Prayers and Meditations — §265

Arabic source with Shoghi Effendi’s authorized English translation. Paragraph 265 of 858.

Source (Arabic)

وَقَدْ كُنْتُ مُسْتَنْشِقًا نَفَحاتِ رَحْمَتِكَ فَلمَّا انْقَلَبَتِ الأَكْوانُ وَأَهْلُها وَالأَرْضُ وَما عَلَيْها كادَتْ أَنْ تَنْقَطِعَ نَسَماتُ اسْمِكَ السُّبْحانِ عَنِ الأَشْطارِ وَتَرْكُدَ أَرْياحُ رَحْمَتِكَ عَنِ الأَقْطارِ، أَقَمْتَنِي بِقُدْرَتِكَ بَيْنَ عِبادِكَ وَأَمَرْتَنِي بِإِظْهارِ سَلْطَنَتِكَ بَيْنَ بَرِيَّتِكَ، قُمْتُ بِحَولِكَ وَقُوَّتِكَ بَيْنَ خَلْقِكَ وَنادَيْتُ الكُلَّ إِلى نَفْسِكَ، وَبَشَّرْتُ كُلَّ العِبادِ بِأَلْطافِكَ وَمَواهِبِكَ وَدَعوتُهُمْ إِلى هذا البَحْرِ الَّذِيْ كُلُّ قَطْرَةٍ مِنْهُ تُنادِي بِأَعْلى النِّداءِ بَيْنَ الأَرْضِ وَالسَّمَاءِ بِأَنَّهُ مُحْيِي العالَمِينَ وَمُبْعِثُ العالَم

Shoghi Effendi Translation

And when the entire creation was stirred up, and the whole earth was convulsed, and the sweet savors of Thy name, the All-Praised, had almost ceased to breathe over Thy realms, and the winds of Thy mercy had well-nigh been stilled throughout Thy dominions, Thou didst, through the power of Thy might, raise me up among Thy servants, and bid me to show forth Thy sovereignty amidst Thy people. Thereupon I arose before all Thy creatures, strengthened by Thy help and Thy power, and summoned all the multitudes unto Thee, and announced unto all Thy servants Thy favors and Thy gifts, and invited them to turn towards this Ocean, every drop of the waters of which crieth out, proclaiming unto all that are in heaven and on earth that He is, in truth, the Fountain of all life, and the Quickener of the entire creation, and the Object of the adoration of all worlds, and the Best-Beloved of every understanding heart, and the Desire of all them that are nigh unto Thee.

Translation Notes

وَقَدْ

waqad q-d

literal: already/indeed; indeed/already; already

have 33% god 17% hast 17% “more 17% then 17%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §88: then gleaningsGWB §295: have revealed epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §103: God hath epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §186: I epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §186: hast epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §88: “More epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §103: We have been

مُسْتَنْشِقًا

mustanshiqan n-sh-q

literal: inhaling; inhale, breathe in; inhale

SE rendered مُسْتَنْشِقًا (mustanshiqan), نَفَحاتِ (nafaḥát), رَحْمَتِكَ (raḥmatik), فَلمَّا (falmmá) as “And when”

inhale 20% may 20% inhaled 20% hath 20% sought 20%

gleaningsGWB §407: may be smelled prayers-and-meditationsP&M §116: inhaled tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §45: sought to inhale gleaningsGWB §214: inhale prayers-and-meditationsP&M §143: hath inhaled

نَفَحاتِ

nafaḥát n-f-ḥ

literal: fragrance; breeze; breath

SE rendered نَفَحاتِ (nafaḥát), رَحْمَتِكَ (raḥmatik), فَلمَّا (falmmá), انْقَلَبَتِ (inqalabat) as “And when, was stirred up”

breezes 20% sweet 20% fragrances 17% fragrance 12% breath 11% breaths 9% savors 5% holy 3% carried 2% grievous 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §10: breath gleaningsGWB §47: breeze kitab-i-iqanKIQ §217: savours prayers-and-meditationsP&M §100: sweet smell will-and-testamentW&T §13: sweet savours epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §148: the breezes gleaningsGWB §203: savors prayers-and-meditationsP&M §832: by the breaths

فَلمَّا

falmmá l-m-m → “sooner”

literal: when

sooner 33% found 33% when 33%

gleaningsGWB §247: We found kitab-i-iqanKIQ §159: when gleaningsGWB §182: No sooner

انْقَلَبَتِ

inqalabat q-l-b → “hearts” Distinctive

literal: heart; hearts

This form usually rendered as “stirred”, “hath”, “rent” (6 occurrences)

stirred 20% hath 20% rent 20% shaken 20% revolutionized 20%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §215: fearful heart gleaningsGWB §636: of the human heart kitab-i-ahdAhd §4: a pure heart kitab-i-iqanKIQ §205: the human heart prayers-and-meditationsP&M §630: have inclined me the-hidden-wordsHW §120: mind will-and-testamentW&T §48: with a heart epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §111: souls of men

الأَكْوانُ

al-ʾakwán k-w-n → “the entire creation”

literal: be; was; to be

SE expanded to “the entire creation”

all 25% creation 25% universe 17% earth 17% entire 17%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §67: Thy Lord fire-tabletFire §35: universe gleaningsGWB §620: and are kitab-i-iqanKIQ §174: “God prayers-and-meditationsP&M §793: have expectantly awaited tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §8: they combine tablet-of-carmelCarmel §4: thou hesitate tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §31: whose heart hath

وَأَهْلُها

waʾahluhá ʾ-h-l

literal: people; people, family; people/folk

SE rendered انْقَلَبَتِ (inqalabat), الأَكْوانُ (al-ʾakwán), وَأَهْلُها (waʾahluhá), وَالأَرْضُ (wálʾarḍ), عَلَيْها (ʿalayhá) as “was stirred up, the entire creation, the whole earth, was convulsed”

such 50% people 50%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §136: the people fire-tabletFire §22: the Syrians gleaningsGWB §600: the peoples kitab-i-iqanKIQ §16: those prayers-and-meditationsP&M §52: all that tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §13: them that are within the-hidden-wordsHW §92: children will-and-testamentW&T §52: rebellious ones

وَالأَرْضُ

wálʾarḍ ʾ-r-ḍ → “whole earth”

literal: earth; earth/land; land

earth 72% land 12% world 6% whole 2% men 2% all 2% heaven 2% upon 1% desolate 1% plain 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §92: in the land fire-tabletFire §36: a desolate land gleaningsGWB §594: soil of the human heart prayers-and-meditationsP&M §13: on Thy earth the-hidden-wordsHW §1: obtain the gem epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §82: of the earth fire-tabletFire §3: on gleaningsGWB §218: Land

عَلَيْها

ʿalayhá ʿ-l-y → “upon” Distinctive

literal: upon; on

This form usually rendered as “aid”, “convulsed” (5 occurrences)

aid 50% convulsed 50%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §264: him gleaningsGWB §188: against Me kitab-i-iqanKIQ §223: of prayers-and-meditationsP&M §463: Thee the-hidden-wordsHW §42: reveal unto thee will-and-testamentW&T §59: upon you epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §81: above gleaningsGWB §635: to aid

كادَتْ

kádat k-w-d → “ready” Distinctive

literal: almost; to almost; almost, nearly

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

ready 50% had 25% things 25%

prayers-and-meditationsP&M §791: was ready prayers-and-meditationsP&M §476: ready to be blotted out prayers-and-meditationsP&M §853: Things have come prayers-and-meditationsP&M §265: had almost

تَنْقَطِعَ

tanqaṭiʿ q-ṭ-ʿ → “ceased”

literal: detachment; detached; severed

thou 50% ceased 50%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §203: detached gleaningsGWB §202: may detach kitab-i-iqanKIQ §269: renounce prayers-and-meditationsP&M §391: fragments tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §2: severed ones tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §18: They passed will-and-testamentW&T §11: decisive epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §7: them that are rid of all attachment to any save Thee

نَسَماتُ

nasamát n-s-m → “sweet savors” Distinctive

literal: breeze; breezes; breeze/breath

This form usually rendered as “breeze”, “gentle”, “breezes” (19 occurrences)

breeze 29% gentle 24% breezes 18% sweet 12% breath 6% holy 6% fragrances 6%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §11: the breezes gleaningsGWB §212: the Breath kitab-i-iqanKIQ §118: fragrance prayers-and-meditationsP&M §832: the gentle winds epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §159: the breeze gleaningsGWB §674: sweet kitab-i-iqanKIQ §158: gales prayers-and-meditationsP&M §845: the holy breaths

السُّبْحانِ

as-subḥán s-b-ḥ → “the all-praised” Distinctive

literal: glory; glory, praise; glory/praise

This form usually rendered as “glorified”, “gracious”, “immeasurably” (94 occurrences)

glorified 66% gracious 20% immeasurably 3% great 2% praise 2% all-glorious 2% \‘glorified 1% glory 1% high 1% immensely 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §141: Gracious God gleaningsGWB §4: Far, far kitab-i-iqanKIQ §149: celebrate prayers-and-meditationsP&M §188: Thee be praise tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §11: my Lord the-hidden-wordsHW §89: from on high epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §168: glorified be He gleaningsGWB §13: celebration

الأَشْطارِ

ash-shṭár sh-ṭ-r → “direction”

literal: direction; direction/side; direction, side

direction 30% whole 10% side 10% realms 10% throughout 10% nations 10% directions 10% every 10%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §239: to their Capital gleaningsGWB §579: God’s sacred Court prayers-and-meditationsP&M §524: in every direction epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §257: Him gleaningsGWB §416: My court prayers-and-meditationsP&M §415: Whose court epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §243: to Constantinople gleaningsGWB §635: this

وَتَرْكُدَ

watarkud r-k-d → “stilled” Distinctive

literal: stiller

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

stilled 33% had 33% still 33%

fire-tabletFire §32: stilled prayers-and-meditationsP&M §33: still prayers-and-meditationsP&M §265: had well-nigh been stilled

أَرْياحُ

ʾaryáḥ r-w-ḥ → “winds”

literal: spirit; spiritual; soul

winds 48% gentle 15% breezes 7% wind 7% contrary 4% tempest 4% breath 4% gales 4% subjected 4% tempests 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §56: tranquillity fire-tabletFire §49: fragrance gleaningsGWB §716: tenderness kitab-i-ahdAhd §5: happiness kitab-i-iqanKIQ §257: the life prayers-and-meditationsP&M §791: the tempests of trials tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §25: of the-hidden-wordsHW §68: By My spirit

الأَقْطارِ،

al-ʾaqṭári، q-ṭ-r → “drop” Distinctive

literal: drop; region; regions

This form usually rendered as “land”, “regions”, “lands” (10 occurrences)

land 25% regions 13% lands 13% abroad 13% every 13% dominions 13% sides 13%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §25: drop gleaningsGWB §9: one drop kitab-i-iqanKIQ §40: single drop prayers-and-meditationsP&M §137: Every drop epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §256: lands gleaningsGWB §357: a drop prayers-and-meditationsP&M §792: sides epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §158: regions

أَقَمْتَنِي

ʾaqamtaní q-w-m → “raise me up”

literal: station; people; place

SE expanded to “raise me up”

raise 20% bidden 20% hast 20% raised 20% bade 20%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §109: people fire-tabletFire §48: He hath risen up gleaningsGWB §687: With firm determination kitab-i-ahdAhd §11: to be beneath that kitab-i-iqanKIQ §126: passage prayers-and-meditationsP&M §133: were steeled and confirmed tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: most exalted Spot tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §19: that state

بِقُدْرَتِكَ

biqudratik q-d-r → “through the power”

literal: power; powerful

SE expanded to “through the power”

power 45% might 30% strength 7% almighty 7% through 4% authority 3% transcendent 1% all-conquering 1% omnipotent 1% sovereign 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §52: authority fire-tabletFire §48: Ordainer gleaningsGWB §724: with mighty confidence kitab-i-ahdAhd §2: measure kitab-i-iqanKIQ §12: everlasting dominion prayers-and-meditationsP&M §491: Supreme art Thou tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §8: are not tablet-of-carmelCarmel §5: of His might

عِبادِكَ

ʿibádik ʿ-b-d → “thy servants”

literal: servants; servant; servant/slave

servants 89% people 4% creatures 1% unto 1% all 1% sincere 1% servants’ 1% such 1% comprehension 1% who 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §232: ye worship fire-tabletFire §50: all the servants gleaningsGWB §578: Our faithful servants kitab-i-iqanKIQ §194: the servant prayers-and-meditationsP&M §135: Thy creatures tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §15: a service the-hidden-wordsHW §56: Our servants will-and-testamentW&T §12: trusted servants

وَأَمَرْتَنِي

waʾamartaní ʾ-m-r → “cause” Distinctive

literal: cause

This form usually rendered as “thou”, “hast”, “bid” (9 occurrences)

thou 56% hast 22% bid 11% didst 11%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §167: things fire-tabletFire §17: Command gleaningsGWB §531: your Cause kitab-i-ahdAhd §7: a decree kitab-i-iqanKIQ §161: to proclaim prayers-and-meditationsP&M §474: Thou shouldst bid me tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §33: summoned the-hidden-wordsHW §17: of My command

بِإِظْهارِ

biʾiẓhár ẓ-h-r → “to show forth” Distinctive

literal: manifestation; manifest

This form usually rendered as “manifest”, “proclaim”, “may” (68 occurrences)

SE expanded to “to show forth”

manifest 17% proclaim 13% may 13% revealing 10% breathed 10% unveil 10% revealed 7% reveal 7% show 7% proclaiming 7%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §91: that thou mayest show forth fire-tabletFire §23: spring gleaningsGWB §232: have been revealed kitab-i-ahdAhd §11: have We graciously revealed kitab-i-iqanKIQ §122: the letter thereof prayers-and-meditationsP&M §602: the revealers tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §8: to assist tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: the revelation of thy glory

سَلْطَنَتِكَ

salṭanatik s-l-ṭ → “thy sovereignty”

literal: sovereignty

sovereignty 85% through 5% beseemeth 3% transcendent 3% ascendancy 3% power 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §21: monarch of all gleaningsGWB §593: and rebelled against His sovereignty kitab-i-iqanKIQ §98: heavenly King prayers-and-meditationsP&M §222: of Thy transcendent sovereignty tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §1: is the King the-hidden-wordsHW §98: chief will-and-testamentW&T §8: unto a just king epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §143: sovereign

بَرِيَّتِكَ،

baríratika، b-r-ʾ → “thy people”

literal: creation; creatures; creation, creatures

people 47% creatures 41% among 6% against 3% creation 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §40: clear of them fire-tabletFire §7: mankind gleaningsGWB §195: Creator prayers-and-meditationsP&M §622: are healed epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §169: men gleaningsGWB §690: your Lord, the Creator prayers-and-meditationsP&M §364: among Thy people epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §9: creation

بِحَولِكَ

biḥawlik ḥ-w-l → “now” Distinctive

literal: now; around

This form usually rendered as “around”, “power”, “surround” (19 occurrences)

around 29% power 24% surround 6% circleth 6% round 6% all 6% strength 6% help 6% through 6% thee 6%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §111: now gleaningsGWB §527: bettereth the condition thereof kitab-i-iqanKIQ §269: the way prayers-and-meditationsP&M §200: by Thy strength tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §9: waver tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §57: her state the-hidden-wordsHW §26: plight will-and-testamentW&T §6: whilst

وَقُوَّتِكَ

waqúqatik q-w-y → “and thy power”

literal: strength; power

SE expanded to “and Thy power”

might 38% power 31% strength 13% through 6% whose 6% thee 6%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §221: endowed with a potency superior gleaningsGWB §597: power to restore the force kitab-i-iqanKIQ §28: power and strength prayers-and-meditationsP&M §199: with Thy strength the-hidden-wordsHW §68: of might will-and-testamentW&T §10: the Mighty epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §210: with strong hand gleaningsGWB §404: Force

خَلْقِكَ

khalqik kh-l-q → “all thy creatures”

literal: creation; create; created

SE expanded to “all Thy creatures”

creatures 74% among 7% creation 6% own 3% created 2% servants 2% all 2% god 1% hath 1% creatures’ 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §232: the people fire-tabletFire §40: wert created gleaningsGWB §176: saintly and pious life kitab-i-iqanKIQ §230: Lord prayers-and-meditationsP&M §601: been fixed tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §54: created her the-hidden-wordsHW §69: why epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §166: His creatures

وَنادَيْتُ

wanádayt n-d-y → “and summoned”

literal: call; called; call, voice

summoned 50% didst 25% thou 25%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §86: His Voice fire-tabletFire §37: Thy most sweet call gleaningsGWB §27: declare kitab-i-iqanKIQ §269: Herald prayers-and-meditationsP&M §840: and proclaim tablet-of-carmelCarmel §1: calling aloud tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §49: And raised the call epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §204: cry out

الكُلَّ

al-kull k-l-l → “all the multitudes”

literal: all; every; all, every

SE expanded to “all the multitudes”

all 60% every 27% each 3% whole 3% whatsoever 1% unto 1% entire 1% everyone 1% whatever 1% one 1%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §234: Ye are all gleaningsGWB §286: as kitab-i-ahdAhd §12: everyone kitab-i-iqanKIQ §20: one and prayers-and-meditationsP&M §101: supply us with every good tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §12: be the-hidden-wordsHW §13: naught will-and-testamentW&T §36: whomsoever

نَفْسِكَ،

nafsika، n-f-s → “thee” Distinctive

literal: self; soul; souls

This form usually rendered as “thyself”, “own”, “self” (222 occurrences)

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 §5: Thy Self gleaningsGWB §326: its essence kitab-i-ahdAhd §8: those kitab-i-iqanKIQ §136: the least of men prayers-and-meditationsP&M §781: by Thy Name tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §52: within herself the-hidden-wordsHW §1: His trust will-and-testamentW&T §27: the people

وَبَشَّرْتُ

wabashshart b-sh-r → “and announced”

literal: human; glad-tidings; herald

announce 23% man 16% human 12% announced 9% forerunner 9% rejoice 9% mankind 7% herald 5% hath 5% tidings 5%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §188: announced unto men gleaningsGWB §31: announce the joyful tidings kitab-i-iqanKIQ §229: Apprise prayers-and-meditationsP&M §265: and announced the-hidden-wordsHW §34: hail will-and-testamentW&T §9: foretelling good tidings epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §100: gladness gleaningsGWB §672: be gladdened

بِأَلْطافِكَ

biʾalṭáfik l-ṭ-f → “thy favors”

literal: kindness; kindness, grace

favors 34% gifts 13% loving-kindness 11% tender 11% bounties 9% favor 7% bounty 5% bountiful 5% manifold 4% fragrance 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §217: loving-kindness gleaningsGWB §310: their fullest development kitab-i-iqanKIQ §23: favours prayers-and-meditationsP&M §127: favors 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 §547: the refinement

وَمَواهِبِكَ

wamawáhibik w-h-b → “and thy gifts”

literal: gift; bestower; gifts

SE expanded to “and Thy gifts”

gifts 38% favors 18% bestowals 12% bountiful 9% manifold 6% bounties 6% suns 3% bounty 3% heavenly 3% swear 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §7: suns of Thy goodly gifts gleaningsGWB §195: All-Bountiful prayers-and-meditationsP&M §122: and bountiful favors will-and-testamentW&T §10: a bounty epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §15: of all gifts gleaningsGWB §477: hath favored thee prayers-and-meditationsP&M §379: the Most Bountiful.”will-and-testamentW&T §53: Bounty

وَدَعوتُهُمْ

wadaʿútuhum d-ʿ-w → “and invited them”

literal: call; invitation

SE expanded to “and invited them”

summoned 40% invited 20% whom 20% called 20%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §234: summoned them unto gleaningsGWB §708: the Prayer kitab-i-ahdAhd §6: Pray kitab-i-iqanKIQ §188: calleth prayers-and-meditationsP&M §488: Thou art He tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §53: was called the-hidden-wordsHW §99: guise epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §217: beseecheth Thee

البَحْرِ

al-baḥr b-ḥ-r → “ocean”

literal: sea; ocean; sea, ocean

ocean 55% sea 31% upon 3% black 3% seas 3% most 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §85: the Black Sea fire-tabletFire §25: a sea gleaningsGWB §128: of the kitab-i-iqanKIQ §111: waters prayers-and-meditationsP&M §74: most great Ocean tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §6: the crimson seas will-and-testamentW&T §2: Twin epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §220: the oceans

بِأَعْلى

biʾaʿlى ʿ-l-w

literal: highest; exalted

SE rendered قَطْرَةٍ (qaṭrahin), تُنادِي (tunádí), بِأَعْلى (biʾaʿlى), النِّداءِ (an-nidáʾ), الأَرْضِ (ar-rḍ) as “drop, crieth out, proclaiming, on earth”