Search for tag "Words and phrases"

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1. 'Abdu'l-Bahá on the World Stage, by Iraj Ghanooni (2022). A contrast of the spiritual purpose of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá's first visit to Paris with the secular aims of some famous Iranian contemporaries who went there around the same time; includes philosophical discussions and an analysis of two talks by ‘Abdu'l-Bahá. [about]
2. Answered Questions, Some, by Abdu'l-Bahá (2014). 'Table talks' given by ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá in ‘Akká between 1904 and 1906 in response to questions posed by Laura Dreyfus-Barney; first published in 1908, the new 2014 edition has been extensively retranslated. [about]
3. Baha'i Burial and Related Laws, by Bahá'u'lláh and Shoghi Effendi (2020). Applicability of laws; preparations for burial; prayers and services; cemeteries, graves, and tombstones; exhumation; honoring the dead; cremation and miscellaneous issues. [about]
4. Bahá'í Tradition, The: The Return of Joseph and the Peaceable Imagination, by Todd Lawson, in Fighting Words: Religion, Violence, and the Interpretation of Sacred Texts, ed. John Renard (2012). Overview of the status of violence in the Bahá'í tradition, and the historical/social conditions in which these doctrines were articulated. [about]
5. Bayan (Bayán-i-Farsí and Bayán-i-'Arabí), The: Letters and Letters of the Living, by Universal House of Justice and Iraj Ayman (1994). [about]
6. beginning that hath no beginning, The: Bahá'í Cosmogony, by Vahid Brown, in Lights of Irfan, Book 3 (2002). The dimensions of myth in the Bahá'í Faith focussing on the religion's narratives of creation, religious history, and Administrative Order. [about]
7. Camphor and the Camphor Fountain, by Frank Lewis (1999). What is the meaning of the camphor fount — a symbol common in the writings of Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, and the Qur'an — what is its context, and what is the cup tempered there? [about]
8. Camphor Fountain: Compilation and Commentary, by Mark A. Foster (2003). [about]
9. Celestial Pavilion, Inmates of, by Universal House of Justice, in Lights of Irfan, 4 (2003). [about]
10. Coincidentia Oppositorum in the Qayyum al-Asma: The terms "Point" (nuqta), "Pole" (qutb), "Center" (markaz) and the Khutbat al-tatanjiya, by Todd Lawson, in Occasional Papers in Shaykhi, Babi and Bahá'í Studies (2001). The importance of the Khutba al-tutunjiya for a study of the Bab's writings; the presence in the Qayyum al-asma of the motif of the coincidentia oppositorum, in distinctively Shi'i form, as an expression of its "apocalyptic imagination". [about]
11. Commentary on the Kitab-i Aqdas, verse one, by Sen McGlinn (1997). Meanings why recognition of God and his Manifestations are the first two laws of the Aqdas. [about]
12. Countenance of the Blessed Beauty in the Mirror of Mawlúd Tablets, The, by Foad Seddigh, in Lights of Irfan, 19 (2018). Review of four tablets in compilation from the Universal House of Justice about the commemoration of the anniversary of the birth of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, and guidance from 2015 intended to harmonize their lunar and solar dates. [about]
13. Dawn Fasting Prayer, by Ruhiyyih (Mary Maxwell) Khanum (1982). Essay from ‘Amatu’l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum's book The Desire of the World. [about]
14. Day of God (Yawmu'llah) and the Days of God (Ayyamu'llah), by Khazeh Fananapazir, in Scripture and Revelation: Papers presented at the First Irfan Colloquium (1997). Comparison of Biblical and Islamic antecedents of the symbol of the "Day of God." [about]
15. Definition of the Word "Ungodly", by Universal House of Justice (2001). Answer to a question inspired by the Hidden Word "Walk not with the ungodly and seek not fellowship with him" (Persian #57). [about]
16. Demystifying Bahá'u'lláh's Tablet of the Temple (Súratu'l-Haykal), by Hui Bau (2018). Background of the Suriy-i-Haykal: historical context and verses primarily from the first half of the surih, which feature the themes of the Body and Letters of the Temple, and Bahá’u’lláh’s introductory dialogues with two heavenly Maidens. [about]
17. Diacritics; meaning of "Self-subsisting", by Universal House of Justice (1993). Two disparate topics: the translation style adopted by the Guardian and other considerations related to literary style and the sacred writings, and the meaning of the term "self-subsisting." [about]
18. "Double Crusade" and the American Baha'i Community, The, by Universal House of Justice (2018). Comments on what the double crusade means, how it relates to the current series of Plans of the Faith, what should be done to carry it out, and the Advent of Divine Justice. [about]
19. Entering into Obligatory Prayer: Introduction and Commentary, by Ismael Velasco (2006). Overview of Bahá'í prayer, its historical background, and a detailed commentary on the preamble to the Long Obligatory Prayer. [about]
20. Epistle to the Son of the Wolf (Lawh-i-Ibn-i-Dhib): Study Guide, by Melanie Smith (1991). A study guide distributed to students of the Wilmette Institute by the US Bahá'í National Center; posted here with permission of author and of the USBNC. [about]
21. Fundamental Verities, by Universal House of Justice (1996). Meaning of the phrase "fundamental verities of the Faith" in the writings of Shoghi Effendi. [about]
22. Goddess Religion, Ancient, by Universal House of Justice (1992). Ancient goddess religions and the role of the feminine in theology. [about]
23. Grammatical Clarifications, by Universal House of Justice (2001). Letter and memorandum in response to questions about possible misprints in published extracts from letters of Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of justice [about]
24. Hidden Words: References of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi, by Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi (1998). [about]
25. Hidden Words: Bibliography, by Sen McGlinn (1998). [about]
26. I know Not How to Sing Thy Praise: Reflections on a Prayer of Bahá'u'llah, by Wolfgang A. Klebel, in Lights of Irfan, 13 (2012). Theology and the language of revelation vs. atheism and scientific discourse, and apophatic "not-knowing" vs. the impossibility of knowing god. [about]
27. Immanence and Transcendence in Theophanic Symbolism, by Michael W. Sours, in Journal of Bahá'í Studies, 5:2 (1992). Bahá'u'lláh uses symbols to depict theophanies — the appearance of God and the divine in the realm of creation — such as "angel," "fire," and the prophets' claims to be incarnating the "face" or "voice" of God; these convey the transcendence of God. [about]
28. Inebriation of His Enrapturing Call (mast-and bulbulán), The, by Julio Savi, in Lights of Irfan, 15 (2014). Translation of the early mystical Tablet "Nightingales Are Inebriated" and an analysis of its themes of ecstasy, Mount Sinai, eschatology, dhikr, sama, and fana`. [about]
29. Joycean Modernism in a Nineteenth-Century Qur'an Commentary?: A Comparison of The Báb's Qayyūm Al-Asmā' with Joyce's Ulysses, by Todd Lawson, in Erin and Iran: Cultural Encounters between the Irish and the Iranians, ed. H. E. Chehabi and Grace Neville (2015). Comparison of the formal structure of the two works and themes such as time; oppositions and their resolution; relation between form and content; prominence of epiphany; manifestation, advent and apocalypse; and the theme of heroism, reading and identity. [about]
30. Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book): Notes on the Style of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, by Suheil Badi Bushrui (1995). The near-similarity between the style of the Qur'an and that of the Aqdas. [about]
31. Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book): Notes on the "choice wine", by Abdu'l-Bahá and Brent Poirier (2000). [about]
32. Kitab-i-Iqan: Key to Unsealing the Mysteries of the Holy Bible, by Brent Poirier (1998). Examination of the Bible in light of interpretations of its symbolism offered by Bahá'u'lláh's Kitab-i-Iqan. [about]
33. Krishna, historiography of; Meaning of "Qayyúm", by Universal House of Justice (1983). Two questions: historical information about Krishna, and the meaning of the term "qayyum". [about]
34. Lawh-i-Dunyá, Tablet of the World: Meaning of Urvatu'l-Vuthqá, "Sure Handle", by Iraj Ayman (1999). [about]
35. Light of the World: Selected Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, by Abdu'l-Bahá (2021). Tablets of ‘Abdul-Bahá describing aspects of the life of Bahá’u’lláh including the tribulations He suffered, events in His homeland, the purpose and greatness of His Cause, and the nature and significance of His Covenant. [about]
36. Lists of Articles, by Brent Poirier (2009). Lists of 126 articles at the author's six blog websites. [about]
37. Long Obligatory Prayer, The, by Ali Nakhjavani (2000). Notable talk from March 2000 by Ali Nakhjavani, who served on the Universal House of Justice from 1963 to 2003, about various aspects of the long obligatory prayer (link to audio, off-site). [about]
38. Messianic Concealment and Theophanic Disclosure, by Moojan Momen, in Online Journal of Bahá'í Studies, 1 (2007). The argument about exactly when Bahá'u'lláh became aware of his mission. Relevant issues and rival perspectives.  [about]
39. Names of the Bahá'í Months, The: Separating Fact from Fiction, by Moojan Momen (2012). A blog post, compiled for the Wilmette Institute, on the original source of the names of the months of the Badí calendar — taken from a dawn prayer by the Fifth Shí’í Imám, Muhammad al-Báqir, for the month of Ramadan. [about]
40. New Race of Men and the meaning of "Tread Under", A, by Universal House of Justice (2013). The meaning of the phrase "A race of men ... will tread under all who are in heaven." Includes compilation on the topic. [about]
41. Pioneering, Language, Arts, Example of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, by Universal House of Justice (1998). Pioneering; Serving parents; Serving where need is; Gardens; International Auxiliary Language; Arabic pronunciation; study of Persian; Some references in Writings of Bahá'u'lláh; Folk art; External affairs; Daily living; Abdu'l-Bahá as divine exemplar. [about]
42. Pocketful of Meaning, A: Compilation of Terms, Phrases and Symbols as Used in the Sacred Writings of all Faiths in the World, by Romane Takkenberg (2019). A compilation from the Bahá'í Writings explaining the meaning of terms and symbols used in the sacred texts of the world's faiths, from "acme" to "Zion." All links point offsite. [about]
43. Poetry in 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Writings and Utterances, by Julio Savi and Faezeh Mardani, in Lights of Irfan, 18 (2017). 'Abdu'l-Bahá mentions at least seven aspects of poetry: inspiration, beauty, eloquence, versified language, novelty, expressivity, depth, and loftiness. He also sets forth clear concepts on the purposes of poetry, which benefit any aspiring poet. [about]
44. Prayers of Bahá'u'lláh, The, by Ruhiyyih (Mary Maxwell) Khanum, in Bahá'í World, Vol. 9 (1940–1944) (1945). Essay about various prayers and meditations of Bahá'u'lláh. [about]
45. Reflections on the Concept of Law in the Bahá'í Faith, Some, by Roshan Danesh, in Journal of Bahá'í Studies, 24:1-2 (2014). The concept of law in the Bahá’í Faith; its early Islamic context; the nature of legal language and discourse in Bahá’u’lláh’s writings. Religious law, rooted in conscious knowledge and the dynamics of love, rejects rigid and legalistic rules. [about]
46. Reflections on The Four Valleys of Bahá'u'lláh, by Amrollah Hemmat, in Journal of Bahá'í Studies, 30:4 (2021). Studies of this book often focus on its Sufi and mystical aspects. But when it is seen within the larger context of the totality of the Bahá’í Writings, its purpose appears as a guide for spiritual wayfarers to the recognition of the Manifestation of God. [about]
47. Remembrance of God, The: An Invocation Technique in Sufism and the Writings of The Báb and Bahá'u'lláh, by Steven Scholl, in Bahá'í Studies Bulletin, 2:3 (1983). Dhikru'lláh, the invocation or "remembrance" of God, is a Sufi technique of chanting or repeating prayers, divine names, or mantras to achieve heightened spiritual consciousness or a sense of mystical union. Includes commentary by Moojan Momen et al. [about]
48. Research Department, Functions of; Etymologies of three terms, by Universal House of Justice, in Bahá'í Studies Bulletin (1992). Two questions: (1) what is the function of the Research Department, and (2) etymologies of the three terms "world of exemplars," "'álam," and "barzakh." Includes translated excerpts of tablets of Bahá'u'lláh and Abdu'l-Bahá. [about]
49. Seeing Double: The Covenant and the Tablet of Ahmad, by Todd Lawson, in Bahá'í Faith and the World's Religions (2005). The Tablet of Ahmad is believed to have special potency. "Seeing double" means both looking at the words of Scripture, and looking in the direction beyond the words, as indicated by the context. This paper also discusses the meaning of Covenant in Islam. [about]
50. Seven Valleys, The: Notes from a Deepening Class , by Abu'l-Qasim Faizi (1966). Lengthy notes from a deepening led by Hand of the Cause Faizi in Haifa, Israel. [about]
51. Some Reflections on the Different Meanings of the Word Báb, by Amelia L. Danesh, in Journal of Bahá'í Studies, 2:3 (1990). While Bahá'ís associate the Arabic word báb with Sayyid ‘Ali-Muhammad, to Muslims it has several other meanings, resulting in different interpretations of events and figures in Bahá'í history by scholars approaching it from an Islamic perspective. [about]
52. Study Guide to The Seven Valleys of Bahá'u'lláh, A, by Arline J. Bogie (2018). This book-length study guide was the life's work of Arline Bogie, who recently passed (April 2020). It is shared here for the deepening of others, and to honor her legacy. [about]
53. Study of the Meaning of the Word "Al-Amr" in the Qur'án and in the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, A, by Moojan Momen, in Lights of Irfan, Book 1 (2000). Examines two controversies about the Arabic-Persian term "al-amr"/"amr" regarding Quranic prophecy and the status of Subh-e Azal. [about]
54. Study of the Pen Motif in the Bahá'í Writings, A, by Kavian Sadeghzade Milani and Nafeh Fananapazir, in Journal of Bahá'í Studies, 9:1 (1999). Theology and background of the "pen" metaphor — the creative force presented by the Manifestation of God — and the "tablet" — the recipient of the creative force. Also the five realms of existence: Háhút, Láhút, Jabarút, Malakút, and Násút. [about]
55. Tablet (Lawh) in Bahá'í Usage, by Todd Lawson (2005). Meanings of the common Bahá'í terms lawh (tablet), ketáb (book), sahífa (treatise), resála (epistle), etc. [about]
56. Tablet of Ahmad, Arabic (Lawh-i-Ahmad): Analysis of Figurative Language in the Tablet of Ahmad, by Ruhiyyih Skrenes (1998). Introductory analysis of the metaphors and symbols used in Bahá'u'lláh's Tablet of Ahmad (Arabic). [about]
57. Tablet of Maqsud, by Universal House of Justice (2001). Date of the revelation of the Tablet of Maqsúd and its mention of "Two great powers." [about]
58. Tablet of the Holy Mariner (Lawh-i-Malláhu'l-Quds): Study Compilations, by Aziz Mboya (2000). Includes two compilations on references to the Lesser prophets, and mini-compilations on 82 topics: "angels," "apostles," "balance," "call of a prophet," "clouds," "Face of God," "Maid of Heaven," "trumpet," etc. [about]
59. Tablet of the Temple (Súratu'l-Haykal): Wilmette Institute faculty notes, by Iraj Ayman (1999). [about]
60. Terms Remembrance (dhikr) and Gate (bab) in the Bab's Commentary on the Sura of Joseph, The, by Todd Lawson, in Studies in Honor of the Late Husayn M. Balyuzi, Studies in the Bábí and Bahá'í Religions, vol. 5, ed. Moojan Momen (1989). Who is the "voice" of the Qayyum al-Asma: the person Ali-Muhammad Shirazi, the hidden Imam through The Báb, the Báb as the Imam himself, or God? The Bab seems to be the Imam speaking the voice of God. He is Dhikru'lláh, "Remembrance of God." [about]
61. 'Thee' and 'thee' in the translation of the Súrih of the Temple (Súriy-i-Haykal), by Khazeh Fananapazir, in Lights of Irfan, 4 (2003). [about]
62. These Perspicuous Verses: A passage from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, by Robert W. McLaughlin (1982). Detailed study of a section from Ishraqat and Epistle to the Son of the Wolf. [about]
63. Towards the Summit of Reality: Table of Contents and Bibliography, by Julio Savi (2003). Front- and back-matter only of Savi's book Towards the Summit of Reality: An Introduction to the Study of Bahá'u'lláh's Seven Valleys and Four Valleys, which provides a snapshot of scholarship into these Writings of Bahá'u'lláh. [about]
64. Translation of Key Bahá'í Terms, by Universal House of Justice (2015). Arabic terms such as "Alláh-u-Abhá", "Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá", “Mashriqu’l-Adhkár," "Ḥazíratu’l-Quds," and "Bahá" should generally not be translated into other languages, for translations are too inadequate. [about]
65. Twelve Table Talks Given by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in 'Akká, by Abdu'l-Bahá (2019). Talks from 1904-1907. [about]
66. "Two Great Powers" in the Lawh-i Maqsud, by Ismael Velasco (2014). On the identity of the two countries that arose against the followers of Moses, referenced by Bahá'u'lláh — likely Russia and France or Russia and Germany. [about]
67. Typological Figuration and the Meaning of "Spiritual": The Qurʾanic Story of Joseph, by Todd Lawson, in Journal of the American Oriental Society, 132:2 (2012). Meanings of the famous shirt (qamís) as a symbol of Joseph's spiritual journey and travails in the Qur'an and tafsír. Brief mentions of Shaykh Ahmad, Siyyid Kazim, and the Báb on pp. 229, 231 and 237-238. [about]
68. Unsealing the Choice Wine at the Family Reunion, by John S. Hatcher, in Journal of Bahá'í Studies, 6:3 (1994). Bahá’í scripture portrays human progress as propelled by two inextricably related capacities: independently acquired knowledge coupled with social action; in revelation this dynamic relationship is symbolized by the Kitáb-i-Íqán and and the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. [about]
69. Various questions: Wordings in Promised Day is Come, Transliteration of vav, Pluralization and Case of Certain Words, by Universal House of Justice (2021). Answers on four topics: differences in wording in editions of The Promised Day Is Come; transliteration of the letter váv / wáw; the use of hybrid plurals, e.g. mullas; upper/lower case of certain words, e.g. "shah/Shah." [about]
70. Verge of the New, The: A Series of Talks, by Steven Phelps (2017). Introducing a way of looking at the past and future of religion in the context of the scientific revolution and the Enlightenment. Includes compilation of Writings on spiritual dislocation, science, language, spiritual evolution, nature, and revelation. [about]
71. Wisdom and Dissimulation: The Use and Meaning of Hikmat in the Bahá'í Writings and History, by Susan Maneck, in Bahá'í Studies Review, 6 (1996). Examination of hikmat within the Bahá'í community, especially as it refers to survival strategies in situations of danger or insecurity. [about]
72. Women on the House of Justice; meaning of "Umumi", by Universal House of Justice (1997). Clarifies that 'Abdu'l-Bahá, in a tablet to Corinne True, indeed refers to the Universal House of Justice when affirming that membership is confined to men only. Includes a portion of Corinne True's original query to 'Abdu'l-Bahá. [about]
73. Yá 'Aliyyu'l-A'lá, by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice (1991). On the meaning and correct transliteration of "Yá 'Aliyyu'l-A'lá" (O Thou Most High"), where it can be found, and if it is an invocation to the Báb. [about]
74. Yá Alláhu'l-Mustagháth": Original Source, Correct Transliteration and Translation, by Universal House of Justice (2001). About an invocation revealed by the Báb, prescribed for recitation in times of trouble and difficulty. [about]

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