‘Akkáack-cawPrison city north of Mt. Carmel, Israel; ancient Ptolemais and the “Strong City” of the Psalms. Site of the Most Great Prison where Bahá’u’lláh was incarcerated. A Tablet of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Mrs. Ella G. Cooper states: “It is recorded in the Bible: ‘Achor shall be a door of hope unto them.’ This Achor is the City of ‘Akká. Whoever interprets this otherwise is ignorant.” (Daily Lessons, by H. S. Goodall and E. G. Cooper; quoted Tablet begins on p. 92; specific reference is to Hosea 2:15; transliteration above modernized). (GPB 184; 185). The St. Jean d’Acre of the Crusaders.
‘Alía-leeThe first Imam, the rightful successor of Muḥammad; also the fourth Caliph. Cousin of Muḥammad and husband of Fáṭimih, he is known by titles including the Commander of the Faithful, the Lion of God, and the Lord of Saintship. Saint and warrior, brilliant writer and administrator, he was killed at Kufa by Ibn-i-Muljam (A.D. 661). Amír-‘Alí states: “Ali was its [chivalry’s] beau-idéal—an impersonation of gallantry, of bravery, of generosity; pure, gentle, and learned, ‘without fear and without reproach,’ he set the world the noblest example of chivalrous grandeur of character.” (The Spirit of Islám, 254).
‘Alí-Khán-i-Máh-i-Kú’ía-lee-con-eh-maw-coo-eeWarden of the Castle of Máh-Kú.
‘Alí Mardán Khán, Fort ofa-lee-mar-Don-conStorm-center at Zanján.
‘Alí-Pásháa-lee-paw-shawPrime Minister of Turkey, denounced in the Lawḥ-i-Ra’ís. (GPB 231).
Alíf-Lám-Mím.aleff-lawm-meem“A.L.M.” Cf. Qur’an 2:1. Many surihs of the Qur’an are prefaced by disconnected letters. Cf. Iqan 202: “In the disconnected letters of the Qur’án the mysteries of the divine Essence are enshrined, and within their shells the pearls of His Unity are treasured.”
‘Alíyu’lláhía-lee-yol-law-heeIslámic sect, found principally in Western Persia and also known as Niṣárá and Ahlu’l-Ḥaqq, which teaches that ‘Alí is an avatar. (Gobineau, Trois Ans en Asie, 338).
Alláhal-láhGod. The most prevalent explanation of this word, given in such works as the Shorter Encyclopedia of Islam, is that the pre-Islamic Arabs worshipped as head of their pantheon a god called Alláh, meaning the iláh, or the god. Muḥam-mad taught: “There is no iláh save the iláh,” “Lá iláhá illa’lláh,” Allah being thus a combination of the particle “the” (al) and iláh.
Alláh-u-AbháAlláh-ho-Ab-háGod is All-Glorious. The Greatest Name, adopted during the period of Bahá’u’lláh’s exile in Adrianople as a greeting among Bahá’ís. (GPB 176). Another form of the Greatest Name—not used as a greeting but an invocation—is Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá, O Thou the Glory of Glories!
‘Amáam-aweLight cloud, term symbolizing the First Invisible Substance.
Amínam-eenThe trusted one; designation of Muḥammad as a youth.
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