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

Suffixes.. .

-hood -hood 1. A condition or state of being the thing or being in the role denoted by the word it is suffixed to, usually a noun, e.g. childhood. 2. A group sharing a specified condition or state, e.g. brotherhood

-istan -istán home or place

-ship -ship English suffix of nouns denoting condition, character, office, skill, etc.

-stan -stán Pers. “place of” or “country”

-un, -an, -in -un, -an, -in subjective/nominative, objective/accusative and possessive/genetive singular noun case endings (respectively) where they exist.

-yya (-iya), -yyih -yya, Pers. -yyih nisba, a suffix used to form adjectives in Arabic grammar. Sometimes –íya is used. Often denotes either a group of people who follow a certain person, or a group with a certain ideological system.

A.. .

A’la, Ulya, Ulan, A’alin, A’lahu A‘lá, fem. ‘Ulyá, pl. ‘Ulan, A‘álin higher, highest; upper, uppermost; ‘Álin the highest portion of something; heights, peaks (figuratively). A‘láhu further up, above. “The Most Exalted One” is a title of the Báb.

A’raj, ‘Arja, ‘Urj, ‘Urjan A‘raj, fem. ‘Arjá, pl. ‘Urj, ‘Urján lame, limping;—jack (in a deck of cards)

A’zam, (see Azim) A‘ẓam, f. ‘Uẓmá, pl. A‘áẓim greater, bigger; more significant, more important; greatest, major, supreme; most significant, paramount. Comparative form of ‘aẓuma’ (to make great)

A’zami A‘ẓamí Ghulám Ḥusayn A‘ẓamí

Ab Áb August (month; Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iran). Father (in parts of Iran).

Ab, Aba’, Abu, Abi Ab, Abí, Abú, pl. Ábá’ father (also ecclesiastical): ancestor, forefather. Abú (father of), Abu’l (the father of) and Abí (partial names) must be followed by another name.

Ab, Aban Áb, pl. Ábán Pers. water; river; largesse, gift, price. Name of eighth month of Persian solar year

Aba, A’bi’a ‘Abá’, pl. A‘bi’a loose outer garment, cloak, mantle. In Writings translated from Persian, ‘Abá is used. English aba or abba

Aba’a, ‘Aba’at ‘Abá’a(h) fem., pl. ‘Abá’át loose outer garment, cloak, mantle. English aba or abba

Aba-Basir ‘Abá-Baṣír

Abad Abad, pl. Ábád Ar. endless, eternal, eternity. Pers. populous, thriving, prosperous, developed, inhabited. ábád suffix used in compound Persian names of towns and populated or inhabited areas

Abadan Ábádán city in Iran to the north of Kuwait City

Abadih Ábádih city in Fars province, Iran

Abadih’i Ábádih’í Layla Ábádih’í

Abahab, ‘Adhabat, A’dhiba ‘Adháb, pl. ‘Adhábát, A‘dhiba pain, torment, suffering, agony, torture; punishment, chastisement, castigation

Abarkuh (Abarqu, Abarquh, Abargu) Abarkúh (Abar-Kúh) village between Yazd and Shiraz

Abasa, ‘Abs, ‘Ubs ‘Abasa (‘Abs, ‘Ubs) to frown, knit one’s brows; to glower, lower, scowl, look sternly

Abbas Abad, Abbas-Abad, Abbasabad ‘Abbás Ábád, ‘Abbás-Ábád, ‘Abbásábád villages in Iran: Caspian Sea, part of Ṭihrán.

Abbas ‘Abbás The lion, also stern looking, formidable, stentorian. Derived from ‘abasa, originally meaning a furious lion, hence with a lion’s characteristics.

Abbas-’Ali ‘Abbás-‘Alí

Abbasi, Abbasiun ‘Abbásí, pl. ‘Abbásíún Abbaside, descendant of al-‘Abbás, uncle of the Prophet Muḥammad. Abbasid (Abbaside) Caliphs (750–861).

Abbas-i-Nuri ‘Abbás-i-Núrí Mírzá Buzurg-i-Vazír

Abbasiyan ‘Abbásíyán Pers. The princes of the house of ‘Abbás, the Abbasides.

Abbasiyya ‘Abbásiyya School

Abbas-Quli-i-Larijani ‘Abbás-Qulí-i-Laríjání

Abbud ‘Abbúd, Ilyás Christian merchant of ‘Akká. His house in ‘Akká is joined on the eastern side to the smaller house of ‘Údí Khammár. The common wall has been opened. Both are now known as the House of ‘Abbúd. Grid co-ordinates 32.921563, 35.067297

Abd, ‘Abad, ‘Abdu ‘Abd, pl. ‘Abád, ‘Ubdán, ‘Ibdán slave, serf; bondsman, servant, worshipper;—(pl. ‘ibad) servant (of God), human being, man

Abda, ‘Abdat ‘Abda, pl. ‘Abdát woman slave, slave girl, bondwoman

Abda’ Abda‘ more amazing, more exceptional; of even greater originality. See Badí‘

Abdi’llah ‘Abdi’lláh variation of ‘Abdu’lláh (servant of God)

Abd-i-Hadir ‘Abd-i-Ḥáḍir “Servant in attendance”

Abdu Manaf, Abd-i-Manaf ‘Abdu Manáf, Pers. ‘Abd-i-Manáf name of an Arabian tribe

Abdu’dh-Dhikr ‘Abdu’dh-Dhikr “the Servant of Remembrance”—a designation of the Báb

Abdu’l Baghi ‘Abdu’l Baghí Mírzá ‘Abdu’l Baghí, father of Mírzá Aḥmad Suhráb (known as Mirza Ahmad Sohrab)

Abdu’l- ‘Abdu’l- partial name [Abd (slave) + u’l (the) = slave of the …] followed by one of the names of God.

Abdu’l-’Ali ‘Abdu’l-‘Alí

Abdu’l-’Aliy-i-Harati ‘Abdu’l-‘Alíy-i-Harátí

Abdu’l-’Azim ‘Abdu’l-‘Aẓím

Abdu’l-’Azim-i-Khu’i ‘Abdu’l-‘Aẓím-i-Khu’í

Abdu’l-’Aziz ‘Abdu’l-‘Azíz Sulṭán

Abdu’l-Baha ‘Abdu’l-Bahá “The Servant of Glory” (of Bahá). ‘Abbás Afandí (Effendi). 4 daughters: Ḍíyá’íyyih (mother of Shoghi Effendi), Ṭúbá, Rúḥá and Munavvar. Wife Munírih Khánum

Abdu’l-Baqi ‘Abdu’l-Báqí “servant of the everlasting”

Abdu’l-Baqir ‘Abdu’l-Báqir

Abdu’l-Fattah ‘Abdu’l-Faṭṭáḥ

Abdu’l-Ghaffar ‘Abdu’l-Ghaffár (MF)

Abdu’l-Ghani Baydun ‘Abdu’l-Ghaní Bayḍún

Abdu’l-Ghani ‘Abdu’l-Ghaní

Abdu’l-Hadi ‘Abdu’l-Hádí

Abdu’l-Hamid ‘Abdu’l-Ḥamíd Sulṭán ‘Abdu’l-Ḥamíd Khán

Abdu’l-Haqq ‘Abdu’l-Ḥaqq

Abdu’l-Husayn ‘Abdu’l-Ḥusayn

Abdu’l-Husayn-i-Avarih ‘Abdu’l-Ḥusayn-i-Ávárih

Abdu’l-Husayn-i-Shushtari ‘Abdu’l-Ḥusayn-i-Shushtarí

Abdu’l-Jalil ‘Abdu’l-Jalíl

Abdu’l-Javad ‘Abdu’l-Javád

Abdu’l-Karim ‘Abdu’l-Karím

Abdu’l-Karim-i-Iravani ‘Abdu’l-Karím-i-Íravání

Abdu’l-Karim-i-Qazvini ‘Abdu’l-Karím-i-Qazvíní

Abdu’l-Karim-i-Tihrani ‘Abdu’l-Karím-i-Ṭihrání

Abdu’l-Khaliq ‘Abdu’l-Kháliq “Servant of the Creator”

Abdu’l-Khaliq-i-Isfahani ‘Abdu’l-Kháliq-i-Iṣfahání

Abdu’l-Khaliq-i-Yazdi ‘Abdu’l-Kháliq-i-Yazdí

Abdu’llah Pasha ‘Abdu’lláh Páshá his house in ‘Akká is now a Bahá’í centre. Grid co-ordinates 32.923799, 35.068098

Abdu’llah ‘Abdu’lláh servant of God

Abdu’llah-i-Ghawgha’ ‘Abdu’lláh-i-Ghawghá’ Error The Dawn-Breakers 182, BKG 132

Abdu’llah-i-Qazvini ‘Abdu’lláh-i-Qazvíní

Abdu’llah-i-Ubayy ‘Abdu’lláh-i-Ubayy

Abdu’l-Majid ‘Abdu’l-Majíd

Abdu’l-Majid-i-Nishaburi ‘Abdu’l-Majíd-i-Níshábúrí

Abdu’l-Majid-i-Shirazi ‘Abdu’l-Majíd-i-Shírází

Abdu’l-Malik ‘Abdu’l-Malik Fifth Umayyad Caliph

Abdu’l-Muhammad ‘Abdu’l-Muḥammad

Abdu’l-Muttalib ‘Abdu’l-Muṭṭalib

Abdu’l-Qadir ‘Abdu’l-Qádir BKG 124

Abdu’l-Vahhab ‘Abdu’l-Vahháb

Abdu’l-Vahhab-i-Qazvini ‘Abdu’l-Vahháb-i-Qazvíní

Abdu’l-Vahhab-i-Sha’rani ‘Abdu’l-Vahháb-i-Sha‘rání

Abdu’l-Vahhab-i-Shirazi ‘Abdu’l-Vahháb-i-Shírází Pers. ‘Abdu’l Wahab

Abdu’l-Vahhab-i-Turshizi ‘Abdu’l-Vahháb-i-Turshízí

Abdu’l-Vasi’ ‘Abdu’l-Vási‘

Abdu’r-Rahim-i-Qannad ‘Abdu’r-Raḥím-i-Qannád

Abdu’r-Rahim-i-Yazdi ‘Abdu’r-Raḥím-i-Yazdí (MF)

Abdu’r-Rahman Afandi Alusi ‘Abdu’r-Raḥmán Afandí Álúsí

Abdu’r-Rahman-i-Karkuti ‘Abdu’r-Raḥmán-i-Kárkútí

Abdu’r-Rasul-i-Qumi ‘Abdu’r-Rasúl-i-Qumí

Abdu’r-Razzaq (“‘Abdu’l-Razzak”) ‘Abdu’r-Razzáq The “l” of “al” is not pronounced when it comes in front of letters called “solar letters” such as letters r, t, d, z, etc.

Abdu’sh-Shams ‘Abdu’sh-Shams

Abdu’s-Sahib ‘Abdu’ṣ-Ṣáḥib

Abdu’s-Salam ‘Abdu’s-Salám

Abdu’s-Salih ‘Abdu’ṣ-Ṣáliḥ the Gardener of the Ridván Garden, ‘Akká

Abdu’s-Samad ‘Abdu’ṣ-Ṣamad (Sammad)

Abdu’s-Samad-i-Hamadani ‘Abdu’ṣ-Ṣamad-i-Hamadání

Abduh ‘Abduh (from aná ʻabdu-hu) (I am) his servant or slave. Muḥammad ‘Abduh (1849–11 July 1905) an Egyptian Islamic jurist, religious scholar and liberal reformer, a key founding figure of Islamic Modernism, sometimes called Neo-Mu’tazilism after the medieval Islamic school of theology based on rationalism, Mu’tazila. He broke the rigidity of the Muslim ritual, dogma and family ties. He was a Freemason and had a close relationship with the ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Bahá'í Faith. See Salafíya

Abdus, ‘Ubdus, ‘Abduh ‘Abdús, ‘Ubdús Pers. name of a man

Abgusht Ábgúsht stew

Abha Abhá more splendid, more brilliant. “Most Glorious”. al-Abhá (El-Abha) “The Most Glorious”. Abhá Beauty—Jamál-i-Abhá—a title of Bahá’u’lláh. Abhá Kingdom—The Most Glorious Kingdom (also Abhá Paradise). See Alláh-u-Abhá and Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá

Abhar Abhar (Ar.) more brilliant, more magnificent. Ḥájí Mírzá Muḥammad-Taqí-i-Abharí is known as Ibn-i-Abhar.

Abhar Abhar (Pers.) a water-mill; a vein in the back, the jugular vein; the back of a bow

Abi-’Abdi’llah Abí-‘Abdi’lláh Arabic term used in reference to Imám Ja‘far Ṣádiq

Abid, Abidin ‘Ábid, pl. ‘Ábidín an adorer, or servant of God; worshipper—see as used in conjunction with Zayn.

Abid, Abidun, ‘Ibad, ‘Abada ‘Ábid, pl. ‘Ábidún, ‘Ibád, ‘Abada worshipper, adorer

Abi-Ghafray-i-Ta’i Abí-Ghafráy-i-Ṭá’í (SDC p. 48)

Abi-Quhafih Abí-Quḥáfih The Dawn-Breakers liv

Abivard Ábívard Now Dargáz, Khurásán, Írán

Abjad Abjad Derives from the Arabic word for “Alphabet”: A (Alíf), B (Bá’), J (Jím), D (Dál)—the first four consonant letters of the alphabet (ignoring those with the same base)

Abraha al-Ashram ’Abraha(h) al-’Ashram (“Abraha al-Ashram”) an Abyssinian prince, who built a Christian church in Ṣanáʻ to rival the Ka‘ba at Mecca. According to traditional Arab belief, he made an unsuccessful attack with his forces of elephants to destroy the Ka‘ba ad 570 (known as the year of the elephant and date of the birth of Muḥammad).

Abu ‘Abdu’llah ash-Shi’i Abú ‘Abdu’lláh ash-Shí’í

Abu ‘Ali Abú ‘Alí

Abu ‘Amir Abú ‘Ámir

Abu ‘Imran Musa ibn Maymun Abú ‘Imrán Músá ibn Maymún Maimonides (orig. Moshe ben Maimon)

Abu al-Dawahi Abú al-Dawáhí “Father of Iniquities”, Abú Bakr. See Dáhiya

Abu al-Fida’, Abu’l-Fida’ Abú al-Fidá’, Pers. Abu’l-Fidá’ Abú al-Fidá’ Ismá‘íl ibn ‘Alí ibn Maḥmud al-Malik al-Mu’ayyad 'Imád ad-Dín (1273–1331), better known in English as Abulfeda, was a Kurdish historian, geographer and local governor of Hama. He was a prince of the Ayyubid dynasty and the author of The memoirs of a Syrian prince: Abu’l-Fidáʼ, Sulṭán of Ḥamáh. The moon crater, Abulfeda, is named after him.

Abu Dhar al-Ghifari al-Kinani Abú Dhar al-Ghifárí al-Kinání (Dhar‘ or Dharr?) illiterate shepherd (of the Banú Ghifár,a Jewish tribe) who became a disciple of Muḥammad (Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 183) (Abu-Dhar Ghefan)

Abu Dhar Abú Dhar (Abouzar)

Abu’d-Dawahi Abu’d-Dawáhí Father of Misfortunes

Abu’l-Bashar Abu’l-Bashar “the father of man”—one of the titles given by Muslims to Adam

Abu’l-Fadl-i-Gulpaygani Abu’l-Faḍl-i-Gulpáygání, Mírzá

Abu’l-Fath-i-Shahristani Abu’l-Fatḥ-i-Shahristání

Abu’l-Fatu Abu’l-Fatú (Mírzá Abu’l Fatoo)

Abu’l-Fida Abu’l-Fidá

Abu’l-Futuh Abu’l-Futúḥ (“the Father of Victories”) name given to Enoch Olinga by Shoghi Effendi

Abu’l-Hasan-i-Ardikani Abu’l-Ḥasan-i-Ardikání, Mullá Hájí Amín, Amín-i-Iláhí (Trustee [Amín] of Ḥuqúqu’lláh)

Abu’l-Hasan-i-Bazzaz Abu’l-Ḥasan-i-Bazzáz

Abu’l-Huda Abu’l-Hudá, Shaykh

Abu’l-Qasim-ibn-i-Haji-Zayna Abu’l-Qásim-ibn-i-Ḥájí-Zayná

Abu’l-Qasim-i-Hamadani Abu’l-Qásim-i-Hamadání

Abu’l-Qasim-i-Kashi Abu’l-Qásim-i-Káshí a learned Bábí from Káshán (Abu’l Kazim)

Abu’l-Qasim-i-Khurasani Abu’l-Qásim-i-Khurásání

Abu’l-Qasim-i-Mazkani Abu’l-Qásim-i-Mazkání

Abu’l-Qasim-i-Qa’im-Maqam Abu’l-Qásim-i-Qá’im-Maqám

Abu’l-Qasim-i-Shirazi Abu’l-Qásim-i-Shírází

Abu’sh-Shurur Abu’sh-Shurúr “the father of iniquities or wickedness” (EGB, Balyuzi)

Abu-’Umar-’Uthman Abú-‘Umar-‘Uthmán

Abu-Bakr Abú-Bakr

Abu-Bakri's-Siddiq Abú-Bakri’ṣ-Ṣiddíq The Dawn-Breakers liv

Abu-Hanifih Abú-Hanifih

Abu-Ja’far-i-Tusi Abú-Ja‘far-i-Ṭúsí follower of Imám Ṣádiq who handed down his traditions

Abu-Jahl Abú-Jahl (Abudjahl) (“father of ignorance”) Abu’l-Ḥakam ‘Amr Ibn Hishám

Abu-Nasr Farabi Abú-Naṣr Fárábí 4th century ah Persian philosopher and writer

Abuqir Abúqír Abú Qír is a village ne of Alexandria, Egypt

Abu-Rahim Abú-Raḥím

Abu-Sinan Abú-Sinán Druze village of Abu Snan about 7.5 km east of Bahjí and 4 km west the druze village of Yarka

Abu-Sufyan Abú-Sufyán

Abu-Talib Abú-Ṭálib Abú-Ṭálib, Mullá. Sons ‘Alí-Ashraf and Áqá Bálá

Abu-Talib-i-Sang-Sari Abú-Ṭálib-i-Sang-Sarí Siyyid Abú-Ṭálib-i-Sang-Sarí (The Dawn-Breakers, p. 426)

Abu-Talib-i-Shahmirzadi Abú-Ṭálib-i-Shahmírzádí

Abu-Turab Abú-Turáb

Abu-Turab-i-Qazvini Abú-Turáb-i-Qazvíní

Abwab al-Arba’ah, Abwab-i-Arba’ih al-Abwáb al-Arba‘a(h) Pers, Abwáb-i-Arba‘ih. “the Four Gates” DB 178. Persian sometimes written Abváb-i-Arba‘ih. See Arba‘

Abyad (“Abiyad”), Baida, Bid Abyaḍ, fem. Baiḍá’, pl. Bíḍ white; bright; clean, shiny, polished; blameless, noble, sincere (character); empty, blank (sheet of paper);—(pl. al-bíḍán) the white race; al-abyaḍ, egg white

Abyan Abyan clearer, more distinct, more obvious. Root bána, bayán

Ad ‘Ád Traditionally, a fourth generation descendent of Noah; an ancient Arabian tribe

Ad’iyyih va Munajat Ad‘iyyih (or Ad‘íyih) va Munáját “Prayers and Supplications” (by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

Ada, ‘Adat, ‘Awa’id, ‘Adatan ‘Áda(t), pl. ‘Ádát, ‘Awá’id habit, wont, custom, usage, practice; ‘Ádatan usually, customarily, ordinarily, habitually;—pl. ‘Awá’id taxes, duties; charges, fees, rates

Ada’ ‘Adá’ enmity, hostility, antagonism, animosity; aggression

Adab ‘Adab good manners, as in etiquette

Adalla Adalla “to lead or guide”

Adalla Aḍalla “to leave in error or lead astray”

Adam Ádam Adam

Adasi ‘Adasí lenticular

Adasiyah, Adasiyyih ‘Adasíya(h), Pers. ‘Adasíyyih (Adassiya)—a town in Jordan 17 km se of Tiberias. This is the resting place of a half brother of Bahá’u’lláh, and one of three villages where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá grew corn and wheat during the First World War.

Adha Aḍḥá ‘Íd al-Aḍḥá Festival of Sacrifice

Adhab-i-Qabr ‘Adháb-i-Qabr chastisement in the grave

Adhan Adhán Muslim announcement or call to prayer

Adhan, Adhah Aḍḥan (collective; nomen unitatis Aḍḥáh) slaughter animal, blood sacrifice, immolation

Adhar (Azar), Adhur (Azur) Ádhar, Ádhur Pers. fire; name of the angel presiding over fire, and the day ádhar; affairs of the month and day ádhar, the former being the ninth solar month, the latter being the ninth day of any month, but particularly of the fourth month

Adhar Ádharí

Adharbayjan, Adhirbayjan Ádharbayján, (Ázarbayján) Pers. Azerbaijan or Azerbayjan, country, and a province in nw Iran. Also Ádhirbayján, Ázarbayján Ázarbaygán

Adi ‘Ádí customary, usual, common, ordinary, normal, regular; undistinguished, run-of-the-mill; ordinary, regular (e.g., meeting, as opposed to extraordinary, special, emergency); simple, plain, ordinary (man); old, ancient, antique

Adib Ádib host

Adib, Udaba’ Adíb, pl. Udabá’ cultured, refined, educated; well-bred, well-mannered, civil, urbane; a man of culture and refined tastes; man of letters, writer, author (superlative form of ‘Aduba’ [to learn])

Adibu’l-’Ulama Adíbu’l-‘Ulamá littérateur or literary man of the ‘Ulamá

Adi-Ghazal (Adi-Guzal) ‘Ádí-Ghazál Mírzá ‘Alíy-i-Sayyáḥ-i-Marághih'í

Adil (‘Adilih) ‘Ádil, fem. ‘Ádila just, fair, equitable; upright, honest, straightforward, righteous. Persian also ‘Ádilih

Adirna, Adirnih Adirna, Pers. Adirnih Hadrianopolis (Adrianople in English), now known as Edirne. Same numerical value, 260, as Sirr (Mystery)

Adiya, ‘Adiyat, ‘Awadin ‘Ádiya, pl. ‘Ádiyát, ‘Awádin wrong, offense, misdeed, outrage; adversity, misfortune, reverse; obstacle, impediment, obstruction;—pl. vicissitudes. Root ‘adá’

Adja’ Adjá’ father of Qarad

Adl, ‘Udul ‘Adl, pl. ‘Udúl straightness, straightforwardness; justice, impartiality; fairness, equitableness, probity, honesty, uprightness; equitable composition, just compromise;—(pl.) just, equitable, fair, upright, honest; person of good reputation, person with an honorable record (Islamic Law); juristic adjunct assigned to a cadi (Maghrib)

Adliya ‘Adlíya justice, administration of justice, jurisprudence

Adna, Dunya, Adanin, Adnun, Dunan Adná, f. Dunyá (pl. m. Adánin, Adnún, pl. f. Dunan) nearer, closer; situated lower down, nether; lower, inferior; lowlier; smaller, of less significance; more appropriate, better suited, more suitable

Adrianople Adrianople now Edirne

Adu’dh-Dhikr ‘Adu’dh-Dhikr Servant of the Remembrance. A designation of the Báb.

Adud, A’dad ‘Aḍud, pl. A’ḍád help, aid, assistance, support, backing; helper, aide, assistant, supporter, backer. (pl.) upper arm; strength, power, vigour, force

Adudu’d-Dawlih ‘Aḍudu’d-Dawlih (ad 978–983)

Afandi (Effendi) Afandí, pl. Afandíyá gentleman (when referring to non-Europeans wearing Western clothes and the tarboosh); (after the name) a title of respect. Turkish title of nobility meaning a lord or master (Effendi—Pers. pronunciation, and spelling in English) (“Sir”). It designates a higher rank than Big.

Afaqi Áfáqí coming from a distant country or region. See ufq

Afchih Afchih or Afjih A village northeast of Ṭihrán in Lavásán District, TN p. 31

Affan ‘Affán Pers. name of the father of the caliph ‘Usmán (Othmán or ‘Uthmán)

Afghani Afghán, Afghání adjective and noun. al-afghán (the Afghans; Afghanistan)

Afghanistan Afghánistán Afghanistan

Afifi ‘Afífí Muḥammad al-‘Afífí, Persian Consul in ‘Akká

Aflat Aflát escape

Aflatun Aflátún Pers. Plato

Afnan Afnán, fanan (sing.) boughs or twigs Denotes the relatives of the Báb

Afnan-i-Kabir Afnán-i-Kabír

Afranj Afranj Pers. elegance, dignity, grace; magnificence, grandeur, power; maguitude; a throne; a crown; provisions, necessaries. The Franks, French; the crusaders; all Europeans. Khán-i-Afranj in ‘Akká.

Afrasiyab (“Afrasyab”) Afrásiyáb Pers. name of an ancient king celebrated in Persian poetry, sovereign of Túrán, and a Scythian or Turk by birth; one who moves leisurely on the road; a travelling companion

Afrukhta Afrúkhta Pers. inflamed, lighted; shining, radiant; polished, furbished

Afrukhtih Yunis Afrúkhtih Yúnis

Afsah, Fusha Afṣaḥ, fem. Fuṣḥá of purer language; more eloquent

Afshar Afshár a branch of the Turkic Oghuz people

Afshin Afshín Pers. name of a person known for his liberality

Aftab Áftáb Pers. sunlight or sunshine; the sun; a day; wine; the soul

Aftabah (Aftabih) Áftábah Pers. a ewer, water-pot, or kettle

Aftab-parast Áftáb-Parast Pers. a worshipper of the sun; sun-flower; a chameleon (or iguana); a water-lily; in India, any blue flower

Aftah, Mufattah Afṭaḥ and Mufaṭṭaḥ broad-headed, broad-nosed

Afus Afús village near Iṣfahán

Afw, ‘Afuw ‘Afw effacement, obliteration, elimination; pardon, forgiveness; waiver of punishment (Islamic Law); amnesty (for); boon, kindness, favour; surplus. al-‘Afuw, name of God, The Pardoner, The Effacer, The Forgiver

Agah Ágáh Pers. aware, wary; intelligent, knowing, acquainted with; prudent; vigilant, attentive; notice, news, indication, information

Agahu’llah Ágáhu’lláh Ágáhu’lláh Tízfahm, executed May 1982

Agar, Ar Agar, Ar Pers. if; although

Agha, Aghawat Ághá, pl. Aghawát (Ar.) lord, master, sir; eunuch, harem chamberlain

AH AH—Anno Hejirae (in the year of the Hijira—small caps and precedes the date)

Ahad Aḥad fem. one: somebody, someone, anybody, anyone (esp. in negative sentences and questions)

Ahadiay, Ahadiyat (Ahadiyyat) Aḥadíya, Pers. Aḥadíyat unity, oneness (also absolute unity)

Ahang Áhang Pers. concord, symphony, harmony, modulation, melody, pitch, tune; design, institution, purpose, intention; canon, regulation; rule, custom, manner of proceeding; a row, a series; the side (of a cistern); the curve or arch of a cupola or dome; a tether, stable, stall; haste, expedition; behold!

Ahangar Áhangar Pers, blacksmith, a dealer in iron

Ahd, ‘Uhud ‘Ahd, pl. ‘Uhúd translated as Covenant in Bahá’í Writings. Knowledge; acquaintance, contact (with); the well-known, familiar nature (of something); close observance, strict adherence (to), keeping, fulfilment (of a promise); delegation, assignment, committing (of something to someone), vesting (in someone of something), commissioning, charging, entrusting (of someone with something); commission;—pl. commitment, obligation, liability; responsibility; pledge, vow; promise; oath; contract, compact, covenant, pact, treaty, agreement; time, epoch, era.

Ahda Ahdá better guided; more correct, more proper, better. Qur’án 28:49: Qur’án gives ahdá, “clearer” guidance; not afṣáḥ, “eloquent” language—this is the criterion for judging the inimitability (i‘jáz) of the Qur’án: “its ability to guide humanity to the truth, to Allah and to salvation, its ability to inspire people with devotion and to constrain people to act in ways that are moral and righteous.” Islam and the Bahá’í Faith, p. 230.

Ahi Áhí Pers. a fawn

Ahkam Aḥkam wiser, stronger, strongest; very firm; more, most, or very stable; most able to decide

Ahl al-Kisa’ Ahl al-Kisa’ people of the cloak: Muḥammad; his daughter, Fáṭima; his cousin and son-in-law ‘Alí; and his two grandsons Ḥassan and Ḥusayn.

Ahl, Ahlun, Ahalin Ahl, pl. Ahlún, Ahálin relatives, folks, family; kin, kinfolk; wife; (with following genitive) people, members, followers, adherents, possessors, etc.; inhabitants; deserving, worthy (of something); fit, suited, qualified (for);—pl. the natives, the native population

Ahl-i-Baha Ahl-i-Bahá “people of Bahá”

Ahl-i-Bayan Ahl-i-Bayán “people of the Bayán”

Ahl-i-Haqq Ahl-i-Ḥaqq lit. people of the truth

Ahlu’l-Kitab Ahlu’l-Kitáb “people of the Book”

Ahmad Big Tawfiq Aḥmad Big Tawfíq

Ahmad Sohrab Ahmad Sohrab Mírzá Aḥmad-i-Iṣfahání (1893–1958). Later adopted the name Ahmad Sohrab. Was declared a Covenant-breaker by Shoghi Effendi in 1939.