APPENDIX III

Notes for the Study of
Epistle to the Son of the Wolf

In the diversity of its topics, in the profundity of its arguments, in the sublimity of its style, in the compelling force of its challenges, and in the hidden significances of its allusions, this book assumes a very special position among the Writings of the Author of the Faith. The study of such a work requires some background knowledge of history and religious terminology.

These notes are intended to provide a brief explanation of some of the terms used in Epistle to the Son of the Wolf. Since many of its themes have already been discussed in the four volumes of The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, references are given mainly to these volumes. To enlarge the scope of information, references to other works are supplied where necessary. The page numbers shown in the left-hand column are from Epistle to the Son of the Wolf (ESW), Wilmette, Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1962 edition; vols. 1, 2, 3, refer to The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, while 'above, p. 000', refers to the page number in this present volume.

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11 'This Wronged One hath frequented no school', see vol. 1 , pp. 19, 20, 22, 62-3.
11 'Tablet, addressed to His Majesty the Sháh', see vol. 2, pp. 338-56; vol. 3, pp. 174-91.
13 The Tablet quoted was revealed in honour of Hájí Mírzá Haydar-'Alí.
14 'The war that hath involved the two Nations...' The
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two nations are Persia and Russia. During the reign of Fath-'Alí Sháh (1797-1834), the clergy declared holy war and Persia was the loser. It resulted in the successive disastrous treaties of Gulistán (1813) and Turkomanchay (1826).
15 'Book of Fátimih', see vol. 1, pp. 71-2.
16 These passages from the Hidden Words allude to the waywardness of the divines. See vol. 2, p. 350.
17 'Willingly will I obey the judge...', a quotation from an ode by Ibn-i-Fárid (AH 576-632), the famous Egyptian poet who was a leading Súfí.
17 Hill and Haram: see ESW, p. 187.
17 Kaaba: see ESW, p. 188.
18 'The seal of the Choice Wine hath...been broken.' The reference to choice wine, sealed, may be found in the Qur'án (see 83:22-6). The significance of 'sealed' is that the true meanings of the Words of God in former Dispensations were not disclosed until the advent of Bahá'u'lláh (see vol. 1, pp. 160-61, on this prophecy of Daniel). The unsealing of the Choice Wine signifies the revelation of the Word of God in this age, disclosing to mankind new teachings and new laws. Bahá'u'lláh declares in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, 'Think not that We have revealed unto you a mere code of laws. Nay rather We have unsealed the Choice Wine with the fingers of might and power.' [The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, ¶5]
19 'fisherman', a reference to Peter, the Disciple of Christ.
19 'Abú-Dhar, the Shepherd', see ESW, p. 183.
19 'He Who was wholly unversed...' This passage recalls the story mentioned in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas concerning Ja'far, 'the sifter of Wheat' [The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, ¶166], see The Dawn-Breakers, p. 99.
19 'whilst the acknowledged exponent...of...sciences...' This refers to Shaykh Muhammad-Hasan-i-Najafí,
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the leading mujtahid of Persia and a great enemy of the Cause of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh.
20-21 'The attempt on the life of His Majesty...and the dungeon...' See God Passes By, pp. 61-72, and vol. 1, pp. 7-11.
32 '...a knowledge which, when applied, will largely, though not wholly eliminate fear.' This knowledge has not been expounded by Bahá'u'lláh.
32 'Crimson Book' usually refers to the Kitáb-i-'Ahd, Bahá'u'lláh's Will and Testament. In this instance He writes, 'A word...recorded...in the Crimson Book which is capable of fully disclosing that force which is hid in men...' This passage may be a reference to this verse in the Kitáb-i-'Ahd: 'O Ye My Branches! A mighty force, a consummate power lieth concealed in the world of being...'
41 Siyyid of Findirisk, Abú-Nasr, and Abú-'Alí Síná: see ESW, pp. 192 and 183.
45 Tablet to Napoleon III: see The Promised Day Is Come, also vol. 2, pp. 368-9, and vol. 3, pp. 109-15.
56 'Tablet...to the Czar of Russia', see The Promised Day Is Come, also vol. 3, pp. 118-23.
59 'Tablet of Her Majesty, the Queen', see The Promised Day Is Come, also vol. 3, pp. 123-8.
68 'A highly accomplished...man.' This is Hájí Mírzá Siyyid Hasan, the Afnán-i-Kabír, see above, p. 404-6.
68 'Mírzá Husayn Khán, Mushíru'd-Dawlih.' Persian ambassador to Constantinople, see vol. 2, vol. 3, pp. 218-19.
68 'Prince Shujá'u'd-Dawlih accompanied by Mírzá Safá', see vol. 2, pp. 55-8.
68 'Kamál Páshá', see vol. 2 pp. 3, 56.
70 'Siyyid Muhammad', Muhammad-i-Isfahání, the Anti-Christ of the Bahá'í Revelation, see vols. 1, 2, 3.
72 'Hájí Nasír', see above, p. 383.
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72 'The twin shining lights. Hasan and Husayn', see above, Chapter 5.
72 'one named Kázim', see above, pp. 384-5.
72 'his honour Ashraf', see above, pp. 385-6.
73 'Sardár 'Azíz Khán', Governor of Ádhirbáyján, see vol. 2, p. 61.
73 'Mírzá Mustafá', see vol. 2, pp. 60-61.
73 'his honour Badí', see vol. 3, Chapter 9.
73 'his honour Najaf-'Alí', see vol. 2, pp. 222-3.
73 'Mullá 'Alí Ján', see above, pp. 386-7.
73 'Abá Basír and Siyyid Ashraf-i-Zanjání', see vol. 2, pp. 223-32.
75 'The father of Badí'', Hájí 'Abdu'l-Majíd-i-Níshápúrí, Abá Badí', see vol. 2, pp. 128-36.
75 'his honour Siyyid Ismá'íl', see vol. 1, pp. 101-3.
76 'he that was chosen to be slain was but one person', a reference to the sacrifice of Abraham.
76 'Balál, the Ethiopian', 'sín' and 'shín', see ESW, p. 184.
77 'prison of the Land of Mím', a reference to Bahá'u'lláh's imprisonment in Ámul. See The Dawn-Breakers, pp. 368-76.
77 'Qará-Guhar' and 'Salásil', see vol. 1, p. 9.
77 'Hájí Muhammad-Ridá', see above, pp. 342-6.
79 'Lawh-i-Burhán', see above, Chapter 6.
86 'Mírzá Hádí Dawlat-Ábádí' who 'ascended the pulpits and spoke words which ill befitted him', see above, pp. 174-6.
86 'Sád-i-Isfahání' Mírzá Murtidá the Sadru'l-'Ulamá, a clergyman of low intelligence who became a Bábí and fell under the spell of Siyyid Muhammad-i-Isfahání.
88 For the upheavals of Zanján, Nayríz and Tabarsí see The Dawn-Breakers.
94 'One of My Branches (sons)...', a reference to Mírzá Badí'u'lláh who later became a Covenant-breaker. See The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá.
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106 'In the Great City (Constantinople) they have roused a considerable number of people to oppose this Wronged One...', see above, pp. 392-402.
107 'Luqmán', see ESW, p. 189.
108 'Akhtar', a newspaper published in Istanbul. See above, pp. 303, 396, 402.
108 'Hájí Shaykh Muhammad-'Alí', Nabíl son of Nabíl. See above, pp. 394-8.
111 'Imám Sádiq', Ja'far-i-Sádiq, the sixth Imám of Shí'ah Islám.
111 'Imám 'Alí' the first Imám of Shí'ah Islám.
112 'Abí-'Abdi'lláh', a reference to Imám Sádiq.
112 'Mufaddal', 'Abu Ja'far-i-Túsí', and 'Jábir' (p. 113): compilers of hadíth (Traditions of Islám) handed down from the sixth Imám.
114 'The Lote-Tree beyond which there is no passing...' This originates from the Arabic word 'Sadratu'l-Muntahá'. It is the symbol of the Manifestation of God, to which no one has access.
115-19 'Divine Presence', see above, p. 409, and vol. 2, pp. 16-18.
120 '...The Prince of the World', a reference to the Báb.
120 'Shaykh-i-Ahsá'í (Shaykh Ahmad)', the founder of the Shaykhí sect. See The Dawn-Breakers.
122 '...Our loved ones have been arrested in the land of Tá (Tihrán)...' This is a reference to the imprisonment of the Hands of the Cause, Hájí Mullá 'Alí-Akbar and Hájí Amín, in the prison of Qazvín in 1891. See above, pp. 337-8. This date provides also a clue to the period in which the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf was revealed.
123 'officials of the Persian Embassy in the Great City', see above, pp. 393-402.
125 'Touching the fraudulent dealings...' see above, pp. 393, 396, 401.
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128 '0 people of Shín (Shíráz): Have Ye forgotten My loving-kindness...' This is a reference to the Revelation of the Báb in Shíráz.
130 'The heedless ones have hamstrung Thy white She-Camel...', see Appendix I.
131 'Wings that are besmirched with mire can never soar.' See Gleanings, CLIII.
131-4 '...These perspicuous verses have...been sent down from the Kingdom of Divine knowledge...' For the origin of this Tablet see above, pp. 153-4.
135-9 'Qayyum-i-Asma', the Báb's commentary on the Súrih of Joseph, described by Bahá'u'lláh as 'the first, the greatest, and mightiest of all books' in the Bábí Dispensation. Its first chapter was revealed on the evening of 22 May 1844 in the presence of Mullá Husayn. See vol. 1, pp. 280, 293, 302.
135-9 'Crimson Ark', mentioned in the Qayyum-i-Asma, its occupants are the people of Bahá. See God Passes By, p. 23.
136 Tablet concerning trustworthiness, see above, pp. 16-17.
137 'Kamál Páshá visited this Wronged One.' See vol. 2, pp. 3, 56.
138 'At present, a new language and a new script have been devised.' This is possibly a reference to Esperanto which was invented about four years before Bahá'u'lláh wrote this Epistle.
141-3 Words of the Báb concerning the greatness of the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, see vol. 1, Chapter 18, and above, pp. 153-4 and 153n.
142 'his honour, 'Azím', Mullá 'Alí, a well-known disciple of the Báb. See The Dawn-Breakers, under 'Azím' in index.
148 'Lawh-i-Ra'ís', and 'Lawh-i-Fu'ád', see vol. 3.
149 'Land of Tá (Tihrán)', see vol. 1, pp. 46-9.
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150 'Neither is there a thing green or sere, but it is noted in a distinct writing.' Qur'án 6:59. See vol. 3, pp. 245-6.
151-63 Passages from the Báb concerning the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, see vol. 1, Chapter 18, and vol. 2, pp. 370-81.
153-5 'Him Whom God shall make manifest', the Promised One of the Bayán who was to manifest Himself after the Báb, i.e. Bahá'u'lláh. See vol. 1, Chapter 18.
156 'mirrors'. The Báb had bestowed the designation 'mirror' upon a few of His followers. See vol. 2, pp. 376-7.
158 'Dhi'l-Jawshan, and Ibn-i-Anas and Asbahí', see ESW, pp. 185, 187.
160 '0 Mirror of My generosity', a reference to Hájí Siyyid Javád-i-Karbilá'í, a devoted follower of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh. See vol. 1, pp. 221-4, vol. 2, pp. 376-7, and vol. 3, pp. 279-80.
163-77 'Hádí', Hádíy-i-Dawlat-Ábádí, who had publicly recanted his faith in the Báb, yet was installed as the successor to Mírzá Yahyá. See ESW, p. 86, and above, pp. 174-6.
164 'Siyyid Muhammad', as above, note to ESW, p. 70.
164 'he joined Mírzá Yahyá', Bahá'u'lláh's half-brother, the breaker of the Covenant of the Báb. See vol. 1, chapter 15, and also vols. 2 and 3.
164 'Mawlavís', an order of whirling dervishes.
166 'Mírzá Músá', a faithful brother of Bahá'u'lláh and one of His apostles. See vols. 1, 2 and 3.
168 'The authorship of the Kitáb-i-Íqán...' The followers of Mírzá Yahyá had shamefully circulated the rumour that the author of this Book was Mírzá Yahyá. See vol. 2, pp. 66-70.
169 'Hasan-i-Mázindarání', a paternal cousin of Bahá'u'lláh and a faithful believer. See vol. 1, p. 50n, and vol. 3, pp. 68, 209n, 216-17.
169 '...one of the sisters of this Wronged One...', a reference
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to Sháh Sultán Khánum known as Khánum Buzurg, who became a follower of Mírzá Yahyá. See vol. 1, p. 50, and vol. 2, p. 206.
169-70 'Mírzá Ridá-Qulí', a half-brother of Bahá'u'lláh. See vol. 1, p. 12, and vol. 3, pp. 218-19.
170 'Mírzá Muhammad-Hasan's daughter', Shahr-bánú, see vol. 2, pp. 205-6. Her father was a faithful half-brother of Bahá'u'lláh.
170 'Farmán-Farmá and Hisamu's-Saltanih', both princes and paternal uncles of Násiri'd-Dín Sháh.
173 'Siyyid Husayn', a native of Yazd, one of the Letters of the Living who was a companion of the Báb in Máh-Kú and Chihríq and served Him as His amanuensis till His martyrdom. See The Dawn-Breakers, under 'Husayn-i-Yazdí, Siyyid', in the index.
173 'Mírzá Ahmad', a reference to Mullá 'Abdu'l Karím-i-Qazvíní, a trusted disciple of the Báb. See The Dawn-Breakers, pp. 504-5, God Passes By, p. 51, and vol. 1, pp. 53-4.
173 'he...who was continually surrounded by five of the handmaidens of God.' This is an allusion to Mírzá Yahyá who practised polygamy. He had married eleven wives and was known to be a person who lusted after women.
174 'Mullá Báqir', a native of Tabríz and a Letter of the Living. See vol. 2, pp. 146-7.
174-7 'Dayyán', a reference to Mírzá Asadu'lláh of Khuy, an outstanding disciple of the Báb who was murdered on the orders of Mírzá Yahyá. See vol. 1, pp. 249-52.
176 'Mírzá 'Alí-Akbar', a paternal cousin of the Báb who was murdered in Baghdád on the orders of Mírzá Yahyá. See vol. 1, pp. 251.
176 'Abu'l-Qásim-i-Káshí', one of the disciples of the Báb who had attained His presence in Káshán. He went to Baghdád, recognized the station of Bahá'u'lláh and
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became an ardent lover of the Blessed Beauty. He was murdered in Baghdád on the orders of Mírzá Yahyá.
176 'Siyyid Ibráhím', entitled by the Báb as Khalíl. He was a native of Tabríz, a learned divine of the Shaykhí sect, a disciple of the Báb who attained His presence in Ádhirbáyján and received several Tablets from Him. He attained the presence of Bahá'u'lláh in Baghdád. Mírzá Yahyá endeavoured to have him killed, but did not succeed. See vol. 1, p. 250.
177 '...that which had been done, affecting the honour of the Báb, which hath truly overwhelmed all lands with sorrow.' This is a reference to Mírzá Yahyá's marriage with the second wife of the Báb. See vol. 1, pp. 248-9.
178-81 For an explanation of the Islámic terms and names in these pages see ESW glossary.