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

N.. .

Na (Nah) Na Pers. (sometimes, in poetry, nah), no, not, neither, not yet

Na Khayr (Na Khair) Na Khayr Pers. no, not at all (“modern colloquialism”)

Na’am Na‘am yes! yes indeed! certainly! surely! (introducing a verbal clause:) to be sure … (usually isolated word)

Na’am, An’am Na‘am, pl. An‘ám grazing livestock (e.g. sheep, camels, cattle, goats)

Na’am, La; Balih, Nah Na‘am, Lá; Pers. Balih, Na (Nah) yes/no

Na’ib (1), Nuwwab Ná’ib, pl. Nuwwáb representative, agent, proxy, intermediary, substitute, alternate; delegate; deputy

Na’ib (2) Ná’ib share, portion; allotment; contingent, quota; distributive share in estate, statutory portion

Na’ib al-‘Amm Ná’ib al-‘Ámm general representative of the Hidden Imám

Na’ib al-Imam Ná’ib al-Imám representative of the Imám

Na’ib-i-Khass Ná’ib al-Kháṣṣ, Pers. Ná’ib-i-Kháṣṣ exclusive representative of the Imám (Naib-i-Khas)

Na’ibu’l-Iyalih Ná’ibu’l-Íyálih

Na’im Na‘ím amenity, comfort, ease, happiness, felicity; gentle, tranquil, peaceful; blissful

Na’imi Na‘ímí

Na’imiyan Na‘ímíyán ‘Alí Na‘ímíyán

Na’in (Nain, Naeyn or Nayin) Ná’ín city 135 km ene of Iṣfahán. Náyin, The Dawn-Breakers

Na’in Ná’in far, far away, distant, remote; outlying, out-of-the-way, secluded

Na’mayn Na‘mayn Riḍván Garden of (an island in a stream 2.5 km se of old ‘Akká).^* Na‘mayn means: “two yeses”. There is a tradition in Islám that on the last Day in response to the Divine Call, “Am I not your Lord?” two yeses will be heard.

Na’um Na’úm sound asleep; one given to sleep, sleeper; late riser

Naba’, Anba’ Naba’, pl. Anbá’ news, tidings information, intelligence; announcement, report, news item, dispatch

Naba’u’l-‘Azim, Naba’-i-‘Azim an-Naba’u’l-‘Aẓím, Pers. Naba’-i-‘Aẓím The Great Announcement, or The Great News of the Day of the Lord regarding the Promised One (Bahá’u’lláh)

Naba’u’l-A’zam, Naba’-i-A’zam an-Naba’u’l-A‘ẓam, Pers. Naba’-i-A‘ẓam The Greatest Announcement, The Exalted News or The Greatest News of the Day of the Lord regarding the Promised One (Bahá’u’lláh)

Nabat, Nabatat Nabát, pl. Nabátát a plant, herb, vegetable; vegetation; fine sugar, white, candied, refined; sweetmeat. Fem. name

Nabawi Nabawí prophetic, of or pertaining to a prophet or specifically to the Prophet Muḥammad

Nabi, Anbyat Nabí, pl. Anbyát term for a figure of salvation—prophet, but not a Messenger of God

Nabil Nabíl Pers. noble, excellent or learned. See Nabl

Nabil-i-A’zam Nabíl-i-A‘ẓam See Nabíl-i-Zarandí

Nabil-i-Akbar Nabíl-i-Akbar title given to Áqá Muḥammad-i-Qá’iní by Bahá’u’lláh

Nabil-i-Qa’ini Nabíl-i-Qá’iní (MF)

Nabil-i-Zarandi Nabíl-i-Zarandí surnamed or titled Nabíl-i-A‘ẓam. Author of The Dawn-Breakers

Nabiy, Nabiyun, Anbiya’ Nabíy, pl. Nabíyún, Anbiyá’ prophet

Nabiyu’llah Salih Nabíyu’lláh Ṣáliḥ (MF 53)

Nabiyu’llah Nabíyu’lláh “Prophet of God”

Nabl, Nabil, Nibal, Nubala Nabl & Nabíl, pl. Nibál, Nubalá noble; lofty, exalted, sublime, august; aristocratic, highborn, highbred, patrician, distinguished; noble-minded, high-minded, generous, magnanimous; excellent, outstanding, superior; magnificent, splendid, glorious;—pl. (formerly a title of members of the Egyptian royal family)

Nabwat, Nubuwat Nabwat, Nubúwat Pers. prophecy, forecast and prediction

Nadara, Nadira, Nadura, Nadra, Nudur Naḍara, Naḍira, Naḍura, Naḍra, Nuḍúr to be flourishing, blooming, verdant, fresh, beautiful; to be bright, brilliant, luminous, radiant

Nadhir, Nudhur Nadhír, pl. Nudhur consecrated to God; vowed, solemnly pledged; warner; herald, harbinger, forerunner; warning; alarm

Nadir Nádir rare; infrequent; strange, odd, unusual, uncommon; excellent, precious, priceless; an eccentric, a crank, an odd fellow

Nadr-ibn-i-Harith Naḍr-ibn-i-Ḥárith See Naḍara

Nafadha, Nafadh, Nufudh Nafadha, Nafádh, Nufúdh to pierce, bore

Nafal, Anfal, Nuful, Nifal Nafal, pl. Anfál, Nufúl, Nifál booty, loot, spoil; present

Nafas, Anfas Nafas, pl. Anfás breath; whiff; puff (from a smoking pipe, from a cigarette); swallow, gulp, draught; style of an author; freedom, liberty, convenience, discretion

Nafas-i-Rahman Nafas-i-Raḥmán “Breath of the All-Merciful”

Nafi’ Náfi‘ useful, beneficial, advantageous, profitable, usable, serviceable; wholesome, salutary

Nafila, Nawafil Náfila, Pers. Nafl, Ar. pl. Nawáfil supererogatory (beyond religious(?) requirements, voluntary) performance; work of supererogation; gift, present; booty, loot, spoil

Nafkha Nafkha (expressing single action) blow, puff; breath; gust; distention, inflation, swelling; conceit, overweeningness, haughtiness

Nafkha’i-Sur Nafkha’i-Ṣúr blowing of a trumpet, proclamation. Latest is the announcement of the Advent of Bahá’u’lláh

Nafl Nafl a voluntary act of religion, the observance of which is not prescribed, a work of supererogation; clear gain; a gift

Nafs al-Kulliya an-Nafs al-Kullíya the universal soul

Nafs al-Qudsíya an-Nafs al-Qudsíya the purified soul

Nafs, Nufus, Anfus Nafs fem., pl. Nufús, Anfus soul; psyche; spirit, mind; life; animate being, living creature, human being, person, individual (in this sense, masculine); essence, nature; inclination, liking, appetite, desire; personal identity, self (used to paraphrase the reflexive pronoun) or desire) (Logos and Civilization, p. 101) Ten stages of nafs (‘Abdu’l-Bahá): the desiring and aggressive soul (nafs-i-ammárih), the blaming soul (nafs-i-lawwámih), the inspired soul (nafs-i-mulhamih), the well-assured soul (nafs-i-muṭma’innih), the pleased soul (nafs-i-ráḍíyih), the soul pleasing unto God (nafs-i-marḍíyyih), the perfect soul (nafs-i-kámilih), the celestial Soul (nafs-i-malakútíyyih), the heavenly Soul (nafs-i-jabarútíyyih), and the Holy Divine Soul (nafs-i-láhútíyyih qudsíyyih). See ján

Nafsaniya Nafsáníya psychology

Nafy wa Ithbat Nafy wa Ithbát negation and affirmation

Nafy Nafy expulsion; banishment, exile, expatriation; ejection, ousting, eviction, ostracism; deportation; denial, disclaimer, disavowal, repudiation, disproof, refutation, rebuttal, refusal, rejection, disallowance, prohibition, ban; negation

Nahar, Anhur, Nuhur Nahár, pl. Anhur, Nuhur daytime, day (from dawn to dusk, as distinguished from yawm = day of 24 hours)

Nahariyat Naḥáríya(t) Islamic sect

Nahid (Anahita) Náhíd Pers. (old Persian Anáhítá) (planet: az-zuhara in Arabic) Venus (Roman goddess and planet). Name of the mother of Alexander the Great. Anáhítá was one of the supreme ‘izids’ of the Mazdean (Zoroastrian) Faith. Greeks knew Anáhítá as Aphrodite and Romans as Venus Erucina

Nahj al-Balagha Nahj al-Balágha(h) “Path (or Peak) of Eloquence”, is the most famous collection of sermons, letters, Tafásír and narrations attributed to Imám ‘Alí

Nahj, Nuhuj Nahj, pl. Nuhúj open way; road; method, procedure, manner

Nahl Naḥl (collective) attributing, imputing (to one the verses or sayings of another); reproaching, reviling; a free gift; bees

Nahlat, Nahla Naḥlat, Naḥla one bee

Nahnu Naḥnu we

Nahr Naḥr killing, slaughtering, butchering

Nahr, Anhur, Anhar, Nuhur Nahr, pl. Anhur, Anhár, Nuhúr stream, river;—(pl. anhur and anhár) column (of a newspaper). Also used as suffix to a proper name suffix, i.e. Siyyid Muḥammad-‘Alí y-i-Nahrí, father of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s wife, Munírih Khánum. The Dawn-Breakers 132 and GPB 9 use “Nahr” when mentioning slaughtering.

Nahw (Nahv), Anha Naḥw, pl. Anḥá’ direction; side; section, part; way, course, method, manner, mode, fashion; (with following genitive) corresponding to, analogous to, similar to, like, somewhat like; (grammar) grammar; syntax. Hence possessive forms: Naḥwí or Naḥví

Naja, Najw, Najah Najá (Najw, Najá’, Najáh) to save oneself, be saved, be rescued, make for safety, get away (from), escape (something), be delivered (from)

Najaf Najaf Shi’ite shrine city in ‘Iráq. Examples: Najaf-‘Alí, Najaf-‘Alíy-i-Zanjání

Najaf-Abad or Najafabad Najaf-Ábád or Najafábád place near Iṣfahán

Najah Najáḥ favourable, successful outcome, happy ending; success; satisfactory development, good progress; passing (of an examination)

Najas, Najasa, Najasat Najas and Najása, pl. Najását impurity, uncleanness, uncleanliness, dirt, filth, squalor

Najat Naját Pers. escaping; liberation, freedom, salvation, escape, flight; avidity; envy

Najb, Nujaba Najb and Nujaba noble, highminded, generous, magnanimous

Najib, Nujub, Nujaba, Anjab Najíb, pl. Nujub, Nujabá, Anjáb of noble breed; highborn, highbred, of noble descent, noble, distinguished, aristocratic, patrician; excellent, superior, outstanding

Najibiyyih Najíbíyyih Najíbíyyih Garden outside Baghdád (3–14 of Dhi’l-Qa‘dih ah 1279—area now occupied by the Baghdad Medical City) where Bahá’u’lláh made His public Declaration.

Najis, Anjas Najis, pl. Anjás impure, unclean, defiled, polluted, contaminated, soiled, sullied, dirty, filthy, squalid

Najjar, Najjarun Najjár, pl. Najjárún carpenter, cabinetmaker, joiner

Najm, Nujum, Anjum Najm, pl. Nujúm, Anjum celestial body; star; lucky star; constellation, asterism; (colloquial) herbs, herbage, grass

Najmu’l-Mulk Najmu’l-Mulk star of empire. Name given to a famous mathematician-astronomer who issued Persia’s annual calendar-almanac.

Najran Najrán city in south western Saudi Arabia near the border with Yemen

Nakhjawan, (Nakhjavan), Nakhchuwan Nakhjawán, Nakhchivan Nakhchivan is Armenian name meaning “the place of descent”, a Biblical reference to the descent of Noah's Ark on Mount Ararat. Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (capital city is Nakhchivan) is a landlocked exclave of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Formerly part of Iran from the 16th century to 1828. Numerous spellings, including Nakhjaván. Persian name is Nakhchuwán

Nakhjawani, Nakhjavani Nakhjawání, Nakhjavání of or from Nakhjawán (Nakhchuwán)

Nakhud Nákhud traditionally, 24 mitháqíl. Changed by the Báb to 19 mitháqíl (0.191666 gm)

Nakir Nakír denial, disavowal; disapproval, rejection; negation; reprehensible, repugnant, disgusting, vile, revolting, loathsome, abominable, atrocious. “The Denier”—one of the angels (of death) who test the faith of the dead in their graves. See Munkar

Nama, Namah, Namih, Nama-Ha Náma(h), Námih, pl. Náma-Há Pers. a writing, letter, epistle; a diploma; a history, work, book; exemplar, model, type; a mirror, looking-glass; a flood, torrent. Námaját, Náma-ját, etc. may be found for the plural in some sources.

Namad Namad Pers. felt; a garment of coarse cloth; a cloak worn during rain; a rug or coarse carpet on which people sit; a thick veil

Namad-Sadh (Namad-Saz), Namadgar Namad-Sádh, namadgar Pers. a felt-manufacturer

Namak, Nimak Namak, Nimak Pers. salt; spirit, animation; wit, graces, elegance; bread, subsistence

Namari Namarí Pers. resembling a leopard; of the tribe of Namir

Namat, Nimat, Anmat Namaṭ pl. Nimáṭ, Anmáṭ way, manner, mode, fashion; form, shape; sort, kind.

Namaz Namáz Pers. prayer, see Ṣalát (Ar.)

Namaz-Khanih Namáz-Khánih “Prayer-house”

Namdar Námdár Pers. renowned, celebrated, illustrious, famous, glorious

Namiq Námiq adorner, decorator, embellisher

Namir, Numur, Anmur Namir, pl. Numur, Anmár leopard; tiger; clean, pure, healthy, wholesome.

Namiri, Namiriyyah Namírí, pl. Namíríyyah Another name for the Nuṣayríyyah sect

Naml, Namlun, Nimal Naml, Namlun, pl. Nimál slandering, back-biting; an ant;—pl. ants

Namus, Nawamis Námús, pl. Nawámís law; rule; honour

Namus-i-A’zam Námús-i-A‘ẓam “The Most Great Law”—the UHJ constitution¹

Namus-i-Akbar Námús-i-Akbar “The Greater Law”—the NSAs constitution

Nanih Nanih Pers. nanny or middle-aged woman servant. Also a mother or grandmother.

Naqib, Nuqaba’ Naqíb, pl. Nuqabá’ leader, head, headman; guardian; director, principal, chief; chairman of a guild; president; syndic, corporation lawyer; (military) captain (army), lieutenant (navy).

Naqid Naqíḍ opposed, opposite, contrary, antithetical, contradictory; antithesis, opposition, contrast, opposite

Naqidin Náqiḍín opposers or violators. Bahá’í: Covenant-breakers (so-called “nakazeen”or Nághi dín)

Naqidu’l-Mithaq Náqiḍu’l-Mitháq “breaker of the covenant”

Naqqash Naqqásh painter; house painter; artist; sculptor

Naqqash-Bashi Naqqásh-Báshí Head Court Painter

Naqshbandi Naqshbandí a Ṣúfí Order

Naqsh-i-Fil Hajar Naqsh-i-Fil Ḥajar “Engraving on Stone”

Naqur, Nawaqir Náqúr, pl. Nawáqír (Quranic) a wind instrument (trumpet). Qur’án 74:8

Nar, Niran Nár fem., pl. Nírán fire; rifle fire, gunfire; conflagration; inferno (abjad 251). Bábí doctrine: State of ignorance, and social sphere to which belong all opponents

Narajila Nárajíla Ar. coconut; Persian water pipe, narghile. See Qalyán

Naraq Naráq town west of Káshán

Naraqi Naráqí

Nard Nard chess, draughts, backgammon

Nari Nárí fiery, igneous, fire- (in compound words); burning, blazing, red-hot

Narjis (Pers. Nargis), Nirjis Narjis, Nirjis narcissus (botanical)

Nas Nás (collective) and Unás men, people, mankind

Nasafa, Nasf Nasafa, Nasf to pulverize, atomize, spray (something); to carry away and scatter (wind—the dust); to blow up, blast (something) Qur’án 20:105 (nasafa) and 20:105 (nasf)

Nasif Naṣíf veil (Naṣíf Ḥawwá’ Khammár, ‘Akká)

Nasikh at-Tawarikh, Nasikhu’t-Tavarikh Násikh at-Tawáríkh (Pers. Násikhu’t-Taváríkh) Superceder of Histories or “history to abrogate all previous histories” (“Nasikhut-Tawarikh”) by Muḥammad-Taqí Khán. See Ta’ríkh

Nasikh, Nussakh Násikh, pl. Nussákh abrogative, abolishing; copyist, transcriber

Nasir li-Dini’llah Náṣir li-Díni’lláh the Defender of the Faith of God

Nasir, Nasirun, Ansar, Nussar Náṣir, pl. Náṣirún, Anṣár, Nuṣṣár helper; protector; granting victory.—pl. adherents, followers, partisans, sponsors, patrons, friends. The Medinites who rallied around Muḥammad after His migration from Mecca to Medina were called the Anṣár

Nasir, Nusara Naṣír, pl. Nuṣará’ helper; supporter, defender, protector; ally, confederate; adherent, follower, partisan; furtherer, promoter, patron

Nasira an-Náṣira Nazareth

Nasiri Tusi Náṣirí Ṭúsí (Baseer Tousy) from Ṭús or Tous

Nasiri Náṣirí of Nazareth; Nazarene

Nasiri’d-Din-i-Tusi Náṣiri’d-Dín-i-Ṭúsí

Nasiya, Nasy, Nisyan Nasiya (Nasy, Nisyán) to forget (something)

Nasr Naṣr help, aid, assistance, support, backing; victory; triumph

Nasraniya Naṣránáya Christianity

Nasru’llah Bagiruf Naṣru’lláh Bágirúf (Áqá Siyyid Nasru’lláh Bakeroff)

Nasru’llah Naṣru’lláh “Victory of God”

Nass, Nusus Naṣṣ, pl. Nuṣúṣ text; wording, version; passage, word, phrase, sentence, clause; expression, manner of expression, language, phraseology, style; provision, term, stipulation, condition; arrangement; manifestation, evidence

Nasta’liq Nasta‘líq Persian script, invented by Mír ‘Alí Tabrízí following a dream. See shikastih

Nasut Násút (mortal world—realm of being). See Háhút, Láhút, Jabarút and Malakút.

Nataqa, Nutq, Nutuq, Mantiq Naṭaqa (Nuṭq, Nuṭúq, Manṭiq) to articulate; to talk, speak, utter (something); to pronounce (something)

Natiq, Natiqat, Natiqa Náṭiq, fem. Náṭiqa, Náṭiqat talking, speaking; endowed with the faculty of speech; eloquent; plain, distinct, clear; endowed with reason, reasonable, rational (being); speaker (fem. written in TAB as Natekah and Nateghéh)

Navvab Navváb Urdu (from Arabic Nuwwáb). First wife of Bahá’u’lláh, Ásíyih Khánum, her father was known as Navváb

Navvabih Navvábih Pers. name used by Navváb for his daughter, Ásíyih Khánum

Naw, Nau Naw Pers. new, fresh

Naw-Bakhti (Nawbakhti) Naw-Bakhtí (Nawbakhtí) new fortune. Nawbakhtí family is a well-known Iranian, Shí‘a family of prominent figures, such as astronomers, men of literature, theologians, scripters, and authors, from the middle of the 8th to the early 11th centuries.

Nawfal (Naufal) Nawfal the sea; a munificent man; a present; a handsome youth; male hyena; whelp of a wild beast; a jackal; adversity; name of an Arabian king

Naw-Firist Naw-Firist near Bírjand, birthplace of Nabíl-i-Akbar

Naw-Nahalan (Nawnahalan) Naw-Nahálán the young sapling or new born. The Shirkát-i-Naw-Nahálán, the Bahá’í Children’s Savings Company, began as a savings vehicle for Bahá’í children in 1917.

Naw-Ruz Naw-Rúz “New Day” The Bahá’í New Year’s Day, which usually falls on 21 March. If the vernal equinox falls after sunset, it is celebrated on 22 March. Persian calendar—the day that the sun enters Aries. The four great festivals of pre-Islamic Írán consisted of Naw-Rúz (Spring), Tír (Summer), Mihragán (Autumn), Sadih (Winter). Mihragán—the festival of Mihr (Sun), recalled the worship of Mithrá.

Nawruzi-Iranzad Nawrúzí-Íránzád

Nawshiravan Nawshíraván palace of, Ctesiphon (near Baghdád) (MF p. 19)

Nay Náy, pl. Náyát nay, a flute without mouthpiece, traditionally made of bamboo, rarely of wood, in different sizes, which, when blown, is held in a slanting forward position (unlike a German flute).

Nayibu’s-Saltanih Náyibu’s-Salṭanih

Nayriz Nayríz a town in the province of Fárs, southeast of Shíráz.

Nayyir (Naiyir) Nayyir (Pers. also Nayyirih) luminous; shining, brilliant; lighted, illuminated, brightly lit, full of light; clear, plain, distinct (“Neyerre, Nayyereh”)

Naz Náz Pers. glory, glorification; pride, consequential airs, boasting; blandishments, soothing or endearing expressions used by lovers, or by parents to children, coquetry, amorous playfulness, feigned disdain; elegance, gracefulness; beneficence; dissimulation; delicacy, softness; young, fresh, tender, newly sprung up; a wild pine-tree, cypress, or box

Nazar, Anzar Naẓar, pl. Anẓár seeing, eyesight, vision; look, glance, gaze; sight; outlook, prospect; view; aspect; appearance, evidence; insight, discernment, penetration; perception; contemplation; examination (of); inspection, study, perusal; consideration, reflection; philosophical speculation; theory; handling (of a matter); trial, hearing (of a case in court); supervision, control, surveillance; competence, jurisdiction; attention, heed, regard, notice, observance. Mírzá Naẓar ‘Alí

Nazi’atun, Naziat Názi‘atun, pl. Názi‘át (fem.) she who strives, pulls out or discards

Nazim, Nawazim Náẓim, pl. Nawáẓim arranger; organizer, adjuster; regulator; versifier, poet; weir, barrage

Nazimu’l-Hukama Náẓimu’l-Ḥukama wise arranger

Nazir, Nuzara’, Naza’r Naẓír, pl. Nuẓará’, fem. pl. Naẓá’r similar, like, same, equal, matching, corresponding, comparable; an equivalent; facings opposites parallel; (with foll. genit.) in the manner of, in the same manner as, just like, just as; transcript, copy

Nazir, Nuzzar Náẓir, pl. Nuẓẓár observer, viewer, spectator, onlooker; overseer, supervisor; inspector; manager, director, superintendent, administrator, principal, chief, (cabinet) minister (now obsolete)

Ni’ma, Ni’am, An’um, Ni’mat, Ni’amat Ni‘ma, pl. Ni‘am, An‘um, Ni‘mát, Ni‘imát benefit, blessing, boon, benefaction, favour, grace, kindness

Ni’matu’llah Ni‘matu’lláh Blessing of God. Ni‘matu’lláh-i-Mázindarání

Nida’, Nidat Nidá’, pl. Nidát shout; call; exclamation; summons; public announcement; proclamation, appeal; address; vocative (grammar)

Nih nih Jan Nih nih Ján Pers. (Neh-neh jan) “Grandma dear”

Nik Nik Pers. good, beautiful, excellent; lucky, much, many; very, exceedingly

Nikah Nikáḥ marriage; marriage contract; matrimony, wedlock

Niku Níkú Pers. good. Ḥasan Níkú visited India as a Bahá’í teacher and went to Haifa in 1923. Ávárih had a great influence on him, and Ḥasan Níkú eventually joined him in apostatizing from the Bahá’í Faith and attacking it publicly. Ḥasan Níkú published the three-volume Falsafiy-i-Níkú (Philosophy of Níkú), which attacked the Bahá’í Faith.

Ni'mat, pl. Ni‘am, Ni‘amát Ni‘mat, pl. Ni‘am, Ni‘amát Pers. the hand; graciousness, beneficence, a benefit, boon, blessing, favour; a kind, helping hand; riches, good things; delight, pleasure, joy

Nigin Nigín Pers. a ring, especially the seal-ring of a prince; a precious stone set in a ring, a bezel

Niqab Niqáb cloth covering face of women

Nirumand Nírúmand Pers. powerful; rich, prosperous

Nisab, Nisabat, Nusub Niṣáb, pl. Niṣábát, Nuṣúb origin, beginning; (Islamic Law) minimum amount of property liable to payment of the zakáh tax; minimum number or amount; quorum; (pl.) sword hilt, knife handle, sabre guard

Nisan, Naysan (Naisan) Nisan (Heb., Assyrian), Naysán (Ar.) first month of Assyrian calendar (“month of happiness”) and Hebrew ecclesiastical year, and the seventh month (eighth, in leap year) of the Hebrew civil year.

Nisba, Nisab Nisba(t), Nisab ascription, attribution, imputation; kinship, relationship, affinity, relationship by marriage; connection, link; agreement, conformity, affinity;—pl. relation, reference, bearing; ratio, rate; measure; proportion (mathematics); percentage; adjective denoting descent or origin, ending in yya (Ar.) and yyih (Pers.)

Nisf, Ansaf Niṣf, pl. Anṣáf half, moiety (kinship); middle

Nisfi Niṣfí half-, semi-, hemi-, demi-

Nisf-i-Jahan (Nisf-i-Jihan) Niṣf-i-Jahán (Niṣf-i-Jihán) half the world

Nishan Nishán and Níshan, pl. Nayashín sign; mark; aim, goal; target; decoration, medal, order; (e.g.) bridal attire

Nishapur or Nishabur Níshápúr a town in northeast Persia west of Mashhad, famous for its emerald mines.

Nisibin Niṣíbín Nusaybin, city in eastern Turkey

Nissa Nissá ancient city (Nisa) near Ashgabat in Turkmenistan

Nist Níst Pers. it is not; nought; annihilation

Nist-Pul Níst-Púl Pers. “no money”

Niswa, Niswan, Nisa’ Niswa, Niswán, Nisá’ women, ladies. Name of the younger sister of Bahá’u’lláh. See sing. Imra’a

Niyaba Niyába representation, replacement, substitution, proxy, deputyship; branch office, branch, agency; delegation; prosecution, office of the district attorney. Prophet-hood.

Niyabi Niyabí vicarious, deputed, delegated; representative

Niyakan Níyákán (Neyakan, Niakan) village about 140 km west of Iṣfahán

Niyavaran Níyávarán [Neyaveran] A village in Shimírán District, north of Teheran.

Niyaz-i-Baghdadi Níyáz-i-Baghdádí

Nizam, Nuzum, Anzima Niẓám, pl. Nuẓum, Anẓima proper arrangement, regularity; conformity, congruity; methodical, organic structure; organization; order; method; system; rule, statute, law; system of regulations. Used as a name or title in conjunction with another word, i.e. Niẓámu’l-‘Ulamá, Niẓámu’l-Mulk, or Amír-Niẓám.

Nizami Niẓámí orderly, regular, normal; methodical, systematic; regular (army)

Nizamiy-i-Ganjavi Niẓámíy-i-Ganjaví (Nezami Ganjawy)—one of the great poets and philosophers of the 6th century of Islám

Nizamu’d-Dawlih Niẓámu’d-Dawlih

Nizamu’d-Din Niẓámu’d-Dín Niẓámu’d-Dín Khán was an uncle of Ali-Kuli Khan

Nizamu’l-’Ulama Niẓámu’l-‘Ulamá “the one who puts order among the learned”

Nizar Nizár Pers. thin, slim, slender; lean, spare; flesh without fat; weak, distressed

Nizhad Nizhád Pers. family, origin, root, or principle; seed, descent, extraction; noble, born of a distinguished race.

Nizhad-Namih Nizhád-Námih Persian “The book of ancestry”.

Nu’man Nu’mán blood

Nubuwa Nubúwa(t) or Nubuwwa(t) prophethood, prophecy. Two types: Nubúwat ta‘ríf (prophethood of definition) and nubuwwat tashrí‘ (prophethood of legislation. Prophethood of definition has to do with informing people about God, His attributes, names, and actions, whereas the prophethood of legislation, which is identical with messengership (risálat), means establishing moral, social, and political institutions—sharí‘a. Prophethood is described as the receiving of knowledge by a purified soul (al-nafs al-qudsíya) from the essence of the first intellect (al-‘aql al-awwal). Shaykh Aḥmad in The development of Shaykhí thought in Shí‘í Islam, p. 90. See risála

Nudba, Nudbih Nudba(h), Pers. Nudbih lamentation for the dead; elegy; dirge, funeral song. Prayer of “Lamentation” of the Imám ‘Alí

Nuh Núḥ Noah

Nuh Nuh Pers. nine

Nuk Núk a village near Bírjand, Írán. Pers. “foolish/stupid people”

Numruq, Numruqa, Namariq Numruq and Numruqa, pl. Namáriq cushion, pad; pillow; panel, saddle pad that is placed between a rider and his saddle

Nun Nún Arabic letter

Nuqayb, Nughayb an-Nuqayb, Pers. Nughayb was a Palestinian Arab village 10 km east across the lake from Tiberias, bordering the Wadi al-Muzaffar and Wadi Samakhin. It was depopulated during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War on 15 May 1948. al-Nuqayb was named after the Bedouin tribe of ‘Aráb al-Nuqayb. The kibbutz of Ein Gev was established near the former location of the village. It was one of three villages where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá grew corn and wheat during the First World War.

Nuqtatu’l-Kaf Nuqṭatu’l-Káf The Point of Káf

Nuqtawi, Nuqtawiyyah Nuqṭawí, Nuqṭawiyya(h) Islamic movement founded by Maḥmúd Pasíkhání when he proclaimed himself the Mahdí in 1397

Nuqtih Nuqṭih point

Nuqtiy-i-Bayan Nuqṭiy-i-Bayán “Point of the Bayán” (a designation of the Báb)

Nuqtiy-i-Ukhra Nuqṭiy-i-Ukhrá “The Last Point”

Nuqtiy-i-Ula Nuqṭiy-i-Úlá “Primal Point” (a designation of the Báb)

Nur ‘Ala Nur Núr ‘Alá Núr light upon light (doubly blessed) Qur’án 24:35

Nur, Anwar (Anvar) Núr, pl. Anwár (Anvár) light; ray of light, light beam; brightness, gleam, glow; illumination; light, lamp (abjad 256) District of Mázindarán province. Bahá also signifies “Light”. Bahá’u’lláh came from Núr, hence “Light upon light” (doubly blessed)

Nurani Núrání luminous, radiant

Nurayn (Nurain) Núrayn Pers. both lights, i.e. the sun and moon; also the eyes

Nurayn-i-Nayyirayn Núrayn-i-Nayyirayn (Nur ibn Nayyerin) “The Twin Shining Lights”, Sulṭánu’sh-Shuhadá’ (King of Martyrs) and Maḥbúbu’sh-Shuhadá’ (the Beloved of Martyrs). Book with this title by Ishráq Khávarí ‘Adbu’l-Ḥamíd

Nuri Núrí luminary, luminous, like light; light-, lighting- (in compounds); bright, shining, brilliant, radiant

Nuri’d-Din, Nuru’d-Din Núri’d-Dín (obj.), Núru’d-Dín (subj.) Light of Faith

Nuri’d-Din-i-Zayn Núri’d-Dín-i-Zayn (“Zeine”), Mírzá Núri’d-Dín-i-Zayn

Nuru’l-Azam Núru’l-A‘ẓam “Most Great Light”

Nuru’llah Núru’lláh Light of God

Nusayr (Nusair) Nuṣayr (Victory, dimimutive form of Naṣr) Name of the founder of an Islamic sect.

Nusayri (Nusairi), Nusayriyyah Nuṣayrí, pl. Nuṣayríya, Nuṣayríyyah related to Nuṣayr.—pl. Nusseyrites People of victory, a small Islamic sect of western Írán and northern Syrian. see ‘Alwaí.

Nush Núsh Pers. drink thou; (in compounds) drinking; a drinker; a drink, draught; anything drunk, especially sweet, agreeable, and wholesome; honey; treacle; an antidote against poison; the water or life of immortality; life; sweetness; sweet; pleasing, agreeable

Nush-i-jan (Noshe jan) Núsh-i-ján Pers. what prolongs life; what rejoices the mind; “may your soul be nourished” or “may the food prolong your life”. Equivalent of bon appetite or have a nice meal.

Nusifat Nusifat to be pulverised, to be obliterated, to be uprooted, to be reduced to dust, to be scattered around Qur’án 77:10. See nasafa

Nusra, Nusrat Nuṣra, Pers. Nuṣrat assistance, help, defence, efficient aid; victory. “assisting, proclaiming, serving the Cause of God and rendering it victorious”. In Islám, nuṣrat was traditionally understood to include coercion, fighting and war. [See, for example, the Qur’án 4:74–6; 22:40–1; 47:5–8.] However, Bahá’u’lláh creates an entirely new meaning for the term by rejecting holy war, forbidding the coercion of people to faith, and annulling the denial of rights to non-believers. He replaces those traditional meanings of nuṣrat with a concept of assisting the Cause of God that is based on non-violence and communication. Refer to The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, para. 73.

Nusratu’llah Nuṣratu’lláh Assistance of God

Nutfa, Nutaf Nuṭfa(t), pl. Nuṭaf drop, clear water, lymph; sperm, life-force; the sea; race, stock, descent

Nuzul Nuzúl descending, descent; dismounting, alighting; getting off or out (of a vehicle), disembarkation, debarkation; landing (of an airplane); arrival; putting up, stopping, stop, stopover, stay; cession, surrender, relinquishment, renunciation, resignation; falling, fall, drop; sinking; decline in prices, price slump