Gleanings — §388

Arabic source with Shoghi Effendi’s authorized English translation. Paragraph 388 of 729.

Source (Arabic)

وکلّما ینسب العباد بالعبودیّة لاسمه المعبود أو ینسب المخلوق إلی إسمه الخالق هذا من فضله علیهم من دون استحقاقهم بذلک ویشهد بذلک کلّ موقن بصیرًا

Shoghi Effendi Translation

The tie of servitude established between the worshiper and the adored One, between the creature and the Creator, should in itself be regarded as a token of His gracious favor unto men, and not as an indication of any merit they may possess. To this testifieth every true and discerning believer.

Translation Notes

وکلّما

k-l-l → “tie of servitude established” Distinctive

literal: agency; representation; trusteeship; delegated authority; to rely; to trust; to place trust in

ینسب

n-s-b → “relationship” Distinctive

literal: relation; relationship; connection; attribution; proportion

العباد

ʿ-b-d → “the worshiper” Distinctive

literal: servant; slave; worshipper

لاسمه

s-m-w

literal: heaven; sky

أو

h-w-w → “and” Distinctive

literal: he; it (third person pronoun); refuge; shelter; dwelling place; abode; lamentation, cry, woe; melody, song

المخلوق

kh-l-q → “the creature”

literal: character; moral traits; disposition; conduct

إلی

ʾ-l-y

literal: except; but; if not; lo; now; at this time; save; only; unless

هذا

h-dh-ʾ → “this”

literal: this; that

من

m-n → “of His”

literal: from; out of; than (preposition and particle)

فضله

f-ḍ-l → “gracious favor” Distinctive

literal: grace; bounty; generosity; excellence

علیهم

ʿ-l-y → “unto men” Distinctive

literal: exalted; highest; supreme; most high; upon you; on; over; Ali (name); upon

دون

d-w-n

literal: below; lower than; beneath

استحقاقهم

ḥ-q-q → “truth” Distinctive

literal: truth; right; that which is true or just

بذلک

dh-l-k → “Thus” Distinctive

literal: that; this; it; by that

ویشهد

sh-h-d → “testifieth”

literal: witnessed; observed; seen; evident; manifest

موقن

y-q-n → “certitude” Distinctive

literal: to be certain; to know with certainty

بصیرًا

b-ṣ-r → “discerning” Distinctive

literal: sight; insight; discernment; spiritual perception

Model Translations by Shoghi Effendi

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Kitáb-i-’Ahd

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16 ¶

Kitáb-i-Íqán

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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 ¶

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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.

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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

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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

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57 ¶

The Hidden Words

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160 ¶

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 ¶