Gleanings — §327

Arabic source with Shoghi Effendi’s authorized English translation. Paragraph 327 of 729.

Source (Arabic)

صرف و مفقود بحت است و اگر الی ما لا نهایه بعقول اوّلیّه و آخریّه در این لطیفهٴ ربّانیّه و تجلّی عزّ صمدانیّه تفکّر نمائی البتّه از عرفان او کما هو حقّه خود را عاجز و قاصر مشاهده نمائی و چون عجز و قصور خود را از بلوغ بعرفان آیهٴ موجودهٔ در خود مشاهده نمودی البتّه عجز خود و عجز ممکنات را از عرفان ذات احدیّه و شمس عزّ قدمیّه بعین سر و سرّ ملاحظه نمائی و اعتراف بر عجز در این مقام از روی بصیرت منتها مقام عرفان عبد است و منتها بلوغ عباد...

Shoghi Effendi Translation

Wert thou to ponder in thine heart, from now until the end that hath no end, and with all the concentrated intelligence and understanding which the greatest minds have attained in the past or will attain in the future, this divinely ordained and subtle Reality, this sign of the revelation of the All-Abiding, All-Glorious God, thou wilt fail to comprehend its mystery or to appraise its virtue. Having recognized thy powerlessness to attain to an adequate understanding of that Reality which abideth within thee, thou wilt readily admit the futility of such efforts as may be attempted by thee, or by any of the created things, to fathom the mystery of the Living God, the Daystar of unfading glory, the Ancient of everlasting days. This confession of helplessness which mature contemplation must eventually impel every mind to make is in itself the acme of human understanding, and marketh the culmination of man’s development.

Translation Notes

صرف

ṣrf ṣ-r-f

literal: pure

SE rendered صرف (ṣrf), مفقود (mfqúd), بحت (bḥt) as “”

pure 20% absolute 13% utter 13% essence 13% spent 7% supreme 7% incorruptible 7% sheer 7% vary 7% utterly 7%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §61: establishing His ascendency gleaningsGWB §106: Incorruptible kitab-i-iqanKIQ §133: sway prayers-and-meditationsP&M §678: essence the-hidden-wordsHW §159: spend will-and-testamentW&T §27: be expended for epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §202: spent gleaningsGWB §99: of pure abstraction

مفقود

mfqúd f-q-d

literal: lost; lost/missing

SE rendered مفقود (mfqúd), بحت (bḥt), نهایه (nháyh) as “end”

forgotten 21% thing 14% lost 14% forsook 7% hath 7% withdrawn 7% complete 7% oblivion 7% dissipated 7% nothingness 7%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §140: forsook gleaningsGWB §682: withdrawn kitab-i-iqanKIQ §109: thing forgotten prayers-and-meditationsP&M §150: and complete abnegation will-and-testamentW&T §13: lost epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §149: adversity gleaningsGWB §132: forgotten kitab-i-iqanKIQ §219: loving-kindness

بحت

bḥt b-ḥ-t

literal: pure; absolute; absolute (with ـه)

SE rendered بحت (bḥt), نهایه (nháyh), بعقول (bʿqúl) as “end, mind”

utter 40% complete 20% certainty 20% completely 20%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §70: complete and absolute gleaningsGWB §706: of a certainty kitab-i-iqanKIQ §174: completely gleaningsGWB §104: utter

نهایه

nháyh n-h-y → “end”

literal: end; ended

unnumbered 20% lowest 20% never-ending 20% end 20% “end 20%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §143: forbidden fire-tabletFire §29: of the gleaningsGWB §111: limitless kitab-i-ahdAhd §7: categorically forbidden kitab-i-iqanKIQ §25: infinite mercy prayers-and-meditationsP&M §299: Desire tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §24: them that comprehend the-hidden-wordsHW §39: deny

بعقول

bʿqúl ʿ-q-l → “mind”

literal: intellect; minds; understand

mind 45% minds 20% understanding 10% every 5% limited 5% intellect 5% sound 5% intelligence 5%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §240: judgment gleaningsGWB §35: understanding kitab-i-iqanKIQ §94: sound of mind prayers-and-meditationsP&M §343: endued with understanding epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §38: men endued with insight gleaningsGWB §124: conceive kitab-i-iqanKIQ §14: their limited understanding prayers-and-meditationsP&M §645: intelligence

اوّلیّه

iwwlílh ʾ-w-l → “first” Distinctive

literal: first; firstness

This form usually rendered as “primal”, “especially”, “one” (26 occurrences)

primal 36% especially 7% one 7% first 7% have 7% world 7% former 7% who 7% primarily 7% ye 7%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §226: beginning gleaningsGWB §440: the early kitab-i-iqanKIQ §234: shall despair prayers-and-meditationsP&M §774: Through His Firstness the-hidden-wordsHW §119: ye that have will-and-testamentW&T §58: falsely interpret epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §88: the greatest of sinners gleaningsGWB §427: this world

آخریّه

ákhrírh ʾ-kh-r → “future” Distinctive

literal: lastness; end; finally

This form usually rendered as “other”, “again”, “more” (8 occurrences)

other 33% again 33% more 33%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §79: again gleaningsGWB §540: more kitab-i-iqanKIQ §174: “last,”prayers-and-meditationsP&M §774: through His Lastness the-hidden-wordsHW §96: While there is yet epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §237: in the end gleaningsGWB §427: next kitab-i-iqanKIQ §179: end.”

لطیفهٴ

lṭífhٴ l-ṭ-f → “subtle reality”

literal: subtle

subtle 67% refined 33%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §198: most sanctified gleaningsGWB §655: the fragrance of Thy loving-kindness kitab-i-iqanKIQ §149: fullest adornment prayers-and-meditationsP&M §241: and favor the-hidden-wordsHW §109: loving and kindness will-and-testamentW&T §27: as a sign epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §130: bounty gleaningsGWB §59: the favors

ربّانیّه

rbbánính r-b-b → “divinely ordained”

literal: Lord; lord; divine

divine 38% god 16% divinely 9% heavenly 9% heaven-sent 6% ancient 6% celestial 6% lord 3% might 3% revelation 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §102: thy Lord gleaningsGWB §298: Him kitab-i-iqanKIQ §1: OUR LORD prayers-and-meditationsP&M §184: the Enlightener tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §11: the All-Glorious the-hidden-wordsHW §25: of thy God will-and-testamentW&T §36: Lord, Most High epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §111: of

تجلّی

tjllí j-l-w → “sign of the revelation”

literal: manifestation; manifest; manifested

SE expanded to “sign of the revelation”

revelation 37% shed 16% splendor 11% effulgence 5% resplendent 5% ordained 5% through 5% effulgent 5% plentitude 5% hath 5%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §30: by the splendors gleaningsGWB §190: bright effulgences kitab-i-iqanKIQ §205: effulgent glories prayers-and-meditationsP&M §839: Thy majesty the-hidden-wordsHW §117: reveal epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §68: effulgence gleaningsGWB §328: reflecteth kitab-i-iqanKIQ §217: splendours

عزّ

ʿzz ʿ-z-z → “all-glorious” Distinctive

literal: glory; mighty; might

This form usually rendered as “glory”, “transcendent”, “exalted” (190 occurrences)

glory 49% transcendent 20% exalted 10% glorified 4% honor 4% all-glorious 3% mighty 3% most 3% almighty 3% might 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §113: the glory fire-tabletFire §43: by Thy banishment gleaningsGWB §402: All-Powerful kitab-i-iqanKIQ §152: more glorious prayers-and-meditationsP&M §532: I swear the-hidden-wordsHW §107: cherish will-and-testamentW&T §4: endeared epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §103: is the Almighty

صمدانیّه

ṣmdánính ṣ-m-d → “everlasting”

literal: eternal; eternal, absolute; eternal, everlasting

everlasting 39% celestial 17% eternal 17% ethereal 6% all-abiding 6% divine 6% god 6% immortal 6%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §5: the Ever-Abiding gleaningsGWB §93: celestial kitab-i-iqanKIQ §248: eternal glory prayers-and-meditationsP&M §694: Thine eternity gleaningsGWB §131: everlasting kitab-i-iqanKIQ §185: eternal prayers-and-meditationsP&M §617: of Thine Eternity gleaningsGWB §684: Divine glory

تفکّر

tfkkr f-k-r → “to ponder”

literal: reflection; reflect

ponder 40% meditate 22% reflect 16% consider 7% attentively 4% remember 2% “ponder 2% meditated 2% why 2% meditation 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §34: meditated gleaningsGWB §148: to meditate kitab-i-iqanKIQ §48: minds will-and-testamentW&T §9: purposed epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §175: Meditate gleaningsGWB §107: be attentively considered kitab-i-iqanKIQ §258: thought epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §222: “Ponder

نمائی

nmáʾí n-m-ʾ → “may”

literal: show

mayest 20% wash 20% callest 20% show 20% thou 20%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §60: hath gleaningsGWB §410: hath sustained kitab-i-ahdAhd §4: is kitab-i-iqanKIQ §175: placed themselves unreservedly prayers-and-meditationsP&M §646: can cause the-hidden-wordsHW §151: made will-and-testamentW&T §18: to succeed him epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §212: He maketh

البتّه

al-btth b-t-t → “assuredly”

literal: certainly; certainly, definitely

assuredly 20% doubt 13% unfailingly 13% verily 13% there 7% certainly 7% certainty 7% would 7% surely 7% thou 7%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §112: no doubt gleaningsGWB §688: assuredly kitab-i-iqanKIQ §42: surely the-hidden-wordsHW §117: thou wouldst will-and-testamentW&T §43: times gleaningsGWB §556: unfailingly kitab-i-iqanKIQ §154: verily the-hidden-wordsHW §80: shall never

از

iz ʾ-z

literal: from

SE rendered صمدانیّه (ṣmdánính), تفکّر (tfkkr), نمائی (nmáʾí), البتّه (al-btth), از (iz), عرفان (ʿrfán), کما (kmá), حقّه (ḥqqh) as “All-Abiding, to ponder, may, understanding, God”

23 occurrences in corpus

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §128: of kitab-i-iqanKIQ §176: at kitab-i-iqanKIQ §176: from kitab-i-iqanKIQ §246: Amongst

کما

kmá k-m

literal: decrease; less; as

SE rendered تفکّر (tfkkr), نمائی (nmáʾí), البتّه (al-btth), از (iz), عرفان (ʿrfán), کما (kmá), حقّه (ḥqqh), عاجز (ʿájz) as “to ponder, may, understanding, God, fail”

3 occurrences in corpus

gleaningsGWB §147: loss kitab-i-iqanKIQ §262: as

حقّه

ḥqqh ḥ-q-q → “god”

literal: truth; true; right

truth 50% god 14% true 10% one 9% eternal 7% through 3% right 2% righteousness 2% unto 1% who 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §193: Inevitable gleaningsGWB §123: an Essence kitab-i-ahdAhd §3: righteousness kitab-i-iqanKIQ §110: evident prayers-and-meditationsP&M §601: Thy reality the-hidden-wordsHW §92: mysteries will-and-testamentW&T §34: for epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §138: in truth

عاجز

ʿájz ʿ-j-z → “fail”

literal: unable; powerlessness

powerless 17% fail 17% impotent 17% unable 17% incapable 8% wearied 8% can 8% mere 8%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §164: powerless gleaningsGWB §260: can frustrate kitab-i-iqanKIQ §189: unable prayers-and-meditationsP&M §601: its own impotence will-and-testamentW&T §49: overwhelmed epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §82: none can produce gleaningsGWB §112: confess their helplessness kitab-i-iqanKIQ §121: wearied

قاصر

qáṣr q-ṣ-r

literal: palace; deficient; fault

SE rendered حقّه (ḥqqh), عاجز (ʿájz), قاصر (qáṣr), مشاهده (msháhdh), نمائی (nmáʾí), چون (chún), عجز (ʿjz) as “God, fail, Having recognized, will, powerlessness”

mansion 18% fallen 12% palaces 12% mansions 12% failure 12% powerlessness 12% guilt 6% conduct 6% mystic 6% against 6%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §60: guilt gleaningsGWB §466: against him kitab-i-iqanKIQ §244: brevity prayers-and-meditationsP&M §434: not fallen short tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §47: mansion epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §85: conduct gleaningsGWB §591: the Mansion kitab-i-iqanKIQ §190: mansions

مشاهده

msháhdh sh-h-d → “having recognized” Distinctive

literal: witness; observation; witnessed

This form usually rendered as “behold”, “witness”, “perceive” (145 occurrences)

behold 25% witness 16% perceive 11% found 9% beholding 7% will 7% witnessed 7% regard 5% gaze 5% discern 5%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §140: the martyrs fire-tabletFire §48: the place gleaningsGWB §672: sweetness kitab-i-ahdAhd §3: appeareth kitab-i-iqanKIQ §155: shineth prayers-and-meditationsP&M §351: are due to tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §12: dost witness the-hidden-wordsHW §47: a martyr

چون

chún ch-w-n

literal: when; as

SE rendered عاجز (ʿájz), قاصر (qáṣr), مشاهده (msháhdh), نمائی (nmáʾí), چون (chún), عجز (ʿjz), قصور (qṣúr), از (iz), بلوغ (blúgh), بعرفان (bʿrfán) as “fail, Having recognized, will, powerlessness, to attain, understanding”

“when 20% inasmuch 20% soon 20% “inasmuch 20% even 20%

kitab-i-iqanKIQ §201: As soon as will-and-testamentW&T §13: even as kitab-i-iqanKIQ §162: Inasmuch as kitab-i-iqanKIQ §284: Such kitab-i-iqanKIQ §80: As kitab-i-iqanKIQ §40: “Inasmuch as kitab-i-iqanKIQ §159: “When

بلوغ

blúgh b-l-gh → “to attain”

literal: attainment

attain 50% attainments 25% unravel 25%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §68: thou wouldst attain fire-tabletFire §11: reached gleaningsGWB §327: to attain kitab-i-ahdAhd §5: consummate kitab-i-iqanKIQ §26: from prayers-and-meditationsP&M §239: attain unto will-and-testamentW&T §55: endeavour proclaim epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §228: attained

آیهٴ

áyhٴ ʾ-y-y → “signs”

literal: sign; signs

sign 50% reality 50%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §193: \‘Yea gleaningsGWB §151: of the words of God kitab-i-iqanKIQ §186: blessed verse prayers-and-meditationsP&M §774: His utterance the-hidden-wordsHW §147: attain epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §217: verses gleaningsGWB §547: of His kitab-i-iqanKIQ §226: verses of

موجودهٔ

mújúdh w-j-d → “all” Distinctive

literal: existence; existent

This form usually rendered as “exist”, “extant”, “found” (50 occurrences)

exist 21% extant 14% found 14% existing 7% standeth 7% possession 7% there 7% embodied 7% could 7% recipient 7%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §84: could find fire-tabletFire §49: thou canst breathe gleaningsGWB §187: may inhale kitab-i-iqanKIQ §86: non-existence prayers-and-meditationsP&M §466: they may discover tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §56: they found the-hidden-wordsHW §21: has made will-and-testamentW&T §4: despite

نمودی

nmúdí n-m-ود → “hath” Distinctive

literal: do; to do; do/make

This form usually rendered as “guided”, “having” (6 occurrences)

guided 50% having 50%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §113: gathered gleaningsGWB §312: actuated kitab-i-iqanKIQ §17: deprived the-hidden-wordsHW §148: have entered into will-and-testamentW&T §57: to take epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §45: can never gleaningsGWB §669: can penetrate kitab-i-iqanKIQ §149: have contended

ممکنات

mmknát m-k-n → “created things”

literal: possible things

all 49% entire 21% created 14% creatures 5% creation 5% things 2% souls 2% every 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §228: the world of being fire-tabletFire §20: every creature gleaningsGWB §521: the entire creation kitab-i-iqanKIQ §271: being prayers-and-meditationsP&M §837: all beings the-hidden-wordsHW §128: secure will-and-testamentW&T §17: subordination epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §30: all created things

ذات

dhát dh-w-t → “essence”

literal: essence; essence, self; essence/self

essence 44% self 11% ancient 11% unchangeable 7% person 7% self-subsistent 4% most 4% living 4% divine 4% himself 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §168: the Most Sublime Essence gleaningsGWB §461: judgment kitab-i-iqanKIQ §32: their own Selves prayers-and-meditationsP&M §467: my whole being will-and-testamentW&T §25: in person epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §172: being gleaningsGWB §386: hath Himself kitab-i-iqanKIQ §196: person

احدیّه

iḥdídh ʾ-ḥ-d → “living god” Distinctive

literal: anyone; one; oneness

This form usually rendered as “none”, “divine”, “any” (95 occurrences)

none 29% divine 14% any 12% god 12% anyone 8% man 6% one 6% all-glorious 4% unity 4% who 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §149: unto one gleaningsGWB §287: as kitab-i-iqanKIQ §212: those who are initiated prayers-and-meditationsP&M §774: greatness the-hidden-wordsHW §141: any man’s epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §183: His gleaningsGWB §326: of God kitab-i-iqanKIQ §224: Whom

شمس

shms sh-m-s → “daystar”

literal: sun; suns; the sun

sun 50% daystar 24% day-star 6% light 6% “sun” 5% luminary 4% orb 2% sunlight 1% most 1% ‘sun’ 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §159: the suns gleaningsGWB §286: behold kitab-i-iqanKIQ §31: of Truth prayers-and-meditationsP&M §744: one epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §234: Sun of Truth gleaningsGWB §100: Luminaries kitab-i-iqanKIQ §114: Day-star of Truth prayers-and-meditationsP&M §203: and by

قدمیّه

qdmímh q-d-m → “ancient of everlasting days”

literal: ancient

SE expanded to “Ancient of everlasting days”

ancient 60% imperishable 20% one 20%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §42: Eternity fire-tabletFire §1: the Most Ancient gleaningsGWB §51: of thy kitab-i-iqanKIQ §167: step prayers-and-meditationsP&M §658: the past tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: by His presence the-hidden-wordsHW §119: seek an advantage will-and-testamentW&T §8: submitted

بعین

bʿín ʿ-y-n

literal: eye; eyes

SE rendered ذات (dhát), احدیّه (iḥdídh), شمس (shms), عزّ (ʿzz), قدمیّه (qdmímh), بعین (bʿín), سر (sr), سرّ (srr), ملاحظه (mláḥẓh), نمائی (nmáʾí), اعتراف (iʿtráf) as “Living God, Daystar, glory, Ancient of everlasting days, mystery, admit, confession”

eye 51% spring 14% eyes 14% well-spring 3% identical 3% aynu’l-baqar 3% damsels 3% acute 3% before 3% face 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §176: appoint gleaningsGWB §565: with Mine own eyes kitab-i-iqanKIQ §17: waters prayers-and-meditationsP&M §219: mine eyes tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §12: with their own eyes tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: those of all creation the-hidden-wordsHW §3: through the eyes will-and-testamentW&T §12: watchful eye

سر

sr s-r-r → “mystery”

literal: secret; secrets; secret, mystery

mystery 39% secret 19% secretly 10% privily 10% hidden 6% heads 3% innermost 3% am 3% inwardly 3% infinitesimal 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §217: throne gleaningsGWB §18: the joy kitab-i-iqanKIQ §170: mystic prayers-and-meditationsP&M §333: the throne tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §35: the inmost the-hidden-wordsHW §66: hidden will-and-testamentW&T §42: plotted darkly epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §218: secret

ملاحظه

mláḥẓh l-ḥ-ẓ → “consider”

literal: observation; observe; observation, consideration

consider 41% reflect 14% behold 13% observe 13% witness 5% recognize 3% regard 3% witnessed 3% ponder 3% read 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §184: look gleaningsGWB §549: demonstrated kitab-i-ahdAhd §15: regard kitab-i-iqanKIQ §138: call prayers-and-meditationsP&M §856: for the purpose will-and-testamentW&T §30: observed epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §14: behold gleaningsGWB §191: to ascertain

بر

br b-r-r

literal: on; on, upon; upon

SE rendered سرّ (srr), ملاحظه (mláḥẓh), نمائی (nmáʾí), اعتراف (iʿtráf), بر (br), عجز (ʿjz), مقام (mqám), از (iz), روی (rúy), بصیرت (bṣírt) as “mystery, admit, confession, helplessness, acme, contemplation”

land 33% upon 11% piety 11% unto 11% pious 6% righteousness 6% beseech 6% good 6% against 6% indignities 6%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §127: upon gleaningsGWB §482: of the upright kitab-i-iqanKIQ §19: To them the-hidden-wordsHW §92: HIGHEST will-and-testamentW&T §25: in epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §63: righteousness gleaningsGWB §575: good counsel kitab-i-iqanKIQ §6: voiced by

مقام

mqám q-w-m → “people” Distinctive

literal: station; people; place

This form usually rendered as “station”, “connection”, “place” (338 occurrences)

station 55% connection 12% place 6% most 5% seat 5% such 5% spot 3% another 3% court 2% instance 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §205: occasion fire-tabletFire §48: He hath risen up gleaningsGWB §641: honor kitab-i-ahdAhd §11: to be beneath that kitab-i-iqanKIQ §246: His people prayers-and-meditationsP&M §485: Endue them with tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: most exalted Spot tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §47: own station

روی

rúy r-w-y

literal: face; grow; tradition

SE rendered اعتراف (iʿtráf), بر (br), عجز (ʿjz), مقام (mqám), از (iz), روی (rúy), بصیرت (bṣírt), منتها (mnthá), مقام (mqám), عرفان (ʿrfán), عبد (ʿbd) as “confession, helplessness, acme, contemplation, understanding, man’s”