Prayers and Meditations — §261

Arabic source with Shoghi Effendi’s authorized English translation. Paragraph 261 of 858.

Source (Arabic)

أَيْ رَبِّ شُقَّ سَحَابَ الأَوْهامِ عَنْ وَجْهِ الأَنامِ لِيَسْرُعُنَّ كُلٌّ إِلَيْكَ وَيَسْلُكُنَّ سُبُلَ رِضائِكَ وَمَناهِجَ أَمْرِكَ، أَيْ رَبِّ نَحْنُ عِبادُكَ وَأَرِقَّائُكَ وَاسْتَغْنَيْنا بِكَ عَنِ العالَمِينَ وَرَضِينا بِما وَرَد عَلَيْنا فِي سَبِيلكَ وَنَقُولُ الحَمْدُ لَكَ يا مَنْ بِيَدِكَ جَبَروُتُ الأَمْرِ وَالخَلْقِ وَمَلَكُوتُ السَّمواتِ وَالأَرَضِينَ.

Shoghi Effendi Translation

Tear asunder, O my God, the veil of vain imaginings that hath obscured the vision of Thy people, that all may haste towards Thee, may tread the path of Thy pleasure, and walk in the ways of Thy Faith. We are, O my God, Thy servants and Thy bondsmen. Thou art sufficient unto us so that we can dispense with the world and all that is therein. We are wholly satisfied with all that hath befallen us in Thy path, and exclaim: “Praised be Thou, in Whose hand are the realms of revelation and of creation, and all the kingdoms of earth and heaven!”

Translation Notes

شُقَّ

shuqq sh-q-q

literal: split; discord; hardship

SE rendered رَبِّ (rabb), شُقَّ (shuqq), سَحَابَ (saḥáb), الأَوْهامِ (al-ʾawhám), وَجْهِ (wajh) as “God, veil, vain imaginings, vision”

hath 20% torn 20% cleaving 20% cloven 20% tear 20%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §135: rent asunder gleaningsGWB §73: the cleaving kitab-i-iqanKIQ §48: blossoms prayers-and-meditationsP&M §261: Tear asunder tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §57: rent the-hidden-wordsHW §92: wind-flowers will-and-testamentW&T §10: discord epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §72: torn away

سَحَابَ

saḥáb s-ḥ-b → “clouds”

literal: cloud; clouds; cloud, clouds

clouds 83% showers 5% outpourings 3% cloud 2% which 2% clouded 2% showering 2% veil 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §106: clouds gleaningsGWB §447: which the clouds kitab-i-iqanKIQ §25: showering prayers-and-meditationsP&M §79: the outpourings epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §89: the clouds gleaningsGWB §227: a cloud kitab-i-iqanKIQ §233: the showers prayers-and-meditationsP&M §261: veil

الأَوْهامِ

al-ʾawhám w-h-m → “vain imaginings”

literal: illusion; fancy; illusions

vain 51% idle 32% vague 4% imaginations 4% superstitions 2% imagined 2% prompted 2% men’s 2% all 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §240: vain fancies fire-tabletFire §24: idle imaginings gleaningsGWB §440: your vain imaginings kitab-i-iqanKIQ §30: conceive prayers-and-meditationsP&M §671: and idle imaginings tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §12: of delusion the-hidden-wordsHW §144: FANCY will-and-testamentW&T §34: suspicion

الأَنامِ

an-nám ʾ-n-m → “people”

literal: mankind, people; mankind/people

all 31% men 23% people 15% world 8% rest 8% peoples 8% amongst 8%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §51: of the world fire-tabletFire §24: the people gleaningsGWB §401: the peoples of the world kitab-i-iqanKIQ §237: being prayers-and-meditationsP&M §261: people epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §177: men gleaningsGWB §696: amongst men prayers-and-meditationsP&M §203: of all mankind

لِيَسْرُعُنَّ

líasruʿunn s-r-ʿ → “haste” Distinctive

literal: hasten; hastened; hasten/hurry

This form usually rendered as “may”, “all” (4 occurrences)

may 75% all 25%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §41: Haste ye gleaningsGWB §275: hasten ye kitab-i-iqanKIQ §271: hasten unto Him prayers-and-meditationsP&M §261: all may haste the-hidden-wordsHW §41: traverse epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §159: hastened gleaningsGWB §423: hasten kitab-i-iqanKIQ §120: “Swift

وَيَسْلُكُنَّ

wayaslukunn s-l-k → “tread” Distinctive

literal: traveler; wayfarer; conduct

This form usually rendered as “may”, “walk” (2 occurrences)

may 50% walk 50%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §20: Deal gleaningsGWB §556: treadeth kitab-i-iqanKIQ §2: follow in His way prayers-and-meditationsP&M §78: from walking the-hidden-wordsHW §51: canst thou walk epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §256: wandered gleaningsGWB §553: the seeker kitab-i-iqanKIQ §14: behaviour

سُبُلَ

subul s-b-l → “path”

literal: path; way; path/way

ways 27% path 20% systems 13% way 13% paths 13% course 7% footsteps 7%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §94: the ways gleaningsGWB §659: for My sake kitab-i-iqanKIQ §25: in His path prayers-and-meditationsP&M §278: Thy path!”tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §11: in My path the-hidden-wordsHW §46: My path will-and-testamentW&T §3: shed streams epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §100: the path

رِضائِكَ

riḍáʾik r-ḍ-y → “pleasure”

literal: pleasure; pleasure/satisfaction

pleasure 30% good 21% good-pleasure 13% sake 13% will 6% thee 6% unto 4% content 2% please 2% pleasure!” 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §122: contentment fire-tabletFire §48: Thy pleasure gleaningsGWB §611: am well pleased kitab-i-iqanKIQ §250: the good-pleasure prayers-and-meditationsP&M §585: be wholly dissolved the-hidden-wordsHW §51: them that are content will-and-testamentW&T §8: submitted to His Will epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §229: refuse

وَمَناهِجَ

wamanáhij n-h-j → “ways”

literal: paths; ways

ways 36% path 36% walk 9% paths 9% good 9%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §225: in His Ways gleaningsGWB §485: ways kitab-i-iqanKIQ §215: Path prayers-and-meditationsP&M §78: in the ways gleaningsGWB §255: the path prayers-and-meditationsP&M §261: and walk in the ways of gleaningsGWB §467: the ways prayers-and-meditationsP&M §531: the paths

أَمْرِكَ،

ʾamrika، ʾ-m-r → “faith” Distinctive

literal: command; cause

This form usually rendered as “cause”, “revelation”, “behest” (244 occurrences)

cause 62% revelation 14% behest 6% faith 4% bidding 4% commandment 3% decree 2% affairs 2% through 2% command 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §164: time fire-tabletFire §17: Command gleaningsGWB §683: Revelation.…kitab-i-ahdAhd §11: decreed kitab-i-iqanKIQ §12: of celestial dominion prayers-and-meditationsP&M §468: and which Thou didst command me tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §4: to Whose commands the-hidden-wordsHW §35: of power

عِبادُكَ

ʿibáduk ʿ-b-d → “servants”

literal: servants; servant; servant/slave

servants 87% among 4% people 3% unto 1% upon 1% all 1% amidst 1% sincere 1% servants’ 1% ones 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §232: I worship fire-tabletFire §50: all the servants gleaningsGWB §173: children of men kitab-i-iqanKIQ §8: on their part prayers-and-meditationsP&M §308: among Thy people tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §15: a service will-and-testamentW&T §36: this Thy servant epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §140: men

وَأَرِقَّائُكَ

waʾariqqáʾuk r-q-q → “slaves” Distinctive

literal: delicacies; fine; parchment/scroll

This form usually rendered as “thralls”, “bondsmen”, “upon” (3 occurrences)

thralls 33% bondsmen 33% upon 33%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §220: Thy slaves gleaningsGWB §627: Thy thralls kitab-i-iqanKIQ §264: kindly prayers-and-meditationsP&M §772: upon Thy servants will-and-testamentW&T §35: their hearts were moved with compassion gleaningsGWB §387: but slaves kitab-i-iqanKIQ §107: most subtle prayers-and-meditationsP&M §19: Roll

وَاسْتَغْنَيْنا

wástaghnayná gh-n-y → “wealth” Distinctive

literal: wealth

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

wealth 23% riches 21% rich 18% all-possessing 17% independent 7% can 3% enrich 3% all-sufficing 3% shall 3% enriched 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §205: sung gleaningsGWB §581: bounty kitab-i-iqanKIQ §141: treasures prayers-and-meditationsP&M §161: and be made independent tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §2: singeth tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §37: the eternal wealth the-hidden-wordsHW §130: his riches will-and-testamentW&T §27: independent of

العالَمِينَ

al-ʿálamín ʿ-l-m → “world”

literal: world; worlds

worlds 52% all 31% world 6% whole 3% entire 2% earth 2% men 2% creatures 1% creation 1% people 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §111: earth fire-tabletFire §49: all the worlds gleaningsGWB §151: knowledge and kitab-i-ahdAhd §2: recognized kitab-i-iqanKIQ §21: sign prayers-and-meditationsP&M §744: understanding hath tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §17: of all the worlds tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §13: which we have taught

وَرَد

warad w-r-d → “befallen” Distinctive

literal: entering; come; came upon

This form usually rendered as “hath”, “have”, “things” (90 occurrences)

hath 26% have 19% things 14% befallen 13% there 10% befell 6% what 5% suffered 4% result 1% lamenteth 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §77: have touched gleaningsGWB §213: There hath befallen kitab-i-iqanKIQ §99: abide within prayers-and-meditationsP&M §426: have suffered will-and-testamentW&T §49: in the midst of my woes epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §258: have been recorded gleaningsGWB §491: We suffered in the past kitab-i-iqanKIQ §265: summons of

وَنَقُولُ

wanaqúl q-w-l → “exclaim”

literal: say; said; saying

speak 50% exclaim 50%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §263: is called gleaningsGWB §264: as termed kitab-i-ahdAhd §14: speaketh kitab-i-iqanKIQ §121: their saying prayers-and-meditationsP&M §815: and say:tablet-of-carmelCarmel §4: ‘Call out to tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §31: And thus proclaimed the-hidden-wordsHW §153: by words

الحَمْدُ

al-ḥamd ḥ-m-d → ““praised”

literal: praise; praised; praiseworthy

praise 25% thanks 17% praised 13% yield 10% such 10% all 8% give 8% magnified 4% render 3% glory 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §13: All-Praised gleaningsGWB §721: All-Praise kitab-i-iqanKIQ §38: Prophet Muhammad prayers-and-meditationsP&M §626: praiseworthy tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: ‘Render thanks will-and-testamentW&T §40: the Lord be praised epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §218: “Praised gleaningsGWB §219: All praise

بِيَدِكَ

bíadik y-d-y → “hand”

literal: hand; hands; by-hand

whose 58% hand 17% hands 13% thou 13%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §159: thy hand gleaningsGWB §658: at the hands of kitab-i-iqanKIQ §95: with their own hands prayers-and-meditationsP&M §674: me will-and-testamentW&T §13: Hands (pillars)epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §30: thine hands gleaningsGWB §490: the perpetrators kitab-i-iqanKIQ §260: between His hands

وَالخَلْقِ

wálkhalq kh-l-q → “creation”

literal: creation; create; created

creation 26% creatures 19% hath 15% created 12% men 9% people 7% all 4% called 3% mankind 3% creature 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §122: conduct fire-tabletFire §9: the peoples gleaningsGWB §300: have been created kitab-i-iqanKIQ §213: peoples prayers-and-meditationsP&M §265: all Thy creatures tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §54: created her the-hidden-wordsHW §14: I created thee epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §6: hast created me

وَمَلَكُوتُ

wamalakút m-l-k → “kingdoms”

literal: kingdom; king

kingdom 74% kingdoms 10% heaven 6% empire 4% into 1% all 1% glory 1% realm 1% whole 1% realms 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §129: Lord gleaningsGWB §29: Possessor kitab-i-iqanKIQ §87: “angels.”prayers-and-meditationsP&M §146: Thou the Possessor tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §15: the worlds the-hidden-wordsHW §116: this world will-and-testamentW&T §15: far epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §159: the King

السَّمواتِ

as-samúát s-m-w → “heaven”

literal: heaven

heavens 43% heaven 41% all 12% heaven!” 1% into 1% denizens 1% realms 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §155: all names fire-tabletFire §36: heavenly gleaningsGWB §125: with the name kitab-i-iqanKIQ §75: heaven;”prayers-and-meditationsP&M §839: of Thy names and tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §11: My sake tablet-of-carmelCarmel §4: Names.’tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §12: divine attributes

وَالأَرَضِينَ

wálʾaraḍín ʾ-r-ḍ → “earth”

literal: earth; earth, land

earth 72% all 27% earth.” 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §214: all that are on earth fire-tabletFire §36: a desolate land gleaningsGWB §299: and all that is on the earth kitab-i-iqanKIQ §276: grovelling prayers-and-meditationsP&M §816: and all who are on earth tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §43: the lands the-hidden-wordsHW §1: in the realm epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §149: to the soil

Model Translations by Shoghi Effendi

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50 ¶

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16 ¶

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291 ¶

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17 ¶

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160 ¶

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59 ¶