Prayers and Meditations — §842
Arabic source with Shoghi Effendi’s authorized English translation. Paragraph 842 of 858.
Source (Arabic)
ُبْحانَكَ سُبْحانَكَ يا مَحْبُوبِي مِنْ أَنْ تُعْرَفَ بِأَعْلى عِرْفانِ المَوْجُوداتِ، سُبْحَانَكَ سُبْحَانَكَ مِنْ أَنْ تُوصَفَ بِأَبْهى وَصْفِ المُمْكِناتِ، لأَنَّ مُنْتَهى عِرْفانِ العِبادِ فِي مُنْتَهى ذُرْوَةِ الْقُصْوى لَنْ يَقْدِرَ أَنْ يَصْعَدَ عَنْ حَدِّ الإِنْشآءِ، وَلَنْ يُمْكِنَ أَنْ يَتَعارَجَ عَنْ شَأْنِ الإِمْكانِ وَبِما قُدِّرَ لَهُ مِنْ شُئُونِ القَضآءِ، فَكَيْفَ يَقْدِرُ ما خُلِقَ بِمَشِيَّةِ الإِمْكانِيَّةِ فِي رُتْبَةِ الإِمْكانِ أَنْ يَصْعَدَ إِلى هَوآءِ قُدْسِ عِرْفانِكَ أَوْ يَصِلَ إِلى مَقَرِّ عِزِّ اقْتِدارِكَ، سُبْحَانَكَ سُبْحَانَكَ مِنْ أَنْ يَطِيْرَ الفانِيْ إِلى عَرْشِ بَقائِكَ أَوْ يَصِلَ الفَقِيرُ إِلى
Shoghi Effendi Translation
Exalted, immeasurably exalted art Thou, O my Beloved, above the strivings of any of Thy creatures, however learned, to know Thee; exalted, immensely exalted art Thou above every human attempt, no matter how searching, to describe Thee! For the highest thought of men, however deep their contemplation, can never hope to outsoar the limitations imposed upon Thy creation, nor ascend beyond the state of the contingent world, nor break the bounds irrevocably set for it by Thee. How can, then, a thing that hath been created by Thy will that overruleth the whole of creation, a thing that is itself a part of the contingent world, have the power to soar into the holy atmosphere of Thy knowledge, or reach unto the seat of Thy transcendent power?
Translation Notes
سُبْحانَكَ
literal: glory; glory, praise; glory/praise
This form usually rendered as “glorified”, “lauded”, “praised” (181 occurrences)
SE expanded to “Exalted, immeasurably exalted”
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §115: the mistsgleaningsGWB §190: Glory bekitab-i-iqanKIQ §132: Immensely exaltedprayers-and-meditationsP&M §137: Glorified, immeasurably glorifiedtablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §54: Glorified be He thatthe-hidden-wordsHW §89: from on highepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §256: Great GodgleaningsGWB §620: the Glorified
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §22: kindlinessfire-tabletFire §7: of Thy lovegleaningsGWB §159: All honorkitab-i-iqanKIQ §214: His loving mentionprayers-and-meditationsP&M §442: through their lovetablet-of-carmelCarmel §4: I longtablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §40: the Beloved Onethe-hidden-wordsHW §20: My lover
thou 31% know 13% discover 13% understand 6% recognition 6% may 6% unacquainted 6% appreciate 6% make 6% reveal 6%
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §102: the fragrancegleaningsGWB §2: of perceptionkitab-i-ahdAhd §13: perform praiseworthy deedskitab-i-iqanKIQ §246: obscureprayers-and-meditationsP&M §10: make Thyself knowntablet-of-ahmadAhmad §12: to seethe-hidden-wordsHW §3: through the knowledgeepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §65: right
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §150: the sake of thefire-tabletFire §42: highestgleaningsGWB §497: Glorified, glorifiedkitab-i-ahdAhd §16: on thekitab-i-iqanKIQ §214: Concourseprayers-and-meditationsP&M §394: Potent art Thou to dotablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §56: around herthe-hidden-wordsHW §148: concourse on high
This form usually rendered as “all”, “entire”, “creation” (42 occurrences)
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §155: hath recognizedfire-tabletFire §49: thou canst breathegleaningsGWB §696: hath inhaledkitab-i-iqanKIQ §106: Essenceprayers-and-meditationsP&M §10: the universetablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §40: may findthe-hidden-wordsHW §69: that ye may obtainwill-and-testamentW&T §4: despite
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §5: the descriptiongleaningsGWB §689: describe its splendorkitab-i-iqanKIQ §86: eulogyprayers-and-meditationsP&M §601: succeed in describingepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §13: AttributesgleaningsGWB §101: characterizedkitab-i-iqanKIQ §191: is characterizedprayers-and-meditationsP&M §855: all names and attributes
SE rendered سُبْحَانَكَ (subḥának), تُوصَفَ (túṣaf), بِأَبْهى (biʾabhى), وَصْفِ (waṣf), المُمْكِناتِ، (al-mumkináti،) as “art Thou, to describe, every human attempt”
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §51: AbhágleaningsGWB §292: smitten withkitab-i-iqanKIQ §274: splendourprayers-and-meditationsP&M §304: Most Effulgenttablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §55: Most Highthe-hidden-wordsHW §15: My gloryepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §81: All-GloriousgleaningsGWB §280: glory
This form usually rendered as “all”, “entire”, “created” (58 occurrences)
SE expanded to “every human attempt”
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §30: all created thingsfire-tabletFire §20: every creaturegleaningsGWB §708: of all mankindkitab-i-iqanKIQ §167: Placelessprayers-and-meditationsP&M §842: the contingent worldthe-hidden-wordsHW §128: securewill-and-testamentW&T §17: subordinationepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §135: all creation
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §143: forbiddenfire-tabletFire §29: of thegleaningsGWB §458: ceasekitab-i-ahdAhd §7: categorically forbiddenkitab-i-iqanKIQ §278: most kindlyprayers-and-meditationsP&M §497: His last daytablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §24: them that comprehendthe-hidden-wordsHW §39: deny
SE rendered العِبادِ (al-ʿibád), مُنْتَهى (muntahى), ذُرْوَةِ (dhurwah), الْقُصْوى (al-quṣwى), يَقْدِرَ (yaqdir) as “of men, deep their contemplation, power”
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §50: PinnaclegleaningsGWB §725: Summitprayers-and-meditationsP&M §136: the highest goalepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §170: Most Sublime Pinnacleprayers-and-meditationsP&M §845: unto the summitepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §228: the summitprayers-and-meditationsP&M §254: heightsepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §215: Sublime Summit
SE rendered مُنْتَهى (muntahى), ذُرْوَةِ (dhurwah), الْقُصْوى (al-quṣwى), يَقْدِرَ (yaqdir), يَصْعَدَ (yaṣʿad) as “deep their contemplation, power, outsoar”
This form usually rendered as “can”, “have”, “cannot” (33 occurrences)
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §159: of strength and of mightfire-tabletFire §48: OrdainergleaningsGWB §410: awhilekitab-i-ahdAhd §12: grantedkitab-i-iqanKIQ §84: indomitable strengthprayers-and-meditationsP&M §21: hast powertablet-of-ahmadAhmad §3: the Powerfultablet-of-carmelCarmel §5: the Mighty, the All-Powerful
This form usually rendered as “ascend”, “scale”, “attain” (11 occurrences)
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §210: “Get thee upgleaningsGWB §685: resume its flightprayers-and-meditationsP&M §420: ascendedtablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: shedthe-hidden-wordsHW §23: Risewill-and-testamentW&T §18: his passingepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §187: are raisedgleaningsGWB §91: ascent
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §54: sharpergleaningsGWB §100: infinitekitab-i-iqanKIQ §12: discernmentprayers-and-meditationsP&M §233: its confinestablet-of-ahmadAhmad §5: ordinancestablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §18: worldly limitationsthe-hidden-wordsHW §39: in My statutesepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §10: keen
الإِنْشآءِ،
literal: creation; creation/origination; creation, composition
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §198: ofgleaningsGWB §428: creationprayers-and-meditationsP&M §333: unto all Thy creatureswill-and-testamentW&T §7: erectedprayers-and-meditationsP&M §340: in the entire creationprayers-and-meditationsP&M §623: Thy creationprayers-and-meditationsP&M §257: of Thy creaturesprayers-and-meditationsP&M §797: of Thine invention
SE rendered يَصْعَدَ (yaṣʿad), حَدِّ (ḥadd), الإِنْشآءِ، (an-nsháʾi،), وَلَنْ (walan), يُمْكِنَ (yumkin), يَتَعارَجَ (yataʿáraj) as “outsoar, the limitations, Thy creation, creation, ascend”
2 occurrences in corpus
This form usually rendered as “such”, “station”, “honor” (82 occurrences)
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §198: My rankgleaningsGWB §629: the assaultskitab-i-iqanKIQ §146: concerningprayers-and-meditationsP&M §714: the oppressorthe-hidden-wordsHW §68: My stateepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §136: that neithergleaningsGWB §202: all that pertaineth toprayers-and-meditationsP&M §782: Thy state
This form usually rendered as “things” (1 occurrences)
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §159: what He willethgleaningsGWB §82: riverskitab-i-iqanKIQ §12: the watersprayers-and-meditationsP&M §377: by waterthe-hidden-wordsHW §138: foul and mortalepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §231: watergleaningsGWB §292: for the thingsprayers-and-meditationsP&M §573: by reason of what
SE rendered وَبِما (wabimá), قُدِّرَ (quddir), شُئُونِ (shuʾún), القَضآءِ، (al-qaḍáʾi،), فَكَيْفَ (fakayf), يَقْدِرُ (yaqdir) as “by, set, irrevocably, How, have the power”
state 15% manifold 15% changes 10% station 10% rank 10% tokens 10% glory 10% excellence 10% distinction 5% worldly 5%
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §59: rankgleaningsGWB §48: the glorieskitab-i-iqanKIQ §80: theseprayers-and-meditationsP&M §412: the manifold revelationswill-and-testamentW&T §15: all earthly thingsepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §159: The changes and chancesgleaningsGWB §121: worldly desireskitab-i-iqanKIQ §120: concerning Him
This form usually rendered as “decree”, “irrevocable”, “destiny” (27 occurrences)
decree 52% irrevocable 14% destiny 5% decreed 5% ruling 5% tribulations 5% meet 5% irrevocably 5% fate 5%
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §193: been fulfilledfire-tabletFire §29: of destinygleaningsGWB §217: Grantkitab-i-ahdAhd §10: is endedkitab-i-iqanKIQ §12: wasprayers-and-meditationsP&M §858: whatsoever Thou prescribestthe-hidden-wordsHW §49: My decreeepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §89: hath it been decreed
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §228: HowgleaningsGWB §242: why is it, thenkitab-i-iqanKIQ §282: “What of the signprayers-and-meditationsP&M §791: how much more to apprehendthe-hidden-wordsHW §15: whyepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §185: the naturegleaningsGWB §528: much less recognizeprayers-and-meditationsP&M §631: into conformity with
SE expanded to “hath been created”
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §136: God created theefire-tabletFire §40: wert createdgleaningsGWB §50: a new creationkitab-i-iqanKIQ §213: peoplesprayers-and-meditationsP&M §131: Thou didst call intotablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §54: created herthe-hidden-wordsHW §23: thou wast createdepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §212: createth
SE expanded to “by Thy will”
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §99: He willethgleaningsGWB §29: things.”kitab-i-iqanKIQ §75: Will,”prayers-and-meditationsP&M §676: hath pleasedtablet-of-ahmadAhmad §6: desirethtablet-of-carmelCarmel §2: created things.’the-hidden-wordsHW §49: everythingepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §226: through His will
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §57: well-disciplinedgleaningsGWB §102: stationkitab-i-iqanKIQ §192: station and missionprayers-and-meditationsP&M §843: leveltablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §19: their stationsthe-hidden-wordsHW §160: pathwill-and-testamentW&T §7: preparedepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §56: convene
atmosphere 38% heights 19% heaven 10% firmament 5% immensity 5% limitless 5% heavens 5% wisdom 5% sublimities 5% wings 5%
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §85: promptings of thine own passionsfire-tabletFire §21: passiongleaningsGWB §188: Hekitab-i-iqanKIQ §282: selfish desiresprayers-and-meditationsP&M §519: of their corrupt inclinationsthe-hidden-wordsHW §39: thou desirestwill-and-testamentW&T §36: my spiritepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §7: book of mine own desire
SE rendered يَصْعَدَ (yaṣʿad), هَوآءِ (hawáʾ), قُدْسِ (quds), عِرْفانِكَ (ʿirfánik), يَصِلَ (yaṣil) as “to soar, the holy atmosphere, of Thy knowledge, reach”
holiness 45% holy 34% most 6% sanctified 5% eternal 3% sacred 2% hallowed 2% divine 2% sanctity 2% unknowable 1%
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §5: Thy SelfgleaningsGWB §297: profanekitab-i-iqanKIQ §174: Heavenprayers-and-meditationsP&M §558: infinitely exaltedtablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §26: Celestial Concoursethe-hidden-wordsHW §57: thy sanctityepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §10: sanctifiedgleaningsGWB §557: praise
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §119: they who were withfire-tabletFire §2: of Thy reuniongleaningsGWB §122: Servants.”kitab-i-iqanKIQ §118: infidelprayers-and-meditationsP&M §845: enabletablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §18: reachedthe-hidden-wordsHW §97: to attain the presenceepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §165: manifold
seat 36% habitation 13% place 10% abide 10% court 8% spot 5% confessed 5% abode 5% retreats 5% acceptance 3%
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §97: abidethgleaningsGWB §151: gain admittance into the habitationkitab-i-ahdAhd §6: singled outkitab-i-iqanKIQ §276: dwellprayers-and-meditationsP&M §503: gladdentablet-of-carmelCarmel §3: thine eyesthe-hidden-wordsHW §92: Solacedwill-and-testamentW&T §9: arrangements
glory 49% transcendent 20% exalted 10% glorified 4% honor 4% all-glorious 3% mighty 3% most 3% almighty 3% might 2%
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §56: sovereignty and gloryfire-tabletFire §43: by Thy banishmentgleaningsGWB §481: noble and worthy of honorkitab-i-iqanKIQ §130: of celestial gloryprayers-and-meditationsP&M §744: I swear by Thythe-hidden-wordsHW §69: of wondrous glorywill-and-testamentW&T §4: endearedepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §64: By Thy glory
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §157: soar yefire-tabletFire §46: flygleaningsGWB §541: Birdkitab-i-iqanKIQ §156: exploreprayers-and-meditationsP&M §263: that I may soartablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §16: favored birdsepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §191: to soargleaningsGWB §656: shall cause
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §182: shall perishgleaningsGWB §129: nothingnesskitab-i-iqanKIQ §257: vanitiesprayers-and-meditationsP&M §66: the doortablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §29: mortal gravesthe-hidden-wordsHW §58: unfadingepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §79: yours perishethgleaningsGWB §119: extinction
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §158: its mighty thronegleaningsGWB §279: His thronekitab-i-iqanKIQ §161: the Celestial Throneprayers-and-meditationsP&M §837: the mercy seatthe-hidden-wordsHW §120: OF MYepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §221: of the Mighty ThronegleaningsGWB §612: of the thronekitab-i-iqanKIQ §86: Throne.”
eternity 23% everlasting 18% immortality 16% eternal 14% immortal 7% imperishable 6% remained 5% incorruptible 5% ever-abiding 5% live 3%
epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §150: life would havefire-tabletFire §30: hiddengleaningsGWB §50: Ancient of Dayskitab-i-iqanKIQ §25: of its ancient sovereigntyprayers-and-meditationsP&M §746: discoveredtablet-of-the-holy-marinerMariner §51: hath remainedthe-hidden-wordsHW §151: imperishableepistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolfESW §79: endureth
