The Ziyarat-Namah (Visitation Tablet) of the Bab for the al-Nuqta (the Point, the Bab) and the Huruf al-Hayy (Letters of the Living).

The Shrine of the Bab, Haifa, Israel.

The Ziyarat-Namah (Visitation Tablet) of the Bab for the al-Nuqta (the Point, the Bab) and the Huruf al-Hayy (Letters of the Living). Ms. 6007C 201-211. Arabic text and Translation. July-August 2020.

Introduction, Notes and Translation

Stephen Lambden

IN PROGRESS - last revised and updated 27-02-2021 - under further revision, correction and completion.

Among the largely unstudied and untranslated Ziyarat-namas (Visitation Tablets) of the Bab, is that which he wrote around 1849 CE or (one might say) revealed for himself as the messianic locus of the Logos-like primordial Nuqta (the Generative, Subcritical Point of the letter "B") and certain among his Huruf al-Hayy ("Letters of the Living"), his primary eighteen (18 = 10+8) major disciples) several of whom had died in the Shaykh Tabarsi upheaval or in other circumstances (e.g. the 4th Letter Mulla `Ali Bastami, d. Istanbul,1846). This nine or ten page Arabic text opens "When thou desire [to recite] the Ziyara of the Nuqta or any one of the `Letters of the Living' (ziyarat al-nuqta aw ahad min huruf al-hayy)". It can be found in the mss compilation INBA 6007C ms. pages 201-211:

Ziyarat-nama (Visitation Tablet) of the Bab for himself as al-Nuqta (the Point) and the Huruf al-Hayy, the [eighteen] "Letters of the Living One". Arabic text (photocopied 1980s), PDf. TBA Ms. 6007C, 201-211. PDF. Ziyara-Nuqta + Letters.pdf

This quite lengthy, around ten page Arabic Ziyara text of the Bab, perhaps dates to c. 1849 or early 1850 CE. It commences with the new, doubly superlative, apophatic neo-basmala of the Bab as follows :

Annotated Translation in progress...

In the Name of God, the Inaccessible (al-amna'), the Most Holy (al-aqdas).

Should thou desire [to undertake the recitation of] the Ziyara (Visitation Tablet) for the Nuqta (the Point, the Bab) or anyone among the Letters of the Living (huruf al-hayy) then thou shalt make thyself especially elegant becoming the very quintessence of refinement (haqq al-talattuf) such that if one should become aware that there were but a single superflous hair (sha`r ^an za'id ^an) upon thy body, it would seem inappropriate, at that time, to proceed. This since thou should clothe thyself in the very purest of thy garments not in those which are especially ostentatious (la a`la baha'). Wherefore. should thou be dressed in an old garment but one that is pure, good and delicate (tahir tayyib latif) thy awareness would not be discomforted thereby...

[6007C:202f]

So when thou find thyself in that that most-glorious condition (al-sha'n al-abha) and that most-elevated state of refinement (al-lutf al-a`la), then proceed, feeling well-prepared, sealed up with a red carnelian [signet ring] (khatam ^an al-`aqiq al-ahmar) which is a proof of that Pathway (al-sabil) at the behest of Thy Glorious Lord and of the arrival before God, One situated above the Throne of Majesty (`arsh al-tajlil).

Then when two prosrations (rak`atayn) have been carried out [in thy house] say at the outset, after the magnification of Thy Name :

"O our God! our Lord, the All-Merciful! God testifieth that He, no God is there save Him, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting (al-muhaymin al-qayyum)! Unto Him belongeth worldly dominion and the heavenly kingdom (al-mulk wa'l-malakut), the Divine Power (al-`izzat) and the sphere of Omnipotence (al-jabarut), then also the Divine Might (al-qudrat) and the Divine Realm (al-lahut) as well as the the Divine Strength (al-quwwat) and the Ruby-Crimson Realm (al-yaqut), He bringeth alive and He causeth to die then He causeth to die and He bringeth alive, He is indeed One Living (hayy) who dieth not! the Eternal Sovereign, the Sovereign (sultan) whose Power fadeth not, the One Peerless (al-fard) from whose grasp nothing is able to escape whether or not it be within the heavens or upon the earth or whatsoever lieth between these two. He createth whatsoever He willeth through His Logos-Command (al-amr) for He hath ever remained One All-Aware, All-Powerful and All-Mighty.

In Thy Name, O our God, our Lord, the All-Merciful! Say: He is the One (al-wahid), the Single (al-ahad), the Peerless (al-fard), the Existent (al-ka'in), the Eternal (al-abad), Generator of Being (al-kayyan), the Lofty of Purpose [Trustworthy] (al-mu`tamad), the All-Perpetual (al-samad), the Existent Being (al-kaynun), the All-Sanctified (al-mutaqaddis), the All-Praised (al-hamd) who neither begetteth nor is begotten (lam yalid wa lam yulad) [Q. 112:3] for there is not for Him any one comparable [as Creator] (wa lam yakun la-hu kufuwa ^an ahad) [ Q. 112: 4]"

Now at the termination of this do likewise once again; yet more perfectly (awfa) [with even greater piety]. This on the level of al-tasbih [the subhan Allah, the `Glorification of God'], say three times :

Subhan Allah, `Glorified be God! One possessed of Might and Magnificence (`izzat wa'l-jalal)!
Subhan Allah, `Glorified be God! One possessed of the Countenance and the Beauty (tal`at wa'l-jamal)!
Subhan Allah, `Glorified be God! One possessed of the Power and the Perfection (al-qudrat wa'l-kamal)!

Then with outstretched hands [say],

Subhanika, `Glorified be Thee, O our God! No God is there except Thee! Aside from Thee there is no associte alongside Thee for Thine is the creation and the command (al-khalq wa'l-amr). This from both aforetime and in the hereafter. He is indeed the One Who giveth Life and Causes to die, then Causes to die and giveth Life. Thou art indeed One Living (hayy) who dieth not. In Thy grasp is the Kingdom of All-Things (malakut kull shay'). Thou createth whtsoever Thou willeth through Thy Logos-Command for Thou art indeed One Powerful over All-Things (`ala kull shay' qadir ^an). May love (hubb) be ever Thine O Our God! Every goodness (kull al-khayr) for Thou hast indeed thereby bestowed Knowledge (`ilm ^an).

Now shall thou be seated and say:

"God testifieth that He, no God is there except Him, the Mighty, the Powerful, the Beloved One (al-mahbub). [6007C: 203f.] And God indeed beareth witness as do All Things (kull shay') [in addition] that the Essence of the Seven Letters (dhat huruf al-sab`a) [= `Ali Muhammad] is the Bab Allah, the Gate of God within the Kingdom of the heavens and of the earth and whatsoever lieth between them. And we, one and all, are confirmed regarding this. And God Himself sendeth blessings upon the Letters of the Wahid (the Unity) [abjad 19]. This in that He hath decreed, on His part, at every moment, before every moment and after every moment (fi kull hin wa qabl hin wa ba`d hin), that He is assuredly the Help in Peril, the Beloved One ( al-muhaymin al-mahbub).

Now when, at this stage thy seat is emptied of anyone save whomsoever might be even more sanctified by God than thyself, then adopt the reclining position (al-ruqud) with him (if necessary). Then prostrate thyself and say in the course of thy prostration `Will Thou proffer forgiveness, O my Lord, the All-Merciful, unto this faithless one (al-ghaddar) and unto those of low estate (al-usul)'. Do this seven times ... nigh the gate (bab). Such is the Snow-White Pathway (al-minhaj al-bayda').

So Glorified be Thou, O our God! O my God! Everlastingly were Thou Existent (al-ka'in ^an) before All-Things (kull shay'), a Creator (mukawwin ^an) beyond All-Things (kull shay') and One Existing (kaynun ^an) subsequent to All-Things (kull shay'). No single thing could gainsay Thy Knowledge (`ilm) whether within the heavens or upon the earth or whatsoever lieth between them. And never could any single thing frustrate Thee whether within the kingdoms of the command and the creation (malakut al-amr wa'l-khalq) or anywhere beside them. We do indeed bear witness as do all things that Thou were indeed eternally and everlastingly a Deity (ilah ^an), Unique (wahid ^an), Single (ahad ^an), Peerless (fard ^an), All-Perpetual (samad ^an), Ultimately Real (haqq ^an), Self-Subsisting (qayyum ^an), ?? (xxxx ^an), One Just (`adl ^an), Sanctified (quddus ^an), Overseeing (? qa'im ^an). Ever-Enduring (da'im ^an), Eternal (abad ^an) and Purposeful (mu`tamad ^an).

In no way did Thou [God] appropriate for Thyself any associate (sahib) or any son (walad) for there is no doubt (shirk) whatsoever with respect to Thy act of creation nor the manifestation of Thy handiwork. Everything was within Thy grasp (qabda), at the right-hand of Thine Intention (irada). Thou bestowed permission upon whomsoever Thou willeth in whatsoever manner thou willeth. And this whenever it was that Thou willed and in whatever manner Thou so willed! And Thou withheld from whomsoever Thou willeth in whatsoever manner thou willeth. And this whenever it was that Thou willed! This since it was never legitimate to ask whatsoever was accomplished by Thee. Yet shall all [humankind] in every respect questioned about whatsoever they carried out!

Now when it is befitting for thee that thou should have completed all of this and that thou be knowledgeable and capable, then ...

Now when thou hast attained proximity to the Gate [6007C:204]

The 202 (abjad) `Ali (= 110) + Muhammad (= 92), Dhikr-like, Theologically Superlative Invocations (6007C: 204-210).

After a few pages of sometimes ritualistic introduction (6007C: 201-204) the devotee is commanded to recite a prayer with many parallel Dhikr-like repetitions occasionally following the pattern of Names or Attributes found in the two Shi`i devotional texts, the Du`ā' al-saḥar (Ramadan Dawn Prayer) and/or the often parallel but longer Du`ā' yawm al-mubāhala (Devotion for the Day of Mutual Execration). Note below the initial seven invocations with their repeatedly opening superlative (e.g. abha; a`la', etc.) and occasional use of the VIIIth form of the corresponding verbal-noun (e.g. b-h-j -> ibtihāj; m-n-` -> imtinā`, etc.). This pattern of invocation could be said to presuppose various Names or Attributes of God/ the Bab/ Man yuzhiru-hu Allah. In their initially superlative form they continue for seven or so pages (pp. 204-211) containing 202 invocations, sometimes addressing the Divine with unusual titles, names or other dimensions of the mediatory Deity (see the numbered list below).

This number 202 is the numerical value of the two personal names of the Bab, `Ali (abjad = 110) + Muhammad (abjad = 92) - total 202 like the abjad value, as the Bab himself not infrequently pointed out, the numerical value of the Qur'anic Arabic word Rabb or "the Lord" ( r = 200 +b = 2 = 202) who is Divine or God. It is fitting that in his own Ziyarat-namah, the Bab should include invocations that are evocative of his own personal name - `Ali Muhammad. This he several times associated with his expressing the Divive, Logos-like persona of his being the personified locus of the liqa'-Allah/ Rabb (= abjad 202), the `Encounter or the `Meeting' with God, the Lord predicted to occur in eschatological times in the Qur'an and in various Sunni and Shi`i traditions of the prophet and/ or the twelver Imams.

Many of the 202 superlatives are of special interest. They suggest Names or Attributes of God as well as other theologically weighty issues. Occasionally they correspond with the 99 Names of God or with Names-Attributes of God found in Imami Shi`i devotional texts relayed through the Imams. We find reference, for example, to an invocation according God the Name Ajwab the "Greatest Answerer" and another in which He is As'al, the "Greatest Questioner" :

O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajwab (the Supreme Answerer) beyond every possesser of an answer (dha ijāba)! (6007C: 208, image above end of line 1 and beginning of line 2).

Note in this connection that among the 99 Names of God listed within the prophetic hadith cited Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī (d. Ṭūs, Persia, 505/1111) in his al-Maqsad al-asna ... as name No. 45. is ٱلْمُجِيبُ al-Mujib, the name of God "the Answerer" of prayers or the one "Responsive" to sacred petitions.

O Thou Who art He who is al-As'al (the Supreme Questioner) beyond every possesser of a question (dha sa'l[a]/su'la [? sic.])! (6007C: 210. see image immediately above).

If the superlative al-As'al (اسئل), as above with the definite article (al-as'al), loosely, "the Supreme Questioner", presupposes a name of God based on the same root. It might, for example, presuppose the passive مَسْـُٔول al-Mas'ūl (the Questioned / Petitioned) depicting God as the one from whom an answer is desired, requested or petitioned. Alternatively, it might presuppose his name being theologically active like the active participle سَآئِل , Sā'il meaning 'The Interrogator" or "the Questioner" which is in fact, presupposed in the Qur'an at Q. 7:6; 70:25 (cf. also Steingass, Dictionary, 645). Another possibility would a verbal noun based on the same root, God being, ___

See further Masa'il webpage : https://hurqalya.ucmerced.edu/node/4151

The following, invocation no. 192, perhaps illustrates the human, mercantile roots of the Bab (of which he was very proud) when he unusually refers to God as al-Aswaq

O Thou Who art He who is al-Aswaq (the Supreme Market-Place) beyond everyone possessed of a market (dha suq)!

The Name of God al-Watr [Witr] (Uneven. Odd-Numbered, Variant).

It may be, if my reading of the Arabic ms. is sound, that the Bab, like Imam `Ali and others, assumes that God is in some sense beyond being supremely One, as one especially "Uneven", "Variant" or "Odd-Numbered", al-Watr in the superlative (Q. 89:3b). This when he states [No. 172 see below]: .

O Thou Who art He who is al-Awtar (the Most Uneven/ Odd-Numbered) beyond everyone characterized by variance / being odd numbered (dha watr)!

In the Qayyum al-asma' the name of God al-watr occurs at least once. In the twenty-fifth Surat al-Khatam (the Surah of the Seal) we have a unique exegesis of Q. 89:1f rooted in Shi`i traditions. Here "unevenness" or odd-numberedness makes sense as 11 (uneven) follows the even number 10 expressed as the tenth of `Ashura' (= 10th of Muharram 61/680), the day of the third Imam Husayn's martyrdom. In making things clear we may first cite the first few verses of the Surat al-Fajr, Q. 89:1f and note an expository hadith of the sixth Imam, Ja`far al-Sadiq :

[1.] “By the Dawn! (wa'l-Fajr),” [2]. “And the Ten Nights (wa layali `ashr);” [3]. “By the Even (wa'l-shaf`) and the Odd (wa'l-watr)!” [4]. “And by the Night when it departs (wa'l-layl idha yasri)!”

There is a hadith of the sixth Imam Ja`far al-Sadiq in which this Surat al-Fajr is especially associated with the third Imam Husayn son of `Ali ibn Abi Talib. In fact this Surah of the Dawn-time or Daybreak is interpreted in Shi`i Tafsir literatures as having a deep connection with Imam Husayn. Thus, for example, in the bulky Persian Tafsir-i Sharif-i Lāḥījī of `Abd al-Razzāq al-Lāḥījī (d. c.1072/1662), the opening comment on Q, 89 reads as follows, "In the Book Thawab al-a`mal of his eminence [Imam] Sadiq, it is related that this Surah is in fact the `Surah of His Holiness Imam Husayn' (vol. IV: 775). Its recitation is said to enable the pious suppliant to be connected with Imam Husayn on the Day of Judgement. The Bab presupposes these Shi`i traditions about Q. 89 in Qayyum al-asma' Surah 25. Therein he takes them much further when he alludes to his being the return of Imam Husayn. Speaking with the voice of God he states:

يا قرّة العين

انّك الفجر بعد الليل فی عشر من الشّهر الحرام عاشوراً ه و انّك الوتر بعد الرّكعتين من المشفع بما قد قدّ القدر اللّه فی امّ الكتاب مشهوداً ه

O Qurrat al-`Ayn! [Solace of Mine Eyes = the Bab]

Thou art indeed the Dawn (al-fajr) following the night of the 10th of the sacred month, `Ashura! [the tenth of Muharram when Imam Husayn was martyred]. And thou art thus the al-Watr (the one at Variance/ Uneven) after the two prostrations (watr al-raka`atayn ; the odd Number 3 or 11 after 10) through the [numerical] multiplier ( المشفع , al-mashf`) [cf. Q. 89:3a]. And God indeed, evidently made the [future] destiny (القدر, al-qadr) [of everything] to be [generated] through variance/ odd numberedness (qadda) [generated from the odd number 3 or 11] in the Archetypal [Mother] Book (umm al-kitab)" (QA, INBMC III:49).

This may indicate that the Bab is al-Watr , the one beyond singularity or `evenness' namely, `odd-numbered' (= 11) as he incarnates the messianic, eschatological dawn. This as the spiritual "return" of Imam Husayn, martyred on the 10th of Muharram and from May 22nd 1844 coming again with the mystical dawning of the 11th or with name of God the "11" (after the even number 10), the mystery of the divine declaration Huwa ("He is" God = abjad 11). This understanding may also prefigure the symbolic sense of the time of the declaration of the Bab, its new dawn ( al-fajr) being 2 hours and 11 minutes after sunset when Imam Husayn came anew in the person of the Bab (see. Persian Bayan, II.7). Note also, in this connection, the mention of two "prostrations" (cf. 1+1=2 = abjad "B") and the significance of the 11th of the new "Muharram" (sacred month, era) signalling the new Babi era of Divine disclosure through the voicing of the Huwa ("He is"), now present, omnipresent through the Bab.

Towards the beginning of his Tafsir Wāw wa'l-Sāffāt ("Commentarty on the [letter] wāw of wa'l-saffāt") the Bab uses al-witr as a name or attribute of God :

In the Name of God the One Transcendent above the Most Great.

Praised be unto He in Whose hands is the Kingdom of All-Things (malakut kulli shay'). No God is there except Him, the Unique (al-wahid), the One (al-ahad), the Supremely Great (al-muttakabir), the Overseer (al-Qa'im), the Full of Holiness (al-quddus), the Elevated One (al-rafi`), the Abstracted (al-mani`). God testifieth unto Himself by means of Himself for He, no God is there except Him, the Peerless (al-fard), the Living One [Regenerator] (al-hayy), the One (al-ahad), the Beyond Singularity/ Uneven (al-watr), the All-Enduring (al-samad), the All-Eternal (al-baqi), the Wondrous (al-badi`).

See further : https://hurqalya.ucmerced.edu/node/211/

In one of the Shi`i lists of the 99 Names of God registered in the al-Miṣbāḥ fi al-Adu`iyya wa'l-ṣalawāt wa'l-ziyārāt wa'l-ajwāz wa'l-`awdhāt of the important Imami Shi`i expert on devotional literatures Shaykh Taqī al-Dīn al-Kaf`amī [al-`Āmilī] ( d. 900/ 1494-5), we find the following Names transmitted through the Imams : .... "[76] the Discloser (al-Kashif)*, [77] The Injurer [Punisher] (al-Ḍurir)* [cf. 91], [78] The Uneven [Odd Number] (al-Watr)*; [79] The Light (al-Nūr) [= 93]" ...

For further details see: https://hurqalya.ucmerced.edu/node/2071/

Finally, though not at all exhaustively in this connection, we may note that the Name of God al-watr occurs towards the beginning of what may be reckoned th fifth letter of the Bab to Muhammad Shah written from Chihriq:

سبحان الّذي يعلم ما في السّمٰوات وما في الأرض وإنّه لا إلٓه إلّا هو الملك القهّار العظيم هو الّذي يقضي يوم الفصل بالحقّ وإنّه لا إلٓه إلّا هو الفرد الجبّار المنيع وهو الّذي بيده ملكوت كلّ شيء لا إلٓه إلّا هو الوتر الأحد الصّمد العليّ الكبير

Glorified be He Who knowth whatsoever is in the heavens or upon the earth. He, verily, no God is there except Him, the King (al-malik), the Wrathful (al-qahhar), the Mighty (al-`azim) for He is the One, in very Truth, who decreed the Day of Separation (yawm al-fasl) [Q. 37: 21; 77:37-8 etc]. He, verilu, no God is there except Him, the Unique (al-fard), the Powerful (al-jabbar), the Inaccessable (al-mani`). And He is the one in whose hand is the Kingdom of All-Things (malakut kull shay'). No God is there except Him, the Beyond Singularity [Uneven] (al-watr), the One (al-ahad), the All-Perpetual (al-samad), [cf. Q. 112:1ff] the Exalted (al-`aliyy), the Mighty (al-kabir)" (cited Muhammad, Fadil-i Mazandarani, Kitab- Zuhur al-haqq, 2nd ed. vol III: [68-70] p. 68.).

It may also be noted at this point that the Qur'anic word al-watr or al-witr ("the Odd") which is also found in several prophetic hadith within Sunni hadith collections, has an impoertant role within the al-Futuhat al-Makkiyya (Meccan Revelations") of the Great Shaykh, Muhyi al-Din Ibn al-`Arabi (d. Ṣāliḥiyya, Damascus, 638/1240). Add here

The 202 (abjad) `Ali (= 110) + Muhammad (= 92), Dhikr-like, Theologically Superlative Invocations (6007C: 204-211),

Translation Continued 6007C: 204f.

"And at this moment recite :

[1] O Thou Who art He who is al-Abha (the All-Glorious) above every possessor of glory (bahā'),
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`lā (the Utterly Exalted / the Most Lofty) above everyone characterized by exaltedness (dha `alā)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Arfa` (the Utterly Elevated) beyond everyone characterized by being raised Aloft (dha irtafa`a)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abhaj (the Supremely Joyful) beyond everyone characterized by Happiness [Delight](dha ibtihāj)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Amna` (the Utterly Inaccessible) beyond everyone characterized by Remoteness (dha imtinā`a)! [6007C: 205f>]
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akbar` (the Supremely Great) beyond everyone characterized by Grandeur (dha kubriyā')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asma` (the Most Hearing) beyond everyone possessed of Hearing (dha sam`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Absar (the Most Insightful) beyond everyone possessed of sight (dha basar)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Altaf (the Most Subtle) beyond everyone characterized by subtle refinement (dha lutf)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akhar [Akhir] (the Most Ultimate [Excellent]) beyond everyone possessed of finality [goodness] (dha khayr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asra` (the Most Expeditious) beyond everyone possessed of rapidlity (dha sur`at)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`azz (the Most Powerful) beyond everyone possessed of might (dha `izz)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahkam (the Supremly Wise Judge) beyond everyone possessed of judgement (dha hukm)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajall (the Most Illustrious) beyond everyone possessed of glory (dha jalal)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajmal (the Most Beautiful) beyond everyone possessed of beauty (dha jamal)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`zam (the Supremely Great) beyond everyone possessed of greatness (dha `azima)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqall [? al-Mustaqill] (the Supremely Diminished / Rare) beyond everyone possessed of independence (dha istiqlal)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akram (the Most Noble) beyond everyone possessed of honor (dha ikram)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`lam (the Most Knowledgeable) beyond everyone possessed of knowledge (dha `ilm)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahlam (the Most Gentle) beyond everyone possessed of gentility (dha hilm)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Absar (the Most Insightful) beyond everyone possessed of insight (dha basar)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Anwar (the Lights) beyond everyone possessed of light (dha nur)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Arham (the Most Mercful) beyond everyone possessed of mercy (dha rah[i]m)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`taf (the Most Affectionate) beyond everyone possessed of affection (dha `atf)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Adhaq (? the Most Experienced) beyond everyone possessed of taste (dha dha'iq?)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqdas (the Most Holy) beyond everyone possessed of holiness (dha quds)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqwam (the Supremely Upright) beyond everyone possessed of uprightness (dha qawam)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`dal (the Most Just) beyond everyone possessed of integrity (dha `a/idal)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Afdal (the Most Excellent) beyond everyone possessed of excellence (dha fadl)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asdaq (the Most Veracious) beyond everyone possessed of righteousness (dha sidq)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aflaq (the Preminent Cleaver of Dawn) [Dawn-Breaker] beyond everyone capable of initiating daybreak [splitting asunder] (dha falq)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Arsal (the Supreme Comissioner) beyond all of the Sent Messengers (al-rusul) from [?] above (fawq)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akshaf (the Most Disclosive) beyond everyone possessed of insight (dha kashf)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Arda (the Most Pleasant) beyond everyone possessed of contentment (dha rida')! ^{[6007C p.206f>]}
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqdar (the Most Powerful) beyond everyone possessed of might (dha qudrat)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahabb (the Most Loving) beyond everyone capable of love (dha hubb)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ashraf (the Most Noble) beyond everyone possessed of nobility (dha sharaf)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aslat (the Most Potent Sovereign) beyond everyone possessed of rulership (dha saltana)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqdam (the Most Pre-Existent) beyond everyone possessed of ancientness (dha qidam)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`jab (the Most Wondrous) beyond everyone characterized by astonishment (dha `ajab)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajdhab (the Most Enraptured) beyond everyone so captivated (dha jadhb)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajwad (the Most Bountiful) beyond everyone possessed of bounty (dha jud)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Awhab (the Most Giving) beyond everyone capable of bounty (dha mawhiba)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Azhar (the Most Manifest) beyond everyone capable of being manifest (dha zuhur)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abtan (the Most Esoteric) beyond everyone possessed of hiddenness (dha butun)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aghfar (the Most Forgiving) beyond everyone characterized by pardon [forgiveness] (dha ghufran)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aghyath (the Most Succouring) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to assist (dha ghawth)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqda (the Most Consummate Judge) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to sentence (dha qida')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aftah (the Supreme Opener [Victor]) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to inaugurate [conquer] (dha iftitah)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqhar (the Most Wrathful [Overwhelmingly Powerful]) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to subdue (dha iqtihar)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajbar (the Supremely Coercive) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to restore (dha ijtibar)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ashadd (the Supremely Forceful) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to intensify (dha shadda)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqrab (the Most Proximate) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to draw nigh (dha qurb)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqbad (the Most Grasping) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to yake hold (dha qabd)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aghna (the Most Affluent) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to become free of want (dha ghana')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahfaz (the Most Preserving/ Protective) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to protext, preserve (dha hifaz hifz)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ansar (the Most Victorious) beyond everyone exuding victory (dha nasr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahmad (the Most Praiseworthy) beyond everyone characterized by praise (dha hamd)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqwa (the Most Powerful) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to express power (dha qurrat)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asmad (the Most Perpetual) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to express perpetuity (dha samad)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abqa (the Most Eternal) beyond everyone possessed of immortality (dha baqa')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abda` (the Most Wondrous) beyond everyone evoking astonishment (dha bid`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abarr (the Most Pious) beyond everyone expressing righteousness (dha birr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahya (the Most Alive) beyond everyone possessed of life (dha hayy)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahaqq (the Ultimately Real) beyond everyone capable of expressing reality (dha haqq)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahsab (the Supreme Reckoner) beyond everyone capable of computation (dha hisab)! ^{[6007C: 207>]}
O Thou Who art He who is al-Azraq (the Most Provident) beyond everyone possessed of sustenance (dha rizq)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akhlaq (the Supreme Originator) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to create (dha khalq)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Arqab [Aqrab] (the Most Vigilant [Nearness]) beyond everyone possessed of watchfulness [nearness] (dha raqib [qarib])!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ashhad (the Supreme Witness) beyond everyone capable of bearing witness (dha shihada)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asna` (the Supreme Artisan) beyond everyone possessed of creativity (dha san`at)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Athar (the Most Pure) beyond everyone possessed of purity (dha tuhr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`fya (the Most Effaced) beyond everyone given to nullification (dha `afw [`afa'])!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aftar (the Most Instinctive) beyond everyone possessed of innate awareness (dha fatr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Afrad (the Most Peerless) beyond everyone possessed of uniqueness (dha fard)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`hadd (the Supremely Acute) beyond everyone possessed of keeness (dha ahadd)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Amlak (the Supreme Sovereign ) beyond everyone possessed of dominion (dha mulk)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Amjad (the Most Magnificent) beyond everyone possessed of distinction (dha majd)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Amqat (the Most Averse) beyond everyone possessed of loathing (dha maqit)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aswar (the Most Portrayed ["Imaged"]) beyond everyone configured by images (dha suwar)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahda (the Better Guided) beyond everyone with the ability to guide (dha hidaya)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akfa (the Most Sufficient) beyond everyone possessed of competence (dha kifaya)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Awsa` (the Most Encompassing) beyond everyone characterized by wide-rangingness (dha wasa`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Awrath (the Supreme Inheritor) beyond everyone possessed of an inheritance (dha irth)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ab`ath (the Supreme Comissioner) beyond everyone responsable for sending out (dha ba`th)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Atyab (the Most Well-Disposed) beyond everyone displaying goodness (dha tib)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ashfa (the Most-Healing) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to cure (dha shifa')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aslam (the Most Peaceful) beyond everyone characterized by Islam/ resignation before God (dha islam)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Amlak (the Most Sovereign) beyond everyone possessed of dominion (dha mulk)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Adbar (the Supreme Organizer) beyond everyone possessed of regulative ability (dha tadbir)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ab`ad (the Most Remote) beyond everyone characterized by farness (dha bu`d)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akfal (the Supreme Guarantor) beyond everyone capable of sponsorship (dha kafl)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Anbal (the Most Magnaninous) beyond everyone possessed of nobility (dha nabl)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Awsal (the Most Unified) beyond everyone characterized by reunion (dha wasl)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Anfakh (the Most Breath-Producing) beyond everyone possessed of breath (dha nafkh)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Anfa` (the Most Beneficial) beyond everyone capable of bestowing good (dha naf`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Afraj (the Most Joyful) beyond everyone possessed of repose (dha faraj)! [6007C: 208f>]
O Thou Who art He who is al-Adrak (the Most Comprehending) beyond everyone possessed of accomplishment (dha idrak)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahlak (the Most Destructive) beyond everyone set on destruction (dha hulk)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abtash (the Most Forceful) beyond everyone possessed of forcefulness (dha batsh)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aghlab (the Most Conquering) beyond everyone capable of overcomming (dha ghalab)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahsan (the Most Comely) beyond everyone possessed of loveliness (dha husn)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-An`am (the Most Tranquil) beyond everyone possessed of comfort (dha ni`mat)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ashraf (the Most Noble) beyond characterized by of nobility (dha sharaf)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asna` (the Most Occupied) beyond everyone capable of handiwork (dha san`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajma` (the Most Integrating) beyond everyone capable of unifying (dha jam`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqdar (the Suprme Fashioner of Destiny) beyond everyone cbale of changing destiny (dha qadar)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asbaq (the Most Antecedent) beyond everyone possessed of priority (dha sabq)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Adhkhar (the Supreme Preserver) beyond everyone capable of storing away (dha dhukhr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Arfaq (the Most Friendly) beyond everyone capable of companionship (dha rafiq)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajwab (the Most Answering) beyond everyone capable of an answer (dha ijāba)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Anjay (the Most Salvific / Redemptive) beyond anyone capable of offering salvation (dha najat)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akhlas (the Most Liberating) beyond everyone capable of offering deliverance (dha khalas)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Admar (the Most Annihilating) beyond everyone capable of destruction (? dha dxmxr [sic.])!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akhass (the Supremely Chosen) beyond everyone possessed of favour (dha khass)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Askan (the Most Tranquil [Indwelling]) beyond everyone possessed of calmness [am abode] (dha sukun!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akmal (the Most Perfect) beyond everyone possessed of perfection (dha kamal)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Adwam (the Most Enduring) beyond everyone possessed of continuance (dha dawam)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Afqad (the Most Bereaved) beyond everyone characterized by loss (dha faqd)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Atwal (the Most Mighty/Outstretched) beyond everyone possessed of power [extendedness] (dha tawl)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahzan (the Most Lamenting) beyond everyone possessed of grief (dha huzn)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abha (the All-Glorious) beyond everyone possessed of glory (dha baha')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Askhar (the Most Jeered) beyond everyone given to ridicule (dha sakhr/sukhra)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Arfa` (the Most Uplifted) beyond everyone possessed of elevatedness (dha raf`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asbah (the Most Glorified) beyond everyone given to doxology (dha subh)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abra' (the Most Creative) beyond every possessor of creativity (dha bar`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Awla (the Supreme Wali-Patron-Intimate) beyond everyone capable of wilaya, spiritual leadership (dha wilaya)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahabb (the Most Loving) beyond everyone possessed of the capacity to love (dha hubb)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ashfa` (the Most Intercessory) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to intercede (dha shaf`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al- A`dhab (the Most Pleasant [Tormenting]) beyond everyone capable of being agreeable [punishment] (dha `adhb)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajza (the Most Rewarding) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to compensate (dha jaza')! [6007C: 209f>]
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akhraj (the Most Departed [Given to Expenditure]) beyond everyone chacterized by departure [expenditure?] (dha kharj [sic.])!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Adkhal (the Most Entering [Income Generating]) beyond everyone characterized by entrance [possessed of income?] (dha dakhl)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akhfa (the Most Unknown [Concealed] ) beyond everyone characterized by hiddenness (dha khafa')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Af`al (the Most Active) beyond everyone characterized by action (dha fi`l)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aktab (the Supreme Writer) beyond everyone capable of writing (dha k-t-b)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aj`al (the Supreme Activator [Creater, Ordainer, Motivator]) beyond those capable of creating (dha ja`l)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqbal (the Most Receptive) beyond everyone possessed of being favourably disposed (dha qabul)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Adharra (the Most Atom-Scattering / Progeny Generating) beyond everyone possessed of atomicity / offspring (dha dharra' )!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Azra` (the Supreme Sower of Seed) beyond everyone possessed of field/ increase/ seed (dha zar`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Awadd (the Most Loving) beyond everyone possessed of affection (dha wudd)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahmal (the Most Bearing/Childbearing) beyond everyone possessed of a foetus/womb/ burden(dha haml)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asbab (the Most Causitive) beyond everyone possessed of the means to an end (dha sabab)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akwan (the Most Supreme Being/ Essence of Existence) beyond everyone possessed of beingness (dha kawn)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asyar (the Most Journeying) beyond everyone capable of travelling (dha sair)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Afna (the Most Obliterated/ Nullified) beyond everyone capable of self-extinction (dha fana')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ashal (the Most Level-Smooth-Convenient) beyond everyone possessed of straightforwardness (dha sahl)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aysar (the Most Prosperous/Facilitating) beyond everyone possessed of ease (dha yusr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Arsad (the Most Observant) beyond everyone possessed of watchfulness (dha rasd)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahsar (the Mos/t Encompassed /Imprisoned/Restricted) beyond everyone blockaded (dha hasr)!
Thou Who art He who is al-A`wad (the Most Returned beyond everyone capable of coming again (dha`awd)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abad' (the Most Novel of Generators) beyond everyone capable of beginning anew (dha bid')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aman (the Most Faithful / Trustworthy /Secure) beyond everyone possessed of tranquility (dha amn)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abyan (the Most Clarificatory) beyond everyone capable of elucidation (dha bayan)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Awfa (the Most Loyal) beyond everyone capable of fidelity (dha wafa')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Arshad (the Supreme Guide) beyond capable of guidance (dha irshad)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Arad (the Most Intending/ Purposeful) beyond everyone possessed of volition (dha irad [sic.])!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Anshar (the Most Propagating/ Resurrecting) beyond everyone capable of spreading abroad / resuscitation (dha nashr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajma` (the Supreme Wholeness) beyond everyone capable of gathering together (dha jam`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ashar (the Most Renowned) beyond everyone capable being celebrated (dha shahr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqbal (the Most Receptive) beyond everyone capable of priority (dha qabl)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aghras (the Most Implanted) beyond everyone capable of activating a seedling (dha ghirs)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aysar (the Most Facilitating) beyond everyone effecting secrecy [easyness] (dha sirr [yusr])!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajbar (the Most Omnipotent) beyond everyone capable of power (dha jabr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Amkar (the Most Plotting) beyond everyone capable of contrivance [scheming] (dha makr)! [6007C: 210f>]
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aj`al (the Most Ordaining/ Accomplishing) beyond everyone capable of accomplishment (dha ja`l [sic.])!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asdad (the Most Obstructing) beyond everyone capable of setting up a rampart (dha sadd)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Amna` (the Most Apophatic) beyond everyone capable of withdrawal (dha man`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Araf[f]a (the Most Scintillating) beyond those possessed of brilliance (dha raff [sic.])!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ansah (the Most Counseling) beyond everyone capable of advice (dha nush)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Arwah (the Supreme Spirit / Breath/ Most Calming) beyond everyone possessed spirit (ruh) / of the breath of life (dha aryah)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Awtar (the Most Uneven, Beyond Singularity) beyond everyone characterized by being odd numbered (dha witr)! [cf. Q. 89:3b).
O Thou Who art He who is al-Anas (the Most Intimate) beyond everyone characterized by familiarity (dha uns)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abda' (the Most Creative) beyond everyone capable of innovation (dha bad')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`raj (the Most Ascended) beyond everyone capable of [night] ascent (dha iraj )!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahnan (the Most Tender) beyond everyone capable of tenderness (dha hannan)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Amtan (the Most Fortified) beyond everyone capable of fortitude (dha matn/mitan)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajrad (the Most Isolated /Most Desolate) beyond everyone capable of abstraction (dha ajrad?)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`raf (the Most Cognisant) beyond everyone capable of comprehension (dha `irf)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`jab (the Most Wonderful) beyond everyone capable of being astonishing (dha `ujab)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Anzal (the Most Revelatory) beyond everyone capable of revelation [sending down] (dha inzal)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aghdhab (the Most Vexed) beyond everyone capable of wrath (dha ghadhab )!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Anqam (the Most Vengeful) beyond everyone capable of disapproval (dha niqma)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Amsak (the Most Witholding ) beyond everyone capable of abstaining (dha amsak)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ataya (the Most Coming to Pass ) beyond everyone expected to arrive (dha ata')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akhtam (the Most Sealed) beyond everyone capable of being sealed [finality] (dha khatm)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Atamm (the Most Complete) beyond everyone capable of perfection (dha tamma)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asbagh (the Most Abundant) beyond everyone capable of excess ([Per. elegance] (dha sab[a]gh [sic.])!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akhadh (the Most Seizing ) beyond everyone capable of removal (dha akhdh)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asray (the Supreme Traveler by Night ) beyond everyone capable of a night-journey (dha sura)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Afsal (the Supreme Separator) beyond everyone capable of effecting distinction (dha fasl)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aswaq (the Supreme Market-Place) beyond everyone possessed of a market (dha suq)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Awqad (the Supreme Enkindler) beyond everyone capable of setting something aflame (dha waqd)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Anzar (the Supreme Visionary) beyond everyone possessed of insight (dha nizr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-As'al (the Supreme Questioner) beyond every possesser of a question (dha sa'l [? sic.])!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Adhkar (the Supreme Remembrance) beyond everyone capable of commemoration (dha dhikr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Azka (the Supremely Pure) beyond everyone possessed of righteousness [increase] (dha zakar)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajza (the Most Rewarding) beyond everyone capable of compensation (dha jaza')! [6007C: 2011>]
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abshar (the Supremely Glad-Tidings) beyond capable of conveying good-news (dha bash[sh]ar)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Andhar (the Supreme Admonisher) beyond everyone capable of giving a warning (dha nudhr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqsad (the Well-Intended) beyond everyone inclined towards the right way (dha qasd)!
[202] O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahzan (the Most Greived) beyond everyone inclined towards lamentation (dha huzn)!

I supplicate Thee by Thy Divine Point (al-nuqta al-ilahiyya) [the Bab] then the Letters of the Living (al-huruf al-hayy) that Thou do indeed bestow blessings upon the Tree of Thy Loving kindness (shajarat al-muhabbatika) [the Bab] and such as are related thereto and associated therewith. [I beseech Thee] that Thou do sanctify such as are aside from the Tree of Thy Loving kindness (shajarat al-muhabbatika) whether they be connected thereto or associated therewith. [I pray that] Thou should in no wise estrange from Thy Knowledge (`ilm) any single thing be it in the heavens or upon the earth or what lieth between them. There is nothing that can frustrate Thy purpose be it within the Kingdoms of the Command or of the Creation (malakut al-amr wa'l-khalq) nor whatsoever is between these two. Thou art indeed One Truly Informed!

♦

The 202 (abjad) `Ali (= 110) + Muhammad (= 92), Dhikr-like, Theologically Superlative Invocations (6007C: 204-210).

The Numbered Two Hundred and Two Invocations with Select Theological, Textual and Grammatical Notes.

Stephen Lambden

25 July 2020.

O Thou Who art He who is al-Abha (the All-Glorious) above every possessor of glory (bahā'),
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`lā (the Utterly Exalted) above everyone characterized by exaltedness (dha `alā)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Arfa` (the Utterly Elevated) beyond everyone characterized by being raised Aloft (dha irtafa`a)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abhaj (the Supremely Joyful) beyond everyone characterized by Happiness [Delight](dha ibtihāj)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Amna` (the Utterly Inaccessible) beyond everyone characterized by Remoteness (dha imtinā`a)! [6007C: 205>]
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akbar` (the Supremely Great) beyond everyone characterized by Grandeur (dha kubriyā')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asma` (the Most Hearing) beyond everyone possessed of Hearing (dha sam`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Absar (the Most Insightful) beyond everyone possessed of sight (dha basar)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Altaf (the Most Subtle) beyond everyone possessed of subtle refinement (dha lutf)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akhar [Akhir] (the Most Ultimate [Excellent]) beyond everyone possessed of finality [goodness] (dha khayr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asra` (the Most Expeditious) beyond everyone possessed of rapidlity (dha sur`at)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`azz (the Most Powerful) beyond everyone possessed of might (dha `izz)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahkam (the Supremly Wise Judge) beyond everyone possessed of judgement (dha hukm)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajall (the Most Illustrious) beyond everyone possessed of glory (dha jalal)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajmal (the Most Beautiful) beyond everyone possessed of beauty (dha jamal)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`zam (the Supremely Great) beyond everyone possessed of greatness (dha `azima)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqall [al-Mustaqill] (the Mircocosmic) beyond everyone possessed of independence (dha istiqlal)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akram (the Most Noble) beyond everyone possessed of honor (dha ikram)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`lam (the Most Knowledgeable) beyond everyone possessed of knowledge (dha `ilm)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahlam (the Most Gentle) beyond everyone possessed of gentility (dha hilm)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Absar (the Most Insightful) beyond everyone possessed of insight (dha basar)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Anwar (the Lights) beyond everyone possessed of light (dha nur)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Arham (the Most Mercful) beyond everyone possessed of mercy (dha rah[i]m)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`taf (the Most Affectionate) beyond everyone possessed of affection (dha `atf)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Adhaq (? the Most Experienced) beyond everyone possessed of taste (dha dha'iq?)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqdas (the Most Holy) beyond everyone possessed of holiness (dha quds)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqwam (the Supremely Upright) beyond everyone possessed of uprightness (dha qawam)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`dal (the Most Just) beyond everyone possessed of integrity (dha `a/idal)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Afdal (the Most Excellent) beyond everyone possessed of excellence (dha fadl)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asdaq (the Most Veracious) beyond everyone possessed of righteousness (dha sidq)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aflaq (the Preminent Cleaver of Dawn) [Dawn-Breaker] beyond everyone capable of initiating daybreak [splitting asunder] (dha falq)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Arsal (the Supreme Comissioner) beyond all of the Sent Messengers (al-rusul) from [?] above (fawq)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akshaf (the Most Disclosive) beyond everyone possessed of insight (dha kashf)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Arda (the Most Pleasant) beyond everyone possessed of contentment (dha rida')! [6007C p.206f>]
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqdar (the Most Powerful) beyond everyone possessed of might (dha qudrat)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahabb (the Most Loving) beyond everyone capable of love (dha hubb)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ashraf (the Most Noble) beyond everyone possessed of nobility (dha sharaf)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aslat (the Most Potent Sovereign) beyond everyone possessed of rulership (dha saltana)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqdam (the Most Pre-Existent) beyond everyone possessed of ancientness (dha qidam)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`jab (the Most Wondrous) beyond everyone characterized by astonishment (dha `ajab)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajdhab (the Most Enraptured) beyond everyone so captivated (dha jadhb)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajwad (the Most Bountiful) beyond everyone possessed of bounty (dha jud)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Awhab (the Most Giving) beyond everyone capable of bounty (dha mawhiba)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Azhar (the Most Manifest) beyond everyone capable of being manifest (dha zuhur)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abtan (the Most Esoteric) beyond everyone possessed of hiddenness (dha butun)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aghfar (the Most Forgiving) beyond everyone characterized by pardon [forgiveness] (dha ghufran)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aghyath (the Most Succouring) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to assist (dha ghawth)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqda (the Most Consummate Judge) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to sentence (dha qida')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aftah (the Supreme Opener [Victor]) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to inaugurate [conquer] (dha iftitah)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqhar (the Most Wrathful [Overwhelmingly Powerful]) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to subdue (dha iqtihar)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajbar (the Supremely Coercive) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to restore (dha ijtibar)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ashadd (the Supremely Forceful) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to intensify (dha shadda)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqrab (the Most Proximate) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to draw nigh (dha qurb)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqbad (the Most Grasping) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to yake hold (dha qabd)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aghna (the Most Affluent) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to become free of want (dha ghana')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahfaz (the Most Preserving/ Protective) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to protext, preserve (dha hifaz hifz)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ansar (the Most Victorious) beyond everyone exuding victory (dha nasr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahmad (the Most Praiseworthy) beyond everyone characterized by praise (dha hamd)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqwa (the Most Powerful) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to express power (dha qurrat)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asmad (the Most Perpetual) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to express perpetuity (dha samad)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abqa (the Most Eternal) beyond everyone possessed of immortality (dha baqa')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abda` (the Most Wondrous) beyond everyone evoking astonishment (dha bid`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abarr (the Most Pious) beyond everyone expressing righteousness (dha birr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahya (the Most Alive) beyond everyone possessed of life (dha hayy)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahaqq (the Ultimately Real) beyond everyone capable of expressing reality (dha haqq)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahsab (the Supreme Reckoner) beyond everyone capable of computation (dha hisab)! ^{[6007C: 207>]}
O Thou Who art He who is al-Azraq (the Most Provident) beyond everyone possessed of sustenance (dha rizq)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akhlaq (the Supreme Originator) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to create (dha khalq)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Arqab [Aqrab] (the Most Vigilant [Nearness]) beyond everyone possessed of watchfulness [nearness] (dha raqib [qarib])!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ashhad (the Supreme Witness) beyond everyone capable of bearing witness (dha shihada)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asna` (the Supreme Artisan) beyond everyone possessed of creativity (dha san`at)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Athar (the Most Pure) beyond everyone possessed of purity (dha tuhr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`fya (the Most Effaced) beyond everyone given to nullification (dha `afw [`afa'])!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aftar (the Most Instinctive) beyond everyone possessed of innate awareness (dha fatr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Afrad (the Most Peerless) beyond everyone possessed of uniqueness (dha fard)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`hadd (the Supremely Acute) beyond everyone possessed of keeness (dha ahadd)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Amlak (the Supreme Sovereign ) beyond everyone possessed of dominion (dha mulk)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Amjad (the Most Magnificent) beyond everyone possessed of distinction (dha majd)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Amqat (the Most Averse) beyond everyone possessed of loathing (dha maqit)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aswar (the Most Portrayed ["Imaged"]) beyond everyone configured by images (dha suwar)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahda (the Better Guided) beyond everyone with the ability to guide (dha hidaya)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akfa (the Most Sufficient) beyond everyone possessed of competence (dha kifaya)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Awsa` (the Most Encompassing) beyond everyone characterized by wide-rangingness (dha wasa`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Awrath (the Supreme Inheritor) beyond everyone possessed of an inheritance (dha irth)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ab`ath (the Supreme Comissioner) beyond everyone responsable for sending out (dha ba`th)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Atyab (the Most Well-Disposed) beyond everyone displaying goodness (dha tib)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ashfa (the Most-Healing) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to cure (dha shifa')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aslam (the Most Peaceful) beyond everyone characterized by Islam/ resignation before God (dha islam)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Amlak (the Most Sovereign) beyond everyone possessed of dominion (dha mulk)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Adbar (the Supreme Organizer) beyond everyone possessed of regulative ability (dha tadbir)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ab`ad (the Most Remote) beyond everyone characterized by farness (dha bu`d)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akfal (the Supreme Guarantor) beyond everyone capable of sponsorship (dha kafl)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Anbal (the Most Magnaninous) beyond everyone possessed of nobility (dha nabl)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Awsal (the Most Unified) beyond everyone characterized by reunion (dha wasl)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Anfakh (the Most Breath-Producing) beyond everyone possessed of breath (dha nafkh)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Anfa` (the Most Beneficial) beyond everyone capable of bestowing good (dha naf`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Afraj (the Most Joyful) beyond everyone possessed of repose (dha faraj)! [6007C: 208f>]
O Thou Who art He who is al-Adrak (the Most Comprehending) beyond everyone possessed of accomplishment (dha idrak)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahlak (the Most Destructive) beyond everyone set on destruction (dha hulk)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abtash (the Most Forceful) beyond everyone possessed of forcefulness (dha batsh)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aghlab (the Most Conquering) beyond everyone capable of overcomming (dha ghalab)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahsan (the Most Comely) beyond everyone possessed of loveliness (dha husn)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-An`am (the Most Tranquil) beyond everyone possessed of comfort (dha ni`mat)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ashraf (the Most Noble) beyond characterized by of nobility (dha sharaf)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asna` (the Most Occupied) beyond everyone capable of handiwork (dha san`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajma` (the Most Integrating) beyond everyone capable of unifying (dha jam`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqdar (the Suprme Fashioner of Destiny) beyond everyone cbale of changing destiny (dha qadar)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asbaq (the Most Antecedent) beyond everyone possessed of priority (dha sabq)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Adhkhar (the Supreme Preserver) beyond everyone capable of storing away (dha dhukhr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Arfaq (the Most Friendly) beyond everyone capable of companionship (dha rafiq)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajwab (the Most Answering) beyond everyone capable of an answer (dha ijāba)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Anjay (the Most Salvific / Redemptive) beyond anyone capable of offering salvation (dha najat)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akhlas (the Most Liberating) beyond everyone capable of offering deliverance (dha khalas)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Admar (the Most Annihilating) beyond everyone capable of destruction (? dha dxmxr [sic.])!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akhass (the Supremely Chosen) beyond everyone possessed of favour (dha khass)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Askan (the Most Tranquil [Indwelling]) beyond everyone possessed of calmness [am abode] (dha sukun!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akmal (the Most Perfect) beyond everyone possessed of perfection (dha kamal)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Adwam (the Most Enduring) beyond everyone possessed of continuance (dha dawam)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Afqad (the Most Bereaved) beyond everyone characterized by loss (dha faqd)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Atwal (the Most Mighty/Outstretched) beyond everyone possessed of power [extendedness] (dha tawl)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahzan (the Most Lamenting) beyond everyone possessed of grief (dha huzn)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abha (the All-Glorious) beyond everyone possessed of glory (dha baha')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Askhar (the Most Jeered) beyond everyone given to ridicule (dha sakhr/sukhra)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Arfa` (the Most Uplifted) beyond everyone possessed of elevatedness (dha raf`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asbah (the Most Glorified) beyond everyone given to doxology (dha subh)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abra' (the Most Creative) beyond every possessor of creativity (dha bar`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Awla (the Supreme Wali-Patron-Intimate) beyond everyone capable of wilaya, spiritual leadership (dha wilaya)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahabb (the Most Loving) beyond everyone possessed of the capacity to love (dha hubb)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ashfa` (the Most Intercessory) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to intercede (dha shaf`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al- A`dhab (the Most Pleasant [Tormenting]) beyond everyone capable of being agreeable [punishment] (dha `adhb)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajza (the Most Rewarding) beyond everyone possessed of the ability to compensate (dha jaza')! [6007C: 209f>]
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akhraj (the Most Departed [Given to Expenditure]) beyond everyone chacterized by departure [expenditure?] (dha kharj [sic.])!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Adkhal (the Most Entering [Income Generating]) beyond everyone characterized by entrance [possessed of income?] (dha dakhl)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akhfa (the Most Unknown [Concealed] ) beyond everyone characterized by hiddenness (dha khafa')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Af`al (the Most Active) beyond everyone characterized by action (dha fi`l)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aktab (the Supreme Writer) beyond everyone capable of writing (dha k-t-b)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aj`al (the Supreme Activator [Creater, Ordainer, Motivator]) beyond those capable of creating (dha ja`l)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqbal (the Most Receptive) beyond everyone possessed of being favourably disposed (dha qabul)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Adharra (the Most Atom-Scattering / Progeny Generating) beyond everyone possessed of atomicity / offspring (dha dharra' )!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Azra` (the Supreme Sower of Seed) beyond everyone possessed of field/ increase/ seed (dha zar`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Awadd (the Most Loving) beyond everyone possessed of affection (dha wudd)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahmal (the Most Bearing/Childbearing) beyond everyone possessed of a foetus/womb/ burden(dha haml)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asbab (the Most Causitive) beyond everyone possessed of the means to an end (dha sabab)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akwan (the Most Supreme Being/ Essence of Existence) beyond everyone possessed of beingness (dha kawn)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asyar (the Most Journeying) beyond everyone capable of travelling (dha sair)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Afna (the Most Obliterated/ Nullified) beyond everyone capable of self-extinction (dha fana')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ashal (the Most Level-Smooth-Convenient) beyond everyone possessed of straightforwardness (dha sahl)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aysar (the Most Prosperous/Facilitating) beyond everyone possessed of ease (dha yusr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Arsad (the Most Observant) beyond everyone possessed of watchfulness (dha rasd)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahsar (the Mos/t Encompassed /Imprisoned/Restricted) beyond everyone blockaded (dha hasr)!
Thou Who art He who is al-A`wad (the Most Returned beyond everyone capable of coming again (dha`awd)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abad' (the Most Novel of Generators) beyond everyone capable of beginning anew (dha bid')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aman (the Most Faithful / Trustworthy /Secure) beyond everyone possessed of tranquility (dha amn)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abyan (the Most Clarificatory) beyond everyone capable of elucidation (dha bayan)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Awfa (the Most Loyal) beyond everyone capable of fidelity (dha wafa')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Arshad (the Supreme Guide) beyond capable of guidance (dha irshad)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Arad (the Most Intending/ Purposeful) beyond everyone possessed of volition (dha irad [sic.])!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Anshar (the Most Propagating/ Resurrecting) beyond everyone capable of spreading abroad / resuscitation (dha nashr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajma` (the Supreme Wholeness) beyond everyone capable of gathering together (dha jam`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ashar (the Most Renowned) beyond everyone capable being celebrated (dha shahr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqbal (the Most Receptive) beyond everyone capable of priority (dha qabl)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aghras (the Most Implanted) beyond everyone capable of activating a seedling (dha ghirs)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aysar (the Most Facilitating) beyond everyone effecting secrecy [easyness] (dha sirr [yusr])!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajbar (the Most Omnipotent) beyond everyone capable of power (dha jabr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Amkar (the Most Plotting) beyond everyone capable of contrivance [scheming] (dha makr)! [6007C: 210f>]
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aj`al (the Most Ordaining/ Accomplishing) beyond everyone capable of accomplishment (dha ja`l [sic.])!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asdad (the Most Obstructing) beyond everyone capable of setting up a rampart (dha sadd)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Amna` (the Most Inaccessible/Apophatic) beyond everyone capable of withdrawal (dha man`)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Araf[f]a (the Most Scintillating) beyond those possessed of brilliance (dha raff [sic.])!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ansah (the Most Counseling) beyond everyone capable of advice (dha nush)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Arwah (the Supreme Spirit / Breath/ Most Calming) beyond everyone possessed spirit (ruh) / of the breath of life (dha aryah)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Awtar (the Supremely One / the Most Uneven) beyond everyone characterized by singularity/ being odd numbered (dha watr)! [cf. Q. 89:3b).
O Thou Who art He who is al-Anas (the Most Intimate) beyond everyone characterized by familiarity (dha uns)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abda' (the Most Creative) beyond everyone capable of innovation (dha bad')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`raj (the Most Ascended) beyond everyone capable of [night] ascent (dha iraj )!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahnan (the Most Tender) beyond everyone capable of tenderness (dha hannan)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Amtan (the Most Fortified) beyond everyone capable of fortitude (dha matn/mitan)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajrad (the Most Isolated /Most Desolate) beyond everyone capable of abstraction (dha ajrad?)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`raf (the Most Cognisant) beyond everyone capable of comprehension (dha `irf)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-A`jab (the Most Wonderful) beyond everyone capable of being astonishing (dha `ujab)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Anzal (the Most Revelatory) beyond everyone capable of revelation [sending down] (dha inzal)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aghdhab (the Most Vexed) beyond everyone capable of wrath (dha ghadhab )!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Anqam (the Most Vengeful) beyond everyone capable of disapproval (dha niqma)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Amsak (the Most Witholding ) beyond everyone capable of abstaining (dha amsak)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ataya (the Most Coming to Pass ) beyond everyone expected to arrive (dha ata')!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akhtam (the Most Sealed) beyond everyone capable of being sealed [finality] (dha khatm)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Atamm (the Most Complete) beyond everyone capable of perfection (dha tamma)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asbagh (the Most Abundant) beyond everyone capable of excess ([Per. elegance] (dha sab[a]gh [sic.])!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Akhadh (the Most Seizing ) beyond everyone capable of removal (dha akhdh)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Asray (the Supreme Traveler by Night ) beyond everyone capable of a night-journey (dha sura)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Afsal (the Supreme Separator) beyond everyone capable of effecting distinction (dha fasl)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aswaq (the Supreme Market-Place) beyond everyone possessed of a market (dha suq)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Awqad (the Supreme Enkindler) beyond everyone capable of setting something aflame (dha waqd)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Anzar (the Supreme Visionary) beyond everyone possessed of insight (dha nizr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-As'al (the Supreme Questioner) beyond every possesser of a question (dha sa'l [? sic.])!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Adhkar (the Supreme Remembrance) beyond everyone capable of commemoration (dha dhikr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Azka (the Supremely Pure) beyond everyone possessed of righteousness [increase] (dha zakar)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ajza (the Most Rewarding) beyond everyone capable of compensation (dha jaza')! [6007C: 2011>]
O Thou Who art He who is al-Abshar (the Supreme Giver of Glad-Tidings) beyond capable of conveying good-news (dha bash[sh]ar)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Andhar (the Supreme Admonisher) beyond everyone capable of giving a warning (dha nudhr)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Aqsad (the Well-Intended) beyond everyone inclined towards the right way (dha qasd)!
O Thou Who art He who is al-Ahzan (the Most Grieved) beyond everyone inclined towards lamentation (dha huzn)!

Select Bibliography

al-'Ayyāshī, Abu l-Naẓr Muhammad b. Mas`ūd (fl. 9th-10th cent CE)

Tafsir ed. Hashim al-Rasul al-Maḥallatī, Qumm, 1380-1.

al-Lāhijī, `Abd al-Razzāq ibn `Alī ibn Ḥusayn, al-Sharīf ( d. 1072/1662).

Tafsīr-i sharīf-i Lāhijī. ed. Mīr Jalāl al-Din Ḥusaynī Armavī. Vols. 3-4 ed. Muḥammad Ibrāhīm Āyatī. 4 Vols. Tehran: Mu’assasih-yi Maṭbū`āt al-`Ilmī, 1340/1961.

Lambden, Stephen

1997b `The Background and Centrality of Apophatic Theology in Bābī and Bahā’ī Scripture.’ In Revisioning the Sacred: New Perspectives on a Bahā’ī Theology. Ed. Jack McLean, 37-78. Los Angeles: Kalimat Press.

يا قرّة العين

♦

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