Iblís
See Satan
Dictionary meanings: (courtesy of Google)
1. a person who attacks or criticizes cherished beliefs or institutions. synonyms: critic, sceptic, questioner;
2. a destroyer of images used in religious worship.
The prescribed period of waiting for a woman after she has been divorced. The woman cannot remarry during this period of waiting.
A large, powerful jinn, reputed to be wicked and crafty. (‘Abdu’lláh Yúsif ‘Alí, commentary in his translation of the Holy Qur’án)
Amran, the father of Moses and Aaron.
A-Z : ‘Imrán
Part of the Turkish Empire in 1862 when the Kitáb-i-Íqán was revealed. Now an Arab kingdom with Baghdád as its capital.
A-Z : ‘Iráq
Before its destructionby an earthquake
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Bahá’í International
Community
Architect: Designed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Ustád ‘Alí-Akbar Banná further developed the design.
Construction commenced in 1902 and was completed in 1908. The exterior ornamentation, however, was not completed till 1919.
In 1928, the Soviet authorities seized the property, then leased it back to the Bahá’í community. In 1938 the Soviet government took complete control and made it an art gallery. An earthquake in 1948 severely damaged the structure, making it unsafe. Heavy rains over subsequent years further weakened the structure, and in 1963 the building was demolished.
See also : Mashriqu’l-Adhkár; Vakílu’d-Dawlih.
One of two Arab zealots who directly took part in the murder of Imám-Ḥusayn.
See also : Aṣbahí
A learned Jewish Rabbi at the time of Muḥammad.
A-Z : Ibn-i-Ṣúríyá
? — 1929
A Bahá’í of Syrian Orthodox Christian background who embraced the Bahá’í Faith in Cairo during Bahá’u’lláh’s lifetime.
He moved to the United States in 1892, becoming the first person to publicly teach the Faith there. He actively and systematically taught the Faith to many, including Thornton Chase (the first American Bahá’í) and Lua Getsinger.
His craving for power and recognition led him to attempt to create a schism in the Faith, hoping to become the leader of the Bahá’ís in the West, with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá being the leader in the East. He eventually joined the Covenant-Breakers in opposing ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s authority and was expelled from the Bahá’í community.
tribe
Also applied to Muslim religious leaders.
The term can also be applied in general as a leader (in religion), a model and/or example, a book of guidance or evidence.
A-Z : Imám(s)
The cousin and first disciple of Muḥammad. First of the twelve Imáms and, according to Shí‘íh Islám, the rightful successor of Muḥammad.
Husband of Fáṭimih, the daughter of Muḥammad. Through their son Ḥusayn, ancestor of Siyyid ‘Alí Muḥammad, the Báb
A-Z : Imám(s) ~ ‘Álí
? — 680
The third Imám, second son of ‘Alí and Fáṭimih. He died tragically, martyred by the Umayyads, at Karbilá in a.h. 61/a.d. 680.
A-Z : Imám(s) ~ Ḥusayn
Imám Ṣádiq
See Abú-‘Abdi’lláh
A-Z : Imám-Jum’ih
Imám-Jum‘ih of Iṣfahán
Imám, Twelfth
See Twelfth Imám
Mother Temple of the Antipodes
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Bahá’í International
Community
Architect: John Brogan
Located on the northern shores of Sydney. The site for the House of Worship was purchased in November 1955, with construction commencing during April 1957. The House of Worship took four years to build, and was officially opened by Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum on September 17, 1961.
See also : Mashriqu’l-Adhkár.
A committee established in 1936 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada to research, advise, and assist the National Assembly in all activities related to the promotion of the Faith in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean Islands.
Intercalary Days
See Ayyám-i-Há
Image courtesy
of Wikipedia
An institution at the Bahá’í World Centre that preserves the writings and sacred relics of the Central Figures of the Faith and Shoghi Effendi as well as other historical documents and items.
The International Archives Building, completed in 1957, was the first of five buildings on the Arc on Mount Carmel to be constructed.
An office established in Geneva in 1925 at the request of Shoghi Effendi primarily to facilitate the expansion of the teaching activities of the Faith in Europe and to serve as an auxiliary to the world administrative center in Haifa by maintaining contact with Bahá’í communities in the East and the West.
Acting as a distributing center for Bahá’í literature and a bureau of information about the Faith, the Bureau was recognized by the League of Nations. Its bulletin, Messenger Bahá’í, was published in German, French, and English.
When the political scene in Europe began to change during the 1930’s and 1940's, the work of the Bureau in contacting and communicating with international agencies and prominent people was slowed and eventually stopped. In the late 1940's Shoghi Effendi established the European Teaching Committee as an adjunct to the Bureau to increase the size and number of European Bahá’í communities.
With much of the Bureau’s work having been subsumed by the United Nations Office of the Bahá’í International Community when it was established in 1948, the Bureau finally closed in 1957 when the regional National Spiritual Assembly of Italy and Switzerland was formed.
An event held every five years in Haifa, Israel, at which members of National Spiritual Assemblies from around the world gather to elect the members of the Universal House of Justice.
A nine-member body that served as the precursor of the Universal House of Justice and was first appointed by Shoghi Effendi in the closing months of 1950 and announced to the Bahá’í world in 1951. After the Guardian’s passing, it was elected in 1961 by members of National Spiritual Assemblies.
Its threefold function, assigned by Shoghi Effendi, was to forge links with the state of Israel, to assist the Guardian in erecting the superstructure of the Shrine of the Báb, and to negotiate with civil authorities about the application of the Bahá’í laws of personal status for Bahá’ís residing in the Holy Land. After Shoghi Effendi’s passing, the International Bahá’í Council, at the request of the Hands of the Cause of God, took responsibility for helping to maintain the World Centre properties and helping to establish the Universal House of Justice.
Those whom Shoghi Effendi appointed to the International Bahá’í Council were Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, Charles Mason Remey, Amelia Collins, Ugo Giachery, and Leroy Ioas, who were all subsequently appointed Hands of the Cause of God, as well as Jessie Revell, Ethel Revell, Lutfu’lláh Hakím, and Sylvia Ioas. Members elected in 1961 by the National Spiritual Assemblies were Jessie Revell, ‘Alí Nakhjavání, Lutfu’lláh Hakím, Ethel Revell, Charles Wolcott, Sylvia Ioas, Mildred Mottahedeh, Ian Semple, and Borrah Kavelin.
The International Bahá’í Council ceased to exist upon the election of the Universal House of Justice in 1963.
International Community, Bahá’í
International Fund
See Fund
Founded at Temerity Ranch in Pine Valley near Colorado Springs, Colorado, for the purpose of preparing Bahá’ís for Inter-America teaching work, the school held its first session in June 1940.
See also : Inter-America Committee.
International TeachingCentre Building
Completed in 2001
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Bahá’í International
Community
An institution established by the Universal House of Justice in 1973, the members of which are the Counsellors appointed by the Universal House of Justice to serve at the Bahá’í World Centre.
Among the institutions many responsibilities are making reports and recommendations to the Universal House of Justice, co-ordinating and directing the work of the Continental Boards of Counsellors, being fully informed of the Faiths’ condition throughout the world, watching over the security and ensuring the protection of the Faith, and being alert to possibilities for extending the teaching work and for developing social and economic life both inside and outside the Bahá’í community.
Modern name of Persia
A-Z : Persia
Iráq
See ‘Iráq
Iron Age
See Ages
Second son of Abraham by his first wife Sarah.
An important city in central Persia
A-Z : Iṣfahán
Iṣfahání, Siyyid Muḥammad-i-
First son of Abraham by his maid Hagar.
Bahá’u’lláh speaks of the intended sacrifice of Ishmael by Abraham as follows:
That which thou hast heard concerning Abraham, the Friend of the All-Merciful, is the truth, and no doubt is there about it. The Voice of God commanded Him to offer up Ishmael as a sacrifice, so that His steadfastness in the Faith of God and His detachment from all else but Him may be demonstrated unto men. The purpose of God, moreover, was to sacrifice him as a ransom for the sins and iniquities of all the peoples of the earth. This same honor, Jesus, the Son of Mary, besought the one true God, exalted be His name and glory, to confer upon Him. For the same reason was Ḥusayn offered up as a sacrifice by Muḥammad, the Apostle of God. (Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 75-6)
A-Z : Ishmael
Arabic for submission to the will of Allah or God. Titled “Perspicuous Religion” and “Well-established Path”.
The Báb states of His Revelation: “This Religion is indeed, in the sight of God, the essence of the Faith of Muḥammad;...” (Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 71)
A-Z : Islám
Islám, Vicar of the Prophet of
Ismu’lláhi’l-Júd
Ismu’lláhu’l-Ákhar
See Quddús
Greek numerology
Istanbul
See Constantinople
Ives, Howard Colby
Ives, Mabel Rice-Wray