Prayers and Meditations — §725

Arabic source with Shoghi Effendi’s authorized English translation. Paragraph 725 of 858.

Source (Arabic)

َما يَتَوَجَّهُ طَرَفُ طَرْفِي إِلى سَمائِكَ يُذَكِّرُنِي بِعُلُوِّكَ وَارْتِفاعِكَ وَسُمُوِّكَ وَاسْتِعْلائِكَ، وَكُلَّما أَلْتَفِتُ إِلى الأَرْضِ إِنَّها تُعَرِّفُنِيْ ظُهُوراتِ قُدْرَتِكَ وَبُرُوزاتِ نِعْمَتِكَ، وَكُلَّما أَنْظُرُ البَحْرَ يُكُلِّمُنِيْ فِي عَظَمَتِكَ وَاقْتِدارِكَ وَسَلْطَنَتِكَ وَكِبْرِيائِكَ، وَلَمَّا أَتَوَجَّهُ إِلى الجِبالِ تُرِينِي أَلْوِيَةَ نَصْرِكَ وَأَعلامَ عِزِّكَ وَعِزَّتِكَ، يا مَنْ فِي قَبْضَتِكَ زِمامُ العالَمِ وَأَزِمَّةُ الأُمَمِ، قَدْ أَخَذَتْنِيْ حَرارَةُ

Shoghi Effendi Translation

I am well aware, O my Lord, that I have been so carried away by the clear tokens of Thy loving-kindness, and so completely inebriated with the wine of Thine utterance, that whatever I behold I readily discover that it maketh Thee known unto me, and it remindeth me of Thy signs, and of Thy tokens, and of Thy testimonies. By Thy glory! Every time I lift up mine eyes unto Thy heaven, I call to mind Thy highness and Thy loftiness, and Thine incomparable glory and greatness; and every time I turn my gaze to Thine earth, I am made to recognize the evidences of Thy power and the tokens of Thy bounty. And when I behold the sea, I find that it speaketh to me of Thy majesty, and of the potency of Thy might, and of Thy sovereignty and Thy grandeur. And at whatever time I contemplate the mountains, I am led to discover the ensigns of Thy victory and the standards of Thine omnipotence.

Translation Notes

يَتَوَجَّهُ

yatawajjah w-j-h → “lift”

literal: face; attention; turning

who 29% lift 29% inclined 14% set 14% would 14%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §182: turn aside fire-tabletFire §30: This Face gleaningsGWB §697: His eyes kitab-i-ahdAhd §10: turn your faces kitab-i-iqanKIQ §187: their countenance prayers-and-meditationsP&M §774: the splendors tablet-of-carmelCarmel §1: the light of the the-hidden-wordsHW §9: thyself

طَرَفُ

ṭaraf ṭ-r-f → “mine eyes”

literal: side; regions; sides

eyes 40% mine 20% some 10% gaze 10% brow 10% parts 10%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §245: places gleaningsGWB §70: in the daytime kitab-i-iqanKIQ §138: uttermost corners prayers-and-meditationsP&M §400: in on tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §26: with her brow will-and-testamentW&T §38: those parts epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §36: to various parts gleaningsGWB §135: with

سَمائِكَ

samáʾik s-m-w → “heaven”

literal: heaven

heaven 96% heavens 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §235: sublimity fire-tabletFire §36: heavenly gleaningsGWB §591: His names kitab-i-iqanKIQ §70: the visible prayers-and-meditationsP&M §220: through Thy most resplendent Name tablet-of-carmelCarmel §4: Names.’tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §12: my Lord the-hidden-wordsHW §146: unto the heaven

يُذَكِّرُنِي

yudhakkiruní dh-k-r → “call to mind”

literal: remembrance

SE expanded to “call to mind”

remember 67% call 33%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §159: Call Thou to remembrance gleaningsGWB §220: dare describe his kitab-i-ahdAhd §4: reckoned kitab-i-iqanKIQ §27: share prayers-and-meditationsP&M §81: by the praise tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §6: utter His call tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: proclaimeth the-hidden-wordsHW §5: name thy name

بِعُلُوِّكَ

biʿulúlik ʿ-l-w → “thy highness”

literal: highest

sublimity 75% highness 25%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §129: heights fire-tabletFire §42: highest gleaningsGWB §369: magnified be His glory kitab-i-ahdAhd §16: on the kitab-i-iqanKIQ §162: with prayers-and-meditationsP&M §311: inasmuch as tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §56: around her the-hidden-wordsHW §23: Noble

وَارْتِفاعِكَ

wártifáʿik r-f-ʿ → “thy loftiness”

literal: raise; raised; elevation

raised 25% hath 16% exalted 11% lift 11% exalt 10% lifted 6% exaltation 6% may 6% have 5% elevate 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §55: exalteth fire-tabletFire §47: hast caused gleaningsGWB §410: was spread abroad on kitab-i-ahdAhd §13: serveth to exalt kitab-i-iqanKIQ §236: annulled prayers-and-meditationsP&M §622: were spread tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §16: dispel the-hidden-wordsHW §63: hath risen

وَكُلَّما

wakullamá k-l-l → “every time”

literal: every; all, every

every 50% whatever 13% loftiest 6% tie 6% words 6% matter 6% though 6% whatsoever 6%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §88: day gleaningsGWB §3: whatever such strivings kitab-i-ahdAhd §12: everyone kitab-i-iqanKIQ §20: one and prayers-and-meditationsP&M §623: by each tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §12: be the-hidden-wordsHW §13: naught will-and-testamentW&T §36: whomsoever

أَلْتَفِتُ

ʾaltafit l-f-t → “turn”

literal: turn

turn 67% look 33%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §74: failed to perceive gleaningsGWB §40: utterly unaware kitab-i-iqanKIQ §101: Take heed prayers-and-meditationsP&M §13: I turn epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §117: unaware gleaningsGWB §40: Behold kitab-i-iqanKIQ §186: not realize prayers-and-meditationsP&M §512: turn

الأَرْضِ

ar-rḍ ʾ-r-ḍ → “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 §82: of the earth fire-tabletFire §3: on gleaningsGWB §584: the dwellers on earth prayers-and-meditationsP&M §316: earth and heaven the-hidden-wordsHW §98: realm epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §40: of the fire-tabletFire §36: a desolate land gleaningsGWB §222: territories

إِنَّها

ʾinnahá null → ““death””

literal: and; that; in

“death” 17% tasted 17% quickened 8% “life” 8% “resurrection” 8% whosoever 8% “deprivation 8% unbelief 8% scriptures 8% chronicles 8%

kitab-i-iqanKIQ §125: death kitab-i-iqanKIQ §125: And kitab-i-iqanKIQ §125: “deprivation,”kitab-i-iqanKIQ §125: in kitab-i-iqanKIQ §125: “death”kitab-i-iqanKIQ §125: tasted not kitab-i-iqanKIQ §125: hath been pronounced kitab-i-iqanKIQ §125: “life”

تُعَرِّفُنِيْ

tuʿarrifuní ʿ-r-f → “recognize”

literal: knowledge; know; knower

apprehend!” 33% recognize 33% make 33%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §101: renowned gleaningsGWB §1: and knowledge kitab-i-ahdAhd §13: perform praiseworthy deeds kitab-i-iqanKIQ §25: failed to apprehend prayers-and-meditationsP&M §241: I have confessed tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §12: to see the-hidden-wordsHW §52: do thou observe it epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §11: fragrance of Thy praise

ظُهُوراتِ

ẓuhúrát ẓ-h-r → “evidences” Distinctive

literal: manifestation; manifest

This form usually rendered as “revelations”, “manifestations”, “revelation” (95 occurrences)

revelations 34% manifestations 16% revelation 13% evidences 13% manifold 10% tokens 5% all 3% first 2% signs 2% testimonies 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §60: misrepresented fire-tabletFire §38: prevail gleaningsGWB §203: gone forth kitab-i-ahdAhd §3: streamed forth kitab-i-iqanKIQ §83: coming Manifestation prayers-and-meditationsP&M §73: as the Manifestation tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §8: to assist tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: the revelation of thy glory

قُدْرَتِكَ

qudratik q-d-r → “thy power”

literal: power; powerful

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 §220: Thy might fire-tabletFire §48: Ordainer gleaningsGWB §340: Divine power kitab-i-ahdAhd §12: granted kitab-i-iqanKIQ §9: What prayers-and-meditationsP&M §337: hath the power tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §8: are not tablet-of-carmelCarmel §5: the Mighty, the All-Powerful

وَبُرُوزاتِ

waburúzát b-r-z → “revelation” Distinctive

literal: manifestation; emergences; appearance

This form usually rendered as “evidences”, “tokens” (3 occurrences)

evidences 67% tokens 33%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §151: the revelation of My glory gleaningsGWB §357: of the revelation kitab-i-iqanKIQ §107: revelation within it prayers-and-meditationsP&M §828: and manifest tablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: recounteth that which epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §193: disclosed gleaningsGWB §550: revelation kitab-i-iqanKIQ §62: come to pass

نِعْمَتِكَ،

niʿmatika، n-ʿ-m → “thy bounty”

literal: bounty

gift 67% bounty 33%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §149: prosperity gleaningsGWB §614: the bounty kitab-i-iqanKIQ §275: “Yea,”prayers-and-meditationsP&M §480: the everlasting gifts epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §49: bounty gleaningsGWB §10: blessed kitab-i-iqanKIQ §119: How well prayers-and-meditationsP&M §777: the delights of Paradise

أَنْظُرُ

ʾanẓur n-ẓ-r → “gaze”

literal: look; looking

consider 16% gaze 16% look 16% contemplate 11% behold 11% eyes 11% “look 5% “witness 5% ponder 5% set 5%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §5: a peer fire-tabletFire §48: looking toward gleaningsGWB §612: towards the Scene kitab-i-ahdAhd §5: Most Sublime Vision kitab-i-iqanKIQ §280: feel inclined prayers-and-meditationsP&M §188: to direct tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §3: Most Great Beauty the-hidden-wordsHW §20: OF

البَحْرَ

al-baḥr b-ḥ-r → “the sea”

literal: sea; ocean; sea, ocean

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

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §204: the Most Great Ocean fire-tabletFire §3: Where gleaningsGWB §684: an ocean kitab-i-iqanKIQ §31: billows prayers-and-meditationsP&M §425: The floods tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §2: the ancient sea will-and-testamentW&T §2: Twin epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §266: upon the sea

يُكُلِّمُنِيْ

yukullimuní k-l-m → “speaketh to me”

literal: speak

SE expanded to “speaketh to me”

word 45% words 32% speak 4% utterances 4% through 4% who 2% one 2% sayings 2% most 2% utter 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §85: utter fire-tabletFire §48: Thy shining word gleaningsGWB §668: Word of God kitab-i-iqanKIQ §92: the text of the Word prayers-and-meditationsP&M §745: Who conversed tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §48: gave utterance will-and-testamentW&T §6: Epistles epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §70: Divinity

عَظَمَتِكَ

ʿaẓamatik ʿ-ẓ-m → “majesty”

literal: greatest; great; greatness

majesty 60% glory 14% greatness 14% grandeur 3% swear 2% great 2% might 2% whose 2% favors 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §208: greatness gleaningsGWB §174: most potent kitab-i-iqanKIQ §148: truth prayers-and-meditationsP&M §371: above the-hidden-wordsHW §21: plenteous will-and-testamentW&T §40: greatest and most epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §93: abounding gleaningsGWB §621: bountiful favor

وَسَلْطَنَتِكَ

wasalṭanatik 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 §145: power gleaningsGWB §68: majesty kitab-i-iqanKIQ §15: Monarchs prayers-and-meditationsP&M §788: of the greatness tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §1: is the King the-hidden-wordsHW §98: chief will-and-testamentW&T §41: warrant epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §193: King of

وَكِبْرِيائِكَ،

wakibríáʾika، k-b-r → “thy grandeur”

literal: grandeur

grandeur 75% glory 13% majesty 13%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §108: proud gleaningsGWB §715: “greater kitab-i-ahdAhd §11: Greater kitab-i-iqanKIQ §92: by the disdainful.”prayers-and-meditationsP&M §227: Magnify tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §14: showeth pride tablet-of-carmelCarmel §2: entire tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §11: Glorified be

وَلَمَّا

walammá l-m-ʾ → “when”

literal: when; when, since

when 67% having 33%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §157: When prayers-and-meditationsP&M §317: Having testified

الجِبالِ

al-jibál j-b-l → “the mountains”

literal: mountain; mountains; the mountains

mountains 69% mountain-top 6% peaks 6% hills 6% every 6% summits 6%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §158: the mountain-top fire-tabletFire §42: peaks gleaningsGWB §395: every mountain prayers-and-meditationsP&M §765: summits the-hidden-wordsHW §148: Mount epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §261: two mountains gleaningsGWB §276: the immovable mountain epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §37: lofty mountain

تُرِينِي

turíní r-ʾ-y → “i am led to”

literal: see; to see; see/behold

SE expanded to “I am led to”

thou 47% seest 11% behold 10% see 9% beholdest 7% may 4% regard 3% beheld 3% recognize 3% seen 2%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §213: see fire-tabletFire §26: seest gleaningsGWB §77: We point out prayers-and-meditationsP&M §164: is put the-hidden-wordsHW §62: thou mayest obtain will-and-testamentW&T §5: behold him epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §198: We beheld gleaningsGWB §432: beholding

أَلْوِيَةَ

ʾalwíah l-w-y → “ensigns”

literal: banners

1 occurrence in corpus

prayers-and-meditationsP&M §725: the ensigns

نَصْرِكَ

naṣrik n-ṣ-r → “thy victory”

literal: help; victory; helper

victory 36% triumph 27% undisputed 9% succor 9% help 9% ascendancy 9%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §196: trustworthiness fire-tabletFire §29: of Thy succor gleaningsGWB §620: Aid ye kitab-i-ahdAhd §13: can render kitab-i-iqanKIQ §25: for the triumph prayers-and-meditationsP&M §567: assist will-and-testamentW&T §5: triumphant assistance epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §35: will aid

وَأَعلامَ

waʾaʿlám ʿ-l-m → “standards”

literal: world; knowledge; worlds

ensigns 41% standards 41% distinguished 5% divine 5% ensign 5% standard 5%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §51: spiritual leaders fire-tabletFire §49: all the worlds gleaningsGWB §163: through Thy knowledge kitab-i-iqanKIQ §271: divines.”prayers-and-meditationsP&M §744: and the knowledge tablet-of-ahmadAhmad §17: of all the worlds tablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §13: we have taught thee the-hidden-wordsHW §57: is My knowledge

عِزِّكَ

ʿizzik ʿ-z-z → “thine omnipotence” Distinctive

literal: glory; mighty; might

This form usually rendered as “glory”, “great”, “might” (34 occurrences)

glory 65% great 12% might 8% majesty 4% presence 4% omnipotence 4% one 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §196: blest fire-tabletFire §43: by Thy banishment gleaningsGWB §488: of honor kitab-i-iqanKIQ §99: friend prayers-and-meditationsP&M §108: the Most Precious the-hidden-wordsHW §107: cherish will-and-testamentW&T §4: endeared epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §102: Almighty

قَبْضَتِكَ

qabḍatik q-b-ḍ

literal: grasp; grasp/grip; grasped

SE rendered عِزِّكَ (ʿizzik), وَعِزَّتِكَ، (waʿizzatika،), قَبْضَتِكَ (qabḍatik) as “Thine omnipotence”

grasp 63% whose 19% holdeth 6% hollow 6% within 6%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §161: the grasp gleaningsGWB §78: His grasp kitab-i-iqanKIQ §101: the breath prayers-and-meditationsP&M §181: within the grasp epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §144: Thy grasp gleaningsGWB §657: the mighty grasp kitab-i-iqanKIQ §51: handful prayers-and-meditationsP&M §231: holdeth within His grasp

زِمامُ

zimám z-m-m

literal: rein; reins; rein/control

SE rendered عِزِّكَ (ʿizzik), وَعِزَّتِكَ، (waʿizzatika،), قَبْضَتِكَ (qabḍatik), زِمامُ (zimám) as “Thine omnipotence”

reins 93% restrain 4% empire 4%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §104: reins kitab-i-iqanKIQ §78: restrain Our prayers-and-meditationsP&M §777: the empire epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §144: the reins prayers-and-meditationsP&M §181: that the reins epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §8: are the reins

الأُمَمِ،

al-ʾumami، ʾ-m-m

literal: nations

nations 42% peoples 30% kindreds 6% all 6% adoring 3% human 3% generations 3% such 3% among 3%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §158: Mother fire-tabletFire §13: the peoples gleaningsGWB §286: it kitab-i-ahdAhd §16: the peoples and kindreds kitab-i-iqanKIQ §4: nation prayers-and-meditationsP&M §785: of nations the-hidden-wordsHW §104: mother’s epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §136: of the nations

أَخَذَتْنِيْ

ʾakhadhatní ʾ-kh-dh

literal: take; seize; taking

am 33% hath 33% upon 33%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §129: seized gleaningsGWB §50: have caused kitab-i-iqanKIQ §128: overtake prayers-and-meditationsP&M §617: upon me will-and-testamentW&T §36: requite epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §181: obtain His advice gleaningsGWB §677: holding fast unto kitab-i-iqanKIQ §42: acquire

حَرارَةُ

ḥarárah ḥ-r-r

literal: heat

heat 71% warmth 14% flame 14%

epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §8: describe them fire-tabletFire §7: warmth gleaningsGWB §161: the energies kitab-i-iqanKIQ §207: describe prayers-and-meditationsP&M §622: chilled the-hidden-wordsHW §135: righteous will-and-testamentW&T §38: to write epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §164: record

Model Translations by Shoghi Effendi

Epistle to the Son of the Wolf cover

Epistle to the Son of the Wolf

Bahá’u’lláh

The last outstanding Tablet revealed by Bahá’u’lláh, written around 1891 and addressed to Shaykh Muḥammad-Taqí of Iṣfahán. It calls upon that rapacious priest to repent, quotes the most celebrated passages from Bahá’u’lláh’s own writings, and adduces proofs establishing the validity of His Cause.

268 ¶

Fire Tablet cover

Fire Tablet

Bahá’u’lláh

Revealed in late 1871 during a period of severe hardship in ‘Akká, this Tablet takes the form of an anguished dialogue between Bahá’u’lláh and God. Questions about the sufferings of the faithful are answered with divine assurances, building to a crescendo of triumph over tribulation.

50 ¶

Gleanings cover

Gleanings

Bahá’u’lláh

A compilation of 166 selections from Bahá’u’lláh’s Tablets, spanning the Baghdad, Adrianople, and ‘Akká periods (1853–1892). George Townshend assisted with English refinement. Shoghi Effendi wrote that it gives the friends a splendid opportunity to acquire knowledge and understanding of the Faith.

729 ¶

Kitáb-i-'Ahd cover

Kitáb-i-’Ahd

Bahá’u’lláh

The Book of the Covenant — Bahá’u’lláh’s Will and Testament, written entirely in His own hand and unsealed on the ninth day after His ascension. It designates ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as His successor and establishes what Shoghi Effendi called the mightiest Covenant in all religious history.

16 ¶

Kitáb-i-Íqán cover

Kitáb-i-Íqán

Bahá’u’lláh

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 ¶

Tablet of Aḥmad cover

Tablet of Aḥmad

Bahá’u’lláh

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 cover

Tablet of Carmel

Bahá’u’lláh

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 cover

Tablet of the Holy Mariner

Bahá’u’lláh

Chanted aloud in the outskirts of Baghdad just weeks before the Declaration in the Garden of Riḍván, its gloomy prognostications aroused the grave apprehensions of all who heard it. Only the Arabic portion has an authorized translation; the Persian portion remains untranslated.

57 ¶

The Hidden Words cover

The Hidden Words

Bahá’u’lláh

Seventy-one Arabic and eighty-two Persian aphorisms revealed around 1858 while walking along the banks of the Tigris in Baghdad. Originally designated the “Hidden Book of Fáṭimih,” Shoghi Effendi described it as a marvelous collection of gem-like utterances occupying a position of unsurpassed preeminence among the ethical writings of the Faith.

160 ¶

Will and Testament cover

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 ¶