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Abstract: Large collection of outlines, commentaries, and study guides prepared by Wilmette Institute faculty. Notes: To edit or add to pages about the Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, visit editable discussion pages arranged individually by Leiden number, alphabetically with links to the Tablets by title, or edit the entire alphabetical list including the notes on one page as one large document. |
Notes and Commentary on the Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh:
Wilmette Institute study materials
compiled by Jonah Winters2002
This material has been assembled from a number of informal course materials and emails, 1997-2002. None have been carefully edited and all were prepared for casual, non-formal use, so the contents of this collection should be considered provisional and subject to correction.
Most dates given below are merely estimates. Tablets are arranged in estimated chronological order. Many Tablet titles given below are provisional. All authors of material here are clearly identified; content not otherwise attributed is by myself [J.W.]
Links to translations are provided, where available. Translations are identified by three categories: authoritative translations are those prepared either by the Guardian or by a committee of translators, as in the 1992 edition of the Aqdas; authorized translations are those produced by individuals but published in official, vetted Bahá'í publications, as in translations by Habib Taherzadeh or Marzieh Gail printed under the "Bahá'í World Center" imprimateur, or translations published in Bahá'í World or Star of the West; provisional translations are those produced by individuals on their own, are usually not published, and are rarely edited or peer-reviewed.
Writings of The Báb
| 1844 | Qayyúm-al-'Asmá', "Self-Subsisting of Names," also known as Ahsan al-qisas, "The Best of Stories" Translation (partial, provisional, by Todd Lawson) Faculty notes (Messiah; Day of God; Imám; Shaykhism) Notes on Joseph |
| 1847-48 | Bayán, "Exposition," Arabic and Persian Translations: provisional, from the French by A.L.M. Nicolas, and provisional, by Denis MacEoin Faculty notes (Writings containing word "Bayán"; Laws; Symbols; Bábí conversion patterns) "Letters" and Letters of the Living (see also The disconnected letters) |
Writings of Bahá'u'lláh
- Some introductory documents and links
- Persian and Arabic names
- Persian and Arabic language and translation
- Number of tablets revealed by Bahá'u'lláh
- Map of Bahá'u'lláh's travels and where Tablets were revealed
| 1852 | Rashh-i-'Amá, "Sprinkling from a Cloud" Translations: provisional, by Ramin Neshati, and provisional, by Juan Cole Tablet study outline [?] Faculty notes (Overview; Bahá'u'lláh's station prior to this Tablet) |
| 1854 | Lawh-i-Kullu'-Ta'ám, "Tablet of All Food" Translation (provisional, by Stephen Lambden) Faculty notes (Overview; Symbols; Worlds of God) Tablet study outline [?] |
| 1855 | Qasídiy-i-Varqá'íyyih, "Ode of the Dove" Translation (provisional, by Juan Cole) Tablet study outline [?] |
| 1857 | Sahífiy-i-Shattíyyih, "Book of the River [Tigris]" Translation (provisional, by Juan Cole) Notes (Translator's introduction) |
| 1857-58 | Chahár Vádí, "Four Valleys" Translation (authorized, by Marzieh Gail) Faculty notes (Overview; Names of the Valleys) Tablet study outline [?] |
| 1857-58 | Kalimát-i-Maknúnih, "Hidden Words" Translation (authoritative, by Shoghi Effendi) Tablet study outline [?] Lights of Guidance compilation Faculty notes (Excerpt from E.G. Browne; Meanings of name; "True and Radiant Morn"; Covenant; etymology of insáf, "justice") |
| 1857-63 | Haft Vádí, "Seven Valleys" Translation (authorized, by Marzieh Gail) Faculty notes (Why seven?; Some symbols explained); see also Javáhiru'l-Asrár Tablet study outline [?] |
| 1857-63 | Hurúfát-i-'Álín, "The Exalted Letters" Translation not yet available Excerpts from John Walbridge, Sacred Acts... |
| 1857-63 | Javáhiru'l-Asrár, "Jewels/Essence of Mysteries" Faculty notes (Overview); see also Seven Valleys |
| 1857-63 | Lawh-i-Áyiy-i-Núr, "Tablet of the 'Light Verse'" [of the Qur'an]), also known as Tafsír-i-Hurúfát-i-Muqatta'ih, "Commentary on the Isolated Letters"
Translation not yet available Faculty notes (Overview) The "Disconnected Letters" (see also "Letters" and Letters of the Living" |
| 1857-63 | Lawh-i-Fitnih, "Tablet of the Test" Translation (provisional, by Juan Cole) |
| 1857-63 | Lawh-i-Húríyyih, "Tablet of the Maiden" Translation (provisional, by Juan Cole) |
| 1857-63 | Madínatu'r-Ridá, "City of Radiance/Radiant Acquiescence" Translation not yet available |
| 1857-63 | Madínatu't-Tawhíd, "City of Unity" Translation not yet available |
| 1857-63 | Shikkar-Shikan-Shavand, "Sweet Scented Being" Translation (authorized, by Habib Taherzadeh) Faculty notes (Overview) |
| 1857-63 | Súriy-i-Nush, "Tablet of Advice" Translation not yet available |
| 1857-63 | Súriy-i-Qadír, "Surih of the Omnipotent" Translation not yet available |
| 1857-68 | Asl-i-Kullu'l-Khayr, "Words of Wisdom" Translation (authorized, by Habib Taherzadeh) Faculty notes (Overview; meaning of title) |
| 1858-63 | Subhána-Rabbíya'l-A'lá, "Praise to the Exalted Lord" Translation not yet available |
| 1858-63 | Lawh-i-Ghulámu'l-Khuld, "Tablet of the Eternal Youth" Translation (provisional, by John Walbridge) |
| 1858-63 | Húr-i-Ujáb, "The Wondrous Maiden" Translation (provisional, by Juan Cole) |
| 1858-63 | Az-Bágh-i-Iláhí, "From The Garden of Holiness" Translation not yet available |
| 1862 | Kitáb-i-Íqán, "The Book of Certitude" Translation (authoritative, by Shoghi Effendi) Faculty notes (4th heaven and 7th sphere; words for "Prophet"; Manifestations) Tablet study outline [?] Excerpt from Ugo Giachery, Shoghi Effendi: Recollections Dating the Íqán |
| 1863 | Lawh-i-Ayyúb, "Tablet of Job" Translation (provisional, by Juan Cole) |
| 1863 | Lawh-i-Malláhu'l-Quds, "Tablet of the Holy Mariner" Translations: Arabic portion (authoritative, by Shoghi Effendi) and Persian portion (provisional, by Juan Cole) Tablet study outline [?] Faculty notes ("Maiden" symbolism; allegories and symbols used; prophecies) |
| 1863 | Lawh-i-Hawdaj, "Tablet of the Howdah [a seat for riding a camel]" Translation not yet available |
| 1863 | Subhánika-Yá-Hú, "Praised be Thou, O He!," also known as Lawh-i-Naqus, "Tablet of the Bell" Translation (provisional, by Denis MacEoin) Faculty notes (Etymology; use of Tablet in Bahá'í hymns) |
| 1864 | Súriy-i-'Ibád, "Tablet of the Servants/People" Translation (partial, authoritative, by Shoghi Effendi) |
| 1864 | Lawh-i-Salmán, "First Tablet to Salmán" Translations: Gleanings XXI, Gleanings CXLVIII, and Gleanings CLIV (partial, authoritative, by Shoghi Effendi) |
| 1864-66 | Lawh-i-Laylatu'l-Quds, "Tablet of the Sacred Night" Translation (provisional, by Juan Cole) Faculty notes (Letter from the Universal House of Justice; Translator's introduction; Sufi context) |
| 1864-68 | Lawh-i-Siráj, "Tablet for Siraj" Translations: Gleanings L and Gleanings XCVII (partial, authoritative, by Shoghi Effendi) |
| 1864-68 | Mathnavíy-i-Mubárak, "Blessed Mathnaví [collection of poetry]" Translation (provisional, by Frank Lewis) |
| 1864-68 | Súriy-i-Asháb, "Surih of the Companions" Translation (provisional, by Juan Cole) |
| 1864-68 | Súrihs of Hajj, "Tablets of Pilgrimage" Translation of Surih I and Translation of Surih II (provisional, both by Denis MacEoin) Faculty notes (What is the fate of the sacred houses?) |
| 1865 | Lawh-i-Ahmad, "Tablet of Ahmad," Arabic Translation (authoritative, by Shoghi Effendi) Tablet study outline [?] |
| 1865 | Lawh-i-Ahmad, "Tablet of Ahmad," Persian Translations: Gleanings CLII and Gleanings CLIII (partial, authoritative, by Shoghi Effendi) |
| 1865-66 | Lawh-i-Bahá, "Tablet of Glory" Translation not yet available |
| 1865-66 | Súriy-i-Damm, "Tablet of Blood" Translation (provisional, by Juan Cole) Notes (article: "The Poetics of Pluralism in Bahá'í Texts") |
| 1866 | Lawh-i-Rúh, "Tablet of Spirit" Translation not yet available |
| 1866-68 | Lawh-i-Ashraf, "Tablet to Ashraf ["The Noble"]" Translation (partial, authoritative, by Shoghi Effendi) |
| 1866-68 | Lawh-i-Nasír, "Tablet to Nasír ["the defender"]" Translations: Gleanings LIII and Gleanings LXXV (partial, authoritative, by Shoghi Effendi) |
| 1866 | Lawh-i-Khalíl, "Tablet to Jinab-i Khalil ["the friend"]" Translation not yet available |
| 1867 | Lawh-i-Sayyáh, "Tablet of the Traveller" Translation not yet available |
| 1867-68 | Súriy-i-Mulúk, "Tablet to the Kings" Translation (authoritative, by Shoghi Effendi) Tablet study outline [?] |
| 1867-68 | Kitáb-i-Badí', "Wondrous/Unique Book" Translation not yet available Tablet study outline [?] |
| 1867-68 | Súriy-i-Ghusn, "Tablet of the Branch" Translation (authorized, by anonymous) Tablet study outline [?] Notes on the succession |
| 1867-69 | Lawh-i-Sultán, "Tablet to the Sultan [Nasiri'd-Din Shah]" Translations: authoritative and provisional, by Shoghi Effendi and E.G. Browne, and authorized, by anonymous Tablet study outline [?] |
| 1867 | Lawh-i-Napulyún, "First Tablet to Napoleon III" Translation (partial, provisional, by Ismael Velasco) Overview of the Tablets to Napoleon Bio of Napoleon |
| 1868 | Súriy-i-Ra'ís, "Tablet of the Premier/President [Ali Pasha]" Translation (partial, provisional, by anonymous) |
| 1868 | Lawh-i-Salmán II, "Second Tablet of Salmán" Translation not yet available Tablet study outline [?] |
| 1868 | Lawh-i-Ra'ís, "Tablet to the Premier/President [Ali Pasha]" Translation (authorized, by Ahmad Sohrab) Tablet study outline [?] |
| 1868-70 | Lawh-i-Malik-i-Rus, "Tablet to Tsar Alexander II" Translation (authoritative, by Shoghi Effendi) Bio of Tsar Alexander |
| 1868-70 | Lawh-i-Malikih, "Tablet to Queen Victoria" Translation (authorized and authoritative, by Shoghi Effendi and anonymous) Bio of Queen Victoria |
| 1868-70 | Lawh-i-Pisar-'Amm, "Tablet to the Cousin" Translation not yet available Faculty notes (Bio of recipient) |
| 1869 | Lawh-i-Ridván, "Tablet of Ridván" Translation not yet available Tablet study outline [?] Faculty notes (The three Tablets of Ridvan; Ridvan as a peace festival; jihád) |
| 1869 | Lawh-i-Fu'ád, "Tablet to Fu'ád Páshá" Translation (provisional, by Juan Cole) Bio of Fuad Páshá Translator's introduction |
| 1869 | Lawh-i-Napulyún, "Second Tablet to Napoleon III) see also First Tablet, above Translation (authoritative, by Shoghi Effendi) Tablet study outline [?] Overview of the Tablets to Napoleon |
| 1869 | Lawh-i-Páp, "Tablet to Pope Pius IX" Translation (authoritative, by Shoghi Effendi) Bio of Pope Pius IX |
| 1869 | Súriy-i-Haykal, "Tablet of the Temple/Body" Translation (authoritative and provisional, by Shoghi Effendi and Anton Haddad) Tablet study outline [?] Faculty notes (Etymology of "haykal") Excerpts from John Walbridge, Sacred Acts... |
| 1870-75 | Lawh-i-Tibb, "Tablet to the Physician/Tablet of Medicine" Translation not yet available Tablet study outline [?] notes (Etymology; history of Islamic medicine) Letter from the Universal House of Justice (Overview; excerpts from Tablet) |
| 1870-77 | Lawh-i-Mánikchí Sáhib, "Tablet to Mánikchí" Translation (provisional, by Ramin Neshati) |
| 1870-77 | Lawh-i-Haft Purshish, "Tablet of Seven Questions" Translation (provisional, by Shahriar Razavi) |
| 1871 | Lawh-i-Qad Ihtaraqa'l-Mukhlisún, "The Fire Tablet" Translation (authoritative, by Shoghi Effendi) Tablet study outline [?] |
| 1873 | Kitáb-i-Aqdas, "The Most Holy Book" Translation (authoritative and authorized, by Shoghi Effendi and anonymous) Tablet study outline [?] Faculty notes (Guardianship; symbol of water gushing from rocks) Notes on the "choice wine" The Obligatory Prayers Bio of Jamál-i-Burújirdí Excerpts from John Walbridge, Sacred Acts... Study questions Excerpts from Soheil Bushrui, The Style of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas |
| 1873 | Lawh-i-Ru'yá, "Tablet of Vision" Translation (provisional, by Juan Cole) |
| 1873-74 | Lawh-i-Hikmat, "Tablet of Wisdom" Translation (authorized, by Habib Taherzadeh) Tablet study outline [?] |
| 1877-79 | Lawh-i-Burhán, "Tablet of the Proof" Translation (authorized, by Habib Taherzadeh) |
| 1879-91 | Tajallíyát, "Effulgences" Translation (authorized, by Habib Taherzadeh) Tablet study outline [?] |
| 1879-91 | Bishárát, "Glad-Tidings" Translation (authorized, by Habib Taherzadeh) Faculty notes (Overview; contents) |
| 1879-91 | Lawh-i-Ittihád, "Tablet of Unity" Translations: provisional, by Moojan Momen, and provisional, by Juan Cole |
| 1879-91 | Súriy-i-Vafá, "Tablet to Muhammad Husayn, 'Vafá'" ["fidelity"] Translation (authorized, by Habib Taherzadeh) |
| 1879-91 | Kalimát-i-Firdawsíyyih, "Words of Paradise" Translation (authorized, by Habib Taherzadeh) |
| 1879-91 | Lawh-i-Aqdas, "Most Holy Tablet" Translation (authorized, by Habib Taherzadeh) |
| 1879-91 | Lawh-i-Ard-i-Bá, "Tablet of the Land of 'B' [Beirut]" Translation (authorized, by Habib Taherzadeh) |
| 1879-91 | Kitáb-i-`Ahdí, "Book of My Covenant" Translation (authorized, by Habib Taherzadeh) |
| 1879-91 | Lawh-i-Dunyá, "Tablet of the World" Translation (authorized, by Habib Taherzadeh) Faculty notes (Meaning of Urvatu'l-Vuthqá, "Sure Handle") |
| 1882 | Lawh-i-Maqsúd, "Tablet of The Desired One [maqsúd]" Translation (authorized, by Habib Taherzadeh) Notes (Letter from the Universal House of Justice: date of revelation; "Two great powers"; excerpt from Modernity and Millennium) |
| 1885-88 | Ishráqát, "Splendors" Translation (authorized, by Habib Taherzadeh) Tablet study outline [?] |
| 1888 | Tarázát, "Ornaments" Translation (authorized, by Habib Taherzadeh) Faculty notes (Overview; contents) |
| 1891 | Lawh-i-Times, "Tablet to The Times" Translation (authorized, by Adib Taherzadeh) |
| 1891 | Lawh-i-Karmil, "Tablet of [Mount] Carmel" Translation (authorized, by Habib Taherzadeh) Faculty notes (Etymology of "karmil" and "Zion") |
| 1891 | Lawh-i-Ibn-i-Dhib, "Epistle to the Son of the Wolf" Translation (authoritative, by Shoghi Effendi) Bio of addressee Faculty notes (Reason for its revelation; false prophets; historical context; "re-revelation" of Tablets) The Lesser Peace |
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