Arabic & Fársí transcription list and glossary for Bahá’ís Contents

L.. .

La ilaha illa’llah Lá iláha illá’lláh (There is no God [Letters of Denial (5)] but God [Letters of Affirmation (5)]) All else besides the Letters of Paradise is in Denial, while whatsoever appertaineth to the Letters of Paradise is Affirmation. Lá iláha illa’lláh, Muḥammadun rasúlu’lláh (There is no God but God and Muḥammad is his messenger), the Shí‘a call to prayer (adhán) contains the additional statement: ‘Alíun valíu’lláh (‘Alí is God’s (friend/helper/defender/vice-gerent)

La La (intensifying particle) truly, verily; certainly, surely

La Lá (particle) not, no!

La’in and Mal’un, Mala’in La‘ín and Mal‘ún, pl. Malá‘ín cursed; confounded; damned; outcast, execrable; detested, abhorred, abominable

Labad Labád Pers. any outer wet weather garment

Labada (Labbadih) Labáda Pers. (for Arabic lubbádát) a rain cloak; a quilted cloak; a great-coat, pelisse; a wrapper

Labbad Labbád felt-maker; felt

Labib, Alibba’ Labíb, pl. Alibbá’ understanding, reasonable, sensible, intelligent

Labs Labs proposing to anyone anything obscure or confused, mystifying; mixture, confusion, ambiguity

Ladud, Aladd, Ladda’, Lidad, Alidda’ Ladúd, Aladd, fem. Laddá’, pl. Ludd (other plurals: Lidád, Aliddá’) fierce, grim, dogged, tough. City of Lod 15 km se Tel Aviv (formerly Lydda (Latin)), Arabic: al-Ludd.

Lafzi Lafẓí of or pertaining to words, verbal; literal; pronounced; oral

Lahab, Lahib, Luhab Lahab, Lahíb, Luháb flame, blaze, flare. Abú Lahab (the ‘Father of Flame’) is known for his hatred of his nephew, Muḥammad.

Lahay, Lahih Láháy, Pers. Láhih The Hague (city in sw Netherlands)

Lahijan Láhíján Caspian sea resort in and the capital of Láhíján County

Lahm, Luhum, Liham Laḥm, pl. Luḥúm, Liḥám flesh; meat

Lahut Láhút (world of the Heavenly Court—realm of being, “divinity”). See Háhút, Jabarút, Malakút, and Násút

Lail, Layali Lail, pl. Laylálí (usually masc.) nighttime, night;—pl. (Syrian) a certain vocal style

Laila, Lailat, Layalin, Laya’il Laila, pl. Lailát, Layálin, Layá’il (fem.) night; evening; soirée

Lakin, Lakinna Lákin, lákinna however, yet, but

Lam Lám Arabic letter transcripted as L

Lami Lámí lám-shaped, resembling the letter ل.

Lar Lár city in province of Fars

Larijan Láríján district of Mazandaran Province

Las-Furush Lás-Furúsh silk dealer in The Child of the Covenant and BKG 144. Possible spelling is Láẓ-Furúsh. See Láẓat and Farsh

Lashkar-Nivis Lashkar-Nivís Paymaster-General

Latafa, lutf, Altaf Laṭafa, Luṭf, pl. Alṭáf to be kind and friendly;—pl. benefits, favours; kindnesses

Latafah Laṭáfa(h) thinness fineness, delicateness; gracefulness, loveliness, charm; kindness, benevolence; friendliness; politeness, esprit, intellectual refinement, sophistication; suavity, urbaneness

Latif, Litaf, Lutafa’ Laṭíf, pl. Liṭáf, Luṭafá‘ thin; fine; delicate, dainty; little, small, insignificant; gentle, soft, light, mild; pleasant, agreeable; amiable, friendly, kind, nice; civil, courteous, polite; affable, genial; pretty, charming, lovely, graceful; intellectually refined, full of esprit, brilliant, witty; elegant; al-Laṭíf the Kind (one of the attributes of God)

Lavasan Lavásán rural district east of Ṭihrán

Law (Lau) Law (conjunction) if (as a rule, introducing hypothetical conditional clauses)

Lawh (Lauh), Alwah (Alavah), Alawih Lawḥ, pl. Alwáḥ, Aláwíḥ (masculine) board, blackboard; slate; tablet, epistle; slab; plate, sheet; pane; plank, board; panel; small board, signboard; shoulder blade, scapula. Sometimes singular transcripted as Lauḥ.

Lawha (Lauha), Lawhat, Alwah (Alvah) Lawḥa, pl. Lawḥát, Alwáḥ (fem.) board; blackboard; slate; tablet; slab; plate, sheet; pane; panel; plaque; plane, surface; screen; placard, poster; picture, painting. Sometimes singular transcripted as Lauḥ.

Lawh-i-’Abdu’l-’Aziz-Va-Vukala Lawḥ-i-‘Abdu’l-‘Azíz-Va-Vukalá “Tablet to ‘Abdu’l-‘Azíz and ministers” by Bahá’u’lláh

Lawh-i-’Abdu’l-Vahhab Lawḥ-i-‘Abdu’l-Vahháb “Tablet to ‘Abdu’l-Vahháb” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-’Abdu’r-Razzaq Lawḥ-i-‘Abdu’r-Razzáq “Tablet to ‘Abdu’r-Razzáq” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-’Ahd va Mithaq Lawḥ-i-‘Ahd va Mitháq (Imríká) “Will and Testament” (by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

Lawh-i-’Ammih Lawḥ-i-‘Ammih “Tablet to the Aunt” (by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

Lawh-i-’Ashiq-va-Ma’shuq Lawḥ-i-‘Ashiq-va-Ma‘shúq “The Tablet of the Lover and the Beloved” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Aflakiyyih Lawḥ-i-Aflákíyyih “Tablet of the universe” (by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

Lawh-i-Ahbab Lawḥ-i-Aḥbáb “Tablet for the Friends” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Ahmad Lawḥ-i-Aḥmad “Tablet of Aḥmad” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Amr Lawḥ-i-Amr “Tablet of the Command” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Amvaj Lawḥ-i-Amváj “Tablet of the Waves” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Anta’l-Kafi Lawḥ-i-Anta’l-Káfí “Tablet of ‘Thou the Sufficing’, known as the long healing prayer, Tablet of protection” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Aqdas Lawḥ-i-Aqdas “The Most Holy Tablet”, sometimes referred to as ‘Tablet to the Christians’ (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Ard-i-Ba Lawḥ-i-Arḍ-i-Bá “Tablet of the Land of Bá”—Beirut (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Ashraf Lawḥ-i-Ashraf “Tablet for Ashraf (the Noble)” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Ayat Lawḥ-i-Áyát “Tablet of the Verses” (by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

Lawh-i-Ayiy-i-Nur Lawḥ-i-Áyiy-i-Núr “Tablet of the Verse of Light” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Baha Lawḥ-i-Bahá “Tablet of Glory” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Baqa Lawḥ-i-Baqá “Tablet of Eternity” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Basitatu’l-Haqiqih Lawḥ-i-Basíṭatu’l-Ḥaqíqíh “Tablet of the Uncompounded Reality, of the Ground of Being” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Bisharat Lawḥ-i-Bishárát “Tablet of Glad Tidings” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Bismilih Lawḥ-i-Bismilih “Tablet of ‘In the Name of God’” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Bulbulu’l-Firaq Lawḥ-i-Bulbulu’l-Firáq “Tablet of the Nightingale of Bereavement” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Burhan Lawḥ-i-Burhán “Tablet of the Proof” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Dr Forel Lawḥ-i-Dr Forel “Tablet to Dr Forel” (by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

Lawh-i-Du-Niday-i-Falah va Najah Lawḥ-i-Du-Nidáy-i-Faláḥ va Najáḥ “Tablet of Supplication” (by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá). More literally the Tablet of two Calls (the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh) for salvation and emancipation”

Lawh-i-Dunya Lawḥ-i-Dunyá “Tablet of the World” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Fitnih Lawḥ-i-Fitnih “Tablet of the Test” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Fu’ad Lawḥ-i-Fu’ád “Tablet to Fu’ád Páshá” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Ghulamu’l-Khuld Lawḥ-i-Ghulámu’l-Khuld “Tablet of the Deathless Youth, Eternal Youth, Youth of Paradise” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Habib Lawḥ-i-Ḥabíb “Tablet of the Beloved” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Haft Sham’ Wahdat Lawḥ-i-Haft Sham‘ Waḥdat “Tablet of the Seven Candles of Unity” (by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

Lawh-i-Haft-Pursish Lawḥ-i-Haft-Pursish “Tablet of Seven Questions” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Hajj Lawḥ-i-Ḥajj Tablet of Visitation to be recited at Baghdád (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Hawdaj Lawḥ-i-Hawdaj “Tablet of the Howdah” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Haykal Lawḥ-i-Haykal “Tablet of the Temple”, i.e. the body

Lawh-i-Hikmat Lawḥ-i-Ḥikmat “Tablet of Wisdom” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Hirtik Lawḥ-i-Hirtík “Tablet to Georg David Hardegg” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Hizar Bayti Lawḥ-i-Hizár Baytí “Tablet of One Thousand Verses” (by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

Lawh-i-Huriyyih Lawḥ-i-Ḥúríyyih “Tablet of the Maiden” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Hurufat Lawḥ-i-Ḥurúfát “Tablet of the Letters” (by the Báb)

Lawh-i-Husayn Lawḥ-i-Ḥusayn (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Ibn-i-Dhi’b Lawḥ-i-Ibn-i-Dhi’b “The Epistle to the Son of the Wolf” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Ishraqat Lawḥ-i-Ishráqát “Tablet of Splendours” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Ittihad Lawḥ-i-Ittiḥád “Tablet of Unity” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Jamal Lawḥ-i-Jamál Tablet to Áqá Jamál-i-Burújirdi, “Tablet of Beauty” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Karim Lawḥ-i-Karím “Tablet for Karím (the Noble)” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Karmil Lawḥ-i-Karmil “Tablet of Carmel” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Khurasan Lawḥ-i-Khurásán (by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

Lawh-i-Kullu’t-Ta’am Lawḥ-i-Kullu’ṭ-Ṭa‘ám “Tablet of All Food” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Lahih Lawḥ-i-Láhih “Tablet to the Central Organization for a Durable Peace, The Hague” (by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

Lawh-i-Laylatu'l-Quds Lawḥ-i-Laylatu'l-Quds “Tablet of the Holy (Sacred) Night” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Madinatu’r-Rida Lawḥ-i-Madínatu’r-Riḍá “The City of Radiant Acquiescence” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Madinatu’t-Tawhid Lawḥ-i-Madínatu’t-Tawḥíd “Tablet of the City of Unity” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Mahfil-i-Shawr Lawḥ-i-Maḥfil-i-Shawr Tablet (or prayer) for spiritual assemblies, regarding gathering and consulting (by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

Lawh-i-Mahfuz Lawḥ-i-Maḥfúẓ Guarded or Preserved Tablet

Lawh-i-Malikih Lawḥ-i-Malikih “Tablet to Queen Victoria” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Malik-i-Rus Lawḥ-i-Malik-i-Rús “Tablet to the Czar Alexander III” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Mallahu’l-Quds Lawḥ-i-Malláḥu’l-Quds “Tablet of the Holy Mariner” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Manikchi-Sahib Lawḥ-i-Mánikchí-Ṣáḥib “Tablet to Mánikchí-Ṣáḥib” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Maqsud Lawḥ-i-Maqṣúd “Tablet of Maqṣúd (the Goal, the Desired One)” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Maryam Lawḥ-i-Maryam “Tablet to Maryam” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Mawlud Lawḥ-i-Mawlúd Tablet for the Birth of the Báb (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Mazzah Lawḥ-i-Mazzaḥ “Tablet of the Humorist” (by Bahá’u’lláh) Begins: “Bismilláhi’l-Mazzaḥ …”

Lawh-i-Mubahilih Lawḥ-i-Mubáhilih “Tablet of the Confrontation or Execration” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Muhabbat Lawḥ-i-Muḥabbat “Tablet to Medina” (by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

Lawh-i-Napulyun Lawḥ-i-Nápulyún I and II “Tablets to Napoleon III” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Naqus Lawḥ-i-Náqús “Tablet of the Bell” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Nasir Lawḥ-i-Náṣir Tablet to Ḥájí Muḥammad Náṣir (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Nuqtih Lawḥ-i-Nuqṭih “Tablet of the Point” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Pap Lawḥ-i-Páp “Tablet to the Pope” (Pius IX) (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Pisar-’Amm Lawḥ-i-Pisar-‘Amm “Tablet to the Cousin” in honour of Mírzá Hasan-i-Mázindarání (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Qad-Ihtaraqa’l-Mukhlisun Lawḥ-i-Qad-Iḥtaráqa’l-Mukhliṣún “The Tablet of the Faithful Ones (Mukhliṣún) have burned (qad … iḥtaráq),’” which is translated as “the hearts of the sincere are consumed in the fire …”. Known in English as “The Fire Tablet” (see first and last lines) (by Bahá’u’lláh). See Ihtiraq

Lawh-i-Qina’ Lawḥ-i-Qiná‘ “Tablet of the Veil” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Quds Lawḥ-i-Quds “Tablet of Holiness” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Ra’is Lawḥ-i-Ra’ís “Tablet to Ra’ís” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Rafi’ Lawḥ-i-Rafí‘ “Tablet of Elevation” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Raqsha’ Lawḥ-i-Raqshá’ “Tablet to the She-Serpent” (Imám-Jum‘ih of Iṣfahán) (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Rasul Lawḥ-i-Rasúl “Tablet of the Prophet” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Ru’ya Lawḥ-i-Ru’yá “Tablet of the Vision” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Ruh Lawḥ-i-Rúḥ “Tablet of the Spirit” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Sahab Lawḥ-i-Saḥáb “Tablet of the Cloud” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Salman Lawḥ-i-Salmán “Tablet of Salmán” I–III (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Samsun Lawḥ-i-Sámsún “Tablet of Sámsún” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Sayyah Lawḥ-i-Sayyáḥ “Tablet of Sayyáḥ (the Traveller)” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Shaykh-Fani Lawḥ-i-Shaykh-Fání Tablet to the Shaykh who has surrendered his will to God (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Siyyid-i-Mihdiy-i-Dahaji Lawḥ-i-Siyyid-i-Mihdíy-i-Dahají (by Bahá’u’lláh). See Dahají

Lawh-i-Sultan Lawḥ-i-Sulṭán “Tablet to the King of Persia” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Tajalliyat Lawḥ-i-Tajallíyát “Tablet of Effulgences” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Tanzih va Taqdis Lawḥ-i-Tanzíh va Taqdís “Tablet of Purity” (by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

Lawh-i-Tarazat Lawḥ-i-Ṭarázát “Tablet of Ornaments” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Tarbiyat Lawḥ-i-Tarbíyat “Tablet of Education” (by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

Lawh-i-Tawhid Lawḥ-i-Tawḥíd “Tablet of Unity” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Tibb Lawḥ-i-Ṭibb “Tablet of Medicine” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Tuqa Lawḥ-i-Tuqá “Tablet of Virtue” (by Bahá’u’lláh) See Lawḥu’t-Tuqá

Lawh-i-Yaquti Lawḥ-i-Yáqútí “The Ruby Tablet”

Lawh-i-Yusuf Lawḥ-i-Yúsuf “Tablet of Joseph” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Zaynu’l-Muqarrabin Lawḥ-i-Zaynu’l-Muqarrabín Tablet to Zaynu’l-Muqarrabín (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawh-i-Ziyarih Lawḥ-i-Ziyárih “Tablet of Visitation” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawhu’r-Ridvan Lawḥu’r-Riḍván “Tablet of Riḍván” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawhu’r-Ruh Lawḥu’r-Rúḥ “Tablet of Spirit” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawhu’t-Tuqa Lawḥu’t-Tuqá “The Tablet of Piety or the Fear of God” (by Bahá’u’lláh)

Lawlaka Lawláka Arabic “but for Thee”

Layl (Lail), Layali Layl, pl. Layálí (usually m.) night-time, night (as opposed to nahár daytime);—pl. layálí (Syrian) a certain vocal style; laylan at night

Laylat (Lailat) Laylat night

Laylat al-Qadr, Laylatu’l-Qadr Laylat al-Qadr, Pers. Laylatu’l-Qadr Night of Power. The night in which, according to sura 97, the Qur’án was revealed, celebrated during the night between the 26th and 27th of Ramaḍán.

Laylatu’l-Quds Laylatu’l-Quds “Holy Night”

Layli Laylí in a Persian folktale, the beloved of Majnún, the classic loved one.

Laysa (Laisa) Laysa there is not; not; except

Lazat, Laz Láẓat, pl. Láẓ Pers. a dress of red Chinese silk, pl. soft, thin silk

Li Li 1. (preposition) for; on behalf of, in favor of; to (of the dative); because of; for the sake of; due to, owing to; for, for the purpose of; at the time of, when, as; by (designating the author or originator). 2. (conjunction with the subjunctive) that, so that, in order that, in order to

Libas, Libasal, Albisa Libás, pl. Libásál, Albisa clothes, clothing; costume; apparel; garment, robe, dress

Libs Libs a covering, especially that of the ka‘bah; the covering of a camel-litter; a kind of dress; the membrane of the brain

Lillah Lilláh “for/to/towards Alláh”. The li at the beginning is a prepositional prefix. Morphologically, it would normally be li-Alláh (numerical value of 95—the á represents a stressed “a”, not an Alif). Compare al-Bayán.

Liman Límán, pl. Límánát harbour, port; penitentiary

Liqa’ Rabb, Liqa-i-Rabb Liqá’ Rabb, Pers. Liqá-i-Rabb “Visitation of God” on the Day of Qiyámah. Since God is sanctified from all material existence and He can never be seen by the material eyes, this means seeing and meeting a Manifestation of God.

Liqa’, Liqa’a Liqá’ encounter; meeting; get together; reunion; liqá’a (prep.) in exchange for, in return for, for, on

Liqa’i Liqá’í

Liqa’u’llah Liqá’u’lláh ‘attainment unto the Divine Presence’, resurection

Lisan, Alsina, Alsun Lisán, pl. Alsina, Alsun tongue; language; mouthpiece (figuratively)

Lisanu’l-’Arab Lisánu’l-‘Arab The Arab tongue

Lisanu’l-Mulk Lisánu’l-Mulk “Tongue of the Empire” Lisánu’l-Mulk-i-Sipihr of Káshán, 19th century Persian historian (pen name Sipihr)

Litani River Liṭání Liṭání River

Liwa’ (Liva), Alwiya, Alwiyat Liwá’, pl.Alwiya, Alwiyát banner, flag, standard; brigade; major general; rear admiral (Egypt.); province, district (Iran)

Lourenco Marques Lourenço Marques Portuguese explorer and pre-1975 name of Maputo, capital of Mozambique

Lu’lu’ Lu’lu’ (coll.; n. Lu’lu’un), pl. La’álí pearl, gem, jewel (MCI and Resurrection & renewal)

Lubbada, Lubbadat Lubbáda, pl. Lubbádát horse blanket, saddle blanket;—(pl. labábíd) felt cap

Lubs Lubs putting on a garment; enjoying the company (of a wife, etc.)

Lugh, Lughat Lugha(h), pl. Lughát language; dialect; idiom; vernacular; lingo, jargon; word; expression, term; al-lugha classical Arabic

Lujj, Lujja, Lujaj, Lijaj Lujj and Lujja, pl. Lujaj, Lijáj depth of the sea; gulf, abyss, chasm, depth

Lujjat, Lujja Lujjat, Lujja Pers. a large body, multitude; plenty (of water), the great deep, main, middle of the sea; an abyss; silver; a looking-glass, mirror

Lulin, Aftaba Lúlín Pers. a jug, flagon, or any similar vessel with a spout, and made of clay (those made of metal are called áftába).

Luqman Luqmán a famous legendary figure noted for his wisdom. Prophet in Qur’án.

Luqmat Luqmat, Laqmat, Luqma, pl. Luqam Pers. a mouthful, morsel; a kind of fritter

Luqmatu’l-Qáḍí Luqmatu’l-Qáḍí Pers. the choice morsel for the judge

Lur Lur Name of a warlike tribe living in Luristán.

Luristan (Lorestan) Luristán a province and an area in western Írán in the Zagros Mountains

Lutf-’Ali Luṭf-‘Alí

Lutfi Luṭfí Pers. adopted, brought up in the family; an adopted child. ‘Umar Lütfí Páshá [Lüṭfí Paşa (Turk.)] (BKG 482)

Lutfu’llah Luṭfu’lláh Kindness of God (Lotfullah)