Epistle to the Son of the Wolf — §39

Persian source with Shoghi Effendi’s authorized English translation. Paragraph 39 of 268.

Source (Persian)

* يا اولياء اللّه فی بلاده و احبّاءه فی دياره يوصيکم المظلوم بالامانة و الدّيانة * طوبی لمدينة فازت بانوارهما بهما يرتفع مقام الانسان و يفتح باب الاطمينان علی من فی الامکان * طوبی لمن تمسّک بهما و عرف شأنهما و ويل لمن انکر مقامهما *

Shoghi Effendi Translation

O ye friends of God in His cities and His loved ones in His lands! This Wronged One enjoineth on you honesty and piety. Blessed the city that shineth by their light. Through them man is exalted, and the door of security is unlocked before the face of all creation. Happy the man that cleaveth fast unto them, and recognizeth their virtue, and woe betide him that denieth their station."

Translation Notes

اولياء

iwlíáʾ w-l-y → “friends” Distinctive

literal: friend

This form usually rendered as “chosen”, “holy”, “loved” (13 occurrences)

chosen 33% holy 17% loved 17% ones 8% pray 8% friends 8% all 8%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §87: malicious gleaningsGWB §278: their Lord kitab-i-iqanKIQ §274: friends!”prayers-and-meditationsP&M §37: and the Lord will-and-testamentW&T §17: the Guardian epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §159: the holy ones gleaningsGWB §467: Governor kitab-i-iqanKIQ §274: provinces

اللّه

al-lh ʾ-l-h → “god”

literal: God; god

god 67% divine 18% god’s 4% lord 4% divinity 3% holy 1% other 1% mystic 1% heavenly 1% godhead 0%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §102: God gleaningsGWB §148: this God-given kitab-i-iqanKIQ §164: mystic prayers-and-meditationsP&M §470: Lord the-hidden-wordsHW §147: celestial will-and-testamentW&T §53: the Lord epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §245: grace gleaningsGWB §191: God’s

بلاده

bládh b-l-d → “his cities”

literal: lands; land

cities 18% nations 18% one 9% earth 9% land 9% world 9% countries 9% all 9% western 9%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §107: land to land gleaningsGWB §467: the City kitab-i-iqanKIQ §264: land prayers-and-meditationsP&M §430: dominions the-hidden-wordsHW §3: of thy neighbor will-and-testamentW&T §5: the land epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §7: in Thy realms gleaningsGWB §267: of the earth

احبّاءه

iḥbbáʾh ḥ-b-b → “loved ones”

literal: love; beloved; beloved ones

loved 63% beloved 25% lover 13%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §68: how excellent fire-tabletFire §7: of Thy love gleaningsGWB §640: them that love Him,”kitab-i-iqanKIQ §279: faithful prayers-and-meditationsP&M §249: or tablet-of-carmelCarmel §4: I long tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §40: the Beloved One the-hidden-wordsHW §24: Our desire

دياره

díárh d-w-r → “his lands”

literal: lands

land 27% countries 18% cities 18% lands 9% would 9% habitation 9% city 9%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §94: of cities gleaningsGWB §117: age kitab-i-iqanKIQ §148: strayed from prayers-and-meditationsP&M §518: the land of the-hidden-wordsHW §98: CITY will-and-testamentW&T §22: direction epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §122: In gleaningsGWB §117: cycle

يوصيکم

yúṣíkm w-ṣ-y → “enjoineth on you”

literal: enjoin

SE expanded to “enjoineth on you”

admonish 20% counsels 20% have 13% enjoineth 13% will 7% exhort 7% chosen 7% directions 7% befell 7%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §39: enjoineth on you gleaningsGWB §621: the counsels kitab-i-ahdAhd §10: The Will kitab-i-iqanKIQ §105: their chosen Ones prayers-and-meditationsP&M §735: befell epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §197: Admonish gleaningsGWB §177: counsels kitab-i-ahdAhd §13: We exhort you

المظلوم

al-mẓlúm ẓ-l-m → “this wronged one”

literal: wronged

SE expanded to “This Wronged One”

wronged 92% victim 1% one 1% oppressed 1% dayyan 1% victims 1% downtrodden 1% sore 1% whom 1% sorely 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §7: by reason of mine iniquity fire-tabletFire §49: meekness gleaningsGWB §447: of tyranny kitab-i-iqanKIQ §66: night prayers-and-meditationsP&M §76: have transgressed the-hidden-wordsHW §144: gloom will-and-testamentW&T §6: this wronged epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §128: victims of oppression

بالامانة

bálámánh ʾ-m-n → “faith” Distinctive

literal: faith; trustworthy

This form usually rendered as “trustworthiness”, “trust”, “security” (10 occurrences)

trustworthiness 25% trust 13% security 13% trustworthy 13% fidelity 13% ornament 13% confidence 13%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §134: believer gleaningsGWB §416: Bearer of the Trust kitab-i-iqanKIQ §101: believeth prayers-and-meditationsP&M §555: confidence the-hidden-wordsHW §3: confide epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §233: believed gleaningsGWB §290: security kitab-i-iqanKIQ §161: the trust

الدّيانة

ad-díánh d-y-n → “faith” Distinctive

literal: religion; religions; city

This form usually rendered as “adornment”, “piety”, “sincere” (4 occurrences)

adornment 33% piety 33% sincere 33%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §195: city gleaningsGWB §636: are the cities kitab-i-iqanKIQ §80: Cause prayers-and-meditationsP&M §160: of all religions will-and-testamentW&T §3: True Faith epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §196: the adornment gleaningsGWB §232: the holy and shining city kitab-i-iqanKIQ §102: destitute

طوبی

ṭúbí ṭ-w-b → “blessed”

literal: blessedness; blessed; blessedness, happiness

blessed 39% happy 29% well 14% great 7% how 4% “blessed 2% rejoice 2% “great 2% “great 1% blessedness 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §234: Blessed are the fair-minded gleaningsGWB §205: Happy are they kitab-i-iqanKIQ §263: of Blessedness prayers-and-meditationsP&M §780: How great is the blessedness epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §102: Blessed gleaningsGWB §205: Blessed are they prayers-and-meditationsP&M §138: “Great is the blessedness epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §234: Happy are the fair-minded

لمدينة

lmdính m-d-n → “city”

literal: city; cities

city 82% cities 5% great 4% habitation 4% persian 2% word 2% tabernacle 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §129: cities gleaningsGWB §560: the Word prayers-and-meditationsP&M §224: the everlasting Cities epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §118: The cities gleaningsGWB §555: from the City prayers-and-meditationsP&M §371: the habitation epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §7: cities of Thy justice gleaningsGWB §230: native city

فازت

fázt f-w-z → “attain” Distinctive

literal: attain

This form usually rendered as “shineth” (1 occurrences)

attain 32% attained 26% hath 17% have 7% will 4% achieve 4% recognized 4% attainest 2% who 2% blissful 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §141: will distinguish gleaningsGWB §691: achieveth kitab-i-iqanKIQ §169: achieved prayers-and-meditationsP&M §743: hath been made tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: hath showered the-hidden-wordsHW §111: gazeth upon epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §120: he suffered gleaningsGWB §127: recognized

بانوارهما

bánúárhmá n-w-r → “by their light”

literal: light; lights

SE expanded to “by their light”

light 56% splendors 10% lights 6% illumined 5% resplendent 5% most 4% illumine 4% luminous 3% radiance 3% brightness 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §10: enlightened fire-tabletFire §9: the brightness gleaningsGWB §684: hearts kitab-i-ahdAhd §3: shining and resplendent kitab-i-iqanKIQ §72: earth prayers-and-meditationsP&M §408: the luminaries tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §31: exalted and glorious the-hidden-wordsHW §109: the flame

بهما

bhmá h-m → “all”

literal: all

all 40% own 20% things 20% nay 20%

gleaningsGWB §358: all kitab-i-iqanKIQ §174: the same gleaningsGWB §147: the rest kitab-i-iqanKIQ §231: above-mentioned gleaningsGWB §100: Them kitab-i-iqanKIQ §196: this very gleaningsGWB §204: them is Our own sister kitab-i-iqanKIQ §174: like manner

يرتفع

yrtfʿ r-f-ʿ → “is exalted”

literal: raise; raised; elevation

would 20% will 20% exalted 20% shall 20% serveth 20%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §55: calleth fire-tabletFire §42: was planted gleaningsGWB §210: poured forth kitab-i-ahdAhd §13: serveth to exalt kitab-i-iqanKIQ §84: become prayers-and-meditationsP&M §815: hath been proclaimed tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §16: dispel the-hidden-wordsHW §63: hath risen

الانسان

an-nsán ʾ-n-s → “man”

literal: man; human

man 90% men 5% two 2% within 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §84: man gleaningsGWB §358: men prayers-and-meditationsP&M §415: is my companion the-hidden-wordsHW §93: life epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §134: been My companion gleaningsGWB §594: Be unjust to no man prayers-and-meditationsP&M §39: beloved Companion the-hidden-wordsHW §35: joyful tidings of reunion

يفتح

yftḥ f-t-ḥ → “is unlocked”

literal: open; opened

unlocked 25% opened 25% unlock 25% openeth 25%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §152: one who will open fire-tabletFire §33: the key gleaningsGWB §125: triumphs kitab-i-iqanKIQ §23: cannot for ever remain open prayers-and-meditationsP&M §311: and opened epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §43: can conquer gleaningsGWB §34: did open kitab-i-iqanKIQ §64: gladness

باب

báb b-w-b → “door”

literal: door; doors; door/gate

door 74% gate 7% portals 5% words 5% doorstep 2% chapter 2% gates 2% portal 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §123: doorstep gleaningsGWB §463: gates kitab-i-iqanKIQ §28: door of prayers-and-meditationsP&M §730: gate epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §113: door gleaningsGWB §118: portals kitab-i-iqanKIQ §28: door thereof prayers-and-meditationsP&M §830: Thy gate

الاطمينان

aṭ-ṭmínán ṭ-m-n → “confidence”

literal: tranquility; confidence; tranquil

assurance 22% confidence 17% peace 11% tranquillity 11% certainty 11% security 6% rest 6% faith 6% consume 6% certitude 6%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §52: tranquillity gleaningsGWB §203: symbols of certitude kitab-i-iqanKIQ §247: timorous prayers-and-meditationsP&M §492: to assure will-and-testamentW&T §2: rested assured epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §177: well assured gleaningsGWB §621: may rest confidently kitab-i-iqanKIQ §57: consume

الامکان

al-ámkán m-k-n → “all creation”

literal: possibility; possible; possible things

all 39% creation 16% entire 10% contingent 10% world 6% created 6% every 3% eye 3% man 3% placeless 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §135: all creation fire-tabletFire §20: every creature gleaningsGWB §627: of the entire creation kitab-i-iqanKIQ §217: attachments prayers-and-meditationsP&M §233: contingent world the-hidden-wordsHW §128: secure will-and-testamentW&T §17: subordination epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §106: be achieved

لمن

lmn m-n → “man that” Distinctive

literal: who

This form usually rendered as “whosoever”, “above”, “all” (232 occurrences)

whosoever 23% above 16% all 16% who 10% such 10% man 6% whoso 6% unto 6% feet 3% without 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §88: yet fire-tabletFire §45: with hate gleaningsGWB §291: from the hand of kitab-i-ahdAhd §11: unto kitab-i-iqanKIQ §182: “Whoso sayeth prayers-and-meditationsP&M §788: the will-and-testamentW&T §2: after my epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §157: whosoever

تمسّک

tmssk m-s-k → “cleaveth fast unto”

literal: hold fast; clinging; cling

SE expanded to “cleaveth fast unto”

cleave 29% clung 23% cleaveth 11% take 9% hold 9% have 6% lay 6% laid 3% will 3% seized 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §157: cleave tenaciously unto gleaningsGWB §419: prove kitab-i-iqanKIQ §64: musk prayers-and-meditationsP&M §671: behold me clinging to tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §2: Launch epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §146: lay fast hold gleaningsGWB §367: take ye kitab-i-iqanKIQ §176: poor

عرف

ʿrf ʿ-r-f → “recognizeth” Distinctive

literal: knowledge; know; knower

This form usually rendered as “fragrance”, “recognized”, “sweet” (64 occurrences)

fragrance 46% recognized 12% sweet 12% hath 8% known 6% have 4% perfume 4% who 4% recognize 2% breath 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §223: “Know gleaningsGWB §414: Him kitab-i-ahdAhd §13: perform praiseworthy deeds kitab-i-iqanKIQ §40: well-known prayers-and-meditationsP&M §455: all that have recognized Thee tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §12: to see the-hidden-wordsHW §143: knoweth others epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §14: promoting the knowledge

شأنهما

shʾanhmá sh-ʾ-n → “such” Distinctive

literal: manner; affair; state

This form usually rendered as “concerning” (2 occurrences)

such 24% station 14% manifold 14% glory 10% honor 7% changes 7% through 7% state 7% exaltation 7% neither 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §198: My rank gleaningsGWB §496: to be kitab-i-iqanKIQ §146: concerning prayers-and-meditationsP&M §856: me back the-hidden-wordsHW §68: My state epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §158: the people gleaningsGWB §46: in such wise prayers-and-meditationsP&M §41: Such are

ويل

wíl w-y-l → “woe betide”

literal: woe; woe, destruction; woe, calamity

woe 92% bewail 4% “woe 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §134: Woe, then kitab-i-iqanKIQ §274: bewail epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §234: woe betide kitab-i-iqanKIQ §95: “Woe epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §159: Woe betide thee epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §98: and woe epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §135: woe epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §130: woe betide him

انکر

inkr n-k-r → “denieth”

literal: denial; deniers

denieth 33% denied 22% denial 11% verily 11% hath 11% disbelieved 11%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §134: deniest Me gleaningsGWB §80: aggressor kitab-i-iqanKIQ §92: protested prayers-and-meditationsP&M §626: have repudiated will-and-testamentW&T §34: disbelieved in Thee epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §39: denieth gleaningsGWB §44: denier kitab-i-iqanKIQ §160: deniest

Model Translations by Shoghi Effendi

Fire Tablet cover

Fire Tablet

Bahá’u’lláh

Revealed in late 1871 during a period of severe hardship in ‘Akká, this Tablet takes the form of an anguished dialogue between Bahá’u’lláh and God. Questions about the sufferings of the faithful are answered with divine assurances, building to a crescendo of triumph over tribulation.

50 ¶

Gleanings cover

Gleanings

Bahá’u’lláh

A compilation of 166 selections from Bahá’u’lláh’s Tablets, spanning the Baghdad, Adrianople, and ‘Akká periods (1853–1892). George Townshend assisted with English refinement. Shoghi Effendi wrote that it gives the friends a splendid opportunity to acquire knowledge and understanding of the Faith.

729 ¶

Kitáb-i-'Ahd cover

Kitáb-i-’Ahd

Bahá’u’lláh

The Book of the Covenant — Bahá’u’lláh’s Will and Testament, written entirely in His own hand and unsealed on the ninth day after His ascension. It designates ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as His successor and establishes what Shoghi Effendi called the mightiest Covenant in all religious history.

16 ¶

Kitáb-i-Íqán cover

Kitáb-i-Íqán

Bahá’u’lláh

The principal doctrinal work of the Faith, revealed in Baghdad within the space of two days and two nights in response to questions from the Báb’s maternal uncle. Shoghi Effendi described it as occupying a position unequalled by any work except the Kitáb-i-Aqdas — a model of Persian prose, at once original, chaste, vigorous, and remarkably lucid.

291 ¶

Prayers and Meditations cover

Prayers and Meditations

Bahá’u’lláh

Published in 1938, this companion volume to Gleanings contains 184 prayers and meditations selected by Shoghi Effendi from Bahá’u’lláh’s devotional writings revealed across successive exiles from Baghdad to ‘Akká. Shoghi Effendi described it as a volume whose perusal would deepen the spirit of devotion and faith.

858 ¶

Tablet of Aḥmad cover

Tablet of Aḥmad

Bahá’u’lláh

Revealed in Adrianople and addressed to a believer named Aḥmad, this Tablet has been invested by Bahá’u’lláh with a special potency and significance. Its central imagery draws on the metaphor of fire and water: “Be thou as a flame of fire to My enemies and a river of life eternal to My loved ones.”

17 ¶

Tablet of Carmel cover

Tablet of Carmel

Bahá’u’lláh

Revealed during a visit to Mount Carmel, this Tablet addresses the mountain directly and prophesies its future as the world spiritual and administrative center of the Faith. Shoghi Effendi designated it one of three foundational Charters. Its imagery of the Ark and the dwellers therein prefigures the Universal House of Justice.

5 ¶

Tablet of the Holy Mariner cover

Tablet of the Holy Mariner

Bahá’u’lláh

Chanted aloud in the outskirts of Baghdad just weeks before the Declaration in the Garden of Riḍván, its gloomy prognostications aroused the grave apprehensions of all who heard it. Only the Arabic portion has an authorized translation; the Persian portion remains untranslated.

57 ¶

The Hidden Words cover

The Hidden Words

Bahá’u’lláh

Seventy-one Arabic and eighty-two Persian aphorisms revealed around 1858 while walking along the banks of the Tigris in Baghdad. Originally designated the “Hidden Book of Fáṭimih,” Shoghi Effendi described it as a marvelous collection of gem-like utterances occupying a position of unsurpassed preeminence among the ethical writings of the Faith.

160 ¶

Will and Testament cover

Will and Testament

‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Written by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in three parts between 1901 and 1908, opened and read after His passing on 28 November 1921. Shoghi Effendi designated it the Charter of the New World Order — the mightiest instrument forged to ensure the continuity of the three ages of the Bahá’í Dispensation.

59 ¶