Prayers and Meditations — §23

Arabic source with Shoghi Effendi’s authorized English translation. Paragraph 23 of 858.

Source (Arabic)

سُبْحانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ يا إِلهِي تَرَى مَقَرِّيْ وَمَحْبَسِي وَابْتِلاَئِي، فَوَعِزَّتِكَ قَدْ عَجِزَ القَلَمُ عَنْ ذِكْرِهَا، وَالبَيانُ عَنْ بَيانِهَا وَشَرْحِهَا، لَمْ أَدْرِ يا إِلهِي بِأَيِّ جِهَةٍ تَرَكْتَنِي بَيْنَ أَعادِي نَفْسِكَ، فَوَعِزَّتِكَ لا أَجْزَعُ عَنِ الشَّدائِدِ فِيْ حُبِّكَ وَلا أَضْطَرِبُ عَن

Shoghi Effendi Translation

Glorified be Thy name, O Lord my God! Thou beholdest my dwelling-place, and the prison into which I am cast, and the woes I suffer. By Thy might! No pen can recount them, nor can any tongue describe or number them. I know not, O my God, for what purpose Thou hast abandoned me to Thine adversaries. Thy glory beareth me witness! I sorrow not for the vexations I endure for love of Thee, nor feel perturbed by the calamities that overtake me in Thy path. My grief is rather because Thou delayest to fulfill what Thou hast determined in the Tablets of Thy Revelation, and ordained in the books of Thy decree and judgment.

Translation Notes

سُبْحانَكَ

subḥának s-b-ḥ → “glorified be”

literal: glory; glory, praise; glory/praise

glorified 27% lauded 19% praised 14% glory 12% praise 10% magnified 6% exalted 5% all 3% unto 2% “glory 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §102: celebrateth gleaningsGWB §450: High is God exalted kitab-i-iqanKIQ §32: Immeasurably high prayers-and-meditationsP&M §315: All praise be to Thee tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §11: my Lord the-hidden-wordsHW §89: from on high epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §115: the mists gleaningsGWB §48: the impediments

اللَّهُمَّ

al-lahumm ʾ-l-h → “o lord” Distinctive

literal: God; divine; god

SE usually renders this root as “god”, “divine”, “god’s”

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 §109: Divine gleaningsGWB §560: is kitab-i-iqanKIQ §107: holy prayers-and-meditationsP&M §371: O my God the-hidden-wordsHW §147: celestial will-and-testamentW&T §53: the Holy Writ epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §117: of God gleaningsGWB §668: set

تَرَى

tará r-ʾ-y → “thou beholdest”

literal: see; to see; see/behold

thou 53% seest 16% beholdest 12% behold 6% wert 2% regard 2% seest?” 2% discover 2% dost 2% art 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §168: perceived fire-tabletFire §26: seest gleaningsGWB §692: recognize prayers-and-meditationsP&M §15: may see Thee the-hidden-wordsHW §62: thou mayest obtain will-and-testamentW&T §5: behold him epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §104: to regard gleaningsGWB §260: seest?”

مَقَرِّيْ

maqarrí q-r-r → “my dwelling-place”

literal: place

gather 25% dwelling-place 25% dwelling 25% low 25%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §162: confess gleaningsGWB §593: their abode kitab-i-ahdAhd §6: singled out kitab-i-iqanKIQ §190: decreed by prayers-and-meditationsP&M §234: confession of their powerlessness tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: thine eyes the-hidden-wordsHW §44: thus shall will-and-testamentW&T §8: quietness

وَمَحْبَسِي

wamaḥbasí ḥ-b-s → “cast”

literal: imprison; prison; imprisoned

cast 17% imprisoned 17% hath 8% imprison 8% flung 8% riddest 8% bondage 8% have 8% shut 8% prison 8%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §107: cast Him into prison gleaningsGWB §718: imprison prayers-and-meditationsP&M §116: cast into prison the-hidden-wordsHW §116: prison will-and-testamentW&T §3: confinement epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §88: were they imprisoned prayers-and-meditationsP&M §24: Thy bondage will-and-testamentW&T §6: imprisonment

وَابْتِلاَئِي،

wábtiláaʾí، b-l-w → “and the woes i suffer” Distinctive

literal: tribulation; affliction; trial

This form usually rendered as “afflictions”, “tribulation”, “anguish” (8 occurrences)

SE expanded to “and the woes I suffer”

afflictions 50% tribulation 13% anguish 13% woes 13% trials 13%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §122: trials fire-tabletFire §48: of tribulation gleaningsGWB §569: the anguish kitab-i-iqanKIQ §39: He might prove prayers-and-meditationsP&M §94: was cast the-hidden-wordsHW §154: tried will-and-testamentW&T §3: a victim epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §29: adversity

فَوَعِزَّتِكَ

fawaʿizzatik ʿ-z-z → “by thy might”

literal: glory; mighty; might

SE expanded to “By Thy might”

swear 40% glory 38% might 15% power 4% own 2% would—i 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §150: Thy glory fire-tabletFire §43: by Thy banishment gleaningsGWB §116: sanctity and glory kitab-i-iqanKIQ §130: of celestial glory prayers-and-meditationsP&M §353: exalt the-hidden-wordsHW §125: Pride not yourselves will-and-testamentW&T §4: endeared epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §189: All-Powerful, the

عَجِزَ

ʿajiz ʿ-j-z → “no pen can recount” Distinctive

literal: unable; powerlessness

This form usually rendered as “powerlessness”, “helplessness”, “none” (37 occurrences)

SE expanded to “No pen can recount”

powerlessness 38% helplessness 14% none 10% impotence 10% failed 5% futility 5% incapacity 5% impotent 5% pen 5% weakness 5%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §169: capable gleaningsGWB §260: can frustrate kitab-i-iqanKIQ §157: the miracle prayers-and-meditationsP&M §260: is a mere abject one will-and-testamentW&T §49: overwhelmed epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §62: can gleaningsGWB §14: incapable kitab-i-iqanKIQ §121: wearied

القَلَمُ

al-qalam q-l-m

literal: pen; pen, reed; the pen

SE rendered فَوَعِزَّتِكَ (fawaʿizzatik), عَجِزَ (ʿajiz), القَلَمُ (al-qalam), ذِكْرِهَا، (dhikrihá،), وَالبَيانُ (wálbayán) as “By Thy might, No pen can recount, them, tongue”

pen 97% abhá 1% supreme 1% most 1% all-glorious 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §33: No pen gleaningsGWB §493: Pen of Revelation kitab-i-iqanKIQ §155: Pen of Power prayers-and-meditationsP&M §706: of Thy will-and-testamentW&T §13: clime epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §30: Thy pen gleaningsGWB §66: exclaimeth prayers-and-meditationsP&M §109: of Thy pen

ذِكْرِهَا،

dhikrihá، dh-k-r → “remembrance” Distinctive

literal: remembrance

This form usually rendered as “testimony” (4 occurrences)

remembrance 28% praise 20% mention 16% remember 10% mentioned 7% remembering 5% make 4% name 4% recorded 3% call 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §149: have mentioned gleaningsGWB §312: references made kitab-i-ahdAhd §4: reckoned kitab-i-iqanKIQ §45: maintained prayers-and-meditationsP&M §614: man tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §6: utter His call tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: proclaimeth the-hidden-wordsHW §44: Make mention of Me

وَالبَيانُ

wálbayán b-y-n → “utterance”

literal: utterance

utterance 53% bayán 17% eloquence 6% glorification 6% utterances 6% ornament 3% articulate 3% time 3% speak 3% give 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §14: the force of thy utterance fire-tabletFire §38: words gleaningsGWB §669: No tie of direct intercourse kitab-i-ahdAhd §8: among My kitab-i-iqanKIQ §284: language prayers-and-meditationsP&M §773: Thy clear tokens the-hidden-wordsHW §155: of wisdom will-and-testamentW&T §58: grievous

وَشَرْحِهَا،

washarḥihá، sh-r-ḥ

literal: explanation; dilated; expanded

SE rendered وَالبَيانُ (wálbayán), بَيانِهَا (bayánihá), وَشَرْحِهَا، (washarḥihá،), أَدْرِ (ʾadr), إِلهِي (ʾilhí), بِأَيِّ (biʾayy) as “tongue, describe or number them, O my God, for what purpose”

circumstances 25% dilated 13% expatiate 13% detailed 13% exposition 13% gladden 13% explained 13%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §10: dilated gleaningsGWB §40: circumstances kitab-i-iqanKIQ §148: the circumstances will-and-testamentW&T §7: explained epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §58: exposition will-and-testamentW&T §12: gladden epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §175: expatiate epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §234: a detailed

أَدْرِ

ʾadr d-r-y

literal: know; in

SE rendered بَيانِهَا (bayánihá), وَشَرْحِهَا، (washarḥihá،), أَدْرِ (ʾadr), إِلهِي (ʾilhí), بِأَيِّ (biʾayy) as “describe or number them, O my God, for what purpose”

know 77% think 8% cheered 8% how 8%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §7: know not gleaningsGWB §338: accomplishments prayers-and-meditationsP&M §340: powerless to describe epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §234: have come into prayers-and-meditationsP&M §558: How mysterious epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §209: possesseth prayers-and-meditationsP&M §378: think epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §8: I know not

بِأَيِّ

biʾayy ʾ-y-y → “for what purpose”

literal: sign; signs; which

SE expanded to “for what purpose”

what 38% sign 23% most 8% how 8% which 8% “wherefore 8% verse 8%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §7: Thy signs gleaningsGWB §537: verses prayers-and-meditationsP&M §737: and of Thine utterance epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §159: the signs gleaningsGWB §609: the verses prayers-and-meditationsP&M §97: Thine utterances epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §135: His signs gleaningsGWB §384: sign

جِهَةٍ

jihahin j-h-h

literal: direction; direction, side; direction/side

SE rendered أَدْرِ (ʾadr), إِلهِي (ʾilhí), بِأَيِّ (biʾayy), جِهَةٍ (jihahin), تَرَكْتَنِي (taraktaní), أَعادِي (ʾaʿádí) as “O my God, for what purpose, Thou hast abandoned me, Thine adversaries”

throne 50% seat 25% have 25%

fire-tabletFire §6: side gleaningsGWB §278: direction prayers-and-meditationsP&M §360: attachment to will-and-testamentW&T §32: sides gleaningsGWB §609: His seat of glory prayers-and-meditationsP&M §791: on every side gleaningsGWB §636: have We prayers-and-meditationsP&M §184: directions

تَرَكْتَنِي

taraktaní t-r-k → “thou hast abandoned me”

literal: leave/abandon; abandon

SE expanded to “Thou hast abandoned me”

thou 25% wilt 25% abandon 25% hast 25%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §7: have forsaken fire-tabletFire §18: been forsaken gleaningsGWB §241: cast behind your backs kitab-i-iqanKIQ §222: leave prayers-and-meditationsP&M §23: Thou hast abandoned me the-hidden-wordsHW §55: forsake epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §239: abandoned him fire-tabletFire §2: been abandoned

أَعادِي

ʾaʿádí ʿ-d-w → “thine adversaries”

literal: enemy; enemies

adversaries 50% enemies 33% challenge 17%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §6: Thine enemies fire-tabletFire §33: Thy foes gleaningsGWB §318: incapable of apprehending kitab-i-ahdAhd §5: enmity kitab-i-iqanKIQ §261: prepared prayers-and-meditationsP&M §120: Thine adversaries the-hidden-wordsHW §25: Transgress will-and-testamentW&T §52: enemies of God

نَفْسِكَ،

nafsika، n-f-s

literal: self; soul; souls

SE rendered تَرَكْتَنِي (taraktaní), أَعادِي (ʾaʿádí), نَفْسِكَ، (nafsika،), فَوَعِزَّتِكَ (fawaʿizzatik) as “Thou hast abandoned me, Thine adversaries, Thy glory beareth me witness”

thyself 28% own 26% self 19% thee 15% soul 3% himself 3% unto 2% inmost 2% spirit 2% most 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §94: into being gleaningsGWB §655: May my soul kitab-i-ahdAhd §8: those kitab-i-iqanKIQ §238: their own fancies prayers-and-meditationsP&M §407: of corrupt desire tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §52: within herself the-hidden-wordsHW §69: even as one soul will-and-testamentW&T §25: believers

أَجْزَعُ

ʾajzaʿ j-z-ʿ

literal: be-impatient; to be impatient/distressed

SE rendered فَوَعِزَّتِكَ (fawaʿizzatik), أَجْزَعُ (ʾajzaʿ), الشَّدائِدِ (ash-shadáʾid), حُبِّكَ (ḥubbik) as “Thy glory beareth me witness, for the vexations, for love of Thee”