Search found 57 matches

by Irish
Wed Oct 24, 2007 5:25 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Baha'i purity, etc
Replies: 4
Views: 15279

ma shaa'a allaah! I have just seen a most wonderful verse in the Aqdas, which directly relates to pornography: "Hold ye fast unto refinement under all conditions, that your eyes may be preserved from beholding what is repugnant both to your own selves and to the dwellers of Paradise." Kita...
by Irish
Sun Oct 21, 2007 12:41 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Baha'i purity, etc
Replies: 4
Views: 15279

I should also mention that if you want to study these things further, I highly recommend download Ocean, the Baha'i library. It's free on the internet.

Best wishes
by Irish
Sun Oct 21, 2007 12:39 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: world and great peace Vs family excommunication
Replies: 7
Views: 20457

Shoghi Effendi didn't announce to the world that his parents were Covenant-breakers, but they were. When Shogh Effendi excommunicated his cousins and brother and sister, none of his family were supposed to continue communicating with these Covenant-breakers. But Shoghi Effendi's parents didn't obey ...
by Irish
Sun Oct 21, 2007 12:14 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Baha'i purity, etc
Replies: 4
Views: 15279

In my own experience, giving up masturbation is much easier than giving up pornography. I became a Baha'i when I was sixteen, at which time masturbation was regular. It took about 2-3 years to give it up. But I stopped doing it totally a few years ago, so I think I can definitely say that I'm over i...
by Irish
Wed Jun 27, 2007 2:25 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: looking for Tablets of the Divine Plan in Persian
Replies: 3
Views: 13583

Indeed Bruce, the Baha'i Reference Library contains almost every individual book and compilation of Abdu'l-Baha's Persian and Arabic writings ever printed....But that's the problem, because I just want to find the Tablets of the Divine Plan.....and they don't seem to be listed as an individual book,...
by Irish
Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:50 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: looking for Tablets of the Divine Plan in Persian
Replies: 3
Views: 13583

looking for Tablets of the Divine Plan in Persian

Can someone please tell me where I can find the 16 Tablets of the Master to the American Baha'is which have been designated the Tablets of the Divine Plan. I'm looking for the Persian Tablets. I'm sure they must be in one of the many Persian compilations of the Master's Tablets.
by Irish
Thu May 17, 2007 2:26 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Amr va Khalq/ Veiling
Replies: 21
Views: 41225

Dear Sen,
did you know you can edit your messages on the Forum? If you want, you can edit your first message to this thread so as to make it clear that you were simply providing a draft translation and not giving your own opinions on the issue. This may prevent confusion in the future.
by Irish
Mon May 14, 2007 8:46 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: The Greatest Name
Replies: 2
Views: 9653

Actually, this prayer is a translation from Arabic, not Persian. There are fewer than 10 prayers in Prayers and Meditations that are translated from Persian. As I mentioned before, God is unknowable, but His Names are not. The Baha'i Writings are full of them. Since Baha' is the Greatest Name, what ...
by Irish
Mon May 14, 2007 5:51 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: The Greatest Name
Replies: 2
Views: 9653

The Greatest Name

"I beseech Thee by Thy Name which no scroll can bear, which no heart can imagine and no tongue can utter—a Name which will remain concealed so long as Thine own Essence is hidden, and will be glorified so long as Thine own Being is extolled" (Prayers and Meditations, LVIII, final paragraph...
by Irish
Mon May 14, 2007 5:39 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: 'Aql doesn't mean Wisdom!
Replies: 1
Views: 8857

'Aql doesn't mean Wisdom!

I know this is an old question, and that it has already been asked by many others (including Professor Cole in Millenium and Modernity), but why do the Baha'i translations consistently use the word 'Wisdom' to translate the Arabic word "'Aql", which can mean (according to Wehr) "Sense...
by Irish
Wed May 02, 2007 4:03 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Baha'is—VOTE for the Baha'i House of Worship!
Replies: 10
Views: 28064

Thank you, British Baha'i, I was voting every day in March, but I forgot to check the results on Monday. It is great news. I hope more people will now hear about the Temple and enjoy its serene atmosphere, and learn from it. I really didn't think it was going to win: the other place, about the home ...
by Irish
Thu Apr 19, 2007 7:46 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Amr va Khalq/ Veiling
Replies: 21
Views: 41225

Thank you Sen. Were it not for you, I don't know when I would have realized that the Baha'i reference library has all the volumes of Amr va Khalq. Surprisingly, H-Baha'i doesn't have any of them. Thank you for your translation. I will check it myself later and let you know if I have any suggestions....
by Irish
Wed Apr 18, 2007 7:52 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Amr va Khalq/ Veiling
Replies: 21
Views: 41225

Amr va Khalq/ Veiling

I was wondering if anyone has a copy of Amr va Khalq Volume 3, a compilation of the Writings edited by Fadil-i Mazandarani. I have read that on page 341 of Amr va Khalq Volume 3, there is a Tablet from 'Abdu'l-Baha, in which He says that women should a wear a scarf in public. i.e. He recommends that...
by Irish
Sat Mar 03, 2007 1:50 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Fasting in the Bayan
Replies: 0
Views: 9387

Fasting in the Bayan

According to the Bayan, the Babi Fast was also for 19 days during the month of 'Ala. Baha'u'llah didn't change this, and explained that the shortening of the length (from 30 days for Ramadan) and that timing (never in summer or winter, again unlike Ramadan) were favours from God. Question: The Baha'...
by Irish
Sat Mar 03, 2007 7:25 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Fasting: what food keeps you going throughout the day?
Replies: 5
Views: 19123

I think it is best to eat food which are high is carbohydrates, but not sugars. Brown things are best. For breakfast I usually just have a big glass of water, followed a few minutes later by a big bowl of porridge and a slice of brown bread with jam. These food release energy slowly and keep you goi...
by Irish
Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:02 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Fasting prayer query
Replies: 3
Views: 14201

This question is about the Fast in general, not just prayers: Usually when people describe the Baha'i Nineteen Day Fast to non-Baha'is, they say "Its just like Ramadan, except for 19 days instead of 29/30, and that it always happends in March, rather than changing each year". For example, ...
by Irish
Thu Mar 01, 2007 5:03 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Fasting prayer query
Replies: 3
Views: 14201

God Passes By, pg 172, Shoghi Effendi writes of "the Munájátháy-i-Síyám (Prayers for Fasting), written in anticipation of the Book of His Laws" which were written in Adrianople.

Where can I find this book/ collection. Is it contained in A'diyyiy-i-hHadrat-i-Mahbub?
by Irish
Thu Mar 01, 2007 4:59 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Fasting prayer query
Replies: 3
Views: 14201

Fasting prayer query

Some of the prayers for the Fast seem to contain references make them appropriate only at a certain historical time. I wonder how modern Baha'is feel about this, since these are the prayers Baha'is use during the Fast. For example, take this verse: "He Who is Thy Branch and all Thy company, O m...
by Irish
Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:21 am
Forum: News
Topic: 40 Years of Unit Conventions
Replies: 5
Views: 35797

Lovely poem. You've got a gift for words. I found to be something of beauty, something on which I can mediatate. It has helped me to understand some of the emotions I feel when I think about unit conventions. I've only be to one unit convention, and I'm a Baha'i six or seven years, but I can still r...
by Irish
Sat Feb 03, 2007 12:56 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Muslims—Will the Qa'im OVERTURN Islam?
Replies: 32
Views: 66111

It is true, that Baha'u'llah does not mention who is the author (or rather the collector) of the collection of hadith called 3awaalim. He wasn't writing a phD thesis. He could have given the reference, I'm sure, but didn't need to, because the person he was writing to would have known about the book...
by Irish
Fri Feb 02, 2007 1:33 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Muslims—Will the Qa'im OVERTURN Islam?
Replies: 32
Views: 66111

3awaalim

the name of the book from which Baha'u'lllah quotes is the "3awaalim". "Avalim/Awalim" is just a transliteration. The letters used in spelling it are 3ayn, waw, alif, laam, miim. The "3awaalim" referred to Baha'u'llah is probably the "Awalimu al-Ulum Wa Al-Maarif&q;...
by Irish
Mon Jan 29, 2007 4:16 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Typos in Baha'i scripture
Replies: 11
Views: 27234

"...I beseech Thee, by Thy treasured Name Who, at this very moment, is speaking, to send down..." (Baha'u'llah, Prayers and Meditations, Extract. no. 44, page 65) The printed Arabic version goes like: "asaluka bismika'l-mahzuuni'l-ladii..." (Baha'u'llah, Munaajaa, Extract no. 44,...
by Irish
Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:23 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Intorduction of Bab's 1st Book & a crucial question
Replies: 4
Views: 15161

'Abdu'l-Baha has apparantly written that the 12th Imam of Shi'ih Islam was not a real person ie. the 11th Imam had no son. I read that on Steve Lambden's website. His existence was a pious sham, invented by the divines to appease the doubts of the ordinary Shi'ihs. Baha'u'llah has also clearly said,...
by Irish
Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:50 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Typos in Baha'i scripture
Replies: 11
Views: 27234

In E.W. Lane's Arabic-English Lexicon, on page 1807 of Volume 5 it is stated that it also means "increase" "augment" or "enrich." Thank you. My university has that lexicon. I will use it in future. Permit me to suggest that you keep in mind that Baha'u'llah had a compr...
by Irish
Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:27 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Epistle to the son of the wolf quote-about THE BAYAN
Replies: 11
Views: 24173

"The overriding consideration must always be the proper dignity with which the Greatest Name should be used... The House of Justice instructs us to say that great care should be given to the accurate representation of the Persian calligraphy, since any deviation from an accepted representation...
by Irish
Sat Jan 06, 2007 5:50 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Typos in Baha'i scripture
Replies: 11
Views: 27234

Excellent Brent, that is certainly worth pondering upon. What about the verse in the Long Obligatory Prayer, which goes: "Thy love, O my Lord, hath enriched me, and separation from Thee hath destroyed me, and remoteness from Thee hath consumed me." It's in the verse to be said standing sta...
by Irish
Sat Jan 06, 2007 5:37 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Epistle to the son of the wolf quote-about THE BAYAN
Replies: 11
Views: 24173

They may not have been crazy, given that their real purpose was to give a shock to the system of the eccesiastical and civil order of 19c. shi'ih iran, and waken them for their torpor, and prepare for Baha'u'llah. It meant crazy as severe and shocking, not stupid. God laws can be shocking, but not s...
by Irish
Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:51 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Epistle to the son of the wolf quote-about THE BAYAN
Replies: 11
Views: 24173

I've been recently musing on this. I have never come across anything in the Writings of Baha'u'llah that say that He abrogated all the laws of the Bayan except the ones He specifically endorsed. Rather, He seems to have told Baha'is to continue to follow them. For example, in Tablet Revealed After t...
by Irish
Fri Jan 05, 2007 2:54 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Typos in Baha'i scripture
Replies: 11
Views: 27234

Just another comment similar to my previous one: The opening words of the English translation of the Tablet of Hikmat are "This is an Epistle which the All-Merciful hath sent down from the Kingdom of Utterance." But the original Arabic has a few words right at the beginning, which could be...
by Irish
Wed Jan 03, 2007 4:18 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: fault-finding, silence, and biographies
Replies: 4
Views: 14849

fault-finding, silence, and biographies

I'm curious about whether people think that the Baha'i prohibition on discussion peoples faults has any implications for the way that Baha'is write biographies and histories. Has the Guardian or the House ever clarified this? I mean, can Baha'is write biographies that don't just say "she was a ...
by Irish
Wed Jan 03, 2007 4:02 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: I need the source for a tradition Baha'u'llah quotes..
Replies: 14
Views: 34756

It is quite difficult to locate short quotations in the books Shi'ih traditions. However, if you think that no Shi'ihs have heard of Avalim, Yanbu', Biharu'l-Anvar, Arba'in etc, then I think you have not searched correctly. Firstly, these books are all in Arabic, so you need to search for Awalim, no...
by Irish
Wed Jan 03, 2007 3:49 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Typos in Baha'i scripture
Replies: 11
Views: 27234

Here is something else I cannot understand. In the Tablet of the Proof (Lawh-i-Burhaan, Lawhu'l-Burhaan) the following words occur; "Its calamities waxed so great that the smoke thereof surrounded the Land of Mystery and its environs, and what had been revealed in the Tablet of the Sultán was m...
by Irish
Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:03 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Companionate Marriage
Replies: 2
Views: 12902

Companionate Marriage

"It condemns the prostitution of art and of literature, the practices of nudism and of companionate marriage, infidelity in marital relationships, and all manner of promiscuity, of easy familiarity, and of sexual vices." -Shoghi Effendi, ADJ, pg.30 What is companionate marriage and why is ...
by Irish
Mon Dec 11, 2006 12:08 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: New site
Replies: 9
Views: 21388

I haven't experienced any problems with it, and it does seem faster.
by Irish
Mon Dec 11, 2006 4:37 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Dr. Lambden and Qayyumu'l-Asma
Replies: 1
Views: 7968

Dr. Lambden and Qayyumu'l-Asma

Hi, I was quite surprised to find that Dr. Steve Lambden has undertaken to translate the whole of the Qayyumu'l-Asma into English. It would certainly be a first. I have to admire him for attempting it. I was wondering if anyone of you how I can contact Dr. Lambden. An email address would suffice. If...
by Irish
Tue Dec 05, 2006 3:45 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Baha'u'llah's Arabic
Replies: 3
Views: 10327

I know that the Kitab-i-Iqan is in Persian, and the title is a Persian construction, but I want to know about the word Iqan. It is supposed to be an Arabic word, right? Is it supposed to come from the root ya' qaf nun. Well, is it Persian variant of an Arabic word or is it supposed to be pure Arabic...
by Irish
Mon Dec 04, 2006 8:06 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Prayer positions
Replies: 10
Views: 24604

Thanks to Curt and Richard for thought-provoking responses. I have found many of the answers to my own specific questions in Lights of Guidance, but the same quotes are in almost any compilation on prayers. It had been a while since I read those. Basically, we cannot ever say the obligatory prayer, ...
by Irish
Sat Dec 02, 2006 11:29 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Prayer positions
Replies: 10
Views: 24604

location of prayer

I know that congregational prayer is prescribed for Baha'is, except in the case of the Prayer for the Dead, (to be used at funerals by all the mourners, I think). I have also heard some people say that congregational prayer (except Prayer for the Dead) is actually forbidden to Baha'is? Lately, I hav...
by Irish
Tue Nov 28, 2006 6:41 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Baha'u'llah's Arabic
Replies: 3
Views: 10327

I asked a native Arabic speaker about the "yu3izzaruhu" sentence; she said that she had heard that Arabic is a language where everyone word can mean one thing, but also, in unusual circumstances, it's exact opposite. If true, that would seem to be a logical answer. Why would Baha'u'llah say that we ...
by Irish
Fri Nov 24, 2006 6:10 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Baha'u'llah's Arabic
Replies: 3
Views: 10327

I have heard that Baha'u'llah's Arabic Writings are not allowed to be translated in Persian. I'm mean, I'm sure they are translated all the time in the minds of the Persian believers, but I have heard the it has been a policy of the Master, the Guardian and the House, to never allow a printed Persia...
by Irish
Fri Nov 24, 2006 5:43 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Typos in Baha'i scripture
Replies: 11
Views: 27234

Hi Brett, I changed the topic title to "Typos in Baha'i scripture". Hopefully that is a better description of what I want to discuss here. I would write to the publishing trusts, but I'd like to collect a few things before a write a email to them. Also, I'd like if the scholars in this for...
by Irish
Thu Nov 23, 2006 3:47 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Typos in Baha'i scripture
Replies: 11
Views: 27234

Typos in Baha'i scripture

I would like to know if anyone has detected any small spelling mistakes, or other similar typing errors, in the (current) published versions of Baha'i scripture. It would be helpful for us to take note of these, so that they can be corrected in future editions. The problem I have is that whenever I ...
by Irish
Thu Nov 23, 2006 6:10 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Prayer positions
Replies: 10
Views: 24604

I have some more questions about the Long Obligatory Prayers. I've numbered the instructions for easy reference. 1. Whoso wisheth to recite this prayer, let him stand up and turn unto God, and, as he standeth in his place, let him gaze to the right and to the left, as if awaiting the mercy of his Lo...
by Irish
Wed Nov 22, 2006 4:42 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Baha'u'llah's Arabic
Replies: 3
Views: 10327

Baha'u'llah's Arabic

I have question for someone who is familiar with the style of Hadrat-i-Baha'u'llah's writings in the original Persian and Arabic. I know that Hadrat-i-Bab was said to write in very unconventional Arabic, and that He frequently broke the rules of classical grammar. Did Hadrat-i-Baha'u'llah also do th...
by Irish
Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:33 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Prayer positions
Replies: 10
Views: 24604

Time of noon

In the instructions for the short and medium obligatory prayers, mention is made of the time of noon or mid-day. I don't think that this means 12 o'clock mid-day. I think that it means the time of the day at which the Sun reaches the highest point in the sky. Can anyone confirm if this is true. Has ...
by Irish
Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:28 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Prayer positions
Replies: 10
Views: 24604

Definition of noon

About the correct position for "be seated" in the Long Obligatory prayer. I'm of the opinion that kneeling (as in the picture on the website above, and as Muslims do it) is correct. The strongest reason why I think this is right is because it feels right. Each time that we must sit during the Long O...
by Irish
Wed Nov 08, 2006 5:17 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: buying Arabic Baha'i books on the web
Replies: 5
Views: 16050

That's really kind of you Golha. Thanks a lot.

Since my last message I have found one site where Arabic Baha'i books can be bought. They have the most important ones here anyway.
It's the Publishing Trust in Germany. Go to: http://www.bahai-verlag.de/
by Irish
Fri Nov 03, 2006 5:42 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Life incumbency on the House
Replies: 5
Views: 13154

Life incumbency on the House

I'm sure most Baha'is know by now that anyone who has ever been elected to the House of Justice has remained a member (i.e. been re-elected consistently) until such time as they are no longer able to perform their functions, either through illness, old-age or death. I am wondering why that is. I am ...
by Irish
Sat Oct 28, 2006 6:05 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: 20,000 martyrs?
Replies: 7
Views: 17003

Thanks Keyvan, 'Abdu'l-Baha mentioned twenty thousand martyrs in 1912 (PUP pg203). If we want to take that as fact, then there were at least 260 martyrs per year between 1852 and 1963 (260x60=15600), or else there was more than 4,000 between 1844 and 1852. I do actually believe myself that the 20,00...
by Irish
Mon Oct 16, 2006 1:47 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: 20,000 martyrs?
Replies: 7
Views: 17003

Thanks, I have been able to find all those articles in my library. I've read them but Afnan and Hatcher don't mention the number the martyrs. They say that they have written an unpublished reply to MacEoin's "From Babism to Baha'ism", called "The Baha'i Faith and It's Critics". Do you know if that i...
by Irish
Fri Sep 15, 2006 5:27 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: 20,000 martyrs?
Replies: 7
Views: 17003

20,000 martyrs?

In one of his articles for the "Religion" journal (From Babis to Baha'ism: militancy, quietism and conflation in the construction of a religion), Denis MacEoin has severely criticised 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Efffendi for claimed that there 20,000 Baha'i martrys. Part of the criticism is that most of...
by Irish
Tue Sep 12, 2006 5:35 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Contradiction?
Replies: 2
Views: 8246

Hi Zazaban, we can't say they are a contradiction just because on the surface they seem to be. There inner meaning is in complete harmony. The logical explanation here is that we when Baha'u'llah says that he is just a normal human he is speaking from that perspective, but the Manifestation of God h...
by Irish
Tue Sep 12, 2006 5:28 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: 120 sites chosen for Temples
Replies: 9
Views: 19384

Hi Zazaban, the Ten Year crusade messages are in a book called "Messages to Baha'i World; 1950-1957". The message to America during the ten year crusade are in "Citadel of Faith". Both books written by Shoghi Effendi himself, not a secretary. I havent' checked but I'm almost sure these are on this s...
by Irish
Tue Sep 12, 2006 5:17 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Theses of MacEoin and Rafati
Replies: 2
Views: 8578

Dear Jonah, Thanks for the advice. If I can get my hands on a copy of them, I'll try to type up the abstract, the introduction and maybe the first chapter of each. I would be good to have just those on the web for a start. By the way, the website is awesome. I am really grateful for being able to re...
by Irish
Fri Sep 08, 2006 5:33 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Theses of MacEoin and Rafati
Replies: 2
Views: 8578

Theses of MacEoin and Rafati

Does anyone know how I should go about getting a copy of the Ph.D theses of Vahid Rafati and Denis MacEoin? They are quoted in almost every scholarly article written on the genesis of the Babi religion, so they must be available to a lot of people. Rafati's is at UCLA and MacEoin's at Cambridge. I'v...
by Irish
Thu Sep 07, 2006 5:30 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: buying Arabic Baha'i books on the web
Replies: 5
Views: 16050

I haven't located any sites or stores where Arabic baha'i books are in good supply for purchase. For those who want to read some of the Faith's primary literature the best site is http://www.reference.bahai.org, and everything there is authenticated. And if the desired item isn't there, you can alwa...
by Irish
Wed Aug 23, 2006 8:07 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: buying Arabic Baha'i books on the web
Replies: 5
Views: 16050

buying Arabic Baha'i books on the web

I'm looking for the best site on the web for buying books on the Faith in the Arabic language, including the writings of the Central Figures and the Guardian and the House of Justice. My primary concern is really a wide selection. Suggestions please!

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