ-i-Fitnih | “Tablet of the Test” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Fu’ad | Lawḥ-i-Fu’ád | “Tablet to Fu’ád Páshá” by Bahá’u’lláh. Addressed to Shaykh Káẓim-i-Samandar of Qazvín, one of the apostles of Bahá’u’lláh. Its subject, the former Ottoman statesman Fu’ád Páshá, died in France in 1869, the Tablet was revealed soon afterwards. Tablet begins with the letters “Káf Ẓá’” for Káẓim. |
| Lawh-i-Ghulamu’l-Khuld | Lawḥ-i-Ghulámu’l-Khuld | “Tablet of the Deathless Youth, Eternal Youth, Youth of Paradise” by Bahá’u’lláh (Ar. Lawḥ Ghulám al-Khuld) |
| Lawh-i-Habib | Lawḥ-i-Ḥabíb | “Tablet of the Beloved” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Haft Sham’ Wahdat | Lawḥ-i-Haft Sham‘ Waḥdat | “Tablet of the Seven Candles of Unity” by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Lawh-i-Haft-Pursish | Lawḥ-i-Haft-Pursish | “Tablet of Seven Questions” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Hajj | Lawḥ-i-Ḥajj | Tablet of Visitation to be recited at Baghdád, by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Haqqu’n-Nas | Lawḥ-i-Ḥaqqu’n-Nás | “Tablet of the Right of the People”, in Persian, by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Hawdaj | Lawḥ-i-Hawdaj (or Lawḥ-i-Sámṣún) | “Tablet of the Howdah” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Haykal | Lawḥ-i-Haykal | “Tablet of the Temple”, i.e. the body, by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Haykalu’d-Din | Lawḥ-i-Haykalu’d-Dín | “Tablet of the Temple of the Faith” by the Báb |
| Lawh-i-Hikmat | Lawḥ-i-Ḥikmat | “Tablet of Wisdom” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Hirtik | Lawḥ-i-Hirtík | “Tablet to Georg David Hardegg (Hirtík)” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Hizar Bayti | Lawḥ-i-Hizár Baytí | “Tablet of One Thousand Verses” by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Lawh-i-Huriyyih | Lawḥ-i-Ḥúríyyih | “Tablet of the Maiden” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Hurufat | Lawḥ-i-Ḥurúfát | “Tablet of the Letters” by the Báb |
| Lawh-i-Husayn | Lawḥ-i-Ḥusayn | by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-ibn-i-Dhi’b | Lawḥ-i-ibn-i-Dhi’b | “The Epistle to the Son of the Wolf” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Ishraqat | Lawḥ-i-Ishráqát | “Tablet of Splendours” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Istintaq | Lawḥ-i-Istintáq | “Tablet of the Interrogation” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Ittihad | Lawḥ-i-Ittiḥád | “Tablet of Unity” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Jamal | Lawḥ-i-Jamál | Tablet to Áqá Jamál-i-Burújirdi, “Tablet of Beauty” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Karim | Lawḥ-i-Karím | “Tablet for Karím (the Noble)” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Karmil | Lawḥ-i-Karmil | “Tablet of Carmel” by Bahá’u’lláh (1891) |
| Lawh-i-Khurasan | Lawḥ-i-Khurásán | by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Lawh-i-Kullu’t-Ta’am | Lawḥ-i-Kullu’ṭ-Ṭa‘ám | “Tablet of All Food” by Bahá’u’lláh. Qur’án 3:93 is known as Kullu’ṭ-Ṭa‘ám, it begins with “All food …”. Error: Qullu’ṭ-Ṭa‘ám (“Qullu’t-Ta’am”) |
| Lawh-i-Lahih | Lawḥ-i-Láhih | “Tablet to the Central Organization for a Durable Peace, The Hague” by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Lawh-i-Laylatu’l-Quds | Lawḥ-i-Laylatu’l-Quds | “Tablet of the Holy (Sacred) Night” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Madinatu’r-Rida | Lawḥ-i-Madínatu’r-Riḍá | “The City of Radiant Acquiescence” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Madinatu’t-Tawhid | Lawḥ-i-Madínatu’t-Tawḥíd | “Tablet of the City of Unity” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Mahfil-i-Shawr | Lawḥ-i-Maḥfil-i-Shawr | Tablet (or prayer) for spiritual assemblies, regarding gathering and consulting (by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá) |
| Lawh-i-Mahfuz | Lawḥ-i-Maḥfúẓ | Guarded or Preserved Tablet |
| Lawh-i-Malik-i-Rus | Lawḥ-i-Malik-i-Rús | “Tablet to the Czar Alexander III” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Malika (Lawh-i-Malikih) | Lawḥ-i-Malika | “Tablet to the Queen” of England (Victoria) by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Mallahu’l-Quds | Lawḥ-i-Malláḥu’l-Quds | “Tablet of the Holy Mariner” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Manikchi-Sahib | Lawḥ-i-Mánikchí-Ṣáḥib | “Tablet to Mánikchí-Ṣáḥib” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Maqsud | Lawḥ-i-Maqṣúd | “Tablet of Maqṣud (the Goal, the Desired One)” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Maryam | Lawḥ-i-Maryam | “Tablet to Maryam” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Mawlud | Lawḥ-i-Mawlúd | Tablet for the Birth of the Báb by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Mazzah | Lawḥ-i-Mazzaḥ | “Tablet of the Humorist” by Bahá’u’llá) Begins: “Bismilláhi’l-Mazzaḥ ...” |
| Lawh-i-Mubahilih | Lawḥ-i-Mubáhilih | “Tablet of the Confrontation or Execration” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Muhabbat | Lawḥ-i-Muḥabbat | “Tablet to Medina” by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Lawh-i-Napulyun | Lawḥ-i-Nápulyún I and II | “Tablet to Napoleon III” (1868 and 1869) by Bahá’u’lláh. Can also be written as Lawḥ Málik Bárís. |
| Lawh-i-Naqus | Lawḥ-i-Náqús | “Tablet of the Bell” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Nasir | Lawḥ-i-Naṣír | Tablet to Ḥájí Muḥammad Naṣír of Qazvín by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Nikah | Lawḥ-i-Nikáḥ | Tablet on Marriage by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Nuqtih | Lawḥ-i-Nuqṭih | “Tablet of the Point” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Pap | Lawḥ-i-Páp | “Tablet to the Pope” (Pius IX) by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Pisar-‘Amm | Lawḥ-i-Pisar-‘Amm | “Tablet to the Cousin” in honour of Mírzá Ḥasan-i-Mázindarání by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Qad-Ihtaraqa’l-Mukhlisun | Lawḥ-i-Qad-Iḥtaráqa’l-Mukhliṣún | “The Tablet of the Faithful Ones (Mukhliṣún) have burned (qad iḥtaráq)”, based on the first line that Shoghi Effendi translated as “... the hearts of the sincere are consumed in the fire of separation.” Known in English as “The Fire Tablet” (see first and last lines) by Bahá’u’lláh. See Iḥtiráq |
| Lawh-i-Qarn | Lawḥ-i-Qarn-i-Aḥabbáy-i-Sharq | “Centennial [1844–1944] Tablet to the Beloved Ones [Bahá’ís] of the East” by Shoghi Effendi (1944) |
| Lawh-i-Qina’ | Lawḥ-i-Qiná‘ | “Tablet of the Veil” by Bahá’u’lláh. Addressed primarily to the “third” Shaykhí leader, Ḥájí Mírzá Muḥammad Karím Khán Kirmání (the first Kirmání Shaykhí leader). See Kirmání. |
| Lawh-i-Quds | Lawḥ-i-Quds | “Tablet of Holiness” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Ra’is | Lawḥ-i-Ra’ís | “Tablet of the Ruler” (Tablet to Mehmed Emin ‘Alí Páshá) by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Rafi’ | Lawḥ-i-Rafí‘ | “Tablet of Elevation” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Ram | Lawḥ-i-Rám | "Tablet of Rám" by Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’u’lláh addresses themes of divine guidance, spiritual transformation, and the relationship between God and humanity. The tablet emphasizes the importance of recognizing and adhering to divine teachings, and it often reflects on the nature of God's love and mercy. It serves as a source of inspiration and guidance for Bahá'ís, encouraging them to live in accordance with spiritual principles and to strive for personal and collective transformation. See Rám. |
| Lawh-i-Raqsha’ | Lawḥ-i-Raqshá’ | “Tablet to the She-Serpent” (Imám-Jum‘ih of Iṣfahán) by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Rasul | Lawḥ-i-Rasúl | “Tablet of the Prophet” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Ru’ya | Lawḥ-i-Ru’yá | “Tablet of the Vision” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Ruh | Lawḥ-i-Rúḥ | “Tablet of the Spirit” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Sahab | Lawḥ-i-Saḥáb | “Tablet of the Cloud” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Salah | Lawḥ-i-Ṣaláh | “Tablet of Obligatory Prayer” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Salman | Lawḥ-i-Salmán | “Tablet of Salmán” I–III by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Samsun | Lawḥ-i-Sámsún (or Lawḥ-i-Hawdaj) | “Tablet of Sámsún” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Sarraj | Lawḥ-i-Sarráj | “Tablet of the Saddler” by Bahá’u’lláh (a long and fairly weighty tablet) to ‘Alí Muḥammad Sarráj. |
| Lawh-i-Sayyah | Lawḥ-i-Sayyáḥ | “Tablet of Sayyáḥ (the Traveller)” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Shaykh-Fani | Lawḥ-i-Shaykh-Fání | Tablet to the Shaykh who has surrendered his will to God by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Siyyid-i-Mihdiy-i-Dahaji | Lawḥ-i-Siyyid-i-Mihdíy-i-Dahají | by Bahá’u’lláh. See Dahají |
| Lawh-i-Sultan | Lawḥ-i-Sulṭán | “Tablet to the King of Persia” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Tajalliyat | Lawḥ-i-Tajallíyát | “Tablet of Effulgences” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Tanzih va Taqdis | Lawḥ-i-Tanzíh va Taqdís | “Tablet of Purity” by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Lawh-i-Tarazat | Lawḥ-i-Ṭarázát | “Tablet of Ornaments” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Tarbiyat | Lawḥ-i-Tarbíyat | “Tablet of Education” by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Lawh-i-Tawhid | Lawḥ-i-Tawḥíd | “Tablet of Unity” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Tibb | Lawḥ-i-Ṭibb | “Tablet of Medicine” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Tuqa | Lawḥ-i-Tuqá | “Tablet of Virtue” by Bahá’u’lláh See Lawḥu’t-Tuqá |
| Lawh-i-Wasiya (Lawh-i-Wasaya) | Lawḥ-i-Waṣíya | untitled brief document by the Báb, the so-called “Tablet of the Will” or the “Will and Testament”, addressed to Mírzá Yaḥyá in which he is “enjoined to promote and protect the Faith and to invite people to follow what has been revealed in the Bayán.” (Research Dept. 28 May 2004) |
| Lawh-i-Yaquti | Lawḥ-i-Yáqútí | “The Ruby Tablet” |
| Lawh-i-Yusuf | Lawḥ-i-Yúsuf | “Tablet of Joseph” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Zaynu’l-Muqarrabin | Lawḥ-i-Zaynu’l-Muqarrabín | Tablet to Zaynu’l-Muqarrabín by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawh-i-Ziyarih | Lawḥ-i-Ziyárih | “Tablet of Visitation” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawha (Lauha), Lawhat, Alwah (Alvah) | Lawḥa, pl. Lawḥát, Alwáḥ | (fem.) board; blackboard; slate; tablet; slab; plate, sheet; pane; panel; plaque; plane, surface; screen; placard, poster; picture, painting. Sometimes singular transcripted as Lauḥ. |
| Lawhu’r-Ridvan | Lawḥu’r-Riḍván | “Tablet of Riḍván” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawhu’r-Ruh | Lawḥu’r-Rúḥ | “Tablet of Spirit” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawhu’t-Tuqa | Lawḥu’t-Tuqá | “The Tablet of Piety or the Fear of God” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Lawlaka | Lawláka | Arabic “but for Thee” |
| Lawz (Lauz) | Lawz, pl. Alwáz | fleeing unto, taking refuge; escaping, saving oneself; an almond; a kind of sweetmeat |
| Layl (Lail), Layali | Layl, pl. Layálí | (usually m.) night-time, night (as opposed to nahár daytime);—pl. layálí (Syrian) a certain vocal style; laylan at night |
| Layla (Laila, Leila), Layali | Laylá, pl. Layálí | scent of wine, or the commencement of its intoxicating influence; a female proper name, in particular that of the celebrated mistress of Majnún in a Persian folktale |
| Layla (Laila), Layat, Layalin, Laya’il | Layla[h or t], pl. Laylát, Layálin, Layá’il | (feminine) (“Leila”) night; evening; soirée |
| Laylat al-Qadr, Laylatu’l-Qadr | Laylat al-Qadr, Pers. Laylatu’l-Qadr | Night of Power. The night in which, according to sura 97, the Qur’án was revealed, celebrated during the night between the 26th and 27th of Ramaḍán. |
| Laylat al-Quds, Laylatu’l-Quds | Laylat al-Quds, Laylatu’l-Quds | “Holy Night”, “Sacred Night” |
| Layli (Laili) | Laylí | nocturnal, nightly; of night, night- (in compounds); evening (adjective). |
| Laysa (Laisa) | Laysa | there is not; not; except |
| Lazat, Laz | Lázat, pl. Láz | Pers. a dress of red Chinese silk;—pl. soft, thin silk |
| li | li | 1. (preposition) for; on behalf of, in favor of; to (of the dative); because of; for the sake of; due to, owing to; for, for the purpose of; at the time of, when, as; by (designating the author or originator). 2. (conjunction with the subjunctive) that, so that, in order that, in order to |
| Li | Lí | to me |
| li-Din | li-Dín | of/to God |
| li-Din Allah, li-Dini’llah | li-Dín Alláh or li-Díni’lláh | religion (or faith) of God |
| Libas, Libasal, Albisa | Libás, pl. Libásál, Albisa | clothes, clothing; costume; apparel; garment, robe, dress |
| Libs | Libs | a covering, especially that of the ka‘bah; the covering of a camel-litter; a kind of dress; the membrane of the brain |
| Lillah (li-llah) | Lilláh | “for/to/towards Alláh”, for the love of God, for God’s sake. The li- at the beginning is a prepositional prefix. Morphologically, it would normally be li-Alláh with an abjad value of 96. Since the á (dagger alif) represents a stressed “a”, and not an alif, the abjad value is 95. Compare al-Bayán. |
| Liman | Límán, pl. Límánát | harbour, port; penitentiary |
| Liqa’ Rabb, Liqa-i-Rabb | Liqá’ Rabb, Pers. Liqá-i-Rabb | “Visitation of God” on the Day of Qiyámah. Since God is sanctified from all material existence and He can never be seen by the material eyes, this means seeing and meeting a Manifestation of the Names and attributes of God. |
| Liqa’, Liqa’a | Liqá’ (Pers. Liqá) | encounter, battle; meeting; a visit, get together, interview (modern); reunion; what meets the eye, hence the Persian meaning of face, form, visage, countenance. liqá’a (preposition) in exchange for, in return for, for, on. |
| Liqa’i | Liqá’í | my meeting |
| Liqa’iya, (Laqa’iyya, Laqa’iyyih) | Liqá’íya, Pers. Liqá’iyya | Liqá’íyyih Khánum, second wife of Mírzá ‘Alí-Muḥammad-i-Varqá. Name of one of the four daughters of Ibn-i Aṣdaq and Ḍiyá’u’l-Ḥájiyyih. Pers. “Liqá’iyyih” or “Liqá’íyyih”. |
| Liqa’u’llah | Liqá’u’lláh | ‘attainment unto the Divine Presence’, resurrection |
| Liqa’u’llah (Laqa’u’llah) | Liqá’u’lláh | the meeting of God, resurrection. A reference to the Manifestation of God, i.e. Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Lisan, Alsina, Alsun | Lisán, pl. Alsina(h), Alsun | tongue; language; mouthpiece (figuratively). |
| Lisanu’l-‘Arab | Lisánu’l-‘Arab | The Arab tongue |
| Lisanu’l-Mulk | Lisánu’l-Mulk | “Tongue of the Empire”.Lisánu’l-Mulk-i-Sipihr (“Eloquent Tongue of the Empire”) of Káshán, 19th century Persian historian. See Sipihr. |
| Lisanu’llah | Lisánu’lláh | the word (or tongue) of God |
| Liss, Lusus, Alsas | Liṣṣ, pl. Luṣúṣ, Alṣáṣ | thief, robber |
| Litani River | Liṭání | Liṭání River |
| Liwa’ (Liva), Alwiya, Alwiyat | Liwá’, pl.Alwiya, Alwiyát | banner, flag, standard; brigade; major general; rear admiral (Egypt.); province, district (Írán). al-Liwá’ (“The Flag”) (1963–) is a Lebanese Arabic daily newspaper. |
| Lourenco Marques | Lourenço Marques | Portuguese explorer and pre-1975 name of Maputo, capital of Mozambique |
| Lu’lu’, La’ali, Lu’lu’un | Lu’lu’ (Lúlú), pl. La’álí | (collective; nomen unitatis Lu’lu’un) pearls; gems, jewels |
| Lubbada, Lubbadat | Lubbáda, pl. Lubbádát | horse blanket, saddle blanket;—(pl. labábíd) felt cap |
| Lubs | Lubs | putting on a garment; enjoying the company (of a wife, etc.) |
| Lugha, Lughat | Lugha(h or t), pl. Lughát | language; dialect; idiom; vernacular; lingo, jargon; word; expression, term; al-lughat al-‘arabíyat al-afṣaḥí, classical Arabic |
| Lughat Nama (Lughat Namih) | Lughat Náma | Pers. 15 volume “The Dehkhoda Dictionary” in Persian by ‘Alí Akbar Dihkhudá |
| Lujj, Lujja, Lujaj, Lijaj | Lujj and Lujja, pl. Lujaj, Lijáj | depth of the sea; gulf, abyss, chasm, depth |
| Lujjat, Lujja | Lujjat, Lujja | Pers. a large body, multitude; plenty (of water), the great deep, main, middle of the sea; an abyss; silver; a looking-glass, mirror |
| Lulin, Aftaba | Lúlín | Pers. a jug, flagon, or any similar vessel with a spout, and made of clay (those made of metal are called áftába). |
| Lum’a, Luma’, Lima’ | Lum‘a[h or t], pl. Luma‘, Limá‘ | shimmer, gleam, glow, flash, sparkle, glitter, brilliancy, radiance, beam; gloss, lustre, burnish, polish |
| Luqa | Lúqá | Pers. the evangelist Luke |
| Luqman | Luqmán | a famous legendary figure noted for his wisdom. Prophet in Qur’án. |
| Luqmat | Luqmat, Laqmat, Luqma, pl. Luqam | Pers. a mouthful, morsel; a kind of fritter |
| Luqmatu’l-Qáḍí | Luqmatu’l-Qáḍí | Pers. the choice morsel for the judge |
| Lur | Lur | Name of a warlike tribe living in Luristán. |
| Luristan (Lorestan) | Luristán | a province and an area in western Írán in the Zagros Mountains |
| Lut | Lút | Pers. naked, bare. Dasht-i-Lút, the “Emptiness Plain”, 51,800 km2, is a salt desert, one of the hottest and driest in the world, in Kirmán, and Sistán and Balúchistán Provinces. |
| Lut | Lúṭ | Lot |
| Lutf-‘Ali | Luṭf-‘Alí | Luṭf ‘Alí Mírzá Shírází (Mírzá, “Prince”), a descendant of the Afsháriyán royal dynasty, and a Bábí. |
| Lutf, Latafa, Altaf | Luṭf, fem. Laṭáfa(h or t), pl. Alṭáf | approaching, drawing near; being propitious, favourable, gracious; being small, slender, delicate; the grace or protection of God; gentleness, humanity, kindness, generosity, benevolence; piquancy, point, wit; —fem. thinness fineness, delicateness; gracefulness, loveliness, charm; kindness, benevolence; friendliness; politeness, esprit, intellectual refinement, sophistication; suavity, urbaneness; —pl. benefits, favours; kindnesses |
| Lutfi | Luṭfí | Pers. adopted, brought up in the family; an adopted child. ‘Umar Lütfí Páshá [Lüṭfí Paşa (Turkish)] (BKG p. 482) |
| Lutfu’llah (Lotfullah) | Luṭfu’lláh | favour or kindness of God |
| Luti, Lutiyun (Lutis) | Lúṭí, pl. Lúṭíyún | The people of Lot or Sodom; a sodomite; an impudent, forward fellow; a bravo, bully, ruffian, villain; a jester, buffoon, clown. A term used in the 19th century to refer to Robin Hood-type bandits and thugs, who sometimes challenged oppressive governors, provided strong-arm support for local secular and religious leaders and bullied their fellow townsmen. |
| Lutigari | Lúṭígarí | Pers. often used interchangeably with awbásh (see wabash). The lúṭígarí are groups of people organized around zúr-khánih (gymnasia) who professed certain ideals of jawánmardí (“chivalry”)—truthfulness, honesty, protecting the weak and oppressing the oppression. In practice the difference between “Robin Hood” and robber is not clear-cut. Lúṭígarí can sometimes refer to troupes of musicians and entertainers. |
| Plain text | Transcripted text | Word meanings & comments |
| M | ||
| Ma | Má | (interrogative pronoun) what |
| Ma, ila ma, bi’ma, li-ma, hatta ma | Ma | for what? after prepositions: ilá ma whereto? where? which way? whither? bi-ma with what? wherewith? li-ma why? wherefore? ḥattá ma how far? to which point? |
| Ma’, Miyah, Amwah | Má’, pl. Miyáh, Amwáh | water; liquid, fluid; juice. má’ al-ward (becomes máward), rose water. Hence, the name Máwardí. |
| Ma’ab (Maab), Ma’awib, Ma’awiba | Ma’áb, pl. Ma’áwib, Ma’áwiba(t) | a place to which one returns; “beautiful place of return” (“Paradise”, Qur’án 13:29); (used as verbal noun) return; a receptacle, repository, a place where anything centres, or in which it is contained. H. M. Balyuzi identifies Ma’áb with the Biblical kingdom of Moab, east of the Dead Sea in the area of Wádí al-Mújib, present day Jordan. |
| Ma’ad | Ma‘ád | lit. place or time of return. Day of Resurrection |
| Ma’adh | Ma‘ádh | (act or instance of) taking refuge; refuge, place of refuge, retreat, asylum, sanctuary |
| Ma’din, Ma’adin | Ma‘din, pl. Ma‘ádin | mine; lode; metal; mineral; treasure-trove, bonanza (figuratively). Panj-Ma‘ádin (Pers. “five mines”) may be located at 29.250012, 54.599990, 28 km ENE of Nayriz. |
| Ma’an (Maan) | Ma‘án | a stage, halting-place; “son” of Lot (Lúṭ); a city in southern Jordan, 218 km SW of Amman; a town in northern Syria, 25 km north of Ḥamáh and 70 km north of Homs |
| Ma’dan | Ma‘dan (Syrian ma‘din) | very good! bravo! well done! |
| Ma’dan-i-Mis | Ma‘dan-i-Mis | Pers. copper mine. Maden, town in Türkiye between Khárpút and Diyarbakir |
| Ma’dan-i-Nuqrih | Ma‘dan-i-Nuqrih | Pers. Keban (Turkish) is a town and silver mine. The town is about 1 km below the large Keban Dam on the Euphrates River. |
| Ma’dini, Ma’daniyat | Ma‘diní, pl. Ma‘daníyát | metallic, mineral; al-ma‘daníyát mineralogy |
| Ma’gul | Ma‘qúl | reasonable, sensible, intelligible, comprehensible, understandable, plausible, logical; rational; apprehensive faculty, comprehension, intellect, discernment, judiciousness, judgment; common sense |
| Ma’ida, Ma’idat | Má’idat, Má’ida | Pers. a table, especially one covered with victuals; a circle, circumference, circuit, orbit |
| Ma’ida, Mawaid | Má’ida, pl. Má’idát, Mawá’id | Ar. table |
| Ma’idi-yi-Asmani | Má’idi-yi-Ásmání | Pers. “Heavenly Banquet” or “The Heavenly Bread”, compilation of writings by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Ma’in, Mu’un | Ma‘ín, pl. Mu‘un | (water) flowing over the surface of ground. The Minaean people were the inhabitants of the kingdom of Ma‘ín in modern-day Yemen. Qarnáwu (16.128100, 44.815300), near al-Ḥazm, was a capital of Ma‘ín. |
| Ma’juj, Majuj | Ma’júj, Májúj | Magog, son of Japhet; Eastern Tartary. See Yá’júj (Gog) and mu‘ẓam. |
| Ma’mun | Ma’mún | reliable, trustworthy |
| Ma’mur | Ma‘múr | inhabited, populated, populous; frequented |
| Ma’mur | Ma’múr | commissioned, charged; commissioner; civil officer, official, especially one in executive capacity; the head of a markaz and qism (Egypt) |
| Ma’na, Ma’ani | Ma‘ná, Ma‘ná(t), pl. Ma‘ání | in Pers. also Ma‘nát. sense, meaning, signification, import, drift, reality; virtue, efficacy; the title or lettering of a book; spirituality; a thing; anything; a subject; a circumstance, an event.—pl. meanings or significances, significations, senses; imports; mental images; intrinsic qualities; qualities that are commended or approved, charms, graces; elegance of language; mystical meanings; sublime realities, spiritual matters. A reference to the Imams as the repositories of the inner Word of God. Baháriyyih Rúḥání Ma‘ání (Baharieh Rouhani Ma‘ani) author and translator. See ma‘nan |
| Ma’nan, Ma’anin | Ma‘nan, pl. Ma‘ánin | sense, meaning, signification, import; concept, notion, idea, thought; thematic purport (e.g., of a work of art, as distinguished from its form); a rhetorical, figurative, or allegorical expression. See ma‘ná |
| Ma’nawi (Manavi) | Ma‘nawí | relating to the sense or import (of a word or expression) |
| Ma’rab, Ma’rib | Ma’rab | the time or place for any necessary business. Ma’rib is the capital city of Ma’rib Governorate, Yemen. It is 122 km east of Sana’a. The ruins of Ma’rib, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Saba’ (unlikely to be that of Sheba), are 3.5 km south of the center of the modern city. The Sabaean kings built great irrigation works such as the Ma’rib Dam, whose ruins are still visible, is 3 km downstream of the modern dam and about 9 km NE of Ma’rib. |
| Ma’raj, Ma’arij | Ma‘raj, pl. Ma‘árij | place of ascent; (route of) ascent. See Mi‘raj |
| Ma’raka, Ma’ruka, Ma’arik | Ma‘raka(h), Ma‘ruka(h), pl. Ma’árik | battlefield; battle. See Mu’tah |
| Ma’rakat Balat ash-Shuhada’ | Ma‘rakat Baláṭ ash-Shuhadá’ | the Battle of the Highway of the Martyrs, the Battle of Tours or the Battle of Poitiers (10 October 732)—it was an important victory of the Frankish and Burgundian forces under Charles Martel over the raiding parties of the Umayyad Caliphate led by ‘Abdu’l Raḥmán al Ghafiqí (he died), Governor-General of al-Andalus. |
| Ma’rifa (Ma’rifat), Ma’arif | Ma‘rifa(t), pl. Ma‘árif | knowledge, learning, lore, information, skill, know-how; cognition, intellection, perception, experience, realization; gnosis; acquaintance, cognizance, conversance; an acquainted person, an acquaintance, a friend; (grammar) definite noun;—pl. al-Ma‘árif cultural affairs, education. Pers. definition: knowing; knowledge, science, learning; insight in divine matters or mysteries; art, skill, craft; account, reason, means; by means of, through |
| Ma’ruf | Ma‘rúf | known, well-known; universally accepted, generally recognized; conventional; that which is good, beneficial, or fitting, good, benefit; fairness, equity, equitableness; kindness, friendliness, amicability; beneficence; favour rendered, courtesy, mark of friendship; active voice (grammar) |
| Ma’shuq, Ma’shuqa | Ma‘shúq, fem. Ma‘shúqa[h or t] | lover, sweetheart; fem. beloved, sweetheart |
| Ma’sum, Ma’suma, Ma’sumun | Ma‘ṣúm, fem. Ma‘ṣúma[h or t] | (Pers. “Ma’sumih, Ma’sumeh”) inviolable, sacrosanct, protected by the laws of vendetta (Islamic Law); infallible, sinless, impeccant, impeccable; immaculate, morally infallible and rendered immune to error by God, infallible in judgements and decrees.—pl. Ma‘ṣúmún, Ma‘ṣúmát. Fáṭimah bint Músá al-Khádhim, sister of Imám ‘Alí ar-Riḍá (8th Imám), is commonly known in Írán as Fáṭima al-Ma‘súmih. The Shrine of Fatima Masumeh (Ḥarám Fáṭimah Ma‘ṣúmah) is in Qum. al-Ma‘ṣúmín al-Arba‘ata ‘Ashara, Pers. Chahárdah Ma‘ṣúm: the fourteen infallible ones—the prophet Muḥammad, his daughter, and the twelve Imams. |
| Ma’thara, Mathara, Ma’athir | Ma’thara(t), Máthara(t), pl. Ma’áthir | glory, nobility, greatness, hereditary honour. |
| Ma’u’l-Furat | Má’u’l-Furát | sweet waters (“the fresh and thirst-quenching waters”) |
| Ma’una, Ma’un | Ma‘úna(h or t), pl. Ma‘ún | help, aid, assistance, succour, relief, support, backing. Variously interpreted as assistance to neighbours in the form of lending household utensils; voluntary and obligatory alms; obedience to prescribed rules. Saríya Bi’r Ma‘úna refers to an event in 625 when a large number of Muslims were sent by Muḥammad to the tribes of Banú Sálim and Banú ‘Ámir. They were attacked by men of Banú-Sulaym at Bi’r Ma‘úna (Ma‘úna well or Aid well; location unknown, but about 80 km SE Medina) and all but two were killed. |
| Mab’ath, Maba’ith | Mab‘ath, pl. Mabá‘ith | sending, forwarding, dispatch; emission; awakening, arousal;—pl. cause; factor |
| Mabda’ | Mabda’, pl. Mabádi | beginning, start, starting point; basis, foundation; principle; invention;—pl. principles, convictions (of a person); ideology; rudiments, fundamental concepts, elements |
| Mabsut | Mabsúṭ | extended, outstretched; rim, spread out; extensive, large, sizeable; detailed, elaborate (book); cheerful, happy, gay; feeling well, in good health. Nickname “happy”: Dr Ḍíyá Mabsúṭ Baghdádí |
| Mada’in Salih | Madá’in Ṣáliḥ | Mada’in Saleh (“Cities of Saleh”), also called “al-Ḥijr” or “Hegra”, is an archaeological site 309 km NW of Medina. The site is thought to be near the ruins of the Thamúd. |
| Madad, Amdad | Madad, pl. Amdád | help, aid, assistance, support, backing, reinforcement;—pl. resources; auxiliaries. House of Ḥájí ‘Alí Madad, in Baghdád that Bahá’u’lláh and family first occupied on arrival. This is not the Bayt-i-A‘ẓam. |
| Madaha, Madh, Midha | Madaḥa, Madḥ, Midḥa | to praise, commend, laud, extol |
| Madan | Madan | extension, expanse, stretch, spread, compass, range, scope, space, latitude, reach; distance, interval, interspace; extent, degree, measure, scale, proportion; utmost point, extreme, limit; space of time, duration, period |
| Madani | Madaní | urban, urbanized, city-dwelling, town-dwelling; civilized, refined, polished; civilian (as opposed to military), civil, civic; secular; town dweller, townsman, city dweller, urbanite, citizen, civilian; of Medina, Medinan (adj. and n.) |
| Madaniya, Madaniyyah | Madaníya[t], Pers. Madaniyyih | civilization. Madaníyat al-Iláhíya, Divine Civilization. |
| Madar | Mádar | Pers. a mother |
| Madar, Madarat, Madariyan | Madár, pl. Madárát | orbit; circling, circuiting, circuit, revolution; axis; pivot; (figurative) that upon which something turns or depends, the central, cardinal, or crucial factor, the pivot; center; subject, topic, theme (of a conversation, of negotiations); scope, range, extent, sphere. Madáríyán two orbitals |
| Madda al-Kulliya | al-Mádda al-Kullíya | the universal matter |
| Madda, Mawadd | Mádda(h), pl. Mawádd | stuff, matter; material possession; substance; material; component, constituent, ingredient; fundamental constituent, radical, chemical element, base; subject, theme, topic; school subject, field of study; discipline, subject matter, curricular subject; article, paragraph (e.g., of a law, treaty or contract); stipulation, contractual term;—pl. material, materials; agents, elements |
| Maddi, Maddiyun | Máddí, Máddíyún | material; corporeal, physical; materialistic;—pl. materialist; objective |
| Madhhab-i-Ithna-'Ashariyyih | Madhhab-i-Ithná-‘Asharíyyih | Shí‘ah Muslims or “Church of the Twelve”. Ar. Madhhab Ithná ‘Asharíya[h or t]. |
| Madhhab, Madhhahib | Madhhab, pl. Madhháhib | going, leave, departure; way out, escape (from); manner followed, adopted procedure or policy, road entered upon; opinion, view, belief; ideology; teaching, doctrine; movement, orientation, trend (also politics); school; mazhab, orthodox rite of fiqh (Islamic Law); religious creed, faith, denomination. Schools of law—the four Sunní legal schools (sing. madhhab) are: (1) the Hanafíte school, founded by Abú-Ḥanífa (d. 767); (2) the Malakite school, founded by Málik ibn Anas (d. 795); (3) the Sháf’íte, founded by Sháf’í (d. 820); and (4) the strictest and most conservative Hanbalite school, founded by Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal (d. 855). Actions that might be considered lawful or unlawful are divided into five categories: (i) obligatory, (ii) prohibited, (iii) recommended but not obligatory, (iv) indifferent, and (v) disapproved but not forbidden. |
| Madhkur | Madhkúr | mentioned; said, above-mentioned; celebrated |
| Madi (Mazi) | Máḍí (Máẓí) | Pers. passing away; past; dead; swift, fleet, expeditious; sharp, piercing (sword); the past-tense, preterite. Máḍíhim (Madihim) “their past”. |
| Madi Darad | Maḍí Dárad | Pers. a closing phrase |
| Madih, Mada’ih | Madíḥ, pl. Madá’iḥ | praise, laudation, commendation; panegyrical poem, panegyric; eulogy, encomium, tribute |
| Madina, Mudun, Mada’in | Madína(h), pl. Mudun, Madá’in | town, city; Medina (city in western Saudi Arabia). Citizens, al-Anṣár, of Madína, who assisted Muḥammad when obliged to flee from Mecca. Muḥammad migrated to Yathrib in 622 and it was renamed al-Madínat an-Nabí (later shortened to al-Madínah, Medina).—pl. cities; collective name of seven cities flourishing during the reign of Nushírwán; mostly applied to Ctesiphon, also called Madá’in Kisrá, the cities of Chosroes See Madá’in Ṣáliḥ. |
| Madinat an-Nabi | al-Madínat an-Nabí | City of the Prophet |
| Madinatu’l-Khadra | Madínatu’l-Khaḍrá’ | “the Verdant City”. Name given to Sabzivár by Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Madinatu’llah | Madínatu’lláh | City of God. A title of Baghdád and also a title given by Bahá’u’lláh to the Shrine of the Báb. |
| Madinatu’n-Nabi | Madínatu’n-Nabí | City of the Prophet (Medina) |
| Madinatu’s-Salam | Madínatu’s-Salám | the City of Peace (name given to Baghdád by ‘Abbásid Caliph al-Manṣúr) BKG 106. |
| Madinatu’t-Tawhid | Madínatu’t-Tawḥíd | (The City of Unity) by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Madkhal, Madakhil | Madkhal, pl. Madákhil | entrance; hallway, vestibule, anteroom; entrance hall, lobby, foyer; entrance (of a port, of a canal); anode (electricity); introduction (to a field of learning); behaviour, conduct;—pl. places of access, entrances; income, revenue, rent, receipts. |
| Madkhul, Madakhil | Madkhúl, pl. Madákhíl | sickly, diseased, abnormal; (mentally) disordered; of weak character, spineless;—pl. revenue, receipts, takings, returns. |
| Madrasa, Madaris | Madrasa[h or t], pl. Madáris | literally, “a place where learning and studying occur” or a “place of study”; a religious boarding school associated with a mosque; school. Pers. also madrasih, madrisih. Madrasah ‘Iffatíyah (or just ‘Iffatíyah), chaste school for girls. |
| Madrasah ‘Ilmiyat Ruhiya | Madrasah ‘Ilmíyat Rúḥíya | seminary school of spirituality. A seminary (36.548430, 52.682436) in Bárfurúsh. In front (36.548471, 52.682296) is marked as the site of the former Mírzá Zakí Seminary. |
| Madrasi, Madrasiya | Madrasí, fem. Madrasíya[h or t] | scholastic, school |
| Madrasiy-i-Daru’sh-Shafay | Madrasiy-i-Dáru’sh-Shafáy | Madrasiy-i-Dáru’sh-Shafáy-i-Masjid-i-Sháh. Hospital school at the Shah’s mosque. “Madrasi” (or “Madrisi”) probably represents Madrasih (or “Madrisih”) and should be “Madrasa”. |
| Madrisiyi-i-Sadr | Madrisiyi-i-Ṣadr | |
| Madyan (Midian) | Madyan | ancient archeological site (28.487858, 35.003229), in Saudi Arabia, with houses cut out of large rocks a short distance to the west; the place of Jethro, also called Shu‘ayb. |
| Maf’ul, Mafa’il | Maf‘úl, pl. Mafá‘íl | object (grammar);—(pl.) effect, impression, impact; effectiveness, validity. See fá‘il, manṣúb and marfú‘ |
| Mafqud | Mafqúd | lost, missing, non-existent, absent, lacking, wanting; missing person |
| Maftun | Maftún | fascinated, captivated, infatuated, enraptured, charmed (by); enamored (of), in love (with); madman, maniac |
| Maghdub | Maghḍúb | object of anger |
| Maghfarat, Maghfirat | Maghfara(t), Maghfira(t) | (Magfaret) pardon, forgiveness, remission |
| Maghrib, Magharib | Maghrib, dual Maghribán, pl. Maghárib | place or time of sunset; west, either of the heavens or earth; the western countries; Occident; ṣalát al-maghrib, prayer at sunset (Islamic law). Dual: East and West. The “western countries” is normally understood to be the region of western and central North Africa, including Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia. The Maghrib also includes the disputed territory of Western Sahara. |
| Mah, Mahiyan | Máh, pl. Máhiyán | Pers. the moon; a month, whether lunar or solar; name of the twelfth day of every solar month; name of the angel set over the moon, and any business transacted on the twelfth day of the month; a mistress |
| Mah-Ku | Máh-Kú | Pers. “Where is the moon?” Name given to the ruins of a four-towered fortress (Máh-Kú Qal‘a (39.300399, 44.512666) 650 m north of Zagros River in eastern Mákú (4 km from the new city centre), 14 km from the Turkish border and 51 km from Armenia), because the overshadowing cliff cuts off sight of the sky above the fort. It is in the NW Zághrús Mountains. Named by the Báb the Jabal-i-Básiṭ (the Open Mountain), the numerical values of Máh-Kú and Básiṭ is 72. See Mákú. |
| Mah-Ku’i | Máh-Kú’í | Pers. ‘Alí Khán-i-Máh-Kú’í (warden of the Castle of Máh-Kú) |
| Mah-Parih | Máh-Párih | [Mahpareh mah + pareh] = ‘a portion of the moon’ |
| Mah-tab (Mahtab) | Máh-táb (Mah-táb) | Pers. moonlight, moonshine; the moon; the face of a mistress; breath, animal life |
| Mah-tabi (Mahtabi) | Máh-tábí (Mah-tábí) | Pers. lit by the moon; a balcony or terrace (to enjoy the moonlight); blue light; an open high terrace |
| Mahabad (Mah-Abad) | Mahábád (Mah-Ábád) | Pers. (Mehabad, Mihabad, Muhabad) is a town in and the capital of Mahábád County, West Ádharbayján Province. Mahábád is believed to be a pre-Zoroastrian prophet. He is also called Ádhar (Azar) Húshang, the Fire of Wisdom (see Ábádí). |
| Mahabb (Mahab), Mahabba | Maḥabb, fem. Maḥabba[h or t] | love; beloved; affection, attachment; fondness, tender and kind feelings, inclination, and love. Persian forms include maḥab, maḥabat. Fem. expression often used by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, but never by Shoghi Effendi. |
| Mahall-i-Darb | Maḥall-i-Ḍarb | Place of striking: location in Tabríz where the Báb was subjected to the bastinado after His examination by the divines. |
| Mahalli, Mahalliya, Mahalliyat | Maḥallí, pl. Maḥallíyát | local, domestic; native, indigenous; parochial;—pl. local news, local page (of a newspaper). Fem. Maḥallíya[h or t] |
| Mahall, Mahalla, Mahallat | Maḥall, pl. Maḥáll, fem. Maḥallát | (Pers. also Maḥal) (fem. Maḥalla[h or t], Pers. “Maḥallih”) place, location, spot, site, locale, locality, centre, section, part, quarter (of a city); (place of) residence; business; business house, firm, commercial house; store, shop; object, cause (e.g., of dispute, admiration, etc.); gear (automobile). Pers. also meaning of palace. Maḥallát is the capital of Maḥallát County, Markazí Province, Írán. See Fúlád Maḥallih and Murgh-Maḥallih. |
| Mahallu’l-Barakah (Mahallu’l-Barakih) | Maḥallu’l-Barakah | literally “The Place of Blessing”. A Bahá’í community enterprise in Írán to create a fund used to assist the poor and needy, the education of children, and the propagation of the Bahá’í Faith. See Shirkát-i-Nawnahálán. |
| Mahatta, Mahattat | Maḥaṭṭa[h or t], pl. Maḥaṭṭát | stopping place, stop (also of public conveyances); station, post; railroad station; broadcasting station, radio station. Maḥaṭṭat ar-Raml (Sand Station, Mahatet el Raml or Ramleh) is a tram station and neighbourhood (in wasaṭ al-Balad, “Downtown”) of Alexandria, Egypt. |
| Mahbub, Mahabib | Maḥbúb, pl. Maḥábíb | beloved; dear; lovable, desirable; popular; favourite; beloved one, lover; (pl.) gold piece, sequin (in Ottoman times) Title of the First Promised One expected by the Shi’ites. |
| Mahbuba | Maḥbúba | sweetheart, darling, beloved woman |
| Mahbubu’sh-Shuhada’ | Maḥbúbu’sh-Shuhadá’ | (Beloved of Martyrs) Mírzá Muḥammad-Ḥusayn Brother of Mírzá Muḥammad-Ḥasan, both from Iṣfahán. |
| Mahd | Maḥḍ | of pure descent, pureblood; pure, unmixed, unadulterated; genuine; sheer, downright, outright (e.g., lie, nonsense, etc.) |
| Mahd al-‘Ulya, Mahd-i-‘Ulya | Mahd al-‘Ulyá, Per. Mahd-i-‘Ulyá | highest cradle. Title given to Faṭimih Khánum (c. 1828–1904), second wife of Bahá’u’lláh, and mother of Mírzá Muḥammad ‘Alí and Mírzá Badí‘u’lláh. |
| Mahd al-Iman, Mahd-i-‘Iman | Mahd al-Ímán, Pers. Mahd-i-‘Ímán | cradle of the faith. Írán is the cradle of the Bahá’í Faith. |
| Mahd, Muhud | Mahd, pl. Muhúd | bed; cradle |
| Mahdi-Shahr (Mahdishahr) | Mahdí-Shahr (Mahdíshahr) | town of the Mahdí (Mehdishahr) City (35.711616, 53.355456) 175 km east of Teheran in Semnan Province. Formerly, Sang-Sar or Sangsar. |
| Mahdiy, Mahdi, Mihdiy, Mihdi | Mahdíy (Pers. also Mihdíy, Mihdí) | fem. mahdíyya[h]. rightly guided; English Mahdi; one who guides aright, the Guided One. A title of the twelfth (expected) Imám or Qá’im al-Mahdíy (“He who is guided by God”). |
| Mahdiya | Mahdíya[t] | a bride carried home to her husband’s house; a present, gift; “rightly guided (by God)”, state of being guided, mahdi-hood (avoid mahdí-hood, Arabic-English combination) |
| Mahdud | Maḥdúd | limited, bounded, separated, terminated, defined, definite |
| Mahduf (Mahzuf) | Maḥḍúf | taken away, cut off, elided (syllable from a word, or foot from a verse); apocopated; curtailed, docked, mutilated |
| Mahfil al-Murattab, Mahfil al-Murattab | Maḥfil al-Murattab | (Pers. Maḥfil-i-Murattab) “arranged assembly”, name given to the embryonic Central Assembly of Ṭihrán by the Hands of the Cause (about 1899), which was the predecessor of both the Local Spiritual Assembly of Ṭihrán (about 1913) and the National Spiritual Assembly of Írán (1934). |
| Mahfil-i-Rawhani | Maḥfil-i-Rawḥání | literally “spiritual gathering” or a “spiritual assembly” |
| Mahfil, Mahafil | Maḥfil, pl. Maḥáfil | assembly, congregation, meeting, gathering; party; body, collective whole; circle, quarter |
| Mahfurujak (Mahforujak, Mahfaruzak) | Máhfurújak | (“Mahforujak”, “Mafroosak”, Máhforújak, Máhforujak, and Máhfrújak) a village (36.505466, 52.969665) 10 km SW of Sari, 11 km NE Qá’im Shahr and about 30 km from the Caspian Sea, Mazandaran Province. |
| Mahfuz | Maḥfúẓ | guarded or preserved |
| Mahid | Mahíd | broken, shattered. Mahída Baghdádí, wife of Adíb Raḍí Baghdádí (named by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “the pleasing one”) |
| Mahin, Muhana’ | Mahín, pl. Muhaná’ | despised, despicable, contemptible, vile |
| Mahiya, Mahiyat (Pers. Mahiyyat) | Máhíya(h or t), pl. Máhíyát | quality, quiddity (the inherent nature or essence of someone or something), essence, nature; salary, income; pay (military).1 |
| Majma’-i-Abrar | Majma‘-i-Abrár | the gathering place of the righteous, e.g. the House of Justice. See barr (reverent). |
| Majma’ul-Fusaha’ | Majma‘ul-Fuṣaḥá’ | "The meeting place of the eloquent", “Assembly of eloquent men” by Ridá Qulí Khán Hidáyat |
| Majmu’ | Majmú‘ | collected, gathered; totality, whole; total, sum (arithmetic) |
| Majmu’a (Majmu’ih), Majmu’at, Majami’ | Majmú‘a[h or t], pl. Majmú‘át, Majámí‘ | (fem. of Majmú‘) collection (e.g., of works of art, of stamps, etc., also of stories); compilation, list; group (also, e.g., of trees, of islands, etc.); series (e.g., of articles in a newspaper; (new meaning) battery (electrical); alliance, league, bloc (e.g., of states); collective, collectivistic organization; aggregate; complex, block (of buildings); system; bulletin, periodical |
| Majmu’ih-i-Athar-i-Hadrat-i-A’la | Majmu‘ih-i-Áthár-i-Ḥaḍrat-i-A‘lá | Collection of letters by “His Holiness the Most Exalted One” [the Báb] |
| Majmu’ih-i-Khatabat-i-Hadrat | Majmú‘ih-i-Khaṭábat-i-Ḥaḍrat | Pers. Majmú‘ih-i-Khaṭábat-i-Ḥaḍrat-i-‘Abdu’l-Bahá “Collection of talks by His excellency ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”, published in English as The Promulgation of Universal Peace |
| Majmu’iy-i-Alwah-i-Mubarak | Majmú‘iy-i-Alwáḥ-i-Mubárak | “Compilation of Tablets of medicine by the Blessed” [Bahá’u’lláh] |
| Majmu’iy-i-Ishraqat | Majmú‘iy-i-Ishráqat | “Compilation of Splendours” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Majnun, Majanin | Majnún, pl. Majánín | possessed, obsessed; insane, mad; madman, maniac, lunatic; crazy, cracked; crackpot; foolish; fool. Name of classical Persian lover who searches for his beloved Laylí. |
| Majrur, Magarir | Majrúr, pl. Magárir | drawn, dragged, towed, etc.; word governed by a preposition, word in the genitive form; (pl.) drain, sewer |
| Majusi, Majus | Majúsí, pl. Majús | Magian; adherent of Mazdaism; a follower of Zoroaster; later translated as a “fire-worshipper”;—pl. Magian; Magus, magi; adherents of Mazdaism. Zoroastrians are not fire-worshippers. Zoroastrians believe that the elements are pure and that fire represents God’s light or wisdom. |
| Majusiyat | Majúsíyat | the religion of the Magi |
| Makatib-i-‘Abdu’l-Baha | Makátíb-i-‘Abdu’l-Bahá | “Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá” by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Makhdhumiya | Makhdhúmíya(h) | status of the master or employer |
| Makhfi | Makhfí | hidden, concealed, covered, occult, clandestine, private. Imám Makhfí, the Hidden Imam (Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan), has been given many titles, including: Ṣáḥib az-Zamán (“the Lord of the Age”), Ṣáḥíb al-Amr (“the Lord of Command”), al-Mihdí (“the Rightly-Guided One”), al-Qá’im (“He who will arise”), al-Imám al-Munṭaẓar (“the Awaited Imám”) and the Baqíya Alláh (“Remnant of God”). |
| Makhluq, Makhluqat, Makhliq | Makhlúq, pl. Makhlúqát, Mákhlíq | created; creature, created being |
| Makhluqat, Makhluqa, Makhaliq | Makhlúqat, Makhlúqa | a creature, a created thing;—pl. makhaliq, makhlúqát |
| Makhsus | Makhṣúṣ | special |
| Makhtum | Makhtúm | hidden, concealed, kept, preserved (secret), sealed, finished, concluded |
| Makhzum | Makhzúm | pierced in the nose; name of the founder of a tribe, Banú Makhzúm clan of the Quraysh tribe |
| Makhzun, Makhzunat | Makhzún, pl. Makhzúnát | stored, stored up, deposited, warehoused; (pl.) stock, supply, stock in trade |
| Makka | Makka[h or t] | a place of great concourse. Makkah is a more accurate spelling of Mecca, Official name is Makkah al-Mukarramah (“Makkah the Noble”) and shortened to Makkah. al-Bakka (Qur’án 3:96) may be an older name for al-Makkah. Bahá’í Writings use Baṭḥá’ to mean Makkah (Mecca). |
| Makki, Makkiya, Makkiyun | Makkí, fem. Makkíya[h or t] | (also fem. Makkiyya[h or t], pl. Makkiyún) Meccan; revealed at Mecca (i.e. a chapter of the Qur’án, ≈90). Abú Ṭálib Muḥammad ibn ‘Alí al-Makkí (d. 996) was a Ḥadíth scholar, Shafi‘i jurist, and Sufi mystic. Author of Qúṭ al-qulúb fí mu‘ámalat al-maḥbúb wa waṣf ṭaríq al-muríd ilá maqám al-tawḥíd (“Strengthening the hearts in treating the beloved and describing the path of the disciple to the station of monotheism” or simply “The Sustenance of Hearts”) |
| Maknun, Maknuna, Maknunih | Maknún, fem. Maknúna(t) | hidden, concealed; well-kept; hidden content. Pers. also Maknúnih |
| Maktab, Makatib | Maktab, pl. Makátib | office; bureau; business office; study; school, elementary school; department, agency, office; desk |
| Maktaba, Maktabat, Makatib | Maktaba(h), pl. Maktabát, Makátib | library; bookstore; desk |
| Maktub, Makatib | Maktúb, pl. Makátíb | written, written down, recorded; fated, foreordained, destined; something written, writing;—(pl.) a writing, message, note; letter |
| Maku | Mákú | Pers. from Azerbaijani. A city in the West Azerbaijan Province, Írán and the capital of Maku County. It is 130 km NE of Van and 205 km NW Tabriz. Located in a mountain gorge of the Zangmár River. Máh-Kú Qal‘a (fort or castle, now a ruin), 4 km east of the new city centre of Mákú, is where the Báb was imprisoned. See Máh-Kú. |
| Maku’i | Mákú’í | a native or inhabitant of Mákú. Maḥmúd Pásháy-i-Mákú’í |
| Mal’ak, Malak, Mala’ik, Mala’ika | Mal’ak & Malak, pl. Malá’ik, Malá’ika(h) | an angel (as sent by God); messenger, envoy; embassy, mission; an epistle. Derived from the form IV root كلأ (L’K) to send as a messenger. |
| Mala al-A’la | al-Mala al-A‘lá | “the Supreme Concourse” |
| Mala’, Amla’ | Mala’, pl. Amlá’ | being full, crowd, gathering, assembly, congregation; audience; (general) public; council of elders, notables |
| Maladh | Maládh | refuge, protection; shelter; asylum, sanctuary; protector |
| Maladhgard, Manikert, Malazgirt | Maládhgard | Manzikert (modern Malazgirt or Malâzgird) located north of Lake Van in Muş Province, eastern Türkiye. The Battle of Manzikert was fought between the Byzantine Empire and the Seljuk Empire on 26 August 1071 near Manzikert. The Byzantine army defeat led to the capture of the Romanus IV Diogenes (r. 1068–1071). |
| Malaka, Malk, Mulk, Milk | Malaka (Malk, Mulk, Milk) | to take in possession, take over, acquire (something), seize, lay hands (on), possess oneself, take possession, lay hold (of); to possess, own, have (something), be the owner (of); to dominate, control (something): to be master (of); to role, reign, exercise power or authority, hold sway; to be capable (of), be equal (to). Hence, milk al-yamín, those whom your right hand possesses, e.g. women slaves |
| Malaki | Malakí | royal, kingly, regal; monarchic, sovereign; monarchist; angelic |
| Malakiya, Malakiyat | Malakíya, pl. Malakíyát | monarchy, kingship, royalty |
| Malakut | Malakút | realm, kingdom, empire; kingship, royalty, sovereignty. ‘álami malakút, the invisible, contemplative, or intelligent world; the heavenly court, hall of angels; Kingdom of Angels—realm of being. See Háhút, Láhút, Jabarút and Násút. |
| Malakuti, Malakutiya | Malakútí, fem. Malakútíya[h or t] | divine, heavenly, celestial |
| Malamat | Malámat | reproaching, reproving, blaming; reprehension, reproach, rebuke, censure; criticism; contumely |
| Malayir | Maláyir | city SSE of Ḥamdán, Írán |
| Malfuf | Malfúf | wound, coiled; wrapped up (in); rolled up, rolled together, convolute; twisted, wound (around); fastened, attached (to); swathed (in or with); plump, stout (body) |
| Malih, Maliha (Malihih), Millah, Amlah | Malíḥ, pl. Milláḥ, Amláḥ | (fem. Malíḥa[h or t]) salt, salty, briny, salted; pretty, handsome, comely; beautiful; nice, pleasant, agreeable; witty |
| Malik Jahan Khanum | Malik Jahán Khánum | Malik Jahán Khánum Qájár (1805–1873) was the wife of Muḥammad Sháh Qájár of Persia and the mother of Náṣir ad-Dín Sháh. She was the de facto regent of Persia for about 45 days. See Náṣir ad-Dín Sháh Qájár. |
| Malik, Malika, Mulaka | Malík, fem. Malíka, pl. Mulaká’ | king, monarch, ruler; master, possessor, owner, proprietor. See sulṭán (a higher level of sovereignty) |
| Malik, Malika, Muluk, Amlak, Malikat | Malik, fem. Malika(h), pl. Mulúk, Amlák | king or queen, sovereign, monarch; present a gift to the king or queen.—pl. fem. Malikát |
| Malik, Mullak | Málik, pl. Mullak, Mullák | reigning, ruling; owning, possessing, holding; owner, proprietor, master, possessor, holder. ibn Málik, Abú ‘Abd Alláh Jamál ad-Dín Muḥammad (c. 1204–1274) was an Arab grammarian. |
| Maliki | Málikí, pl. Mullákí | state of master, mastership; royal, kingly; lordly. A Malikite is a Sunní muslim sect member of al-málikíya—one of the four (the Ḥanafí, the Ḥanbalí, the Málikí and the Sháfi‘í) religious Sunní Islamic schools of jurisprudence (fiqh). Founded by Málik ibn Anas of Medina. |
| Maliku’l-Fadl | Malíku’l-Faḍl | the lord of grace |
| Maliku’l-Mulk, Malik al-Mulk | Máliku’l-Mulk, Málik al-Mulk | “The Owner of All Sovereignty” |
| Maliku’t-Tujjar | Maliku’t-Tujjár | (“the King of the Merchants”) DB 447 |
| Maliya (Maliyyih), Maliyat | Málíya(t), Pers also Máliyyih, pl. Málíyát | monetary affairs, finance, public revenue; finances, financial situation |
| Malja’, Malaji’ | Malja’, pl. Maláji’ | (place of) refuge, retreat; shelter; sanctuary, asylum; home; base; pillbox, bunker, dugout |
| Malkam | Malkam | name from Hebrew (מַלְכָּם) “their king” |
| Malmir | Málmír | a village 65 km SW of Arák, in Markazí province, Írán |
| Malmiri | Málmírí | of or from Málmír |
| Mamaqan | Mamaqán | city 50 km south of Zanján, Írán. Other variations found are Mámáqán and Mamáqán. |
| Mamduh, Mamduhin | Mamdúḥ, pl. Mamdúḥín | praised, celebrated, famous, laudable, commendable |
| Mamlaka, Mamalik | Mamlaka[h or t], pl. Mamálik | kingdom, empire, state, country; royal power, sovereignty. Mameluke Dynasty is Salṭanat al-Mamálík. |
| Mamluk, Mamluka, Mamalik | Mamlúk, fem. Mamlúka(t), pl. Mamálík | possessed, in one’s power; a purchased slave or captive;—pl. white slave; mameluke; Mameluke. A term commonly used to refer to non-muslim slave soldiers and Muslim rulers of slave origin. |
| Man | Man | 1. (interrogative pronoun) who? which one? which ones? 2. (relative pronoun) who; the one who; those who; one who; whoever, whosoever, everyone who, he who. |
| Man | Mán | Pers. a lord; a family; household furniture; hereditary property, an heirloom; a house; grief, melancholy; disease; besides; like, resembling; agreeable; eternal, perpetual; (for má) we, us, our |
| Man Yuzhiruhu’llah | Man Yuẓhiruhu’lláh | (man + yu + ẓahara + Alláh) “He/Him whom God shall make manifest”. Title given by the Báb to the promised One. “He Who is made manifest in the past and in the future” and “Him Whom God has manifested and will manifest” are other renderings. |
| Manaf | Manáf | name of a pagan Arabian idol. ‘Abd Manáf al-Mughírah ibn Quṣayy was a Qurayshí and great-great-grandfather of Prophet Muhammad. |
| Manakji (Manikji, Manekji, Manikchi) | Mánakjí | Mánakjí Límjí Hátariyá (1813–1890) (Maneckji Limji Hataria) was an Indian scholar and civil rights activist of Parsi Zoroastrian descent. Sent as emissary of the Parsis of India to the Zoroastrians of Írán (1854–1890). Known in India as Mánikchí Ṣáḥíb. Hindi suffix ‘jí’ appended to names and titles of venerated persons as a sign of respect and endearment. |
| Manar, Manara, Manawir, Mana’ir | Manár and Manára[h or t] | pl. manáwir, maná’ir. Lighthouse; minaret. Pers. variation minár (“minar”). |
| Manassa (Manassih), Manassat | Manaṣṣa[h or t], pl. Manaṣṣát | platform, podium, rostrum; a raised seat highly decorated, on which the bride is exhibited to public view; any place of exhibition, a theatre. |
| Manba’, Manabi’ | Manba‘, pl. Manábi‘ | spring, well; fountainhead, springhead, source, origin |
| Manda’iyun | al-Mandá’iyún | Mandaean (“Gnostic”, from the Mandaic word manda meaning "knowledge"). Also known as Sabians (aṣ-Ṣábi’ah) or Sabian-Mandaeans (aṣ-Ṣábi’ah al-Mandá’iyún) are an ethno-religious group, native to the alluvial plain of southern Mesopotamia who are followers of Mandaeism. They were possibly the earliest to practice baptism and may have originated Gnosticism. In Muslim countries, Mandaeans are mostly called Sabians (aṣ-Ṣábiʼún). See Ṣábi’. |
| Mandal | Mandal | Pers. a pivot or axis; an enchanter’s circle marked on the ground, within which people sit when endeavouring to conjure up demons or spirits; a kind of drum; latch of a door; a boot; wood of aloes |
| Mandali (Mandalij) | Mandalí | a town (33.747878, 45.552305) in ‘Iráq near the Iranian border |
| Mangul, Mangulat | Mangúl, pl. Mangúlát | carried, conveyed, transported; transferred; transmitted; translated; copied, transcribed; movable, mobile, portable; handed down, traditional; traditional stock;—pl. a movable thing |
| Manhaj, Minhaj, Manahij | Manhaj, Minhaj, pl. Manáhij | open, plain, easy road, highway, path; manner, procedure, method; program; course |
| Mani | Mání | Pers. thou remainest; thou resemblest; rare, uncommon; name of a celebrated Persian painter, the founder of the sect of the Manicheans. |
| Mani’, Mawani’, Mani’at | Máni‘, pl. Mawáni‘, Máni‘át | refusing, denying, hindering, forbidding, etc.; preventive; prohibitive; difficult of access; impediment, obstacle, hindrance;—(pl. mawáni‘) hindrance, obstacle, obstruction; impediment; a preventive, preservative; objection;—(pl. máni‘át) cutout, anti-interference device (radio). From the root mana‘a withholder, shielder, defender. |
| Mani’, Muna’a | Maní‘, pl. Muna‘á’ | unapproachable, inaccessible, impervious, impenetrable, forbidding; well-fortified; mighty, strong, powerful; impregnable, unconquerable; insurmountable, insuperable, invincible, immune |
| Mani’i-Usku’i | Maní’i-Uskú’í | |
| Manish | Manish | Pers. greatness of soul, magnanimity, authority, gravity, dignity; liberality; nature, genius; constitution, temperament, disposition, good-nature, cheerfulness, content; the heart; pride, arrogance; desire, wish |
| Mankib, Manakib | Mankib, pl. Manákib | shoulder; side, flank; highland, upland. Qur’án 67:15 |
| Manluki, Mamlukiya | Mamlúkí, fem. Mamlúkíya[h or t] | slavery; captivity |
| Mann, Amnan | Mann, pl. Amnán | gracious bestowal; favour; benefit, blessing, boon; gift, present, largess; honeydew; manna; a measure for dry goods; a maund (weight); a weight of 2 raṭl (Persian weight). There are two Pers. weights: 1) Normal mann—about 3 kg. 2) king mann or mann-i-sháhí’ is equal to 6.6 kg. The Writings usually refer to the later. |
| Mannan, Mannana | Mannán, fem. Mannána[h or t] | kind, kindly, benign, gracious; munificent, liberal, generous; benefactor; al-Mannán (one of the attributes of God) the Benefactor |
| Manqul wa ma’qul | Manqúl wa ma‘qúl | literally, “transferred and reasonable”, i.e. “desumed” (select or borrow (from traditional) knowledge) versus “excognitated” (thought out, plan, devise) knowledge (Memorials of the Faithful, p. 156) |
| Manqul, Manqulat | Manqúl, pl. Manqúlát | carried, conveyed, transported; transferred; transmitted; translated; copied, transcribed; movable, mobile, portable; handed down, traditional; traditional stock |
| Mansha’ | Mansha’, Manshá | a place where anyone grows up; one’s native soil; principal, beginning, origin, source, spring, motive; object, design, purport, drift, provision (of a law, etc.); allusion; exordium, or argument of any composition |
| Manshad | Manshád | village 43 km SSW of Yazd (31°31′45″N 54°13′11″E) |
| Manshadi | Manshádí | from Manshád |
| Manshiya (Manshiyya, Manshiyyih) | Manshíya[h or t] | al-Manshíya was a Palestinian village (32.932008, 35.090549), now part of NE ‘Akká that is 1.3 km south of Bahjí. The village was (except for the Abú ‘Aṭíya mosque, the Islamic school for orphans and a handful of old houses) largely destroyed in 1948. Iṣfahání Persian al-Manshíyyih. |
| Mansub, Mansubat | Manṣúb, pl. Manṣúbát | erected; set-up, raised; planted in the ground; fixed, fastened, attached; installed in office; levelled, aimed (cannon; at); (pl.) word in the accusative or subjunctive. See fá‘il, maf‘úl and marfú‘ |
| Mansur (Mansour), Mansura | Manṣúr, fem. Manṣúra(h or t) | supported, aided (by God); victorious, triumphant; victor; “rendered victorious”. al-Manṣúr is a district in western Baghdád. In the NE of the district is the Washshásh neighbourhood. al-Manṣúra is a city 115 km north of Cairo—named after the Egyptian victory over Louis IX of France during the Seventh Crusade. |
| Mansuri | Manṣúrí | |
| Mansus | Manṣúṣ | manifested, declared; expressly stated in a text, authoritative, indisputable |
| Manthur | Manthúr | scattered, dispersed, strewn about; prosaic, prose; wall-flower, gillyflower |
| Mantiq | Manṭiq | (faculty of) speech; manner of speaking, diction, enunciation; eloquence; logic |
| Mantiqu’t-Tayr | Manṭiqu’ṭ-Ṭayr | “The Conference of the Birds” by Shaykh Farídu’d-Dín ‘Aṭṭár, where birds search for Símurgh, and pass through the seven valleys of Search, Love, Knowledge, Independence, Unification, Amazement, Destitution and Annihilation. |
| Manu, Minu | Manú, Minú | Pers. paradise, heaven; high, sublime |
| Manuchihr (Manuchehr, Minuchihr) | Manúchihr (Manú + chihr) | Old Per. the eighth mythical Sháh of the Pishdadian (Pishdádiyan) dynasty of Persia according to Sháhnámah. His great-grandfather was Fereydun (Farídún). |
| Manyal | Manyal | “Nilometre”. Qaṣr al-Manyal (Manial Palace) in the El Manial district of Cairo. |
| Manzar, Manazir | Manẓar, pl. Manáẓir | sight; view, panorama; look(s), appearance, aspect; prospect, outlook, perspective; an object soon or viewed, photographic object; scene (of a play); spectacle; stage setting, set, scenery; place commanding a sweeping view; lookout, watchtower. Used in Tablet of Aḥmad (appearance/manifestation). See maẓhar and ẓuhúr |
| Manzara, Manazir | Manẓara(h or t), pl. Manáẓir | (fem. form of Manẓar) place commanding a scenic view; view, scenery, landscape, panorama; watchtower, observatory; guestroom, reception room, drawing room, parlour |
| Manzariyih, Manzariyeh | Manẓaríyih | city 81 km south of Iṣfahán. Manẓariyyih caravanserai (34.891092, 50.819865) on Teheran-Qom Old Rd. |
| Manzil, Manzila, Manazil | Manzil, fem. Manzila[h or t] | (pl. Manázil, Manzil-há, fem. Manzilát) Turkish menzil. stopping place (temporary), way station, camp site; apartment, flat; house; a bow-shot distance (about 230 m);—fem. degree, grade, rank; position, status, standing; dignity. |
| Maqal, Maqala, Maqalat | Maqál, fem. Maqála[h or t] | (fem. pl. maqálát) speech; proposition, contention, teaching, doctrine; article; treatise; piece of writing |
| Maqala Shakhsi Sayyah | Maqála-i-Shakhṣí Sayyáḥ | ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, given the English title A Traveller’s Narrative. Full title Maqálát-i-Shakhṣí Sayyáḥ kih dar qaḍíyat-i-Báb niwishta ast can be roughly translated as “A traveller’s personal narrative describing the Cause of the Báb”. |
| Maqala, Maqalat, Maqalih | Maqála[h], (Pers. Maqálih), pl. Maqálát | article; essay; treatise; piece of writing; narrative |
| Maqam (“Makam”, Magam), Maqamat | Maqám, pl. Maqámát | site, location, position; place, spot, point, locality; situation; station; standing, position, rank, dignity; tomb of a saint, sacred place; key, tonality, mode (music). Melodic modes used in traditional Arabic music. Ṣúfí spiritual stations. The Shrine of the Báb was called Maqám by Persian Bahá’ís (The Priceless Pearl, p. 235). |
| Maqam-i-A’la | Maqám-i-A‘lá | “Exalted Spot”, a title given to the Shrine of the Báb by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Maqam-i-Khidr | Maqám-i-Khiḍr | The Lower Cave of Elijah, blessed by the footsteps of Bahá’u’lláh for three days (according to Memoirs of Dr Ḥabíb Mu’ayyad, 2:258) and of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for about two months (according to an unpublished manuscript). See also David S. Ruhe, Door of Hope, pp. 186–88. |
| Maqam-i-Mahmud | Maqám-i-Maḥmúd | “Praiseworthy Station”, the rank of Prophets endowed with constancy |
| Maqam-i-Nuzul, Maqam-i-‘Uruj | Maqám-i-Nuzúl, Maqám-i-‘Urúj | 1. Maqám-i-‘Urúj: Stations of descent, literally “bringing forth”. Ends in material realities (‘Abdu’l-Bahá)—going away from God. 2. Maqám-i-‘Urúj: the Stations of ascent (circle of existence) ends in spiritual realities. Concept held by some Sufis. See Qaws-i-Nuzúl, Qaws-i-‘Urúj |
| Maqbil | Maqbil | place of pilgrimage |
| Maqama, Maqama | Maqáma[h or t], pl. Maqámát | (fem. of maqám) sitting, session, meeting |
| Maqami | Maqámí | local; resident, stationary |
| Maqbul, Maqbula | Maqbúl, fem. Maqbúla[h or t] | acceptable, reasonable; satisfactory; pleasing, obliging, complaisant, amiable; well-liked, likable, popular, welcome |
| Maqdis | Maqdis | a holy place |
| Maqsud | Maqṣúd | aimed at, intended; intentional, designed, deliberate; meant |
| Maqsur | Maqṣúr | confined (to); restricted, limited |
| Maqsura, Maqsurat, Maqasir | Maqṣúra[h or t], pl. Maqṣúrát, Maqáṣír | palace; cabinet, closet; compartment; box or stall in a mosque near the mihrab (miḥráb), reserved for the ruler; (theatre, cinema) box, loge; the detached portion of a mosque set aside for the communal prayer, and frequently enclosing the tomb of the patron saint; (prisoner’s) dock; chapel (in a church) |
| Maqtal, Maqatil | Maqtal, pl. Maqátil | murder, death; murderous battle;—(pl.) vital part of the body (the injury of which will bring about death), mortal spot, mortal organ; Achilles’ heel, vulnerable spot |
| Mar | Már | lord (Christian title preceding the names of saints), saint |
| Marad, Amrad | Maraḍ, pl. Amráḍ | disease, malady, ailment; illness, sickness |
| Maragh, Maragha (Maragheh, Maraghih) | Marágh, fem. Marágha[h or t] | a place where (a horse) rolls himself about or sleeps; (in Pers.) rolling about. Marágha (37.390004, 46.236306) is a ancient city 77 km south of Tabríz, Azarbaiján. |
| Maraghi, Maraghiya | Marághí, fem. Marághíya[h or t] | from or of the city of Marágha or the Marágh tribe. ‘Abdu’l-‘Alí Khán-i-Marághi’í. |
| Marand (Morand) | Marand | city (38.431662, 45.773375) in East Ádharbáyján province, 60 km NW of Tabríz. |
| Marathiyya-Khan | Maráthiyya-Khán | reciter of poems about the death of Imám Ḥusayn. Pers. Maráthiyyih-Khán |
| Marathiyya-Khani | Maráthiyya-Khání | recitals of the sufferings of the Imams |
| Mard, Mardan | Mard, pl. Mardán | Pers. man, hero, warrior; brave, bold |
| Mardah, Marzi | Marḍáh, Pers. Marẓí | a means affording satisfaction or gratification; satisfaction, pleasure. See Raḍíya |
| Mardana | Mardána | Pers. brave, manly; courageously, vigorously; what belongs to a man (as male apartments). See zanána. |
| Mardi | Mardí | Pers. manliness, virility, valour; bold, brave, warlike |
| Mardin | Márdín | A city in SE Türkiye |
| Mardi, Mardiya (Mardiyya, Marziyya) | Mardí, fem. Marḍíyá[h or t], pl. Marḍíyát | (Pers. Marḍiyyih, Marẓiyyih, “Marzia”, “Marzieh”) accepted, well-pleased, one who is pleasing. Marẓíya, sister of Qurratu’l-‘Ayn (Ṭáhirih). ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote to Marzieh Nabíl Carpenter Gail (neé Khán) (1908–1993): ‘O God, make her who is pleasing to God (Marzieh), well-pleased with God (Razieh).” Arches of the years, p. 82, referring to Qur’án 89:28. See Marḍáh and Ráḍíya |
| Marfu’ | Marfú‘ | traceable in ascending order of traditions to Muḥammad (Prophetic tradition); (grammar) in the nominative or indicative, respectively. See fá‘il, maf‘úl and manṣúb |
| Marhab, Marhaba | Marḥab, fem. Marḥab[h or t] | amplitude, largeness; spacious, wide; fem. “you are welcome!” |
| Marhaba, Marhaba-an | Marḥabá, Marḥab-an | make yourself at ease! Welcome, may your arrival be happy! God bless you! Well done! |
| Mariah | Máríah | Mary |
| Marj, Muruj | Marj, pl. Murúj | grass-covered steppe; pasture land; meadow; sending to pasture, allowing (cattle) to feed at liberty; mixing; permitting (the seas) to flow and mingle together (God); disturbance, mixture, confusion |
| Marja’ | Marja‘ | Pers. bringing back, restoring; return; time or place of return; a rendezvous, place of reference, refuge; a goal; (in grammar) antecedent; repetition; ultimate object |
| Marja’u’t-Taqlid | Marja‘u’t-Taqlíd | lit. reference point for emulation. Un-elided forms: Marja‘ at-taqlíd (Pers. Marja‘-i-taqlíd). One who through his learning and probity is qualified to be followed in all points of religious practice and law by the generality of Shi’is. |
| Marjan, Murjan, Marjana | Marján, Murján, fem. Marjána[h or t] | (collective; nomen unitatis ة) small pearls; corals. Qur’án 55:22 contains the words lu’lu’ and maján, which are often translated as “pearls, both great and small” rather than as “pearls and coral”. This is preceded by Qur’án 55:19 where “two seas” meet—it is assumed one is salty and the other fresh. Although there are freshwater pearls, there are no freshwater corals. These terms must be symbolic, as confirmed by the following: “Happiness is the surging ocean in the depths of which the diver finds the pearls of resignation and the corals of renunciation.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Star of the West, vol. XIII, no. 6, p. 153 September 1922. Persian meaning includes: Pers. life, soul; a step-son; a robust man. Marjánih was the mother of ‘Ubayd Alláh ibn Ziyád. |
| Majma’ al-Abrar | Majma‘ al-Abrár | the gathering place of the righteous, i.e. the House of Justice |
| Majma’, Majma’a, Majami’ | Majma‘, fem. Majma‘a[h or t] | pl. Majámi‘. place where two or more things meet, place or point of union, junction; meeting, congregation, convention, assembly |
| Marji, Maraji | Marji‘, pl. Maráji‘ | return; authority to which one turns or appeals; place of refuge, retreat; recourse resort; authority, responsible agency; source (esp. scientific), authoritative reference work; resource; starting point, origin; recourse |
| Markaz al-‘Ahd, Markaz-i-‘Ahd | Markaz al-‘Ahd, Pers. Markaz-i-‘Ahd | “The Centre of the Covenant”, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Markaz Mithaqihi, Markaz-i-Mithaqihi | Markaz Mítháqihi (Pers. Markaz-i-Mítháqihi) | “Centre of His Covenant”. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was appointed as the Centre of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh with men. |
| Markaz-i-Athar | Markaz-i-Áthár | (the centre of relics, the Archives) |
| Markaz, Marakiz | Markaz, pl. Marákiz | foothold; stand, station; place where someone is posted or stationed; post; (police, etc.) station; office, branch office (commerce); locality where something takes place, scene, site, seat; position (military); headquarters; main office, central office; central exchange (telephone) |
| Markazi | Markazí | central; district (used attributively). Raḍawí Khurásán or Markazí Khurásán, a province in Írán. |
| Martaba al-Jami’ | Martaba(t) al-Jámi‘ | the comprehensive stage |
| Martaba, Maratib | Martaba(t), pl. Marátib | step, stage; a step-like elevation serving as a seat; mattress; grade, degree, rank, class |
| Marthiya, Martha’, Maratin | Marthiya(h), Marthá’, pl. Maráthin | elegy, dirge, epicedium;—pl. funeral orations. Pers. singular also Marthiyyih |
| Marut | Márút | great; name of a king; name of an angel, and companion of Hárút (Qur’án 2:102). See Hárút |
| Marvdasht | Marvdasht | town in Írán |
| Marw, Marv | Marw, Pers. Marv | Merv (37.666001, 62.174061), located near Mary, Turkenistan |
| Marwa | Marwa(h or t) | a flint-stone. al-Marwah is a small rock outcrop with flints in Mecca, which Muslims believe to be the biblical Moriah where Abraham went to sacrifice Ishmael (according to most Muslims, this is confirmed by Bahá’u’lláh). Biblical Moriah is associaated with Mount Gerizim (near Nablus) or the Jerusalem Upper Eastern Hill (“Temple Mount”, Zion #2). See Ṣahyún. |
| Marwan (Maruan), Marvan | Marwán, Pers. also Marván | stone from al-Marwah used to make fire in ancient times. Also it means a very strong lion and leader. Name of 4th and 14th Umayyad Caliphs |
| Marwanid | Marwánid | Marwanids (990–1085) were a Kurdish Muslim dynasty in the Diyár Bakr region of Upper Mesopotamia (present day northern ‘Iráq and SE Türkiye) and Armenia |
| Maryam | Maryam | Mary, Maria. Maryam, Bahá’u’lláh’s cousin, sister-in-law, friend, and faithful follower |
| Maryam-Abad (Maryamabad) | Maryam-Ábád | Pers. a small village (31.141625, 53.242450) in Yazd Province, 180 km NNE of Shíráz |
| Mas’ala, Masa’il | Masa’ala[h or t], pl. Masá’il | question; issue, problem; matter, affair, case; request |
| Mas’ud Mirza | Mas‘úd Mírzá | (1850–1918), eldest son of Náṣir ad-Dín Sháh, but not the crown prince since his mother was a concubine. He was known as Yamín-ad-Dawla and as Ẓillu’s-Sulṭán, but Bahá’u’lláh referred to him as the Infernal Tree (Zaqqúm). |
| Mas’ud-Kaldih | Mas‘úd-Kaldih | |
| Mas’ud, Masa’id | Mas‘úd, pl. Masá‘íd | happy, lucky, fortunate, prosperous, blessed; favourable; august; a proper name |
| Mas’udi | Mas‘údí | happiness, prosperity. Abú al-Ḥasan ‘Alí ibn al-Ḥusayn ibn ‘Alí al-Mas‘údí (c. 896–956) was an Arab historian, geographer and traveller. al-Mas‘údí was one of the first to combine history and scientific geography in a large-scale work, The Meadows of Gold and Mines of Gems (Murúj adh-Dhahab wa Ma‘ádin al-Jawhar), is an historical account in Arabic of the beginning of the world starting with Adam and Eve up to and through the late Abbasid Caliphate. |
| Masabih as-Sunnah | Maṣábíḥ as-Sunnah | Lamps of Tradition by al-Ḥusayn ibn Mas‘úd al-Baghawí. See miṣbáḥ and Mishkátu’l-Maṣábíḥ |
| Masabih-i-Hidayat | Maṣábíḥ-i-Hidáyat | “Lamps of Guidance” (9 volumes, 1950–1975) by ‘Azízu’lláh Sulaymání. Biographical accounts of 99 prominent Bahá’ís. |
| Masad, Misad, Amsad | Masad (collective), pl. Misád, Amsád | palm fibres, raffia |
| Masdar-i-Amr | Maṣdar-i-Amr | mystic source, source divine command, source of revelation |
| Masdar, Masadir | Maṣdar, pl. Maṣádir | starting point, point of origin; origin, source (fig.); (gram.) infinitive, verbal noun; absolute or internal object |
| Mash’ar, Masha’ir | Mash‘ar, pl. Mashá‘ir | cultic shrine for ceremonies of the ḥajj; sensory organ;—pl. senses, feelings, sensations. Pers. explanation: a place dedicated to religious ceremonies, or where sacrifices are offered. al-Mash‘ar al-Ḥarám, open-roofed mosque “The Scared Grove” between Miná and ‘Arafat, east of Mecca. |
| Mash’arihi’l-Fu’ad | Mash‘arihi’l-Fu’ád | “Sanctuary of His Heart” |
| Masha’u’llah or Ma Sha’u’llah | Máshá’u’lláh or Má Shá’u’lláh | What God wills (Má + Shá’a + Alláh, “Mashallah”) |
| Mashaf, Mushaf, Masahif | Maṣḥaf, Muṣḥaf, dual Maṣḥafayn | (pl. Maṣáḥif) volume; book; a page, written leaf; a PHYSICAL, written copy of the Qur’án (Sharíf maṣḥaf, the “Noble book”);—pl. books, volumes; multiple PHYSICAL, written copies of the Qur’án (there is ONLY one Qur’án or revelation). Muṣḥaf Fáṭimah (“Book of Fatimah”)—there is a legend that Gabriel brought this book to console Fáṭima after the death of her father. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá described it as “a name without form and a title without reality”. See Kalimát-i-Maknúnih, Ṣaḥífiy-i-Fáṭimíyyih, and Qur’án. |
| Mashhad-Sar (Mashhadsar) | Mashhad-Sar (Mashhadsar) | “the special way to Mashhad”, referring to the only road connecting the northwest of Írán to the northeast, including Mashhad, which passed through Mashhadsar, a busy commercial port (36.703148, 52.650692) by the 18th century on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea. Renamed Bábulsar in 1927. An important port for Bárfurúsh, 12 km to the south, but from 1895 increased competition came from ports in Gílán. |
| Mashhad, Mashahid | Mashhad, pl. Masháhid | place of assembly, assembly, meeting; place where a martyr or hero died; religious shrine venerated by the people, especially the tomb of a saint; funeral cortege; profession; view, aspect, spectacle, sight, scenery; place or object of interest; scene (e.g., of a crime, of nature); act, number (as part of a program, e.g., in vaudeville), scene (in theatre, as part of a play); aspect. Capital of Khurásán (Khorasan), Írán, shrine city of Imám Riḍá. |
| Mashhadi (“Mashdi”), Mashhadi-Ha | Mashhadí, pl. Mashhadi-há | of or from Mashhad. Also used for a Muslim who has performed the pilgrimage to Mashhad. Slang form is Mashdí. |
| Mashhud | Mashhúd | taking place in the presence of spectators or witnesses; happening before a large audience, well-attended; memorable (day, event) |
| Mashhur, Mashahir | Mashhúr, pl. Masháhír | well-known, widely known, renowned, famous, celebrated; notorious, ill-reputed; wide-spread, common; a famous, celebrated personality, a celebrity; accepted, established, canonical (textual variant, version of the Qur’án) |
| Mashi’a | Mashí’a[h or t] | volition, will; wish, desire |
| Mashi’a, Mashiya | Mashí’a[h or t] (Mashíya[h or t]) | will, pleasure; will of God, fate |
| Mashkuk | Mashkúk | doubted, doubtful, uncertain, problematical; ambiguous; altered, tampered with |
| Mashriq, Mashariq | Mashriq, pl. Masháriq | place of sunrise, east; place of rise; the Orient, the East; resplendent, radient, shining |
| Mashriqu’l-Adhkar, Mashariqu’l-Adhkar | Mashriqu’l-Adhkár | Dawning-place of the praises, prayers, remembrances or mentions of God. “The place of prayers”. Title for a purpose built Bahá’í House of Worship (restrictive meaning as used by Shoghi Effendi).—pl. Masháriqu’l-Adhkár “places of prayers”. |
| Mashrut | Mashrúṭ | agreed upon, stipulated; pledged, under obligation; conditional, contingent |
| Mashrutah, Mashrutih | Mashrúṭah, Pers. Mashrúṭih | Ar. conditional; Pers. constitutional |
| Mashsha’, Mashsha’un | Mashshá’, pl. Mashshá’ún | goodwalker; walker (athletics). Word used in Arabic for a peripatetic—see peripatetic |
| Mashwar, Mashura, Mashwarat | Mashwar, Mashúr | (fem. Mashwara[h or t], Mashúra[h or t], pl. Mashwarát) consultation, deliberation, conference; counsel, advice, suggestion |
| Mashy (Mashi) | Mashy | going, walking; walk |
| Mashyakha, Mashayikh, Masha’ikh | Mashyakha, pl. Masháyikh, Mashá’ikh | Ar. office, or dignity, of a sheik; sheikdom (in general, specifically, anyone of the semi-independent territories on the Persian Gulf); an administrative subdivision in Tunisia; professorate (e.g., of al-Azhar). See Shaykh |
| Masih, Musaha’ | Masíḥ, pl. Musaḥá’ | anointed; wiped, clean, smooth; al-Masíḥ the Messiah, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) From Meshiah (Hebrew). |
| Masiha | Masíḥá | Pers. Christ, the Messiah; a Christian |
| Masiha’i | Masíḥá’í | Pers. Christ-like; of the Messiah; the office or works of the Messiah |
| Masihi, Masihiyat | Masíḥí, fem. Masíḥíya[h or t] | (pl. Masíḥíyát) Christian; appertaining to Christ; Messianic;—pl. a Christian. al-masíḥíya Christendom; Christianity, the Christian faith. |
| Masikh | Masíkh | transformed; disfigured, defaced, deformed, ugly; tasteless, insipid, stale (“a monster”)—refer to Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 40 |
| Masil or Mawsil (Mausil) | al-Mawṣil or al-Maṣil | Mosul, Iraq |
| Masjid al-Aqsa | al-Masjid al-Aqṣá | “remotest mosque”, Aqṣá Mosque, near the Dome of the Rock |
| Masjid al-Haram | al-Masjid al-Ḥarám | the Noble Mosque, the main Mosque in Mecca within which is the cubic building (al-Ka‘ba, the “Kaaba” or al-Ka‘ba al-Musharrafah, the exalted “Kaaba”) |
| Masjid an-Naw, Masjid-i-Naw | Masjid an-Naw, Pers. Masjid-i-Naw | The New Mosque in Shíráz (29.611165, 52.541850) |
| Masjid Jami’, Masjid-i-Jami’ | Masjid Jámi‘, Pers. Masjid-i-Jámi‘ | “congregational mosque”, Friday mosque or grand mosque. Often the main mosque of an area. |
| Masjid-i-Jahan Numa | Masjid-i-Jahán Numá | Pers. “mosque commanding view of the world”. Mosque in Delhi, now commonly called Masjid-i-Jámi‘. |
| Masjid-i-Kufih | Masjid-i-Kúfih | (MF) |
| Masjid-i-Masha’u’llah | Masjid-i-Mashá’u’lláh | the Báb’s remains were hidden overnight in this abandoned building near Ṭihrán, between the Sháh ‘Abdu’l-‘Azím Shrine and Chashma ‘Alí. |
| Masjid-i-Shah or Masjid-i-Sultani | Masjid-i-Sháh or Masjid-i-Sulṭání | Shah or Royal Mosque in Ṭihrán. Renamed Masjid-i-Imám in 1979. Shaykh Muḥammad-Taqí Falsafí preached an incendiary sermon against the Bahá’ís during Ramaḍan 1955. |
| Masjid, Masajid | Masjid, pl. Masájid | (Literally, place of prostration) mosque. |
| Maslak, Masalik | Maslak, pl. Masálik | way, road, path; course of action, policy; procedure, method |
| Maslama | Maslama(h or t) | Maslamah bin Ḥabíb (the name was scorned by Muslims to Musaylimah, meaning reduced or little Maslamah), he was one of a series of people (including his wife, Sajáḥ) claiming to be a prophet, and he was a “rival” of Muḥammad. The epithet kadhdháb, “liar”, is usually affixed: Musaylimah al-Kadhdháb (Musaylimah the Arch-Liar). See Muṣaghghara and Yamáma. |
| Masqat, Masqit, Masaqit | Masqaṭ, Masqiṭ, pl. Masáqiṭ | place where a falling object lands; waterfall. Masqaṭ (Muscat) is the capital of Oman |
| Masrur | Masrúr | glad, happy, delighted (at), pleased (with) |
| Mast | Mast | Pers. drunk, intoxicated; libidinous, lustful, wanton, furious; an animal in rut. Ḥájjí Zayn al-‘Ábidín Shírwání (Mast ‘Alí Sháh)—Persian scholar and mystic (1193–1253 Sh./1779–1837) |
| Mast | Mást | Pers. sour, coagulated milk; mastic (Arabic gum) |
| Mastar (Master) | Mástar | a very small village (34.631332, 49.777107) in Markazi Province, Írán. Also known as Mu‘áṣir (“contemporary”). |
| Masud | Masúd | (probably for musauwad) who has been made a chief, who has become great |
| Matali’-i-Anwar | Maṭáli‘-i-Anwár | “The dawn rays” by Muḥammad Nabíl-i-A‘ẓam Zarandí. Translated as The Dawn-Breakers by Shoghi Effendi. |
| Matba’a, Matabi’ | Maṭba‘a(h), pl. Maṭábi‘ | print shop, printing office, printing house, press |
| Matbu’, Matbu’at | Maṭbú‘, fem. Maṭbú‘a(h or t), pl. Maṭbú‘át | printed, imprinted; stereotyped;—pl. printed material, prints; printed matter |
| Mathal al-A’la | Mathal al-A‘lá | likeness of the One without semblance, sublime simultude, Sublime Exemplar. See Qur’án 16:60, 30:27. |
| Mathal, Amthal | Mathal, pl. Amthál | likeness; metaphor, simile, parable; proverb, adage; example; lesson, similar case; ideal, model |
| Mathani (Massani, Messani) | Mathání | oft-repeated or repetition (see Qur’án 15:87). See Fátiḥa regarding the revealing of Súra al-Fátiḥa twice. |
| Mathnaviy-i-Mubarak | Mathnavíy-i-Mubárak | “Blessed Mathnaví”, 300 line Persian poem by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Mathnawi (Masnawi), Mathnavi | Mathnawí, Mathnawiyy | (Alternative transcription Masnawí and Iṣfahání Pers. Mathnaví) double, twofold, two- (e.g., of a railroad: two-track); rhyme; poetry composed of distichs corresponding in measure, each consisting of a pair of rhymes; title of several works of this kind, especially the Sufic poem of Jallálu’d-Dín Rúmí. Formed from ma+thanawí, refers to the metre and rhyme scheme of a type of Persian poem written in couplets. Plurals: Mathnawiyyát, Pers. Mathnawí-há. Poetical form commonly used for epic, mystical poems. Two popular mathnawí metres are: mutaqárib muthamman maḥḍúf, as in Firdawsí’s Sháhnámih; and ramal musaddas maḥḍúf as in Mawláná Jalálu’d-Dín-i-Rúmí’s Mathnawí-yi-Ma‘nawí (“The Spiritual Couplets”). See muzdawij and thanawí. |
| Matla’-i-Anwar | Maṭla‘-i-Anwár | the Dawning Place of Lights (the Shrine of the Báb) |
| Matla’, Matali’ | Maṭla‘, pl. Maṭáli‘ | rise, time of rising (of celestial bodies); point of ascent; starting point, point, of departure; break (e.g., of day), dawn (e.g., of an era), dayspring; onset, outset, start, beginning; introduction, preface, proem; opening verses (of a poem); prelude; lookout; ladder, steps, stairs |
| Matla’u’l-Walayat | Maṭla‘u’l-Waláyat | Translated by Shoghi Effendi as “Representative of God” |
| Matlab, Matalib | Maṭlab, pl. Maṭálib | search, quest, pursuit;—pl. demand, call (for); request, wish; claim; problem, issue; (claims of the government =) taxes |
| Matlub, Matlib | Maṭlúb, pl. Maṭálib, Maṭálíb | wanted (in classified advertisements); due, owed (money); unknown (of a quantity; mathematics); (pl. maṭálib) wish, desire; pl. maṭálíb claims |
| Matn, Matin, Mutun | Matn and Matín, pl. Mutún | firm, strong, solid, “mighty”. The text of ḥadíth, as opposed to its isnád, or chain of transmission. |
| Mawbadh, Mubadhan, Mawabidha | Mawbadh, Múbidh, Múbadh, Múbadhán | (“Mubidh”, “Mubadh”, “Mobed”, “Mobad”, “Maubadh”) Pers. a chief or learned doctor of the Magi, a Zoroastrian priest.—pl. Mawábidha(t) |
| Mawbiq (Maubiq) | Mawbiq | place of destruction, of perdition; prison, jail; the valley of Gehenna, where children were sacrificed to Moloch (Mawlúkh, a Canaanite god associated with child sacrifice, through fire or war) |
| Mawdud (Maudud) | Mawdúd | beloved, held dear |
| Mawdudi (Maududi) | Mawdúdí | more beloved. Sayyid Abul A‘lá Mawdúdí (1903–1979) Islamic scholar, Islamist ideologue, Muslim philosopher, jurist, historian, journalist, activist and scholar active in British India and later, following the partition, in Pakistan. Author of Towards Understanding the Qur’án. See Abú al-‘Alá’. |
| Mawhiba (Mauhiba), Mawahib | Mawhiba(h or t), pl. Mawáhib | gift; talent; “bounty”; liberality, generosity |
| Mawjud (Maujud), Mawjudat | Mawjúd, pl. Mawjúdát | found; available, on hand, existing, existent; present; living being, creature; stock, store, supply;—pl. everything in existence, the creation; (commerce) assets, stocks |
| Mawkib (Mawkab, Maukib), Mawakib | Mawkib, pl. Mawákib | pageant; procession; mounted escort, retinue, cortege; triumph. Mírzá Mawkib, 19th century Persian astrologer (Memorials of the Faithful, p. 110). |
| Mawla (Maula) | Mawlá[h or t] | mistress, lady of rank; a freed woman or manumitted slave; a female slave. Fem. of Mawlá. |
| Mawla (Maula), Mawali | Mawlá, fem. Mawlá[h or t], pl. Mawálí | Pers. (Ar. influence) a magistrate of a large city; a lord, master; a schoolmaster, doctor, learned man, a judge, a priest. See mullá; ‘alím, pl. ‘ulamá’. |
| Mawla al-Wara’ | Mawla al-Wará’ | Lord of Mankind, a title used by Persians when referring to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. |
| Mawla’, Mawali | Mawla’, pl. Mawálí | Pers. a king, prince, sovereign, lord, master, judge, magistrate. A follower, client. A benefactor, helper. A companion, confederate, partner. A stranger. A visitor, guest. See Mawlan |
| Mawlan (Maulan), Mawalin | Mawlan, pl. Mawálin | master, lord; protector, patron; client; charge; mend, companion, associate; the Lord, God; Mawláya and Mawláná are forms of address to a sovereign |
| Mawlana (Maulana) | Mawláná (Mauláná) | our lord, master (a title); form of address to a sovereign, “our Master” |
| Mawlawi, Malulawiya | Mawlawí, pl. Mawlawíya | judicial, belonging to a judge or magistrate; a doctor of Islamic law; an assistant lawyer; a learned man; divine, religious, belonging to God; a dervish, Muslim monk; dervish of the order (Mawlawiyya (Pers.)) of Mawlá Jalál ad-Dín Muḥammad Rúmí. Mawlawí Shír ‘Alí (Mawlawí Sher ‘Alí) (1875–1947) was a prominent Aḥmadí scholar and translator of the Qur’án. Variations Maulawi, Maulavi. |
| Mawlawiyat (Maulawiyat) | Mawlawíyat | Pers. A resemblance to, or equality with, a prince, lord, master or benefactor. |
| Mawlid (Maulid), Mawalid | Mawlid, pl. Mawálid | birthplace; birthday; anniversary, birthday of a saint (also Christian) |
| Mawlud (Maulud), Mawalid | Mawlúd, pl. Mawálíd | produced, born, come into the world; birth; birthday;—(pl.) newborn baby, infant; child, son; creations, novelties |
| Mawqif (Mauqif), Mawaqif | Mauqif, pl. Mawáqif | stopping place; station; (cab, etc.) stand; (bus, train, etc.) stop; parking lot, parking place; stopover, stop; place, site; scene, scenery; position, posture; situation; attitude; stand, position, opinion |
| Mawsil (Mausil) | al-Máwṣil | Mosul |
| Mawt (Maut) Mawta, Amwat | Mawt, fem. Mawta[h or t], pl. Amwát | death; decease, demise |
| Mawthiq (Mauthiq), Mawathiq | Mawthiq, pl. Mawáthiq | covenant, agreement, contract, treaty, pact |
| May (Maya) | May | Pers. grape-wine; rose-water; spirituous liquor; a goblet. The fem. name “May”: May (grape-wine) or Mayá (possible meanings: attractive, beautiful and intoxicating) |
| Mayamay, Miyamay (Mayamey) | Mayámay or Miyámay (میامی m-y-á-m-y) | (“Meyami, Mayamey, Mayami, Maiamai”) is a small city (36.410484, 55.653358) in Semnan Province, Írán. City is 60 km east of Sháh-Rúd and 180 km west of Sabzivár. The Dawn-Breakers uses Míyámay (Iṣfahání). |
| Mayamayi, Miyamayi | Mayámayí or Miyámayí | of or from Mayámay |
| Maydan (Maidan), Midan, Mayadin | Maydán, Mídán, pl. Mayádín | square, open place, open tract; field; arena; battleground, battlefield; combat area, fighting zone; race course, race track; playground (figuatively); field, domain, line, sphere of activity. There is no meaning associated with a length as stated in The Dawn-Breakers (see manzil). |
| Maydan-i-Khan | Maydán-i-Khán | |
| Maydan-i-Shah | Maydán-i-Sháh | |
| Maykhana (Maikhana, Maykhanih) | Maykhána | Pers. a wine-cellar, tavern; drinking utensils, wine-service; hence also “spiritual wine” |
| Maymana (Maimana), Mayamin | Maymana(t), pl. Mayámin | right side; right wing (of an army); fortune; prosperity, happiness. Maymanat Rural District in Tehran Province. |
| Maymun, Maimun, Mayamin | Maymún, Maimún, pl. Mayamín | fortunate, lucky; blessed; monkey. See Abú ‘Imrán Músá ibn Maymún (Maimonides) |
| Mayyan, Ma’in | Mayyán (نايم) and Má’in (نئام) | liar. (also Máyán). Note transcription of “اي” (áí as “ayy”) and “ئا” (áy—y with Hamza—as “á’” or “áy”). |
| Mayyit, Amwat | Mayyit, pl. Amwát | [M-Y-T (ميت)] dying, death. al-mayyit the deceased; al-Bahr al-Mayyit the Dead Sea. |
| Mazandaran, Mazindaran | Mázandarán, Mázindarán | a province in northern Írán, on the Caspian south coast. Arḍ-i-Mím. See Ṭabaristán. |
| Mazandarani, Mazindarani | Mázandarání, Mázindarání | (pl. Mázandaráníyún) from or of Mázandarán |
| Mazdak | Mazdak | The story of Mazdak [he preached a community of property and families, and a simple ascetic life], in the days of King Kobad [Kavi Kavata, Kai Kobad or Kavadh] sons were Kavi Usan (or Kai Kaus) and Kavi Haosravah (Kai Khosrau or Khosrau Anushirvan)], the father of the Great Anoshirwan [Anushirvan—“having an immortal soul”], is given in the history of Sháh-Nameh (Book of Kings) of Firdawsí (Firdausi and Ferdowsi in English), and also in all the Persian histories. (The Bahá’í Proofs) |
| Mazgan | Mazgán | very small village in Markazí Province, Írán (34.010109, 50.381649) |
| Mazhar, Mazahir | Maẓhar, pl. Maẓáhir | (external) appearance, external make-up, guise; outward bearing, comportment, conduct, behaviour; exterior, look(s), sight, view; semblance, aspect; bearer or object of a phenomenon, object in which something manifests itself; phenomenon; symptom (medical);—pl. manifestations, expressions. The place or bearer of divine revelation, a revealer of God’s Word. Manifestation of the Names and attributes of God (also Manifestation of the Self of God) in the Bahá’í Writings. Bahá’u’lláh did not claim to be a nabí nor a rasúl. See manẓar and ẓuhúr |
| Mazhariya, Mazhariyya | Maẓharíya[h or t], Maẓhariyya[h or t] | state of being the object; manifestation-hood |
| Mazharu’l-ilahi | Maẓharu’l-iláhí | “Manifestation of God”, meaning the Manifestation of the Self of God or the Manifestation of the Names and attributes of God. Future possibility: refer to mention of waraqát (leaves, female) in Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 185. |
| Mazinan | Mazínán | Pers. a village (36.309707, 56.817147) east of Mashhad. |
| Mazlum | Maẓlúm | wronged, ill-treated, unjustly treated, tyrannized |
| Mazlumi, Mazlumiyat | Maẓlúmí, fem. Maẓlúmíya[h or t] | (Pers. with Ar. influence) oppression, misery; subduedness, gentleness, meekness; modesty |
| Mazra | Mazra‘ | (arable) land |
| Mazra’a, Mazra’ih | Mazra‘a[h], Pers. Mazra‘ih, Ar. pl. Mazári‘ | field under cultivation; farm; plantation; country estate. A town 6 km north of ‘Akká and about 0.5 km from the sea. House (built by Muḥammad Páshá Ṣafwat) of Bahá’u’lláh is just north of this village (32.987227, 35.099427). |
| Mazra’iy-i-Vashshash | Mazra‘iy-i-Vashshásh | Pers. once a field on the northern outskirts of Baghdád between the city centre and Káẓimayn where Bahá’u’lláh celebrated Riḍván (1863). It is now the neighbourhood of al-Washshásh, in NE area of Manṣúr district |
| Mazzah, Mazih | Mazzaḥ and Maziḥ | joker, jester, buffoon, wag, “Humorist or Playful”, a name of God according to Bahá’u’lláh |
| Mi’a, Mi’un, Mi’in, Mi’at | Mi’a(h), pl. Mi’ún (Mi’ín, nom.), Mi’át | hundred |
| Mi’ad, Mawa’id | Mí‘ád, pl. Mawá‘íd | promise; appointment, date, rendezvous; appointed time; time agreed on, time fixed by appointment; deadline, date (especially also due date for repaying a debt); consulting hour, office hour(s) (of a doctor, etc.); visiting hours (in museums, etc.); (time of) departure (of trains, buses, etc.). Qur’án 34:30 |
| Mi’mar | Mi‘már | builder, architect; mason |
| Mi’marbashi | Mi‘márbáshí | Pers. (mi‘már+báshí) be an architect |
| Mi’raj, Ma’arij | Mi‘raj or Mi‘ráj, pl. Ma‘áríj | ladder, stairs. al-Mi‘ráj (“The ascent”) Muḥammad’s vision of His night journey to the outermost mosque and His ascent to the heavens on His steed Burak. See ma‘raj |
| Midhat | Midḥat Páshá | Pers. see Midḥat |
| Midhat | Midḥat | Pers. praising; praise, encomium; a laudable action, anything deserving commendation |
| Midilli (Madelli) | Midillí | Turkish for Lesbos (Levos) Island. Capital city and main port is Mitilíni (Mytilene). |
| Midmar, Madamir | Miḍmár, pl. Maḍámír | race course, race track; arena; field of activity, field, domain |
| Midyan (Midian), Madyan | Midyan, Madyan | Midianites, believed to have lived in the northwest Arabian Peninsula. Also known as Aṣḥábu’l-’Aykah, “Companions of the Wood”, since they used to worship a large tree. See Aykatún |
| Miftah, Mafatih | Miftáḥ, pl. Mafátíḥ | key (to a door, of a keyboard, especially that of a piano); switch (electrical, railroad); lever, pedal (of a vehicle); knob (on a radio); stop (of a wind instrument); valve (of a trumpet); peg, pin (of a stringed instrument) |
| Miftahu Babi’l-Abwab | Miftáḥu Bábi’l-Abwáb | [Meftah Bab-el-Abwab] “The Key to the Gate of Gates”—book written by Mírzá Muḥammad-Mihdí Khán |
| Mih, Mihan | Mih, pl. Mihán | Pers. great; principal; pl. the great, the elders, grandees |
| Mihal | Míḥál, Pers. Míká’íl | Michael (a Christian name) |
| Mihdala, Mahadil | Miḥdala, pl. Maḥádil | roller, steamroller |
| Mihdi-Quli | Mihdí-Qulí | |
| Mihdi | Mihdí (also Mahdí) | One who guides aright, the Guided One. A title of the Twelfth (expected) Imám or Qá’im. Mírzá Mihdí (“The Purest Branch”) |
| Mihdishahr (Mehdishahr), Mahdi-Shahr | Mihdíshahr (Mihdí-Shahr) | (formerly, Sang-i-Sar or Sangsar,) is a city (15 km NNW of Semnan and 175 km east of Teheran) and capital of Mehdishahr County, Semnan Province, Írán. Also spelt Mahdí-Shahr (Mahdíshahr) (“Mahdi-Shahr or Mahdishahr”). |
| Mihdiy-i-‘Atri | Mihdíy-i-‘Aṭrí, Hájí Mullá | so named, because he was a distiller of ‘Aṭṭár |
| Mihdiy-i-Dahaji | Mihdíy-i-Dahají | |
| Mihdiy-i-Kandi | Mihdíy-i-Kandí | |
| Mihdiy-i-Kashani | Mihdíy-i-Káshání | (MF) |
| Mihdiy-i-Khu’i | Mihdíy-i-Khu’í | |
| Mihdiy-i-Rashti | Mihdíy-i-Rashtí | |
| Mihdiy-i-Yazdi | Mihdíy-i-Yazdí | (MF) |
| Mihdiyabad (Mehdi Abad) | Mihdíyábád | a very small village (31.450768, 54.161375) 11 km SW Manshád |
| Mihdizadih | Mihdízádih (Mihdí-Zádih) | |
| Mihman (Mehman) | Mihmán | Pers. a guest; a son-in-law |
| Mihman-Dust | Mihmán-Dust | Pers. name of small villages. Mihmán-Dust (36.218755, 54.556551) village in Semnan province. |
| Mihr | Mihr | Pers. the sun; love, friendship, affection, kindness; mercy, pity; 7th month of the Persian solar year; the 16th day of every month; death; a mandrake; a red stone; a gilded ball fixed on a canopy or standard; name of a fire-temple |
| Mihr-‘Ali | Mihr-‘Alí Khán | |
| Mihrab | Mihráb | Pers. name of a champion of Túrán; father of Rúdábah (mythological woman) who was the bride of Zál (legendary Iranian king from Sístán) in Firdawsí’s Sháhnámah. Manṣur Mihrábí |
| Mihrab, Maharib | Miḥráb, pl. Maḥárib | prayer niche in a mosque showing the direction of Mecca. The principle place in a mosque where the imám prays with his face turned towards Mecca. |
| Mihrabi | Miḥrábí | Pers. (Ar. influence) having a miḥráb; like a miḥráb; arched; cut in the shape of a miḥráb, round (a beard). |
| Mihrabkhani | Miḥrábkhání | Pers. Rúḥu’lláh Miḥrábkhání, Sharḥ-i-Aḥwál-i-Jináb-i-‘Abu’l Faḍl-i-Gulpáygání [“Description of the life of Mirza ‘Abu’l Faḍl-i-Gulpáygání] |
| Mihrangiz (Mehrangiz) | Mihrángíz | (“Mehrengiz” and “Mehrenguiz”) Pers. (mihr + ángíz). “raising affection”. Mihrángíz Rabbání, a sister of Shoghi Effendi. |
| Mihraban (Mehriban) | Mihrabán | city (38.082010, 47.132856) 75 km east of Tabríz. Turkish mähriban from Persian, loving friend. Pers. mihrábán, kind, generous. |
| Mihriz (Mehriz) | Mihríz | Pers. city 36 km south Yazd and a gate in Yazd |
| Mihryar (Mehryar) | Mihryár (Mihr + Yár) | kind friend. (TN p. 16) ibn-i-Mihríyár (?) |
| Mihtar (Mehtar), Mihtarani | Mihtar, fem. Mihtarání | Pers. greater; elder; prince, lord, chief, governor; a sweeper, a menial who removes filth; a groom |
| Mika’il, Maka’in | Míká’íl, Míká’ín | Pers. Michael “who is like God” |
| Milad, Mawalid | Mílád, pl. Mawálíd | birth; time of birth, nativity; birthday—pl. age classes, age groups (recruitment, etc.); ‘Íd al-Mílád, Christmas (Christian) |
| Milan (Meelan) | Mílán | a village (37.927348, 46.113078) 23 km SW Tabríz, in Ádhirbáyján (Azerbaijan), NW Írán. It is between the villages of Bávíl and Uskú’. |
| Milani | Mílání | of or from Mílán. Ḥusay-i-Mílání, known as Ḥusayn Ján, weaver, helped to recover the body of the Báb, later went to Ṭihrán, where he claimed to be the return of Imám Ḥusayn. He may have claimed to be a successor of the Báb. Schemed to provoke militant attack on Náṣir ad-Dín Sháh Qájár August 1852. One of those executed soon afterwards. |
| Milh, Amlah, Milah | Milḥ m. and f., pl. Amláḥ, Miláḥ | salt; gunpowder; witticism, wittiness, wit |
| Milhu’l-Ujaj | Milḥu’l-Ujáj | “salt that burneth bitterly”. See ajja |
| Milli (Melli), Milliya | Millí, fem. Millíya[h or t] | popular, national |
| Mim | Mím | 24th Arabic letter. Mázandarán |
| Min | Min | (preposition) 1. of; some, some of, (a) part of; belonging to, pertaining to, from among. 2. from, away from, out of, from the direction of. |
| Mina, Mawanin, Miyan | Míná’ fem. and Mína[h or t] | (pl. Mawánin, Miyan) port, harbour, anchorage |
| Minahiju’l-Ahkam | Mináhiju’l-Aḥkám | “Paths to understanding the laws and ordinances”, 2 vol. hand written work in Fársí by Fáḍil-i-Yazdí. Distribution not permitted by Shoghi Effendi. |
| Minar, Minar-Ha | Minár, pl, Minár-há | Pers. a tower, turret, steeple, spire, minaret; an obelisk. |
| Minbar (Mimber), Manabir | Minbar, pl. Manábír | mimbar; pulpit; rostrum, platform, dais |
| Minhu, Minha | Minhu, fem. Minhá | from him, from it |
| Minu | Mínú | Pers. female name: heaven; an emerald; white or blue glass; a glass gem; hair. Mínú Zamání |
| Miqat, Mawaqit | Míqát, pl. Mawáqí | appointed time; date, deadline; time; season, time of the year; meeting point, rendezvous;—pl. times of departure and arrival, timetable. Míqát al-ḥájj, one of the five rendezvous points for Meccan pilgrims, where they must be in a state of iḥrám before proceeding to Mecca. See “Meccan pilgrim meeting points” section. |
| Miqdad | Miqdád | al-Miqdád ibn al-Aswad al-Kindí (or just Miqdád), a companion of Muḥammad |
| Mir Muhammad-Husayn | Mír Muḥammad-Ḥusayn | Mír Muḥammad-Ḥusayn Khátúnábádí (d. 1881), surnamed the “She-Serpent” (Raqshá’) by Bahá’u’lláh. Responsible for the deaths of the brothers named the “King of Martyrs” and “Beloved of Martyrs”. See Shaykh Muḥammad Báqir. |
| Mir, Miran | Mír, pl. Mírán | Pers. contraction of Amír. Also descendant of Muḥammad or Sayyid. |
| Mir’ah, Miraya, Mara’in, Marayat | Mir’á[h or t], pl. Mará’in | (fem. Miráya[h or t], pl. Maráyát) looking glass, mirror; reflection, reflected image |
| Mir’at | Mir’át | Pers. A looking-glass, mirror. See miráya |
| Mir’at al-Wadiyyah | Mir’át al-Waḍiyyah | “Polished Mirrors” by Cornelius van Dyck. See waḍí’ |
| Mir’atu’l-Azaliyyih | Mir’átu’l-Azalíyyih | “Everlasting mirror”, a title of Mírzá Yaḥyá |
| Mir’atu’l-Buldan | Mír’átu’l-Buldán | “The Mirror of the Lands”. Possibly by Yáqút Shiháb al-Dín ibn-‘Abdulláh al-Rúmí al-Ḥamawí (1179–1229) or a later (1860-1870) incomplete Qájár project. |
| Miraya, Mirayat | Miráya, pl. Miráyát | looking glass mirror |
| Miri | Mírí | (Meeri) public, governmental, government-, state- (in compounds); fiscal |
| Mirrikh | Mirríkh | Mars (astronomy) |
| Mirza Mihdi | Mírzá Mihdí | (1848–1870) was the youngest child of Bahá’u’lláh and his wife Ásíyih Khánum. He was given the title Ghusn-i-Aṭhar (“Purest Branch” or “Purer Branch”). |
| Mirza (Morza), Amir-Zadih, Amirzada | Mírzá (Amírzáda or Pers. Amírzádih) | Pers. contraction of amír-záda (“child or addition of a prince”). A title of nobility (a son of a prince) when placed after a name (Turkish style; previously placed before a name); but a gentleman, an educated person, a scholar, worthy person, mister when placed before a name. Mírzá as a noun, secretary. |
| Mirzay-i-Halabi-Saz | Mírzáy-i-Ḥalabí-Sáz, Ḥájí | |
| Misbah (Mezbah), Masabih | Miṣbáḥ, pl. Maṣábíḥ | lamp; light, luminary (also figuratively); head-light (of an automobile) |
| Misgarabad, Miskarabad | Misgarábád (Miskarábád) | village 11 km SE of the centre of Ṭihrán (Mesgar Abad, Mesgar Abad, Mesker Abad). See naḥḥás, misgar. |
| Misha (Mishih) | Mísha | Pers. name of the first man |
| Mishah, Mishkat, Mishkawat, Mashakin | Mishkáh | (tá’ marbúṭa ending) (pl. Mishkáwát, Mashákin) niche (for a lamp); lamp, pendent lamp. Persian singular Mishkát. |
| Mishkah al-Anwar | Mishkáh al-Anwár | “Tabernacle for lights” (more elegant than “Niche for lights”) by Abú aṭ-Ṭúsí al-Ghazálí, a commentary on Qur’án 24:35. |
| Mishkar (Mishgar) | Míshkar | small village 33° 34′ 40″ N 47° 58′ 19″ E in Luristán province, western Írán. Ḥabíb Miskar (probably Míshkar) Bahá’í World 8:679 |
| Mishkat al-Masabih, Mishkatu’l-Masabih | Mishkát al-Maṣábíḥ, Mishkátu’l-Maṣábíḥ | (should be Mishkáh al-Maṣábíḥ) “A niche for lamps”. A book of Sunní traditions by Muḥammad ibn ‘Abd Alláh Khaṭíb at-Tabrízí is an expanded version of Maṣábíḥ as-Sunnah by al-Ḥusayn ibn Mas‘úd al-Baghawí. |
| Mishkin | Mishkín | Pers. “musk-scented”; “jet-black” (dried musk powder is black—“black like musk”, Ghulám al-Khuld, Bahá’u’lláh) |
| Mishkin-Qalam | Mishkín-Qalam | Pers. Mírzá Ḥusayn-i-Isfahání (surnamed Mishkín-Qalam, meaning “musk-scented pen” or “jet-black pen”, by Muḥammad Sháh because of the beauty and inner mystical message of his works); 1826–1912. He was one of the nineteen Apostles of Bahá’u’lláh, as well as a famous calligrapher of 19th century Persia. He is the author of a calligraphic rendering of the Greatest Name used by Bahá’ís. Mishkín-Qalam signed works as “Servant at the gate of Bahá, Mishkín-Qalam”. See Díyár-i-Khaṭṭ |
| Misk, Mashmum | Misk (m. & f.), also Mashmúm | musk |
| Miskawayh | Miskawayh | ibn Miskawayh (932–1030) (Abú ‘Alí Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Ya‘qúb ibn Miskawayh) was a Persian chancery official, philosopher and historian. He wrote the first major Islamic work on philosophical ethics entitled Tahdhíb al-Akhláq, the “Refinement of Character”. |
| Misr, Amsar, Masr | Miṣr, pl. Amṣár | big city; metropolis, capital;—miṣr, (colloquial) maṣr Egypt; Cairo. Egypt has 27 governorates (muḥáfẓah); second level are regions (markaz or qism); third-level are the districts (ḥayy) and villages (qaryah). |
| Misri, Misriyun | Miṣrí, pl. Miṣríyún | Egyptian; Cairene (a native of Cairo); an Egyptian |
| Misriya, Misriyat | Miṣríya(h), pl. Miṣríyát | Egyptianism, Egyptian national character; Egyptian woman or girl. al-Waqá’i‘ al-Maṣriyyah (“The Egyptian affairs or events”), was an Egyptian newspaper established in 1828 written in Ottoman Turkish and Arabic, later, only Arabic. |
| Mithal, Amthila, Muthul | Mithál, pl. Amthila[h or t], Muthul | something equal; something similar; simile, parable, allegory; example; pattern, standard; exemplary punishment; model; image, picture |
| Mithaq (Missaq or Missagh), Mayathiq | Mítháq, pl. Mayáthíq, Mayáthiq | pl. also Mawáthíq) a promise, covenant, contract, agreement, bargain, compact, confederacy, alliance, league; a testament; treaty, pact; charter. al-mítháq al-awwal, the first or primordial covenant with God (see Qur’án 7:172), in which all human souls are to bear witness that He is their Lord. See also Genesis 9:8–16. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stated a rainbow is a symbol of the Covenant of God. “The lights of the Kingdom and the heavenly illumination emanated from this rainbow.” God can be likened to a rainbow where the colours represent the religions, working together in unity they provide information about God, but not all. The invisible colours of the rainbow represent the unknowable. (Craig Kilner, Quora, 2024). |
| Mithaqiya (Mithaqiyya), Mithaqiyan | Mítháqíya, pl. Mítháqíyán | (Ar. adjective) agreement, covenant, pact. Former Mítháqíya (Mítháqiyya) Hospital run by Bahá’ís in Ṭihrán. Firaydún Mítháqíyán. |
| Mithl, Amthal | Mithl, pl. Amthál | something similar, something of the same kind; resemblance, similarity, similitude, likeness; image; equivalent |
| Mithqal, Mathaqil | Mithqál, pl. Matháqíl | a unit of weight used for weighing gold, silver and saffron (4.68 gm). Traditionally, 24 chickpeas, changed by the Báb to 19 chickpeas (3.641666 gm). |
| Miyan, Miyana | Miyán, Miyána | Pers. waist, loins; middle, centre; interior (modern); among, between, mean. Miyána (Meyaneh, Miane, Meyaneh, Miyaneh, and Miyanah) a city (37.429145, 47.706986) in East Azerbaijan province, Írán. |
| Miyanaj (Mianaj, Meyanaj) | Miyánaj | Pers. (“Míánaj”) village (36.905745, 47.442704) in Zanjan Province |
| Miyandu’ab (Miyan-Du’ab), Qushachay | Miyándu’áb (Miyán-Du’áb) or Qúshácháy | Pers. “between two rivers” (Miandoab or Qúshácháy; Azerbaijani Qoşaçay) is a city (36.966890, 46.107130) and capital of Miyándu’áb County, West Ádhirbáyján, Írán. As its name suggests, it is situated in a delta region between the Zarrínah-Rúd and Símínah-Rúd (the golden and the silverized) that flow into Lake Urmia. See Miyán and Dú’áb. |
| Miyanrud (Mianrud, Mian Rud) | Míyánrúd | Pers. a city (32.153776, 48.440236) in Khuzestan Province. Also several villages near Ámul, Mazindaran Province. |
| Mizan, Mawazin | Mízán, pl. Mawázín | balance, scales; weight; measure; poetic measure, metre; rule, method; justice, equity, fairness, impartiality. Qur’án 42:17 & 57:25 (balance to weigh conduct or to balance right and wrong respectively). |
| Mu’abbid, Mu’abadan | Mu‘abbid, pl. Mu‘abadán | Pers. (fire) worshipper |
| Mu’abbir, Mu’abbirun | Mu‘abbir, pl. Mu‘abbirún | interpreter (of feelings, of dreams); expressive, significant. Soothsayer (PDC). pl. also -án (accusative), -ín (genitive). |
| Mu’abbiri | Mu‘abbirí | Pers. interpretation of dreams |
| Mu’adh, Mu’az | Mu‘ádh | protected. Mu‘ádh ibn Jabal (603–639) was a ṣaḥábí Muḥammad. Mu‘ádh was an Anṣár of Banú Khazráj and compiled the Qur’án with five companions while Muḥammad was still alive. |
| Mu’adhdhin, Mu’adhdhun | Mu’adhdhin, pl. Mu’adhdhún | muezzin (Turkish müezzin), announcer of the hour of prayer. Persian may use Mu’aẓẓin. |
| Mu’akhkhir | Mu’akhkhir | one who keeps back or puts things in their proper places; hence, a name of God. |
| Mu’allim, Mu’allima, Mu’allimun | Mu‘allim, pl. Mu‘allimún | a teacher or tutor. Fem. mu‘allima[h or t]. Pers. also mu‘allimih. al-Mu‘allimu’th-Thání (The Second Teacher—a title of Avicenna (2nd after Abú Rayḥán al-Bírúní) |
| Mu’amala, Mu’amalat | Mu‘ámala[h or t], pl. Mu‘ámalát | treatment; procedure; social intercourse, social life, association (with one another); behaviour, conduct (toward others); business; transaction; (especially in pl.) mutual relations, business relations |
| Mu’ammad | Mu‘ammad | (a tent) supported, propped by columns; baptized |
| Mu’ammid (Moamid) | Mu‘ammid | a baptizer, Baptist. There is no indication that a “Moamid” paper in Egypt exists, so it is assumed to be al-Mu’ayyad. |
| Mu’ammar | Mu‘ammar, pl. Mu‘ammarún | senior (in sports) |
| Mu’annath | Mu’annath | (grammar) feminine (adj.) |
| Mu’arrakh, Muwarrakh, Mu’arrakhun | Mu’arrakh, Muwarrakh, pl. Mu’arrakhún | dated (earlier); chronicled |
| Mu’arrikh, Muwarrikh, Mu’arrikhun | Mu’arrikh, Muwarrikh, pl. Mu’arrikhún | who dates (a letter); who marks the time of any event; chronicler, annalist, historian. Mu’arrikhín, muwarrikhín (oblique case dual, also used as nominative) |
| Mu’asir, Mu’asirin | Mu‘áṣir, pl. Mu‘áṣirín | contemporary, contemporaneous; a contemporary |
| Mu’assasa, Mu’assasat | Mu’assasa, pl. Mu’assasát | foundation, establishment; firm (commerce); institution; organization |
| Mu’assis | Mu’assis | he who lays a foundation; founder; a strengthener; enactor (e.g. founder of a law, school, sect, etc.) |
| Mu’assisiy-i-Ayadiy-i-Amru’llah | Mu’assisiy-i-Ayádíy-i-Amru’lláh | Pers. Bahá’u’lláh: “The institution of the Hands of the Cause of God” |
| Mu’assisiy-i-Ma’arif-i-Baha’i | Mu’assisiy-i-Ma‘árif-i-Bahá’í | name of Iranian Bahá’í Publishing Trust |
| Mu’aththir, Mu’aththirat | Mu’aththir, pl. Mu’aththirát | affecting, acting upon; effective; impressive; moving, touching, pathetic;—pl. influencing factor, influence |
| Mu’attar | Mu‘aṭṭar | perfumed, scented, fragrant |
| Mu’awin | Mu‘áwin | helper, supporter, standby; aide; assistant; adjutant, aide-decamp; police officer heading a city precinct (Iraqi) |
| Mu’awiya, Mu’awiyya, Mu’aviya | Mu‘áwiya[h or t] (معاوية) | Ar. (Pers. with v instead of w, and with -ih endings) a fox’s whelp. Masculine name and that of the first (Mu‘áwiya ibn Abí Sufyán, c. 597, 603 or 605—680) and third Umayyad caliphs. The first founded the Umayyad dynasty (based in Damascus). Mu‘áwíya, etc., used because it is easier to pronounce (H. M. Balyuzi). |
| Mu’awwil | Mu‘awwil | interpreter |
| Mu’ayyad (Mu’aiyad, Moaid, Muayyad) | Mu’ayyad | confirmed, fortified, assisted. al-Mu’ayyad (“The Strengthened”) newspaper (1889–1915), Cairo. Dr Hábibu’llah Khudábakhsh (1888–1971) or Dr Ḥabíb Mu’ayyad (he was named Mu’ayyad (“confirmed”) by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá); wrote Kháṭirát-i-Ḥabíb (“Memoirs or Diary of Habib”). |
| Mu’ayyad fi ad-Din | Mu’ayyad fí ad-Dín (fí’d-Dín) | “The one aided in religion”, a title |
| Mu’ayyadu’d-Dawla | Mu’ayyadu’d-Dawla | “Helper of the state”, honorific title |
| Mu’ayyir | Mu‘ayyir | an assayer of precious metals |
| Mu’ayyiru’l-Mamalik | Mu‘ayyiru’l-Mamálik | “assayer of the kingdoms” |
| Mu’azzam, Mu’azzama | Mu‘aẓẓam, fem. Mu‘aẓẓam(h or t) | glorified, exalted, revered, venerated; sublime, august (especially of rulers); splendid, gorgeous, glorious, magnificent, resplendent; bony; ossified |
| Mu’bid | Mu’bid | Sháh Bahrám Mu’bidzádih, Indian Bahá’í, son (zádih) of Mu’bid Khudábakhsh (Khudá Bakhsh) |
| Mu’id, Mu‘idun | Mu’íd, pl. Mu’ídún | skilful, clever, experienced, able, powerful; (God) the restorer or bringer again; repetitor, tutor, trainer, coach; assistant conducting drill sessions (university) |
| Mu’in | Mu‘ín | Pers. an assistant |
| Mu’ina | Mu‘íná | abbreviation of Mu’ín Ághá |
| Mu’inu’l-Mulk | Mu‘ínu’l-Mulk | BKG 397 |
| Mu’inu’s-Saltanih | Mu‘ínu’s-Salṭanih | DB 76 |
| Mu’issu’s-Saltanih | Mu‘íssu’s-Salṭanih | |
| Mu’izz | Mu‘izz | one who honours or worships; one who strengthens; name of God, the Giver of Honour |
| Mu’izzi | Mu‘izzí | Amír ash-Shu‘ará’ Abú ‘Abdu’lláh Muḥammad bin ‘Abd al-Malik Mu‘izzí (1048–1125) was a Persian poet. He ranks as one of the great masters of the Persian panegyric form known as Qaṣídah. |
| Mu’jam al-Buldan | Mu‘jam al-Buldán | Dictionary of the Countries by Yáqút |
| Mu’jam, Ma’ajim | Mu‘jam, pl. Ma‘ájim | incomprehensible, unintelligible, obscure (language, speech); dotted, provided with a diacritical point (letter);—(pl.) dictionary, lexicon |
| Mu’jiza, Mu’jizat | Mu‘jizá, pl. Mu‘jizát | (Mo’jaza) “making weak or feeble”, or that which renders the adversaries to the truth weak and feeble; a term used only for miracles performed by prophets |
| Mu’min, Mu’minun, Mu’minin, Mu’minat | Mu’min, pl. Mu’minún and Mu’minín | (“Mumin”, Momen) believing, faithful; believer (Muslim); orthodox; an orthodox Muslim; (God) protecting, the protector or the guarantor. Feminine mu’mina, pl. mu’minát. |
| Mu’ta, Muta | Mu’ta(h or t), Múta(h or t) | Mu’tah (where swords were formerly made) is a town 10 km SW al-Karak and 100 km SSW of Amman, in Jordan. In Islamic tradition it is known for the Battle of Mu’tah (Ma’raka Mu’tah or Ghazwah Mu’tah) in CE 629, the first military engagement between Arab Muslims and the Byzantine Empire (with their Arab Christian Ghassanid vassals). The Muslim army travelled about 860 km north from Medina to Ma‘án (Jordan), and then a further 130 km to Mu’tah). |
| Mu’tadid | Mu‘taḍid | a petitioner for justice, a plaintiff |
| Mu’tamad | Mu‘tamad | reliable, dependable; object of reliance, support; sanctioned, approved, authorized; accredited; commissioner, authorized agent, proxy, envoy, representative; commissary, commissar |
| Mu’tamadu’l-Mulk | Mu‘tamadu’l-Mulk | The Trust of the Empire (official title). Title of Manúchihr Khán, Governor of Iṣfahán |
| Mu’taman | Mu’taman | entrusted; confidant |
| Mu’tamid | Mu‘tamid | one who rests or leans upon; a believer; resolved, determined |
| Mu’tamidu’d-Dawla | Mu‘tamidu’d-Dawla | “State accreditor”, “State certifier”, “Support of the dynasty” |
| Mu’tamidu’s-Saltanah | Mu‘tamidu’s-Salṭanah | “Reliant on the Sultanate” |
| Mu’tasam | Mu‘taṣam | a place of refuge |
| Mu’tasim | Mu‘taṣim | holding fast, clinging (to), relying (on); attendant (on); preserved, defended; abstaining, or refraining (from disobedience, etc., by the grace of God); a servant (of God). Abú Isḥáq Muḥammad ibn Hárún ar-Rashíd (796–842), better known by his regnal name al-Mu‘taṣim bi’lláh (literally “”He who seeks refuge in God”), was the eighth Abbasid caliph (r. 833–842). |
| Mu’tazil | Mu‘tazil | seceder, dissenter, separatist |
| Mu’tazila | Mu‘tazila(h or t) | followers in English: Mu‘tazilite. An offshoot sect of the qadaríyat. They believed in monotheism, divine unity, justice and free will; use of reasoning and logic by a sane mind to analyze religious texts and doctrines. If a literal meaning of the Qur’án is consistent with the rest of scripture, the main themes of the Qur’án, the basic tenets of Islám, and the well-known facts, then interpretation, in the sense of moving away from the literal meaning, is not justified. If a contradiction results from adopting the literal meaning, then an interpretation (closest to the literal) is warranted. The transmission of the oral ḥadíth was considered not sufficiently reliable. |
| Mu’tazili | Mu‘tazilí | dissenter, separatist, seceder; an infidel, an atheist |
| Mu’zam | Mu‘ẓam | the greater part, or better sort (of anything); the mass or major part, the gross, the bulk (of). Mu‘ẓam al-Infiṣál al-‘Aẓím (Most Great Separation), 10 March 1866 in Edirne (Adrianople), of “believers” into Bahá’ís and Azalís, and of the separation of believers from Gog and Magog (Mírzá Yaḥyá and Siyyid Muḥammad-i-Iṣfahání). |
| Mubagajian | Mubagajian | Armenian. Sargis (Latin Sergius) Mubagajian (1860–1937), better known by his pen name “Atrpet” (“Master”), was a prolific and multifarious Armenian writer. He published two books about the Bábí Faith with purported photographs and drawings of the Báb and some prominent Bábí figures. |
| Mubahala, Mubahilih | Mubáhala(h or t), Pers. Mubáhilih | cursing; wishing evil to another; execration; “withdrawing mercy from one who lies or engages in falsehood”. In Qur’án 3.61, invocation of God’s curse (la‘nat Alláh) was mentioned as a decisive solution to the dispute over Jesus between the Christians of Najrán and Muḥammad. Alláh ordered Muḥammad to call on the Christians to invoke God’s curse (mubáhala) upon those who are intentionally unjust in their claim in order to determine who was telling the truth, they refused. Praying for God to curse the liar regarding religious disputes is an ancient Arabic tradition. |
| Muballigh, Muballighat, Muballighun | Muballigh, pl. Muballighát, Muballighún | (Mu + balligh) bearer (of news), messenger; informer, denouncer; detective. Fem. mubalágha[h]. Name given to Bahá’í teachers or “missionaries” (especially those on journeys to spread the Bahá’í Faith). In Írán, very knowledgeable Bahá’ís (usually scholars of high stature and good communicators) whose responsibility was to travel and teach the Bahá’í Faith. |
| Mubarak | Mubárak | blessed, happy, fortunate, lucky auspicious; august; sacred, holy; welcome. A title of Bahá’u’lláh: Jamál-i-Mubárak, the Blessed Beauty. |
| Mubaraka | Mubáraka(t), Pers. Mubárakih | (God) blessing (man), prospering (him) |
| Mubashshir, Mubashshirat | Mubashshir pl. Mubashshirát | announcer, messenger (of glad tidings); evangelist (Chr.); preacher; missionary (Christian) |
| Mubassir | Mubaṣṣir | one who shows, renders quick-sighted, or causes to understand; provident, penetrating |
| Mubayyin (Mubaiyin) | Mubayyin | (mu-bayyin) illustrative, explanatory; a declarer; the “expounder” and the “interpreter” (W&T of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 11) |
| Mubayyin-i-kitab | Mubayyin-i-Kitáb | “Interpreter of the Book” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá) |
| Mubdi | Mubdi‘ | who first produces, creator, author, originator, inventor, founder; a heretic, heresiarch, religious innovator |
| Mubid, Mawbad (Maubid), Mubad | Múbid, Mawbad, Múbad | Pers., from maghú (mugh) + bid. mobad, chief of the Magi (Zoroastrian priest); a Pársí, especially one of their priests; a doctor, philosopher, any man of great wisdom whose sayings are quoted; one who administers justice; a judge, especially of the Jews; a wazír, a councillor of state |
| Mubin | Mubín | (“mobine”) clear, plain, evident, obvious, patent (particularly with respect to the meaning of revelation) |
| Mubtadi’, Mubtadi’un | Mubtadi’, pl. Mubtadi’ún | beginning; beginner; novice (Christian) |
| Mubtil, Mubattil, Mubtilun | Mubṭil, Mubaṭṭal, pl. Mubṭilún | Pers. who or what invalidates; frustrative; a defacer, destroyer; one who embellishes his speech with lies |
| Mudabbir | Mudabbir | manager, director; ruler, disposer; leader; ringleader |
| Mudaf | Muḍáf | added, subjoined, adjoined, apposed; construct state (grammar). muḍáf ilayh the second, or governed, noun of a genitive construction (grammar). Muḍáf in Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) refers to mixed water. c.f. Muṭlaq. |
| Mudafa’at | Mudáfa‘at | repulsing, defending oneself, resisting, averting, prohibiting, checking; protracting, delaying; deferring payment of a debt |
| Mudallil | Mudallil | dallying, fondling; coquettish; a coaxer, wheedler |
| Mudammira, Mudammirat | Mudammira, pl. Mudammirát | destroyer (nautics) |
| Mudarris, Mudarrisun | Mudarris, pl. Mudarrisún | teacher, instructor; lecturer, professor |
| Mudda, Mudad | Mudda[h or t], pl. Mudad | period (of time), space of time, interval; while; duration; limited or appointed time, term |
| Muddaththir | Muddaththir | one who is wrapping himself up |
| Mudgha, Mudagh | Muḍgha, pl. Muḍagh | something to be chewed; bite, bit, morsel; small chunk of meat; embryo. Qur’án 23:13–14: stages of embryo development: 1. life-germ (nuṭfa) 2. clot (‘alaqa) 3. a morsel of flesh (muḍgha) 4. bones (‘iẓám) 5. flesh (laḥm) and 6. another creation (khalqan ákhar), during which the spirit enters the body. Interpeted by Sayyid Káẓim Rashtí as stages in human spiritual progress corresponding to the appearance of Adam; Noah; Abraham; Moses; Jesus; and Muḥammad. Stages refer also to the six days of creation in (Qur’án 11:7) and in formation of the universe (Shaykh Aḥmad Aḥsá’í). The development of Shaykhí thought in Shí‘í Islam, p. 170. |
| Mudhahhab | Mudhahhab | gilded; worked with gold thread |
| Mudhahhib | Mudhahhib | a gilder; a gold embroiderer |
| Mudhakkar | Mudhakkar | (grammar) masculine |
| Mudhhab | Mudhhab | gilded |
| Mudhhill | Mudhill | dishonourer, disgracer, degrader, humiliator, debasing; who renders vile or abject; who discovers one to be so; a name of God |
| Mudir, Mudira, Mudara | Mudír, fem. Mudirá, Mudará | head, chief, director; administrator; manager; intendant, superintendent; rector (of a university);—pl. administrative officer at the head of a county |
| Mudiriya, Mudiriyat | Mudíríya(t), pl. Mudíríyát | direction; administration; management;—(pl.) mudiria, province (Egypt); approximately: main department of a ministry (Írán) |
| Mudiy | Muḍíy | departure, leave; passing; lapse, elapsing, expiration (of a period of time); continuation (of something); deeper penetration, deeper insight (into); carrying out, execution, pursuit (of an intention, of a plan) |
| Mudkhal, Mudkhala, Madakhil | Mudkhal, fem Mudkhala[h or t] | (pl. Mudákhíl) introduced; spurious, illegitimate; worthless, base; an introductory treaty; time or place of introduction. In Safavid Persia, Mudákhíl became known as a “commission, perquisite, douceur, consideration, pickings and stealings, profit”, “official swindling”, etc. It came to signify the balance of personal advantage, usually monetary, which can be squeezed out of any and every transaction; see Píshkish. |
| Mufaddal | Mufaḍḍal | a devoted follower of Imám Ṣádiq who handed down many of his traditions. |
| Mufakhir | Mufákhir | boastful, vainglorious, proud |
| Mufakhkham | Mufakhkham | honoured |
| Mufakhkhamu’d-Dawla | Mufakhkhamu’d-Dawla | (Iṣfahání Pers. Mufakhkhamu’d-Dawlih) “the honoured of the state”, state title of General Isḥáq Khán, went as Persian Minister to the United States in 1901 |
| Mufassal | Mufaṣṣal | distinct, partitioned (as a pearl bracelet having a larger gem or one of a different kind between every pearl); divided, separated, particularized, detailed; fully described; separate, distinct, clear, ample; divisions of a district (opposite to ṣadr “the chief seat of government”); the Qur’án from al-ḥujurát (49th chapter) to the end |
| Mufassir | Mufassir | commentator, expositor, or interpreter (of the Qur’án) |
| Mufawada, Mufavadat (Mufavadat) | Mufáwaḍa[h or t], pl. Mufawaḍát | negotiation, parley, talk, conference; partnership (Islamic law). Pers. “variations”: Mufávaḍa, pl. Mufavaḍát. an-Núr al-Abhá fi Mufáwaḍát ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Guftgú bar sar-i-nahár (“A glorious light on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Words: Conversations around the dining table” (2nd edn, Cairo 1920)—collected and published by Laura Clifford Barney. She translated these “Table Talks” by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as Some Answered Questions (1908). |
| Mufrad, Mufradat | Mufrad, pl. Mufradát | single, solitary, lone, detached, isolated; (grammar) simple, consisting of only one word (expression); being in the singular; singular (grammar);—pl. words, terms, names, expressions (of a scientific field); details |
| Mufsid | Mufsid | mischievous, pernicious, destructive, corruptive; vitiating; a corrupter, depraver, destroyer, author of evil, malefactor, seditious man, breed-bate, mischief-maker |
| Mufsid-i-fil-ard | Mufṣid-i-fil-arḍ | “the corrupt upon the land” Qur’án 18:94 |
| Muftakhir | Muftakhir | proud, vainglorious, boastful, bragging; outstanding, excellent, first-rate, perfect, splendid, superb, glorious, magnificent; sumptuous, deluxe |
| Mufti, Muftiyun | Muftí, pl. Muftíyun | one whose sentence has the authority of the law, an expounder of the Muslim law, giver of a fatwá; a muftí. In Sunní Islám, a consulting Canon lawyer, who delivers legal opinions on points of Islamic law to the qáḍí (judge) |
| Mugh | Mugh | Pers. one of the Magi (Zoroastrian priest), worshipper of fire, infidel, pagan; a Christian monk |
| Mughill | Mughill | 1. a traitor, deceiver, spiteful or deceitful person who bears malice and ill-will; 2. (land, soil) productive, fruitful (in grain and produce), fertile |
| Mughir | Mughír | one who makes a predatory incursion, a spoiler, plunderer |
| Mughira | Mughíra(h or t) | “attacker/raider”; light horsemen, when making a plundering excursion into an enemy’s country. al-Walíd ibn al-Mughírah al-Makhzúmí was a very wealthy chief of the Banú Makhzúm clan of the Quraysh tribe during Muḥammad’s time and was indirectly mentioned in a number of verses of the Qur’án. |
| Mughith | Mughíth | who gives aid, auxiliary |
| Mughni | Mughní | who or what supplies the place of, excuses, or dispenses with; independent |
| Mugul, Mughul | Mugúl, Pers. Mughul | a Mogul, Mongol, Mughal; the Great Mogul, emperor of Hindústán; the Tartars, natives of Túrán, Scythia, or Transoxiana; the Georgian Christians. al-Mugúl, the Mongols, the Moguls. |
| Muguli, Mughuli | Mugúlí, Pers. Mughulí | Pers. of or relating to the Moguls (Mongolian); Mogul, Mongol, Tartar; (metaphorical) fearless; cruel, severe, terrible. the Great Mogul, emperor of Hindústán; the Tartars, natives of Túrán, Scythia, or Transoxiana; the Georgian Christians. al-Mugúl, the Mongols or Moguls. |
| Muhabbat, Muhabba | Muḥabbat, Muḥabba | The city of Madínah |
| Muhadara, Muhadarat | Muḥáḍara, pl. Muḥáḍarát | lecture |
| Muhaddith, Muhaddithun | Muḥaddith, pl. Muḥaddithún | speaker, talker; spokesman; conversation partner, interlocutor; relator, narrator; a transmitter of Prophetic traditions, traditionary, representative of the science or study of Ḥadíth. Pl. Muḥaddithín |
| Muhadir, Muhadirat | Muḥáḍir, pl. Muḥáḍirát | lecturer, speaker |
| Muhafaza, Muhafazat | Muḥáfaẓa[h or t], pl. Muḥáfaẓát | guarding; safeguarding; preservation; protection, defence; conservation, sustaining, upholding; retention, maintenance (of something) conservativism (politics), conservative attitude; following, observance (of something), compliance (with something), adherence (to); guarding (against misfortune), saving (from misadventure); garrison (military);—(pl.) governorate (one of five administrative divisions of Egypt, in addition to a mudíríyát); office of the muḥáfiẓ (head of a governorate); province, anyone of the larger administrative districts (Syria) |
| Muhajir, Muhajirun | Muhájir, pl. Muhájirún | emigrant, émigré; al-Muhájirún those Meccans who emigrated to Medina in the early period of Islám. In Islám, a muhájir is someone who moves from non-Islamic lands to a Muslim community, while in the Bahá’í Faith it denotes one who moves from a larger Bahá’í community to a place with no or few Bahá’ís in order to propagate the religion. Dr Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir (1923–1979), Hand of the Cause of God, married Írán Furútan (b. 1933) in 1951. |
| Muhallal, Muhallil | Muḥallal | a place whither anyone frequently goes; lawful; made lawful; a small matter;—muḥallil, one who makes lawful, especially one who marries a thrice-divorced1 woman and dismisses her after consummation, so that she may lawfully return to her former husband; one who solves. |
| Muttahid, Muttahida (Muttahidih) | Muttaḥid, Muttaḥid[h or t] | (Pers. “Muttaḥidih”, “Mutahidih”, “Mottahedeh”) united, combined, consolidated, amalgamated; uniform, standardized; harmonious, unanimous, in agreement, concordant |
| Muttalib | Muṭṭalib | a seeker. ‘Abdu’l-Muṭṭallib Shaybah ibn Háshim (c. 497–578, grandfather of Muḥammad). Háshim ibn ‘Abd Manáf (c. 464–497, born ‘Amr al-‘Ulá, great grandfather of Muḥammad). ‘Abd Alláh ibn ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib (c. 546–570, father of the Prophet Muḥammad ibn ‘Abdu’lláh). |
| Muttaqi | Muttaqí | abstinent, abstemious, temperate, sober; cautious; God-fearing, pious |
| Muttaqin, Muttaqun | Muttaqin, pl. Muttaqún | god-fearing, godly, devout, pious |
| Muwahhad | Muwaḥḥad | combined, consolidated, amalgamated; united; unified; standardized, regularized; having one diacritical point (letter) |
| Muwahhid (Muvahhid), Muwahhidun | Muwaḥḥid, pl. Muwaḥḥidún | one who believes in the unity of God, orthodox; a Unitarian. Followers of Muḥammad ‘Alí after the death of Bahá’u’lláh (the náqiḍín) described themselves as muwaḥḥidún. See mushrikún and thábit. |
| Muwallad, Muwallada, Muwalladat | Muwallad, fem. Muwallada(t) | born, begotten, produced, generated; brought up, raised; born and raised among Arabs (but not of pure Arab blood); not truly old Arabic, introduced later into the language, post-classical (especially of words); half-breed, half-caste, half-blood;—pl. Muwalladát, Muwalladún |
| Muwaqqar (Muvaqqar) | Muwaqqar | respected, held in respect; venerable, reverend |
| Muwaqqari’d-Dawla | Muwaqqari’d-Dawla | (“Pers.” Muwaqqari’d-Dawlih, “Muvaqqari’d-Dawlih”) “revered state”, a title. Mírzá ‘Alí Muḥammad Áqá, Muvaqqaru’d-Dawlih, father of Ḥasan Muwaqqar Bályúzí, a governor of the Persian Gulf Ports and Islands, and later a Vazír. |
| Muwasa, Muwasat (Muvasat) | Muwásá[h] | (fem. for mu’ásá or mu’ásáh; convention, muwásáh, but is pronounced muwását when in combination with a word starting with a vowel, e.g. al-) consolation; charity; beneficence; fem. sacrifice needs for others, preferring others to oneself. See comment for musáwáh. |
| Muzaffar | Muẓaffar | (Muzaffer, Mozaffar, Mosafir) victorious, successful, triumphant |
| Muzaffari’d-Din | Muẓaffari’d-Dín, Sháh | |
| Muzammal | Muzammal | muffled up, concealed in one’s garments |
| Muzdalifa | Muzdalifa(h or t) | an open, level area near Mecca associated with the Ḥajj. It lies just southeast of Miná, on the route between Miná and ‘Arafát. |
| Muzdawij | Muzdawij | coupled, united, wedded. A poetic style that includes alliteration or a rhyme scheme within the ending words of two lines, and follows a specific meter. It is very similar to the Persian, Urdu, and Turkish mathnawí, with one major difference: most Muzdawij follows an aaa/bbb/ccc pattern, while the other mathnawí follow an aa/bb/cc pattern. |
| Muzha, Muzhgan | Muzha (مژه), pl. Muzhgán | Pers. (“Mozha”, “Mozhgan”, “Mozhan”, “Mojan”) eyelash |
| Muzzammil | Muzzammil | one who wraps up and hides in his garments |
| Plain text | Transcripted text | Word meanings & comments |
| N | ||
| Na (Nah) | Na | Pers. (sometimes, in poetry, nah), no, not, neither, not yet |
| Na Khayr (Na Khair) | Na Khayr | Pers. no, not at all (“modern colloquialism”) |
| Na’am | Na‘am | (interjection) yes! yes indeed! certainly! surely! (introducing a verbal clause:) to be sure ... (usually isolated word), Na‘am’ (colloquial) I beg your pardon? what did you say? |
| Na’am, An’am | Na‘am, pl. An‘ám | (noun) grazing livestock (e.g. sheep, camels, cattle, goats); hence “common herd” (people) |
| Na’am, La; Balih, Nah | Na‘am, Lá; Pers. Balih, Na (Nah) | yes/no |
| Na’ib (1), Nuwwab | Ná’ib, pl. Nuwwáb | representative, agent, proxy, intermediary, substitute, alternate; delegate; deputy (of a dárúgha) |
| Na’ib (2), Na’iba, Na’ibat | Ná’ib, fem. Ná’iba[h or t], fem. pl. Ná’ibát | share, portion; allotment; contingent, quota; distributive share in estate, statutory portion. Fem. vicissitudes, ups and downs (of luck, of a battle, etc.); heavy blow, disaster, calamity, misfortune. Fem. pl. also nawá’ib. |
| Na’ib al-‘Amm | an-Ná’ib al-‘Ámm | general representative of the Hidden Imám without specific appointment by him |
| Na’ib al-Ghayba | Ná’ib al-Ghayba | “viceroy of the absence” |
| Na’ib al-Imam | Ná’ib al-Imám | representative of the Imám |
| Na’ib al-Iyala, Na’ibu’l-Iyalih | Ná’ib al-Iyála, Ná’ibu’l-Iyálih | “government agent”. Íyálih incorrectly used in GPB and BKG. |
| Na’ib as-Sadr | Ná’ib as-Ṣadr | vice president |
| Na’ib-i-Khass | Ná’ib al-Kháṣṣ, Pers. Ná’ib-i-Kháṣṣ | exclusive representative of the Twelfth Imám (“Naib-i-Khas”), appointed by the four abwáb. A title attributed by others to the Báb. |
| Na’im | Na‘ím | amenity, comfort, ease, happiness, felicity; gentle, tranquil, peaceful; blissful. Mirza Muḥammad, sobriquet Na‘ím, was a Bahá’í poet from Furúshán, one of the three villages that constituted a larger unit, Sidih of Iṣfahán. Na‘ím noted that Du‘á’ as-Saḥar (the Dawn prayer) begins with the name of Bahá’ (Splendour) and ends with the name of ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), the latter the exalted name of the Báb, the two names of the 1st and 19th months of the Badí‘ calendar. |
| Na’im | Ná‘im, fem. Ná‘ima[h or t] | soft; smooth; tender; fine, powdery. Fem. a garden, meadow; delicate (woman), well fed and healthy. |
| Ná’im, pl. Niyám, Nuwwam, Nuyyam | Ná’im, pl. Niyám, Nuwwam, Nuyyam | (pl. Nuwwám, Nuyyám) sleeping; asleep; numb, benumbed (limb); calm, tranquil, peaceful (night); fem. ná’ima[h or t], pl. ná’imát. |
| Na’imi | Na‘ímí | |
| Na’imiyan | Na‘ímíyán | ‘Alí Na‘ímíyán |
| Na’in (Nain, Naeen) | Ná’ín | city (32.863536, 53.094398) 136 km east of Iṣfahán |
| Na’ir, Na’ira, Nawa’ir | Ná’ir, fem. Ná’ira[h or t], pl. fem. Nawá’ir | Bright, clear, shining, luminous. Fem. fire, heat, warmth, inflammation, flame, blaze; enmity, hatred; a fireplace; charcoal. |
| Na’l, Ni’al, An’ul | Na‘l, pl. Ni‘ál, An‘ul | sandal; shoe; horseshoe |
| Na’l-Band | Na‘l-Band | Arabic element. A smith, farrier. Blacksmith Ustád Ḥusayn-i-Na‘l-Band. |
| Na’mayn (Na’aman) | Na‘mayn (Na‘amayn) | “two yeses”. Riḍván Garden of Na‘mayn (a small island in a stream (an-Na‘mayn) 2.5 km SE of old ‘Akká).1 The garden is also described as “The New Jerusalem” and “Verdant Isle” (GPB 193). There is a tradition in Islám that on the last Day in response to the Divine Call, “Am I not your Lord?” two yeses will be heard. The Na‘mayn Garden (32.915208, 35.090687), a ‘verdant knoll’ less than a kilometre east of the walls of ‘Akká, around which the Na‘mayn Stream (Tayyár Na‘mayn?, now largely dry due to ground water extraction for irrigation) divides before it empties (<0.5 km) into the Nahr Na‘mayn (Hebrew Na‘aman River), and 1 km further on, the sea. The river was once known as the Belus or Belos River of Phoenicia. The source of the river is said to be Tel Afiq (32.846499, 35.111614; the biblical town of Aphik, also known as Tel Kufrdani or Kurdani). See Na‘am and Riḍwán. |
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| O | ||
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| Pa | Pá | Pers. the foot; a footstep, vestige; cause, pretence, pretext; power, strength; opposition, resistance |
| Pa-Qal’iyi | Pá-Qal‘iyí | Pers. the people that are related to or are from the place that is within the area protected by a castle. See Qal‘a |
| Pap | Páp | Pers. the Pope (modern from French pape) |
| Papa | Pápá | Pers. father; the Pope |
| Pa’in | Pá’ín | Pers. lower part, bottom, foundation. See suflá (asfal), and contrast with bálá and ‘ulyá (used for upper parts of villages) |
| Pad | Pád | Pers. protecting, guarding; a guardian; great; firm, durable ; a throne; power, possession. |
| Pad-Shah (Padshah) | Pád-sháh (Pádsháh) | Pers. (Padshah, Padishah, Padeshah) (protecting lord), an emperor, sovereign, monarch, great king. The Sháh of Írán and the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire were styled Pádsháh. See Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas. |
| Pahlaw (Pahlav), Pahlawan | Pahlaw (Pahla), Pahlawán | Pers. Pahla comes from the term Pahlaw and thus from Parthav (Old Persian Parthia; Middle Persian Pahlaw). This is identical to the concept of the Parthians and Parthia. It also entered a number of languages as a military or even legendary title, as Pahlawán. Hence, a hero, champion, brave warrior, strong athletic man; a wrestler; a saint; traditional Persian wrestling. |
| Pahlawi (Pahlavi, Parsik, Parsig) | Pahlawí (Pahlaví), pl. Pahlawí-há | Pers. belonging to a city; a citizen; an ancient Persian and what relates to him; saintly; family name of a recent short “dynasty” (Khánadán Pahlaví, the family of the Pahlavis) of Sháhs begun in 1925 by Riḍá Khán. Plural (pahlaviha”) applies to ordinary people. Middle Persian or Pahlawí, also known by its endonym Pársík or Pársíg in its later form, is a Western Middle Iranian language that became the literary language of the Sasanian Empire. Middle Persian continued to function as a prestige language years after the Sasanian collapse. It is descended from Old Persian, the language of the Achaemenid Empire and is the linguistic ancestor of Modern (or New) Persian (also known by its endonym Fársí), the official language of Írán, Afghánistán and Tajikistan. |
| Pak | Pák | Pers. pure, chaste, innocent, clean, neat; perfect, full, complete; all, entire; downright |
| Pakbaz | Pákbáz | utmost detachment or those who risk all they have in gambling, those who give away whatever they have |
| Pakdini | Pákdíní | Pers. pure religion |
| Pakistan | Pákistán | “Land (stán, Persian) of the Pure (pák, Persian and Pashto)” |
| Pakistani | Pákistání | |
| Panabandan (Panah Bandan) | Panábandán | (also known as Panáh, Panáh Bandán, Panámandán, and Panávandán) is a small village 22 km SE Rasht in Gílán Province, Írán. See Fahnih |
| Panah (Fanah) | Panáh | Pers. an asylum, refuge, protection; shade, shelter. Fanáh (Panáh) Khusraw, better known by his laqab of ‘Aḍud ad-Dawla (“Pillar of the [Abbasid] Dynasty”) (936–983; r. 949–983) was an emir of the Buyid dynasty. |
| Panba (Panbah, Panbih, Panbeh) | Panba (پنبه) | Pers. cotton |
| Panba-Chula (Panbih-Chulih) | Panba-Chúla | (Panbeh Chuleh) a village (-i-bálá, upper and -i-pá’ín, lower) 18 km north of Sari |
| Panhan, Pinhan | Panhán, Pinhán | Pers. concealed, hidden; clandestine, secret |
| Panj | Panj | Pers. five; fifth; in fives; the five senses |
| Panj Ganj | Panj Ganj | Pers. the five senses; the five daily prayers of Islam; the five poems (Panj Ganj, or Khamsa, “Five Treasures” of Niẓámí) (Khamsa: Persian pronunciation of Ar. Khumásí) |
| Panj’ali (Panjali) | Panj‘alí (Panj+‘Alí) | Pers. very small village in Vizhinán Rural District, in the Central District of Gílán-i-Gharb County, Kermanshah Province, Írán. Possibly Dúl Zard-i-Panj‘alí (34.091497, 45.893233), 6 km SSW Gílán-i-Gharb. |
| Par-Pa (Parpa) | Par-Pá (Parpá) | Pers. feather foot; “light foot” surname given to Hájí Mírzá Jání (The Dawn-Breakers 101) |
| Par, Parr | Par, Parr | Pers. a wing; a feather; a leaf; the arm from the collar-bone to the tip of the finger; the sails or paddles of a mill; a side, skirt, or margin; leaf of a tree; light, ray |
| Paraclete (Parakletos) | Paraclete | advocate, intercessor; comforter or spirit of truth. Paráklētos, Greek, can signify “called to one’s aid in a court of justice”, a “legal assistant”, an “assistant”, or an “intercessor”. Latin Paracletus. Christians believe Paraclete is the Holy Ghost (John 14:16, 14:26, 15:26, 16:7). Many Muslims use Qur’án 61:6 to claim parakletos in the Bible should have been periklytos. However, see fáraqlíṭ. |
| Paran | Párán | Pers. (from Hebrew; Pharan, Ar. Fárán) uncertain location of a mountain, desert, wilderness, etc. Deuteronomy 33:2 is believed to link Sinai (Jabal Músá), “Seir” (Mt. Sa‘ír) and Párán (Mt. Párán in the Arabian Peninsula, hence Mount Ḥirá’) with Moses, Jesus Christ and Muḥammad respectively. Hence, symbolizing the place of the encounter of the divine Manifestation with God, i.e. the giving of the Tawrát to Moses, the Injíl to Jesus, and the Qur’án to Muḥammad. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states that the “Covenant upon Mount Párán” in the Bahá’í Writings refers to the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh. (Adib Taherzadeh, The Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 408) Muslim and Arabic traditions hold that the wilderness of Párán is, broadly speaking, the Ḥijáz or the Arabian Peninsula. By extension, “Mount Paran” was connected to Mount Ḥirá’. See Fárán. |
| Parast, Parastan | Parast, pl. Parastán | Pers. a worshipper; one who persists in his opinion |
| Parda | Parda | Pers. a veil, curtain, tapestry, caul, film, membrane; a partition between two rooms; the walls of a tent; a fence or wall for dividing fields; an act of a play |
| Parda Khwani (Pardeh Khwani) | Parda Khwání | Pers. figuratively, reading from the screen or curtain; parda show or a type of theatre. Before the advent of Islám it was a widely practised form of epic story telling in Írán using a screen depicting the events. Afterwards, the parda khwání was transformed into a national-religious performance that influenced the development of the ta‘zíya. Note: since a و (wáw) after a خ (kh) may not be pronounced, it may be written as parda khání (see PDC p. 93) (or “parda khani”). |
| Pari | Parí | Pers. winged; a good genius, a fairy |
| Pari-Rukh, Pari-Rukhsar | Parí-Rukh, Parí-Rukhsár | Pers. angel-cheeked, fairy-faced |
| Parishan (Pareshan) | Paríshán | Pers. dispersed, scattered; dishevelled; disturbed, perplexed, confounded, distracted, agitated, afflicted, vexed, sad, melancholy; unfortunate; disgusted. Also described as the mystic name for one “lost in an ecstasy of love”. |
| Pariz | Páríz | Pers. city (29.873842, 55.747571) 47 km north of Sírján, Írán |
| Pars (Fars) | Párs | Pers. a leopard (pard); an animal smaller than a leopard and trained to hunt; ounce, cheetah; Persia (from which is derived the Greek Persis, a name for the Fars region, now a province). Persis (Persia) is the name used in the West to refer to all of Írán. Arabs substituted the P for an F: Fárs. |
| Parsa’i | Pársá’í | Pers. chastity, purity, abstinence |
| Parsi (Parsee), Parsiyan | Pársí, pl. Pársiyán | Pers. (Parsi, pl. Parsis in India), a Zoroastrian, a Persian. An adherent of Zoroastrianism; specifically a descendant of Persian Zoroastrians who fled to India in the 7th & 8th centuries. See Fársí. |
| Parsiy-i-Sarih | Pársiy-i-Ṣaríḥ | Pers. “pure Persian”. Bahá’u’lláh used pure Persian rather sparingly, except when corresponding with Zoroastrians or for other special occasions. The Persian spoken in His time and today borrows heavily from Arabic, the language of Islám. He used Arabic as the primary language of Revelation and many of His prayers and tablets in Persian are heavily Arabicized. “Although there can be no question or doubt as to the sweetness of the Persian tongue, yet it hath not the scope of the Arabic.” (Bahá’u’lláh, Pen of Glory, p. 148) |
| Parwin (Parvin, Parvene, Parvyn) | Parwín (Parvín) | Pers. Pleiades. Name given in 1919 to the daughter of Dr Ḍíyá’ Baghdádí by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Later a middle name of Ḥabíba (Ḥabíbih) was added. |
| Parwiz (Parviz) | Parwíz (Parvíz) | Name of Persian king |
| Paşa, Paşalar | Paşa, pl. Paşalar | Turkish, pasha. Üç Paşalar: The "Three Pashas" (Turkish Üç paşalar) refers to the triumvirate of senior officials who effectively ruled the Ottoman Empire during World War I: Mehmed Talaat Pasha (Mehmed Talât Paşa, 1874–1921, assassinated), the Grand Vizier (prime minister) and Minister of the Interior; Ismail Enver Pasha (İsmail Enver Paşa, 1881–1922, assassinated), the Minister of War; and Ahmed Cemal Pasha (Ahmet Cemâl Paşa, 1872–1922, died in a war), the Minister of the Navy. They were largely responsible for the Empire’s entry into World War I in 1914 and also largely responsible for the death of over one million Armenians in the Armenian genocide. |
| Pasha | Páshá | Persian form of Turkish paşa. See báshá |
| Pasha’i, Pashahi, Pashay | Páshá’í, Pásháhí and Pásháy | Pers. (ائي ending) a small village in Golestan Province, Írán. 150 km west of Bujnúrd. |
| Pashaliq (Bashaliq), Pashaliq-ha | Pásháliq, pl. Pásháliq-há | Pers. form of Turkish paşalık, the jurisdiction or the territory of a páshá. |
| Pashay-i-Qibrisi | Pásháy-i-Qibrisí | Muḥammad Pásháy-i-Qibrisí (qubrusí, “a Cypriot”), once a Grand Vizir of the Ottoman Empire and Governor of Adrianople until April 1864 |
| Pashtu (Pushtu, Pashto) | Pashtú | Pers. also Afghání. Pashtú: a glass bottle; language spoken by Afghans |
| Pay-i-Minar (Pay-Minar) | Páy-i-Minár | Pers. foot of the minaret |
| Payam | Payám | Pers. news, advice; message; rumour, fame |
| Payambar (Payam-bar), Payambaran | Payámbar, pl. Payámbarán | Middle Pers. an apostle; a messenger. See Nabí (Arabic influence). |
| Payam-i-Dust (Payam-e-Doost) | Payám-i-Dúst | Pers. “Radio message from a friend” (Bahá’í radio broadcasts) |
| Payghun | Payghún | Pers. a condition, covenant |
| Paykar | Paykar | Pers. face, countenance; form, figure, mould, model; portrait, likeness; an idol-temple |
| Payman | Paymán | Pers. measuring; promise, agreement, compact, convention, treaty, stipulation, pledge, security, confirmation; asseveration, oath, kindred |
| Payrawi (Pay-rawi, Payravi) | Payrawí (Payraví) | a following, pursuit; search; dependence, consequence |
| Pe | Pe (پ) | Perso-Arabic alphabet letter that is based on bá’ (ب) with two additional diacritic underdots. It is interchangeable with fe (ف), e.g. Fársí and Pársí. |
| Periclytes, Periklytos, Periklutos | Periclytes, Greek Periklýtis | famed, illustrious, celebrated, praiseworthy, praised one, “much praised. Rendered in Arabic as Aḥmad |
| Peripatetic | Peripatetic | the Peripatetic school was a school of philosophy in Ancient Greece. Its teachings derived from its founder, Aristotle (384–322 BC), and peripatetic is an adjective ascribed to his followers. The term “Peripatetic” is a transcription of the ancient Greek word περιπατητικός peripatêtikos, which means “of walking” or “given to walking about”. The Peripatetic school was known simply as the Peripatos. Aristotle’s school came to be so named because of the peripatoi (“colonnades” or “covered walkways”) of the Lyceum where the members met. The legend that the name came from Aristotle’s alleged habit of walking while lecturing may have started with Hermippus of Smyrna. |
| Picha (Pichih, Picheh) | Pícha | Pers. woven, black, horse hair (or other fibre) net used to cover a woman’s face. Turkish yaşmak, peçe, petche; Ar. yashmak, ḥijáb. |
| Pichan | Píchán | Pers. complicated, twisted |
| Pidar (Pedar), Padar | Pidar, Padar | Pers. a father |
| Pija Kula (Pija Kola), Picha Kula | Pidar-Ján | “Father dear”. A title given to ‘Abdu’lláh of Qazvín (MF) |
| Pija Kula (Pija Kola), Picha Kula | Píjá Kulá (Píchá Kulá) | Pers. village (36.563549, 52.583363) 8 km NW of Babol. Possible home of Quddús. |
| Pilaw (Pilav), Pulau | Píláw (Píláv) | Pers. boiled rice and meat. Turkish pilav. English (UK) pilau, English (US) pilaf. |
| Pindar | Pindár | Pers. thought, imagination, fancy, opinion; pride, conceit, a high opinion of oneself |
| Pir | Pír | Pers. An old man; a founder or chief of a religious body or sect |
| Pir-Murad | Pír-Murád | Imám-Zádih Sayyid Muḥammad bin Músá al-Káẓim (Pír-Murád Shrine) (29.129644, 54.031008)—building has been replaced. West Istahbán has grown around it. |
| Pish (Pesh) | Písh | Pers. before; in front; forward; past; future; further, beyond; preamble, premises; an example, model, exemplar, coryphaeus, chief, superior, commander, leader |
| Pish-Kash, Pishkish | Pish-Kash, Píshkish | Pers. a present, tip, duoceur. Ritual courtesy forbids you to take the gift. |
| Pishdad (Peshdad) | Pishdád | Pers. a law-giver; the first to redress the wrongs of the oppressed; earnest-money; Hushang, the first of the line of Peshdadian kings. |
| Pishdadiyan (Peshdadiyan | Píshdádíyán | Pers. the Píshdádíyán Dynasty is said to have produced the first kings who ruled over Persia (e.g. Firaydún) |
| Pishkar (Pesh-kar) | Píshkár | Pers. an assistant, helper; a domestic, a serving-man, a hired labourer; a steward; a disciple; a subordinate officer whose business it is to write the accounts. |
| Pishnamaz | Píshnamáz | Pers. a prayer leader; a chaplain; the cleric who leads the congregation in prayer in the mosque, usually equivalent to an imám-jum‘ih |
| Plevna | Plevna | Pleven, Bulgaria |
| Prayer | Prayer | There are three types of revealed prayers: ṣaláh [ritual or obligatory prayers revealed by Bahá’u’lláh], du’á’ (prayers for certain occasions and requirements) and munájáh (prayers that are more in the character of communing with God) [revealed by the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi]. See ṣaláh. |
| Pukhta (Pukhtih, “Pokhet”) | Pukhta | Pers. boiled, dressed, cooked; ripe, mature; expert, skilful, versed in business; sly; a large lamb; contemptible; strong, well built |
| Pul | Púl | Pers. a bridge; a small piece of copper coin; money; a fish-scale; a station on a journey, an inn |
| Pur | Púr | Pers. a son; a horse; one who shams ignorance; steel; a woodcock; Porus, king of the Pauravas |
| Pur | Pur | Pers. full; laden, charged; complete; much, very |
| Pur-dil (Purdil) | Pur-dil (Purdil) | Pers. “full heart” full of courage, intrepid, magnanimous; intelligent; liberal |
| Pur-Ustadkar | Púr-Ustádkár | Pers. See púr, ustád and kár |
| Pursidani | Pursídaní | Per. questions that ought to be put, conventional questions; a riddle |
| Pursish | Pursish | Pers. a question, interrogation; visiting the sick; mourning the dead |
| Pusht | Pusht | Pers. the back; the outside; the blade of a sword; a support, prop; a protector, patron |
| Pust (Post) | Púst | Pers. skin; a raw hide, undressed skin; rind, outward coat; crust; bark of a tree; a shell; poppy-head; slander, detraction |
| Pustchi | Pústchí | púst+chí? Yadu’lláh Pústchí executed 24 June 1981. |
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| Q | ||
| Qa’ima, Qa’imat, Qawa’im | Qá’ima[h or t], pl. Qá’imát, Qawá’im | leg, foot, paw (of a quadruped); leg, foot (of furniture); pale, stake, post, prop, stanchion, pillar; pommel (of a sword’s hilt); stand, base, support; (figurative) main support, pillar; upright, perpendicular; a perpendicular line;—pl. list, roster, register, index, table, schedule; catalogue; invoice, bill |
| Qa’da | Qa‘da | sitting; backside, seat, buttocks, posteriors; space occupied while sitting, seating space |
| Qa’ida (Qaeda), Qawa’id | Qá‘ida(h), pl. Qawá‘id | foundation, groundwork; basis; fundament; base (geometry; military); support, base, socle, foot, pedestal; Ottoman: chassis, undercarriage; precept, rule, principle, maxim; formula; method, manner, mode; model, pattern. al-Qá‘ida is a militant Sunni islamist multi-national organization founded in 1988 by Osama bin Laden, ‘Abdu’lláh Yúsuf ‘Azím, and several other Arab volunteers during the Soviet-Afghan War |
| Qa’im Al-Muhammad | Qá’im Ál Muḥammad | “the one who rises of the family of Muḥammad”), a title given to a messiah-like figure in the eschatology of Shí‘a Islám, sometimes equated with the Mahdí. The term first came into use in the eighth century to refer to a future member of the family of Muḥammad who would rise up and defeat the wicked rulers of the age and restore justice. See also al-Qá’im bi’l-sayf and al-Qá’im bi-amr Alláh. |
| Qa’im bi-amr Allah | al-Qá’im bi-amr Alláh | “the one who carries out the order of God” |
| Qa’im bi’l-Sayf | al-Qá’im bi’l-Sayf | “He who will rise up”/“he who will rise up with the sword”—title of the Hidden Imám in his persona as the Mahdí and world conquerer |
| Qa’im Shahr (Qa’imshahr, Qaemshahr) | Qá’im Shahr | Qaem Shahr (Qaemshahr and Qa’em Shahr; formerly (pre-1979) known as Sháhí) is a city in and the capital of Qaem Shahr County, Mazandaran Province, Írán. Originally known as Aliyabad (‘Aliyábád or ‘Alí-Ábád). 155 km NE of Ṭihrán. It is 6 km NE of the Shrine of Shaykh Ṭabarsí. |
| Qa’im, Quwwam, Quyyam | Qá’im, pl. Quwwam, Quyyam | (pl. also Quwwám, Quyyám) rising, getting up; standing; upright, erect; stand-up; existing, existent; visible, conspicuous; firm, steadfast, staunch, unflinching, unshakable; revolting, rebelling (against). The Sunnis (Ar. Sunnyún) await the appearance of the Mihdí and also “the return of Jesus Christ”. The Promised One of Islám (Qá’im Ál-Muḥammad), “He Who shall arise” (of the family of Muḥammad)—for the return of Imám Ḥusayn. Sometimes given as Kaem and Khaem. |
| Qa’imiya, Qa’imiyya | Qá’imíya (Pers. Qá’imiyya) | Station of the Qá’im (“He Who shall arise”). Qa’im-hood, Qa’im-ship. Similar to Messiahship (station of the promised and expected deliverer/redeemer/saviour of the Jewish people) |
| Qa’im-Maqam, Qa’imaqam (Kaymakam) | Qá’im-Maqám | “standing place” but, in this context, maqám is used with the sense of “office”, “position” or “state”. A Turkish “sub-governor” that is “standing in place” of the sulṭán at a local level. An administrative officer at the head of a qaḍá’. Title of a local governor in Írán. Mírzá Abu’l-Qásim-i-Faráhání, entitled Qá’im-Maqám, Grand Vizier to Muḥammad Sháh, was a close friend and associate of Mírzá Buzurg-i-Núrí, the father of Bahá’u’lláh. He was executed in June 1835. Bahá’u’lláh extoled him in one of His Tablets. |
| Qa’im-Maqami | Qá’im-Maqámí | lieutenancy; succession, assigneeship; representation; deputation. Mírzá Áqá Khán (entitled Qá’im-Maqámí) was a grandson of Qá’im-Maqám and an eminent Bahá’í. |
| Qa’in, Qayin | Qá’in, Qáyin | (Qaen, Ghayen, Qayen, Ghaen) capital city (33.736576, 59.178814) of Qá’in County in South Khorasan Province, Írán |
| Qa’ini | Qá’iní | name by which Mírzá Habíb-i-Shírází was known |
| Qaba’ (Quba’), Aqviya | Qabá’, pl. Aqbiya | an outer garment with full-length sleeves. Qubá’ (Pers. also qubá), name of several places. Qubá’, formerly a village, now part of Madinah, the place where Muḥammad and Abú Bakr arrived (16 July 622 (12th Rabí‘ al-Awwal) and first stayed after emigrating from Makkah. This was fourteen years after Prophethood and the date marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar (Hijra). A masjid was established here by Muḥammad, the first to be built in the Islamic dispensation (see Qur’án 9:108). |
| Qabid | Qábiḍ, pl. Qábiḍún, Qábáḍ | constipating, costive (medical); grievous, distressing, embarrassing; receiver, recipient; gripper, clamp, claw, catcher, tongs, holder (technology);—(pl.) (tax) collector |
| Qabil, Qabila | Qábil, fem. Qábila[h or t] | approaching, ensuing, following; next (year); a recipient; capable, able, skilful, clever; worthy, sufficient |
| Qabila, Qaba’il | Qabíla(h), pl. Qabá’il | tribe |
| Qabiliya, Qabiliya | Qábilíya[h or t], pl. Qábilíyát | faculty, power, capacity, capability, ability; aptitude, fitness; tendency, disposition, liability, susceptibility, sensibility, receptivity (to); appetite |
| Qabl | Qabl | (preposition) before, prior to, previously |
| Qabr, Qubur | Qabr, pl. Qubúr | grave, tomb, sepulchre |
| Qabus | Qábús | Pers. a man with a handsome face and a fine complexion (káwús). Ar. nightmare |
| Qabz, Qubuz | Qabẓ, pl. Qubúẓ | Pers. (verbal noun) Taking, seizing, arresting, grasping, griping, clutching; keeping back, restraining ones hand from taking hold of; flying or walking swiftly; driving (camels) fast; capture, sequestration, confiscation; receipt, voucher; contraction;—pl. receipt papers |
| Qad | Qad | indicates the termination of an action; sometimes corresponding to English “already”; sometimes, at times; perhaps, or English “may”, “might” |
| Qada | Qaḍá (verb) | a decree, mandate, judgement. See qadr. |
| Qada’ | Qaḍá’ (verbal noun) | settling, finishing, ending, closing, termination, conclusion, windup, completion, accomplishment; carrying out, execution, performance, effectuation; fulfilment, satisfaction, gratification (of a wish, of a desire); provision (for a need); compliance (with a request); payment, settlement, discharge (of a debt); passing, spending (of a period of time); divine decree (al-Qaḍá’, mystical station of submitting to the divine decree, it is singular!), destiny, fate; judgement, sentence, (judicial) decision, (court) ruling, ordinance; administration of the law, judiciary, jurisprudence, justice; law; jurisdiction; office of judge, judicature; judging, rendering of judgement; sentencing, condemnation (of someone); extermination, annihilation, extirpation |
| Qada’ al-Qadar | al-Qaḍá’ wa’l-Qadar | “the decree and the measure”, divine providence or predestination according to Sunní Muslims |
| Qadam (Ghadam, Ghedam), Aqdam | Qadam, pl. Aqdám | a foot; a footstep, track, trace; a foot’s length; step, pace; merit, pre-excellence; bold, heroic; very meritorious. Rúḥu’lláh Qadamí (Ghedami). |
| Qadar, Aqdar | Qadar, pl. Aqdár | divine fore-ordainment, predestination; whatever is fixed, decreed, and commanded by God; fate, destiny, lot. Decision, destiny, measure or desert, mystical station of consciousness of one’s destiny; power; the power of directing one’s own actions (free will); quantity, price, value. |
| Qadariya | Qadaríya[h or t] | a Muslim sect that teaches the doctrine of free-will. al-qadaríya, a theological school of early Islám asserting man’s free will. See Jabríyya. |
| Qadi-Kala (Ghadikola, Qadi Kola) | Qáḍí-Kalá | villages: Qáḍí-Kalá 40 km SE Sari (36.338935, 53.407464); Qáḍí-Kalá 13 km NNW of Sari (36.674167, 53.107222); Qáḍí-Kalá 9 km NW of Bábul (36.587500, 52.588056); Qáḍí-Kalá 9 km NNW Qá’im Shahr (36.538611, 52.897222) |
| Qadi, Qazi, Qada, Quzat | Qáḍí, Pers. Qáẓí, pl. Qaḍá(h) | (“cadi”) a judge (civil, criminal or religious in Islám). Pers. pl. quẓát. See Qáḍin |
| Qadim, Qadimun, Qudum | Qádim, pl. Qádimún, Qudúm, Quddám | one arriving, arriver, arrival, newcomer |
| Qadim, Qudama’ | Qadím, pl. Qudamá’ | ancient, olden; archaic; former; without beginning or end (eternal) |
| Qadimi | Qadímí | ancient, olden; an old inhabitant; one holding by hereditary descent |
| Qadin, Quda, Qawadin | Qáḍin | decisive, conclusive; deadly, lethal;—(pl. quḍá[h]) judge, magistrate, justice, cadi;—pl. qawáḍin requirements, exigencies |
| Qadir, Qadira | Qádir, fem. Qádira[h or t] | possessing power or strength, powerful, potent; having mastery (over something), capable (of something); omnipotent, almighty, all-powerful (God)—abjad value 314. Qadír and Qádir are often used interchangeably, but they have slightly different meanings. In general qadír, is used to describe the inherent nature of something or someone, while qádir is used to describe the ability to do something. |
| Qadiriya, Qadiriyyih | Qádiríya, Pers. Qadiriyyih | Qádiríya Ṣúfí Order, founded by ‘Abdu’l-Qádir-i-Gílaní 1077–1166 |
| Qadiriyan, Ghadiriyan | Qadíriyán or Ghádíriyán | Pers. Dr ‘Abdu’l-Mísságh Ghádíriyán or Dr ‘Abdu’l-Mítháq Qadíriyán |
| Qadisiyyah | al-Qádisíya, Pers. al-Qádisiyyah | city south of Baghdád and famous as the site of a battle c. 636 when Arab-Muslim invaders defeated a larger Sasanian Empire army. |
| Qadiya Baha’iya | Qaḍíya Bahá’íya | the Bahá’í Cause. See Amr al-Bahá’í |
| Qadiya, Qadaya | Qaḍíya(h or t), pl. Qaḍáyá | lawsuit; litigation, judicial contest; action at law, suit; (legal) case, cause, legal affair; matter, affair; question, problem, issue; theorem, proposition (mathematics) |
| Qadiyan (Qadian) | Qádiyán | Pers. a very small Persian village (33.049832, 48.973821). Qadian is a city in Punjab, India. See Aḥmadiyya. |
| Qadiyani (Qadiani) | Qádiyání, pl. Qádiyáníyún | of Qádiyán. A pejorative term used by some South Asian muslims to refer to Aḥmadí Muslims, primarily in Pakistan. The term originates from Qádiyán, a small town in the Punjab, northern India, the birthplace of Mírzá Ghulám Aḥmad, the founder of the Aḥmadiyya movement. While it is pejorative to the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, it is used in official Pakistani documents. |
| Qadr, Aqdar | Qadr, pl. Aqdár | extent, scope, quantity, amount, scale, rate, measure, number; sum, amount; degree, grade; worth, value, standing, rank; divine decree (singular only) |
| Qaf | Qáf | name of Arabic letter ق. Qáf is said to be the Arabized form of the Middle Persian word gâp meaning “unknown”. |
| Qaflan-Kuh, Qaflankuh (Kaflan-Kuh) | Qáflán-Kúh, Qáflánkúh | Qáflánkúh Mountain Range has an average width of almost 20 km and a length of about 100 km, it stretches in a northwest-southeast direction, beginning from northwest of Zanján, passing north of Zanján and ending southeast of Zanján |
| Qafqas, Qawqas | Qafqás | al-Qafqás and al-Qawqás, the Caucasus. Pers. Qafqáz or Ghafgház (“Qafqaz”, “Kawkaz”, “Ghafghaz”). |
| Qahhar | Qahhár | conquering, vanquishing; al-Qahhár the Subduer, the Almighty (God) |
| Qahir, Qahira, Qahirih | Qáhir; fem. Qáhira[t], Pers. also Qáhirih | who or what subdues or triumphs; a conqueror; mighty, powerful; violent, forcible, oppressive. Feminine: a conqueress, victrix; Augusta; name of the capital of Egypt, Cario. The official Arabic name of Cairo is al-Qáhirah, from an-Najm al-Qáhir (planet Mars). |
| Qahqaha, Qahqahih | Qahqaha[h or t], Pers. Qahqahih | loud burst of laughter |
| Qahr | Qahr | vanquishing, conquer, subdual, subjection, subjugation; compulsion, coercion, force; (e.g.) annoyance, trouble, sorrow, grief |
| Qahru’llah | Qahru’lláh | “Annoyance of God” or “The Wrath of God”. Name given by the Báb to an Indian dervish and to Mullá Muḥammad-‘Alíy-i-Zanjání. |
| Qaht | Qaḥṭ | lack of rain, failing rain; drought, dryness; famine; dearth, failure of crops, lack, want, scarcity; penury, hunger, starvation, want, famine; a hard blow |
| Qahtan | Qaḥṭán | legendary ancestor of the south Arabians. Name of the son of Amír, son of Sálikh, father of a Yemeni tribe; name of a desert. Baní Qaḥṭán (Qahtanite) Arab tribe from Yemen, consisting of two sub-groups: Ḥimyar (Himyartes) (in the area of Ṣan‘á’) and Kahlán (Kahlanis).. |
| Qahtani | Qaḥṭání | (tribe) of Qaḥṭán. Qahtanite and Qahtani refer to Arabs who originate from south Arabia. |
| Qahviy-i-Awliya, Qahviyih Awliya | Qahviy-i-Awlíyá, Qahviyih Awlíyá | mosque-like building containing the school attended by the Báb. It was in the Bázár-i-Murgh (Poultry Market) quarter of Shíráz |
| Qahwa-Khana, Qahwih-Khanih | Qahwa-Khána, also Qahwih-Khánih | Pers. coffee house. also Qahvih-i-khánih |
| Qahwa, Qahawat, Qahawi | Qahwa[h or t], pl. Qahawát, Qaháwí | wine, coffee;—pl. café, coffeehouse |
| Qahwachi, Qahwa-chi, Qahvih-chi | Qahwachí, Qahwa-chí, Qahvih-chí | Pers. coffee house keeper or coffee maker. Sometimes includes tá’ marbúṭa: Qahwahchí, Qahvahchí, etc. |
| Qawati, Qahawati | Qahwátí, Qahawátí, pl. Qahwátíya | coffeehouse owner (pl. also qahwíya) |
| Qahwiya Awliya’, Qahviyih-i-Awliya’ | Qahwíya Awliyá’ (Pers. Qahviyih-i-Awlíyá’) | mosque-like building containing the school attended by the Báb. It was in the Bázár-i-Murgh (Poultry Market) quarter of Shíráz (District 8). |
| Qajar, Qajaran, Qajar-ha | Qájár, pl. Qájárán, Pers. Qájár-há | a Turkoman tribe of Túrán, and a family whose leaders reigned in Persia from 1795 to 1925; the dynasty was founded by Ághá Muḥammad Khán. Also spelt Kadjar, Kajar, Kadzhar, Cadzhar, Cadjar, Ghajar. |
| Qal wa-qil, Qil wa-qal | Qál wa-qíl, Qíl wa-qál | long palaver; idle talk, prattle, gossip. |
| Qal’a (Pers. Qal’ih, Qal’eh), Qila’, Qulu’ | Qal‘a(h or t), Pers. Qal‘ih, pl. Qilá‘, Qulú‘ | castle, fortress, stronghold, fort (especially on the top of a mountain); citadel |
| Qal’a Zinjir | Qal‘a Zinjír | Pers. very small village (33.002655, 48.203327) and nearby rock outcrop 71 kn NNW of Dizfúl |
| Qal’a-i-Muhammad ‘Ali Khan | Qal‘a-i-Muḥammad ‘Alí Khán | (“Qaleh-i-Mohammad Ali Khan”) is a very small village (35.252778, 50.981111) in Rayy County, Tehran Province. |
| Qala (Qawl) | Qála (Qawl) | to speak, say, tell (something, to someone). Qul (قُلْ) say! |
| Qalam al-Ilahi | al-Qalam al-Iláhí | “the divine pen” |
| Qalam-dan (Qalamdan) | Qalam-dán (Qalamdán) | Pers. pencil-box |
| Qalam, Aqlam (Qilam, Qulam) | Qalam, pl. Aqlám | reed pen; pen; writing, script, calligraphic style, ductus; handwriting; style; office, bureau, agency, department; window, counter; item, entry. Qilám (Qulám) appears to be another plural. |
| Qalandar (Kalandar), Qalandarun | Qalandár, Pers. Qalandar, pl. Qalandárún | wandering ascetic. Ḥájí Qalandar, Bahá’í teacher and former dervish. |
| Qalandariya | Qalandáríya[h], Pers. Qalandariyya[h] | sect of wandering ascetic Ṣúfí dervishes |
| Qalb, Qulub | Qalb, pl. Qulúb | heart; middle, centre; core, gist, essence; marrow, medulla, pith; the best or choicest part; mind, soul, spirit |
| Qalbi | Qalbí, Qalbíyan | of or pertaining to the heart, heart- (in compounds), cardiac, cardiacal; cordial, hearty, warm, sincere. Qalbíyan cordially, heartily, warmly, sincerely. |
| Qalil, Aqilla’, Qala’il, Qilal | Qalíl, pl. Aqillá’, Qalá’il, Qilál | little; few; insignificant, inconsiderable, trifling; small (in number or quantity), scant, scanty, spare, sparse, meagre, insufficient; scarce, rare; a small number, a small quantity, a modicum, a little (of) |
| Qalis (Qullais, Qillis) | Qalís | a miser. Kanísa al-Qalís (al-Qalis Church) in Sana‘á’ (in Yemen) built between 527 and the late 560s by Abrahah al-‘Ashram to promote Christianity in the predominantly Jewish kingdom while also attempting to antagonise the Ka‘aba in Mecca, a major religious centre for Arab polytheists. Sura 105 “The Elephant” records his attack on Mecca in 570. |
| Qalyan (Galayin, Galyun) | Qalyán | Pers. (Nárgíl) pipe for smoking through water; water pipe, narghile, hubble-bubble; smoking pipe, tobacco pipe. |
| Qamar, Aqmar | Qamar, pl. Aqmár | (Egyptian Ghamar) the moon (especially from the third day to the end of the month); (variation) having the eyes dazzled from the reflection of snow or any bright colour; satisfying thirst; being abundant (forage, etc.); being spoiled; watching, lying awake in moonlight—pl. moon; satellite (astronomy). Jerah from Hebrew “moon”. |
| Qamaran | al-Qamarán (dual) | the sun and moon. Pers. Qamarání |
| Qamari | Qamarí | of or pertaining to the moon, moon-shaped, moon-like, lunar |
| Qamariya al-Ashhur | al-Qamaríya(h) al-Ashhur | the lunar months (Qamariyyah also used) |
| Qamariya al-Huruf | al-Qamaríya(h) al-Ḥurúf | the moon letters (grammar) (Qamariyyah also used) |
| Qambar | Qambar | a companion of Imám ‘Alí. Qambar-‘Alí was a servant of Mullá Ḥusayn. |
| Qamis, Qamisa, Qumus, Aqmisa, Qumsan | Qamíṣ, pl. Qumuṣ, Aqmiṣa, Aqmiṣa | shirt; dress, gown; covering, cover, case, wrap, envelope, jacket; (Christian) alb, surplice, rochet; incarnation. Fem. qamíṣa[h]. |
| Qams | Qamṣ | gallop |
| Qamsar (Qamşar, Ghamsar, Kamsar) | Qamṣar | village (33.751320, 51.427924; now a city ) 25 km south of Káshán, Iran. Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Qamṣarí. |
| Qamus, Qawamis | Qámús, pl. Qawámís | ocean; dictionary, lexicon. al-Qámús al-Muhíṭ (“The Surrounding Ocean”) by Muḥammad ibn Ya‘qúb al-Fayrúzábádí |
| Qana, Qanan, Quniy, Qina’, Qanawat | Qanáh (Qanát is also used in Írán) | (pl. qanan, quníy, qiná’, qanawát, qanayát) spear, (bamboo) lance; shaft; tube, duct, pipe; an underground canal; a syphon;—(pl. aqniya, qanawát) canal; stream, waterway. Qanats, developed in Írán, are sloping underground channels (with vertical access shafts) used to transport water from an underground aquifer. See Falaj. |
| Qanbar | Qanbar | name of servant and companion of Imám ‘Alí |
| Qand, Qunud | Qand, pl. Qunúd | hard crystalline mass formed by evaporating or boiling cane sugar, candy |
| Qanit, Qanita | Qánit, fem. Qánita[h or t] | godly, devout, prayerful. Fem. devout, obedient, submissive. Pers. Qánitih (also known as Káfiya), the name of the maid of Ṭáhirih at Badasht. |
| Qannad | Qannád | Pers. A maker of sugar-candy; a confectioner. Áqá Ríḍáy-i-Qannád |
| Qantara (Kantara), Qanatir | Qanṭara, pl. Qanáṭir | arched bridge, stone bridge; vault, arch; archway, arcade; arches, viaduct, aqueduct (especially pl.); dam, weir. al-Qanṭara is a north-eastern Egyptian city on the western side of the Suez Canal located in the Egyptian governorate of Ismailia, 160 km north-east of Cairo and 50 km south of Port Said. Known as Kantara by the British during the First World War. |
| Qanun fi’t-Tibb, Qanun fi at-Tibb | al-Qánún fi’ṭ-Ṭibb, Ar. al-Qánún fí aṭ-Ṭibb | “The Canon of Medicine” by Avicenna. A 5 vol. encyclopedia of medicine. |
| Qanun, Qawanin | Qánún, pl. Qawánín | canon; established principle, basic rule, axiom, norm, regulation, rule, ordinance, prescript, precept, statute; law; code; tax, impost |
| Qapu | Qápú | Azerbaijani, gate. ‘Álí Qápú Palace is an imperial palace in Iṣfahán. |
| Qara (Ghara) | Qará | Turkish. black |
| Qara-Gawhar, Qara-Guhar | Qará-Gawhar, Qará-Guhar | “Black pearl or gem”, name given to a 51 kg chain, one of two dreadful chains (the other was Salásil) placed on Bahá’u’lláh in the Black Pit of Ṭihrán. See silsila and síyáh-chál |
| Qarab, Qaraba | Qarab, fem. Qarába[h or t] | (pl. fem. qarábát) near; fem. relation, relationship, kinship. Súrih of Qarábat by the Báb |
| Qara, Qurra | Qárá, pl. Qurrá | reciter(s) of the Qur’án by heart |
| Qarabagh, Qarah Bagh | Qarabágh (Qarah Bágh) | district 56 km SW of Ghazní, 128 km SW of Kabul, in eastern Afghánistán |
| Qarad | Qarad | Pers. being corroded, worm-eaten (leather); being silent (especially from an impediment in speech); being crisp and curly (hair); being matted and impacted (wool); palm-branches stripped of their leaves; being small (teeth); being spoiled in flavour; tautology. Ar. “monkey”. Skirmish of Dhú Qarad (a reservoir or well, skirmish also named al Ghábah, possibly 24.562517, 39.606828) three days before the battle of Khaybar. Located just north of Medina. |
| Qarad, Qarrad | Qarád (قراد) | possibly should be qarrád (قرّاد), “a keeper or trainer of monkeys”; or qurád (قراد), “tick” |
| Qaraguzlu, Qarah-Guzlu, Karagozlu | Qaraguzlú, Qarah-Guzlú, Karagözlú | T. “black-eyed”. Turkish tribe, a large number live in Hamadán. |
| Qarah Darrah | Qarah Darrah | a village in Khuristan, Zanjan or Fars Provinces |
| Qarah Tabbah (Qarah Tapah, Qarih-Tapih) | Qarah Tabbah | town in Iraq 28 km NNW of Jalula (Jalawlá) and 68 km NSW of the town of Kifrí. Bahá’u’lláh passed here enroute to Istanbul. |
| Qarar, Qararat | Qarár, pl. Qarárát | sedentariness, fixedness, fixity; firmness, solidity; steadiness, constancy, continuance, permanency, stability; repose, rest, stillness; duration; abode, dwelling, habitation; residence; resting place; bottom (e.g., of a receptacle); depth (of the sea);—pl., decision, resolution |
| Qarasha (Qarsh) | Qarasha (Qarsh) | to gnash, grind (one’s teeth); to nibble, crunch, chew (something). Derivatives Qirsh and Quraysh. |
| Qard (Qadh), Qird, Qurud | Qarḍ (Qirḍ), pl. Qirḍ | loan; “to cut”, because historically the lender cut off part of his or her property to give to the borrower as a loan |
| Qard al-Hasan | Qarḍ al-Ḥasan | benevolent lending; interest-free loan with unstipulated due date (repaid at the pleasure of the borrower). Hence, can be translated as a loan that is a good deed or charitable act. Ḥasan is derived from Iḥsán (“splendid or beautiful”). Term is translated as “loan on benevolent terms” in Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 132. |
| Qarh, Qarha, Quruh, Qirah | Qarḥ, pl. Qurúḥ | (fem. qarḥa, pl. qiraḥ) ulcer, sore; abscess, boil |
| Qari’, Qari’un, Qurra’ | Qári’, pl. Qári’ún, Qurrá’ | intoner, reciter or reader (especially of the Qur’án); the appointed time (of anything, especially of a periodical wind to blow); devout, pure, holy |
| Qari’a, Qawari’ | Qári‘a(h), pl. Qawári‘ | (sudden) misfortune, calamity; adversity. al Qári‘ah, the Great Calamity, Súra 101. |
| Qarin | Qarín, pl. Quraná’ | connected, joined, linked, combined, united, associated, affiliated; companion, mate, fellow, associate, comrade; husband, spouse, consort |
| Qarmat | Qarmaṭ | “to make the lines close together in writing” or “to walk with short steps”. See muqarmaṭ |
| Qarmati, Qaramita | Qarmaṭí, pl. Qarámiṭa(t) | Carmathian, Qarmathian or Karmathian; members of a very fanatic and syncretic branch of Sevener Ismá‘ílí Shí‘á Islám. Mubárak, was an accomplished calligrapher, excelling in a názuk style known as muqarmaṭ. For that reason he was entitled Muqarmaṭwayh. Thus the appellation Qarmaṭí and its westernized form, Carmathian, are derived from the muqarmaṭ style of calligraphy. People accepting the teachings of ‘Abdu’lláh ibn Maymún and Mubárak were called Mubárakís or Qarmaṭís (of the Qarmaṭíya sect). Names of other founders have been suggested. |
| Qarn, Qurun | Qarn, pl. Qurún | horn (of an animal; as a wind instrument); feeler, tentacle, antenna; top, summit, peak (of a mountain); the first visible part of the rising sun; capsule, pod (botany); century. See qirán. |
| Qarshi | Qarshí | (Uzbek; Persian: Nakhshab; Russian: Karshi) is a city in southern Uzbekistan. Originally the Sogdian city of Nakhshab, and the Islamic Uzbek (Turkic) city of Nasaf, and the Mongol city of Qarshi (pronounced Kharsh), Qarshí was the second city of the Emirate of Bukhárá. |
| Qarun | Qárún | mentioned in the Qur’án, believed to be the son of Moses’ paternal uncle, the Korah (Korah son of Esau or Korah son of Izhar?) of the Old Testament, and proverbial for his wealth and avarice. |
| Qarya, Quran | Qarya(h or t), pl. Quran, Pers. Qurá | village; hamlet; small town; rural community |
| Qasa (Qais, Qays, Qiyas) | Qása (Qais, Qays, Qiyás) | to measure, gauge |
| Qasam (Kasam, Kassam), Aqsam | Qasam, pl. Aqsám | oath |
| Qasas | Qaṣaṣ | clippings, cuttings, chips, snips, shreds, narrative, tale, story. Also to relate, narrate, tell (to someone something) |
| Qasd | Qaṣd | endeavour, aspiration, intention, intent; design, purpose, resolution; object, goal, aim, end; frugality; thrift, economy. biʼl-qaṣd, on purpose, designedly. |
| Qashqa’i | Qashqá’í | clans of Turkic ethnic origin |
| Qasi, Qusat | Qásí, pl. Qusát | Pers. hard; severe |
| Qasid | Qaṣíd | aspired, desired, aimed at, intended; faultless, without defects (of a poem) |
| Qasida Lamiya, Qasidiy-i-Lamiyyih | al-Qaṣída al-Lámíya | Pers. Qaṣídiy-i-Lámíyyih ode with lám as the last consonant on each line |
| Qasida at-Ta’iya, Qasidiy-i-Ta’iyyih | al-Qaṣída at-Tá’íya | (Pers. Qaṣídiy-i-Tá’íyyih) ode with tá’ as the last consonant on each line |
| Qasida, Qasa’id (Kasida) | Qaṣída(h), pl. Qaṣá’id | “intention”; a poem, or elegy being a kind of longer ghazal; an ode; a staff, rod; a fat she-camel. An ancient Arabic poem having, as a rule, a rigid tripartite structure. The verses have uniform length and rhyme. Therefore, poems are often named with reference to their end of line rhyming letter, e.g. ‘ayníya, lamíya (ending in the letter lám), Núníya, etc. |
| Qasidah al-Warqa’iya | Qaṣídah al-Warqá’íya | (Pers. Qaṣídiy-i-Varqá’iyyah, “Qasidiy-i-Varqa’iyyah”) “Ode of the Dove” by Bahá’u’lláh in Arabic |
| Qasim | Qásim | divider; distributor; divisor, denominator (mathematics) |
| Qasim (Qassim) | Qaṣím | easily broken, brittle, fragile. al-Qaṣím, Saudi Arabian province in the centre of the Arabian peninsula. |
| Qasir, Qasira, Qisar, Qisara | Qaṣír, fem. Qaṣíra(t), pl. Qiṣár, fem. | (fem. pl. qiṣára(t)) short; small, short (of stature), low |
| Qasr (1) | Qaṣr | shortness, brevity; smallness; incapability, inability; insufficiency, inadequacy; laxity, slackness, negligence, neglectfulness; indolence, inertness, laziness; shortening, curtailment, abridgment, reduction, diminution; limitation, restriction, confinement (to) |
| Qasr (2) (Kassre), Qusu | Qaṣr, pl. Quṣúr | castle; palace; palais. Also a citadel, villa, any imposing building or structure, e.g. Qaṣr Mazra‘ih. Bahjí (built by ‘Údí Khammár) is sometimes called Qaṣr Bahjí (Mansion of Delight). Qaṣr al-‘Adlíya (Morocan) palace of justice, courthouse. Quṣúr also means incapability, inability; insufficiency, inadequacy; deficiency (defect, default), shortcoming, lack; reduction, diminution (falling in price, falling short), decrease; slackness, laxity, negligence, neglectfulness; indolence, inertness, laziness; legal minority; failing; inaccuracy, incorrectness; error, sin, fault. Hence, “Dwellest thou in palaces” in Tablet to Pope Pius IX, SLH p. 54, can also be translated as “Dwellest thou in sin”. |
| Qasr-i-Shirin | Qaṣr-i-Shírín | |
| Qass | Qaṣṣ | following (the footsteps of another); shaving, shearing, paring the nails; cutting (the hair); clipping the wings of a bird; bringing one near to death’s door; being on the point of death |
| Qass, Qiss, Qusus | Qass, Qiss, pl. Qusús, Qusus | priest, presbyter, clergyman, minister, parson, vicar, curate, pastor (Christian) |
| Qassab, Qassabchi | Qaṣṣáb | a blower of a flute or a pipe; a butcher. Qaṣṣábchí (chí, Turkish ending indicating geographic location or profession) |
| Qat’i | Qaṭ‘í | decided, definite, positive; final, definitive |
| Qat’iya | Qaṭ‘íya | certainty, definiteness, positiveness. Those who are certain. |
| Qat’iyan | Qaṭ‘íyan | decidedly, definitely, emphatically, categorically |
| Qatil, Qatla | Qatíl, pl. Qatlá | killed; killed in battle, fallen; one killed in battle, casualty. Qurratu’l-‘Ayn called Sayyid Káẓim “al-Qatíl” (the killed one)—he died in Karbalá in AH 1259/CE 1843—it is believed he was poisoned. |
| Qatr, Qitar | Qaṭr, pl. Qiṭár | dripping, dribbling, dribble, trickling, trickle;—pl. drops, driblets; rain |
| Qatra, Qatarat | Qaṭra[h or t], pl. Qaṭarát | (nomen unitatis of qaṭr) drop (also as a medicine). |
| Qatruya (Qatruyeh), Qatayrat | Qaṭruya[h or t], pl. Qaṭruyát | (diminutive of qaṭrat) droplet, driblet. Qaṭruyah (Pers. Quṭruyih or “Quṭrih”) is a city (29.146257, 54.701239) 37 km east of Nayríz. |
| Qawa’id al-‘Aqa’id | Qawá’id al-‘Aqá’id | the ‘foundations of (Islamic) belief’ |
| Qawam (Qavam) | Qawám | upright posture, erect bearing; straightness; stature, physique, build, frame; figure, body (of a person); rightness, properness, proper condition, normal state; strength, vigor, stamina; firmness, consistency; support, stay, prop; livelihood, living |
| Qawam al-Mulk, Qavamu’l-Mulk | Qawám al-Mulk, Pers. Qavámu’l-Mulk | |
| Qawiy, Aqwiya’ | Qawíy, pl. Aqwiyá’ | strong; potent; vigorous; potent; potent; potent; mighty, powerful, forceful; potent; intense, violent, vehement; firm, solid, robust, hardy, sturdy |
| Qawl (Qaul), Aqwal, Aqawil | Qawl, pl. Aqwál, Aqáwíl | word, speech, saying, utterance, remark; statement, declaration; report, account; doctrine, teaching;—pl. aqwál testimony (in court);—pl. aqáwíl sayings, locutions; proverbs. Qul, 2nd person, singular, masculine, imperative “Say!” (thou). Used as a command from God to Muḥammad (in the Qur’án) to inform the people. |
| Qawlawayh (Qawlavayh, Qulawayh) | Qawlawayh, Qúlawayh (Qúlúya) | Persian historian Abu’l-Qásim Ja‘far bin Muḥammad bin Ja‘far bin Muṣ‘ab Ja‘far b. Muḥammad, better known as ibn Qawlawayh or ibn Qúlawayh |
| Qawm (Qaum), Aqwam | Qawm, pl. Aqwám | fellow tribesmen, kinsfolk, kin, kindred; tribe, race, people, nation; people. e.g. “qawm Lúṭ” used 11 times in Qur’án (“people of Lot”) |
| Qaws (Qaus), Aqwas, Qusiy, Qisiy | Qaws m. and f., pl. Aqwás, Qusíy, Qisíy | bow, longbow; arc (geometry); arch, vault (architecture; of a bridge); violin bows, fiddlestick; semicircular table |
| Qaws-i-Nuzul, Qaws-i-‘Uruj | Qaws-i-Nuzúl, Qaws-i-‘Urúj | 1. Qaws-i-Nuzúl (arc of descent), Bahá’í: Will (Mashíyat), Determination (Irádah), Destiny (Qadar), Decree (Qaḍá’), Permission (Idhn), Term (Ajal), and Book (Kitáb). 2. Qaws-i-‘Urúj (or Qaws aṣ-ṣu‘úd), Arc of ascent, Bahá’í: arc of ascent: valley of search, the valley of love, the valley of knowledge, the valley of unity, the valley of contentment, the valley of wonderment, and the valley of true poverty and absolute nothingness. See Maqám-i-Nuzúl, Maqám-i-‘Urúj |
| Qawwas | Qawwás | bowmaker; bowman, archer; kavass (Turkish armed guard), consular guard |
| Qayrawan, Qayrawanat | Qayrawán, pl. Qayrawánát | (“Qairawan, Kairouan”) caravan. al-Qayrawán, northern Tunisian city. |
| Qays (Qais) | Qays | measuring one thing by another, comparing, estimating; name of the father of a tribe; also of the tribe itself; also of a city in Egypt, and of an island in the sea of ‘Umán |
| Qaysar (Qaisar), Qayasir | Qayṣar, pl. Qayáṣir, Qayáṣira | Caesar; emperor, kaiser; tsar |
| Qayyim | Qayyim | valuable, precious; straight, right; caretaker, curator, custodian, superintendent; al-qayyima the true faith |
| Qayyum (Qaiyum), Qayyuma | Qayyúm, Qayyúma[h or t] | permanent, lasting; stable, fixed, steady; peerless, matchless; the everlasting, the eternal (“Self sufficient, Self-subsisting”—God); an appraiser, valuer; the guardian. Superlative of Qá’im [the Báb], the Most Great One Who will arise [Bahá’u’lláh] “Verily I say, after the Qá’im [the Báb] the Qayyúm [Bahá’u’lláh] will be made manifest. For when the star of the Former has set, the sun of the Beauty of Ḥusayn will rise ….” Dawn-Breakers, p. 41. fem. guardianship. |
| Qayyumiya (Qaiyumiya) | Qayyúmíya[h or t] | permanency, stability |
| Qayyumu’l-Asma’ | Qayyúmu’l-Asmá’ or Qayyúm-i-Asmá’ | “The Self-Subsisting Lord of All Names”—the Báb’s commentary on Súra 12 Yúsuf. A title primarily referring to the “Greatest Name”, i.e. Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Qazim | Qáẓim | Should be Káẓim |
| Qazwin (Qasvin, Ghasvin) | Qazwín (also Qazvín) | a city 140 km NW of Ṭihrán. The Casbeen of Milton’s Paradise Lost. |
| Qazwini (Qazvini, Ghazvini) | Qazwíní (also Qazvíní) | of or from Qazwín. Mírzá Munír Nabíl Zádih-i-Qazvíní. |
| Qibla, Qiblih, Qiblatayn | Qibla[h or t], Pers. also Qiblih | anything opposite; that part to which people direct their prayers, direction to which Muslims turn in praying (towards the Ka‘ba, the Point of Adoration for Muslims); recess in a mosque indicating the direction of the Ka‘ba, prayer niche. English kiblah. The Most Holy Tomb of Bahá’u’lláh at Bahjí is “the Heart and Qiblih of the Bahá’í world” GPB 110, 277. Qiblatayn, dual, i.e. Mecca and Jerusalem (the latter having not only been the Christian Qibla, but also originally that of the Muslims; till their prophet, to conciliate the goodwill of his fellow-citizens, changed it to Mecca in the second year of the Hijra). |
| Qibliy-i-‘Alam | Qibliy-i-‘Álam | “Centre of the Universe” (DB xxxviii) a title of a Qájár Sháh |
| Qibt, Qubt, Aqbat | al-Qibṭ, al-Qubṭ, pl. al-Aqbáṭ | The Copts (from Coptic language), an ethno-religious (mainly Christian) group native to north Africa (mainly in Egypt, Sudan and Libya)—they are the original inhabitants of Egypt, in contrast to sibṭ, the Hebrew settlers. Copt originally referred to all Egyptians, later it became synonymous with native Christians in light of Egypt's Islamisation and Arabisation after the Muslim conquest of Egypt in the 7th century. About 90% of Egyptians are Muslims, and about 15% are of Arab origin. Very few Jews (Sibṭ) remain in Egypt. See Sibṭ. |
| Qibti, Qubti | Qibṭí, Qubṭí, fem. Qibṭíya(h), pl. Qabáṭí | Egyptian (not of Arabic descent), Coptic; Copt (from Greek). Máríah bint Sham‘ún, better known as Máríah al-Qibṭíya, or Maria the Copt (d. 637). |
| Qidam | Qidam | time long since put, old times; remote antiquity, time immemorial; oldness; ancientness; infinite pre-existence, sempiternity (eternity), timelessness (of God); seniority |
| Qilij | Qilij | Turkish kılıç, pl. kılıçlar; a one-handed, single-edged and curved scimitar. Qilij Arslán; Turkish Kılıç Arslan or Kılıçarslan, literally “Sword lion” (1079–1107) was the Seljuq Sultan of Rum from 1092 until his death. |
| Qindil, Qanadil | Qindíl, pl. Qanádíl | lamp; candlestick; candelabrum |
| Qiran | Qirán | close union, close connection: conjunction (astronomy); marriage, wedding. Persian coin used between 1825 and 1932. One túmán = 10 qirán. (pl. of qarn) small hills summits of mountains. |
| Qirat, Qararit | Qíráṭ, pl. Qaráríṭ | a carat (weight); a dry measure; a square measure |
| Qirsh, Qurush | Qirsh, pl. Qurúsh | shark (zool.); (pl.) piaster (currency) |
| Qisas | Qiṣáṣ | requital, reprisal, retaliation; punishment, castigation, chastisement; accounting, clearing, settlement of accounts |
| Qisasi, Qasasi, Qisasyun | Qiṣaṣí, Qaṣaṣí, pl. Qiṣaṣyún | narrative, epic; (pl.) storyteller, writer of fiction, novelist, romancer |
| Qisasu’l-‘Ulama’ | Qiṣaṣu’l-‘Ulamá’ | biography of Shí‘í scholars by Tunukábaní |
| Qishla, Qishlaq (Qeshlaq, Kishlak) | Qishlá, Qishláq, Qishlaq | (“Qeshlag”, “Qeshlagh”) Turkish from kışlak. A warm place where kings, etc, pass the winter; winter-quarters. There are many such places in Írán. Qishláq of Núr is Tunikábun County on the Caspian Sea coast, see Tunukában. |
| Qishr, Qishra, Qushur | Qishr, fem. Qishra[h or t], pl. Qushúr | cover(ing), integument, envelope; shell; peel; rind, bark; skin, crust; scab; scurf; hull, husk, shuck; scales (of fish); slough (of a snake);—pl. trash, garbage, refuse; trivialities, banalities; externals, superficialities, formalities; dandruff |
| Qishri | Qishrí | scaly, scurfy, scabrous, squamous; crustaceous; superficial |
| Qism, Aqsam | Qism, pl. Aqsám | part, share, allotment; portion; division, compartment; section; department; group, class; district, precinct; police precinct, police station (Egypt); administrative subdivision of a muḥáfaẓa (Egypt); subcommittee; kind, sort, specimen, species |
| Qisma (Kismet), Qisam | Qisma(t), pl. Qismát, Qisam | dividing, division, distribution, allotment, apportionment; (mathematics) division (by);—(pl. qisam) part, portion, share, allotment; lot, destiny, fate (foreordained by God) |
| Qissa, Qisas | Qiṣṣa, pl. Qiṣaṣ | manner of cutting; cut; (pl.) narrative, tale, story |
| Qistas al-Mustaqim | al-Qisṭás al-Mustaqím | True Balance (Qur’án 17:35, 26:182) |
| Qital | Qitál | fight, struggle, contention (against); combat, strife, battle. See jihád |
| Qiyama, Qiyamah, Qiyamat | Qiyáma(h or t) | resurrection; tumult, turmoil, upheaval, revolution, overthrow; guardianship. At the end of time, the Qiyáma of bodies follows the annihilation of all creatures and precedes the Day of Judgement. Qur’án 75: al-Qíyámat (“The resurrection”). In Bábí doctrine, it is the termination of a prophetic cycle and the start of a new one. |
| Qiyas | Qiyás | analogical deduction |
| Quba’ | Qubá’ | Former village (24.439296, 39.617262) 3.5 km south of the centre of al-Masjid an-Nabawí, Mecca. Site of first mosque built by Muḥammad. |
| Qubba (Kubba), Qibab, Qubab | Qubba[h or t], pl. Qibáb, Qubab | (originally a tent of hides in a circle) a tent, tabernacle; cupola, dome; cupolaed structure, dome-shaped edifice; domed shrine, memorial shrine (especially of a saint) |
| Qubbat al-Khadra’ | Qubbat al-Khaḍrá’ | “green dome”, name given to the horse mounted formation of Muḥammad and His escort wearing shiny green coats of arms (CE 630) en route to Mecca. Qubbah al-Khaḍrá’ was built above the tomb of Muḥammad and early Muslim Caliphs, Abú Bakr and ‘Umar. The dome is now in the SE corner of the expanded al-Masjid an-Nabawí (Mosque of the Prophet), located in the traditional centre of Medina. |
| Qubbata’s-Sakhrah | Qubbata’ṣ-Ṣakhrah | Dome of the Rock, on the “Temple Mount”, Jerusalem |
| Quch | Qúch | Pers. a horned fighting-ram; a buck |
| Quch-Hisar | Qúch-Ḥiṣár | Pers. “ram fence”, a former village (35.547045, 51.445648), about 10 km SSE of the centre of Ṭihrán (in Ray district), which was once owned by Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’u’lláh transferred the title to a sister of Muḥammad Sháh to avoid Ḥájí Mírzá Áqásí purchasing it. |
| Quchan | Qúchán | city and capital of Qúchán County, NE Írán; 90 km south of the border city of Ashkhabad (Ashqábád). Sometimes called Khabúshán, also name of a village 30 km NW of Qúchán. Old Qúchán (37.131218, 58.486137) was destroyed (with a huge loss of life) by an earthquake on 17 November 1893 and again 17 January 1895. City was moved 3.5 km SE. |
| Quddus, Qaddus | Quddús, Qaddús | most holy, All-Holy (God). al-Quddús “The Most Holy” One. The title of Muḥammad-‘Alí of Bárfurúsh, last of the 18 Letters of the Living, second only to the Báb in rank among the Bábís. Father was Áqá Muḥammad Ṣáliḥ. Quddús was martyred in 1849 in the Sabz-i-Maydán (“green square”) of Bárfurúsh. |
| Qudra (Qudrat) | Qudra(t) | faculty (of), being able; power, strength (for); capacity, ability, capability, aptitude, potency; prowess, courage, audacity; one of the attributes of God, omnipotence (of God), providence, prescience; the creation, universe, nature; destiny |
| Qudratu’llah | Qudratu’lláh | “Power of God” |
| Quds, Qudus, Aqdas | Quds, Qudus, pl. Aqdás | holiness, sacredness, sanctity;—pl. sanctuary, shrine |
| Qudsi, Qudsiyan | Qudsí, pl. Qudsiyán | holy, sacred; saintly; saint |
| Qudsiya (Ghodsia, Ghodsieh), Qudsiyyih | Qudsíya[h or t], Pers. Qudsiyyih | holiness, sacredness, sanctity; saintliness |
| Quffa (Quffih), Qufaf | Quffa[h or t], pl. Qufa | large basket; (Mesopotamian) round boat, gufa (Iraqi) |
| Quhaf, Quhafa | Quḥáf, fem. Quḥáfa[h or t] | torrential (river). ‘Uthmán ‘Abú Quḥáfah ibn ‘Ámir (CE 540–635), father of the first Ráshidūn caliph, Abú Bakr. |
| Quhistan, Kuhistan | Quhistán, also Kuhistán | Pers. “mountainous land”. Name of many places/regions in Afghánistán, Pákistán and Tajikistan, including a region of medieval Persia, the southern part of the Greater Khorasan Province (see Khurásán). |
| Qulam-‘Ali | Qulám-‘Alí | |
| Qulam-‘Aliy-i-Najjar | Qulám-‘Alíy-i-Najjár | (MF) |
| Qulam-Husayn | Qulám-Ḥusayn | |
| Qulhak (Qolhak or Gholhak) | Qulhak | (Gholo-hak or Gulahek)—once a village (35.773919, 51.444023) and one of the well-known and delightful summer resorts of Ṭihrán [now District 3 in the NE of the city] |
| Quli (Ghuli, Gholi, Kuli) | Qulí | “son of” |
| Quli Khan | ‘Alí-Qulí Khán | Better known as Ali-Kuli Khan. In the early days the nom-de-plume Eshte’al al-Ebn Kalanter (Ishti‘ál Ibn-i-Kalántar) was used in his writings and translations. |
| Quliy-i-Sabziwari | Qulíy-i-Sabziwárí | Mírzá Muḥammad Qulíy-i-Sabziwárí, a mujtahid of Yazd who was martyed |
| Qum (Ghom, Gom), Qumm | Qum | holy city 130 km SSW of Ṭihrán, location of the Shrine of Ma’ṣúmih, the sister of Imám Riṣá, the eighth Imám |
| Qumi (Ghomi, Gomi), Qummi | Qumí (Qummí) | from Qum |
| Qumrud, Qomrud | Qumrúd | village 20 km NE Qum (34.725643, 51.072090) |
| Qumruq-Kilisa | Qumruq-Kilísá | village, near or now in Edirne (Memorials of the Faithful, p. 63). Turkish Gümrük Kilise? |
| Quni (Kuni) | Quni | a small village (38.002721, 44.705264) in West Azerbaijan Province. |
| Quniyah | Qúníyah | Turkish. Konya is a city (37.873514, 32.490676) in central Anatolia. |
| Qununlu (Aq or Qara), Qoyunlu, Koyunlu | Áq Quyúnlú or Qará Quyúnlú | Turkish/Persian. Áq Quyúnlú also called the “White Sheep Turkomans” (Turkish Türkmen), was a Persianate Sunní Turkoman tribal confederation that ruled parts of present-day eastern Türkiye from 1378 to 1501, and in their last decades also ruled Armenia, Azerbaijan, most of Írán, and ‘Iráq. Qará Quyúnlú also called the Black Sheep Turkomans were a Muslim Turkoman monarchy that ruled over the territory comprising present-day Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, north-western Iran, eastern Türkiye, and north-eastern ‘Iráq from about 1374 to 1468. |
| Qur’an, Mashaf | Qur’án (“plural”, see Maṣḥaf) | recitation, reading, the word (“The Reading, or the Book that ought to be Read”. Titled, “The Perspicuous Book”). The Qur’án is meant to be recited. Its verses are divided according to the rhythm of the language. Therefore, Qur’anic recitation guides (indicated by various marks) is based on the structure (or the syntax of the sentence) and the need to pause, for breath or for effect. Imám ‘Alí explains that al-Qur’án is the essence of all Holy Books and the essence of al-Qur’án is contained in its first chapter. Further, the essence of the first chapter is in the first verse, and the essence of the first verse is in the first letter, B. The duration of the cycle of al-Qur’án (Islám) is 1,260 years. English Qur’an or Koran. See Furqán, maṣḥaf (a PHYSICAL, written copy of the Qur’án), nuskha, tajwíd. |
| Qur’ani, Qur’anic | Qur’ání | (adjective) of or pertaining to the Qur’an (min al-Qur’án). English Qur’anic. |
| Qurashi | Qurashí | of, pertaining to, or belonging to the Quraysh (Koreish) tribe; Qurayshite (Koreishite) |
| Qurayn (Qurain) | Qurayn | interchangeable with Qarn, which roughly corresponds to sandy, flat hillock. al-Qurayn (25.483768, 49.597740) is a small village 12 km north of al-Hufúf in the Wáḥat al-Aḥsá’ region. Shaykh Aḥmad al-Aḥsá’í studied in the village as a young boy. |
| Quraysh (Quraish) | Quraysh | “Koreish”, dim. of qarasha (“shark”), name of an Arab tribe in ancient Mecca (that of Muḥammad) |
| Qurayza (Quraiza, Koreiza), Quraytha | Qurayẓa(h or t) | Banú Qurayẓa (“Qurayzih”) a Jewish tribe at the oasis of Khaybar (Khaibar), 138 km north of Medina. Battle of Khaybar CE 628. |
| Qurba | Qurbá | relation, relationship, kinship (Qur’án 42:23 refers to respect or love of all relatives) |
| Qurban-‘Ali-i-Banna | Qurbán-‘Alíy-i-Banná | DB 421 |
| Qurban, pl. Qarabin | Qurbán, pl. Qarábín | (Ghorban) sacrifice, offering, immolation, oblation; Mass (Christian); Eucharist (Christian). Qurbán Khán was the father of Mírzá Taqí Khán. |
| Qurbanpur | Qurbánpúr | Amínu’lláh Qurbánpúr |
| Qurrat | Qurrat | being cool and cheerful (eye); being charmed by the sight of a beloved object (the same); joy, gladness |
| Qurrat al-‘Ayn, Qurratu’l-‘Ayn | Qurrat al-‘Ayn, Pers. Qurratu’l-‘Ayn | onsolation for the eye; delight of the eye; joy, pleasure, delight; darling. “Solace of the Eyes”—title given by Siyyid Káẓim to Fáṭimih umm-i-Salamih of Qazvín (Ṭáhirih—the Pure One and Zarrín-Táf—Crown of Gold). |
| Qurrat al-‘Ayni, Qurratu’l-i-‘Ayni | Qurrat al-‘Ayní, Pers. Qurratu’l-i-‘Ayní | “Solace of my eyes”, name given to Ṭáhirih by her teacher, Siyyid Káẓim. |
| Qurratíya | Qurratíya | Qurratis, followers of Qurrat-i-‘Ayn |
| Qusayy (Qusai, Kusayy or Cossai) | Quṣayy | Quṣayy ibn Kiláb ibn Murrah; c. 400–480, was an Ishmaelite descendant of the Prophet Abraham, orphaned early on he would rise to become King of Makkah, and leader of the Quraysh tribe. He is best known for being an ancestor of the Prophet Muḥammad. |
| Qustas, Qistas, Qasatis | Qusṭás, Qisṭás, pl. Qasáṭís | balance, scales |
| Qutb ad-Din | Quṭb ad-Dín | pivot or axis of the faith |
| Qutb ad-Din Haydar | Quṭb ad-Dín Ḥaydar | 10-11th century Persian Sufi mystic and founder of the mystic Ḥaydaríya sect |
| Qutb al-Aqtab | Quṭb al-Aqṭáb | “Axis of the Axes”, a description applied to Mullá Ḥusayn |
| Qutb, Aqtab | Quṭb, pl. Aqṭab | axis, axle; pole (astronomy, geography, electricity); pivot; leader; authority, leading personality, celebrity (chiefly used in the plural). Quṭb, is one of the highest titles of Sufism and Muḥammad assumes the title of quṭb al-aqṭab (pole of the poles or the major polestar). Quṭb ar-raḥá pivot (of something; figuratively.) |
| Qutr, Aqtar | Quṭr, pl. Aqṭar | region, quarter; district, section; tract of land; zone; country, land; diameter (of a circle); diagonal; calibre, bore (of a tube) |
| Qutrih | Quṭrih | Qatruyeh, city 37 km east of Nayríz |
| Quwa, Quwat, Quwan | Qúwa(h or t), pl. Qúwát, Quwan | strength; vigour; potency; power, force; intensity; violence, vehemence; courage, pluck; faculty, ability, capability, aptitude; efficacy, efficiency, potential; (electric) energy, power, capacity, output; armed force, troop;—qúwát armed forces; troops. biʼl-qúwa(h or t), with power, powerfully, vigorously. |
| Quzih-Kuh | Qúzih-Kúh | may refer to a part of the mountain range to the south of Bavánát |
| Plain text | Transcripted text | Word meanings & comments |
| R | ||
| Ra | Rá’ | Arabic letter |
| Ra’a, Yara, Ra’y, Ru’ya | Ra’á, Yará, Ra’y, Ru’ya | to see; to behold, descry, perceive, notice, observe, discern (something); to look (at something as), regard (something as), consider, deem, think (something to be ...); to judge; to be of the opinion (that), believe, think (that); to express ones opinion; to feel (that); to deem appropriate, think proper (something), decide (on something, to do something); to consider, contemplate |
| Ra’d, Ru’ud | Ra‘d, pl. Ru‘úd | thunder |
| Ra’f, Ra’fat | Ra’f, Ra’fat | Pers. pitying; being kind and compassionate; bounty. Hence, ra’fatí |
| Ra’id, Ruwwad | Rá’id, pl. Ruwwád | visitor; scout, reconnoiterer; boy scout; explorer, pioneer; leader; precept, guiding principle. rule (of conduct) |
| Ra’in | Rá‘in, pl. Ru‘áh, Ru‘yán, Ru‘á’, Ri‘á’ | shepherd, herdsman; guardian, keeper, protector; patron, sponsor; pastor (Christian) |
| Ra’ina | Rá‘iná | (a form of address coined by the companions of the Prophet used in addressing him and it happened to be somewhat homophonous with a Hebrew word meaning ‘evil’; therefore the Muslims were cautioned against using the expression) ‘regard us’, ‘look at us’, ‘listen to us’, ‘have care for us, our shepherd. Qur’án 2:104: “Believers, do not say [to the Prophet] ‘rá‘iná’, but say ‘unẓurná’. See Unẓurná |
| Ra’is, Ru’asa’ | Ra’ís, pl. Ru’asá’ | one at the head, or in charge, of; head; chieftain; leader; chief, boss; rais; director; head-master, principal, chairman; governor; president; manager, superintendent; conductor (mus.); superior (as distinguished from subordinate); (mil.) captain |
| Ra’isa (Raisa, Raissa, Ra’eesah) | Ra’ísa[h] | (fem. of Ra’ís) manageress; directress; mother superior |
| Ra’s al-Himar, Sar-i-Khar | Ra’s al-Ḥimár, Pers. Sar-i-Khar | (Ra’su’l-Ḥimár) ass’s head, someone that cannot be trusted |
| Ra’s al-Husayn | Ra’s al-Ḥusayn | head of Ḥuasyn. Maqám Ra’s al-Ḥusayn, places where Imám al-Ḥusayn’s head is claimed to be buried or kept. |
| Ra’s, Ru’us, Ar’us | Ra’s (m. & f.), pl. Ru’ús, Ar’us | head (also as a enumerative of cattle); chief, chieftain, head, leader; upper part, upper end; tip; top, summit, peak; vertex, apex; extremity, end; promontory, headland, cape (geography); main part. Araxes (Ar’us, “Aras”) River forms the NW border of Írán. In Islamic times, the Araxes became known in Arabic parlance as ar-Ra’s. This Arabic name led Muslim’s to connect the Araxes with the Aṣḥáb ar-Ra’s of the Qur’án 25:38, 50:12. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said the “Companions of Ras” (ar-Ra’s, Aras or Araxes River) refers to Zoroaster and the Zoroastrians. Máh-Kú is to the west and Qal‘ah Chihríq to the SW of the Araxes River. Ra’s al-Krúm (“Ras el-Krum”), the northern point or headland, Haifa (32.834961, 34.985320). “Krúm” (since in Mt. Carmel area) is more likely to be Kurúm. |
| Ra’uf | Ra’úf | merciful, compassionate; kind, benevolent; gracious. ar-Ra’úf divine name the Compassionate |
| Ra’y (Ray, Rai), Ara’ | Ra’y, Pers. Ráy (variation), pl. Árá’ | opinion, view; idea, notion, concept, conception; advice, suggestion, proposal; (Islamic Law) subjective opinion, decision hued on one’s individual judgement (not on the Qur’án and Sunna). Persian variation of the meaning for road, path. |
| Raba, Rubuw | Rabá (Rabá’, Rubúw) | to increase; to grow; to grow up; to exceed, (a number) Form II to make or let grow; to raise, rear, bring up (someone); to educate; to teach, instruct (a child); to breed, raise (e.g., poultry, cattle); to develop (e.g., a method) Form III to practice usury Form IV to make grow, augment, increase (something); to exceed (a number, an age, a measure) Form V to be brought up, be educated; to be bred, be raised. See Riban |
| Rabah | Rabáḥ | gain, profit; a kind of cat |
| Rabb al-A’la, Rabb-i-A’la | Rabb al-A‘lá, Pers. Rabb-i-A‘lá | “Lord the Most High” or “Exalted Lord” (a designation of the Báb) |
| Rabb, Arbab | Rabb, pl. Arbáb | lord; master; owner, proprietor (Isl. Law); (with following genitive) one possessed of, endowed with, having to do with, etc. (the Lord = God) |
| Rabba, Rabbat | Rabba(t), pl. Rabbát | mistress; lady |
| Rabbani | Rabbání | divine, godly; pertaining to God; a doctor of divinity. Surname given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Shoghi Effendi to distinguish him from his cousins (see Afnán and Shahíd). See Priceless Pearl, p. 17. Also used by his siblings: Ḥusayn, Riyáḍ (Riad), Rúḥangíz and Mihrangíz. |
| Rabbi | Rabbí | my lord |
| Rabbihi | Rabbihí | His Lord. Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn ‘Abd Rabbihí, al-‘Iqd al-Faríd (The Precious (Priceless or Unique) Necklace) |
| Rabbiya’l-Abha | Rabbíya’l-Abhá | “My Lord, the Most Glorious” |
| Rabi’ | Rabí‘ | spring, springtime, vernal season; name of the third and fourth months of the Muslim year |
| Rabi’, Rabi’a | Rábi‘, fem. Rábi‘a(h), Pers. Rábi‘ih | fourth (fem. fourth “female”); making a fourth. Bahá’u’lláh’s family lived four months with the Rábi‘ih family in ‘Akká. The house is adjacent to the small Shrine of Shaykh Ghánim (the building with two small, green domes, east of bend in SE corner of Salah and Basri St, co-ord. 32.919514, 35.068102). |
| Rabi’a, Rabaya | Rabí‘a[h], pl. Rabáya | guard. Brothers Shaybah ibn Rabí‘ah (c. 560–624) and ‘Utbah ibn Rabí‘ah (c. 563–624), and nephew Walíd ibn ‘Utbah were killed in a 3 × 3 match before the Battle of Badr in 624. |
| Rabi’u’l-Awwal (Rabi’u’l-Avval) | Rabí‘u’l-Awwal (Rabí‘u’l-Avval) | Third month in Islamic calendar. The first [month] or beginning of spring, referring to its position in the pre-Islamic Arabian calendar. |
| Rabi’u’th-Thani (Rabi’ al-Athir) | Rabí‘u’th-Thání | Fourth month in Islamic calendar. (the second/last spring). Also known as Rabí‘ al-Ákhir. |
| Rabigh | Rábigh | Rábigh is an ancient town on the Red Sea coast about halfway between Medina and Mecca. It is about 16 km NW of Masjid Míqít al-Juḥfah |
| Rada, Rawd (Raud) | Ráda (Rawd) | to walk about, move about, prowl; to look. Form IV to want (something, to do something), wish, have a mind, be willing (to do something); to want to have (something). Form VIII to repair; to explore (something). Aráda want (to), Aradtu, wanted |
| Radawi, Radavi (Razavi) | Raḍawí, Pers. Raḍaví | Ústán (province) Raḍawí Khurásán, in the NE of Írán |
| Radd, Rudud | Radd. pl. Rudúd | return; restoration, restitution; refund, reimbursement; repayment, requital; repulsion; warding off, parrying; denial, refusal; rejection; reply, answer; reflection (e.g., of light); refutation; attribution (to) |
| Radi | Raḍí | content, pleased. See Mahíd |
| Radi, Radiya | Ráḍí, fem. Rádíya[h or t] | contented, satisfied, pleased, willing, acquiescent; pleasing, pleasant, agreeable |
| Rada’u’r-Ruh (Rada’r-Ruh, Rada’ar-Ruh) | Ráḍí’u’r-Rúḥ | “Contented spirit”, name given to Mullá Muḥammad-Riḍáy-i-Manshádí by Bahá’u’lláh. [Raḍ’ar-Rúḥ, Raḍa’r-Rúḥ and Raḍíur-Rúḥ all appear to be incorrect] |
| Radifa | Rádifa[t] | second trumpet blast on Day of Resurrection (Qur’án 39:69)—Bahá’u’lláh |
| Radiy (Razi), Radiya (Raziya) | Ráḍiy, fem. Ráḍiya[h or t] | willingly, with pleasure. Pers. fem. also “Ráḍiyyih”. |
| Radiy, Radiya (Razieh), Ardiya’ | Raḍíy, fem. Raḍíya[h or t], pl. Arḍiyá’ | satisfied, content; pleasant, agreeable. Pers. fem. also “Raḍíyih”. |
| Radiya, Ridan, Ridwan, Marda | Raḍiya (Riḍan, Riḍwán, Marḍá[h]) | to be satisfied, be content. Riḍan (contentment, satisfaction; agreement); Riḍwán (consent, assent, agreement, acceptance, approval, sanction; good will, favour; pleasure, delight). See Marḍáh |
| Raf’, Rif’a’ | Raf‘, fem. Rif‘a[h or t] | lifting, hoisting (also, of a flag); elevation; raise, raising, stepping up (of prices, of temperatures, etc.); setting up; erection; abolition; lift, (e.g., of a ban); remedy, elimination, removal; remission (of a tax), abrogation; submission, filing (e.g., of a report);—fem. height, elevation (e.g., of a structure); high rank or standing. |
| Rafi | Ráfi‘ | One who raises or exalts (bearer, crane, hoist); adducing; putting in the nominative case; a plaintiff; a high mountain |
| Rafi-i-Khayyat | Rafí‘-i-Khayyáṭ | |
| Rafi, Rafi’a | Rafí‘, fem. Rafí‘a(h or t) | high, high-ranking; lofty, exalted, sublime; loud (voice, sound); thin, fine, delicate; exquisite, refined, subtle; artistic. Rafí‘ (or Qal‘ih Rafí‘) small village 14 km NSE Sar Púl-i-Zaháb. |
| Rafi’ ad-Darajat | Rafí‘ ad-Daraját | The One Who is Exalted in Rank |
| Rafi’a, Rafa’i’ | Rafí‘a(h), pl. Rafá’i‘ | legal case brought before the competent authorities; a document submitted to a proper authority |
| Rafi’i | Rafí‘í | Ardikán Ḥasan-i-Zádih Rafí‘í, a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh |
| Rafidi, Arfad | Ráfiḍí, pl. Arfáḍ | apostate, renegade, turncoat; disloyal, rebellious; bigoted, fanatical |
| Rafiq, Rufaqa’, Rifaq | Rafíq, pl. Rufaqá’, Rifáq | companion, attendant; escort; buddy, friend; comrade (in Marxist terminology); associate, partner; accomplice; kind (to), mild, gentle, tender |
| Rafiqa, Rafiqat | Rafíqa, pl. Rafíqát | woman companion; girl-friend; sweetheart; mistress, par amour |
| Rafsanjan (Rafsinjan) | Rafsanján | city and council in Kirmán province, Írán |
| Raghib, Raghaba | Rághib, pl. Raghaba(t) | desiring, desirous |
| Raha, Rahat, Rah | Ráḥa, pl. Ráḥát, Ráḥ | rest, repose; recreation; ease, leisure; vacation; comfort;—pl. palm of the hand, hand |
| Raha’, Ruha’ | Rahá’, Ruhá’ | wide (plain); ar-Ruhá’ or ar-Rahá’, ancient Edessa, now Şanlıurfa |
| Rahbar | Rahbar | Pers. a way-guide, escort; demonstration, proof, “leader” |
| Rahbar-i-Mu’azzam | Rahbar-i-Mu‘aẓẓam | Pers. “supreme leader”, commonly used as a sign of respect, although the 1989 Iranian constitution simply designates them as “leader” (rahbar) |
| Rahib | Rahíb | dreadful, awful, fearful, terrible; solemn, grave |
| Rahib, Ruhban | Ráhib, pl. Ruhbán | monk (Christian), a pious person, a devotee, a hermit |
| Rahiba, Rahibat | Ráhiba (fem.), pl. Ráhibát | nun (Christian) |
| Rahil | Ráḥíl | Rachel |
| Rahil, Ruhhal, Rahilun | Ráḥil, pl. Ruḥḥal | departing leaving, parting; traveling; (pl. ráḥilún) deceased, late |
| Rahim Khan, Rahimkhan | Raḥím Khán | Saráb-i-Raḥím Khán (Sarab-e Rahim Khan) village (36.800488, 46.296035) in Bukán County, West Azerbaijan Province, Írán. 145 km south Tabríz. |
| Rahim, Ruhama, Ruhum | Raḥím, pl. Ruḥamá’, Ruḥúm | merciful, compassionate, one of the names (ar-Raḥím) of God |
| Rahimiyan | Raḥímíyán | UHJ 63-86, p. 620 |
| Rahimpur | Raḥímpúr | Díjaz-i-Raḥím Púr (“Rahim Pur”, “Dizaj-e Rahim Pur”), village, West Azerbaijan Province, Írán. 17 km SSE of Urmia (37.409444, 45.104167) |
| Rahiq | Raḥíq | exquisite wine; necta |
| Rahiq | Raḥíq | the best wine; nectar; pure, clear, generous (wine); a kind of perfume |
| Rahiq-i-Makhtum | Raḥíq-i-Makhtúm | sealed choice wine. A title by A. H. Ishráq-Khávarí. See Maykhána |
| Rahjird (Rahjerd, Rahgird, Rah Gerd) | Ráhjird | is a village (34.389203, 50.366349) in Qom County, Qom Province |
| Rahm (Ruhm) | Raḥm | Pers. compassion, commiseration |
| Rahma | Raḥma(t) | pity, compassion; human understanding, sympathy, kindness; mercy. Pers. A gift of the divine mercy; rain, a woman’s name; pity, compassion, commiseration; pardon, forgiveness. |
| Rahman | Raḥmán | merciful, compassionate (God). ar-Raḥmán the Merciful (i.e. God), the Most Gracious. The Báb permitted this phrase to be tattooed on the chest of women, in the most beautiful calligraphy. |
| Rahmani | Raḥmání | divine |
| Rahmatu’llah | Raḥmatu’lláh | Mercy of God. Raḥmatu’lláh ‘Alá’í (Hájí Mullá Rhamatollah) |
| Rahnama, Rahanmay, Rahnamun | Ráhnamá, Ráhnamáy, Ráhnamún | Pers. showing the way; a guide; a chamberlain; a lord, prince |
| Raja | Raja | yearning, mystical station of yearning or longing for divine grace |
| Raja’a, Rija’a, Ruju, Raj’a, Rij’a | Raja‘a(h), Rij‘a(t), Rujú‘, Pers. Raj‘a(h) | to come back, come again, return; to resort, turn (to); begin again, resume (the return of a specific person in a future time). e.g. Rij‘at-Ḥusayní (Imám Ḥusayn) |
| Raja’i (Rajaei, Rajaee, Rajai) | Rajá‘í | Pers. (Turkish Reçai) is a given name and surname |
| Rajab-i-Haddad | Rajab-i-Ḥaddád | DB 487 |
| Rajaba, Rajiba, Rajab | Rajaba, Rajiba (varn. Rajab) | to be afraid, be awed (respect, honour). Rajab is seventh month in Islamic calendar |
| Rajfa | Rajfa(t) | (nomen vicis) trepidation, tremor; shudder, shiver; agitation, earthquake |
| Rajifa | Rájifa(t) | first trumpet blast on Day of Resurrection (Qur’án 39:69)—the Báb |
| Rajm, Rujam | Rajm, pl. Rujam | stoning;—pl. missile. The Qur’án does not prescribe stoning as a punishment for any crime. |
| Rajul, Rijal, Rijalat | Rajul, pl. Rijál | man;—(pl. rijálát) great, important men, leading personalities, men of distinction. See Imra’. |
| Rak’a, Raka’at | Rak‘a(h), (variation Rukú‘), pl. Raka‘át | a bending of the torso from an upright position, followed by two prostrations (in Muslim prayer ritual). The recitation of specifically revealed verses accompanied by a prescribed set of genuflections and other movements. Yarka‘ imperfect form of the verb. |
| Raka’a, Ruku’, Ruku’at | Raka‘a, Rukú‘ | 1. to bend the body, bow (especially in prayer); to kneel down, drop to one’s knees. 2. Rukú‘ (pl. ruku‘át) can also roughly mean passage, periscope or stanza—it is used to denote a group of thematically related verses in the Qur’án. Longer chapters (surá) in the Qur’án are usually divided into several ruku‘át, so that the reciters could identify when to make rukú‘ in Ṣaláh without breaking an ongoing topic in the Quranic text. There are 558 ruku‘át in the Qur’án. Yarka‘ imperfect form of the verb. |
| Rakhsh | Rakhsh | Pers. lightning; the rainbow; reflection of light; a mixture of red and white; a face marked with moles; a mottled or partridge-coloured horse; swift; a horse; name of the horse of the celebrated Rustam; happy, fortunate, prosperous; joyful; commencement; happiness, prosperity |
| Ram | Rám | Pers. obedient, obsequious; tame, domestic; happy, cheerful; industrious; shrewd; alacrity; affluence, plenty; name of the inventor of the lute; the twenty-first day of the month; name of the angel who presides over that day; going, passing by, penetrating. Rám holds significant spiritual meaning and is often associated with divine attributes and qualities. It can be seen as a symbol of spiritual power and majesty. |
| Ramadan (Ramazan) | Ramaḍán (Pers. Ramaẓán) | Ninth month in Islamic calendar. Time of “intense heat, scorched ground and shortness of rations” (burning heat) |
| Ramal | Ramal | name of a poetical meter |
| Ramda’ | Ramḍá’ | sun-baked ground |
| Ramin, Rumah | Rámin, pl. Rumáh | throwing; thrower, hurler; marksman; rifleman (Syrian military). Jabal Rumáh (“Archer’s Hill”, 24.502257, 39.612163) name given to a rock outcrop after the battle of Uḥud. |
| Raml, Ramala (Ramleh, Ramlih), Rimal | Raml, fem. Ramla[h], pl. Rimál | sand. ar-Ramlah (Heb. Ramla) a city in central Israel on the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway. Maḥaṭṭat ar-Raml (“Ramleh”) is a neighbourhood of Alexandria, Egypt. ‘ilm ar-raml or ḍarb ar-raml geomancy (divination by means of figures or lines in the sand). See Maḥaṭṭat ar-Raml under Maḥaṭṭa. |
| Ramy | Ramy | (act or process of) throwing, flinging, shooting, etc. Ramy al-jamarát literally, “throwing of the jamarát” [place of pebbles], figuratively, “the stoning of the devil”. See Jamra. |
| Ramz, Rumuz | Ramz, pl. Rúmúz | sign, nod, wink, motion; hint; allusion, intimation; allegory; riddle; symbol, symbolic figure, emblem, character; secret sign, code sign. ar-ramz al-munamnam (“the ornamented symbol”), an elevated rhyming title of Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Ransom-Kehler | Ransom-Kehler | Keith Ransom-Kehler (1876–1933), born Nannie Keith Bean (known later solely by her mother’s maiden name of Keith). American Bahá’í lecturer and world traveller; designated by Shoghi Effendi as the first American Bahá’í martyr and, posthumously, the first woman appointed as a Hand of the Cause of God. Shoghi Effendi sent her on a special assignment in Írán to 1. represent the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada, and on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; 2. to petition Riḍá Sháh Pahlaví to remove the ban on the entry and distribution of Bahá’í literature in Írán and also to secure the lifting of all the limitations that had for years been imposed on the Iranian Bahá’í community. Died of smallpox in Iṣfahán. |
| Raqasha | Raqasha | to variegate, make multi-coloured (something). Form II to adorn, embellish, decorate (something) |
| Raqib, Ruqaba’ | Raqíb, pl. Ruqabá’ | vigilant, watchful; guardian, keeper, warden; watcher, observer, lookout; spy; overseer, supervisor, inspector; controller, control officer; postal censor; sergeant (Syrian military) |
| Raqim, Raqa’im | Raqím, pl. Raqá’im | inscription, tablet; letter, message; “essay” (in Letters & Essays). A writing, a book; especially that which records the history of the Seven Sleepers (Aṣḥáb al-Kahf (see listing), “Companions of the cave”); their dog; also their village, or the mountain and cave in which they slept.—pl. books; epistles, writings. |
| Raqiq, Ariqqa’, Riqaq | Raqíq, pl. Ariqqá’, Riqáq | slave, slaves (singular and collective); flat loaf of bread; thin; slender, slim; line, delicate; soft, tender, gentle; sensitive, tactful, discreet, prudent |
| Raqqa (Raqa, Riqqa), Rakka | Raqqa | to be or become thin, delicate, fine; to be tender, soft; to be pure, clear, limpid (water); to soften, relent (toward someone), have pity, feel compassion, have sympathy (for). ar-Raqqah is a city in Syria located on the northeast bank of the Euphrates River, 170 kilometres ESE of Aleppo. |
| Raqqi | Raqqí | of or from ar-Raqqah |
| Raqsha’ | Raqshá’ | (from raqasha, to variegate, make multi-coloured) shape, beauty and ability to attract of a serpent. Female serpent, described as being marked with mottled black and white spots. “She-serpent”, title given to the Imám-Jum‘ih of Iṣfahán, Mír Muḥammad-Ḥusayn Khátúnábádí. |
| Rasa’il wa Raqa’im | Rasá’il wa Raqá’im | title of a book by Mírzá Faḍl that was translated as “Letters & Essays”. See risála and raqím |
| Rasafa, Rusafa | Raṣáfa (or Ruṣáfa) | Firmness, compactness. Al-Raṣáfa, east bank of Baghdád |
| Rashad | Rashad | integrity of conduct, straightforwardness, forthrightness |
| Rashad (variation Rishad) | Rashád (Rishád) | integrity of conduct; reason, good sense, senses; maturity; garden peppergrass (Lepidium sativum) |
| Rashada | Rashada | to be on the right way, follow the right course, be well guided, not go astray (especially, in religious matters); to have the true faith, be a true believer; to become sensible, become mature, grow up; to come of age |
| Rashh | Rashḥ | secretion (of a fluid); perspiration, sweating; leaking, leakiness; filtering, filtration, percolation; oozing, trickling; cold, catarrh |
| Rashh-i-‘Ama | Rashḥ-i-‘Amá’ | “Sprinkling from a Cloud”, often roughly translated as “Sprinkling of the Cloud of Unknowing”. First poem by Bahá’u’lláh after His release from the Black Pit, Ṭihrán. ‘Amá symbolizes the First Invisible Substance. Call of the Divine Beloved uses “The clouds of the realms above”. Many writers, reason unknown, omit the final ḥamza. |
| Rashid (Rashed), Rashida, Rashidun | Ráshid, fem. Ráshida, pl. Rashidún | following the right way, rightly guided, having the true faith; sensible, reasonable; of full legal age, major;—pl. Rashidún, Rashidín, Rightly-Guided, the first four Caliphs (Sunní Islám) |
| Rashid (Rasheed), Rashida, Rushada | Rashíd, fem. Rashída, pl. Rushadá | rightly guided, following the right way; having the true faith; reasonable, rational, intelligent, discriminating, discerning; mature;—pl. of full legal age, major |
| Rashid ad-Din Sinan | Rashíd ad-Dín Sinán | a leader of the Syrian branch of the Nizárí Ismá‘ílí state (“the Assassins”), and a figure in the history of the crusades. Was known by the crusaders as the “Old Man of the Mountain” (Shaykh al-Jabal). He went to the Alamút valley, the centre of the Ḥashsháshín, as a youth. |
| Rashid Khalifa | Rashíd Khalífa | Dr Rashíd Khalífa (1935–1990) was an Egyptian-American biochemist. He later claimed to be a messenger of God but not a prophet. He believed that the beliefs and practices of Islám should be based on the Qur’án alone. From 1968 he used computers to analyze the frequency of letters and words in the Qur’án. He claimed that the Qur’án, unlike the hadiths, was incorruptible because it contained a mathematical structure based on the number 19. |
| Rashsha, Rashsh | Rashsha (Rashsh) | to spatter, splash, spurt (a liquid); to spray (a liquid); to sprinkle (something, with, on); to splatter, spatter, bespatter (something, with water, etc.); to water (something) |
| Rasht | Rasht | city in province of Gílán |
| Rashti | Rashtí | of or from Rasht. See Sayyid Káẓim Rashtí. |
| Rasiq (Rasikh), Rasiqun | Rásiq, pl. Rásiqún | firmly established, deep-rooted; grounded, firmly fixed, stable; conversant (with something), thoroughly versed, completely at home (in a field). Dr Shápúr Rásikh 1924–2021, Bahá’í educationalist, sociologist, scholar, author. |
| Rasiqun fi’l-‘ilm | ar-Rasiqún fi‘l-‘ilm | those deeply rooted in knowledge (Ṣúfí terminology) |
| Rasm | Rasm | Pers. marking out, drawing, writing; a law, canon, rule, regulation, precept, habit, custom, mode, manner, usage. Rasm (rite, formality and rule) affects everyone. Rasm (custom) has made it easy for the clergy to control the general population. Hidden Words Arabic no. 2. See sha’n |
| Rasm, Rusum, Rusumat | Rasm, pl. Rusúm, Rusúmát | drawing (e.g., as a subject in school);—(pl. rusúm, rusúmát) a drawing; sketch; graph; picture; photograph; illustration; pattern (e.g., on a fabric);—(pl. rusúm) trace, impression; designation, mark; inscription, legend; record, notes; (official) document, (legal) instrument; writing; design; prescription, regulation; ceremony, form, formality; rate, fee, tax, due. Rasm is an Arabic writing script often used in the early centuries of Classical Arabic literature (CE 7th to early 11th century)—essentially Arabic script without dots (i‘jám) and vowel marks (ḥarakát)—also known as Arabic skeleton script. |
| Rass | Rass | digging (a well or grave); the beginning of anything; first attack or symptom (of a fever or love); burying; hiding, secreting; making peace, reconciling; a well constructed with stones; name of a certain well in which the people of Thamúd imprisoned one of their prophets until he died. Aṣḥábí (ahli) ar-Rass—name given to these people. ar-Rass town 350 km WNW Riyadh. |
| Rast, Rastan | Rást, pl. Rástán | Pers. right, true; good, just, sincere, upright; straight, even, level; right (opposed to left); complete; actually, certainly, surely, truly; name of a note in music |
| Rastagar | Rastagár | Pers. safe, free, escaped, bountiful (Rastigar, Rastegar) |
| Rastakhiz | Rastákhíz | Pers. resurrection. Rastakhiz Party (Ḥizb-i-Rastákhíz “Resurgence party”) founded on 2 March 1975 by Muḥammad Riḍá Pahlaví, the Sháh of Írán. The party was intended as Iran’s new single party, holding a monopoly on political activity in Írán, and to which all Iranians were required to belong. The Bahá’ís refused to join. It survives today in exile as an Iranian monarchist party opposing the Islamic Republic created when the Pahlavi dynasty was overthrown. |
| Rastaq (Rastagh, Rostaq) | Rastáq | a town (28.445751, 55.075400) 110 km SE of Nayriz, in Fars Province. |
| Rasul (Rassoul), Rusul, Rasulan | Rasúl, pl. Rusul, Pers. also Rasúlán | messenger; emissary; envoy, delegate; apostle (Christian). Term for a figure of salvation—Messenger of God (AND a Prophet). Persian plural may also be Rasúlin. Compare with Nabí. |
| Rasul Allah, Rasulu’llah | Rasúl Alláh, Pers. Rasúlu’lláh | Messenger of God. “Divine Manifestation” in the Bahá’í Writings. See Sulṭán ar-Rusul. |
| Ratl | Raṭl, pl. Arṭál | rotl, a weight (449.28 g; in Syr. 3.202 kg, in Beirut and Aleppo = 2.566 kg) |
| Rawan | Rawán | Pers. life, soul, spirit; the reasonable soul; the heart; the heart; brisk, active (sale); mounted, riding; running; flowing, fluid; lawful, proper; text; reading; forthwith, immediately, quickly |
| Rawda (Rauda), Rawd, Riyad, Ridan | Rawḍa[h or t], (Pers. Rawḍih) | garden; meadow.—pl. rawḍát, rawḍ, riyáḍ (“riaz”, “riyaz”, “reyz”); training or breaking in (a colt) and rídán. Riyáḍ was the name of a brother of Shoghi Effendi. ar-Riyáḍ (Riyadh) is the capital of Saudi Arabia. |
| Rawda-Khwan (Rawdih-Khwan) | Rawḍa-Khwán (Rawḍih-Khwán) | Pers. an eulogist of, or one who prays over, the dead. Note: since a و (wáw) after a خ (kh) may not be pronounced, it may be written as rawḍa-khán. |
| Rawda-Khwani (Rawdih-Khwani) | Rawḍa-Khwání (Rawḍih-Khwání) | Pers. “lament recitation”. A traditional recital by Shí‘a Muslims of the sufferings of Imám Ḥusayn. Note: since a و (wáw) after a خ (kh) may not be pronounced, may be written as rawḍa-khání (see PDC p. 93). |
| Rawdat as-Safa, Rawdatu’s-Safa | Rawḍat aṣ-Ṣafá, Pers. Rawḍatu’ṣ-Ṣafá | Gardens of Purity. Táríkh rawḍatu’s-Ṣafáy-i-Náṣirí by Riḍá Qulí Khán Hidáyat |
| Rawdiy-i-Kafi | Rawḍiy-i-Káfí | |
| Rawh (Rauh) | Rawḥ | refreshment |
| Rawh wa rayhan | Rawḥ wa rayḥán | ‘with joy and radiance’ |
| Rawha’ (Rauha’, Roha, Rooha) | Rawḥá’ | related to Ráḥa[h] (“rest”). The eastern side of Baghdád (split by the Tigris River) was known (by Persians) as ar-Rawḥá’ (supposedly the wide-spreading or the shallow). See az-Zawrá’. ar-Rawḥá’, a small place 62 km SW of Medina, was named after a king from Yemen who is said to have passed by and stayed there. There is a well, Bi’r ar-Rawḥá’ (Bi’r ar-Rawḥá’, “Well of Souls”, 24.078195, 39.161778), and nearby is Bi’r ash-Shifá’ (“Healing well”, or also Bi’r ar-Rawḥá’) (24.077791, 39.162389). Here Muḥammad and His companions rested on their march to Badr (CE 624). Abú-Sufyán and the Meccans also rested here after the battle of Uḥud (CE 625). |
| Rawhani (Rauhani) | Rawḥání | good, agreeable, clean and pure (place) |
| Rawi, Rawiyan | Ráwí, pl. Ráwiyán | one who narrates the words of another, who alleges that he saiḍ so and so; a historian, a narrator, teller |
| Rawiy | Rawíy | final letter, rhyming letter (in Arabic verse); rhyme |
| Rawshan (Raushan) | Rawshan, pl. Rawáshin | skylight, scuttle |
| Rawshani | Rawshaní | |
| Rawza | Rawza[h] | (Rauza, Rouza, Roza Rozza, Roseh) Perso-Arabic term (“shrine” or “tomb”) derived through Persian from the Arabic rawḍah, but extended to mean a tomb surrounded by a garden as at Agra and Aurangabad. The Taj Mahal has been described as a rawza-i munawwára (Perso-Arabic: rawḍah-i-munawwárah), meaning the illumined or illustrious tomb in a garden. |
| Raya, Rayat | Ráya[h or t], pl. Ráyát | banner, flag. ar-Ráyat as-Sawdá’ (“The Black Banner” or “The Black Standard”) also known as ar-Ráyat al-‘Uqáb (“The Banner of the Eagle”) or simply as ar-Ráyah (“The Banner”) is one of the flags flown by Muḥammad in Muslim tradition. It was used by Abú Muslim in his uprising leading to the Abbasid Revolution in 747 and is therefore associated with the Abbasid Caliphate in particular. It is also an Islamic symbol heralding the advent of the Mahdí—from the ḥadíth that whenever it was unfurled at Khurásán, it would signalize the advent of God’s new Revelation on earth. Mullá Ḥusayn took a black flag from Mashhad (now in Raḍawí Khurásán Ústán, a province) to Shaykh Ṭabarsí. See Cháwush. |
| Rayb (Raib) | Rayb | doubt; suspicion; uncertainty |
| Rayhan (Rauhan, Reyhan), Rayhana | Rayḥán, fem. Rayḥána(h) | ease, fragrant herb, sweet basil. Rayhána bint Zayd, a Jewish wife of Muḥammad. |
| Raytu’l-‘Ayn | Ráytú’l-‘Ayn | Pers. “vision of the eye”. See Ra’y |
| Raytu’llah | Ráytú’lláh | Pers. “I saw God”. See Ra’y |
| Rayy (Raz, Ray, Rey, Raghes) | Rayy | an ancient capital city of the Medes to the east of Shahr-i-Ray (SE Ṭihrán). Ráz, an older name |
| Razaqa | Razaqa | to provide with the means of subsistence (to someone; said of God); to bestow (upon someone something, material or spiritual possessions; said of God), endow (someone with); to bless (someone with, especially with a child) |
| Razzaq | Razzáq | dispenser, disposer of; an attribute of God, as the provider of the necessaries of life, the giver of daily bread; providence. |
| Razi | Rází | Pers. inhabitant of Ráz. Abú Bakr Muḥammad Zakariyá Rází, also known Rhazes or Rasis (854–925), was a Persian polymath, physician, alchemist, philosopher, and important figure in the history of medicine. He also wrote on logic, astronomy and grammar. |
| Raziq | Ráziq | giver of the necessaries of life; providence. ar-Ráziq, the Maintainer, the Provider (one of the 99 attributes of God) |
| Ri’asa, Riyasa | Ri’ása, Riyása | leadership, leading position; management, direction; chairmanship; presidency, presidentship; supervision, superintendency |
| Riban (Riba’), Ribawan, Ribayan | Riban (Riba’), dual Ribawán (or Ribayán) | interest, but usually usurious interest; usury; gain in selling, profit. Qur’án 3:130, 4:161, 30:39 and most importantly 2:275–2:280. Muslims generally interpret usury as including all interest. However, according to the Báb (Persian Bayan, p. 181), the Qur’án does not forbid interest: “Most important, he [the Báb] denied the validity [of the generally accepted interpretation] of the Quranic law against usury, maintaining that interest on money may be taken.” Vahid Rafati, The development of Shaykhí thought in Shí‘í Islam, p. 152. See fá’id, ribawí, and the root rabá. |
| Ruba’i, Ruba’iyyat | Rubá‘í, pl. Rubá’iyát | consisting or four, quadripartite, fourfold, quadruple; quadrangular; tetragonal; (grammar) consisting of four radical letters, quadriliteral; quartet; (pl.) quatrains (poetry) |
| Ribat (Robat, Rubat), Rubut, Arbita | Ribáṭ, pl. Ribát, Rubuṭ, Arbiṭa[h or t] | ribbon, band, lace; ligature, ligament; bandage; dressing (of a wound); bond, fetter, shackle;—pl. (ribát, rubuṭ) inn for travellers, caravanserai; hospice (for Sufis or the poor). Rubáṭ Karím is a city (35.471603, 51.084752) 36 km SW of Ṭihrán. |
| Ribawi | Ribawí | usurious |
| Rida-Quli | Riḍá-Qulí | Riḍá-Qulí, Mírzá Half-brother of Bahá’u’lláh who kept apart from Him and hid his relationship. |
| Rida’ | Riḍá‘ | foster relationship |
| Rida’, Ardiya | Ridá’, pl. Ardiya | loose outer garment, cloak, robe; (lady’s) dress, gown; attire, costume |
| Rida’, Riza’ | Riḍá’, Pers. Riẓá’ & Riḍá | (Pers. “Reza”) contentment, contentedness, satisfaction; agreement, consent, assent, acceptance, approval, sanction; propitiation, conciliation. “good-pleasure”. Mystical station in which one finds absolute peace and inner pleasure in relation to life in general. |
| Rida’i, Riday | Riḍá’í (Riḍáy) | Pers. (Rezaei, Rezaee, Rezai, Rezaie, Rezayee, or Rezayi) “of Riḍá’ (Reza)” |
| Rida’u’r-Ruh | Riḍá’u’r-Rúḥ | “Contentment of the spirit”. This is the preferred name, based on Arabic grammar and “Riḍá”, for Mullá Muḥammad-Riḍáy-i-Manshádí, see the Ráḍí’u’r-Rúḥ entry. |
| Riday-i-Qannad | Riḍáy-i-Qannád | |
| Riday-i-Saffar | Riḍáy-i-Ṣaffár | |
| Ridwan, Ridvan | Riḍwán, fem. Riḍwána[h], Per. Riḍván | consent, assent, agreement, acceptance, approval, sanction; good will, favour; pleasure, delight. It is sometimes translated as ‘paradise’, ‘heaven’, ‘tabernacle’ and ‘garden’. See Raḍiya. Name given to two gardens significant in Bahá’í history: the garden of Najíbíyah owned by Najíb Páshá outside Baghdád (≈33.344433, 44.378333, area now occupied by the Baghdad Medical City—22 April–2 May 1863); and the Na‘mayn Garden (32.915208, 35.090687). See Na‘mayn. |
| Ridwaniya, Ridvaniyyah | Riḍwáníya[h], Pers. Riḍvániyya[h] | used as Persian fem. name (Ridvaniyeh), satisfaction. Riḍváníyyih Khánum was a Persian Bahá’í serving in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s household in ‘Akká. She was the daughter of Ḥájí Siyyid Javád and the wife of Mírzá Ḥusayn Ḥájí, and the brother of Aḥmad Yazdí. |
| Ridwanu’l-‘Adl, Ridvanu’l-‘Adl | Riḍwánu’l-‘Adl | “The Garden of Justice” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Ridwanu’l-Iqrar, Ridvanu’l-Iqrar | Riḍwánu’l-Iqrár | “The Garden of Confession” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Ridwanu’llah, Ridvanu’llah | Riḍwánu’lláh | “The Garden of God” |
| Rif (Riff), Aryraf | Ríf, pl. Aryáf | fertile, cultivated land; country (as opposed to city), countryside, rural; ar-Ríf or Ríf Miṣr Lower Egypt; seashore, seacoast; ar-Ríf (Rif, Riff or Er Rif) hilly coastal region of NE Morocco |
| Rif’a (Rif’at or Raf’at; Rafat, Rafati) | Rif‘a[h or t] or Raf‘a[h or t] | height, elevation (e.g. of a structure); high rank or standing. Raf‘atí, of or related to. |
| Rifa’i (Rifa’iyya, Rifa’iya) | Rifá‘í (also Rifá‘iyya, Rifá‘iya) | eminent Súfí order (ṭaríqa) founded by Aḥmad ibn ‘Alí ar-Rifá‘í |
| Rifat, Rafat | Rifát, Rafát | lifted, elated, joyous. Of or related to, e.g. Dr Vahid Rafati (1945–, Vaḥíd Rafátí), former Head of the Research Department in Haifa, the author of numerous articles and books in Persian and English. |
| Rih, Riyah, Arwah, Aryah | Ríḥ, pl. Riyáḥ, Arwáḥ, Aryáḥ | wind; smell, odour; —pl. also name of the father of a tribe |
| Rik’at | Rik‘at | Ar. Prostration in prayer (Kitáb-i-Íqán p. 50) |
| Rikab, Rukub, Rikabat,Raka’ib | Rikáb, pl. Rukub, Rikábát, Raká’ib | stirrup;—pl. riding camel, riding animal, mount |
| Risala, Risalat, Rasa’il | Risála(h or t), pl. Risálát, Rasá’il | consignment, shipment; mail item; (written) communication or report; missive; letter, note; epistle; treatise; dispatch; message; radio message; the gift of prophecy; the office of a prophet; Messengership. Messengership is described as proclaiming the knowledge of the first intellect (al-‘aql al-awwal) to the prepared (musta‘idd) people. Shaykh Aḥmad in The development of Shaykhí thought in Shí‘í Islám, p. 90. See nubúwa |
| Risalah Fi’l-Ghina’ | Risálah Fi’l-Ghiná’ | “Treatise on Singing” by the Báb |
| Risalah Fi’n-Nahv | Risálah Fi’n-Naḥv | “Treatise on Grammar” by the Báb |
| Risaliy-i-‘Adliya | Risáliy-i-‘Adlíya | “Treatise on Justice” by the Báb |
| Risaliy-i-Amriyyih | Risáliy-i-Amríyyih (Ar. Amriya) | “Treatise on the Cause” by Muḥammad Muṣṭafá al-Baghdádí |
| Risaliy-i-Ayat-i-Mu’arrakhih | Risáliy-i-Ayát-i-Mu‘arrakhih | “Treatise on the earlier verses” by Mírzá Abu’l-Faḍl |
| Risaliy-i-Ayyubiyyih | Risáliy-i-Ayyúbiyyih | “Treatise on Job” by Abu’l-Faḍl |
| Risaliy-i-Dhahabiyyih | Risáliy-i-Dhahabíyyih | should be Khuṭbiy-i-Dhikríyyih by the Báb Gate of the Heart, p. 379. |
| Risaliy-i-Fiqhiyyih | Risáliy-i-Fiqhíyyih | “Treatise on Fiqh” by the Báb |
| Risaliy-i-Furu’-i-‘Adliya | Risáliy-i-Furú‘-i-‘Adlíya | “Treatise of Justice: Branches” by the Báb |
| Risaliy-i-Ithbat-i-Nubuvvat-i-Khassih | Risáliy-i-Ithbát-i-Nubuvvat-i-Kháṣṣih | “Epistle on the Proofs of the Prophethood (of Muḥammad)” by the Báb, i.e. His specific station and mission. |
| Risaliy-i-Khaqaniyyih | Risáliy-i-Kháqániyyih | treatise in answer to Fatḥ-‘Alí Sháh’s question regarding the superiority of the Qá’im over His ancestors. |
| Risaliy-i-Madaniyyih | Risáliy-i-Madaniyyih | Pers. “Treatise on civilization” (or Shoghi Effendi as “Tablet of Divine Civilization”) written anonymously by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1875. First English translation title (1910 & 1918) “Mysterious Forces of Civilization”. Marzieh Gail 1957 tr. title “The Secret of Divine Civilization”. |
| Risaliy-i-Siyasiyyih | Risáliy-i-Siyásiyyih | Treatise on Politics by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Risaliy-i-Sultaniyyah | Risáliy-i-Sulṭániyyah | “The royal message” by Shaykh Aḥmad to Fatḥ-‘Alí Sháh |
| Rish-Safid | Rísh-Safíd | “white beard” of wisdom, a person in charge of the welfare of a group of a few households. The term denoted a person of wisdom and experience within the community. |
| Rish, Rishun, Riyash, Aryash | Rísh (collective; noun Ríshun) | feathers; feathering, plumage; clothes, attire, exterior; bristles (e.g., of a brush). Pl. riyásh, aryásh |
| Risha, Rishat | Rísha(t) (n. -un.) pl. Ríshát | feather; quill; writing pen; brush (of a painter); plectrum; lancet; (e.g.) reed (of certain wind instruments, e.g., of the oboe (music) |
| Riyal | Riyál, pl. Riyálát | a silver coin |
| Riz-Ab (Rizab, Rezab) | Ríz-Áb | Pers. waste bath or washing water. A village (empty? 31.302413, 54.080200?) in Taft County, Yazd Province, Iran. 90 km SW of Yazd. A village (28.853536, 55.008231) 78 km SE of Nayriz. |
| Rizq, Arzaq | Rizq, pl. Arzáq | livelihood, means of living, subsistence; daily bread, nourishment, sustenance; boon, blessing (of God); property, possessions, wealth, fortune; income; pay, wages |
| Rizqu’llah | Rizqu’lláh | “God bless him”, “fortune from God” |
| Rizwan, Ruzwan | Rizwán, Ruzwán | Pers. accepting, acquiescing; being pleased, gratified; —rizwán, a blessing, benediction; paradise; name of the porter or gardener of paradise |
| Ru’ya’, Ruya | Ru’ya’, Rúyá | seeing, looking, viewing, vision; inspection, examination. See Ra’á |
| Ru’yatú’l-Mashiyya | Rú’yatú’l-Mashíyat | “vision of the Primal Will of God” |
| Rub’, Arba’ | Rub‘, pl. Arbá‘ | quarter, fourth part; roubouh, a dry measure. ar-Rub‘ al Khálí (“empty quarter”, desert region in southern Arabia, largest in the world) |
| Ruba’iyat ‘Umar | Rubá’iyát ‘Umar Khayyám | Quatrains of ‘Umar Khayyám [or those attributed to him]. Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, the Astronomer-Poet of Persia. Rendered into English Verse is the title given by the translator Edward FitzGerald to a collection of Persian quatrains. |
| Rubat-Karim (Robat-Karim) | Rubáṭ-Karím | (formerly known as Shahríyár and Shahryár) is a city (39 km SW of Teheran; 35.472695, 51.084748) in Tehran Province, Írán. Nabíl-i-A‘ẓam first heard of the declaration of the Báb while visiting an uncle what was then a village. See Ribáṭ. |
| Rubban (Rabban), Rubaniya, Rababina | Rubbán, pl. Rubbáníya, Rabábina[h] | master, captain, pilot, skipper, boatswain, navigator |
| Rububiya, Rububiyya | Rubúbíya[h or t], Pers. Rubúbiyyih | divinity, deity, godship, dominion, supreme power |
| Rud | Rúd | Pers. river, torrent, flowing water; the Oxus; intestines, gut; the string of a musical instrument; a bow-string; song, cheerfulness, jovial conversation, convivial mirth; vocal or instrumental music; a son or daughter; a beautiful brunette; a comely and amiable youth; a plucked bird; a shorn sheep. Used as a suffix with given name, as in Yálrúd. |
| Rudaki | Rúdakí | from a Rúdak village (in Fárs (very small, 29°37′31″ N 51°25′57″ E), Qazvín (35.694810, 49.894467) and Ṭihrán (NE Ṭihrán, 35°50′55″ N 51°32′59″ E) Provinces). Abú ‘Abd Alláh Ja‘far ibn Muḥammad ar-Rúdakí (died 941), better known as Rúdakí, a Persian poet regarded as the first great literary genius of the modern Persian language. He was born in Rúdak (38.437844, 68.766154)—now a town (Рӯдакӣ, 11 km south of Dushanbe) in western Tajikistan. |
| Rudbar | Rúdbár | Pers. “by the river”, a city and capital of Rudbar County, Gilan Province, Írán. 54 km south of Rasht. |
| Ruh al-Mu’ani | Rúḥ al-Mu’ání | al-Rúḥ al-Mu‘ání, The Spirit of the Meanings, by Shaykh Maḥmúd al-Álúsí |
| Ruh Husayn ibn | Rúḥ, Ḥusayn ibn | Abú al-Qásim al-Ḥusayn ibn Rúḥ an-Nawbakhtíy) was the third of the four deputies of the twelfth Imám |
| Ruh, Arwah | Rúḥ m. & f., pl. Arwáḥ | breath of life, soul; spirit (in all senses); gun barrel |
| Ruha | Rúḥá | wind, breath, spirit. Rúḥá Khánum (1880–1971) a twin daughter of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. See Ṭúbá. |
| Ruhangiz, Ruh-Angiz | Rúḥángíz | Pers. (rúḥ + ángíz) “raising the spirit”. Rúḥángíz Rabbání a sister of Shoghi Effendi. |
| Ruhani, Ruhaniya, Ruhanun | Rúḥání, fem. Rúḥániya[h or t] | (pl. Rúḥánún) spiritual, immaterial; divine, sacred, holy; clergyman, minister (Christian). Iṣfahání Pers. Rúḥániyih. |
| Ruhaniya, Ruhaniyyih | Rúḥáníya[h or t] | (Iṣfahání Pers. Rúḥáníyih) spirituality; transfiguration |
| Ruhi Afnan | Rúḥí Afnán | Shoghi Effendi’s cousin, Rúḥí Muḥsin Afnán, known as Ruhi Effendi, eldest son of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s daughter, Ṭúbá |
| Ruhi Fida’ | Rúḥí Fidá’ | “my soul is redemption”, a common expression |
| Ruhi, Ruhat | Rúḥí, pl. Rúḥát | spirituous; spiritual;—pl. spiritual things |
| Ruhiya, Ruhiyyih | Rúḥíya, Pers. Rúḥiyyih | spirituality; mentality, mental attitude, frame of mind. Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum Rabbani (née Mary Sutherland Maxwell). |
| Ruhu’l-Ma’ani | Rúḥu’l-Ma‘ání | a tafsír (exegesis) of the Qur’án by Muftí Sayyid Maḥmúd al-Álúsí al-Baghdádí (10 December 1802—29 July 1854), was an ‘Iráqí Islamic scholar best known for writing Rúḥu’l-Ma‘ání |
| Ruhu’llah | Rúḥu’lláh | “Spirit of God”. A designation Muslims use for Jesus (Rúḥu’lláh ‘Ísá) based on verses such as Qur’án 4:171 (Ruḥun Minhu, “Spirit of/from Him (it) (God)”). Rúḥu’lláh Varqá was the son of Mírzá ‘Alí-Muḥammad-i-Varqá. |
| Rukh | Rukh | Pers. a cheek; the face, countenance; a side, point, quarter; the rook or tower at chess; a knight-errant; a head-stall for a horse |
| Rukhsara | Rukhsára | Pers. cheek, face, complexion, mien |
| Rukn ar-Rabi’, Rukn-i-Rabi | ar-Rukn ar-Rábi‘, Pers. Rukn-i-Rábi‘ | “The Fourth Pillar or Support” (God, Muḥammad and the Imams are the first three)—a perfect Shí‘í man (ash-Shí‘í al-Kámil) believed always to exist among the Shi’as and to serve as a Channel of grace |
| Rukn, Arkan | Rukn, pl. Arkán | pillar, support, prop; corner; nook; basis, basic element, first principle; face—pl. staff (military); basic elements, chief elements |
| Rukni’d-Dawlih | Rukni’d-Dawlih | the Pillar of the State |
| Rum | Rum | sand, especially light sand that can be carried by the wind |
| Rum, Arwam | ar-Rúm, pl. al-Arwám | of or pertaining to the eastern Roman Empire, that later became the Byzantine Empire, the Byzantines; Byzantium (i.e. the Christian people and countries (Greece; Rome, Romelia; Türkiye);—pl. (the adherents of) the Greek Orthodox Church. ar-Rúm is an old name for Istanbul. Derived from a Greek plural word meaning Romans. Baḥr ar-Rúm (the Roman Sea) the Mediterranean. |
| Rumi (Roumie), Arwam, Rumiyan | Rúmí, pl. Arwám, Pers. Rúmiyán | Roman, Byzantine; Greek Orthodox (Church). Jalálu’d-Dín-i-Rúmí, “Glory of the Faith from Byzantine (Anatolia)”. |
| Rumilya, Rumelia, Roumelia | Rúmílyá | Turkish (Rumeli) for “Land of the Romans” also known as Turkey (now Türkiye) in Europe, was a historical term describing (after 1453) the area now referred to as the Balkans (an area primarily populated by Christians) when it was administered by the Ottoman Empire. Rumelia included the provinces of Thrace, Macedonia and Moesia, today’s Bulgaria and Turkish Thrace. The name Rumelia was ultimately applied to a province composed of central Albania and north-western Macedonia. |
| Runiz (Roniz Olya) | Rúníz | a town (29.192224, 53.768822) 55 km west of Nayríz |
| Ruqayya (Ruqiyya) | Ruqayya[h] | (also spelled Ruqaiya, Ruqaya, Ruqiyyih, etc.) feminine name meaning “rise, ascent, ascending”, “chant or recite Divine Words”. Derived either from ruqíy or ruqyah. It also means “enchanting, bewitching or of being armed against sorcery”. Ruqayyah bint Muḥammad (601–624), a daughter of Muḥammad and Khadíjah. Name given to Mary Hotchkiss Bode by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. |
| Ruqiy | Ruqíy | rise, progress, upward development |
| Ruqya, Ruqan | Ruqya[h or t], pl. Ruqan | spell, charm, magic; incantation |
| Rushan (Raushan, Roshan) | Rúshan | Pers. a window. Rúshan-Kúh (Roshan Kouh), a very small village (36.380516, 53.364171; many are Bahá’ís who are suffering persecution, confiscation and destruction of properties) 34 km SE of Sárí. |
| Rushd | Rushd | integrity of (ones) actions, proper, sensible conduct; reason, good sense, senses; consciousness; maturity (of the mind). Abú’l-Walíd Muḥammad ibn ‘Aḥmad ibn Rushd (1126–1198) “Averroes”, was a Muslim Andalusian philosopher and thinker who wrote about many subjects, including philosophy, theology, medicine, astronomy, physics, Islamic jurisprudence and law, and linguistics. |
| Rushdi | Rushdí, fem. Rushdiya(h) | rightly guided, of true faith, mature |
| Rustam (Rostam, Rostem, Rustum) | Rustam | Pers. the most renowned Persian hero, described as Persia’s Hercules. Character in Sháhnáma(h) |
| Rustami | Rustamí | Pers. valour, heroism |
| Rustaq, Rastaq | Rustáq, Rastáq | (Ar. element) a village, market-town, encampment of tents or huts; a villager; the commander of a file of men, a corporal. Rastáq (Rostagh, 28.448690, 55.076019) a village in Fárs Province, 110 km SE of Nayríz |
| Rutba, Rutab | Rutba[h or t], pl. Rutab | degree, grade, level; rank, standing, station; class, quality; (military) rank; clerical rank, order (of the Christian ministry); religious ceremony (Christian) |
| Ruz | Rúz | Pers. a day; day-time; the sun; the face; good fortune; opportunity; the vernal equinox; power, strength; courage; open, manifest, clear, evident |
| Ruz-bih, Ruzbih | Rúz-bih, Rúzbih | Pers. good day, fortunate days, happy times; improving daily; happy, fortunate. For bih, see bahja. |
| Ruz-i-Alast | Rúz-i-Alast | Pers. Day of Alast |
| Ruz-i-Payman | Rúz-i-Paymán | Pers. Day of the Covenant. Rúz-i-Payghún may be an alternative. |
| Ruzbihan (Ruzbihyan) | Rúzbihán | (Roozbehyan) possible plural of Rúzbih. Rúzbihán Baqlí Shírází (d. 1221), 13th-century Iranian mystic. |
| Ruzita | Ruzítá | Pers. (from French) little everlasting rose. Ruzítá Samandarí, wife of Bahman Samandarí (executed 1992) |
| Plain text | Transcripted text | Word meanings & comments |
| S | ||
| Sa’a, Sa’at | Sá‘a[h or t], pl. Sá‘át, Sá‘ | (short) time, while; hour; timepiece, clock, watch |
| Sa’ada | Sa‘áda[h or t] | (fem. of sa‘d) happiness; bliss, felicity; good fortune, success, prosperity, welfare; title of a páshá; sa‘ádat (with following name, e.g. Sa‘ádat-Ábád) is the title of a high official. Sa‘ádat Ábád (29.272778, 53.061111) is a small village on the road between Shíráz and Nayríz, where the headless body of Mírzá ‘Abdu’l-Ḥusayn (Nayríz uprisings) was buried. Also a village (36.442778, 52.2275) 11.5 km WSW of Ámul visited by Bahá’u’lláh in 1844. |
| Sa’adat-Abad | Sa‘ádat-Ábád | a village (36.443640, 52.228517) in Mazandaran Province, and a wealthy district in northern Ṭihrán. |
| Sa’b, Sa’b, Si’ab | Ṣa‘b, pl. Ṣi‘áb | hard, difficult;—pl. difficulties. Ṣa‘b as a verb means to become abstinent, or to become extreme and unbearable; and as a noun, is the opposite of domestic animal, and refers to everything that is unbearable. See mustaṣ‘ab |
| Sa’b mustas’ab | Ṣa‘b Mustaṣ‘ab | “exceedingly abstruse” |
| Sa’d (Sa’ad) | Sa‘d, pl. Su‘úd | good luck, good fortune.Sa‘d ibn Abí Waqqáṣ, also known as Sa‘d ibn Malik, was a companion of Muḥammad. Sa‘d was reportedly the seventh person to embrace Islám (aged 17). His son, ‘Umar ibn Sa‘d bin Abí Waqqáṣ, known as Ibn Sa‘d (d. 685) was the commander of the army of ‘Ubayd Alláh bin Ziyád in the death of Imám Ḥusayn and his companions. He is among the most hated figures in Shí‘a Islamic history. |
| Sa’d ibn Ma’adh (Sa’d-i-Ma’adh) | Sa‘d ibn Ma‘ádh, (Sa‘d-i-Ma‘ádh) | “being happy/fortunate” + “act of taking refuge or a place of refuge”. Abú ‘Amr Sa‘d ibn Ma‘ádh ibn an-Nu‘mán (c. 591–627) was a chief of the Aws tribe in Medina and a prominent companion of Muhammad. |
| Sa’d ibn Ma’adh, Sa’d-i-Ma’adh | Sa’dan, Sa’adin | ape |
| Sa’di (Saadi) | Sa‘dí | “fortunate, lucky”. Persian poet Musharrif al-Dín ibn Muṣlih al-Dín Shírází (1210–1291), named after his patrons Sa‘d bin Zangí and Abú Bakr bin Sa‘d (hence nom de plume Sa‘dí). See Gulistán and Shírází. Sa‘dí village about 3 km north of Shíráz city centre, now District 3 of the city. |
| Sa’du’llah | Sa‘du’lláh | “Joy of God” |
| Sa’i | Sa‘í | seeking, search or ritual walking. The walk between the rocky outcrops aṣ-Ṣafá and al-Marwah in Mecca |
| Sa’id (Saeed, Saied, Saeid), Su’ada’ | Sa‘íd, fem. Sa‘ída[h or t], pl. Su‘adá’ | (Sa‘ida, Sa‘ihih) happy; radiant, blissful; lucky, auspicious; felicitous. Sa‘ádatukum is a polite form of address that means “Your Excellency” or “Your Honour” (-kum, “your”). Búr Sa‘íd (Port Said) is a seaport in NE Egypt. |
| Sa’id, Su’ud | Ṣa‘íd, pl. Ṣu‘úd Ṣa‘īd | highland, upland, plateau; surface of the earth, dust on it; a mountain road; soil, land, or even a grave site in certain contexts. Ṣa‘íd Miṣr (or simply aṣ-Ṣa‘íd): Upper Egypt. |
| Sa’ida, Sawa’id | Sá‘ida(h), pl. Sawá‘id | tributary. Qaṣṣ ibn Sá‘idah |
| Sa’idi, Sa’ayida | Ṣa‘ídí, pl. Ṣa‘áyida | Upper Egyptian (i.e. southern or south of latitude 30° north, south of Cairo) in the sense of “ascend” |
| Sa’idu’l-‘Ulama’ | Sa‘ídu’l-‘Ulamá’ | title with colloquial meaning of “Leader of the Learned” or “Chief of the Scholars”. Title given to Mullá Sa‘íd, a mujtahid from Bárfurúsh, by Náṣiri’d-Dín Sháh as a reward (to gain his political support) for his hostility to the Bábís during the siege of Shaykh Ṭabarsí in 1849. |
| Sa’im | Ṣá’im | fasting (adj.); faster, one who fasts |
| Sa’imun, Suwwam, Suyyam, Siyam | pl. Ṣá’imún, Ṣuwwam, Ṣuyyam, Ṣiyám | plurals of Ṣá’im. Hasan Balyuzi, Shoghi Effendi and Adib Taherzadeh and others use ṣíyám |
| Sa’in | Ṣá’in | preserver, sustainer, maintainer, keeper, guardian, protector; protective |
| Sa’in Qal’a (Sa’in Qal’ih) | Ṣá’ín Qal‘a (Ṣá’ín Qal‘ih) | Pers. small island in southern Lake Urmia and city 67 km SE Zanján |
| Sa’inu’d-Din | Ṣá’inu’d-Dín | “Preserver of religion” |
| Sa’iqa, Sawa’iq | Ṣá‘iqa[h or t], pl. Ṣawá‘iq | bolt of lightning, thunderbolt |
| Sa’ir, Su’ur | Sa‘ír, pl. Su’ur | blazing flame, fire; blaze; hell, inferno. Mt. Sa‘ír (Mt. Seir; 30.184341, 35.316634)—the mountain can be a reference to Jesus. Chain of mountains west and south of the Dead Sea extending through Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Sa‘ír is a Palestinian town 8 km north-east of Hebron. |
| Sa’sa’ | Ṣa‘ṣa‘ | separated, dispersed. |
| Sa’sa’a | Ṣa‘ṣa‘a(h or t) | separating, dividing, dispersing; moving, shaking; name of a purgative plant; also of the father of a tribe. The Banú ‘Ámir ibn Ṣa‘ṣa‘ah was a large and ancient Arab tribe originating from central and south western Arabia that dominated Najd for centuries after the rise of Islám. |
| Sa’ud | Sa‘úd | Ál-Sa‘úd is the ruling royal family of Saudi Arabia |
| Sa’udi | Sa‘údí | Saudi. al-Mamlaka(h) al-‘Arabíya(h) as-Su‘údíya(h) (“the Saudi Arab kingdom”)—normally translated as “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” |
| Sab’a, Sab’, Sab’ih | Sab‘a(h), fem. Sab‘, (Pers. Sab‘ih) | seven |
| Sab’ata ‘Ashara, Sab’a ‘Ashrata | Sab‘ata(h or t) ‘Ashara | seventeen (fem. Sab‘a ‘Ashrata(h or t)) |
| Sab’un | Sab‘ún | seventy |
| Saba, Saba’, Saba’iyyun | Sabá’ (or Saba’), pl. Saba’iyyún | Saba, Sabaean (“Sabean”, and not Sabian), Sheba (Hebrew). Ancient Ma’rib, in modern Yemen, was the capital of the kingdom of Sabá’ (the kingdom of “Sheba”, in King Solomon’s day, included Yemen and parts of the west side of the Red Sea, which was later Christianised from Abyssinia). The kingdom was founded by the Sabaeans (as-Saba’iyyún). In the Qur’án, they are described as Saba’ (not to be confused with Ṣábi’) or as the people of Tubba‘ (Qawm Tubba‘). Symbolic home or dwelling place of the “well-beloved” (PHW 1). |
| Saba, Sabw, Subuw, Siban, Saba’ | Ṣabá, Ṣabw, Ṣubúw, Ṣiban, Ṣaba’ | to be a child, be childish. There is also a link with the east wind, see separate listings for Ṣaban Ṣubúw. |
| Sabah | Ṣabáḥ | morning |
| Sabaha, (Sabh, Sibaha) | Sabaḥa (Sabḥ, Sibáḥa) | to swim (in); to float (figuratively); to spread Form II to praise, glorify |
| Sabahani | Sabaḥaní | glorify me. Sounds like sabakthani. See Shavaktani |
| Saban, Sabawat, Asba’ | Ṣaban, pl. Ṣabawát, Aṣbá’ | east wind |
| Sabara | Ṣabara | to bind, tie, fetter, shackle; to be patient, be forbearing, have patience, take patience, persevere; to bear calmly, patiently, stoutly, endure |
| Sabbagh | Ṣabbágh | dyer |
| Sabbaq, Sabbaqun | Sabbáq, pl. Sabbáqún | anticipatory; precursory; triumphant; fast train, express train; precursor; winner in contest |
| Sabha, Subuhat, Subah | Sabḥa[h or t], Subḥa[h or t] | (pl. subuḥát) majesty (of God). Translated by Shoghi Effendi as “veil”. See Subuḥát al-Jalál. |
| Sabi’, as-Sabi’a, Subat, Sabi’a, Sabi’un | Ṣábi’, pl. Ṣubát | an idolater, who changes his religion, pagan, Sabian (not “Sabean”); Mandaean. fem. Ṣabí’a[h or t], Ṣábí’a[h or t]. aṣ-Ṣábi’a or aṣ-Ṣábiʼún (derived from the Aramaic term Ṣabi, ‘to baptize’), the Sabians, designation of two different sects: 1) the Mandaeans, a Judeo-Christian Gnostic, baptist sect in Mesopotomia (Christians of St. John), used in this sense in the Qur’án. 2) The Sabians of Ḥarrán, a pagan sect extant as late as the 11th century CE. See Mandá’iyún. |
| Sabil, Subul, Asbila, Siblan | Sabíl (m. & f.), pl. Subul, Asbila, Siblán | way (e.g. God’s), road, path; access; means, expedient, possibility (to, for);—pl. (asbila) public fountain);—pl. (siblán) clay pipe bowl, clay pipe (of the Bedouins) |
| Sabiq, Sabiqun, Sabiqin, Subbaq, Sabiqan | Sábiq, pl. Sábiqún, Sábiqín, Subbáq | antecedent, preceding, foregoing, previous, prior; former, ex-; retired; sábiqan formerly, previously. The Báb initially described the Ḥurúf-i-Ḥayy (“Letters of the Living”) as Sábiqún (those who “have preceded in faith”). In Islám it refers to the eminent early followers of Muḥammad. |
| Sabiqa, Sawabiq | Sábiqa[h], pl. Sawábiq | (fem. of sábiq) precedence, priority; previous case, precedent; previous, earlier publication of an author;—pl. antecedents; previous convictions |
| Sabir | Ṣábir, dual Ṣábirán | patient, long-suffering, enduring, perseverant, steadfast |
| Sabir, Sabar, Subara’ | Ṣabír, Ṣabár, pl. Ṣubará’ | patient, mild, long-suffering; a surety, sponsor |
| Sabiriyan | Ṣábiríyán | those who are patient |
| Sabr | Ṣabr | fettering, shackling; patience, forbearance; composure, equanimity, steadfastness, firmness; self-control, self-command, self-possession; perseverance, endurance, hardiness. e.g. Súriy-i-Ṣabr |
| Sabri (Zabari), Sabriya | Ṣabrí, fem. Ṣabríya[h or t] | patient. A very small village (also known as Zabárí, 35.728333, 56.929167) in Sabzevar County, Razavi Khorasan Province. 87 km SW of Sabzevar. |
| Sabt, Sabut | Sabt, pl. Sabút | rest, quiet, repose. as-sabt, the Jewish sabbath (possibly borrowed from Hebrew Shabát); observing the Sabbath (Shabbat); Saturday |
| Sabti | Sabtí | (Ar. influence) surname of Aḥmad, a son of Harún ar-Rashíd, supposedly because he devoted six days of the week to the service of God, and worked on the sabbath, or Saturday, for a livelihood |
| Sabuktigin | Sabuktigín | also spelt as Sabuktagin, Sabuktakín (“Sabuktakíyn”), Sebüktegin and Sebük Tigin. Abú Manṣúr Sabuktigín (c 942–997), a brave general, (father of Sulṭán Maḥmúd, the founder of the Ghaznawíyán dynasty (r. 977–997)). In Turkic the name means beloved prince. |
| Sabur, Subur | Ṣabúr, pl. Ṣubur | (very) patient, enduring, perseverant, steadfast |
| Sabz | Sabz | Pers. green, verdant, fresh, recent. |
| Sabz-i-Maydan, Sabzih-Maydan | Sabz-i-Maydán | Pers. “Vegetable square”, “Green square”, “Sabzih-Maydán”. Square (35.677350, 51.419981) in Ṭihrán to the south of the main palace where many early Bábís were martyred. Now a gold and jewellery market. |
| Sabzi | Sabzí | Pers. verdure, greenness; vegetables |
| Sabzivar (Sabzevar), Bayhaq, Sabziwar | Sabzivár | city (36.216270, 57.673413) in Khurásán Province,` NE Írán. "Sabzihvár" in The Dawn-Breakers. Medieval name was Bayhaq ("Beihagh"). Abú Bakr Aḥmad also known as Imám al-Bayhaqí, was born 994 in the small town ofKhusruwjird, less than 10 km west of Sabzivár (Bayhaq). Birth place of ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan. Bahá'u'lláh named it Madínatu'l-Khaḍrá' ("The Verdant City"). |
| Sad | Ṣád | Arabic letter |
| Sad-i-Isfahani | Ṣád-i-Iṣfahání | Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 86 |
| Sada (Pers. Sada, Sadih, Sadeh) | Sáda | simple; plain, unicoloured, uniform (fabric). Pers. white; a feast kept by the Persians at the winter solstice |
| Sada (Sadah, Sadih, Sedeh) | Sada | Pers. a flaming fire; a festival-night, on which the Persians light a number of large fires (see sáda). Sadih (Sedeh), derived from Sih-dizh (“three castles", a town (32.684449, 51.515125), prior to the 1930s, that formed around three neighbouring castles. Now part of the city of Khumayní Shahr, which is now part of the Isfahan Metropolitan area. Birth place of the Bahá’í poet brothers Nayyir and Síná. |
| Sadaqa, Sadaqat | Ṣadaqa(t), pl. Ṣadaqát | alms, charitable gift; almsgiving, charity, voluntary contribution of alms, freewill offering; legally prescribed alms tax (Islamic Law) |
| Sadar-i-Kull | Sadár-i-Kull | The Dawn-Breakers, p. 556 |
| Sadat-i-Khamsi | Sádát-i-Khamsí | Surname adopted by five siyyid brothers (it was formerly Báqiroff) |
| Sadhaj, Sadhij, Suddaj | Sádhaj, Sádhij, pl. Suddaj | (from Sáda) simple; plain, uncoloured, uniform (fabric); innocent, ingenuous, naive; plain, homely; artless, guileless, candid, frank (character); primitive. Sádhij (Sazij), a daughter of Badí‘u’lláh (a son of Bahá’u’lláh) |
| Sadhaja | Sádhája | simplicity; innocence, ingenuousness, naiveté; homeliness, plainness; guilelessness |
| Sadhijiyyih | Sádhijíyyih | Pers. second daughter of Bahá’u’lláh and His second wife, Mahd-i-‘Ulyá |
| Sadiq (Sadeq, Sadegh), Sadiqa | Ṣádiq, fem. Ṣádiqa[h or t] | true, truthful (veridical), veracious, sincere, candid; reliable; accurate, true, genuine, faithful, authentic; righteous, loyal and just, saintly The sixth Shí‘a Imám. |
| Sadiq-i-Khurasani | Ṣádiq-i-Khurásání | Mullá Ṣádiq-i-Khurásání (formerly known as Muqaddas), and surnamed Ismu’lláhu’l-Aṣdaq by Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Sadiq-i-Tabataba’i | Ṣádiq-i-Ṭabáṭabá’í | |
| Sadiq-i-Tabrizi | Ṣádiq-i-Tabrízí | Attempted to assassinate Náṣir ad-Dín Sháh in 1852. |
| Sadiq-i-Yazdi | Ṣádiq-i-Yazdí | |
| Sadiq-i-Zadih | Ṣádiq-i-Zádih | |
| Sadiqi | Ṣádiqí | Pers. truthfulness; truth, sincerity |
| Sadiqi-pur (Sadiqipur) | Ṣádiqí-púr (Ṣádiqípúr) | ‘Abbás-‘Alí Ṣádiqípúr |
| Sadir | Ṣádir | going out, emanating, originating; issued, come out, published, etc.; exportation, export; yield |
| Sadr | Sadr | setting (the hair) a flowing (a woman) |
| Sadr ad-Din | Ṣadr ad-Dín | one who is foremost and most prominent in religion. Ṣadr ad-Dín Muḥammad Shírází, more commonly known as Mullá Ṣadrá (Persian; Arabic Ṣadr al-Muta’allihún; c. CE 1571/2–c. 1635/40/AH 980–1050), was a Persian Twelver Shí‘í Islamic mystic, philosopher, theologian, and ‘Álim who led the Iranian cultural renaissance in the 17th century. |
| Sadr al-Ardibili | Ṣadr al-Ardibílí | Sufi leader in Ardibíl. See Ardibílí. |
| Sadr al-Muta’allihin | Ṣadr al-Muta’allihín | foremost among those who have become divine-like |
| Sadiq, Sadiqa, Asdiqa’, Sudiqa, Sudqan | Ṣadíq, pl. Aṣdiqá’, Ṣudaqá, Ṣudqán | friend; friendly, connected by bonds of friendship. Fem. Ṣadíqa[h or t] and Iṣfahání Pers. also Ṣadíqih. See Pers.Yár. |
| Sadr al-A’zam (Sadr-i-A’zam) | aṣ-Ṣadr al-A‘ẓam (Ṣadr-i-A‘ẓam) | “the Greatest Leader”. Often the prime minister or chief minister; dignity of premier; chief seat. One of the honorifics attached to the chief minister of a sháh. See Wazír-i-A‘ẓam. |
| Sadr, Sadra, Sudur, Asdar | Ṣadr (Pers. also Ṣadrá), pl. Ṣudúr, Aṣdár | chest, breast, bust; bosom, heart; front part, front; part, portion; first hemistich; leader, commander; beginning, start, outset, commencement, inception; early period, beginnings, dawn (figurative);—pl. (also) coming out, appearance, publication (e.g., of a book), issuance (e.g., of an ordinance). Aṣdár is a non-standard plural used by Bahá’u’lláh. In Persian, ṣadr denotes an outstanding person, e.g. a scholar; prime minister; a judge. Ṣadr ad-Dín Muḥammad bin Ibráhím bin Yaḥyá Qawámí Shírází (best known in Persian as Mullá Ṣadrá, later given the Arabic title Ṣadr al-Muta’allihín; c. 1571/2–c. 1635/40), was a Persian Twelver Shí‘í Islamic mystic, philosopher, theologian, and ‘Álim who led the Iranian cultural renaissance in the 17th century. Due to Mullá Ṣadrá’s influential role in Persian intellectual history, the use of Ṣadrá as a title or honorific reflects his impact. |
| Sadr-i-utaq | Ṣadr-i-uṭáq | Pers. seat of honour |
| Sadra’iya, Sadra’iyya, Sadra’iyun | Ṣadrá’íya[h or t], Ṣadrá’iyya[h or t] | (pl. Ṣadrá’íyún) follower of Mullá Ṣadrá |
| Sadri (Sedreh, Sadre) | Ṣadrí | Pers. (Ar. influence) pectoral; supreme; a vest, waist-coat; a jacket. Zoroastrian sacred vest. See kustí |
| Sadrih | Sadrih | Pers. tree, branch. Sadrih of Blessedness, i.e. the Báb. See sidr, sidra. |
| Sadru’d-Dawlah (Sadru’d-Dawlih) | Ṣadru’d-Dawlah | “Heart of the state” or “Heart of the dynasty”. Ṣadru’d-Dawlat al-Iṣfahání (Ṣadru’d-Dawliy-i-Iṣfahání). |
| Sadru’l-‘Ulama’ | Ṣadru’l-‘Ulamá’ | honorific title, “Heart of the scholars”. A title given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (also the title Ṣadr aṣ-Ṣudúr) to Ḥájí Sayyid Aḥmad Ṣadr al-‘Ulamá Hamadání (1868–1907), a learned believer who around 1904, with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s encouragement, established the first teacher-training class for Bahá’í youth in Ṭihrán. |
| Sadru’l-A’zam, Sadr-i-A’zam | aṣ-Ṣadru’l-A‘ẓam, Pers. Ṣadr-i-A‘ẓam | Ottoman Empire Grand Vizier or Prime Minister |
| Sadru’s-Sudur | Ṣadru’ṣ-Ṣudúr | The title originally held by the chief priest of Persia since Ṣafawí times until abolished by Nádir Sháh. Now chief judge, chancellor. The officer would have been in charge of ecclesiastical law, which consists of the utterances of the Prophet in the Qur’án; of the opinions of the Twelve Holy Imams; and of the commentaries of a school of pre-eminent ecclesiastical jurists.The body of law so framed has been roughly codified and divided into four: 1. religious rites and duties, 2. contracts and obligations, 3. personal affairs, 4. sumptuary rules and judicial procedure. This law is administered by an ecclesiastical court, consisting of ‘ulamá’ (i.e. lay priests) and mujtahids (i.e. learned doctors of the law), assisted sometimes by qaḍá (qadis or judges), and under the presidency of an official, known as the Shaykhu’l-Islám. The chief of this ecclesiastical hierarchy was in the past the Ṣadru’ṣ-Ṣudúr, or Pontifex Maximus, a dignitary chosen by the king and placed over the entire priesthood and judicial bench of the kingdom. For an example, see the ‘Abd an-Nabí entry. |
| Saduq | Ṣadúq | veracious, truthful, honest, sincere |
| Safa’ (Saffa), Safa’ | Ṣafá’, Pers. also Ṣafá’ | clearness, clarity, limpidity, untroubledness, cloudlessness, serenity, purity, sheerness; happiness, felicity, serenity, gaiety, cheerfulness; sincerity, candor, honesty. May also appear as Ṣafí. Edward Kinney (1863–1950) named Ṣafá (“Serenity”) by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. See Wafá. aṣ-Ṣafá and al-Marwah are two rocky outcrops about 450 m apart and a little to the north of the Ka‘ba, within the Great Mosque of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Muslims travel back and forth between them seven times during the ritual pilgrimages of Ḥajj and ‘Umrah. |
| Safa’i (Safai) | Ṣafá’í | Pers. from Ar. purity, clearness; Suhayl Ṣafá’í |
| Safad, Sifad, Asfad | Ṣafad, Ṣifád, pl. Asfád | bond, tie, fetter |
| Safadi | Ṣafadí | belonging to, native or inhabitant of, Safad |
| Safar, Asfar | Safar, pl. Asfár | departure; (pl.) journey, travel, trip, tour. e.g. Pers. Safar-náma (The book of travels) |
| Safar, Asfar | Ṣafar, pl. Aṣfár | second month in Islamic calendar. “void”, see ṣafira |
| Safawi, fem. Safawiya, Safawiyyun | Ṣafawí, fem. Ṣafawíya(t), pl. Ṣafawiyyún | Pers. a prince or member of a dynasty of Persian kings (Safawiyan or Safavid dynasty—Khándání Ṣafawíya), named after Ismael Ṣafí. aṣ-ṣafawíya (pl. aṣ-ṣafawiyyún), the safawid (or Pers. safavid). |
| Safdar | Ṣafdar | (Pers., Ar. influence) he who breaks the ranks; warlike, brave |
| Saff, Sufuf | Ṣaff, pl. Ṣufúf | aligning or arranging in a line or row;—(pl.) row, line, file, rank, queue; row, or tier, of seats; grade, form (in school), class course, section, division, group |
| Saffa | Ṣaffa | to set up in a row or line, line up, align, array, arrange, order (something); to eat, compose (type); to range, class, classify (someone among); to cut (something) in strips |
| Saffah | Saffáḥ | shedder of blood, killer, murderer. Caliph ‘Abu’l-‘Abbás ‘Abdu’lláh as-Saffáḥ |
| Saffar, Saffara | Ṣaffár, collective Ṣaffára[h or t] | brass founder or a copper smith |
| Saffari, Suffari | Ṣaffárí, Ṣuffárí | Pers. a coppersmith |
| Saffariyan | Ṣaffáriyán | Pers. the Saffarid dynasty, it was a Sunní Iranian dynasty from Sístán that ruled over parts of eastern Írán, with its capital at Zaranj (a city now in SW Afghánistán), from 861 to 1003. Founded by the Persian coppersmith Ya‘qúb ibn al-Layth al-Ṣaffárí (840–879) |
| Safaha | Safáha[h or t] | (fem. of Safíh) foolishness, stupidity, silliness; impudence, shamelessness, insolence |
| Saffatun, Saffat | Ṣáffatun, Ṣáffat | those standing in or forming a rank, line or a row |
| Safid (Safed), Safida (Safidah, Safedih) | Safíd, fem. Safída | Pers. white, fair; clear, evident, manifest. Fem. chalk, whiting. Sapíd/sapída have similar meanings. |
| Safih, Sufaha’, Sifah | Safíh, pl. Sufahá’, Sifáh | foolish, stupid, silly; fool; an incompetent (Islamic law); impudent, shameless, insolent; insolent fellow. Áqá Muḥammad-Mihdí, because of his stupidity, was mockingly called Safíhu’l-‘Ulamá’, “the Foolish One of the Learned”. |
| Safina, Sufun, Safa’i | Safína, pl. Sufun, Safá’i | ship, vessel, boat |
| Safir, Sufara | Safír, pl. Sufará | mediator (between contending parties); ambassador (diplomatic). Also as a term for a figure of salvation—messenger, mediator |
| Safira, Safar, Sufur | Ṣafira (Ṣafar, Ṣufúr) | to be empty, be devoid, vacant (of) |
| Safiy | Safíy | term for a figure of salvation—the friend, the chosen one |
| Safiy, Safi, Asfiya | Ṣafíy, Pers. Ṣafí, pl. Aṣfiyá’ | clear, limpid, untroubled, undisturbed, serene, cloudless, pure, sheer;—pl. sincere friend, best friend, bosom friend |
| Safiya (Safiyya), Salifiya | Ṣafíya(t), pl. Ṣalafíya | leader’s share of the loot; lion’s share of the booty. Name of one of Muḥammad’s wives. |
| Safr, Sifr, Sufr, Safir, Sufur, Asfar | Ṣafr, Ṣifr, Ṣufr, Ṣafir, Ṣufur, pl. Aṣfár | empty, void, devoid, (of), free (from) |
| Safura | Ṣáfúrá | Zipporah, the wife of Moses |
| Safwat (Safouat), Sifwat, Suwat | Ṣafwat, Ṣifwat, Ṣufwat | Pers. choicest, best, purest part. Muḥammad Páshá Ṣafwat |
| Saghir ‘Id | aṣ-Ṣaghír ‘Íd | Little Bayrám, i.e., the feast of fast breaking on the 1st of Shawwál |
| Saghir, Sighar, Sughara | Ṣaghír, pl. Ṣighár, Ṣughará | small, little; paltry, scanty, insignificant; tiny, minute; young, juvenile, minor; a minor, one under age |
| Sahabi, Sahaba | Ṣaḥábí, pl. Ṣaḥába | a companion of the Prophet Muḥammad; companions, disciples, scribes and family of Muḥammad. Sing. Ṣaḥabíyy (masc.) Ṣaḥabíyyah (fem.) See Tábi‘ún. |
| Sahand | Sahand | Pers. a massive, heavily eroded stratovolcano (37.729736, 46.500086; located south of Tabríz) in East Azerbayjan Province, northwestern Írán. At 3,707 m it is the highest mountain in the province of East Azerbaijan. |
| Sahar | Sahar | sleeplessness, insomnia; wakefulness, vigil; watchfulness, vigilance (over); crescent moon (“just before dawn”). Turkish Seher. |
| Sahar, Ashar | Saḥar, pl. Asḥár | time before daybreak, early morning, dawn |
| Sahba’ | Ṣahbá’ | reddish (she-camel); wine, or the expressed juice of white grapes; red wine. Faríburz Ṣahbá’, Bahá’í architect. |
| Sahban | Saḥbán | water left in a bottle. Saḥbán Wá’il, famed pre-Islamic poet |
| Sahha, Sihha (Pers. Sihhih), Sahah | Ṣaḥḥa, Ṣiḥḥa(h or t), Ṣaḥáḥ | to be healthy; to be all right, be in order; to recover, recuperate (from); to heal (of a wound); to be sound, strong, vigorous, firm, right, correct, faultless, unimpaired, unblemished; to be firm, unshakable (resolution); to be admissible, permissible; to be true, authentic, certain, sure; to prove true, turn out to be true; to hold good |
| Sahhaf | Ṣaḥḥáf | a bookseller; a book-binder; a librarian |
| Sahib Amr | Ṣáḥib Amr | “Master of the Cause”, i.e. Shoghi Effendi. |
| Sahib az-Zaman, Sahibu’z-Zaman | Ṣáḥib az-Zamán, Ṣáḥibu’z-Zamán | “The Lord of the Age”. A title of the Qá’im or twelfth Imám, the Promised One of Islamic tradition. The Báb according to the Bahá’í Writings. |
| Sahib Sunna, Ahl as-Sunna | Ṣáḥib Sunna[h or t] | pl. Ahl as-Sunna[h or t]. Adherent to the Sunnah, Sunni in English. Plural adherents of Sunní Islám are referred to in Arabic as ahl as-sunnah wa l-jamāʻah (“the people of the Sunnah and the community”) or ahl as-sunnah for short; in English Sunnis. In English, doctrines and practices of Sunní Islám are sometimes called Sunnism, while adherents are known as Sunni Muslims, Sunnis, Sunnites and Ahlus Sunnah. |
| Sahib-Diwan | Ṣáḥib-Díwán | “Master of the Treasury” or “Minister of Finance” |
| Sahib-Ikhtiyar | Ṣáḥib-Ikhtíyár | possessed of free election or option; pre-eminent. Ikhtíyár used by Balyuzi and The Dawn-Breakers |
| Sahib-Qirani | Ṣáḥib-Qirání | Pers. heroic; royal, imperial. Aḥmad Sháh’s summer palace, Ṣáḥib-Qiráníyyih (Arches of the years). |
| Sahib, Ashab, Suhab, Sahaba, Suhban | Ṣáḥib, pl. Aṣḥáb, Ṣuḥub, Ṣaḥába(h) | associate, companion, comrade, friend; (in India) a title of courtesy, equivalent to Mr and Sir; adherent, follower; the other (of two); (with following genitive) man, owner, possessor, holder, master, lord, commander, representative, author or originator of ...; entrusted with; addicted or given to. Other plurals: ṣuḥbán, suḥba(h). |
| Sahiba, Sahibat, Sawahib, Sawahibat | Ṣáḥiba, pl. Ṣáḥibát, Ṣawáḥib, Ṣawáḥibát | fem. of Ṣáḥib, woman companion, a lady; a wife, etc. |
| Sahiba, Suhba, Sahaba, Sihaba | Ṣaḥiba, Ṣuḥba[h or t] | Ṣaḥába[h] or Ṣiḥába[h]. To be or become a companion, an associate, a comrade, a friend (of someone), make or become friends, be friends (with someone); to associate, have social intercourse (with someone); to accompany, escort (someone); to be closely associated (with someone). Mullá Muḥammad Báqir, better known as Ṣuḥbat-i-Lárí (d. 1835–36), Ṣúfí poet. |
| Sahifa (Sahifih), Suhuf, Saha’if | Ṣaḥífa(t), pl. Ṣuḥuf, Ṣaḥá’if | leaf (in a book or notebook), page; newspaper, paper, daily, journal; epidermis; surface; exterior. Pers. also Ṣaḥífih |
| Sahifah as-Sajjadiyah | as-Ṣaḥífah aṣ-Sajjádíyah (Pers. Sajjádiyya) | (“Scripture of Sajjád”) is a book of supplications attributed to ‘Alí ibn Ḥusayn Zayn al-‘Ábidín, the great-grandson of Muḥammad |
| Sahifatu’l-Haramayn | Ṣaḥífatu’l-Ḥaramayn | “Epistle of the Twin Shrines” by the Báb alternative name is Ṣaḥífa Baynu’l-Ḥaramayn |
| Sahifiy-i-‘Adliyyih | Ṣaḥífiy-i-‘Adlíyyih | “Epistle of Justice: Root Principles” or the “Book of Justice” by the Báb. Also called Ṣaḥífiy-i-Uṣúl-i-‘Adlíyyih, on the fundamental or root principles of religion |
| Sahifiy-i-A’mal-i-Sanih | Ṣaḥífiy-i-A‘mál-i-Sanih | “Epistle on the Devotional Deeds of the Year” by the Báb |
| Sahifiy-i-Baynu’l-Haramayn | Ṣaḥífiy-i-Baynu’l-Ḥaramayn | “The Epistle revealed between the Twin (Two) Shrines” by the Báb. It was composed on the road between Medina and Mecca in answer to questions posed by Mírzá Muḥíṭ-i-Kírmání. |
| Sahifiy-i-Fatimiyyih | Ṣaḥífiy-i-Fáṭimíyyih | Book of Fatimih. See Kalimát-i-Maknúnih and Maṣḥaf. |
| Sahifiy-i-Furu’-i-‘Adliyyih | Ṣaḥífiy-i-Furú‘-i-‘Adlíyyih | “Epistle of Justice: Branches” by the Báb |
| Sahifiy-i-Ja’fariyyih | Ṣaḥífiy-i-Ja‘faríyyih | “Epistle to Ja‘far” by the Báb |
| Sahifiy-i-Makhzumiyyih | Ṣaḥífiy-i-Makhzúmíyyih | by the Báb An interpretation of a tradition related to Abú ‘Ubayd-i-Makhzúmí about the disconnected letters of the Qur’án and the time of the appearance of the Qá’im. It is also named Makhzúní because at its beginning the Bab has referred to it as Makhzúní [Not Ṣaḥífiy-i-Makhdhúmíyyih as in The Dawn-Breakers, p. 669] |
| Sahifiy-i-Makhzunih | Ṣaḥífiy-i-Makhzúnih | “Hidden Treasured Epistle” by the Báb |
| Sahifiy-i-Radaviyyih | Ṣaḥífiy-i-Raḍavíyyih | “Epistle of Riḍá’” by the Báb |
| Sahifiy-i-Shattiyyih | Ṣaḥífiy-i-Shaṭṭíyyih | Pers. “Epistle of the River” by Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’u’lláh unveils different aspects of the Word of God, which is the supreme testimony of God and conclusive demonstration of His power, and many other questions by using the analogy of a river (shaṭṭ ). Divine revelation can be likened to a great river which inundates the land. |
| Sahih, Sihah, Asihha | Ṣaḥíḥ, pl. Ṣiḥáḥ, Aṣiḥḥá’ | healthy, well, sound, healthful; complete, integral, perfect; whole, entire, undivided; right, correct, proper; true, veritable, actual, real; authentic, genuine, truthful, reliable, credible, believable; valid, legally valid, legal, lawful, rightful; strong (grammar; of a consonant, a verb). Táj al-Lugha wa aṣ-Ṣiḥáḥ al-‘Arabíya “The Crown of Language and the Correct Arabic” (abbreviated as aṣ-Ṣiḥáḥ fí al-Lugha, “The Correct Language”, and aṣ-Ṣiḥáḥ), a dictionary of Arabic, by Abú Naṣr Ismá‘íl ibn Ḥammád al-Jawharí. |
| Sahir | Sáhir | sleepless, awake, wakeful; watchful, vigilant; evening, night, nocturnal, nightly, taking place by night. The s-h-r root means staying up at night, insomnia; the earth’s surface, the Earth, desert. Of this root, only sáhira occurs in Qur’án 79:14. |
| Sahira (Sahirah or Sahirat) | Sáhira(h or t) | the earth, or its surface; a running fountain; an extensive desert without water; Syria; hell; a country that God will create for the day of resurrection |
| Sahl, Sahil, Suhul | Sahl and Sáhil, pl. Suhúl | smooth, level, even, soft (ground); easy, facile, convenient (for someone); simple, plain; fluent, flowing, facile (style);—(pl.) level, soft ground; plain |
| Sahm, Siham, Ashum, Suhum | Sahm, pl. Sihám, Ashum, Suhúm | arrow; dart;—pl. (ashum) portion, share, lot; share (of stock). as-Sahm (24.172222, 56.888611) is a coastal town in northeastern Oman. |
| Sahn, Suhun, Ashina | Ṣaḥn, pl. Ṣuḥún, Aṣḥina | a bowl, dish; plate; dish, meal, food; yard, courtyard; surface, plane; disk;—(pl. aṣḥina) phonograph record |
| Sahna, Sahnih (Sahneh) | Ṣaḥna, Pers. Ṣaḥnih | Pers. a city in and the capital of Ṣaḥnih County, Kermanshah Province, Írán. 60 km SE Kermanshah and 83 km SW Hamadán. |
| Sahra’, Saharin, Sahara, Sahrawat | Ṣaḥrá’, pl. Ṣaḥárin, Ṣaḥárá, Ṣaḥrawát | desert, stepp. aṣ-Ṣaḥrá’ Sahara. Ṣaḥrá’ an-Nafúd is a desert in the northern part of the Arabian Peninsula |
| Sahw (Sahv) | Ṣaḥw | cloudlessness, brightness serenity (of the weather); clarity, alertness of the mind, consciousness; bright, serene, cloudless, sunny (weather) |
| Sahw, Suhuw | Ṣaḥw, Ṣuḥuw | to regain consciousness, come to; to recover (from intoxication), sober up; to wake up, awake (from sleep); to become alert (to something), become aware (of something); form II to wake up, awaken, rouse (someone); form IV to be or become clear, bright, cloudless, serene (day, sky); to wake up, awaken, rouse (someone). Contrast with maḥw |
| Sahyun (Sahioun) or Sihyawn (Sihyaun) | Ṣahyún or Ṣihyawn | Zion |
| Saj’, Asja’ | Saj‘, pl. Asja‘ | speaking rhythmically; cooing (of a dove); crying (of a she-camel); rhymed prose; rhyme, metre, cadence, poetry. Saj‘ has strong features of rhymed and metred verse, but it is not poetry. Rather, it is formalized and very stylized poetic prose. Called saj‘ because of its evenness or monotony, or from a fancied resemblance between its rhythm and the cooing of a dove. |
| Saj’a | Saj‘a(h) | a passage of rhymed prose |
| Sajah | Sajáḥ | Sajáḥ bint al-Ḥárith ibn Suwayd, Arab Christian and soothsayer, declared she was a prophetess after learning that Musaylimah (whom she later married) and Ṭulayḥa ibn Khuwaylid ibn Nawfal al-Asadí (631) had declared prophethood. After the Battle of Yamáma where Musaylimah was killed, Sajáḥ converted to Islám. |
| Sajda, Sajadat | Sajda, pl. Sajadát | prostration in prayer |
| Sajid, Sujjad, Sujud | Sájid, pl. Sujjad, Sujúd | prostrate in adoration, worshiping |
| Sajin (Sajjin), Sujana’, Sajna | Sajín, pl. Sujaná’, Sajná | imprisoned, jailed, captive; prisoner, prison inmate, convict |
| Sajjad, Sajjadun | Sajjád, pl. Sajjádún | one who bows in adoration, worshiper (of God) |
| Sajur | Sájúr | a Druze town 26 km east of ‘Akká and 14 km west of Safed. The area for sájúr stone used for the Bahá’í terraces. |
| Sakhira, Sakhar, Sakhr, Sukhur, Sukhr | Sakhira | (Sakhar, Sakhr, Sukhur, Sukhr, Sukhra, Maskhar) to laugh, scoff, jeer, sneer (at), mock, ridicule, deride (someone or something), make fun (of) |
| Sakhkha | Ṣakhkha(h or t) | that which deafens by its vehemence; to pierce; calamity of the Resurrection. Found in Qur’án 80:33. From the root ṣ-kh-kh deafening sound, a cry that deafens by its vehemence; to pierce; calamity. |
| Sakhr, Sukhur, Sukhura, Sakharat | Ṣakhr (collective; nomen unitatis) | (pl. Ṣukhúr, Ṣukhúra, Ṣakharát) rocks, solid rock, boulders, rock formations |
| Sakhra | Ṣakhra[h] | boulder, rock. Qubbat aṣ-Ṣakhrah, the Dome of the Rock, the Mosque of Omar (in Jerusalem)—also called al-Aqṣá, “The Rock” |
| Sakht, Sakhta | Sákht, fem. Sákhta[h or t | Pers. make, construction, fabric, manufacture; furniture, apparatus, gear |
| Sakhwid (Sakhvid, Sakhoid) | Sakhwíd | small village and rural district (31.506288, 54.067142) 50 km SW of Yazd, Írán |
| Sakin, Sakinun, Sakana, Sawakin | Sákin, pl. Sákinún, Sakana, f. Sawákin | calm, motionless, still; vowelless (medial consonant); stagnant, standing (water); (pl. sukkán, sakana) dweller, inhabitant, resident, occupant; the population. Persian plural sákinán (“sakinan”—inhabitants) |
| Sakina, (Sakinih), Sak’in | Sakína[h or t], pl. Saká’in | immanence of God, presence of God; devout, God-inspired peace of mind; calm, tranquillity, peace. One of the half-sisters (“tranquil”) of Bahá’u’lláh. From Hebrew Shekhinah (“dwelling”, “settling”), and denotes the presence of God in a place. Iṣfahání Pers. Sakínih. |
| Sal’ (Sela), Sulu’ | Sal‘, pl. Sulú‘ | crack, fissure, rift (from the root sala‘). Jabal Sal‘ is a rocky outcrop on the NW side of central Medina. Also known as “Jabal Sala‘”. The highest point (24.476720, 39.598700) is 100 m. Outcrop name based on appearing to be sliced several times. Muḥammad prayed to God for victory here during the Battle of the Trench. |
| Salaf, Aslaf, Sulaf | Salaf, pl. Asláf, Suláf | predecessors; forebears, ancestors, forefathers. as-salaf aṣ-ṣáliḥ “the pious predecessors” understood to be the first three generations of Mulims. |
| Salafiya, Salafiyat | Salafíya(h), pl. Salafíyát | free loan; (cash) advance. as-Salafíya is an Islamic reform movement in Egypt, founded by Muḥammad ‘Abduh. Known as Salafi or Salafist movement, also Salafism. As a rule, all Wahhabis are Salafis but not all Salafis are Wahhabis. See wahhábí |
| Salah | Ṣaláḥ | goodness, properness, rightness; usability, practicability, usefulness; righteousness, probity, piety, godliness. Ṣaláḥ Jaráh (1918–1989), a caretaker at Bahjí. |
| Sala (Salah, Salat), Salawat | Ṣalá[h], pl. Ṣalawát | (convention, ṣaláh, but is pronounced ṣalát when in combination with a word starting with a vowel, e.g. al-) English salat, the official Islamic prayer ritual; intercession, intercessory prayer, benediction; blessing, grace (of God) |
| Salaha | Ṣalaḥa | ṣalaḥa (ṣaláḥ, ṣulúḥ, maṣlaḥa) and ṣaluḥa (ṣaláḥ, ṣaláḥíya). to be good, right, proper, in order, righteous, pious, godly; to be well, thrive; to be usable, useful, practicable, serviceable, fitting, suitable, or appropriate (for), etc. |
| Salah ad-Din, Salahi’d-Din, Salahu’d-Din | Ṣaláḥ ad-Dín, Ṣaláḥi’d-Dín, Ṣaláḥu’d-Dín | “Righteousness of the Faith”. an-Náṣir Ṣaláḥ ad-Dín Yúsuf ibn Ayyúb (1137–1193), known in the West as Saladin, was the first sultan of Egypt and Syria and the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty (al-Ayyúbíyún). Pers. Ṣaláḥí’d-Dín-i-Ayyúbí. |
| Salahiya (Salahiyyih), Salahiyat | Ṣaláḥíya(h) (Pers. Ṣaláḥiyyih), pl. Ṣaláḥíyát | suitability, fitness, appropriateness, aptness; efficiency; usability, practicability, usefulness, use, worth; serviceability, proper or working condition (e.g., of a machine); competence; validity, applicability;—pl. full or mandatory power, power of attorney. Bahá’u’lláh passed here on His journey to Istanbul (possibly Kifrí). |
| Salajiqa, as-Salaji | as-Salájiqa(h or t), pl. as-Salájí(h) | the Seljuk |
| Salak | Sálak | Aleppo boil (qarḥa ḥalab), a skin disease caused by the bite of a sandfly infected with the Leishmania parasite resulting in a red bump that eventually turns into an ulcer. The ulcer can take months to heal and can leave a permanent scar. |
| Salaka, Salk, Suluk | Salaka (Salk, Sulúk) | to follow (a road), travel (along a road); to take (a road), enter upon a course or road (figatively); to behave, comport oneself (toward someone); to proceed, act; to set foot (on), enter (a place). Can be understood in the sense of a “spiritual journey”. See sulúk for a second meaning of the word. |
| Salam, Salamat | Salám, pl. Salámát | soundness, unimpairedness, intactness, well-being; peace, peacefulness; safety, security;—pl. greeting, salutation; salute; military salute; national anthem. as-salámu ‘alaykum (“‘alikum”): Peace be (with you); salutation; obeisance, homage; health, security; submission, resignation (in the will of God); professing Islám; conceding, granting; acknowledging; assenting to, accepting. Typical response is wa ‘alaykumu as-salám “and peace be upon you, too”. The complete phrase is as-salámu ‘alaykum wa raḥmatu’lláhi wa barakátuh “Peace be upon you, as well as the mercy of God and his blessings.” |
| Salama, Salamih (Salameh, Salamah) | Saláma[h or t] (fem.), Pers. Salámih | (fem. of salám) blamelessness, flawlessness; unimpaired state, soundness, integrity, intactness; well-being, welfare; safety, security; smooth progress; success. Also means submission, see root salima. |
| Salar | Sálár | Pers. old, aged; a prince, chieftain, leader, general, commander, vice-regent, viceroy, lord-lieutenant, judge, or any person in high office. Not salár as in some instances in The Dawn-Breakers |
| Salaru’d-Dawlih | Sáláru’d-Dawlih | a Governor of Kirmánsháh |
| Salat al-Jinaza, Salat-i-Jinaza | Ṣalát al-Jináza, Pers. Ṣalát-i-Jináza | Prayer for the dead |
| Salat-i-Jama’ah | Ṣalát-i-Jamá‘ah | congregational prayer |
| Salat-i-Mayyit | Ṣalát-i-Mayyit | “Prayer for the Dead” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Sali’a, Sala’ | Sali‘a (Sala‘) | to crack, become cracked; Form VII to split, break open, burst |
| Salih, Saliha, Salihat, Salihin, Sawalih | Ṣáliḥ, fem. Ṣáliḥa[h or t] (pl. fem. Ṣáliḥát, pl. Ṣáliḥín, Ṣawáliḥ) | good, right, proper, sound; thorough, substantial, downright, out-and-out, solid; virtuous, pious, devout, godly; usable, useful, practicable, serviceable, fitting, suitable, appropriate (for); fem. virtuous, chaste;—pl. Ṣáliḥín the righteous, the pious; good men;—pl. Ṣawáliḥ advantage, benefit, interest, good, welfare. “Righteous”—Prophet of God Who appeared before Abraham and sent to the tribe of Thamúd in Arabia. Contrast with Ṭáliḥ. |
| Salihiya | Ṣáliḥíya[h or t] | Ṣáliḥíyat-a Muslim sect; al-Ṣáliḥíya, a neighbourhood of Baghdád, and the name of several villages. |
| Salih-i-Baraqani | Ṣáliḥ-i-Baraqání | Ḥájí Mullá Ṣáliḥ-i-Baraqání, father of Ṭáhirih |
| Salik, Salikat | Sálik, pl. Sálikát | traveller; a devotee; a disciple. Also passable, practicable (road); entered upon (course); clear, open, not blocked, not obstructed (also anatomy);—(pl.) one who follows the spiritual path (especially mystical) |
| Salim | Sálim | meaning, see Salím. Masc. name. |
| Salim, Sulama | Salím, pl. Sulamá | safe, secure; free (from); unimpaired, undamaged, unhurt, sound, intact, complete, perfect, whole, integral; faultless, flawless; well; safe and sound; safe; healthy; sane; (euphemistically) seriously injured or damaged, on the verge of ruin. Masc. name. Ottoman sulṭán, Salím I. |
| Salima | Salima (see derivatives Saláma, Salám) | to be safe and sound, unharmed, unimpaired, intact, safe, secure; to be unobjectionable, blameless faultless; to be certain, established, clearly proven (fact); to be free (from); to escape (danger). Form II to preserve, keep from injury, protect from harm (someone), save (someone from); to hand over intact (something, or to someone); to hand over, turn over, surrender (someone, something, or to someone); to deliver (to someone something); to lay down (arms); to surrender, give oneself up (or to); to submit, resign oneself (or to); to greet. Salute (someone); to grant salvation (God to the Prophet); to admit, concede, grant (something); to consent (to something), approve (of something), accept, sanction, condone (something) |
| Salis | Salis | tractable, pliable, docile, compliant, obedient; flexible, smooth, fluent (style) |
| Saljuq | Saljúq | Pers. from Turkish Selçuklu (pl. Selçukluları). Name of founder of the Seljuk Empire who was a medieval Turko-Persian. |
| Saljuqi | Saljúqí | Pers. Saljukian |
| Salm, Salama | Salm, fem. Salama[h or t] | peace, one who cultivates peace and friendship; eldest son of Farídún. Salmih is sometimes used. Pers. may use Salamih. See Umm Salama. |
| Salma, Sulayma (Sulaima) | Salmá, diminutive Sulaymá (beloved) | the south wind; name of a woman celebrated for her beauty; hence in general, a mistress, sweetheart, lady-love; name of a mountain; also of a tribe |
| Salman | Salmán | obedient, disciplined, humble, loyal, devoted. Salmán al-Fársí (born Rúzbih Khushnúdán, 568–653) was a friend of Muḥammad and ‘Alí. Muḥammad used him to indicate the Qá’im would be Persian. |
| Salmanpur | Salmánpúr | Dr Ḥabíbu’lláh Salmánpúr |
| Salmas | Salmás | a city (formerly, Sháhpúr; 38.199498, 44.767944) in West Azerbaijan Province, Írán, near the eastern border of Anatolia. Located at the north west end of Lake Urmia. About 30 km ENE of Chihríq. Salmás was called the “abode of Salmá” by the Báb. |
| Salsabil | Salsabíl | spring, well, “softly flowing”. A plain and the name of a river or fountain in Paradise. |
| Saltan, Saltana (Saltanih, Saltaneh) | Salṭan, fem. Salṭana[h or t] | (Pers. Salṭanih) making emperor; power, authority, dominion; magnificence, majesty; an empire, reign, kingdom, principality; saltanate. Used in title, as in Ḍíyá’u’s-Salṭanih, daughter of Fatḥ-‘Alí Sháh. Tasalṭana (Tasaltana) to become a sultan or ruler. |
| Salvari, Silivri | Salvárí, Silivri | city and a district in Istanbul Province along the Sea of Marmara in Türkiye |
| Salwan (Salvan, Silwan, Sulwan) | Salwán | forgetting. Hebrew Shiloah (Siloam); neighbourhood and pool just to the south of old Jerusalem. See Sulwán |
| Sam | Sám | Shem (eldest son of Noah). Pers. the rainbow; a swelling; a disease; fire. |
| Sam Khan | Sám Khán | |
| Sam’, Asma’ | Sam‘, pl. Asmá‘ | hearing, sense of hearing, audition; ear;—pl. ears |
| Sama’ | Samá’ m. & f., pl. Samáwát | heaven, sky; firmament |
| Samad | Ṣamad | lord; eternal, everlasting (epithet of God). aṣ-Ṣamad is mentioned once in the Qur’án (verse 112:2). |
| Samadiyya, Samadiyyih | Ṣamadíyya, Pers. Ṣamadíyyih | eternal refuge (?). See Ṣamdán |
| Samah | Samáḥ | magnanimity, generosity; kindness; liberality, munificence; indulgence, forbearance, tolerance, forgiveness, pardon; permission (for, to do something) |
| Saman | Sámán | Pers. household furniture, baggage, articles; instruments, tools, apparatus; order, arrangement, disposition; preparation; foundation of a house; a boundary, limit, place where any sign or mark is placed to separate one field from another, etc. |
| Samandar | Samandar | Ar. salamander (lizard-like amphibians, mythically associated with fire). Pers. samandar, samandir, samandur, samandal, samandúr (said to be derived from sám, fire, and andarún, within), a salamander, sometimes associated with the phoenix. Name given by Bahá’u’lláh to Muḥammad Kázim Qazvíní (1844–1918) (known as Shaykh Káẓim-i-Samandar or just Samandar). He was an Apostle of Bahá’u’lláh. Described by Shoghi Effendi as a “flame of the love of God”. |
| Samandari | Samandarí | (1874–1968) named Ṭarázulláh by Bahá’u’lláh, son of Samandar. Hand of the Cause of God and a distinguished Persian calligrapher. |
| Samaniyan | Sámániyán | Pers. the Samanid Empire (Samanian Empire, Samanid dynasty, Samanid Emirate, or simply Samanids) was a Sunní Iranian empire from 819 to 999. The empire was centred in Khurásán and Transoxiana; at its greatest extent, the empire encompassed all of today’s Afghánistán, large parts of Írán, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and parts of Kazakhstan and Pákistán. |
| Samanu | Samanú | Pers. a malt and flour candy |
| Samariya, Samariyyih | Sámaríya[h or t] or Samaríya[h or t] | (Pers. Bahá’ís Samaríyyih) Samaria is the historic and biblical name of the central region of Palestine, bordered by Judea to the south, Galilee to the north, and the Jordan River to the east. Samaríyyih Hill (32.961469, 35.092595, termed Buq‘atu’l-Ḥamrá’ by Bahá’u’lláh), 2 km north of Bahjí, opposite the kibbutz of Lohamei HaGeta’ot. A tel 3.25 km north of Bahjí, Tall as-Sámayríya (32.972709, 35.093416) and former Arab village site. See Buq‘atu’l-Ḥamrá’. |
| Samarqand, Samarkand | Samarqand, Samarkand | city in Uzbekistan |
| Samarra | Sámarrá’ | modern city on the east bank of the Tigris River, 125 km north of Baghdád. The formal name of the Abbasid city, Sámarrá’ (an archaeological site; 34.166250, 43.904869) was Surra Man Ra’á (“he who sees it is delighted”). |
| Samarri (Samuri, Simari) | as-Sámarrí | from or of Sámarrá’. Abú al-Ḥasan ‘Alí ibn Muḥammad as-Sámarrí is the fourth deputy of the twelfth Imám. |
| Samawah (Samawih) | Samáwah | as-Samáwah is a city (31.314945, 45.284614) between Baghdád and Baṣra |
| Samawar, Samavar | Samáwar (Samávar) | Pers. for the Russian samovar (“self-boiling”). Sometimes written samovár. |
| Samdan, Samdani, Samadi | Ṣamdán, Ṣamdání, Ṣamadí | eternal, everlasting; divine |
| Samdaniya | Ṣamdáníya(h or t) | eternity |
| Sami’ (Pers. Sami’ih), Suma’a | Samí‘, pl. Suma‘á’ | hearing, listening; hearer, listener |
| Samih, Samiha (Samihih), Sumaha’ | Samíḥ, fem. Samíḥa[h or t], pl. Sumahá’ | generous, magnanimous; kind, forgiving; liberal, open-handed. Samíḥih (Pers.), wife of Músá Banání (incorrectly given as Samí‘ih (A basic Bahá’í chronology), Samíyyih (The Unfolding Destiny of the British Bahá’ís), Samíḥíḥ, etc. |
| Samim | Ṣamím | innermost, heart; core, essence, marrow, pith; true, sincere, genuine |
| Samimi | Ṣamímí | (possible Arabic origin) cordial; inward; pure, sincere |
| Samir, Samira, Summar | Sámir, fem. Sámira[h or t], pl. Summár | companion in nightly entertainment; conversationalist; entertainer |
| Samiramis (Semiramis) | Samírámís | a mythical and a historical early 9th century BCE Armenian queen. |
| Samiri (Sameri), Samiriyun | Sámirí, pl. Sámiríyún | of or belonging to Sámir. Samaritan; Samaritan language. as-Sámira, the Samaritans. as-Sámirí (predating by centuries the building of Samaria) in the Qur’án is unlikely to be a personal name—possibly Shemer (Egyptian) or Shamar (Hebrew, “guard, watchman”). According to Qur’án 20:88, Sámirí (possibly a magician in the court of Pharaoh during the time of Moses) built the biblical “golden calf” that made a “lowing” sound. See khuwár. |
| Samit | Ṣámit, pl. Ṣummát | enjoying another’s misfortune. ‘Ubaydah ibn aṣ-Ṣámit was a notable companion of Muḥammad and a well respected chieftain of the Anṣár tribes confederation, which participated in almost every battle during the time of Muḥammad. His official title, according to Muslim scholarly tradition, was ‘Ubadah bin Ṣámit al-Anṣárí al-Badrí due to his actions at the Battle of Badr. |
| Samiy (Pers. Samiyyih) | Samíy | high, elevated; exalted, lofty, sublime, august; namesake |
| Samm, Sumum, Simam | Samm, pl. Sumúm, Simám | poison, toxin; venom; opening, hole; eye (of a needle) |
| Samn, Sumum | Samn, pl. Sumún | clarified butter (ghee), cooking butter |
| Samnan (Semnan) | Samnán | the capital city (180 km east of Ṭihrán) of Semnan Province, Írán |
| Samra, Samrih | as-Samrá, Pers. Samrih | was a Palestinian Arab village 10 km southeast of Tiberias. It was depopulated during the 1947–1948 Civil War in Mandatory Palestine on 21 April 1948—later it was destroyed. It was one of three villages where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá grew corn and wheat during the First World War. See ‘Adasíya and an-Nuqayb. See asmar |
| Samsun | Sámsún | Black Sea port, Anatolia, Türkiye |
| San’ai (Sana’a) | Ṣan‘á’ | capital and largest city in Yemen. It is one of the oldest, continuously inhabited, cities in the world. |
| San’at | Ṣaní‘at | an art, action |
| Sana (“Sina”) | Saná | light, splendour, brightness, flashing (of lightning); senna (name of botanical species for plants whose leaves and pods that have cathartic and laxative properties)—Senna makkí and Senna maka. Sometimes used in a poetic or literary context to describe a divine or heavenly light. |
| Sana Hijriya | Sana Hijríya | year of the Muslim era (after the hegira), A.H. |
| Sana Miladiya | Sana Míládíya | year of the Christian era, A.D. |
| Sana Muhammadiya | Sana Muḥammadíya(h) | year of Muḥammad—better would be sana islámí (Islamic year) |
| Sana, Sinun, Sanawat | Sana[h or t], pl. Sinún, Sanawát | year. ra’s as-sanat, New Year. yawm ra’s as-sanat al-jadídah, new year’s day. |
| Sana’ | Saná’ | brilliance, resplendence, splendour, radiance, flash, flare (of lightning); exaltedness, sublimity, majesty, high rank; eminence, dignity; meridian |
| Sana’ al-Barq | Saná’ al-Barq | The Brilliance of Lightning, written by Sayyid Ja‘far al-Kashfí, father of Sayyid Yaḥyá Darábí |
| Sana’i | Saná’í | Ḥakím Abu’l-Majd Majdúd ibn Ádam Saná’í Ghaznawí, a Persian poet from Ghazní, now in Afghánistán, between the 11th century and the 12th century. He died between 1131 and 1141. |
| Sana’u’llah | Saná’u’lláh | “Brilliance of God”, a title of Bahá’u’lláh. It signifies the divine splendour and light associated with Baháʼu’lláh’s mission. |
| Sanaiyan | Sanawíyan | annually, yearly, in one year, per year, per annum |
| Sanam, Asnam | Ṣanam, pl. Aṣnám | idol, image |
| Sanandaj | Sanandaj | Provincial capital (35.312666, 46.996324) of Persian Kurdistán. Also called Sinna (“Senna”) from Kurdish. |
| Sanat, Sana | Sanat, Sana | Pers. a year; a single revolution of the sun. See sunna |
| Sanawi | Sanawí | annual, yearly |
| Sanduq al-Khayr | aṣ-Ṣandúq al-Khayr | benevolent fund |
| Sanduq-dar | Ṣandúq-dár | “Treasurer of the savings” |
| Sang, Sang-ha | Sang, pl. Sang-há | Pers. a stone; a rock; a weight; a tombstone; stone of a sealing-ring; dumb-bells of athletes; a cannon-ball; gravity, authority, dignity; value, worth, price; equality |
| Sanglaj (Sangelaj) | Sanglaj | Pers. a neighbourhood of District 12 (west of the Golestan Palace), Ṭihrán |
| Sangsar (Sang-i-Sar, Sang-Sar) | Sangsar (Sang-i-Sar, Sang-Sar) | Pers. stone + head = headstrong. A city now called Mahdí-Shahr. See Mahdí-Shahr. |
| Sangsar (Sang-i-Sar, Sang-Sar) | Sangsár (Sang-i-Sár, Sang-Sár) | Pers. stoning to death. A small village (near the Turkmenistan border; 38.211599, 56.976785), in Bojnord County, North Khorasan Province, Írán. |
| Sangsara, Sang Sara | Sang Sará | a very small village (also known as Sangsar, 18 km south of Láríján) in Gílán Province, Írán. A small village (near Caspian Sea) west of Núr in Mázandarán Province. |
| Sani’ | Ṣaní‘ | any work of art; operation, creation, performance, act, deed; a creature of God; a present, gift, donative; well groomed and fed (horse); polished and proved (sword, arrow, etc.) |
| Saniy (Sani), Saniya | Saníy, fem. Saníya[h or t] | high, lofy, sublime, exalted, splendid, flashing, shining, more shining, more radiant, more brilliant. Pers. may use Saní. |
| Sanjar (Senjar) | Sanjar | Pers. a prince, emperor, king; name of a celebrated monarch; name of a hunting bird; ecstasied, enraptured. A village 6 km west of Dizfúl |
| Santur | Santúr | Pers. a hammered dulcimer of Iranian origin |
| Saoshyant (Soshans) | Saoshyant (Sósháns) | from Avestan, “one who brings benefit”, saviour, benefactor. Name of a saviour figure in Zoroastrian tradition used for three saviour figures (Muḥammad (Úshídar Bumí), the Báb (Úshídar Máh) and Bahá’u’lláh (He claimed to be the Sháh Bahrám Varjávand)) that progressively bring about the final renovation. |
| Sapid (Saped), Sapida (Sapeda) | Sapíd, fem. Sapída | Pers. white; conspicuous, manifest; empty. Fem. whiteness; the white of the eye; the dawn; the white of an egg. |
| Saqar | Saqar fem. | hell |
| Saqat, Asqat | Saqaṭ, pl. Asqáṭ | any worthless thing; offal, refuse, rubbish, trash; junk |
| Saqi-az-Ghayb-i-Baqa’ | Sáqí-Az-Ghayb-i-Baqá’ | Pers. “The Cupbearer of the Invisible Eternity” (fifteen couplet qaṣída (ghazal) by Bahá’u’lláh) |
| Saqi, Saghi, Saqiyan | Sáqí, pl. Suqát, Pers. Sáqiyán | a water-carrier; a cup-bearer (Bahá'u'lláh, often of wine and symbolic of "mystical inebriation"), page. Persian sometimes given as sághí. |
| Saqiya, Sawaqin | Sáqiya[h or t], pl. Sawáqin | barmaid;—pl. rivulet; irrigation ditch, irrigation canal; ; water scoop; water wheel—more common type, often powered by animals. See ná‘úra. |
| Saqsin (Saksin, Saksin-Bolgar) | Saqsín | a medieval city that flourished from the eleventh to the thirteenth centuries. Excations at Samosdelka (46.022892, 47.839000) on the Lower Volga River in Russia have located ruins of the city. |
| Sar | Sár | Pers. a starling; a camel; pain; affliction, grief, trouble; a place, spot; a hollow reed; a milestone; a wine-press; a title by which the princes in Georgia were formerly addressed; a czar; high, tall |
| Sar | Sar | Pers. the head; top, summit; having many inequalities (ground); placed after nouns it denotes plenty, magnitude, similitude, or possession |
| Sar Pul-i-Dhahab (Sarpol-e Zahab) | Sar Púl-i-Dhaháb | city 112 km west of Kermanshah |
| Sar-Chah | Sar-Cháh | a village (36.541680, 58.411074) in the Central District of Nishapur County, Razavi Khorasan Province, IrÍránan. 72 km NE of Sabzivár. Sar Cháh-i-Táziyán (33.018433, 59.560296) village 35 km NE of Bírjand. |
| Sar-Chashma (Sarcheshmeh) | Sar-Chashma (Sar-Chashmah) | Pers. “Sar-Chashmih”. A fountain-head, spring. Located to the southern side of the centre of Ṭihrán. |
| Sar-Galu, Sargalu, Sargallu, Sarjallu | Sar-Galú (Sarjallú) (“Sarkalu”) | village (35.867656, 45.162043) 43 km NW of as-Sulaymáníyah, ‘Iráq. Bahá’u’lláh lived here and/or in a nearby mountain cave.) |
| Sar-i-Jisr | Sar-i-Jisr | Pers. a “coffee-house of Sar-i-Jisr” near al-Kádhimiya Mosque in the Kádhimayn suburb of Baghdád |
| Sar-Zamin | Sar-Zamín | Pers. the earth; a country, region; limits, confines; upon the spot, on the premises |
| Sara | Sárá | happiness, laughter, joy, delight. Pers. pure, excellent (applied to gold, ambergris, musk); undefiled. Sarah, Abraham’s wife. See Sarrá’. |
| Sara | Sará | Pers. a palace, mansion. Hebrew lady, princess, queen; English Sarah. |
| Sara | Sára | Pers. posts or stones along a path, placed at the distance of a parasang apart |
| Sara, Sarih | Sára[h or t], Pers. Sárih | “woman of high rank”, Sarah, a woman’s name. Wife and aunt of Abraham. Sárih Khánum; loyal, full sister of Bahá’u’lláh; who married (1932) Mirza Maḥmúd (never a Bahá’í), the son of Mírzá Ismá‘íl-i-Vazír of Yalrud. Maḥmúd’s younger sister, Ásíyih Khánum, married Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Sarab | Saráb | mirage; phantom; sewage |
| Sarandib, Sayalan | Sarandíb, Sayalán (Ceylon) | Ceylon (from Portugese Ceilão), now Sri Lanka (hence Srí Lánká, from Sinhala). Sarandíb is derived from the Sanskrit name Siṃhaladvípaḥ (“Island of Lions”), and it is the origin of the word “serendipity”. |
| Saray, Saraya, Sarayat | Saráy, fem. Saráya[h or t], pl. Saráyát | palace. In Persian can also mean a house, grand edifice. |
| Sarbaz | Sarbáz | Sarbaz; also known as Qal‘ah-i-Sarbáz—“Fort Sarbaz”. It is a city in and the capital of Sarbáz District, in Sarbáz County, Sístán and Baluchestan Province, SE Írán. |
| Sardar (Sar-dar) | Sardár | Pers. a general, field-marshal, officer of rank, king’s lieutenant, a chief in any department; a prince |
| Sardar-Kull | Sardár-Kull | Pers. literally, the commander of all military forces, i.e. “General commander” or “Chief commander” |
| Sarf, Suruf | Ṣarf, pl. Ṣurúf | averting, turning away; expenditure, expense; spending, use, application (e.g., of time, of effort, etc.); issuance, issue, making out; disbursement; money changing; barter (Islamic law); drainage; inflection (grammar);—(pl. ṣurúf) adversities, misfortunes (also ṣurúf ad-dahr) |
| Sari (Shahr-Tajin, Shahr-Tajan), Saruy | Sárí | Pers. a starling; a milestone; a city and provincial capital of Mázindarán province (36.566292, 53.058604). Also once known as Zard-Shahr (“Yellow town”; colour of citrous fruit on trees surrounding the town) and Shahr-i-Tajin (“Town on the Tajin” River). Sárúy, citizen. |
| Sari | Sarí, pl. Suryán | Pers. chiefship, rank of general; a large river; a funnel; a kind of armour for a horse’s head;—pl. rivulets |
| Sari’, Sar’a | Ṣarí‘, pl. Ṣar‘á | thrown to the ground, felled; epileptic; demented, insane, mad, crazy; (with following genitive) succumbing to something, fallen victim to something. Qur’án 69:7 |
| Sarih, Sariha, Suraha’ | Ṣaríḥ, fem. Ṣaríḥa[t], pl. Ṣuraḥá’ | Ar./Pers. clear, evident, palpable; pure, unmixed |
| Sarim al-Dawla | Ṣárim al-Dawla | strict state |
| Sarim, Sawarim | Ṣárim, pl. Ṣawárim | sharp, harsh, hard, severe, strict, stern, cutting |
| Sariya, Saraya | Saríya[h or t], pl. Saráyá | a brigade, army, troops, any body of men from 5 to 400 |
| Sarkar, Sar-kar | Sarkár, Sar-kár | Pers. compound of (sar, “head”) + (kár, “agent, doer”); a chief, superintendant, supervisor, overseer, agent; a title by way of respect given to a person present or absent; a workshop; a king’s court; government; estate; property; knowledge, practice; headman |
| Sarkar-i-Aqa | Sarkár-i-Áqá | “His Excellency the Master”. A title Bahá’u’lláh used for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. |
| Sarmad | Sarmad | endless duration, eternity (the world of perpetuity) |
| Sarmadi | Sarmadí | eternal, without beginning or end; “everlasting” |
| Sarra | Sarrá’ | happiness, prosperity |
| Sarraf (Saraf), Sarrafa | Ṣarráf, fem. Ṣarráfa[h or t] | money changer; cashier, teller, treasurer; paymaster; banker. See ṣayraf. |
| Sarraj | Sarráj | saddler or leather worker |
| Sartip | Sartíp | Pers. brigadier |
| Saruq | Sárúq | (also known as Qal‘ih-i-Sárúq, Qal‘ih-i-Bálá Sárúq and Súrakh) is a village (34.414167, 49.494167) in Markazi Province |
| Sarw, Sarv | Sarw, Pers. also Sarv | (collective; nomen unitatis ة) evergreen cypress tree |
| Sarwistan, Sarvistan | Sarwistán, Pers. also Sarvistán | (Sarvestan, Serostan) “land of cypresses”; city (29.267124, 53.222546) and county in the province of Fárs, Írán |
| Sas, Sasan | Sás, pl. Sásán | Pers. a mother-in-law; pleasant, elegant, graceful; neat, clean; poor, indigent; name of an old family in Persia.—pl. solitary, recluse; a beggar; name of the father of Ardashír Bábak, founder of the dynasty of the Sasanids, who reigned in Persia from CE 224–651, when Yazdagird, the last of the race, was overpowered by the Arabians |
| Sasani, Sasaniun, Sasaniyan | Sásání, pl. Sásáníyún, Pers. Sásáníyán | belonging or relating to the Sásán dynasty (Iranian or Sasanian Empire) of Persian kings. Sásáníyún, the Sasanides; also known in English as the Sasanian, Sassanian, Sasanid and Sassanid Empire. |
| Satar | Satár | Pers. a star; a mosquito curtain;—sitár (for sih tár), a three-stringed guitar; a rising star; a riff |
| Sattar | as-Sattár | the veiler, the coverer (an attribute of God) |
| Satwa, Satawat | Saṭwa(t), pl. Saṭawát | attack, assault; influence, authority; presumption, cockiness, pride, power, strength |
| Satwatu’llah | Saṭwatu’lláh | authority of God |
| Sawad (Savad) | Sawád, pl. Aswida | black colour, black, blackness; (pl.) black clothing, mourning; arable land, tilth; shape, form; inner part, core; majority; multitude |
| Sawad-Kuh (Savad-Koh) | Sawád-Kúh | mountain (32.522235, 50.257248) west of Iṣfahán. A county in Mazandaran Province, capital city (36.116846, 53.056318) is Pul-Safíd (“white bridge”). |
| Sawda (Sauda) | Sawda[h] | date palm garden or land with many date palms. Sawda bint Zam‘a was the second wife of Muḥammad. |
| Sawwaf | Ṣawwáf | wool merchant |
| Sawiq, Pist | Sawíq, Pers. Pist | bruised corn; meal of wheat, barley, or vetches, especially when toasted |
| Sawla (Saula, Pers. Sawlih), Sawlat | Ṣawla, pl. Ṣawlát | attack, assault; force, tyranny, despotism, arbitrariness |
| Sawm (Saum) | Ṣawm | abstention, abstinence, abstemiousness; fasting, fast; aṣ-ṣawm fasting during Ramadán |
| Sawma’ (Sauma’), Sawami’ | Ṣawma‘, pl. Ṣawámi‘ | a cloister; monk’s cell; tower; hermitage |
| Sawma’a (Sauma’a) | Ṣawma‘a(h or t) | heaping up to a point; collecting, bringing together; a high-crowned cap, mitre, tiara; a Christian cell, a hermitage, a monastery; an eagle |
| Sawn, Sawan (Savan), Sun | Sawn, Sawan or Pers. Sún | a side, a part; like, resembling |
| Saysan (Sausan), Susan | Saysan, Súsan | lily of the valley (botanical) |
| Saysan (Seysan), Sisan, Sisan-i-Qadim | Saysán | Bahá'í village (37.827427, 46.734777) 46 km SE of Tabríz, East Azerbaijan Province. Also known as Saysán-i-Qadím ("Old Seysan"). All of the Bahá'ís of the village were removed and their houses razed to the ground by bulldozers in an operation of ethnic cleansing after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. The village is on the slope (to the north) of Sahand Mountain. |
| Sayda | Ṣaydá | Sidon, southern Lebanon |
| Sayf (Saif), Asyaf | Ṣayf, pl.Aṣyáf | summer |
| Sayf (Saif), Suyuf, Asyaf, Asyuf | Sayf, pl. Suyúf, Asyáf, Asyuf | sword; sabre, foil, rapier. Sayf al-Islám—title of princes of the royal house of Yemen. Sayf Alláh or Sayfa’lláh—the Sword of God. |
| Sayfu’l-Haq (Saifu’l-Haqq) | Sayfu’l-Ḥaq (Saifu’l-Ḥaqq) | “The sword of truth” applied to Áqá Ján by Mírzá Yaḥyá |
| Sayha (Saiha), Sayhat | Ṣayḥa (n. vic.) pl. Ṣayḥát | cry, outcry, shout. The nomen vicis (n. vic.) is an Arabic infinitive that intends to denote the singleness of the action. |
| Sayqal (Saiqal), Sayqalat, Masaqil | Ṣayqal, pl. Ṣayqalát, Maṣáqil | polisher, smoother. Ṣayqal (other possible names: Rayḥánah, Súsan and Narjis) was a slave of Imám Ḥasan al-'Askarí and claimed by Shí'ah Muslims to be the mother of the twelfth Imám. |
| Sayraf, Sayrafi, Sayarif, Sayarifa | Ṣayraf, Ṣayrafí, pl. Ṣayárif, f. Ṣayárifa[h] | money changer; cashier, teller, treasurer. See ṣarráf. |
| Sayrurat (Sairurut) | Sayrúrat | Pers. being, becoming, proving |
| Sayyah, Sayyahun | Sayyáḥ, pl. Sayyáḥún | traveller; tourist. Title, ‘Alíy-i-Sayyáḥ, given to Adí-Guzal of Maraghih, the eminent traveller and disciple of the Báb. Lawḥ-i-Sayyáḥ is a Tablet in honour of Mullá Adí-Guzal. Ḥájj Sayyáḥ, Mírzá Muḥammad ‘Alí Maḥallátí (c. 1836–1925), the first Iranian-American; a world traveller; constitutionalist and human rights activist; and secret emissary of Mas‘úd Mírzá to Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Akká, in 1888. See Guzel. |
| Sayyid ‘Ali (Siyyid ‘Ali) | Sayyid ‘Alí | Ḥájí Mírzá Siyyid ‘Alí (surnamed Khál-i-A‘ẓam, the “Most Great Uncle”) middle maternal uncle of the Báb, who raised Him after His father, Siyyid Mírzá Muḥammad-Riḍá, died when His son was 9 (1828). He was the only relative of the Báb to espouse His Cause openly during His lifetime and to accept martyrdom for His sake. |
| Sayyid (Saiyid), Sayyida, Asyad, Sada | Sayyid, fem. Sayyida[h or t] | (dual Sayyidán, pl. Asyád, Sáda[h or t], Sádát, fem. Sayyidát) master; gentleman; Mister; Sir; lord, overlord; chief, chieftain; title of Muḥammad’s direct descendants. Dual: The two sons of Imám ‘Alí, Ḥasan and Ḥusayn. During the time of the Ottoman Empire, sayyids formed a kind of nobility with the privilege of wearing green turbans. See ḥashísh. Siyyid is a Persian Bahá’í variation. |
| Sayyid Kazim-i-Rashti | Sayyid Káẓim-i-Rashtí | Siyyid Káẓim bin Qásim al-Ḥusayní ar-Rashtí (1793–1843). The second (successor of Shaykh Aḥmad-i-Aḥsá’í) of the “twin resplendent lights” (Bábayn, two gates) who taught their followers that the coming of the Promised One of Islam (the Báb) was at hand and prepared them for His advent. Died 31–12–1843, Karbilá, leaving no successor. See Shaykh Aḥmad-i-Aḥsá’í |
| Sayyid Muhammad | Sayyid Muḥammad | Ḥájí Mírzá Siyyid Muḥammad (surnamed Khál-Akbar, the “greater uncle”), eldest maternal uncle of the Báb. |
| Sayyid-i-‘Uluvv (Siyyid-i-‘Uluw) | Sayyid-i-‘Uluw | |
| Sayyid-i-Bab (Siyyid-i-Bab) | Sayyid-i-Báb | “Lord of the Gate” (a designation of the Báb) |
| Sayyid-i-Dhikr (Siyyid-i-Dhikr) | Sayyid-i-Dhikr | “Lord of Remembrance” (a designation of the Báb) |
| Sayyid-i-Khal-Dar (Siyyid-i-Khal-Dar) | Sayyid-i-Khál-Dár | DB 471 |
| Sayyid-i-Nur (Siyyid-i-Nur) | Sayyid-i-Núr | “Radiant Sayyid” Name given to Ḥájí Siyyid Javád by the Báb. DB 188. |
| Sayyid-i-Shish-Pari (Siyyid-i-Shish-Pari) | Sayyid-i-Shish-Parí | DB 153 |
| Sayyidi (Saidi, Sidi), Sayyidiya | Sayyidí, fem. Sayyidíya[h or t] | (informal sídí) my lord; sir. Honourific before the names of Muslim saints. |
| Sayyidu’sh-Shuhada’ | Sayyidu’sh-Shuhadá’á | (Pers. Siyyidu’sh-Shuhadá’) “The master of martyrs” or “The Prince of Martyrs”, Imám Ḥusayn |
| Saz, Sazan | Sáz, pl. Sázán | Pers. a musical instrument; concord, harmony; arms, apparatus, harness, furniture; preparations (for nuptials, journey, or any important business); a feast, banquet; (in compounds from sákhtan) preparing, making, effecting |
| Sha’a | Shá’a | to want; to wish (something, that) |
| Sha’b, Shu’ub | Sha‘b, pl. Shu‘úb | people, folk; nation; tribe; race |
| Sha’ba, Sha’b | Sha‘aba, Sha‘b | to gather, assemble, rally (people, something); to disperse, scatter (people, something) |
| Sha’ban | Sha‘bán | Eighth month in Islamic calendar (scattered) |
| Sha’iq (Shayiq, Shaiq) | Shá’iq (Sháyiq) | arousing longing, stimulating desire; brilliant, gorgeous, splendid, beautiful |
| Sha’ir, Shu’ara’ | Shá‘ir, pl. Shu’ará’ | knowing (by instinctive perception), endowed with deeper insight, with intuition; poet;—pl. poet |
| Sha’iriya, Sha’iriyat | Shá‘iríya[h or t], pl. Shá‘iríyát | poetry; poetical work, poetization; poetical talent; poetship |
| Sha’n (Shan), Sha’na, Shu’un, Shu’unat | Sha’n (Shán), pl. Shu’ún, Shu’únát | (feminine sha’na[h or t] and shu’úna[h or t]) matter, affair, concern, business; circumstances, state of affairs, case; nature, character, quality, kind; situation, condition, state; significance; importance, consequence; standing, prestige, rank, dignity, power, authority; respect, regard;—pl. dignities, honours, etc. sha’na like, as; bi-sha’ni regarding, with regard or respect to, relating to, pertaining to, concerning, as to, about. See rasm. |
| Sha’r, Sha’ar, Shu’ur, Shi’ar, Ash’ar | Sha‘r, Sha‘ar, pl. Shu‘úr, Shi‘ár | (coll.; nomen unitatis) hair; bristles; fur, pelt. Ash‘ar, very hairy. |
| Sha’rani | Sha‘rání | hairy, hirsute, shaggy. ‘Abd al-Wahháb ibn Aḥmad ash-Sha‘rání, author of Kitáb al-yawáqít wa al-jawáhir fí bayán ‘aqá’id al-akábir (The book of sapphires and jewels: an explanation of the tenets of faith of mystic luminaries) |
| Sha’rawi (Sha’ravi) | Sha‘ráwí | Hudá Sha‘ráwí (1879–1947) was a pioneering Egyptian feminist leader, nationalist, and founder of the Egyptian Feminist Union. God Passes By, p. 388. |
| Sha’sha’a | Sha‘sha‘a[h or t] | to mix with water, dilute (a beverage); to shine, beam, radiate, glitter, splendour, brightness, radiancy. |
| Sha’sha’ani | Sha‘sha‘ání | something that is radiant, shining, luminous; a “burst of light”. It carries a sense of brightness and light. It evokes imagery of brilliance and illumination. |
| Sha’ya | Sha‘yá | Isaiah |
| Sha’ystah, Sha’istah, Sha’ystih | Shá‘ystah | (Sha’ista, Shayista) fem. one who is polite and well-behaved |
| Shab | Shab | Pers. night, darkness |
| Shaba (Shayb, Shayba, Mashib) | Shába (Shayb, Shayba(h), Mashíb) | (“Shaib, Shaiba”) to become white-haired, grey-haired; to turn white or grey (hair); to grow old, to age; to make white-haired; to bleach (something) II to make (someone) white-haired, cause someone’s hair to turn white (grief) |
| Shabah, Shubuh, Ashbah | Shabaḥ, pl. Shubúḥ, Ashbáḥ | blurred, indistinct shape; apparition; phantom; ghost, spectre, spirit; nightmare; figure, person. ashbáḥ núr “silhouettes of light”. See Ẓill |
| Shabdiz | Shabdíz | Pers., literally “night-coloured”, “black”) legendary black stallion of Khosrau Parvez |
| Shabih, Shibah | Shabíh, pl. Shibáh | similar (to), like, resembling (someone, something) |
| Shabistar | Shabistar | city 54 km WNW Tabríz |
| Shabistari | Shabistarí | Sa‘d ad-Dín Maḥmúd ibn ‘Abd al-Karím Yaḥyá Shabistarí (1288–1340) is one of the most celebrated Persian Sufi poets of the 14th century. |
| Shabnam | Shabnam | Pers. (shab, “night” or “darkness” + nam, “moisture”) dew |
| Shad | Shád | Pers. cheerful, exulting; glad, happy; much; full; wine; light, a ray, gleam |
| Shadid-i-Sawla (Shadid-i-Sawlih) | Shadíd-i-Ṣawla (Shadíd-i-Ṣawlih) | Pers. intense, strong, vehement to attack. Name use by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for Ali-Kuli Khan. |
| Shadid, Shadidat, Ashidda’, Shidad | Shadíd, f. Shadídat, pl. Ashiddá’, Shidád | strong, powerful, forceful, vigourous, stern, severe, rigourous, hard, harsh, violent, vehement, intense; bad, evil, ominous, calamitous, difficult; grievous. Shidád has a numerical value of 309—described as “year of stress”, AH 1309 [CE 1892], the date of Bahá’u’lláh’s ascension. See Memorials of the Faithful, p. 35 |
| Shadpur | Shadpúr (Shad + púr) | Pers. Ghulám-Ḥusayn Shadpúr |
| Shafa | Shafá | to cure (someone of a disease), heal (someone of a disease, a wound), make (someone) well, restore (someone) to health |
| Shafi, Shafiya | Sháfí, fem. Sháfíya | healing, salutary; distinct, clear. Sharḥ Sháfíyat ibn Ḥájib by Astarábádí. |
| Shafi’, Shufa’a | Shafí‘ or Sháfi‘, pl. Shufa’á | mediator, intercessor, advocate. Name, and title given to certain persons, i.e. Shafí‘ Khán, Prime Minister Áqásí’s adviser. |
| Shafi’i, Shafi’yun, Shawafi’ | Sháfi‘í, pl. Sháfi‘yún, Shawafi‘ | adherent (shafiite, shafii, shafi’i, shafee) of the Shafiitic (or shafi’itic) school, a system of orthodox Sunní jurisprudence (one of 4—the Ḥanafí, the Ḥanbalí, the Málikí and the Sháfi‘í) founded by ibn Idrís ash-Sháfi‘í. |
| Shafiq, Shafiqa (Shafiqih) | Shafíq, fem. Shafíqa[h or t] | merciful, compassionate, condoling; affectionate, benevolent |
| Shaft | Shaft | Pers. town 20 km SW of Rasht, Gílán province |
| Shafti | Shaftí | Pers. of or from Shaft. Ḥájí Siyyid Muḥammad-Báqir-i-Shaftí, a celebrated mujtahid. |
| Shah-‘Abbas | Sháh-‘Abbás | 5th Safavid king of Írán |
| Shah-Bahram | Sháh-Bahrám | (Sháh Bahrám Vajárvand) the world saviour promised by the prophet Zoroaster. Fulfilled by Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Shah-Chiragh (Shah-Cheragh) | Sháh-Chirágh (Ar. Sháh-Siráj) | Shrine of Sháh-Chirágh (“King of the Lamp”, 29.609702, 52.543339) in Shíráz. Burial site of Khadíjih-Bagum, wife of the Báb. |
| Shah-i-Sahib-‘Alam | Sháh-i-Ṣáḥib-‘Alam | (Memorials of the Faithful, 99) |
| Shah-Muhammad | Sháh-Muḥammad | |
| Shah-Muhammad-Amin | Sháh-Muḥammad-Amín | |
| Shahbar | Sháhbár | DB 547 |
| Shah-baz (Shahbaz) | Sháh-báz | Pers. a royal falcon; the longest feathers in a falcon’s wing; royal, generous, noble. |
| Shahdad Kalut | Shahdád Kalút | A barren region (20%) of the Lút desert characterised by enormous wind-sculpted sandstone ridges and outcrops. |
| Shahi | Sháhí | Pers. royal; imperial dignity, dominion, sovereignty, royalty; the followers of the sect of ‘Alí; name of a poet; name of an old Persian coin; a penny (modern colloquialism); a sort of sweetmeat, made of starch and white of egg. 20 sháhí = a qirán; one sháhí = 50 dínár (unit of accountancy, it is not a Persian coin). |
| Shahid al-Hayy | ash-Shahíd al-Ḥayy | living martyr1 |
| Plain text | Transcripted text | Word meanings & comments |
| T | ||
| Ta Ha | Ṭá’ Há’ | two single letters of the alphabet that are the opening and name of the 20th chapter of the Qur’án |
| Ta Sin, Tawasin | Ṭá’ Sín, pl. Ṭáwásín | Kitáb aṭ-Ṭáwásín (“Book of the Purity of the Glory of God”), best known work of Manṣúr al-Ḥalláj. He used line diagrams and symbols to help him convey mystical experiences that he could not express in words. Ṭawásín is the broken plural of the “word” ṭá’-sín, the ḥurúf muqaṭṭa‘át (“disconnected letters”) ṭá’ and sín of suras 26–28. They are assumed to be the first letters of ṭahára and saná’, hence the translation for ṭáwásín. |
| Ta’ | Tá’ | Arabic letter (t) |
| Ta’ Marbuta (Ta Mabuta) | Tá’ Marbúṭa | ۃ, a largely silent letter. Position is always at the end of a word that is usually feminine. Transcripted as t (tá’) if followed by a vowel; as an h (há’) if it is the final letter. The tá’ marbúṭa ending in most listed words is indicated by [h], [t] or [h or t]. |
| Ta’ah | Ṭá‘ah | obedience (to God) |
| Ta’ala | Ta‘álá | to rise, become high; the exalted (form V of ‘alá and a root of ‘Alí) |
| Ta’ala Huwa’llah | Ta‘álá Huwa’lláh | Almighty is God! or Exalted is God! |
| Ta’am, At’ima | Ṭa‘ám, pl. Aṭ‘ima | food, nourishment, nutriment, fare, diet; meal, repast |
| Ta’aruf, T’aruf (Ta’arof, T’arof, Tarof) | Ta‘áruf, T‘áruf | Pers. knowing one another; mutual acquaintance; recognition; rule, fashion, custom. Behaviour that is appropriate and customary. Persian form of civility emphasizing both deference and social rank. The term encompasses a range of social behaviours; one example of ta‘áruf could be described as posing false invitations and promising future services or deeds to primarily strangers or distant relatives and expecting them not to take the offer and keep declining it. Also described as a form of ritual politeness. It has been corrupted in Írán and now denotes ceremonial insincerity. |
| Ta’assub | Ta‘aṣṣub | fanaticism, ardent zeal, bigotry, fanatical enthusiasm; party spirit, partisanship; clannishness, racialism, race consciousness, tribalism |
| Ta’ayyun | Ta‘ayyun | to be or to become an entity; self-determination or individualization. Term applied by al-mutaṣawwifa (Sufis) to the process of descent through which pure being gradually becomes qualified. Man is absolute being limited by ta‘ayyun (individualization). |
| Ta’i’ | Ṭá’i‘ | obedient, compliant, submissive, cheerful, willing. Not Ṭá’í (SDC, p. 48). See Ṭayy. |
| Ta’ib | Tá’ib | repentant, penitent, contrite |
| Ta’if | Ṭá’if | ambulant, itinerant, migrant, roving, wandering; one going the rounds or making the circuit or walking the beat; one performing the ṭawáf; who or what goes round; a night-watch or patrol; the ox that is stationed at the outer edge of the threshing-floor; the middle of a bow; one who performs the circumambulation of the Ka‘bah; a phantom, spectre, an apparition in a dream, especially of a mistress; name of several cities, especially the celebrated one in Hijáz, aṭ-Ṭá’if, 65 km east of Mecca and at a cooler elevation of 1,879 m, it has moderate summer weather, unlike most of the Arabian Peninsula. |
| Ta’ifa, Tawa’if | Ṭá’ifa[h or t], pl. Ṭawá’if | (fem. of ṭá’if) ambulant, itinerant, migrant, roving, wandering; one going the rounds or making the circuit or walking the beat; one performing the ṭawáf; faction (political or ideological, including in reference to religious creeds or sects) |
| Ta’ir, Ta’irat, Tayr (Tair) | Ṭá’ir, pl. Ṭayr | flying; flyer, aviator, pilot;—(pl. ṭayr) bird; omen, presage. Pers. form: ṭáyir. |
| Ta’ira, Ta’irat | Ṭá’ira[h], pl. Ṭá’irát | (fem. of Ṭá’ir) airplane, aircraft. Pers. forms: ṭáyirih, ṭá’irih. |
| Ta’lif, Ta’alif | Ta’líf, pl. Ta’álíf | formation (e.g., of a suffering, deeply afflicted; tormented government); union, junction, combination (of separate things); literary work; composition, compilation, writing (of a book, of an article);—pl. work, book, publication |
| Ta’lim, Talimat | Ta‘lím, pl. Talimát | information, advice, instruction, direction; teaching, instruction; training, schooling, education; apprenticeship;—pl. instructions, directions, directives; information, announcements |
| Ta’rif, Ta’rifat | Ta‘ríf, pl. Ta‘rífát, Ta‘áríf | announcement, notification, communication, information; instruction, direction; (social) introduction; definition, determination, identification, specification, characterization; a rendering definite (grammar) |
| Ta’rikh, Tarikh, Tawarikh | Ta’ríkh, Táríkh, pl. Tawáríkh | Ta’ríkh dating (a letter); Táríkh, date, era, epoch; day (of the month); history, chronicle, chronology (hence by extension annals, history, historiography); a calendar. Found in the title of many historical works. Táríkh al-Ḥayáh biography; ‘Ámm Táríkh world history. |
| Ta’us, Tawus, Tawawis | Ṭá’ús, Ṭáwús, pl. Ṭawáwís | peacock |
| Ta’wil, Ta’vil, Ta’wilat | Ta’wíl, Pers. Ta’víl, Ar. pl. Ta’wílát | interpretation, explanation. Also allegorical interpretation—“hidden meaning”. Qur’anic term meaning explication or elucidation, or referring to the realization, fulfillment, or outcome of a matter. As a later technical term, ta’wíl refers to the figurative or metaphorical (re)interpretation of a text, particularly Qur’anic verses and ḥadíth reports whose obvious sense is thought to entail anthropomorphism. |
| Ta’yid (Ta’id, Ta’eed), Ta’yyid, Ta’yidat | Ta’yíd, Ta’yyid (تأييد), pl. Ta’yídát | corroboration, confirmation, endorsement, backing, support; assistance, help, support; a written voucher. Ta’yíd Boys’ School (Bahá’í), Hamadán. Dr Ḥishmatu’lláh (or just Ḥishmat) Ta’yíd (Heshmatu’llah Ta’eed, d. 2021; wife Nuṣrat) first Bahá’í pioneer to Laos (1955). |
| Ta’ziya, Ta’ziyih, Ta’azin | Ta‘zíya[h], Pers. also Ta‘ziyih, pl. Ta‘ázin | consolation, solace, comfort; condolence or expression of grief. (“Ta’zieh”, “Tazía” or “Ta’ziyeh”). It comes from root word for mourning. In Persian cultural reference it is categorized as Condolence Theater or Passion Play inspired by a historical and religious event, the tragic death of Husayn, symbolizing epic spirit and resistance. Takiyah (tekyeh or ta‘zieh) is a unique circular structure built to stage the plays. See Parda Khwání. |
| Tab | Tab | Pers. a fever. tab-i-‘aṣabí (a fever affecting the nervous system, likely stress related) |
| Tab | Táb | Pers. heat, warmth, burning, inflaming, illuminating; light, splendour, lustre, radiance; a ray; strength, power, ability; a waving, bending, twisting, intertwining |
| Taba, Tawb (Taub), Tawba, Matab | Tába (Tawb, Tawba, Matáb) | to repent, be penitent, do penance. Tawba (tauba) |
| Taba’, Atba’ | Taba‘, pl. Atbá‘ | succession; dependency. Followers; subordinate, subservient (to something);—pl. follower, companion, adherent, partisan; subject, national, citizen. |
| Taba’ud | Tabá‘ud | interdistance; mutual estrangement (separation) |
| Taban | Tábán | Pers. light, luminous, resplendent, radiant, dazzling, brilliant, shining, glittering; a gleam, flash; pith of a tree |
| Tabanda (Tabandih, Tabandeh) | Tábanda (تابنده) | Pers. light-giver, radiant, shining, brilliant, luminous. Name given to Mrs Hinkle Smith, Philadelphia by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. |
| Tabaq, Atbaq | Ṭabaq, pl. Aṭbáq | lid, cover, plate; dish, shallow bowl; (round) tray, salver; ash tray; (pl. aṭbáq, also ṭibáq) layer, tier; stratum (of the air) |
| Tabaqa, Tabaqa | Ṭabaqa[h or t], pl. Ṭabaqát | layer; stratum (of earth, air, society, etc.); floor, story (of a building); class, category; generation |
| Tabar | Ṭabar | hatchet, ax, battle-ax |
| Tabaraka | Tabáraka | God bless ...!, to be blessed |
| Tabari, Tabariyun | Ṭabarí, pl. Ṭabaríyún | of or referring to Tabaristán. Muḥammad ibn Jarír aṭ-Ṭabarí (CE 839–923) Persian scholar, historian and commentator on the Qur’án. |
| Tabaristan | Ṭabaristán | mountainous region located on the Caspian coast of northern Írán. Since the 11th century, the province of Mázindarán. |
| Tabarra | Tabarrá | a doctrine that obliges disassociation with those who oppose God and those who caused harm to and were the enemies of the Islamic prophet Muḥammad or his family |
| Tabarsi (Shaykh Tabarsi) | Ṭabarsí | from Ṭabaristán, a former name of Mázindarán. The Shrine of Shaykh Ṭabarsí (36.436309, 52.805366, near the village of Afrá), a local saint (Shaykh Aḥmad ibn Abí Ṭálib-i-Ṭabarsí) is 6 km SW of Qá’im Shahr and 16 km SE of Bábul, Mázindarán province. Scene of the 1849 siege of the Bábís. Mullá Ḥusayn has likened the siege to the killing of Ḥusayn ibn ‘Alí (CE 680) at Karbalá’ (see DB pp. 326, 343). |
| Tabas | Ṭabas | (formerly Golshan or Gulshán) city (33.605594, 56.931505) in South Khurásán Province, Írán. 260 km NE of Yazd. Given the name Jadhba by Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Tabasha (Tabas-ha) | Tabáshá | non-existent “word” (“Tabás há”). See tamáshá. |
| Tabataba | Ṭabáṭabá | surname of the great-great-grandson of Imám ‘Alí, Ismá‘íl bin Ibráhím, on account of his pronouncing the letter ق (q) like ط (ṭ). Possible meaning: a man of high rank or high esteem. |
| Tabataba’i | Ṭabáṭabá’í | a descendant of Ṭabáṭabá |
| Tabawwab | Tabawwáb | gateship, more commonly bábíyat. See bawwáb |
| Tabi’, Taba’a, Tubba’, Atba’, Tawabi’ | Tábi‘, pl. Taba‘a[h or t], Tubbá‘ | following, succeeding, subsequent; subsidiary, dependent; minor, secondary; subordinate (to someone), under someone; belonging (to); subject to someone’s authority or competence; adherent (to) following (someone or something);—pl. atbá‘ adherent, follower, partisan; subject, citizen, national; subordinate, servant; factotum;—pl. tawábi‘ appositive (grammar); appendix, addendum, supplement;—pl. tábi‘ún (tabi’un) are the generation of Muslims who followed the Companions of Muḥammad, and thus received their teachings second-hand. As such, they played an important part in the development of Islamic thought and philosophy, and in the political development of the early caliphate. Tubbá‘ is a title or family name of the Ḥimyar kings in Yemen of the Hamadán tribe. |
| Tabi’a al-Kulliya | aṭ-Ṭabí‘a al-Kullíya | the universal nature |
| Tabi’a, Taba’i’ | Ṭabí‘a(t), pl. Ṭabá’i‘ | nature; natural disposition, constitution; peculiarity, individuality, character; regular, normal manner; physics; natural science |
| Tabi’a, Tawabi’ | Tábi‘a(h), pl. Tawábi‘ | female attendant, woman servant; appurtenance, dependency; consequence, effect, result; responsibility;—pl. dependencies, dependent territories |
| Tabi’i, Tabi’un | Tabi‘í, pl. Tábi‘ún | follower of Muḥammad;—pl. the “followers” or Successors (i.e., the generation immediately following that of the Prophet and his Companions (aṣ-Ṣaḥába) |
| Tabib, Atibba | Ṭabíb, pl. Aṭibba | physician, doctor |
| Tabistan | Tábistán | Pers. summer, hot weather |
| Tabligh, Tablighat | Tablígh, pl. Tablíghát | conveyance, transmission, delivery (to someone); information (about); report, notification (of); communication, announcement, notice. Translated as “teaching” by Shoghi Effendi. Word used instead of tabshír (“mission”, latin mittere) or da‘wa (“invitatory proclamation”) |
| Tablighat-i-Islami | Tablíghát-i-Islámí | Islamic propaganda group MUHJ 1963–86 |
| Tabriz (Tawriz, Tauriz) | Tabríz, (Tawríz) | causing to come forth; calling forth, challenging; bringing to view, showing openly. Persian capital (38.079132, 46.288919) of Ádharbayján Province, Írán. Earlier name: Tawríz (Tauris). Arḍ-i-Tá’. |
| Tabrizi, Tabariza | Tabrízí, pl. Tabáriza | Pers. of or belonging to Tabŕz |
| Tabuk (Tabouk) | Tabúk | a large platter, tray, dish. An ancient city (28.40587, 36.55353) in NW Saudi Arabia. Famous for its association with an expedition led by Muḥammad to the city in AH 8 (CE 630), during very hot weather. |
| Tabur, Tawabir | Ṭábúr, pl. Ṭawábír | battalion; (e.g.) line, file, single file (of soldiers, of persons walking one behind the other); queue Yaḥyá Ṭábúr Áqásí |
| Tabut, Tawabit | Tábút, pl. Tawábít | box, case, chest, coffer; casket, coffin, sarcophagus. tábút al-‘ahd ark of the covenant. |
| Tabyin, Tibyan, Ibana | Tabyín or Tibyán, and Ibána[h or t] | exposition, demonstration, explanation, illustration. expound |
| Tadhkira, Tadhkara, Tadhakir | Tadhkira(t), Tadhkara(t), pl. Tadhákir | (mostly pronounced tadhkára) message, note; slip, paper, permit, pus; card; ticket; admission ticket; memory, remembrance; anything that aids the memory (as a knot tied on the pocket handkerchief); biographical memoir, biography; a billet, schedule, obligation, handwriting; official note |
| Tadhkirat al-Wafa’, Tadhkiratu’l-Vafa’ | Tadhkirat al-Wafá’ | Pers. Tadhkiratu’l-Vafá’. The Memorials of the Faithful by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Tadmur (Tadmor), Palmyra | Tadmur | Ar. for the town 144 km east of Homs, Syria, that is also named Palmrya. The site of the ancient Greek city of Palmyra (from Greek for palm) is 500 m SW of the modern town centre. |
| Tadrij, bi Tadrij (Bitadrij) | Tadríj | graduation; classification, categorization; gradation. ma‘a at-tadríj, ‘alá bi at-tadríj, bi tadríj, by graduation, by degrees, by steps, by gradation (“gradually”, “by steps”). |
| Tadriji | Tadríjí | gradual, progressive |
| Tadrijiyan | Tadríjíyan | gradually, by and by, by steps, by degrees, in stages |
| Tadwin (Tadvin) | Tadwín | recording, writing down; entry, listing, booking; registering, registration |
| Tadzhikistan | Tádzhíkistán | The Republic of Tajikistan |
| Tafakkur | Tafakkur | thinking, cogitation, meditation, reflection; speculation, contemplation, consideration |
| Taff | Ṭaff | filling (a measure or a vessel) to the brim; a side, shore, coast. Symbolic of the land of the plain of Karbilá, near where Imám Ḥusayn was martyred. |
| Tafrid | Tafríd | In Sufism it refers to “seclusion” or “withdrawal” from people and seeking solitude for spiritual contemplation. Historically, it denoted the process of acquiring deep knowledge and understanding of Islamic jurisprudence and legal principles (juristic expertise). Also conveys the concept of “oneness” or “unity”, i.e. recognizing the singular existence of God and emphasizing divine unity. See fard and hence a meaning of individualization. |
| Tafrish (Taresh) | Tafrish | city (34.697833, 50.012923 in Markazí Province) 170 km SW of Ṭihrán. Memorials of the Faithful incorrectly uses Tafrísh. |
| Tafsiq | Tafsíq | calling or making one profligate, depraving, perverting; judged as evil. See takfír. |
| Tafsir al-Hurufat al-Muqatta’ih | Tafsír al-Ḥurúfát al-Muqaṭṭa‘ih | “Interpretation of the Isolated Letters” by Bahá’u’lláh in Arabic. Also known as Lawḥ al-Áyiy an-Núr |
| Tafsir-i-Bismi’llah | Tafsír-i-Bismi’lláh | “Commentary on Bismi’lláh” by the Báb |
| Tafsir-i-Bismi’llahi’r-Rahmani’r-Rahim | Tafsír-i-Bismi’lláhi’r-Raḥmáni’r-Raḥím | by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Tafsir-i-Ha’ | Tafsír-i-Há’ | “Commentary on the Letter Há’” (by Báb) |
| Tafsir-i-Hu | Tafsír-i-Hú | Commentary on “He is” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Tafsir-i-Kuntu Kanzan Makhfiyyan | Tafsír-i-Kuntu Kanzan Makhfiyyan | “Commentary on ‘I was a Hidden Treasure’” by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Tafsir-i-Nubuvvat-i-Khassih | Tafsír-i-Nubuvvat-i-Kháṣṣih | “Commentary on the specific station and mission (of Muḥammad)” by the Báb |
| Tafsir-i-Sirr-i-Ha’ | Tafsír-i-Sirr-i-Há’ | “Commentary on the Mystery of Há’” by the Báb |
| Tafsir-i-Suriy-i-Baqarih | Tafsír-i-Súriy-i-Baqarih I & II | “Commentary on the Súra of the Cow I & II” (Qur’án Súra 2) by the Báb |
| Tafsir-i-Suriy-i-Kawthar | Tafsír-i-Súriy-i-Kawthar | “Commentary on the Súra of Abundance” (Qur’án Súra 108) by the Báb (Ar. Tafsír Súrat al-Kawthar) |
| Tafsir-i-Suriy-i-Va’l-‘Asr | Tafsír-i-Súriy-i-Va’l-‘Aṣr | “Commentary on the Súra of the Afternoon” (Qur’án Súra 103) by the Báb |
| Tafsir-i-Suriy-i-Va’sh-Shams | Tafsír-i-Súriy-i-Va’sh-Shams | “Commentary on the Súrah of the Sun”, Tablet to Shaykh Mahmúd by Bahá’u’lláh (Qur’án Súra 91) |
| Tafsir-i-Suriy-i-Yusif | Tafsír-i-Súriy-i-Yúsif | “Commentary on the Súrah of Joseph”, commonly referred to as Qayyúmu’l-Asmá’ by the Báb (Qur’án Súra 12) |
| Tafsir, Tafasir | Tafsír, pl. Tafásír | commentary or sermon, emphasizes the interpretations of other words of God. Commentary or exegesis of whole or part of the Qur’án |
| Taft | Taft | city 22 km SW of Yazd, Írán |
| Tafti | Taftí | from Taft |
| Tafwid | Tafwíḍ | entrustment, commitment, consignment, commission(ing), charging; authorization, empowerment, delegation of authority; authority, warrant, authorization, mandate, mandatory power, procuration, proxy, power of attorney. Suspension of meaning, that is, denying the literal meaning of a Qur’anic verse or ḥadíth taken to entail anthropomorphism but consigning or entrusting (“tafwíḍ”) its true meaning to God rather than proffering a particular figurative interpretation through ta’wíl. |
| Taghabun | Taghábun | mutual deception or cheating; disillusion; defrauding, cheating one another. Yawmu’t-taghábun (“The Day of Mutual Disillusion”), one of a number of expressions used for “the Day of Resurrection” or “the Day of Judgement”—meaning relates more to the weighing up of the evil and righteous deeds of an individual earthly life when his soul enters the Hereafter than to any “disillusion”. |
| Taghiya | Ṭághiya | tyrant, oppressor, despot; bully, brute, gorilla |
| Taghut, Tawaghut | Ṭághút, pl. Ṭawághút | In traditional theology, the term often connotes an idol (particularly an ancient idol at Mecca), a false god; seducer, tempter (to error); evil that exceeds all bounds. Broadly: “to go beyond the measure”, i.e. to rebel; is Islamic terminology denoting a focus of worship other than God. Also written “Tagout”, “Thagout”, “Tougihat”, “towighate”, etc. |
| Taghyir | Taghyír, pl. Taghyírát | changing, alteration, modification, variation; change, replacement, relief; “transmutability” |
| Tahaddi | Taḥaddí | doing anything equal to another; challenging (a rival); striving to overcome, competition |
| Tahaddin, Tahaddiyat | Taḥaddin, pl. Taḥaddiyát | challenge, provocation. A verb Form V may be Taḥaddí |
| Taham, Tahm | Taham, Tahm | Pers. (from Zend/Avestan takhma) brave, war-like; incomparable, unrivalled in stature or courage |
| Tahara | Ṭahára(h) | cleanness, cleanliness, purity; cultic purity (Islamic law); chastity; holiness, sanctity, saintliness |
| Tahashshum and Ihtiasham | Taḥashshum and Iḥtishám | shame, shyness, modesty, reticent, decency, decorum |
| Tahdhib (Tahzib) | Tahdhíb | expurgation, emendation, correction; rectification; revision; training; instruction; education, upbringing; culture, refinement. Bahíyya Tahdhíb (Tahzíb) |
| Tahhan, Tahhana | Ṭaḥḥán, fem. Ṭaḥḥána(t) | a miller. Fu’ád Muḥammad Jawád Ṭaḥḥán, a Bahá’í arrested in Morocco, 1962. |
| Tahir (Taher), Tahira, Tahirih, Athar | Ṭáhir, fem. Ṭáhira[h], pl. Aṭhár | clean, pure; chaste, modest, virtuous. “The pure one”. Pers. also Ṭáhirih, a title bestowed by Jináb-i-Bahá (the Báb) on Fáṭimih umm-i-Salamih Baraqání Qazvíní (c. 1817/1818–1852), also known by the titles Qurratu’l-‘Ayn (“Solace of the Eyes”, by Siyyid Káẓim), Zarrín-Táj (“Crown of Gold”) and Zakíyyih (“Virtuous”). She is remembered for her skill as a poet, her theological insights, her leadership as one of the earliest Bahá’ís, and her ability to organize and inspire women to reject their oppressed status. Ṭáhirat al-akhláq (“pure morals”). |
| Tahiriyan | Ṭáhiriyán | Pers. aṭ-Ṭáhiriyán (the Tahirid dynasty that effectively ruled Khurásán from 821 to 873 while other members of the dynasty served as military and security commanders for the city of Baghdád from 820 until 891. The dynasty was founded by Ṭáhir ibn Ḥusayn, a leading general in the service of the Abbasid caliph al-Ma’mun. Their capital in Khurásán was initially located at Marv (Merv) but was later moved to Níshápúr. |
| Tahirzadih, Taherzadeh | Ṭáhirzádih | “Son of the pure one”. Family name taken by a distinguished Bahá’í family of Yazd, e.g. Habib Taherzadeh (1908–1995) and Adib Taherzadeh (1921–2000; Adíb Ṭáhirzádih-i-Málmírí) |
| Tahlil, Tahalil | Tahlíl, pl. Tahálíl | utterance of the formula lá iláha illá lláh (“There is no god but God”); rejoicing, exultation, jubilation; applause, acclamation, acclaim, cheering, cheers |
| Tahmasb, Tahmasp | Ṭahmásb, Tahmásp | Pers. derived from Avestan name Takhmaspa (takhma “brave, etc.” + aspa “horse”). Name of two Safavid shahs. See Taham and Aspa |
| Tahmid | Taḥmíd | praising (God), thanking (God) |
| Tahqiq, Tahqiqi | Taḥqíq | realization, actualization, effectuation, implementation; fulfillment (of a claim, of a wish, etc.); achievement, accomplishment, execution; ascertainment, determination, identification, verification; substantiation; assertion, affirmation, confirmation; pinpointing, precise determination; exactness, accurateness, precision. Taḥqíqí |
| Tahrif, Tahrifat | Taḥríf, pl. Taḥrífát | alteration, change; distortion; perversion, corruption, especially phonetic corruption of a word; forgery. A doctrine that the Torah and Gospels have been corrupted by Jewish and Christian religious leaders. |
| Tahrim | Taḥrím | forbiddance, interdiction, prohibition, ban |
| Tahrir, Tahrirat | Taḥrír, pl. Taḥrírát | setting at liberty, giving freedom; manumission; dedicating to the service of God; writing elegantly and accurately; a writing, written statement, document; fee for writing; ornamental lines |
| Tahriri, Tahriri-ha | Taḥrírí, pl. Taḥrírí-há | Pers. ^nbsp; written, in writing. Taḥríríhá Dánish |
| Tahshiya | Taḥshiya | insertion; interpolation |
| Tahwil (Tahvil) | Taḥwíl | transformation, transmutation, conversion (into something); change, alteration, modification; transplantation; transposition, reversal, inversion, translocation, dislocation, displacement; transfer, assignment; conversion (e.g. of currency); conversion, transformation (of electric current) |
| Tahwil al-Qiblih, Tahwil-i-Qiblih | Taḥwíl al-Qiblih, Pers. Taḥwíl-i-Qiblih | change in the point of adoration |
| Taj, Tajan, Tijan (“Tajes”, Tájes) | Táj, dual Táján, pl. Tíján | crown; miter (of a bishop). Bahá’u’lláh wore tall conical felt hats (táj) (often brocaded) after departing Baghdád, sometimes with a small white turban wound around the base. Turkish form, Tekiş, “Tekish”, “crown”. Táján River flows through Sárí, Mázandarán. |
| Taj Khatun | Táj-Khátún | a small village (34.551389, 50.496667), Qom County, Qom Province. |
| Taj Kulah | Táj Kuláh | “crown hat”, a hat with an attached crown brim (that may be made of gold with encrusted gems) worn by Safavid Persian nobility. Not to be confused with kaj kuláh. |
| Taj Mahal | Táj Maḥal | Pers. “Crown of the Palace”, ivory-white marble mausoleum on the southern bank of the Yamuna River, Agra. Commissioned by Sháh Jahán in 1631, in the memory of his wife Mumtáz Maḥala, completed 1648. |
| Taj Saltanah | Táj Salṭanah | (1883–1936) was a Persian princess, memoirist of the Qajar Dynasty, a daughter of Násir ad-Dín Sháh. Kháṭirát-i-Táj al-Salṭanah, translated and published as Crowning Anguish: Memoirs of a Persian Princess from the Harem to Modernity, 1844–1914. |
| Taj-Abad | Táj-Ábád | two villages on the Asadábád to Hamadán road: Tájábád-i-‘Ulyá (upper; 34.840101, 48.212725) and Tájábád-i-Suflá (lower; 34.878876, 48.218330), 18 and 17 km respectively by road from Asadábád. The Tájábád-i-Suflá Caravanserai is rare in being a circular structure. |
| Tajalli, Tajalliyat or Tajalliyyat | Tajallí, pl. Tajallíyát | lustre, brightness, brilliancy; manifestation; transfiguration; splendour, glory; effulgence. “Effulgences”, Tablet by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Tajalliy-i-‘Am | Tajallíy-i-‘Ám | “The Universal Revelation of God” |
| Tajalliy-i-Khass | Tajallíy-i-Kháṣṣ | “The Specific Revelation of God” |
| Tajalliy-i-Thani | Tajallíy-i-Thání | “The Secondary Revelation of God” |
| Tajarrud | Tajarrud | freedom; isolation; living in solitude; independence, impartiality; absoluteness; abstractness, abstraction |
| Tajdid, Tajdidat | Tajdíd, pl. Tajdídát | renewal (also. e.g., of a permit); creation of something new origination; new presentation, new production (theatre); innovation; reorganization, reform; modernization; renovation, restoration, remodelling, refitting, reconditioning, refurbishing; rejuvenation, regeneration;—pl. innovations; new achievements |
| Tajik | Tájik | general designation for a wide range of Persian-speaking people of Iranian origin, with traditional homelands in present-day Tajikistan, Afghánistán and Uzbekistan. |
| Tajir, Tujjar, Tijar | Tájir, pl. Tujjár, Tijár | merchant, trader, businessman, dealer, tradesman |
| Tajrid | Tajríd | peeling, paring; disrobement, stripping; denudation; deprivation; divestment; disarmament; dispatching (of troops); freeing; isolation; abstraction, detachment. |
| Tajrid al-I’tiqad | Tajríd al-I‘tiqád | (“Summation of Belief”) a commentary on Shí‘a doctrines by Naṣíru’d-Dín Ṭúsí |
| Tajrida, Tajridat, Tajarid | Tajrída[h or t], pl. Tajridát, Tajáríd | (fem. of Tajríd ) military detachment, expeditionary force |
| Tajrish | Tajrísh | Pers. village (35.804916, 51.433882), now a neighbourhood of Tehran (in District 1) |
| Tajwid | Tajwíd | saying, doing, or making good; doing well. The art of reciting the Qur’án, Qur’án reading (in accordance with established rules of pronunciation and intonation). |
| Takathur | Takáthur | growth, increase; multiplication, propagation, proliferation; (the act of) seeking to increase, to obtain more; vying to accumulate more. |
| Takbir | Takbír | enlargement, increase, augmentation, magnification; enhancement, aggrandizement; intensification, amplification; exaggeration; augmentative (gram.); praise, laudation, extolment, exaltation, glorification |
| Takfir | Takfír | expiation (of), atonement, penance (for a sin); seduction to infidelity; charge of unbelief; a formal denunciation by the ‘ulamá; judged as being a disbeliever. See tafsíq. |
| Takhallus (Taqhallus) | Takhalluṣ | freedom, liberation, release, extrication, escape (from). Word borrowed (with the meaning of “pen name”) to describe a pen name that is widely adopted by Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi and Persian poets—the pen name is often added to their name. A poet’s takhalluṣ is often included towards the end of a ghazal written by him. |
| Takht, Takhta (Takhtih) | Takht, fem. Takhta(h or t) | Pers. a royal throne, chair of state; a seat, sofa; a bed; any place raised above the ground for sleeping, sitting, or reclining; a saddle; a capital, the royal residence; a wardrobe, clothes-press, chest |
| Takht-i-Fulad | Takht-i-Fúlád | ‘the Throne of Steel’ |
| Takhtarawan, Takht-i-Rawan | Takhtarawán, Pers. Takht-i-Rawán | mule-borne litter with poles; a travelling-bed with poles, like our sedan-chairs, but borne by mules; the throne of Solomon; an easy-paced horse; the sky; name of four stars in the constellation of the Bear. Raván (34.880665, 48.295531) is a village 22 km NW of Hamadán, in Hamadan Province, Írán. |
| Takistan | Tákistán | Pers. a vineyard |
| Takiya (Takiyya, Takyih), Takaya | Takíya[h], pl. Takáyá | monastery (of a Muslim order, i.e. the sufis); hospice; home, asylum (for the invalided or needy). In Iran Takíyah have become buildings used in Shi’ite Islamic worship and mourning. See takya |
| Takiyah Dawlah | Takiyah Dawlat | Pers. “State Theatre”, Tehran, was a Royal Theatre. It was the most famous of all the ta‘zíyah performance spaces, for the mourning of Muḥarram. Built in 1868 by Náṣir al-Dín Sháh Qájár south-east of the Gulistán Palace on the site of the Síyáh-Chál. It was destroyed in 1947 and the car park of a BMI (bank) building was constructed on the site. |
| Takiyiy-i-Mawlana Khalid | Takíyiy-i-Mawláná Khálid | theological seminary of Mawláná Khálid (35.569142, 45.448971?), Sulaymáníyyih. A place where Bahá’u’lláh stayed when visiting the city. |
| Takiyiy-i-Mawlawi | Takíyiy-i-Mawlawí | theological seminary of Mawlawí dervishes |
| Takmil | Takmíl | completion, complementing, perfecting, perfection; conclusion, termination, windup; consummation, execution |
| Takmil-i-Din | Takmíl-i-Dín | perfection of religion |
| Takur (Takor, Takar) | Tákur (Tákar) | village (36.200164, 52.010178) 40 km south of Núr and 47.5 km NE of Afjih. Bahá’u’lláh’s ancestral home (36.198842, 52.010238) is in this village. It was destroyed by the government in 1981. The inscription1 on a large wooden plaque above the house entrance is proof, according to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, that Mírzá Buzurg recognized the station of His son as the Manifestation of God. |
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| U | ||
| Ubay (Ubai), Ubayy | Ubay, Ubayy | Arabic given name derived from Abíy |
| Ubayd (Ubaid), Ubayda | ‘Ubayd, fem. ‘Ubayda(h) | diminutive of ‘Abd, a little servant |
| Ubaydu’l-llah | ‘Ubaydu’l-lláh | servant of God |
| Ubudiya | ‘Ubúdíya(h or t) | humble veneration, homage, adoration, worship; slavery, serfdom; servitude, bondage |
| Ud, A’wad, ‘Idan | ‘Úd, pl. A‘wád, ‘Ídán | wood; stick, rod, pole; branch, twig, switch; stem, stalk; cane, reed; aloes (wood); lute (musical instrument); body, build, physique; strength, force, intensity;—pl. full intensity (e.g., of a disease) |
| Udh’kuru | Udh’kurú | remember! (command) |
| Udh’kuru’llah | Udh’kurú’lláh | Remember God! |
| Udhr, Udhra, A’dhar, ‘Udhrat | ‘Udhr, ‘pl. A‘dhár | excuse, apology, pretext; objection; virginity; the attainment or accomplishment of one’s wants or wishes, good success, fortunate issue, victory, conquest; fem. ‘udhra[h or t], pl. ‘udhrát virginity, virginhood |
| Udi | ‘Údí | of wood; a diminutive of the Hebrew Ehud |
| Ufq, Ufuq, Afaq | Ufq, Ufuq, pl. Áfáq | horizon; range of vision, field of vision; pl. distant lands, faraway countries, remote regions; provinces, interior of the country (as distinguished from the capital) |
| Ufqi, Ufuqi, Afaqi | Ufqí, Ufuqí, pl. Áfáqí | horizontal;—pl. coming from a distant country or region |
| Uhud | Uḥud | 1,077 m mountain 6.6 km NNE of Medina. The battle of Uḥud on 23 March 625 occurred on the south side (4 km from Medina) and the Muslim archers stood on Jabal ‘Aynán (a small rock outcrop on the south of Jabal Uḥud). After the battle it was renamed Jabal ar-Rumáh. See ‘Aynán and Rumáh. |
| Ujab | ‘Ujáb | wonderful, wondrous, marvelous, astonishing, amazing. See ‘ajab |
| Ukaz (Souq Okaz or Souq Okadh) | ‘Ukáẓ | ‘Ukáẓ was (c. 542–726) the site of the largest and best known open air marketplace (Súk ‘Ukáẓ, 21.475287, 40.638875) during the pilgrimage season in pre-Islamic times (31 km NE of Ṭá’if) where poetry contests were held. It served as a place where warring tribes could come together peacefully to worship and trade together. A modern outdoor market and popular tourist destination has been recreated at the historic location. Prominence is given to a different poet each year. |
| Ukht, Akhawat | ‘Ukht, pl. Akhawát | a sister; (grammar) cognate; counterpart |
| Ula | ‘Ulá | high rank, prestige, glory. al-‘Ulá is a title and an ancient Arabic oasis city (26.604194, 37.928435) located in Medina province of NW Saudi Arabia. See ‘alá and Rif‘a. |
| Ulfa | Ulfa[h or t] | familiarity, intimacy; friendship, love, affection; union, concord, harmony, congeniality |
| Uliyya | ‘Ulíyyá | (also Ulúhiyya[h or t], see iláhíya) deity, divinity, godhead. More fundamentally, being worthy of worship, love, and obedience as a god. |
| Ulu’l-‘Azm | Ulú’l-‘Azm | “the determined or steadfast”; rulers, powerful leaders; those endued with a resolution to obey the commands of God (implies term is only applicable to prophets, Arch-Prophets or Messengers of God, i.e. Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad) |
| Uluha, Uluhiya (Uluhiyya) | Ulúha[h or t], Ulúhíya[h or t] | (also Ulúhiyya[h or t], see iláhíya) deity, divinity, godhead. More fundamentally, being worthy of worship, love, and obedience as a god. |
| Uluw (‘Uluvv) | ‘Ulúw | height, tallness, elevation, altitude; greatness, grandeur, highness, exaltedness, sublimity (variation of ‘alw, ‘ulw, ‘ilw, Upper or better part (of anything)) |
| Uman | ‘Umán | Oman (the Sultanate of Oman) |
| Umari | ‘Umarí | follower of ‘Umar (i.e. a traditionalist) |
| Umawi, Umayya | Umawí | Umayyad, Ommayyad (adj.). Banú Umayya(h), the Umayyads, Ommayyads |
| Umawiya, Umawiyun | al-‘Umawíya[h], pl. al-‘Umawíyúnn | (Pers. al-‘umawiyya[h], pl. al-‘umawiyyún, “umawiyya” or “umawiyyun”) Umayyad (Ommayyad, Ommaiad), an Islamic dynasty (caliphate) claiming descent from Umayya (Umayyah) ibn ‘Abd Shams, a cousin of Muḥammad’s grandfather, founded by Mu’áwíyyáh, with its capital in Damascus (c. 660–750 & Moorish Spain 756–1031). Umayyad Caliphate (al-Khiláfah al-‘Umawíyah, Pers. al-Khiláfatu al-‘Umawiyyah), was the second of the four major caliphates established after the death of Muḥammad. The caliphate was centred on the Umayyad Dynasty (al-‘Umawíyún, or Banú ‘Umayyah, “Sons of Umayyah”), hailing from Mecca. |
| Umayr (Umair) | ‘Umayr | one who is intelligent. Muṣ‘ab ibn ‘Umayr, companion of Muḥammad. |
| Umayya, Umawiyun, Umawiyyun | Umayya[h], pl. Umawíyún, Umawiyyún | Umayya ibn ‘Abd Shams (b. 515) is said to be the progenitor of the line of the Umayyad Caliphs. Banú Umayyah (sons of Umayyah or Umayyad Dynasty). al-Umawiyyún, the Umayyads. |
| Umda, ‘Umad | ‘Umda[h], pl. ‘Umad, ‘Umdán | support, prop, shore; main subject, main issue, basic issue (e.g., of a controversy);—pl. chief of a village, chief magistrate of a small community; mayor. See kalántar. Khán al-‘Umdán (“Inn of Columns”) or Khán-i-‘Avámíd (Inn of Pillars) located in SW corner (al-Fákhúrah quarter) of ‘Akká. |
| Umm al-Kitab | Umm al-Kitáb | literally ‘mother of the Book’ (or Bahá’u’lláh use of “Mother Book”), is an Islám-related term that may refer to al-Fáṭiha, the first Surah of the Qur’án, also referred to as Umm al-Qur’án. |
| Umm Salama (umm Salma) | Umm Salama[h or t] (أُمّ سَلَمَة) | (Pers. umm-i-Salamih) “mother of peace”. |
| Umm-i-Ashraf | Umm-i-Ashraf | (Mother of Ashraf) |
| Umm, Ummahat | Umm, pl. Ummahát | mother; source, origin; basis, foundation; original, original version (of a book); the gist, essence of something;—pl. matrix (typ.). Female partial name equivalents of Abu are Um and Umm (must be combined with another name). |
| Umma, Umam | Umma[h or t], pl. Umam | (fem. of umm) (Pers. pl. ummatán) community, people, nation (modern meaning); generation; sect, religious community, creed; follower, co-religionist. Muslims use the word ummah in the sense of a religious community (one for each previous religion who received a common Prophet) or more specifically, the one Muslim community with a common ideology and culture. See sha‘b. |
| Ummal-Zakata, Ummal-i-Zakat | ‘Ummál al-Zakáta, Pers. ‘Ummál-i-Zakát | to give alms (incorrect: ‘ummál-i-dhakát in PDC p. 92). See ‘Ámil. |
| Umman | ‘Ummán | Oman |
| Ummati | Ummatí | Pers. A follower of a religious sect or creed. |
| Ummi (Ummiy), Ummun | Ummí, pl. Ummún | maternal, motherly; illiterate, uneducated;—pl. an illiterate. Derived from umm, mother, or ummat, people). Qur’án 7:158, the unlettered Prophet. |
| Ummu’l-‘Iraq | Ummu’l-‘Iráq | Mother of ‘Iráq, Baghdád |
| Ummu’l-Kitab | Ummu’l-Kitáb | “mother of the book” or Mother Book of each Dispensation—the first sura of the Qur’án (Islám), the Persian Bayán (Bábí), Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Bahá’í) |
| Ummu’l-Mu’minin | Ummu’l-Mu’minín | Mother of the Faithful, name given to Phoebe Hearst by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
| Umr (Omr), ‘Amr, A’mar | ‘Umr, pl. A‘már | (‘amr in oaths) life, duration of life, life span, lifetime; age (of a person) |
| Umra, ‘Umar (Omar) | ‘Umra(h or t), pl. ‘Umar | the sacred visit to Mecca, considered to be the “lesser pilgrimage” (able to be completed in a few hours) can be performed at any time of the year; cohabiting with a woman in the house of her parents or kindred.—pl. a proper name. ʻUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭáb, 2nd Caliph; ibn ‘Abdu’l-‘Azíz ibn Marwán, 8th Umayyad Khalífah (Caliphate). |
| Universal House of Justice | Universal House of Justice | (Persian: Baytu’l-‘Adl-i-A‘ẓam) The Universal House of Justice (as ordained by Bahá’u’lláh in The Kitáb-i-Aqdas) is the nine-member (at present) supreme ruling body of the Bahá’í Faith “possessing the exclusive right to legislate on matters not explicitly revealed in the Most Holy Book”.1 It has a minimum of nine members (all men), the number will be gradually “increased nine by nine”2. It provides flexibility for the Bahá’í Faith to adapt to changing conditions by legislating on issues not already addressed in the Bahá’í writings. It was first elected in 1963, and subsequently every five years, by delegates consisting of the members of Bahá’í National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world. |
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| V | ||
| Vahdat-i-Bashar | Vaḥdat-i-Bashar | |
| Vahdat-i-Haqq | Vaḥdat-i-Ḥaqq | |
| Vahdatu’sh-shuhud | Vaḥdatu’sh-shuhúd | “unity of vision” |
| Vahhab-i-Khurasani | Vahháb-i-Khurásání | |
| Vakilu’d-Dawlih | Vakílu’d-Dawlih | Pers. “Representative of the Government” Mírzá Muḥammad Taqí, cousin of the Báb and builder of the ‘Ishqábád temple. See Wakíl |
| Vakilu’l-Haqq | Vakílu’l-Ḥaqq | Pers. Representative of the True One, i.e. God |
| Valiy-i-Amru’llah | Válíy-i-Amru’lláh | Pers. Defender of the Faith, Leader, Commander-in-Chief. Bahá’í usage: “Guardian of the Cause of God” or the weaker, shortened form as “Guardian” |
| Valiyyih | Válíyyih | daughter of Fatḥ-‘Alí Sháh (MF) |
| Vanners | Vanners | Vanners Farm house (51.337947, -0.473281) on the corner of High Road and Brewery Lane, was demolished in the early 1960s. It was on the old royal manor in Byfleet, a village about 32 km SW of London. It was visited by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in September 1911. |
| Varjavandi | Varjávandí | Rustam Varjávandí (1917–1984). Mythical warrior-king Wahrám Warjáwand. See Bahrám |
| Varqa | Varqá | Pers. dove (Ar. Ḥamám). Mírzá ‘Alí-Muḥammad-i-Varqá (d. 1896), first wife, Núríyyih, had four sons: ‘Azízu’lláh (c. 1881–?), Rúḥu’lláh (c. 1883–1896), Valíyu’lláh (1884–1955) and Badí‘u’lláh (died in childhood). For second wife, see Liqá’íya. Valíyu’lláh Varqá (see Walí’u’lláh entry) and his eldest son, Dr ‘Alí-Muḥammad Varqá (1912–2007), were both Hands of the Cause of God and Trustees of the Institution of Ḥuqúqu’lláh. Many years later Núríyyih became a devoted Bahá’í and was given the title Amatu’l-Ḥaqq (“maidservant of God”) by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. |
| Vazir-i-Mukarram | Vazír-i-Mukarram | (Vazír Mokarram of Iṣfahán) |
| Vazir-i-Yalrudi | Vazír-i-Yálrúdí | |
| Vazir-Nizam | Vazír-Niẓám | |
| Visi Pasha | Vísí Páshá | |
| Plain text | Transcripted text | Word meanings & comments |
| W | ||
| w-r-q | w-r-q | root Form II to leaf, burst into leaf, put forth leaves, sprout; to leaf, thumb (a book); to paper (a wall); Form IV to leaf, burst into leaf, put forth leaves, sprout. See waraq. |
| Wa (Va) | Wa (Pers. also Va) | 1. and; and also, and .... too;—2. (with following accusative) with;—3. introducing circumstantial (ḥál) clauses: while, as, when, whereas;—4. (with following genitive) by (in oaths);—5. (with following genitive) many a, how many |
| Wa’iz, Wu’’az, Va’iz, Vu’’az | Wá‘iẓ, pl. Wu‘‘áẓ (Pers. Vá‘iẓ/Vu‘‘áẓ) | preacher (PDC p. 91 error Vu‘áẓẓ) |
| Wa’l-‘Asr, Va’l-‘Asr | Wa’l-‘Aṣr, Pers. also Va’l-‘Aṣr | by afternoon. This expression is the first part of Qur’án 103:1: I swear by the declining day [also interpreted as: by the passage of time, by the afternoon prayer or, by the time of the Prophet] |
| Wabar or Ubar | Wabár or Ubár | “Ubar the lost city”, fabled capital of the ‘Ád, also known as “Iram of the Pillars” from the Arabic Iram dhát al-‘Imád in Qur’án 89:7. Located at 18.255047, 53.649036 on the SE side of the village of ash-Shiṣr. |
| Wabash, Awbash | Wabash, pl. Awbásh | trash, rubbish;—pl. rabble, riffraff. The criminal elements of poor areas of any town or city. See lúṭígarí. |
| Wad, Widan | Wád, pl. Wídán | river |
| Wada’, Wida’ | Wadá‘, Widá‘ | farewell, leave-taking, adieu, valediction |
| Wadad, Widad (Vidad), Wudad | Wadád, Widád, Wudád | love, friendship, affection |
| Wadd, Widd, Wudd, Awdad | Wadd, Widd, Wudd | pl. awdád, awudd, awidd. loving; affectionate, tender; fond, attached, devoted; lover. ‘Amr (‘Amú) bin ‘Abdiwudd, ‘Amr bin ‘Abdiwadd, ‘Amr bin ‘Abduwadd, or ‘Amr bin ‘Abd al-Wudd, was among the best warriors (a very large and strong man) of the Quraysh who was killed in the battle of Aḥzáb (also called Khandaq, “trench”) by Imám ‘Alí. |
| Wadi, Awdiya | Wádí, pl. Awdiya(h or t) | valley. See Wádin. MCI 112, 139 |
| Wadi al-Qamar | Wádí al-Qamar | The Valley of the Moon, see Wádí ar-Rum |
| Wadi al-Qura’ (Wadi al-‘Ula) | Wádí al-Qurá’ (Wádí al-‘Ulá) | ruins of ancient city (26.614539, 37.911779) 1 km NW of the town of al-‘Ulá and 170 km NW Khaybar. One of three oases (Fadak, Taymá’) owned by Jews during Muḥammad’s time. |
| Wadi ar-Rum (Wadi Rum) | Wádí ar-Rum | the Sand Valley. A valley cut into the sandstone and granite rock in southern Jordan 60 km to the east of Aqaba; it is the largest wádí in Jordan. Also known as Wádí al-Qamar. |
| Wadi’ | Wadí‘ | calm, peaceable, gentle-hearted, mild-tempered, meek. “Wadie Bistani”, a young Christian (Balyuzi, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 470) |
| Wadi’, Wida’ | Waḍí’, pl. Wiḍá’ | pure, clean; neat |
| Wadih | Wáḍiḥ | clear, lucid; plain, distinct; obvious, patent, manifest; visible, conspicuous; evident, apparent, ostensible |
| Wadin, Awdiya (Audiya), Widyan | Wádin, pl. Awdiya, Widyán | valley; river valley, river bed, ravine, gorge, wadi; river; (newspaper) column |
| Wadq | Wadq | dropping, distilling (as the heavens), falling (rain); approaching, drawing near; finding repose; rain, especially incessant; face, aspect, side |
| Wadqayn (Wadqain) | Wadqayn | double calamity |
| Wadud | Wadúd | favourably disposed, attached, devoted, fond, friendly |
| Wafa (Vafa), Waffa (Vaffa), Yafi | Wafá, Yafí | to be perfect, integral, complete, unabridged. Form II: Waffá to bring up to standard, complete, round out (something); to give (someone something) to the full extent, let someone have his full share of something); to present or treat exhaustively (a topic). Mrs Carrie Kinney (1878–1959) named Wafá (certitude, fidelity) by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. See Ṣafá |
| Wafa’ (Vafa’) | Wafá’ | Ar. & Pers. keeping, fulfilment, redemption (e.g., of a promise); meeting, discharge (of an obligation); payment (of a debt); counterbalance, setoff, compensation; faithfulness fidelity; good faith; loyalty, allegiance; fulfilment, accomplishment, realization, completion |
| Wafa’i (Vafa’i) | Wafá’í | Pers. fidelity, sincerity |
| Wafd, Wufud, Awfad | Wafd, pl. Wufúd, Awfád | arrival, coming (as an ambassador to a king);—pl. a delegation, a deputation |
| Wafi | Wafí | (P. or A. origin uncertain) entire, whole, complete; just (weight); full (measure); faithful to an engagement; much |
| Wafi, Wafiya | Wáfí, fem. Wáfiya[h or t] | sincere, honourable, faithful to promises or engagements; complete, perfect, entire, full (weight), just (measure); plentiful, copious, numerous, many |
| Wafiy, Aufiya | Wafíy, pl. Aufiyá’ | true to ones word; faithful (lover); reliable, trustworthy; entire, whole, total, full, complete, integral, perfect |
| Waha, Wahat | Wáḥa[h or t], pl. Wáḥát | oasis |
| Wahaba (Vahaba), Wahb | Wahaba, (Wahb, verbal noun) | to give, donate; to grant, accord; to present; to endow |
| Wahada, Yahida, Wahda, Hida, Wahuda | Waḥada, Yaḥidu (Waḥda(h), Ḥida(h)) | and Waḥuda to be alone, unique, singular, unmatched, without equal, incomparable |
| Wahb | Wahb | excelling in a contest concerning liberality; giving, bestowing; pardoning, forgiving |
| Wahd, Wahda, Wahda | Waḥd, fem. Waḥda[h or t] | (fem. pl. Waḥdát) being single, alone, or incomparable; sole, alone, separate; solitary; (a person) of an unknown tribe or family; solitude. Feminine: oneness, singleness, unity; solitariness, isolation, seclusion, privacy, solitude, loneliness; self-containment, independence; union;—fem. pl. military unit; crew; single group |
| Wahdat al-Wujud, Vahdatu’l-Vujud | Waḥdat al-Wujúd, Pers. Vaḥdatu’l-Vujúd | unity/oneness of being/existence. Mystical doctrine associated with the Sufi school of Muḥyí ad-Dín bin ‘Arabí, criticized as entailing pantheism (ḥulúl) by its opponents. The existence of all things is one and that existence itself is Alláh. Can be translated as “existential monism”. |
| Wahdat fi’l-Kathrat, Vahdat dar Kathrat | Waḥdat fi’l-Kathrat | “unity in diversity”; seeing God (unity) in many forms of the world. Pers. waḥdat dar kathrat or vaḥdat dar kathrat |
| Wahhab, Vahhab | Wahháb (Pers. also Vahháb) | a giver, one who bestows; liberal, munificent; an epithet of God. Muḥammad ibn Abd al-Wahháb (1703–1792) was a religious leader and theologian born in the village of al-‘Uyaynah, 45 km NW of Riyáḍ. He founded the movement now called Wahhabism. |
| Wahhabi, Vahhabi | Wahhábí (Pers. also Vahhábí) | Wahabite, Wahhabi. A follower of the sect now called Wahhabism (al-Wahhábiyah, a very puritanical body of Muslims). See salafíya |
| Wahhabiyya | Wahhábiyya[h or t] | al-Wahhábiyya (Wahhabism) is a reformist religious movement within Sunní Islám, based on the teachings of 18th-century Ḥanbalí cleric Muḥammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahháb (c. 1703–1792). Movement was established in the region of Najd and later spread thoughout the Arabian Peninsula—followed primarily today in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. |
| Wahid (unique), Wahida, Wuhidun | Waḥíd, fem. Waḥída[h or t], pl. Wuḥídún | (Pers. also vaḥíd (“vahid”)) alone; solitary, lonely; single, separate, individual, sporadic, isolated; sale, only, exclusive; singular, unique; matchless, unequaled, incomparable. Superlative form of ‘waḥada’, to be alone. Numerical value of 28. Fem. pl. Waḥídát. See Sayyid Yaḥyá Dárábí.. |
| Wahid (unity), Wahida, Wuhidun | Wáḥid, fem. Wáḥida[h or t], pl. Wuḥidún | Pers. also váḥid( (“vahid”) unity, a unit, one numerical (Abjad value 6+1+8+ 4=19); someone, somebody, a certain person; sole, only. A ‘unit’ or section of the Bayán, the Book of the Báb. Unity. Symbolizes the unity of God. Fem. pl. Wáḥidát. |
| Wahidiya, Wahidiyya | Waḥídíya[h or t], Waḥídiyya[h or t] | “uniqueness” or “solitude”. Describes the state of being unique or alone. |
| Wahidiya, Wahidiyya | Wáḥidíya[h or t], Wáḥidiyya[h or t] | Unitarianism, unity manifested in the realm of Divine Attributes; a Muslim sect. Refers to the concept of unity or the state of being one. |
| Wahm, Awham (Auham) | Wahm, pl. Awhám | delusive imagination, erroneous impression, fancy, delusion; belief, guess, surmise, conjecture; imagination; bias, prejudice; error; self-deception, self-delusion; illusion; suspicion, misgiving, doubt; foreboding, evil presentiment |
| Wahy, Vahy | Waḥy, Pers. also Vaḥy | inspiration; revelation (theology). Persian definition: indicating; suggesting; revealing; writing; revelation, anything (divine) suggested, inspired, or revealed (by vision or otherwise); a book, writing, epistle (especially of a sacred character) |
| Waj | ‘Waj | crooked |
| Wajab (Vajab) | Wajab | Pers. the full extent of something from end to end; the space that something covers. About 225 mm when a hand span is meant. A measure used by Shoghi Effendi to specify the spacing of plants. |
| Wajd (Wujd) | Wajd | strong emotion, emotional upset; passion, ardor; ecstasy of love |
| Wajh, Wujuh, Awjuh (Aujuh) | Wajh, pl. Wujúh, Awjuh | face, countenance; front, face, façade; outside; surface; right side of a fabric; dial (of a clock or watch); face, obverse (of a coin); prominent personality; exterior, look(s), appearance, guise, semblance; side; direction; intention, intent, design, purpose, aim, goal, objective, end; course, policy, guiding principle, precept; way, manner, mode, procedure, method; lesson, cause; sense, meaning, signification, purport; beginning, start, outset, first part of a given period of time;—(pl. wujúh and awjuh) aspect; approach, point of view; viewpoint, standpoint;—(pl. aujuh) phase (of the moon; also electricity) |
| Wajhahu | Wajhahú | to turn ones face toward something |
| Wajh-u-llah | Wajh-u-lláh, Wajh’u’lláh | The face or countenance of God. |
| Wajib (Vajib), Wajibat, Waja’ib | Wájib, pl. Wájibát, Wajá’ib | necessary, requisite, essential, indispensable, inevitable, unavoidable, inescapable; incumbent, imperative, binding, obligatory; proper, adequate, fair;—pl. duty, obligation; incumbency; requirement, exigency, necessity; task, assignment |
| Wajib al-Wujud (Vajibu’l-Vujud) | Wájib al-Wujud | necessary being or existence (God) |
| Wajid | Wájid | finding; finder; agitated, excited, upset, worried (about); in love (with) |
| Wajid (Vajid), Wujdan (Vujdan) | Wajíd, pl. Wujdán | Pers. level, plain ground. |
| Wajih, Wajiha, Wujaha’, Wajihat | Wajíh, pl. Wujahá’ | notable, noted, eminent, distinguished; eminent man, person of note, notable; leader; excellent, outstanding; acceptable, well-founded, sound. Plural princes, chiefs. Fem. wajíha[h or t], pl. wajíhát: lady of high social standing; lady of society, socialite. |
| Wajihu’llah | Wajíhu’lláh | Beneficence of God. Has been used as a name. |
| Wakala, Yakilu, Wakl, Wukul | Wakala, Yakilu, Wakl, Wukúl | to entrust, assign, commission, charge (with), put in charge (of); to authorize, empower, appoint as representative or agent, etc. |
| Wakil ad-Dawla, Wakilu’d-Dawla | Wakíl ad-Dawla, Wakílu’d-Dawla | attorney-general of the state |
| Wakil, Wukala, Vakil | Wakíl (Vakíl), pl. Wukalá (Vukalá) | authorized representative, attorney in fact, proxy; (business) manager; head clerk; deputy, representative, vice-agent; trustee; mandatory, defence counsel; attorney, lawyer; (Syrian military) approx.: technical sergeant. Narayenrao Rangnath Shethji is believed to be the first Hindu Bahá’í—better known as N. R. Vakil—served as Chairman Indian NSA for many years. |
| Walad, Awlad (Aulad), Wuld | Walad, pl. Aulád, Wuld | descendant, offspring, scion; child; son; boy; young animal, young one; (collective) progeny, offspring, children |
| Walaya | Waláya(t) | (noun) guardianship, curatorship; legal power; friendship. The range of meanings include: “vicegerency”, “guardianship”, “protectorship” and “successorship”. |
| Walaya, Wilaya | Waláya(h), Wiláya(h), Pers. Viláya(t) | (verb) to be in charge, run, administer, govern, have power, authority |
| Wali (Vali), Wulat (Waliyan) | Wálí, pl. Wulát or Wuláh | a prince, governor of a province; one who exercises jurisdiction or authority, a chief magistrate; a friend, a near relation; Turkish administrative title;—pl. governors, presidents; judges; lords. Pers. singular/plural also Válí/Wáliyán. |
| Wali al-'Ahd (Vali-'Ahd) | Walí al-'Ahd (Pers. Valí-'Ahd) | designated heir of a ruler, or crown prince |
| Wali Amru'llah (Valiy-i-Amru'llah) | Walí Amru'lláh | (Pers. Valíy-i-Amru'lláh, Iṣfahání Persian Valíyy-i-Amru'lláh) the "Guardian of the Cause of God" (Shoghi Effendi, appointed in The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá), Defender of the Faith, Leader, Commander-in-Chief. |
| Wali al-Amr | Walí al-Amr | the “guardian of the cause [of God]”, a Shí‘a expression used for the twelfth Imám |
| Wali’u’llah, Valiyu’llah | Walí’u’lláh, Pers. also Valíyu’lláh | “friend, custodian, guardian of God”. Valíyu’lláh Varqá Mírzá Valíyu’lláh Khán-i-Varqá (1884–1955) was a prominent Persian Bahá’í, and appointed a Hand of the Cause by Shoghi Effendi. He was the son of Varqá, the martyr-poet, and the father of ‘Alí-Muḥammad Varqá, the longest surviving Hand of the Cause of God for the Bahá’í Faith. He married Bahíyyih Khánum, daughter of the late Saní’s-Sulṭán, surnamed Saní Illáhí. They had ten children—seven survived childhood: ‘Alí Muḥammad; Mihdí; Malíḥih (Ms Qubád); Munírih (Mrs Farzar); Parvín (Mrs Muvaffiq); Maḥmúd; Lámi‘ (Mrs Níkanpúr). See walíy. |
| Walid, Walida, Walidayn | Walíd, fem. Walída[h], dual m. Walídáyn | (pl. wildán, wuldán, fem. walá’id) new-born child, baby; boy/girl, son/daughter; young, new; (with following genitive) the product of, the result of, occasioned by, engendered by, sprung from |
| Walid, Walida, Walidat, Walidayn | Wálid, fem. Wálida[h], dual m. Wálidáyn | (pl. fem. wálidát) procreator, progenitor; father/mother, parent; al-wálidán the parents, father and mother |
| Waliy Amr (Valiy-i-Amr) | Walíy Amr (Pers. Valíy-i-Amr) | the “guardian of the cause [of God]”, a Shí‘a expression used for the twelfth Imám |
| Waliy, Waliya, Awliya’ (Auliya’) | Walíy, fem. Walíya[t], pl. Awliyá’ | (Pers. also walí) near, nearby; neighbouring, adjacent; close;—pl. helper, supporter, benefactor, sponsor; friend, close associate; relative; patron, protector; legal guardian; curator, tutor; a man close to God, holy man, saint (in Islam); master; proprietor, possessor, owner. Persian also walí and awlíyá’. Walíya can also mean woman, lady. The plural (as used by Bahá’u’lláh) is usually understood as ‘saints’, in Bahá’í usage it refers to all Bahá’ís regardless of rank. Shoghi Effendi translated it as ‘friends’ or ‘believers’. |
| Waliyan, Valian, Valiyan, Veleyan, Velian | Waliyán | two villages in Írán (Alborz (36.020788, 50.842931) and Lorestan (33.721065, 48.884754) provinces) |
| Waqf, (Vaqf), Awqaf (Auqaf) | Waqf, pl. Awqáf | stopping, stop; halting, halt; discontinuation, suspension (of judgement), stay, standstill; pausing, resting; stagnation, dullness, listlessness (of the market); pause (grammar); checking, restraining, prevention; interruption, hitch, impediment, obstacle, obstruction; suspension from duty, removal from office, discharge, dismissal; blocking (of all account), stoppage (of salaries); religious endowment, wakf (English), “habous” (Islamic Law); endowment (in general), endowment fund; unalienable property. Pers. pronounced as vaqf. Sometimes written as vagf. In Persia, the landed property of the expected Imám. |
| Waqí’a, Waqa’i’ | Waqí‘a(h), pl. Waqá’i‘ | incident, event, occurrence, happening; encounter, battle;—pl. events, happenings, goings on, developments; factual findings, factual evidence, facts (of a legal case); proceedings (of an assembly); facts. Waqa’i’-Nigár (Pers.) chronicler, a person who gathers intelligence, a government reporter. |
| Waqif | Wáqif | standing still, motionless, at rest |
| Waqifa, Waqifiyya | Wáqifa or Wáqifiyya | those who hesitate or stop |
| Wara’ | Wara‘ | piety, piousness, godliness, god-fearing; caution, cautiousness, carefulness; timorousness, timidity, shyness, reserve, refraining from anything doubtful (in religious points), being scrupulous and apprehensive of doing wrong; being modest, chaste, and temperate |
| Waraq, Waraqun, Waraqa, Awraq | Waraq, fem. Waraqa[h or t] | (dual Waraqún, pl. Awráq, fem. Waraqát) foliage, leafage, leaves; paper; paper money, banknotes; thin sheet metal, laminated metal. Feminine waraqa[h or t], pl. waraqát. Pers. also waraqih, and forms with v instead of w. Bahá’u’lláh referred to His female descendants as Varaqih/Varaqát (“leaf/leaves”). See warqa. |
| Waraqatu’l-‘Ulya, Varaqatu’l-‘Ulya | Waraqatu’l-‘Ulyá | (also Varaqiy-i-‘Ulyá) “highest leaf”. Title first bestowed on Ásíyih Khánum (the “Most Exalted Leaf”) and after her passing on Bahíyyih Khánum (the “Greatest Holy Leaf”). Translations used by Shoghi Effendi to distinguish between them. |
| Waraqatu’l-Firdaws, Varaqatu’l-Firdaws | Waraqatu’l-Firdaws | “The Leaf of Paradise” |
| Waraqatu’r-Ridvan, Varaqatu’r-Ridvan | Waraqatu’r-Riḍván | “The Leaf of Delight”, “The Leaf of Paradise” |
| Ward, Warda, Wurud | Ward, fem. Warda[h or t], pl. Wurúd | (collective; nomen unitatis ة) rose(s); blossoms, flowers, bloom; fem. rose; rosette; cockade; rosebush |
| Wardat Abyad, Wardu’l-Abyad | Wardat Abyaḍ, Wardu’l-Abyaḍ | white rose. A favourite flower of Bahá’u’lláh’s was a particular white rose from His home in Ṭihrán. This rose, single with golden centre, brownish stalks, shiny leaves, and a peculiarly delightful scent, is now flourishing in the Riḍván Garden near ‘Akká. Martha Root relates the story that after the martyrdoms of ‘Alí Muḥammad Varqá and his son Rúḥu’lláh, a “new white rose began to be cultivated” in Írán, a “rose whose perfume will be more heralded than all the ‘aṭṭár of Írán, for this is the rose of ‘tolerance in religion’. For more than a thousand years Persia had not known this rose.” See warqá’. |
| Wardaward (Vardavard, Vard Avard) | Wardáward | village (35.737152, 51.129433) that is now a suburb on the west side of Teheran |
| Wardi (Vardi, Verdi), Wardiya | Wardí, fem. Wardíya[h or t] | roseate, rose-coloured, rosy; pink. ‘Alí al-Wardí, author of Lamḥát ijtimá‘iyya min ta’ríkh al-‘Iráq al-ḥadíth (tr. as “Social Glimpses in Modern Iraqi History”). Mírzá Buzurg Núrí, Bahá’u’lláh’s father, was Vazír of Imám Wardí Mírzá (1797–1868), governor of Ṭihrán. |
| Warid, Wurrad, Waridat | Wárid, pl. Wurrád, Wáridát | arriving; found, mentioned; newcomer, arrival;—pl. wáridát imports; receipts, incomings, returns, proceeds, takings |
| Wariq | Wariq, Wáriq | leafy, green, verdant |
| Warith | Wárith, pl. Waratth, Wurráth | inheriting; heir, inheritor |
| Warq | Warq | stripping (a tree) of its leaves; coming into leaf (a tree) |
| Warqa, Varqa, Warqat | Warqa[h or t], pl. Warqát | a derivative of w-r-q and fem. form of warq that was used by Bahá’u’lláh. leaf or leaves, but Shoghi Effendi uses a metonymy, “nightingale”, in the Tablet of Aḥmad: “‘nightingale of Paradise’ (warqat al-Firdaws) singeth upon the twigs of the Tree of Eternity”; and “bird of Heaven” in Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Warqa’ | Warqá’, Pers. Varqá | brown, tawny, dusky-coloured (she-wolf or pigeon); a she-wolf; a female pigeon. Mírzá ‘Alí Muḥammad (executed 1896) was surnamed Varqá by Bahá’u’lláh (Shoghi Effendi uses a metonymy, “Dove”). His second son was Mírzá Valíyu’lláh Khán-i-Varqá (1884–1955), and his son was ʻAlí-Muḥammad Varqá (1911–2007). |
| Warqa’i | Warqá’í, Pers. Varqá’í | of or belonging to the pigeon/dove |
| Warqa’iya | Warqá’íya, Pers. Varqá’íyya | pigeon/dove/nightingale song |
| Was | Wás | Pers. an ear of wheat or barley |
| Wasat | Waṣát | Pers. a command, charge, will, testament; counsel, advice, exhortation. |
| Wasat, Ausat, Wasatin | Wasaṭ, pl. Ausáṭ | middle; center, heart; waist; milieu, environment, surroundings, sphere; means, instrument, agent, medium; mediocrity, medium quality, average;—pl. circles, quarters, classes, strata (of the population). wasaṭin or wasaṭan: in the middle or midst of, within |
| Wasf, Wasfa, Awsaf (Ausaf) | Waṣf, fem. Waṣfa[h or t], pl. Awṣaf | description, depiction, portrayal, characterization;—pl. quality, property; characteristic, distinguishing mark, peculiarity; adjective (grammar); fem. also medical prescription |
| Wash (Vush). Wush (Vush) | Wash | Pers. good, excellent, choice, beautiful, fair; the end of a turban-sash hanging loose; a rich kind of satin. A particle of similitude added to nouns, as: qamarwash, moon-like. |
| Was-Kas (Vas-Kas) | Wás-Kas | Pers. a small village (36.414954, 52.867229) 5 km south of Qá’im Shahr |
| Washshash (Vashshash) | al-Washshásh | neighbourhood of Baghdád—once a farm where Bahá’u’lláh celebrated Riḍván (1863). See Manṣúr |
| Wasi, Vasi’, Wasa’ | Wasí‘ (Pers. Vasí‘), pl. Wisá‘ | wide, vast; roomy, spacious, large; capacious |
| Wasi’, Vasi’ | Wási‘ | wide; broad; large, roomy, spacious, vast, sweeping, extensive; far-reaching |
| Wasil, Wasila, Wasilat | Wáṣil, fem. Wáṣila[h or t] | one who joins, meets, or arrives; arrived, met; joined, connected, coupled; name of a man. Fem. a woman who joins false hair to her own.—pl. fem. wáṣilát, the total collected under every description (a revenue-form in India). |
| Wasiy (Wasi, “Vasi”), Awsiya’ (Ausiya’) | Waṣíy (Waṣí), pl. Awṣiyá’ | plenipotentiary, mandatory, authorized agent, commissioner; executor; legal guardian, curator, tutor; administrator, caretaker, trustee; regent; testator; client, principal. In Persian Bayan 6:14 “regarding titles, in this Dispensation no one is called by the name viceregent (waṣíy ) or prophet (nabí )”, instead all should only be called “believers” … Gate of the Heart, 348. This also applies to Mírzá Yaḥyá. |
| Wasiya (Wasayat), Wasaya | Waṣíya(t), pl. Waṣáyá | direction, directive, instruction, injunction, order, command, commandment; recommendation advice, counsel, admonition, exhortation; will, testament, testamentary disposition; bequest, legacy |
| Wasiyat-Nama (Wasiyat-Namah) | Waṣíyat-Náma | Pers. last will, testament; name of a work of Farídu’d-dín ‘Aṭṭár. |
| Wasiyya | Waṣiyya | will or trusteeship |
| Waskas, Vaskas, Vas-Kas | Wáskas, Pers. Váskas, Vás-Kas | village (5 km south of Qá’im Shahr, 36.415021, 52.867400), Mázandarán Province |
| Waswas, Wasawis | Waswás, pl. Wasáwis | devilish insinuation, temptation; wicked thoughts; doubt, misgiving, suspicion; delusion, fixed idea; uneasiness, anxiety, concern; melancholy; al-Waswás the Tempter, Satan. See Qur’án 114:4. |
| Waswasi | Waswásí | doubtful, distracting; apprehensive; melancholy, morbid |
| Watad, Watid, Awtad | Watad, Watid, pl. Awtád | peg, pin; tent pin, tent peg; stake, pole |
| Watan (Vatan), Autan | Waṭan, pl. Auṭán | homeland, home country, fatherland; home. Modern meaning nation. Bahrám Kaykhusraw Vaṭankháh, an Indian Bahá’í. |
| Watani, Wataniyun | Waṭaní, pl. Waṭaníyún | home; native; indigenous, domestic; patriotic; national; nationalistic;—pl. nationalist, patriot |
| Wathiqa, Yathiqu, Thiqa, Wuthuq | Wathiqa, Yathiqu (Thiqa, Wuthúq) | to place one’s confidence, put faith (in) rely, depend (on) |
| Waw, Vav | Wáw, Pers. Váv | letter of alphabet |
| Wayl (Wail) | Wayl | affliction, distress, woe |
| Waz, Vaz | Wáz, (Váz) | Pers. a desisting, giving over, suspending, relinquishing, letting alone, abandoning, deserting, renouncing, taking no care of. Small villages (lower and upper): 1. Wáz-i-‘Ulyá, also known as Váz-i-Bálá or Váz Bálá (upper Váz), 26 km SW of Ámul (36.326665, 52.123731). 2. Váz-i-Suflá; also known as Váz, Váz-i-Pá’ín, Váz Pá’ín, and Wáz (lower Váz) is a village 2 km NW of Váz-i-‘Ulyá (36.342218, 52.108247). |
| Wazara, Yaziru | Wazara, Yaziru | (wizr) to take upon oneself, carry (a burden) |
| Wazír-i-A‘ẓam | Wazír-i-A‘ẓam | “the Grand Vizier” or “the Prime Minister”. A high-ranking political position in the Ottoman Empire and other Islamic states. The Grand Vizier was the chief minister of the Sulṭán and was responsible for the administration of the state. The position was abolished following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire in 1923. See aṣ-Ṣadr al-A‘ẓam. |
| Wazir (Vazir), Wuzara’ | Wazír (Pers. also Vazír), pl. Wuzará’ | (cabinet) minister; vizier; queen (in chess). From wazara (to carry a heavy burden). |
| Wijdan (Vijdan, Wajdan) | Wijdán | passionate excitement; ecstasy; emotional life, psychic forces; feeling, sentiment |
| Wijdani (Wujdani, Vijdani) | Wijdání | emotional; psychic, mental; sentimental. Mírzá Yúsuf Khán-i-Thábit Vujdání. |
| Wilashahr (Vilashahr), Wila Shahr | Wíláshahr or Wílá Shahr | Pers. (Víláshahr or Vílá Shahr) a small town in Írán, located in the rural area of Iṣfahán (city) and in 5 km NE of Najafábád. |
| Wilaya, Vilayat, Wilayat | Wiláya(t), pl. Wiláyát | sovereign power, sovereignty; rule, government;—pl. administrative district headed by a walí (formerly, under the Ottoman Empire), province; state. The range of meanings include: “vicegerency”, “guardianship”, “protectorship” and “successorship”. |
| Wilayat al-Faqih, Vilayat-i-Faqih | Wiláyat al-Faqíh (Pers. Viláyat-i-Faqíh) | The “Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist” or the “Governance of the Jurist”, is a theory in Shí‘a Islám that believes Islám gives a faqíh (Islamic jurist) custodianship over people, i.e. that government belongs by right to those who are learned in jurisprudence. The constitution of Írán calls for a faqíh or wiláyat al-faqíh (Guardian Jurist) to serve as the Supreme Leader of the government. In the context of Írán, wiláyat al-faqíh is often referred to as “rule by the jurisprudent” or “rule of the Islamic jurist”. |
| Wilhelm | Wilhelm | Roy C. Wilhelm (1875–1951) He initiated and sustained one of the earliest efforts (early 1900s) to make printed compilations of sacred texts more widely available—tiny blue ‘No. 9’ pamphlets. |
| Wird (Vird), Aurad | Wird, pl. Aurád | watering place; animals coming to the water; (pl.) specified time of day or night devoted to private worship (in addition to the five prescribed prayers); a section of the Qur’án recited on this occasion |
| Wirdi (Virdi) | Wirdí (Virdí) | Pers. given, bestowed |
| Wisal (Visal) | Wiṣál | reunion, being together (of lovers); communion (in love); being united in friendship, society, or confederacy; doing (anything) without interruption; meeting, interview, conjunction, arrival, attainment, fruition. |
| Wisaya | Wiṣáya | guardianship, curatorship, tutorship; executorships; tutelage; mandate (politics); trusteeship |
| Worlds (Zaman, Dahr, Sarmad, Azal) | Worlds (Zamán, Dahr, Sarmad, Azal) | zamán [world of time having a beginning and end]; dahr [world of duration having a beginning but whose end is not revealed]; sarmad [world of perpetuity whose beginning is not to be seen but which is known to have an end]; and azal [world of eternity where neither the beginning nor end of which is visible]. (Logos and Civilization, p. 96.) |
| Wudu’ | Wuḍú’ | purity, cleanness, cleanliness; ritual ablution before prayer |
| Wujud (Vujud) | Wujúd | finding, discovery; being; existence; presence; whereabouts; stay, visit. The Imams defined three categories of existence: 1. Necessary existence(wájib al-wújud), which defines the existence of Alláh (God). God exists independently through Himself and His existence is necessary for the existence of all other things. None of His creation share in His existence. This category of being the Sufis describe as “oneness of being” (waḥdat al-ẃujud). 2. Contingent existence (al-wújud al-mumkin). This defines the existence of created things that may or may not exist. Created things have no independent being and their existence is not necessary. God created them through His will, power and knowledge, and if He willed they would have no existence. 3. Impossible being (mustaḥíl al-wújud), which includes the existence of a co-sharer in God’s entity, attributes or actions. |
| Wujud al-Mumkin | al-Wujúd al-Mumkin | contingent existence |
| Wujudiyah (Wujudiyyah) | Wujúdíya(h) | Islamic school of mystical philosophy, a form of pantheism: God exists in everything, but not everything is God. |
| Wuquf, Waqif | Wuqúf, pl. Wáqif | stopping, stop; halting, halt; standing (in adoration); stand, stance; pursuit, occupation (with), search, inquiry (into), investigation, cognizance, knowledge, understanding, comprehension; (Islamic Law) abeyance of rights;—pl. standing |
| Wus’ (Vus’) | Wus‘ (وسع) | ability, capability, faculty; capacity; power, strength; holding capacity. |
| Wusta, Wusat | Wusṭá fem., pl. Wusaṭ | middle, central; the middle finger |
| Wusul, Wusulat | Wuṣúl, pl. Wuṣúlát | arrival; attainment, obtainment, achievement; receipt; (pl.) receipt. Pers. also voucher; union with, or enjoyment of, a wished-for object; collection acquisition |
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| X | ||
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| Y | ||
| Ya | Yá | (vocative and exclamatory particle) O, oh, or “O Thou” in the sense of “O Thou who art”. Land of Yá, Yazd. |
| Ya ‘Aliyu’l-‘Ala, Ya ‘Aliyyu’l-‘Ala |
Yá ‘Alíyu’l-‘Alá, Yá ‘Aliyyu’l-‘Alá |
“O Thou the Exalted of the Exalted!” |
| Ya ‘Aliyu’l-A‘la, Ya ‘Aliyyu’l-A‘la |
Yá ‘Alíyu’l-A‘lá, Yá ‘Aliyyu’l-A‘lá |
“O Thou the Exalted of the Most Exalted!” is an invocation addressed to the Báb. Same as “Yá-‘Alíy-i-A‘lá” (Pers.) [Ya-‘Ali-el-Ala]—‘Alí is the first name of the Báb and it means exalted or high. A‘lá, which is the title of the Báb, means “the Most High”. The Báb is usually known in Írán as Haḍrat-i-A‘lá [Hazrat’e A’la]. Hence, “O Thou the Exalted One who art the Most Exalted” and it refers to the Báb. |
| Ya Allahu’l-Mustaghath | Yá Alláhu’l-Mustagháth | [Ya Allah El-Mostaghos] (“O God, He Who is invoked” or “O Thou God Who art invoked”, the cycle of every Divine Dispensation, invocation revealed by the Báb. Specifically, the time of Mústagháth is the day of the Latter Resurrection, that is time of Bahá’u’lláh’s Dispensation, See The Kitáb-i-Íqán, pp. 229, 248; God Passes By, p. 27; and The Dawn-Breakers, pp. 304–5. See Yá Iláha’l-Mustagháth. |
| Ya Baba’l-Abha | Yá Bába’l-Abhá | “O Gate of the All-Glorious” |
| Ya Baha’u’l-Abha | Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá | (“O Glory of Glories”, or “O Glory of the All-Glorious”) “The Greatest Name” يا بهاء الابها 1 |
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| Z | ||
| Za, Ze, Zal | Zá’, Z or Ze, Zál | Per. letters transcripted as ẓ, z and dh |
| Za’faran (Zaaferan) | Za‘farán | saffron “The Blessed Tree in the land of Za‘farán referreth to the land which is flourishing, blessed, holy and all-perfumed, where that Tree hath been planted.”(Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 137). A village (36.104670, 50.117758) in Qazvin Province. |
| Za’im al-Dawla, Za’imu’d-Dawla | Za‘ím al-Dawla, Za‘ímu’d-Dawla | “leader of the state” |
| Za’im, Zu’ama’ | Za‘ím, pl. Zu‘amá’ | leader; ringleader; colonel (Írán 1922); brigadier general (military; formerly Syrian); guarantor (of) |
| Za’ir, Za’run, Zuwwar | Zá’ir, pl. Zá’irún, Zuwwár | visitor, caller, guest |
| Za’ira, Za’irat, Zuwwar | Zá’ira, pl. Zá’irát, Zuwwar | fem. visitor, caller, guest |
| Za’irpur | Zá’irpúr | Ṭúbá Zá’irpúr (MUHJ 573) |
| Zabadani | Zabádání | (Pers. “Zabadanih”, “Zabadaneh”) az-Zabádání is a city and popular hill station in southwestern Syria in the Rif Dimashq Governorate (Muḥáfaẓat Ríf Dimashq, “Governorate of the Countryside of Damascus”), close to the border with Lebanon. 30 km NW of the centre of Damascus. |
| Zabarjad (Zabargad) | Zabarjad (Pers. also Zabargad) | chrysolite (a mineral; from Greek chrysólithos, “golden stone”); archaically, any of several green or yellow-green-coloured gemstones including: topaz, chrysoberyl, zircon, tourmaline, apatite. At the time gem stones were classified only by their colour. |
| Zabarjadi, Zarjadin | Zabarjadí, Pers. also Zabarjadín | of the colour of chrysolite (a mineral) |
| Zabihu’llah (Gabi’u’llah) | Zabíḥu’lláh | Pers. (see Ar. Dhabíḥu’lláh) “Sacrifice of God” |
| Zabul | Zábul | (Zabol) is a city in and the capital of Zabol County, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Írán. Zabol lies on the border with Afghánistán. Referred to as Sístán until the late 1920s, the city was renamed Zabol by Riḍá Sháh Pahlaví.. |
| Zabur | Zabúr | (Book of) Psalms, Psalter |
| Zada-zad (Zadihzad) | Záda-zád (suffix, also záda) | Pers. born of, son of, offspring of |
| Zad, Zada (Zadih, Zadeh), Zadagan | Zád, Záda, pl. Zádagán | Pers. (pl. "zadegan") born, a son; offspring, generation; born of, descendant of (as a suffix). As a suffix, زاده (záda or zádah), is not specifically feminine or masculine, it is used as part of titles or nicknames for members of royalty, and it is also used to form surnames. |
| Zafar | Ẓafar | victory, triumph |
| Zafir | Ẓáfir | victorious, triumphant; successful; victor, conqueror |
| Zafira | Ẓafira | to be successful, succeed, be victorious, be triumphant; conquer, vanquish, defeat, overcome, surmount |
| Zagh | Zágh | Pers. a crow, raven, rook; a sort of pigeon; vitriol; sedition, mutiny; bias, inclination; name of a note in music; a name for a created being |
| Zagh va Bulbul | Zágh va Bulbul | Tablet of (the Raven and the Nightingale) In Persian literature the raven’s coarse croak is symbolic of evil while the owl is a symbol of doom and ruin. |
| Zaghrus (Zagros) | Zághrús | Pers. the Zagros Mountains (Jibál Zághrús, Pers. Kúh háy-i-Zágrus) are a long mountain range in Írán, northern ‘Iráq, and SE Türkiye |
| Zahara (Zuhur) | Ẓahara (Ẓuhúr) | to be or become visible, perceptible, distinct, manifest, clear, apparent, evident, obvious (to someone), come to light, appear, manifest itself, come into view, show, emerge, crop up; to appear, seem. See ẓuhúr. |
| Zahid, Zuhhad, Zahidan | Záhid, pl. Zuhhád, Pers. also Záhidán | religious, devout, abstemious, abstinent, continent, self-denying; ascetic; a monk, hermit; a zealot. Záhidán (Zaidan, Zaydan) formerly known as Duzdáb and renamed by Riḍá Sháh Pahlaví in the late 1920s, is a city and capital of Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Írán (near the SE border). |
| Zahir | Ẓáhir | external or literal outer, outside, exterior, outward; superficial; Zahiritic, interpreting the Qur’án according to its literal meaning |
| Zahir, Zawahir | Ẓáhir, fem. Ẓáhira[h or t], pl. Ẓawáhir | (of God) mastering, knowing (something); visible, perceptible, distinct, manifest, obvious (literal), exoteric, conspicuous, clear, patent, evident, apparent; external, exterior, outward; seeming, presumed, ostensible, alleged; outside, exterior, surface; outskirts, periphery (of a city); (grammar) substantive;—pl. external sense, literal meaning (specifically of Qur’án and Prophetic Tradition). See opposite Báṭin. Ẓahír ad-Dín Muḥammad, was the founder of the Mughal Empire and first Emperor of the Mughal dynasty (r. 1526–1530) in the Indian subcontinent. Nicknamed Babr. See Babrí. |
| Zahiran | Ẓáhiran | externally, outwardly; seemingly, presumably, ostensibly, allegedly. See Báṭin, ta’wíl |
| Zahiri | Ẓáhirí | external or literal |
| Zahiriya | Ẓáhiríya[h or t] | manifestation, externality. “Literalists”, followers of an Islamic legal and theological school that insisted on strict adherence to the literal text (ẓáhir) of the Qur’án and Ḥadíth as the only source of Muslim law. It rejected practices in law (fiqh) such as analogical reasoning (qiyás) and pure reason (ra’y) as sources of jurisprudence and looked askance at consensus (ijmá‘). |
| Zahiru’l-‘Umar | Ẓáhiru’l-‘Umar | Recognized by Turkish authorities as Governor of ‘Akká from about 1750 to 1775. |
| Zahr, Zuhur, Azhur, Azhar, Azahir | Zahr, pl. Zuhúr, Azhur, Azhár | (collective) flowers; blossoms;—other plurals: Azáhir (“Azahir”), Azáhír. fem. Zahra[h or t] (zara sometimes used), pl. Zahrát (“Zahrat”)—flower (especially a yellow one); the freshness and bloom of a plant; flower, blossom; splendour; beauty, grace, loveliness. |
| Zahr, Zuhur, Azhur, Zuhurat | Ẓahr, pl. Ẓuhúr, Aẓhur | back; rear, rear part, rear aide, reverse; flyleaf; deck (of a steamer); upper part, top, surface. Ẓuhúrát (as a genitive; for example) pro tempore, provisional, temporary. |
| Zahrawi | Zahráwí | gay, merry, cheerful (person). ‘Abdu’l-Hádíy-i-Zahráwí |
| Zahru’l-Kufah, Zahru’l-Kufih | Ẓahru’l-Kúfah | a description of Baghdád and Najaf in Islamic traditions |
| Zajra | Zajra[h or t] | a shout, trumpet blast |
| Zaka | Zaká | to thrive; to grow, increase; to be pure in heart, be just, righteous, good; to be fit, suitable (for someone), befit (someone) |
| Zakah, Zakat, Zakan, Zakawat | Zakáh (or Zakát), pl. Zakan, Zakawát | purity; justness, integrity, honesty; justification, vindication. Zakáh does not refer to the obligatory tithe but to the general principle of helping the poor, and this is achieved, according to Muslim law, by the giving (‘ámil) of alms as a means of purifying or securing a blessing to the rest of one’s possessions. Hence, zakáh is understood to mean alms-giving, alms, charity; alms tax (Islamic law) |
| Zakariya, Zakaria or Zakari | Zakaríya, Zakaría or Zakarí | Zacharias (prophet Zechariah), which is of Hebrew origin, meaning “God has remembered” |
| Zakariyyay-i-Qadi-Kala’i | Zakaríyyáy-i-Qáḍí-Kalá’í | a cousin of Khusraw-i-Qáḍí-Kalá’í, and his successor |
| Zakhu | Zákhú | (Zakho) a city in northern ‘Iráq, at the centre of the eponymous Zakho District of the Dohuk Governorate of ‘Iráqí Kurdistán, located a few kilometers from the ‘Iráqí-Turkish border. 97 km NNW of Mosul |
| Zakiy (Zaki), Zakiya, Azkiya | Zakíy (Zakí), fem. Zakíya[h or t] | (pl. Azkiyá) pure; chaste; virtuous; guiltless, blameless, sinless. Pers. Bahá’í fem. also Zakiyyih or Zakíyyih. |
| Zalam | Ẓalám | evildoer, villain, malefactor, rogue, scoundrel, tyrant, oppressor |
| Zalamina | Ẓalamína | unjust, Qur’án 26:209 |
| Zalamun | Ẓalámún | oppressors, wrongdoers (Qur’án 5:45, 4:75; Making the crooked straight p. 45) |
| Zalim, Zalimun, Zullam, Zalama | Ẓálim pl. Ẓálimún, Ẓullám, Ẓalama | unjust, unfair, iniquitous, tyrannical, oppressing; tyrant, oppressor; offender, transgressor, sinner. Náẓimu’sh-Sharí‘ah was known as Ẓálim, the Tyrant. |
| Zalum | Ẓalúm | one who puts a thing not in its proper place; most cruel, unjust, tyrannical. Part of Qur’án 33:72 is often translated as “... but man (al-insánu, usually translated as “the Perfect Man”) undertook it (al-amánata, “the trust” or “the faith in God”)—he was indeed unjust (ẓalúman) and foolish (jahúla). However, this must be incorrect when applied to the Prophet. The Báb stated “Man, this ‘Alí” was the “Wronged One” (ẓalúm) and He was indeed “been entitled ‘the Unknown’ (jahúl)” (See SWB, p. 70). ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (Má’idiy-i-Ásmání, vol. 2, p. 50): “... the Bearer of the most weighty Trust as ‘ẓalúm and jahúl’, these words do not mean unjust and ignorant; ... their meaning is the one wronged and unknown ... the Bearer of the Supreme Trust is oppressed ... the people disdainfully deny Him, and His station is not known; they do not appreciate Him.” See jahúl. |
| Zalzal, Zilzal | Zalzál, Zilzál | concussion, shock, convulsion; earthquake |
| Zalzala, Zalazil | Zalzala[h or t] (fem.), pl. Zalázil | affliction, misfortune; to shake, rock, convulse, cause to tremble; earthquake |
| Zaman, Azman | Zaman, pl. Azmán | time; period, stretch of time; duration |
| Zaman, Azmina | Zamán, pl. Azmina | time, era; duration; fortune, late, destiny. World of time or age. In the Hidden Words: “hallowed precincts of Zamán” or the “blessed locale of Time" (buq‘a mubáraka zamán). See Ṣáḥib az-Zamán. |
| Zamani, Zamaniyan | Zamání, pl. Zamániyán | Pers. temporal; worldly; frail.—pl. people of the world. |
| Zamin | Zamín | Pers. earth, ground; floor; land, soil; a region, country; the pavement at the bottom of a pond or cistern; the ground of a picture; (adv.) on the ground or floor |
| Zamzam | Zamzam | copious, abundant (especially water). Sacred well (also called Hagar’s well) within the precincts of the Great Mosque at Mecca (it is about 25 m east of the Ka‘ba). |
| Zan, Zanan | Zan, pl. Zanán | Pers. a woman; a lady; a bride, a wife; effeminate, timid, cowardly; one who assumes a bold and animated air in walking |
| Zana, Zinan, Zina | Zaná, Zinan, Ziná’ | to commit adultery, fornicate, whore |
| Zanana (Zenana) | Zanána | Pers. women’s apartments; feminine; womanly. The inner apartments of a house in which the women of the family live. See mardána. |
| Zand, Zinad, Zunud | Zand m. & f., pl. Zinád, Zunúd | stick of a fire drill, a primitive device for kindling fire; by extension, the whole fire drill;—zand, zind, pl. zunúd, ulna (anatomy); forearm. Pers. Book of Zand written in Zand dialect and Zand dynasty. |
| Zandaqa | Zandaqa(t) | a belief in the two principles of light and darkness; impiety, heresy; atheism. See zindíq |
| Zangi | Zangí | Pers. Egyptian, Ethiopian, Moor, Negro; a savage; a fool; name of the founder of a dynasty |
| Zanj, Zinj, Zunuj | Zanj, Zinj (colloquial), pl. Zunúj | Negro. Arabic form of Zangí |
| Zanjan | Zanján | city (36.683110, 48.509688) between Qazvín and Tabríz, formerly Zangán. Home of Ḥujjat. Arḍ-i-Zá'. |
| Zanjani, Zanjaniyun | Zanjání, pl. Zanjáníyún | of or from Zanján |
| Zann, Zunun | Ẓann, pl. Ẓunún | opinion, idea, assumption, view, belief, supposition; doubt, uncertainty |
| Zaqqum | Zaqqúm | an infernal tree with exceedingly bitter fruit, the fruit of which is supposed to be the heads of devils; a thorny tree, cactus. Shajaratu’z-zaqqúm is mentioned in Qur’án 37:62, 44:43. It is said 44:43 (“bitter tree”) can refer to Ḥájí Mírzá Karím Khán, who was also a heavy smoker. |
| Zar | Zar | Pers. gold; money, riches, wealth; an old man or woman; an old man, grey and ruddy |
| Zar-duz | Zar-Dúz (Zar-Doz) | Pers. an embroiderer; embroidered; fastened with golden nails (a coffin). |
| Zar-duzi | Zar-Dúzí (Zar-Dozí) | Pers. embroidery, often with gold and silver thread |
| Zaradusht, Zardusht (Zardosht) | Zarádusht, Zardusht | Pers. Zoroaster |
| Zarand | Zarand | a city (76 km NW Kerman) and capital of Zarand County, Kerman Province, Írán |
| Zard | Zard | Pers. yellow, saffron-coloured; pale, pallid, wan; saffron |
| Zard, Zara, Zirih, Zarud | Zard, (Pers. Zara, Zirih), pl. Zarúd | chain mail, coat of mail. |
| Zardastan | Zardastán | (Zar+dastán?) Eminent Bahá’ís in the Time of Bahá’u’lláh, p.291 |
| Zargar | Zargár, Zargar | Pers. goldsmith |
| Zari’, Zurra’ | Zári‘, pl. Zurrá‘ | seedsman, sower; peasant; farmer; planter |
| Zarin, Zarrin (Zarrinih or Zarrineh) | Zarín, Zarrín | Pers. golden |
| Zargandih (Zargandeh, Zarkandih) | Zargandih | Pers. (zar = gold) (Zarkandih “struck or filled with gold”). Former small village (35.773149, 51.432725) in the Shimírán division of Teheran, site of the Russian legation in 1852. Now a quarter (8 km north of the city centre) in Sector 3. |
| Zarqan | Zarqán | (from zarghún, “lush”) (Zarghan, Zarghanak). City (29.765310, 52.710449) in Fars Province; 20 km ENE of Shíráz. |
| Zarqani | Zarqání | Mírzá Maḥmúd Zarqání (c. 1875–1924), travel teacher and secretary for Shoghi Effendi. Maḥmúd’s Diary: The Diary of Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání Chronicling ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Journey to America, is a translation of vol. 1 of his Kitáb-i-Badá’i‘ al-Áthár (“Book of Wondrous Impressions” in two vols). |
| Zarrin-Taj | Zarrín-Táj | “Crown of Gold”, one of the titles given to Ṭáhirih by her family |
| Zartusht, Zardusht | Zartusht, Zardusht | Pers. supreme intelligence; divine light; the rational soul; the first created; the planet Mercury; a truth-speaker; Zoroaster or Zarathustra. Founder of the Zoroastrian religion. |
| Zatuna, Zaytunat | Zaytúna(h or t), pl. Zaytúnát | olive tree, olive |
| Zawal (Zaval) | Zawál | end, passage, extinction, disappearance, vanishing, cessation; setting (of the sun); noon (or zenith) |
| Zawar, Zawara, Zawarih, Zavarih | Zawár, Zawára, Pers. Zawárih | Pers. (Zavareh) an under jailer; a servant; the brother of Rustam; a city in Persian ‘Iráq founded by him. A city in and the capital of Zavareh District, in Ardestan County, Iṣfahán Province, Írán. 14 km NE of Ardestan and 115 km NE of Iṣfahán. |
| Zawar, Zuwar | Zawár | a visitor; a stranger, pilgrim;—pl. zúwár visitors |
| Zawj (Zauj), Azwaj | Zawj, pl. Azwáj | to pair, couple, mate, join in pairs or couples (something); to double, geminate (something); to employ parallelism (rhetoric) |
| Zawra | Zawrá’ | Western side of Baghdád (split by Tigris River) was also known (by Persians) as az-Zawrá (the bent or the crooked). See ar-Rawḥá |
| Zayanda | Záyanda | Pers. bringing forth; a mother |
| Zayandih-Rud | Záyandih-Rúd | Pers. from Záyandih “life giver” and Rúd “river”, is the largest river of the Iranian Plateau in central Írán. |
| Zayd (Zaid) | Zayd | Pers. being augmented; increasing, augmenting, adding; proper name of a man, frequently used in a fictitious manner |
| Zaydan (Zaidan) | Zaydán | Jurjí Zaydán. See Záhidán |
| Zaydi (Zaidi) | Zaydí | followers of the Zaydi Islamic jurisprudence (named after Zayd ibn ‘Alí, the grandson of Ḥusayn ibn ‘Alí and the son of their fourth Imám ‘Alí ibn Ḥusayn) are called Zaydí and make up about 35–42% of Muslims in Yemen, with the vast majority of Shí‘a Muslims in the country being Zaydí. The followers dismiss religious dissimulation (taqíya). They are a Shí‘ih breakaway group. |
| Zaydiyya (Zaidiyya) | Zaydiyya(h) | Zaidism (Arabic: az-zaydiyya, adjective form zaydí) is one of the Shí‘a sects closest in terms of theology to Ḥanafí Sunní Islám. |
| Zayn (Zain, Zine), Zina, Zinat | Zayn, fem. Zína[h or t], pl. Zínát | beauty; beautiful, nice, pretty;—fem. embellishment, adornment, ornament, decoration; cloth, attire, finery; toilette |
| Zaynab | Zaynab | Ar. fem. (many spelling variations) “a father’s precious jewel” or “the one who glorifies a father”. It is derived from the Arabic root words “zína” (meaning precious jewel, what glorifies someone, source of beauty) and “ab” (meaning father). It can also mean “fragrant flower”. Daughter, wives and granddaughter (Zaynab ibnat ‘Alíy) of Muḥammad. Believed to be a modification of Zenobia. Also a girl from a village near Zanján who disguised herself as a man to join others at the fort at Zanján. |
| Zaynu’l-‘Abidun | Zaynu’l-‘Ábidún | “The ornament of the worshippers” or the “Prince of Worshippers”. Title of the fourth Imám, ‘Alí Ibn Ḥusayn, and of a distinguished Bahá’í, Fawzí Zaynu’l-‘Ábidín, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Zaynu’l-Mukhlisun | Zaynu’l-Mukhliṣún | “the adorning of the sincere ones”, surname given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Zaynu’l-‘Ábidín Ismá‘íl, father of Fawzí Zaynu’l-‘Ábidín. |
| Zaynu’l-Muqarrabin | Zaynu’l-Muqarrabín | “the Ornament of the Near Ones” or “the Ornament of the favoured” |
| Zayta (Zaita) | Zaytá | transcription from Hebrew, זית, olive. Mount Zaytá (Mount of Olives). See Tíná and Zaytún. |
| Zaytun (Zaitun, Zaytoun) | Zaytún, fem. Zaytúna[h or t] | (pl. fem. Zaytúnát) (collective noun) olive tree; olive(s). az-Zaytún, a district of Cairo that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá resided in. Jabal az-Zaytún (Mount of Olives, Jerusalem). See Tíná and Zaytá |
| Zayya, Tazayya | Zayyá | to dress, clothe, costume (someone in). Form V tazayyá to dress, put on a dress or costume; to dress up, smarten oneself up, to be dressed, be clad (in), wear (something). |
| Zhinus | Zhínús | Zhínús Muḥmúdí |
| Zib (Zeb) | Zíb | Pers. ornament, elegance, beauty; lovely, graceful |
| Ziba (Zeba) | Zíbá | Pers. beautiful, elegant; adorned, arranged; consistent. Zíbá Khánum (d. 1932), African slave owned by Fatḥ-ʿAlí Sháh. Son Ghulám-‘Alí Siyáh (1871–1949) became a Bahá’í. |
| Zihar | Ẓihár | pre-Islamic form of divorce, consisting in the words of repudiation: you are to me like my mother’s back. It is an insult proffered by a husband upon his wife that likens the wife to some prohibited female relation of his, and exposes the husband to divorce. See muḥallil |
| Zihtab | Zihtáb | Ismá‘íl Zihtáb |
| Zij | Zíj | leveling line (used by masons); ephemeris, astronomical almanac. Zíj as-Sindhind (“astronomical tables of Siddhanta”) by al-Khárazmí. |
| Zill, Zilal, Zulul, Azlal | Ẓill, pl. Ẓilál, Ẓulúl, Aẓlál | shadow, shade, umbra; shelter, protection, patronage; shading, hub; slightest indication, semblance, trace, glimpse (of something); tangent (geometry). See Shabaḥ |
| Zillu’llah | Ẓillu’lláh | “Shadow of God” DB xxxviii |
| Zillu’s-Sultan | Ẓillu’s-Sulṭán | “Shadow of the King”, Prince Mas‘úd Mírzá |
| Zin | Zín | Pers. a saddle |
| Zina (Zyna), Zinat (Zynat and Zeenat) | Zína[h or t], pl. Zínát | embellishment, adornment, ornament, decoration; cloth, attire, finery. Zínat Khánum (Zínat Baghdádí), wife of Dr Baghdádí. |
| Zinda, Zindagan | Zinda, pl. Zindagán | Pers. alive, living; life; a match, or anything similar catching fire; poor, needy; great, huge, terrible; proud, haughty;—pl. the living |
| Zindagani | Zindagání | Pers. life; sustenance, food |
| Zindan | Zindán | Pers. a prison, jail; pound, pin fold |
| Zindan-i-Awin | Zindán-i-Áwín | Pers. Evin Prison (35.795085, 51.385770) in the Evin neighbourhood of Tehran, Írán |
| Zindiq, pl. Zanadiq, Zanadiqa | Zindíq, pl. Zanádíq, Zanádiqa[h or t] | Pers. one who maintains the doctrine of two principles (light and darkness); a “fire-worshipper”; an atheist, a disbeliever in God and a future state; a heretic; impious; hypocritical.—pl. Sadducees; infidels; atheists; “fire-worshippers”; pagans, heretics. See zandaqa |
| Zinjir, Zanjir | Zinjír, Zanjír | Pers. a chain; the rippling surface of water; a harrow; a ploughshare, coulter |
| Zira’a | Zirá‘a[h or t] | agriculture; tilling, tillage; cultivation (of land); growing, raising (of crops); farming |
| Zira’i | Zirá‘í | agricultural, agrarian, farm-(in compounds) |
| Zirak | Zírak | Pers. ingenious, intelligent, prudent, penetrating, sagacious, smart, quick in understanding or at manual labour. A very small village (33.811111, 57.306944, just north of the village of Murdistán and 13 km WSW of Bushrúyih) in Boshruyeh County, South Khorasan Province, Írán. Named Khayru’l-Qurá by Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Zirih-Kinari | Zirih-Kinárí | Mullá Sa‘íd-i-Zirih-Kinárí (Zira may be a form of Zahra?) |
| Ziyada (Ziyad) | Ziyáda(h), Pers. Ziyád | increase, increment, accretion, growth; surplus, excess; increase, augmentation, raising, stepping up; enhancement, elevation, intensification; extra pay, allowance (in addition to the salary). Easier to pronounce as Zíyád (H. M. Balyuzi). ‘Ubayd Alláh ibn Ziyád was the Umayyad governor of Baṣra, Kúfa and Khurásán during the reigns of caliphs Mu‘áwíya I and Yazíd I, and the leading general of the Umayyad army under caliphs Marwán I and ‘Abdu’l-Malik. ‘Ubayd Alláh is primarily remembered for his role in the killings of members of ‘Alí ibn Abí Ṭálib’s family including Ḥusayn ibn ‘Alí, and he has become infamous in Muslim tradition. |
| Ziyara, Ziyarat | Ziyára[h or t], pl. Ziyárát | visit; call (social, of a doctor). A pilgrimage (“visitation”) made to the shrines of the Imams, Sufi saints. etc. “Pers.” Ziyárih. |
| Ziyarah al-Jami’ah | az-Ziyárah al-Jámi’ah | Comprehensive Pilgrimage, attributed to the Tenth Imám, ‘Alí al-Hádí |
| Ziyarat | Zíyárat | visiting; a visit (especially to a sacred tomb, etc.), a religious visitation, a pilgrimage. Visiting Tablet revealed by Imám ‘Alí. |
| Ziyarat-i-Shah-‘Abdu’l-‘Azim | Zíyárat-i-Sháh-‘Abdu’l-‘Aẓím | Tablet written while in vicinity of the Sháh-‘Abdu’l-‘Aẓím Shrine in Rey, about 12 km south of the centre of Ṭihrán by the Báb |
| Ziyarat-Nama-Ha | Zíyárat-Náma-Há | Pers. letters (or epistles) of visitation |
| Ziyarat-Namiy-i-Awliya’ | Zíyárat-Námiy-i-Awliyá’ | “Tablet of visitation for the exalted ones” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Ziyarat-Namiy-i-Bab wa Baha’u’llah | Zíyárat-Námiy-i-Báb wa Bahá’u’lláh | “Tablet of visitation for the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Ziyarat-Namiy-i-Babu’l-Bab | Zíyárat-Námiy-i-Bábu’l-Báb wa Quddús | “Tablet of visitation for Mullá Husayn and Quddús” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Ziyarat-Namiy-i-Bayt | Zíyárat-Námiy-i-Bayt | “Tablet of visitation of the House” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Ziyarat-Namiy-i-Maryam | Zíyárat-Námiy-i-Maryam | “Tablet of visitation for Maryam” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Ziyarat-Namiy-i-Mulla Muhammad | Zíyárat-Námiy-i-Mullá Muḥammad | Zíyárat-Námiy-i-Mullá Muḥammad ‘Alíy-i-Bárfurúshí (Tablet of visitation for Quddús) by the Báb |
| Ziyarat-Namiy-i-Siyyidu’sh-Shuhada’ | Zíyárat-Námiy-i-Siyyidu’sh-Shuhadá’ | “Tablet of visitation for the Prince of the Martyrs” by Bahá’u’lláh |
| Zubayda (Zubaida) | Zubayda[h or t] | marigold. Zubayda bint Ja‘far ibn Manṣúr, a wife of Caliph Hárúnu’r-Rashíd |
| Zubda, Zubad | Zubda(h), pl. Zubad | (fresh) butter (as opposed to samn); cream;—pl. choicest part, prime, cream, flower, elite; extract, quintessence; essence, substance; gist, main point |
| Zubur | Zubúr | (Book of) Psalms, Psalter |
| Zuhal | Zuḥal | the planet Saturn |
| Zuhayr (Zuhair), Zuhayra (Zuhaira) | Zuhayr, fem. Zuhayra(h) | little flower, blossom. Zuhayr bin Abí Sulmá (c. 520–c. 609), one of the greatest Arab poets of pre-Islamic times |
| Zuhd | Zuhd | (voluntary) renunciation (of something); indifference (to, especially to worldly things); abstemiousness, abstinence; asceticism; ad-dunyá fí az-zuhd asceticism. A Muslim is permitted to enjoy the pleasures bestowed on him by God, but Islám encourages and praises those who shun luxury in favour of a simple and pious life. However, Islám rejects excessive deliberate asceticism, poverty, passivism and monasticism. Shoghi Effendi stated “… that the maintenance of such a high standard of moral conduct is not to be associated or confused with any form of asceticism, or of excessive and bigoted puritanism. The standard ... seeks, under no circumstances, to deny anyone the legitimate right and privilege to derive the fullest advantage and benefit from the manifold joys, beauties, and pleasures with which the world has been so plentifully enriched by an All-Loving Creator.” ADJ, p. 33 |
| Zuhr, Azhar | Ẓuhr, pl. Aẓhár | noon, midday; (feminine) midday prayer (Islamic Law) |
| Zuhra (Zohrah, Zohrih, Zohreh) | Zuhra[h or t] | brilliancy, light, brightness, whiteness; beauty; Banú Zuharah clan of the Quraysh tribe; a flower, blossom. az-Zuhara the planet Venus. |
| Zuhur | Ẓuhúr | appearance; visibility, conspicuousness; pomp, splendor, show, ostentation, window-dressing. Ẓuhúr is a term used by Bahá’u’lláh for “Manifestation” or “advent”) instead of Rasúl or Nabíl; and a new term: “Manifestation of God” (Ẓuhúr Alláh). In Shi’ite messianic terminology, the Advent of the Imam of the Age and the events associated with his Return. In a broader sense, any prophetic revelation. See maẓhar and manẓar. |
| Zuhur Allah, Zuhur-i-Ilahi | Ẓuhúr Alláh, Pers. Ẓuhúr-i-Iláhí | (“Manifestation of God”) See Nabíyu’lláh and Rasúlu’lláh |
| Zukhruf | Zukhruf, pl. Zukhrúf | gold; beauty, elegance, ornament; a speech embellished with fine imagery and romantic fiction; adorned falsehood; exaggeration. Qur’án 43:35, 53 uses the plural form; chapter uses the singular form. |
| Zulaykha (Zulaikha) | Zulaykhá | the wife of Potiphar (possibly captain of Egyptian palace guard), whose passion for Yúsuf (Joseph) is much celebrated in the East, particularly in the elegant Persian poems by Nizámí and Jámí. |
| Zulma, Zulmat, Zulumat, Zulamat, Zulum | Ẓulma(t), pl. Ẓulmát, Ẓulumát, Ẓulamát | darkness, duskiness, gloom, murkiness.—pl. also Ẓulam. baḥr aẓ-ẓulumát. the Atlantic Ocean. In the Qur’án, “light” (an-núr) is only ever used in the singular, because “light” refers to truth, which can only ever be one. In contrast, “darknesses” (aẓ-ẓulumát) is used to refer to untruth or error, which can come in many forms. |
| Zumra, Zumar | Zumra, pl. Zumar | troop; group (of people); crowd |
| Zumurrud | Zumurrud | emerald |
| Zumurrudi, Zumurrudin | Zumurrudí, Pers. also Zumurrudín | colour of an emerald |
| Zunuz | Zunúz | The capital of Marand. |
| Zunuzi | Zunúzí | of or from Zunúz. Sayyid ‘Alí Zunúzí, step-father of Anís. Sayyid Ḥasan Zunúzí, relative of both, prominent Bábí and amanuense of the Báb. |
| Zur | Zúr | Pers. strength, power, vigour; violence, strong effort, force; weight |
| Zur-Khanih | Zúr-Khánih | Pers. house of strength. Place for professional athletes to perform traditional exercises. |
| Ar. | Name | Trans.1 | Abjad | Ar. | Name | Trans.1 | Abjad | Ar. | Name | Trans.1 | Abjad |
| ﺍ | Alif | á | 1 | س | Sín | s | 60 | ك | Káf | k | 20 |
| ﺏ | Bá | b | 2 | ش | Shín | sh | 100 | ل | Lám | l | 30 |
| ت | Tá’ | t | 400 | ص | Ṣád | ṣ | 90 | م | Mím | m | 40 |
| ث | Thá’ | th | 500 | ض | Ḍad | ḍ | 800 | ن | Nún | n | 50 |
| ج | Jím | j | 3 | ﻁ | Ṭá’ | ṭ | 9 | ه | Há’ | h | 5 |
| ح | Ḥá’ | ḥ | 8 | ظ | Ẓá’ | ẓ | 900 | و | Wáw | w | 6 |
| خ | Khá’ | kh | 600 | ع | ‘Ayn | ‘ (left) or ` | 70 | ۈ | Ḍamma wáw | u | 6 |
| د | Dál | d | 4 | غ | Ghayn | gh | 1000 | ى | Alif maqṣúra | y | 10 |
| ذ | Dhál | dh | 700 | ف | Fá’ | f | 80 | ي | Kasra Yá’ | i | 10 |
| ر | Rá’ | r | 200 | ق | Qáf | q | 100 | ء | Hamza | ’ (right) | 12 |
| ز | Záy | z | 7 | ||||||||
|
1 Transcription
2 The isolated hamza (ء) is treated as if it were placed on an alif where it would have an abjad value of 1.
|
|||||||||||
| at-taj | the crown | adh-dhikr | the remembrance | ash-shams | the sun | aẓ-ẓafar | the victory |
| ath-thalj | the ice | ar-rajul | the man | aṣ-Ṣaláh | the prayer | al-lawḥ | the tablet |
| ad-dub | the bear | az-zamán | the time | at-ṭa‘ám | the food | an-nabát | the vegetable |
| ٠ (0) | ١ (1) | ٢ (2) | ٣ (3) | ٤ (4) | ٥ (5) | ٦ (6) | ٧ (7) | ٨ (8) | ٩ (9) | ١٠ (10) | |
| Ar. m./f. | ṣifr | wáḥid | ithnáni ithnatání |
Thalátha[h] thalát |
arba‘a arba‘ |
khamsa khams |
sita sitt |
sab‘a sab‘ |
thamániya thamánin |
tis‘a tis‘a |
‘ashara ‘ashar |
| Pers. m./f. | ṣifr | yak | du | sih | chahár | panj khams |
shash sitt |
haft sab‘ |
hasht | nuh tis‘a |
dah |
| á | a long a as in ‘ah’, ‘arm’ or ‘father’ |
| a | a short a as in ‘band’, ‘account’ or ‘ran’ |
| í | the vowel sound ‘ee’ as in ‘meet’ or ‘feet’ |
| i | a simple ‘i’ sound as in ‘hit’, ‘bit’ or ‘sit’ |
| ú | a ‘oo’ sound as in ‘boot’, ‘moon’ or ‘root’ |
| u | a ‘o’ sound as in ‘put’ |
| aw | as ‘ow’ sound in ‘vowel’ |
| 1. | Mírzá Músá (Kalím), the brother of Bahá’u’lláh | 11. | Mírzá Muḥammad-Taqí (Ibn-i-Abhar) |
| 2. | Mírzá Buzurg (Badí’) | 12. | Mullá Muḥammad (Nabíl-i-A‘ẓam) |
| 3. | Siyyid Ḥasan (Sulṭánu’sh-Shuhadá’) | 13. | Shaykh Káẓim (Samandarí) |
| 4. | Mullá Abu’l-Ḥasan (Amín) | 14. | Mírzá Muḥammad Muṣṭafá |
| 5. | Mírzá Abu’l-Faḍl-i-Gulpáygání | 15. | Mírzá Ḥusayn (Mishkín-Qalam) |
| 6. | Mírzá ‘Alí-Muḥammad (Varqá, Dove) | 16. | Mírzá Ḥasan (Adíb) |
| 7. | Mírzá Maḥmúd FurúShayghí | 17. | Shaykh Muḥammad-‘Alí |
| 8. | Mullá ‘Alí-Akbar (Ḥájí Ákhúnd) | 18. | Mullá Zaynu’l-‘Ábidín (Zaynu’l-Muqarrabín) |
| 9. | Mullá Muḥammad (Nabíl-i-Akbar) | 19. | Mírzá Alí-Muḥammad (Ibn-i-Aṣdaq) |
| 10. | Ḥájí Mírzá Muḥammad-Taqí (Vakílu’d-Dawlih) (cousin of the Báb and one of the Twenty–four Elders) |
| Appointed by | Details |
| Bahá’u’lláh | Ḥájí Mullá ‘Alí-Akbar-i-Shahmírzádí (Ḥájí Ákhúnd) (1842–1910) Mírzá Muḥammad-Taqí (Ibn-i-Abhar) (d. 1917) Mírzá Ḥasan-i-Adíb (Adíb) (1848–1919) Mírzá ‘Alí-Muḥammad (Ibn-i-Aṣdaq) (1850–1928) |
| ‘Abdu’l-Bahá | None. Five named in Memorials of the Faithful, p. 7 (one, Ḥájí Ákhúnd, was appointed by Bahá’u’lláh) Áqá Muḥammad-i-Qá’iní (Nabíl-i-Akbar) (1829–1892) Mírzá ‘Alí-Muḥammad-i-Varqá (d. 1896) Mullá Ṣádiq-i-Muqaddas (Ismu’lláhu’l-Aṣdaq) (d. 1889) Shaykh Muḥammad Riḍáy-i-Yazdí (believed to be Mullá Muḥammad-i-Riḍáy-i-Muḥammmad-Ábádí (1814–1897)) |
| Shoghi Effendi
Posthumous appointments |
Ḥájí Abu’l-Ḥasan (Ḥájí Amín) (1831–1928) [1928] John Ebenezer Esslemont (1874–1925) [1925] Martha Root (1872–1939) [3 October 1939] Keith Bean Ransom-Kehler (1876–1933) [30 October 1933] John Henry Hyde Dunn (1855–1941) [27 April 1951] Siyyid Muṣṭafá Rúmí (d. 1942) [14 July 1945] ‘Abdu’l-Jalíl Bey Sa‘d (d. 1942) Muḥammad Taqíy-i-Iṣfahání (1860–1946) Roy C. Wilhelm (1875–1951) [1952] Louis George Gregory (1874–1951) [1951] |
| Shoghi Effendi
24–12–1951 (twelve) |
Holy Land: William Sutherland Maxwell (1874–1951), Charles Mason Remey (1874–1974) (until 1960), Amelia Engekder Collins (1873–1962), President, Vice-President, International Baha’i Council Írán: Valíyu’lláh Varqá (1884–1955), Ṭarázu’lláh Samandarí (1874–1968), ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan (1905–2003) American continent: Horace Hotchkiss Holley(1867–1960), Dorothy Beecher Baker (1898–1954), Leroy C. Ioas (1896–1965) European continent: George Townshend (1876–1957),1 Hermann Grossmann (1899–1968), Ugo Giachery (1896–1989) |
| Shoghi Effendi
29–02–1952
(seven) |
Canada and United States: Siegfried Schopflocher (1877–1953) and Corinne Knight True (1961–1961) (resp.) Írán: Dhikru’lláh Khádim (1904–1986), Shu‘á‘u’lláh ‘Alá’í (1889–1984) Germany, Africa, Australia: Adelbert Mühlschlegel (1897–1980), Músá Banání (1886–1971), Clara Dunn (1869–1960) (resp.) |
| Shoghi Effendi
(date)
(five) |
Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum (1910–2000) [March 1952] Jalál Kháḍih (Jalal Khazeh) (1897–1990) [December 1953] Paul Haney (1909–1982) [March 1954] ‘Alí Muḥammad Varqá (1911–2007) [November 1955] Agnes Baldwin Alexander (1875–1971) [March 1957] |
| Shoghi Effendi
2–10–1957
(eight) |
Uganda: Enoch Olinga (1926–1979) West and South Africa: William Sears (1911–1992), and John Aldham Robarts (1901–1992) British Isles: Ḥasan Muvaqqar Balyuzi (1908–1980) and John Graham Ferraby (1914–1973) Pacific: Harold Collis Featherstone (1913–1990) and Raḥmátu’lláh Muhájir (1923–1979) Arabia: Abu’l-Qásim Fayḍí (Faizi) (1906–1980) |
|
1Qal’a—fort or stronghold
2The first stop after Najíbíyyih (for seven days) was at Firayját, on the bank of the Tigris River, 5 km to the north.
|
| Day | English | Arabic | Translation | Day | English | Arabic | Translation |
| 1. | Saturday | Jalál | Glory | 5. | Wednesday | ‘Idál | Justice |
| 2. | Sunday | Jamál | Beauty | 6. | Thursday | Istijlál | Majesty |
| 3. | Monday | Kamál | Perfection | 7. | Friday | Istiqlál | Independence |
| 4. | Tuesday | Fiḍál | Grace |
| Naw-Rúz first day | ||||
| Month | 20 March | 21 March | Arabic | Translation |
| 1. | 20 March | 21 March | Bahá | Splendour |
| 2. | 8 April | 9 April | Jalál | Glory |
| 3. | 27 April | 28 April | Jamál | Beauty |
| 4. | 16 May | 17 May | ‘Aẓamat | Grandeur |
| 5. | 4 June | 5 June | Núr | Light |
| 6. | 23 June | 24 June | Raḥmat | Mercy |
| 7. | 12 July | 13 July | Kalimát | Words |
| 8. | 31 July | 1 August | Kamál | Perfection |
| 9. | 19 August | 20 August | Asmá’ | Names |
| 10. | 7 September | 8 September | ‘Izzat | Might |
| 11. | 26 September | 27 September | Mashiyyat | Will |
| 12. | 15 October | 16 October | ‘Ilm | Knowledge |
| 13. | 3 November | 4 November | Qudrat | Power |
| 14. | 22 November | 23 November | Qawl | Speech |
| 15. | 11 December | 12 December | Masá’il | Questions |
| 16. | 30 December | 31 December | Sharaf | Honour |
| 17. | 18 January | 19 January | Sulṭán | Sovereignty |
| 18. | 6 February | 7 February | Mulk | Dominion |
| Intercalary days | 25 February | 26 February | Ayyám-i-Há | Days of Há |
| 19. | 1 March | 2 March | ‘Alá’ | Loftiness |
| 1. Alif | A | 8. Júd | Generosity | 14. Wahháb | Bountiful |
| 2. Bá’ | B | 9. Bahá | Splendour | 15. Widád | Affection |
| 3. Ab | Father | 10. Ḥubb | Love | 16. Badí‘ | Beginning |
| 4. Dál | D | 11. Bahháj | Delightful | 17. Bahíy | Luminous |
| 5. Báb | Gate | 12. Jawáb | Answer | 18. Abhá | Most luminous |
| 6. Wáw | W/V | 13. Aḥad | Single | 19. Wáḥíd | Unity |
| 7. Abad | Eternity |
| English | Arabic | Persian |
| Sunday | yawm al-aḥad | yak-shanbih |
| Monday | yawm al-ithnayn | dúshanbih |
| Tuesday | yawm ath-thalátá’ | sih-shanbih |
| Wednesday | yawm al-arbi‘á’ | chahár-shanbih |
| Thursday | yawm al-khamís | panj-shanbih |
| Friday | yawm al-jum‘a | Jum‘a |
| Saturday | yawm as-sabt | shanbih |
| English | Arabic1 | Foreign2 | English | Arabic1 | Foreign2 |
| January | kánún ath-thání | yanáyir | July | tammúz | yúliyú & yúliyah |
| February | shubáṭ | fabráyir | August | áb | ‘aghustus |
| March | ádár | márs | September | ailúl | sibtambar |
| April | nísán | ‘abril | October | tishrín al-awwal | ‘uktúbar |
| May | ayyár | máyú | November | tishrín ath-thání | núfimbar |
| June | ḥazírán | yúniyú & yúniyah | December | kánún al-awwal | dísembar |
|
1Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Iran (from classical Arabic, which are from Syriac).
2Egypt, Sudan, Arab countries in the Persian Gulf (phonetic based on old Latin names).
|
| Order | Arabic1 | Meaning | Days |
| 1. | al-Muḥarram | Forbidden | 30 |
| 2. | Ṣafar | Departure or void | 29 |
| 3. | Rabí‘u’l-Awwal | first month or beginning of spring | 30 |
| 4. | Rabí‘u’th-Thání | second/last spring | 29 |
| 5. | Jumádá al-Awwal | the first of parched land | 30 |
| 6. | Jumádá ath-Thání | the second/last of parched land | 29 |
| 7. | Rajab | Respect, honour | 30 |
| 8. | Sha‘bán | scattered | 29 |
| 9. | Ramaḍán | burning heat | 30 |
| 10. | Shawwál | lift or carry, raised | 29 |
| 11. | Dhu’l-Qa‘da | the one of truce/sitting | 30 |
| 12. | Dhu’l-Ḥijjah | the one of or possessor of the pilgrimage | 292 |
|
1Fifth month also (using fem. of awwal) Jumádá al-Úlá. Alternatives for 4th and 6th months are Rabí‘ al-Ákhir and Jumádá al-Ákhir respectively.
230 days in leap years
|
|||
| Name | Days | Name | Days | Name | Days | Name | Days | ||||
| 1 | Farwardín | 31 | 4 | Tír | 31 | 7 | Mihr | 30 | 10 | Day (Dai) | 30 |
| 2 | Urdí (Ardí) bihisht | 31 | 5 | Murdád | 31 | 8 | Ábán | 30 | 11 | Bahman | 30 |
| 3 | Khurdád | 31 | 6 | Shahríwar | 31 | 9 | Ádhar (Ázar) | 30 | 12 | Isfand | 29/30 |
| The Rightly-guided (al-Khiláfah ar-Ráshidún) | |||
| 1 | Abú-Bakr ibn Abí-Quḥáfah (632–34) | 3 | ‘Uthmán ibn ‘Affán (644–56) |
| 2 | ‘Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭáb (634–44) | 4 | ‘Alí ibn Abí-Ṭálib (656–61) |
|
The Umayyad (al-Khiláfah al-‘Umawíyah)
|
|||
| 1 | Mu‘áwíyah I (Mu‘áwíyah ibn Abí-Sufyán) (661–80) | 8 | ‘Umar (‘Umar ibn ‘Abdu’l-‘Azíz ibn Marwán) (717–20) |
| 2 | Yazíd I (Yazíd ibn Abí-Sufyán) (680–83) | 9 | Yazíd II (720–24) |
| 3 | Mu‘áwíyah II (683–84) | 10 | Hishám (Hishám ibn ‘Abdu’l-Malik) (724–43) |
| 4 | Marwán I (Marwán ibn al-Ḥakam) (684–85) | 11 | Al-Walíd II (son of Yazíd II) (743–44) |
| 5 | ‘Abdu’l-Malik (‘Abdu’l-Malik ibn Marwán) (685–705) | 12 | Yazíd III (son of Al-Walíd I) (744) |
| 6 | al-Walíd I (al-Walíd ibn ‘Abdu’l-Malik) (705-15) | 13 | Ibráhím (son of al-Walíd I) (744) |
| 7 | Sulaymán (715–17) | 14 | Marwán II (Marwán al-Ḥimár) (744–50) |
|
The Abbaside (al-Khiláfah al-‘Abbásíyah)
|
|||
| 1 | Abu’l-‘Abbás ‘Abdu’lláh as-Saffáḥ (750–54) | 6 | Muḥammad al-Amín (809–13) |
| 2 | Abú-Ja‘far al-Manṣúr (754–75) | 7 | ‘Abdu’lláh al-Ma’mún (813–33) |
| 3 | Muḥammad al-Mahdí (775–85) | 8 | Muḥammad al-Mu‘taṣim (“al-Mu‘taṣim-Bi’lláh”—‘He who is steadfast in God’) (833–42) |
| 4 | Músá al-Hádí (785–86) | 9 | Hárún al-Wáthiq (“al-Wáthiq-Bi’lláh”—‘He who has his trust in God’) (842–47) |
| 5 | Hárún ar-Rashíd (786–809) | 10 | Ja‘far al-Mutawakkil (“al-Mutawakkil ‘Alá ’lláh”—‘He who puts his reliance in God’) (847–61) |
| 1. | ‘Alí ibn Abí Ṭálib (632–661) 1 | 7. | Músá al-Káẓim Ibn Báqir (765–799) |
| 2. | Ḥasan Ibn ‘Alí (661–669) | 8. | ‘Alí III (‘Alí Ibn Músá ar-Riḍá) (799–818) |
| 3. | Ḥusayn Ibn ‘Alí (669–680) | 9. | Muḥammad ibn ‘Alí al-Jawád (818–835) |
| 4. | Zaynu’l-‘Ábidín ‘Alí II (680–712) | 10. | ‘Alí IV (‘Alí an-Naqí) (835–868) |
| 5. | Muḥammad-Báqir Ibn ‘Alí (712–734) | 11. | Ḥasan II (Ḥasan ibn ‘Alí al-‘Askarí ibn Naqí) (868–873) |
| 6. | Ja‘far aṣ-Ṣádiq ibn Báqir (734–765) | 12. | Muḥammad al-Mahdí Ibn Ḥasan (869–873 (AH 260)) |
| 1 | Abú ‘Amr ‘Uthmán ibn Sa‘íd al-‘Amrí |
| 2 | Abú Ja‘far Muḥammad ibn ‘Uthmán |
| 3 | Abu’l-Qásim Ḥusayn ibn Rúḥ Naw-Bakhtí (917-937) |
| 4 | Abu’l-Ḥasan ‘Alí ibn Muḥammad as-Sámarrí (937-941) |
| Súra | Súra | ||
| 1 | al-Fátiḥa—The opening | 58 | al-Mujádilah—The pleading woman |
| 2 | al-Baqara—The cow | 59 | al-Ḥashr—The mustering, The exile or The emigration |
| 3 | Ál ‘Imrán—The family of Imran | 60 | al-Mumtaḥinah—She that is to be examined
or She who is tried (or tested)1
|
| 4 | an-Nisá’—The women | 61 | aṣ-Ṣaff—The rank or The battle array |
| 5 | al-Má’ida—The table spread | 62 | al-Jumu‘ah—The day of congregation or Friday |
| 6 | al-An‘ám—The cattle | 63 | al-Munáfiqún—The hypocrites |
| 7 | al-A‘ráf—The heights | 64 | at-Taghábun—The mutual deception or disillusion,
or The mutual loss and gain
|
| 8 | al-Anfál—The spoils of war | 65 | aṭ-Ṭaláq—The divorce |
| 9 | at-Tawbah al-Bará’ah—The repentance or The repudiation | 66 | at-Taḥrím—The prohibition |
| 10 | al-Yúnus—Jonah | 67 | al-Mulk—The dominion or The sovereignty |
| 11 | Húd—Húd | 68 | al-Qalam—The pen or Nún |
| 12 | Yúsuf—Joseph | 69 | al-Ḥáqqah—The reality or The sure reality |
| 13 | ar-Ra‘d—The thunder | 70 | al-Ma‘árij—The ways of ascent or The ascending stairways |
| 14 | al-Ibráhím—Abraham | 71 | Núḥ—Noah |
| 15 | al-Ḥijr—The rock or The rocky tract | 72 | Jinn—The spirits |
| 16 | an-Naḥl—The bees | 73 | al-Muzzammil—The enfolded one or The enshrouded one |
| 17 | al-Isra’ or Baní Isrá’íl—The night journey
or The children of Israel
|
74 | al-Muddaththir—The one wrapped up
or The cloaked one
|
| 18 | al-Kahf—The cave | 75 | al-Qiyáma—The resurrection |
| 19 | Maryam—Mary | 76 | al-Insán or ad-Dahr—The man or The time |
| 20 | Ṭá’ Há’—Ṭá’ Há’ | 77 | al-Mursalát—Those sent forth or The emissaries |
| 21 | al-Anbiyá’—The Prophets | 78 | an-Naba’—The great news, The announcement or The tidings |
| 22 | al-Ḥájj—The pilgrimage | 79 | an-Názi‘át—Those who tear out or Those who drag forth |
| 23 | al-Muʼminún—The believers | 80 | al-‘Abasa—He frowned |
| 24 | an-Núr—The light | 81 | at-Takwír—The folding up or The overthrowing |
| 25 | al-Furqán—The criterion | 82 | al-Infiṭár—The Cleaving or The cleaving asunder |
| 26 | ash-Shu’ará’—The poets | 83 | al-Muṭaffifín—The defrauding or The dealers in fraud |
| 27 | an-Naml—The ant | 84 | al-Inshiqáq—The sundering or The rending asunder |
| 28 | al-Qaṣaṣ—The story or The narrative | 85 | al-Burúj—The constellations or The mansions of the stars |
| 29 | al-‘Ankabút—The spider | 86 | aṭ-Ṭaríq—The night star or The one who arrives at night |
| 30 | ar-Rúm—The Romans | 87 | al-A‘lá—The Most High |
| 31 | Luqmán—Luqmán | 88 | al-Gháshiya—The overwhelming or The overwhelming event |
| 32 | as-Sadjah—The prostration | 89 | al-Fajr—The dawn |
| 33 | al-Aḥzáb—The clans, The confederates or The cohorts | 90 | al-Balad—The city |
| 34 | Saba’—Sheba | 91 | ash-Shams—The sun |
| 35 | Fáṭir—Originator or Creator | 92 | al-Layl—The night |
| 36 | Yá Sín—Yá Sín | 93 | aḍ-Ḍuḥá—The morning hours |
| 37 | aṣ-Ṣáffát—Those ranged in ranks | 94 | ash-Sharḥ—The expansion |
| 38 | Ṣád—Ṣád | 95 | at-Tín—The fig |
| 39 | Zumar—The troops or The crowds | 96 | al-‘Alaq—The clot |
| 40 | Gháfir or al-Mu’min—Forgiver or The believer | 97 | al-Qadr—The power |
| 41 | Fuṣṣilat or Ḥá Mím—Explained in detail or Ḥá Mím | 98 | al-Bayyinah—The evidence |
| 42 | ash-Shúrá—The consultation | 99 | az-Zalzala—The earthquake |
| 43 | az-Zukhruf—The gold ornament, The embellishment,
or The gilding
|
100 | al-‘Ádiyát—The chargers or The assaulters |
| 44 | ad-Dukhán—The smoke | 101 | al-Qári‘ah—The calamity or The great calamity |
| 45 | al-Játhiya—The kneeling one or The crouching one | 102 | at-Takáthur—The piling up or The worldly gain |
| 46 | al-Aḥqáf—The wind-curved sand hills
or The winding sand-tracts
|
103 | al-‘Aṣr—Time or The afternoon (also wa’l-Aṣr, “By the Time”) |
| 47 | Muḥammad—Muḥammad | 104 | al-Humazah—The slanderer, The backbiter or The scandal-monger |
| 48 | al-Fatḥ—The victory | 105 | al-Fíl—The elephant |
| 49 | al-Ḥujarát—The chambers or The rooms | 106 | al-Quraysh—The Quraysh (tribe) |
| 50 | Qáf—Qáf | 107 | al-Ma‘ún—The neighbourly assistance, The small kindnesses
or The alms giving
|
| 51 | adh-Dháriyát—The winds that scatter
or The winnowing winds
|
108 | al-Kawthar—The abundance |
| 52 | aṭ-Ṭúr—The mountain or The mount | 109 | al-Káfirún—The disbelievers or Those who reject faith |
| 53 | an-Najm—The star | 110 | an-Naṣr—The help or The divine support |
| 54 | al-Qamar—The moon | 111 | al-Masad or al-Lahab—The palm fibre, The plaited rope or The flame |
| 55 | ar-Raḥmán—The Beneficent or The Most Gracious | 112 | al-Ikhláṣ—The sincerity or The purity of faith |
| 56 | al-Wáqi‘ah—The inevitable | 113 | al-Falaq—The daybreak or The dawn |
| 57 | al-Ḥadíd—The iron | 114 | an-Nás—Mankind |
|
1The tests faced by the women who emigrated to Medina.
|
|||
| 1 | ٱلْرَّحْمَـانُ | ar-Raḥmán | The All Beneficent |
| 2 | ٱلْرَّحِيْمُ | ar-Raḥím | The Most Merciful |
| 3 | ٱلْمَـالِكُ | al-Málik | The King, the Sovereign |
| 4 | ٱلْقُدُّوسُ | al-Quddús | The Most Holy |
| 5 | ٱلْسَّلَامُ | as-Salám | Peace and Blessing |
| 6 | ٱلْمُؤْمِنُ | al-Mu’min | The Guarantor |
| 7 | ٱلْمُهَيْمِنُ | al-Muhaymin | The Guardian, the Preserver |
| 8 | ٱلْعَزِيزُ | al-‘Azíz | The Almighty, the Self-sufficient |
| 9 | ٱلْجَبَّارُ | al-Jabbár | The Powerful, the Irresistible |
| 10 | ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرُ | al-Mutakabbir | The Tremendous |
| 11 | ٱلْخَالِقُ | al-Kháliq | The Creator |
| 12 | ٱلْبَارِئُ | al-Bári’ | The Maker |
| 13 | ٱلْمُصَوِّرُ | al-Muṣawwir | The Fashioner of Forms |
| 14 | ٱلْغَفَّارُ | al-Ghaffár | The Ever Forgiving |
| 15 | ٱلْقَهَّارُ | al-Qahhár | The All Compelling Subduer |
| 16 | ٱلْوَهَّابُ | al-Wahháb | The Bestower |
| 17 | ٱلْرَّزَّاقُ | ar-Razzáq | The Ever Providing |
| 18 | ٱلْفَتَّاحُ | al-Fattáḥ | The Opener, the Victory Giver |
| 19 | ٱلْعَلِيمُ | al-‘Alím | The All Knowing, the Omniscient |
| 20 | ٱلْقَابِضُ | al-Qábiḍ | The Restrainer, the Straightener |
| 21 | ٱلْبَاسِطُ | al-Básiṭ | The Expander, the Munificent |
| 22 | ٱلْخَافِضُ | al-Kháfiḍ | The Abaser |
| 23 | ٱلْرَّافِعُ | ar-Ráfi‘ | The Exalter |
| 24 | ٱلْمُعِزُّ | al-Mu‘izz | The Giver of Honour |
| 25 | ٱلْمُذِلُّ | al-Mudhill | The Giver of Dishonour |
| 26 | ٱلْسَّمِيعُ | as-Samí‘ | The All Hearing |
| 27 | ٱلْبَصِيرُ | al-Baṣír | The All Seeing |
| 28 | ٱلْحَكَمُ | al-Ḥakam | The Judge, the Arbitrator |
| 29 | ٱلْعَدْلُ | al-‘Adl | The Utterly Just |
| 30 | ٱلْلَّطِيفُ | al-Laṭíf | The Subtly Kind |
| 31 | ٱلْخَبِيرُ | al-Khabír | The All Aware |
| 32 | ٱلْحَلِيمُ | al-Ḥalím | The Forbearing, the Indulgent |
| 33 | ٱلْعَظِيمُ | al-‘Aẓím | The Magnificent, the Infinite |
| 34 | ٱلْغَفُورُ | al-Ghafúr | The All Forgiving |
| 35 | ٱلْشَّكُورُ | ash-Shakúr | The Grateful |
| 36 | ٱلْعَلِىُّ | al-‘Alíy | The Sublimely Exalted |
| 37 | ٱلْكَبِيرُ | al-Kabír | The Great |
| 38 | ٱلْحَفِيظُ | al-Ḥafíẓ | The Preserver |
| 39 | ٱلْمُقِيتُ | al-Muqít | The Nourisher |
| 40 | ٱلْحَسِيبُ | al-Ḥasíb | The Reckoner |
| 41 | ٱلْجَلِيلُ | al-Jalíl | The Majestic |
| 42 | ٱلْكَرِيمُ | al-Karím | The Bountiful, the Generous |
| 43 | ٱلْرَّقِيبُ | ar-Raqíb | The Watchful |
| 44 | ٱلْمُجِيبُ | al-Mujíb | The Responsive, the Answerer |
| 45 | ٱلْوَاسِعُ | al-Wási‘ | The Vast, the All Encompassing |
| 46 | ٱلْحَكِيمُ | al-Ḥakím | The Wise |
| 47 | ٱلْوَدُودُ | al-Wadúd | The Loving, the Kind One |
| 48 | ٱلْمَجِيدُ | al-Majíd | The All Glorious |
| 49 | ٱلْبَاعِثُ | al-Bá‘ith | The Raiser of the Dead |
| 50 | ٱلْشَّهِيدُ | ash-Shahíd | The Witness |
| 51 | ٱلْحَقُّ | al-Ḥaqq | The Truth, the Real |
| 52 | ٱلْوَكِيلُ | al-Wakíl | The Trustee, the Dependable |
| 53 | ٱلْقَوِيُّ | al-Qawíy | The Strong |
| 54 | ٱلْمَتِينُ | al-Matín | The Firm, the Steadfast |
| 55 | ٱلْوَلِيُّ | al-Walíy | The Friend, Helper |
| 56 | ٱلْحَمِيدُ | al-Ḥamíd | The All Praiseworthy |
| 57 | ٱلْمُحْصِيُ | al-Muḥṣí | The Accounter, the Numberer of All |
| 58 | ٱلْمُبْدِئُ | al-Mubdi‘ | The Producer, Originator, & Initiator of All |
| 59 | ٱلْمُعِيدُ | al-Mu‘íd | The Reinstater Who Brings Back All |
| 60 | ٱلْمُحْيِي | al-Muḥyí | The Giver of Life |
| 61 | ٱلْمُمِيتُ | al-Mumít | The Bringer of Death, the Destroyer |
| 62 | ٱلْحَىُّ | al-Ḥayy | The Ever Living |
| 63 | ٱلْقَيُّومُ | al-Qayyúm | The Self Subsisting Sustainer of All |
| 64 | ٱلْوَاجِدُ | al-Wájid | The Perceiver, the Finder, the Unfailing |
| 65 | ٱلْمَاجِدُ | al-Májid | The Illustrious, the Magnificent |
| 66 | ٱلْوَاحِدُ | al-Wáḥid | The One, the All Inclusive, the Indivisible |
| 67 | ٱلْأَحَد | al-Aḥad | The One, the Indivisible |
| 68 | ٱلْصَّمَدُ | aṣ-Ṣamad | The Self-Sufficient, the Impregnable, the Eternally Besought of All, the Everlasting |
| 69 | ٱلْقَادِرُ | al-Qádir | The All Able |
| 70 | ٱلْمُقْتَدِرُ | al-Muqtadir | The All Determiner, the Dominant |
| 71 | ٱلْمُقَدِّمُ | al-Muqaddim | The Expediter, He who Brings Forward |
| 72 | ٱلْمُؤَخِّرُ | Mu’akhkhir | The Delayer, He who Puts Far Away |
| 73 | ٱلأَوَّلُ | al-Awwal | The First, Without Beginning |
| 74 | ٱلْأَخِرُ | al-Ákhir | The Last |
| 75 | ٱلْظَّـٰهِرُ | aẓ-Ẓáhir | The Manifest; the All Victorious |
| 76 | ٱلْبَاطِنُ | al-Báṭin | The Hidden; the All Encompassing |
| 77 | ٱلْوَالِي | al-Wálí | The Patron, The Protecting Friend, The Friendly Lord |
| 78 | ٱلْمُتَعَالِي | al-Muta‘álí | The Self Exalted |
| 79 | ٱلْبَرُّ | al-Barr | The Most Kind and Righteous |
| 80 | ٱلْتَّوَّابُ | at-Tawwáb | The Ever Returning, Ever Relenting |
| 81 | ٱلْمُنْتَقِمُ | al-Muntaqim | The Avenger |
| 82 | ٱلْعَفُوُّ | al-‘Afúw | The Pardoner, the Effacer of Sins |
| 83 | ٱلْرَّؤُفُ | ar-Ra’úf | The Compassionate, the All Pitying |
| 84 | مَالِكُ ٱلْمُلْكُ | Máliku’l-Mulk | The Owner of All Sovereignty |
| 85 | وَٱلْإِكْرَامُ ٱلْجَلَالِ ذُو | Dhu’l-Jalál wa’l-Ikrám | The Lord of Majesty & Generosity |
| 86 | ٱلْمُقْسِطُ | al-Muqsiṭ | The Equitable, the Requiter |
| 87 | ٱلْجَامِعُ | al-Jámi‘ | The Gatherer, the Unifier |
| 88 | ٱلْغَنيُّ | al-Ghání | The All Rich, the Independent |
| 89 | ٱلْمُغْنِيُّ | al-Mughní | The Enricher, the Emancipator |
| 90 | ٱلْمَانِعُ | al-Máni‘ | The Withholder, the Shielder, the Defender |
| 91 | ٱلْضَّارُ | aḍ-Ḍárr | The Distressor, the Harmer |
| 92 | ٱلْنَّافِعُ | an-Náfi‘ | The Propitious, the Benefactor |
| 93 | ٱلْنُّورُ | an-Núr | The Light |
| 94 | ٱلْهَادِي | al-Hádí | The Guide |
| 95 | ٱلْبَدِيعُ | al-Badí‘ | The Incomparable, the Originator |
| 96 | ٱلْبَاقِي | al-Báqí | The Ever Enduring and Immutable |
| 97 | ٱلْوَارِثُ | al-Wárith | The Heir, the Inheritor of All |
| 98 | ٱلْرَّشِيدُ | ar-Rashíd | The Guide, Infallible Teacher, & Knower |
| 99 | ٱلْصَّبُورُ | aṣ-Ṣabúr | The Patient, the Timeless |
| Unicode, search seq. | |
| 200C (^u8204) | zero width non-joiner between two characters that otherwise might be joined as a ligature |
| 200E (^u8206) | left-to-right mark |
| 200F (^u8207) | right-to-left mark |
| Replace | With | |||
| ``, 60, ^96 | ʻ, 02BB, ^u699 | ʽ, 02BD, ^u701 | ʿ, 02BF, ^u7031 | ‘, 2018, ^u8216 |
| ´, 00B4, ^u180 | ʹ, 02B9, ^u697 | ʼ, 02BC, ^u700 | ʾ, 02BE, ^u702 | ’, 2019, ^u8217 |
|
1Left and right half ring or half circle.
|
||||
| Stages of the quest (3) | The sharí‘a or obedience to the religious law, is absolutely essential for the spiritual life of the believer. This obedience is destined to lead that believer to a fuller knowledge or awareness, symbolized by ṭaríqa, the ‘way’ or ‘path’ and is the standard technical term for a mystical order. Ḥaqíqa, ‘ultimate’ or ‘divine’ reality, is used to indicate the highest possible limit (essentially unachievable) of human aspiration. |
| Modes of being (3) | The muslim is the one who submits to the law or sharí‘a, even if he does not fully ‘understand’ why he should. The mu’min, or secure (or faithful) believer, has through his submission acquired a fuller understanding of obedience and the law. The muḥsin, one made pleasing to God, ‘automatically’ reflects in his actions and deeds the transformative beauty of this faith and understanding. |
| Modes of perception (3) | ‘ilmi yaqín (knowledge of certitude, demonstration; a religious life—Qur’án 102:5); ‘ainu’l-yaqín (experimental knowledge; truth ascertained by evidence; certainty (Qur’án 102:7)); and ḥaqqu (‘ilmu) ’l-yaqín (certain truth or knowledge (Qur’án 56:95, 69:51)) |
| Modes of the soul (3) | an-nafs al-‘ammára bi’l-sú’ (the erring soul, Qur’án 12:53), an-nafs al-lawwáma (the guiding soul, Qur’án 75:2), an-nafs al-muṭma’inna (the soul at peace, Qur’án 89:27)1 |
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1 See “The Báb’s epistle on the spiritual journey towards God”, Todd Lawson.
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| Ancillary |
