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| Name of Tablet | Brief notes | Primary Sources | Secondary
sources: first key texts, then supplementary texts |
| Overviews of this period | 1853-63, Tablets in both Arabic and Persian | Many of these works haven't been authoritatively translated | Brief
mention by Baha'u'llah of this period Epistle to the Son of the Wold 22;
overview God Passes By 120-24, 137; Revelation of Baha'u'llah
vol. 1 in toto; Baha'u'llah: King of Glory 115-22 Overviews of this period can be found in John Hatcher Ocean of His Words 77-80; Peter Smith The Babi and Baha'i Religions 62-65; Juan Cole "Baha'u'llah and the Naqshbandi Sufis" in From Iran East to West: Studies in Babi and Baha'i History vol. 2; Kamran Ekbal "The Zoroastrian Heritage of the 'Maid of Heaven'" in Scripture and Revelation 131 |
| Az-Bágh- i-Iláhí (From The Garden of Holiness) | Alternating Persian and Arabic. | Gan 66 (incomplete) | Revelation of Baha'u'llah vol.1 211, 218-20 |
| Four Valleys (Chihar-Vadi) | late Baghdad, 1858-1862. Persian. Addressee Shaykh Abdu'r-Rahman of Karkuk | AQA3 140-157. Trans. by Gail & Khan published in numerous forms. A partial academic prov. trans. by Juan Cole posted Irfan Nov/Dec 96 exists. | mentions
God Passes By 120-22 and 140; brief mention in Baha'u'llah: King of
Glory 163; discussion Revelation of Baha'u'llah vol.1 104; mention
of recipient Rev. Baha'u'llah vol. 1 62 Julio Savi explores themes of Tablet in "Will, Knowledge, and Love as Explained in Baha'u'llah's Four Valleys" in the Journal of Baha'i Studies 6:1 (1994), available online at bahai-library.com/ articles/jbs.6-1.savi.html; overview of history Bijan Ma'sumian "Bahá'u'lláh's Seclusion in Kurdistan" in Deepen magazine, available online at http://bahai-library.com/ articles/kurdistan.masumian.html; John Walbridge discusses these in Sacred Acts, Sacred Space, Sacred Time, 157-158 and 288; David Langness meditates on the Tablet in "Mystical Content and Symbology of Baha'u'llah's Four Valleys," available online at http://bahai-library.com/ essays/four.valleys.html; passing mentions Jack McLean Dimensions of Spirituality 7-8; Zaid Lundberg Bahá'í Apocalypticism: The Concept of Progressive Revelation, available only online at bahai-library.com/ theses/apocalyptic/apocalypticism.05.html; see also student papers on Tablet at bahai-library.com/ students |
| Hidden Words / Book of Fatimih / Hidden Book of Fatimih (Kalimat-i- Maknunih, Sahifiy-i- Fatimiyyih, Sahifiyyih- Maknuniyh- Fatimiyyih) | Baghdad. Arabic and Persian. 1274/1857 | MaM 17-32; MaM 373-398; INBA 30; Law-gold 1-55. Five trans. by Shoghi Effendi with slight variants, published in many forms: the first in 1923, the second in 1924, the third in 1925, the fourth in 1929, with a final revision in 1954. Earlier trans. of Arabic HW in Kheirella and McNutt, 1894 and 1900; E.G. Browne first translated parts for his rendition of A Traveller's Narrative in 1891; a Mrs. Stannard rendered it in English in 1921; and Amin Fareed trans. and published it in 1905; also French transl. by Dreyfus, Oeuvre1 | Quoted
in Baha'u'llah's "Book of the River," available online at
http://bahai-library.com/ provisionals/river.html; Definition Messages
1963-86 743; mention in Promulgation of Universal Peace 46, 148,
457; Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha #17 and #181 (on
interpretations of a number of symbols); Traveller's Narrative 68-69
(abridged Wilmette edition); mention Vignettes from the Life of
Abdu'l-Baha 49; mentions in World Order of Baha'u'llah 46 (on
Persian#63), 59-60 (on P.#77) and 116 (also on P.#77); discussion God Passes
By 140; mentions (mostly regarding translation and publication) in
Unfolding Destiny 14, 23, 55, 86-87, and general comments 429-30, 456;
Directives of the Guardian 37 (on A.#13); The Light of Divine
Guidance vol. 2 65-67 (on Arabic#1, A.#70, and A.#71, as well as comments
on translation); Revelation of Baha'u'llah vol.1 71-83; brief mentions
Rev. Baha'u'llah vol. 4 53, discussed in Baha'u'llah: King of
Glory 159, sample of Mishqin-Qalam's calligraphy of the Tablet ibid. 161
and 251; mentions of dating and naming of Hidden Words in George Latimer's 1920
pilgrim's notes The Light of the World, 98; brief mentions of
translation in Ruhiyyih Rabbani The Priceless Pearl 38, 205, 219; brief
mention Dawnbreakers 9 Complete discussion in Diana Malouf Unveiling the Hidden Words and also her article "The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah: Translation Norms Employed by Shoghi Effendi," in The Vision of Shoghi Effendi; literary and symbolic analyses in John Hatcher Ocean of His Words 36-40, 108-111, 181-193; full coverage Julio Savi "The Love Relationship between God and Humanity: Reflections on Baha'u'llah's Hidden Words" in Scripture and Revelation, available online at bahai-library.com/ articles/hiddenwords.savi.html; brief mentions in Bahiyyih Nakhjavani Asking Questions 3, 26; E.G. Browne discusses this Tablet and its mythological origins in the original Traveller's Narrative 122-126, available online at http://bahai-library.com/ books/tn/tn.translation.html; coverage in Franklin Lewis' "Scripture as Literature," available only online at bahai-library.com/ conferences/scripture.lit.html; comments John Hatcher "The Validity and Value of an Historical-Critical Approach" in Scripture and Revelation 34 (on Persian#77), 39; David Hofman discusses George Townshend's role in the authorized translation in George Townshend 56-59, 78-79; discussion Stephen Lambden "Sinaitic Mysteries: Notes on Moses/Sinai Motifs" in Studies in Honor of the Late Hasan M. Balyuzi: Studies in the Babi and Baha'i Religions vol. 5 120-22 and Stephen Lambden "Apophatic Theology in Babi and Baha'i Scripture" in Revisioning the Sacred: Studies in the Babi and Baha'i Religions vol. 8 59; comments Stephen Lambden "The Word Bahá': The Quintessence of the Greatest Name of God" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 8:2 (1997-1998) [republished from Baha'i Studies Review 3.1 (1993)] 18 and n.10 (on P.#77), 38 (on intro), available online in two drafts, one at bahai-library.com/ articles/baha.2.html and one at bahai-library.com/ encyclopedia/greatest.name.html; brief mentions Ramona Brown Memories of Abdu'l-Baha 6, 28; Peter Smith The Babi and Baha'i Religions 64; Sen McGlinn "Commentary on Kitab-i Aqdas verse one," available online at bahai-library.com/ essays/aqdas.verse1.html (on P.#19); calligraphic renditions of some Hidden Words by Mishqin Qalam reproduced in Julie Oeming Badiee and Heshmatollah Badiee "The Calligraphy of Mishkin-Qalam" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 3:4 (1990-1991) 5, 11, discussion ibid. passim; Jack McLean Dimensions of Spirituality 121-23 (on P.#19), 185-86 (on P.#26), 218, 244, 261 (on Arabic#55); symbolism of the Maiden in Hidden Words in Ross Woodman "In the Beginning was the Word: Apocalypse and the Education of the Soul" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 5:4 (1993-1994) 37, 43, 55; symbolism of creation of humankind Michael Sours "Baha'i Cosmological Symbolism and the Ecofeminist Critique" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 7:1 (1995) 30; brief discussion of Divine "Feminine" Ross Woodman "The Role of the Feminine in the Baha'i Faith" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 7:2 (1995) 95-96; Christopher Buck "A Symbolic Profile of the Baha'i Faith" Journal of Baha'i Studies 8:4 (1998) 30 (on P.#1), 32 (on A.#63); discussion on the place of the Iqan in the Baha'i Faith in Seena Fazel and Khazeh Fananapazir "The Station of the Kitab-i-Iqan" in Baha'i Studies Review 3:1 (1993), online at bahai-library.com/ articles/station.iqan.html; see also student papers on Tablet at bahai-library.com/ students |
| Húr-i-Ujáb (The Wondrous Maiden) | Baghdad. Arabic, rhyming prose | Discussion
Revelation of Baha'u'llah vol.1 211, 218 Brief description of content in John Walbridge Sacred Acts 239 |
|
| Hurufat-i -'Allin, Musibat-i- Hurufat-i- 'aliyyat (The Exalted Letters) | Baghdad. Arabic, but also translated by Baha'u'llah into Persian. Often used as a prayer for the deceased. Addressees Maryam and Havva | T&T 242-270; AHM 217-8 | Discussion
in Revelation of Baha'u'llah vol.1 122-25; mention of recipient (Maryam)
Rev. Baha'u'llah vol. 1 12-13, 61; mention of recipient (Maryam)
Baha'u'llah: King of Glory 14, 102, 117 Coverage by John Walbridge in Sacred Acts, Sacred Space, Sacred Time 267-268 |
| Javáhiru'l- Asrár (The Essence of Mysteries, The Gems of Mysteries) | Baghdad. Arabic. In reply to questions of Siyyid Yusuf-i-Sidihi | AQA3 4-88; Leiden Ms Or 4970, item 1. A prov. trans. exists by Juan Cole | Mentioned
God Passes By 140; Discussed Revelation of Baha'u'llah vol.1
151-52. Discussion by Stephen Lambden in "Apophatic Theology in Babi and Baha'i Scripture" in Revisioning the Sacred: New Perspectives on a Baha'i Theology 63 and 77n.121; brief discussion in Juan Cole, "The Concept of Manifestation in the Baha'i Writings" 18 and 24, available online at http://www-personal.umich.edu/ ~jrcole/bhmanif.htm; passing mention Peter Smith The Babi and Baha'i Religions 83; discussion of Biblical quotations in this Tablet Stephen Lambden "Paraclete, Ahmad and the Comforter" in Scripture and Revelation 90, 102, 121-22 (notes 100, 104) |
| Kitáb-i- Íqán (The Book of Certitude) | Baghdad, dated in various Mss as A.H. 1278 or 1280 (1861/2 or 1863/4), the latter date possibly marking an editing with marginal glosses by Baha'u'llah. Persian, with Arabic quotations. Addressee Haji Mirza Siyyid Muhammad | Various printings. Bibliographical history in C. Buck, Symbol and Secret, pp. 14-37. Persian. English trans. Shoghi Effendi 1946; Earlier trans. by Ali Quli Khan is more literal. French trans. "Le Livre de la Certitude" by Hippolyte Dreyfus & Mirza Habib-Ullah Chirazi, Paris, Ernest Leroux, 1904, contains an additional excordium. The 1893 lithograph, in the hand of Mishqin Qalam, has been published online in .gif format at h-net2.msu.edu/ ~bahai/areprint/ baha/G-/I/ iqan1893/ iqan1893.htm. Ishraq-Khavari wrote a 4-volume tafsir dictionary of the Iqan, Qamus-i-Iqan; a translation of the original four questions submitted to Baha'u'llah, in answer to which the Iqan was revealed, are available only online at bahai-library.com/ histories/ iqan.questions.html | Brief
mention in Promulgation of Universal Peace 151; God Passes By
138-39; various topics in Unfolding Destiny 424-26, 430, 432, 451;
Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-86 547; discussed
Baha'u'llah: King of Glory 163-67, 266; mention of recipient
Baha'u'llah: King of Glory 344, 388, 405; discussion Covenant of
Baha'u'llah 74-76, 101, 201; mention of recipient Eminent Baha'is in the
Time of Baha'u'llah 35 (footnote), 121, 217-18, 220-21, 226-27, 229;
discussion of recipient and the Iqan The Bab 86-87, 107; mention
Abdu'l-Baha: The Centre of the Covenant 109, 527 (n.62); discussion
Revelation of Baha'u'llah vol.1 153-197; Rev. Baha'u'llah vol.
2 52, 68-70, 101, 219-20, 370; brief mentions Rev. Baha'u'llah
vol. 3 39, 93, 98, 275, 302-03, 334; Rev. Baha'u'llah vol.
4 95, 136, 140, 152, 154, 207, 295, 322, 329, 385, 421; mention of
addressee Rev. Baha'u'llah vol. 4 329; comment in Ruhiyyih
Rabbani The Priceless Pearl 214, repeated in her Shoghi Effendi
91 The most complete discussion is by Christopher Buck, Symbol and Secret: Qur'an Commentary in Baha'u'llah's Kitab-i-Iqan, where translation history, theology, and symbolism are discussed; see also review of same by Frank Lewis in Baha'i Studies Review 6 (1996); Buck also published a study online, "The Kitab-i Iqan: An Introduction to Baha'u'llah's Book of Certitude with Two Digital Reprints of Early Lithographs," at http://h-net2.msu.edu/ ~bahai/bhpapers/vol2/iqan&sn.htm and a lengthy meditation on Baha'u'llah's program of "world reform" as delineated by the Iqan in "Baha'u'llah as World Reformer" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 3:4 (1999-1991) 23-68 passim; brief summary of themes and history of Iqan in Nasser Sabet "An Introduction to the Kitab-i-Iqan" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 3:4 (1999-1991) 71-75; John Hatcher's Ocean of His Words includes much discussion of the Iqan: passing mentions 45-49, 73-76, 111-114, discussion of the "true seeker" 152-53, complete treatment and a detailed outline 247-337; discussion of the content and publication history of the Iqan by E.G. Browne in Moojan Momen Selections from the Writings of E. G. Browne 250-254; short literary discussion Peter Smith The Babi and Baha'i Religions 63-65; discussion Stephen Lambden "Sinaitic Mysteries: Notes on Moses/Sinai Motifs" in Studies in Honor of the Late Hasan M. Balyuzi: Studies in the Babi and Baha'i Religions vol. 5 122 and Stephen Lambden "Apophatic Theology in Babi and Baha'i Scripture" in Revisioning the Sacred 64; mentions in Hatcher and Martin The Baha'i Faith 37, 81, 84, 116; Bahiyyih Nakhjani Asking Questions 132; John Walbridge Sacred Acts 157, 159; John Hatcher "The Validity and Value of an Historical-Critical Approach" in Scripture and Revelation 35-36, 39; Robert Stockman "Revelation, Interpretation, and Elucidation" in Scripture and Revelation 58, 60, 64-65; discussion of Biblical quotations in this Tablet Stephen Lambden "Paraclete, Ahmad and the Comforter" in Scripture and Revelation 90-91; discussion of some of the Iqan's "inner teachings" in Ross Woodman "The Inner Dimensions of Revelation" in Scripture and Revelation 343-47; comments on symbolism in Michael Sours "The Maid of Heaven, the Image of Sophia, and the Logos" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 4:1 (1991) 49 and passim; comments on interpretation in Seena Fazel and Khazeh Fananapazir "Some Interpretive Principles in the Baha'i Writings" in Bahai Studies Review 2:1 (1992) 4-8 and Dann May "A Preliminary Survey of Hermeneutical Principles Found within the Baha'i Writings" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 1:2 (1989) 41-52; short discussion of theology in the Iqan in Michael Sours "Seeing with the Eye of God" in Bahai Studies Review 1:1 (1991) 31-32 and some notes; comments on Iqan's reception in Moojan Momen "Learning from History" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 2:2 (1989-1990) 57, 63; some discussion of eschatology in Ross Woodman "The End of the World" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 3:2 (1990-1991) passim; mention of relevance of Iqan to Baha'i theology Jack McLean "Prolegomena to a Baha'i Theology" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 5:1 (1992) 49-50, 61; passing mentions Jack McLean Dimensions of Spirituality 5, 11-12, 23, 156, 247; discussion of theology Michael Sours "Immanence and Transcendence in Divine Scripture" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 5:2 (1992) passim; discussion of Islamic symbolism Seena Fazel and Khazeh Fananapazir "A Baha'i Approach to the Claim of Finality in Islam" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 5:3 (1993) passim, available online at http://bahai-library.com/ articles/jbs.5-3.fazel.html; symbolism of the Maiden in Iqan in Ross Woodman "In the Beginning was the Word: Apocalypse and the Education of the Soul" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 5:4 (1993-1994) 36, 39-40, 52-54; passing mentions of "social theology" John Hatcher "Unsealing the Choice Wine at the Family Reunion" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 6:3 (1994); comments on cosmology and ecology Michael Sours "Baha'i Cosmological Symbolism and the Ecofeminist Critique" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 7:1 (1995) passim; discussions of gender symbolism Ross Woodman "The Role of the Feminine in the Baha'i Faith" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 7:2 (1995) passim; examination of meaning of metaphor in Iqan in Ross Woodman "Metaphor and the Language of Revelation" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 8:1 (1997) 18-25; comments on epistemology and the Iqan Jalil Mahmoudi "Irfan, Gnosis, or Mystical Knowledge" in World Order 7:4 (1973) 5-15 and Jack McLean "The Knowledge of God: An Essay on Baha'i Epistemology" in World Order 12:3 (1978) 48-49; discussion of the Islamic concept of "corruption of texts" (tahrif) William Collins "Islam's Tahrif: Implications for the Baha'i Faith" in World Order 11:1 (1976) 22-30 |
| Lawh-i- Ayiy-i-Núr
(Tablet of the Verse of Light) Also known as Tafsir-i- Hurufat-i- Muqatta'ib (Interpretation of the Isolated Letters) |
Baghdad. Arabic. Addressee is Mirza Aqay-i- Rikab-Saz | MA4 49-82. A prov. trans. by Stephen Lambden exists | circumstances
and discussion in Rev. Baha'u'llah vol.1 125-28; mention God Passes
By 140; on the meaning of the isolated letters, see Kitab-i-Iqan 202-203
and Dawnbreakers p. 156 (posted with other secondary quotations at Baha'i
Academics Bulletin Board archive, available online at bahai-library.com/
wwwboard/index98.html). Lengthy discussion of symbolism Stephen Lambden "Sinaitic Mysteries: Notes on Moses/Sinai Motifs" in Studies in Honor of the Late Hasan M. Balyuzi 117-120 |
| Lawh-i- Ayyúb
(Tablet of Job) Also known as Suriy-i-Sabr and Madinatu's- Sabr (Surih- or City of Patience) |
Baghdad (Ridvan, on 22 April 1863). Arabic. Addressee Haji Muhammad- Taqi-i-Nayrizi (not to be confused with Haji Mirza Muhammad-Taqi, Vakilu'd-Dawlih) | AyT 262-304; LAnv1 379-408. Prov. trans.s exist by Khazeh Fananapazir, Habib Taherzadeh, and Stephen Lambden | discussed
Rev. Baha'u'llah vol.1 263-73 passim; mention of recipient ibid. 141
(and footnote); mention God Passes By 140; Bio of recipient in
Baha'u'llah: King of Glory 130-131; Tablet mentioned in ibid. 195;
partial bio of recipient Rev. Baha'u'llah vol.1 138-44; Brief definition John Walbridge Sacred Acts 239; discussion of symbolism Stephen Lambden "Sinaitic Mysteries: Notes on Moses/Sinai Motifs" in Studies in Honor of the Late Hasan M. Balyuzi 125; some history of recipient Ali-Akbar Furutan, comp., Stories of Baha'u'llah 17-18 |
| Lawh-i- Fitnih (Tablet of the Test) | Baghdad or Edirne. Arabic. Addressee Shams-i-Jahan, entitled Varaqatu'r- Ridvan (one of several tablets for her). | MA4 261-265 | Discussion Rev. Baha'u'llah vol.1 128-129, 136-37 |
| Lawh-i- Ghulámu'l- Khuld (Tablet of the Deathless Youth, Eternal Youth, Youth of Paradise) | Baghdad. Arabic and Persian | AyT 92-99. Prov. trans. exists.John Walbridge with annotations online | Discussion
Rev. Baha'u'llah vol.1 211-14 discussion in Walbridge Sacred Acts 159, 161-163, 222, and also his "Erotic Imagery In the Allegorical Writings of Baha'u'llah" available online at bahai-library.com/ unpubl.articles/erotic.allegory.html |
| Lawh-i- Húríyyih (Tablet of the Maiden, Tablet of the Houri) | Baghdad. Arabic, dialogue form. | AQA4(i) 342-350; AQA4(rev) 379-391. Prov. trans. Juan Cole, available online exists | Brief
discussion Rev. Baha'u'llah vol.1 125; mention God Passes By 140;
Mention in Baha'u'llah: King of Glory 167 Discussion in David Ruhe Robe of Light: The Persian Years of the Supreme Prophet Baha'u'llah 1817-1853 187-88; brief mention in Baha'u'llah: King of Glory 167, where it is referred to as "Prayer of the Maiden;" discussion in Walbridge Sacred Acts 158-161, and also his "Erotic Imagery In the Allegorical Writings of Baha'u'llah" available online at bahai-library.com/ unpubl.articles/erotic.allegory.html Discussions of the Maiden, though without mention of this Tablet, include Kamran Ekbal "The Zoroastrian Heritage of the 'Maid of Heaven'" in Scripture and Revelation; Ross Woodman "The Inner Dimensions of Revelation" in Scripture and Revelation 347-49, 353-56, 362-64; Michael Sours "The Maid of Heaven, the Image of Sophia, and the Logos" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 4:1 (1991) passim; Paula A. Drewek "Feminine Forms of the Divine in Baha'i Scripture" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 5:1 (1992) passim; Michael Sours "Immanence and Transcendence in Divine Scripture" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 5:2 (1992) 40-44 |
| Lawh-i- Kullu't- Ta'am (Tablet of All Food) | Baghdad, probably late 1853, certainly before April 1854. Arabic. An esoteric commentary on Qur'an 3:87, and against antinomian tendencies in Babi community. Addressee Haji Mirza Kamalu'd-Din | Partial trans. Shoghi Effendi in GPB 116. A good text in INBA 36:268-277; MA4 265-276 (or is it 260-70?) said to be 'inadequate'; RM2 416-426 (slightly better). Prov. trans. has been published by Stephen Lambden, Baha'i Studies Bulletin 3:1 (June 1984): 4-67 | mentions
in Rev. Baha'u'llah vol.1 50-55 passim; discussed in God Passes
By 116-117 and a short passage translated on p. 118; Discussed in
Baha'u'llah: King of Glory 112-113; mention Covenant of
Baha'u'llah 69 Full discussion Bijan Ma'sumian "The Realms of Divine Existence as Described in the Tablet of All Food" in Deepen magazine 3:2:2 (Summer, 1994), available online at bahai-library.com/ articles/allfood.masumian.html; Stephen Lambden "A Tablet of Baha'u'llah: The Tablet of All Food" in Baha'i Studies Bulletin 3:1 (June 1984) 4-67; full discussion of cosmology of Tablet Moojan Momen "Relativism: A Basis for Baha'i Metaphysics," in Studies in Honor of the Late Hasan M. Balyuzi: Studies in the Babi and Baha'i Religions vol. 5 190-94; brief discussion Stephen Lambden "Sinaitic Mysteries: Notes on Moses/Sinai Motifs" in Studies in Honor of the Late Hasan M. Balyuzi 110 and Stephen Lambden "Apophatic Theology in Babi and Baha'i Scripture" in Revisioning the Sacred: Studies in the Babi and Baha'i Religions vol. 8 59; Juan Cole addresses terminology in "Baha'u'llah and the Naqshbandi Sufis" in From Iran East to West: Studies in Babi and Baha'i History vol. 2; Jack McLean produces a thorough analysis of the worlds of God in "Prolegomenon to a Baha'i Theology" Journal of Baha'i Studies 5:1 (1992), esp. 58-60, with a description of this Tablet page 53n.55, available online at bahai-library.com/ articles/jbs.5-1.mclean.html; passing mentions John Hatcher Ocean of His Words 82, 84; Peter Smith The Babi and Baha'i Religions 62 |
| Lawh-i- Madínatu't- Tawhíd (The City of Divine Unity, or, in the Guardian's translation, Tablet of the City of Unity) | Baghdad ca. 1858 (or later?). Arabic. Addressee Shaykh Salman | Section trans. in Gleanings XXIV. AQA4 313-329; MA4 313-29. Unpublished study and prov. trans. by Steve Lambden has been done | biography
of subject in Memorials of the Faithful 13-16; mentions in 109, 113-19
passim; mention God Passes By 140-41; discussion Rev. Baha'u'llah
vol.1 109-119; mention of subject Rev. Baha'u'llah vol.1 255-56;
vol.2 67, 168, 208, 263, 283, 384, 400; vol.3 174-75; vol.4 172; Covenant of
Baha'u'llah 63-64, 87; 'Abdul-Baha: Centre of the Covenant 96;
Stories from the Delight of Hearts 133 discussion Stephen Lambden in "Apophatic Theology in Babi and Baha'i Scripture" Revisioning the Sacred 62-63; discussion of Divine Unity (though without mention of this Tablet) Mirza Abu'l-Fadl Golpaygani "Treating of the meaning of Divine Unity..." in The Baha'i Proofs 137-153; mentions in Juan Cole "The Concept of Manifestation in the Baha'i Writings" (Baha'i Studies vol. 9) 3 and Jack McLean "Prolegomena to a Baha'i Theology" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 5:1 (1992) 51 |
| Madínatu'r- Ridá (City of Radiant Acquiescence) | Baghdad. Arabic | Published in AQA4 (first edition) 135-149: in the second edition (AQA4(i)) it is listed among the tablets removed because no reliable MS could be found. Prov. trans. Juan Cole exists | discussion Rev. Baha'u'llah vol.1 108-09 |
| Qasídiy-i- Varqá'íyyih (Ode of Dove); full title Qasidiy-i-'Izz- Varqa'iyyih | Sulaymaniyyih. Arabic, with Persian notes by Baha'u'llah | Short extract transl. Shoghi Effendi GPB 116. AQA3 196-215; MA4 197-209. Prov. trans.s of both the (Arabic) Tablet and Baha'u'llah's (Persian) notes on it exist, one published by Denis MacEoin, Baha'i Studies Bulletin 2:2, & comments 2:3, 2:4; also trans. Juan Cole, available online | Rev.
Baha'u'llah vol.1 62-64, 84-85; Rev. Baha'u'llah vol. 3 206;
discussion God Passes By 123, mention ibid. 118; discussed
Baha'u'llah: King of Glory 118, and briefly 294, 415; Eminent Baha'is
in the Time of Baha'u'llah 98; brief mention Dawnbreakers 9 Lengthy discussion of symbolism Stephen Lambden "Sinaitic Mysteries: Notes on Moses/Sinai Motifs" in Studies in Honor of the Late Hasan M. Balyuzi 111-16; discussion of historical context in Juan Cole "Baha'u'llah and the Naqshbandi Sufis," in From Iran East to West: Studies in Babi and Baha'i History vol. 2; some coverage in Franklin Lewis' "Scripture as Literature," available online at bahai-library.com/ conferences/scripture.lit.html; discussion of literary form and this Tablet's Sufi background in Jonah Winters Themes of 'The Erotic' in Sufi Mysticism," available online at bahai-library.com/ personal/jw/my.papers/ Erotic.mystcsm.html; dialogue on translation Juan Cole and Denis MacEoin "Exchanges on Baha'u'llah's al-Qasida al-Warqa'iyya" in Baha'i Studies Bulletin 2:4 (March 1984) 44-57; brief mention Peter Smith The Babi and Baha'i Religions 64; the original poem which Baha'u'llah is modelling is, to my knowledge, only available in (partial) translation in R. A. Nicholson Studies in Islamic Mysticism |
| Rashh-i- 'Amá (Sprinkling of the Cloud of Unknowing) | Tehran, 1853/3. Persian | M4:184-6; INBAMC 36:460-1. Persian. Prov. trans. & commentary has been published by Stephen Lambden, Baha'i Studies Bulletin 3:2 September 1984 | discussion
Rev. Baha'u'llah vol.1 45-46, 51; discussion Covenant of
Baha'u'llah 52-53 Very detailed discussion Stephen Lambden "An Early Poem of Baha'u'llah: The Sprinkling of the Cloud of Unknowing" in Baha'i Studies Bulletin 3:2 (Sept. 1984) 4-114; description David Ruhe Robe of Light 164, brief discussion Stephen Lambden "Sinaitic Mysteries: Notes on Moses/Sinai Motifs" in Studies in Honor of the Late Hasan M. Balyuzi, 109; detailed discussion in Juan Cole "Baha'u'llah and the Naqshbandi Sufis," in From Iran East to West; discussion of the role of the Maid of Heaven in Kamran Ekbal "The Zoroastrian Heritage of the 'Maid of Heaven'" in Scripture and Revelation 129 |
| Sahífiy-i- Shattíyyih (Book of the Tigris, Book of the River) | Baghdad (1857?). Persian, with Arabic citations | MA4 142-149; RM1 349-357. Prov. trans. Juan Cole. exists | Mention God Passes By 141; Discussion Rev. Baha'u'llah vol.1 105-8 |
| Seven Valleys (Haft-Vadi) | late Baghdad, 1858-1862. Persian. Written in response to questions of Muhyi'd-Din, Shaykh | Numerous published trans. see Collins; trans. of Excordium by Stephen Lambden, with occasional notes, Pt. 01 BSB 6:2-3 (26-74). AQA3 92-137; INBA35. French trans. by Dreyfus and Chirazi bound with Les Paroles cachées contains additional excordium; French transl. by Dreyfus Oeuvre1 1923. First translated into English by Ali Kuli Khan in 1906 and reprinted frequently. A revised trans. published in 1945, done by Khan and his daughter Marzieh Gail, is to this day the standard trans. Hippolyte Dreyfus also trans. it into French directly from the Persian a year before Kuli Khan's English version, in 1905, with Julie Chanler then re-translating it from the French into English in 1936 | mention
in Promulgation of Universal Peace 244, God Passes By 140;
mention of meaning of "guardian" Unfolding Destiny 453; Discussed
Baha'u'llah: King of Glory 161-63; mentioned ibid. 139; discussion
Rev. Baha'u'llah vol.1 96-104; mentioned ibid 151; Rev. Baha'u'llah
vol. 2 26, Rev. Baha'u'llah vol. 4 142, 181 Complete treatment in Stephen Lambden "The Seven Valleys of Baha'u'llah: A Provisional Translation with Occasional Notes, pt. 1," in Baha'i Studies Bulletin 6:2-3 (Feb. 1992) 26-74, continued in Baha'i Studies Bulletin 6:4-7:2 (1992) 129-34 and John Walbridge Sacred Acts 150-157 and 287-288; discussion of the Valleys of Love and Knowledge in B. Hoff Conow The Baha'i Teachings 122-24; brief notes on the Valley of Nothingness Rodney Clarken "Absolute Poverty and Utter Nothingness" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 8:1 (1997) 30, 40; passing mentions in John Hatcher Ocean of His Words 87, 103-107, 134-135, 194-201; Peter Smith The Babi and Baha'i Religions 64, 81; Stephen Lambden "Paraclete, Ahmad and the Comforter" in Scripture and Revelation 89; Jack McLean "Prolegomena to a Baha'i Theology" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 5:1 (1992) 54-55; Julio Savi "Will, Knowledge, and Love as Explained in Baha'u'llah's Four Valleys" in the Journal of Baha'i Studies 6:1 (1994), available online at bahai-library.com/ articles/jbs.6-1.savi.html; relation of Seven Valleys to Attar's Conference of the Birds Michael Sours "Immanence and Transcendence in Divine Scripture" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 5:2 (1992) 16-18 and notes; detailed discussion of symbolic relations between Attar's Conference and Seven Valleys Christopher Buck "A Symbolic Profile of the Baha'i Faith" Journal of Baha'i Studies 8:4 (1998) 26-30; comments on mystic knowledge Jack McLean "The Knowledge of God: An Essay on Baha'i Epistemology" in World Order 12:3 (1978) 50-52; see also student papers on Tablet at bahai-library.com/ students Discussions of mysticism, many with passing references to the Seven Valleys, in Glenn Shook Mysticism, Science, and Revelation; Farnaz Ma'sumian "Mysticism and the Baha'i Faith" in Deepen, 6.3 (1995), available online at bahai-library.com/ articles/mysticism.masumian.html; Moojan Momen "The Psychology of Mysticism and its Relationship to the Baha'i Faith" in Baha'i Studies Bulletin 2.4 (1984); William S. Hatcher "Myths, Models, and Mysticism" in Logic and Logos: Essays on Science, Religion, and Philosophy; Jack McLean Dimensions of Spirituality 8, 82-88, 130, 244 |
| Shikkar- Shikan -Shavand (Sweet Scented Being) | Baghdad. Persian. Addressee Mirza Sa'id Khan, although Taherzadeh says it was Siyyid Husayn-i- Mutivvaly-i -Qumi | First half trans. in "The Baha'i World", vol 18, p 11 (by Habib Taherzadeh?). DiD 147-153; INBA30. Prov. trans. also existsShahrokh Monjazeb | Discussed
Rev. Baha'u'llah vol.1 147-50; Baha'u'llah: King of Glory 149
(see also footnote), 446; mention of addressee ibid 89, 100-01; mention of
Sa'id Khan Rev. Baha'u'llah vol. 1 225-26, Rev. Baha'u'llah
vol. 2 131-34 Leiden List adds: Ishraq-Khavari and Muhammad-Ali Faizi consider this was the tablet referred to in the Tablet to the Shah, cited in Traveller's Narrative p 110 of Browne's trans., p 62 of the abridged Baha'i edition, but the content does not seem to match. |
| Subhána- Rabbíya'l- A'lá (Praise to the Exalted Lord) | Baghdad. Arabic. A Maiden tablet. Addressee Haji Mirza Musay-i- Javahiri, known as Harf-i-Baqa | Gan 61-64 | Discussion in Rev. Baha'u'llah vol.1 211-13; mention of addressee Rev. Baha'u'llah vol. 2 329; mention addressee Baha'u'llah: King of Glory 174, 250 |
| Súriy-i- Nush (Tablet of Advice) | Baghdad. Arabic. Addressee Siyyid Ja'far-i-Yazdi | MA4 135-136 (incomp.) | Discussed Rev. Baha'u'llah vol.1 137, 142, 146; mention of addressee Rev. Baha'u'llah vol. 1 331 |
| Súriy-i- Qadír (Súrih of the Omnipotent) | Taherzadeh dates Baghdad; Cole dates Edirne (?1866?) | AQA4(i) 317-320; AQA4(rev) 373-378. Prov. trans. exists Juan Cole | Discussion in Rev. Baha'u'llah vol.1 119-22 |
| Tablet of the Holy Mariner (Lawh-i- Mallahu'l- Quds) | Baghdad. Arabic and Persian sections | Arabic section trans. Shoghi Effendi and published in many sources, including Prayers for Special Occasions (=Baha'i Prayers, British) 51-7; Rev. Baha'u'llah vol.1 228-244; 'Rituals' 127-8. Photographic reproduction in frontispiece of Rev. Baha'u'llah vol.1. AQA4 335-341; ?MA4 335-41?. Earlier trans. in Star of the West, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 75-77 contains misprints. Prov. trans. of Persian section also exists Shahroakh Monjazeb | Mention
Selections from the Writings of Abdul-Baha para. 233.15 (p. 314);
discussion in Rev. Baha'u'llah vol.1 228-243; mention in Rev.
Baha'u'llah vol. 2 6; discussion God Passes By 147-48;
mention ibid. 140; Baha'u'llah: King of Glory 154; brief discussion
Covenant of Baha'u'llah 167-68 Full treatment in Michael Sours Beyond the Mystic Veil: An Illustrated Guide to Baha'u'llah's Tablet of the Holy Mariner (as yet unpublished); John Walbridge Sacred Acts 159-165, 234; John Hatcher Ocean of His Words 39, 49-51, 88-96, 135-137; discussion of historical context John Hatcher "The Validity and Value of an Historical-Critical Approach" in Scripture and Revelation 41-42; discussion of the role of the Maiden in Kamran Ekbal "The Zoroastrian Heritage of the 'Maid of Heaven'" in Scripture and Revelation 155-56; discussion of the Maiden in Ross Woodman "The Inner Dimensions of Revelation" in Scripture and Revelation 347-49, 353-56, 362-64; Paula A. Drewek "Feminine Forms of the Divine in Baha'i Scripture" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 5:1 (1992) 20-21; detailed overview of symbolism Christopher Buck "A Symbolic Profile of the Baha'i Faith" in Journal of Baha'i Studies 8:4 (1998) 37-44 |