Surah of Sacrifice (Suratu’dh-Dhibh) is a letter in which Baha’u’llah gives Dhabih an account of his sufferings, and outlines his responses to the accusations made against him by his half-brother, Mirza Yahya. The surah should not to be confused with a letter Baha’u’llah wrote in Akka to the same person, which is titled Surat’udh-Dhabih, Surah…
Category: Windflower Translations Library
The Windflower Translations Library is a curated collection of just over 40 translations from Bahá’u’lláh’s mystical writings and related texts. Includes a catalogue of the works, the translations themselves, short introductions for general readers, study guides, and guidance on finding other English translations online. A practical gateway for anyone exploring the breadth of translation resources available here.
Surah of God, by Baha’u’llah
Surah of God (Surat Allah) was written at the time when Baha’u’llah decided to cut off relations with his half-brother, Mirza Yahya, as a result of the latter’s relentless plotting and actions against him. In response, Baha’u’llah shifted his residence from the house of Amru’llah to that of Riza Bey on 10 March 1866 and…
Surah of Blood, by Baha’u’llah
Surah of Blood (Suratu’d-Dam) is an early proclamatory tablet sent by Baha’u’llah from Edirne when he proclaimed his mission throughout the region. In a middle passage (paragraphs 8 to 15), Baha’u’llah identifies himself with all the past prophets and their sufferings. Read the Introduction. Translation by Juan Cole We have caused this Surah of Blood…
Sprinkling of the Cloud Beyond Being, by Baha’u’llah
Sprinkling of the Cloud Beyond Being (Rashh-i `Ama) is a 19-verse poem in which Baha’u’llah describes the cosmic movement of his revelation flowing down over creation. Baha’u’llah composed it in late 1852, during his four-month incarceration in the Siyah Chal. Read the Introduction. Watch on YouTube. Translation by Juan Cole He is God. Our passion caused the cloud…
Praised be my Lord the Most High, by Baha’u’llah
Praised be my Lord, the Most High (Subhana Rabbiyya’l-A`la) is a 47-verse prose poem. Baha’u’llah invites readers into paradise to witness the activities of the divine houri, whose stunning beauty and power symbolise the creative forces of Baha’u’llah’s revelation. Read the Introduction. Watch on YouTube. Translation by Alison Elizabeth Marshall (See also the translation by…
Ode of the Dove notes, by Baha’u’llah
Ode of the Dove notes are explanations Baha’u’llah wrote about the meaning of various phrases he used in his poem Ode of the Dove. He wrote these notes in response to criticisms made against him by his half-brother, Mirza Yahya. For details, see the Introduction to Ode of the Dove. Watch the notes on YouTube. Translation by…
Ode of the Dove, by Baha’u’llah
Ode of the Dove (al-Qasidah al-Warqa’iyyah) is 127-verse mystical poem in which Baha’u’llah describes his unfailing love for the divine houri who represents God. He wrote it in response to a challenge to produce a poem based on the style and form of Ibn al-Farid’s famous “Poem of the Mystic’s Progress”. Read the Introduction. Watch on YouTube….
Introduction to Gems of the Mysteries
Introduction to Gems of the Mysteries, Baha’u’llah’s book-length work about issues to do with resurrection, the Day of Judgment, and the soul’s journey to God. The introduction was written by Juan Cole, who has also translated the work. A revolution was introduced into Babi culture in the late 1850s and early 1860s by the exiled…
Houri of Wonder, by Baha’u’llah
Houri of Wonder (Hur-i ‘Ujab) is a poem in which Baha’u’llah proclaims the coming of his new revelation using the image of a woman of striking beauty and power appearing in heaven. Read the Introduction. Watch on YouTube. Translation by Juan Cole The beauty of holiness has risen from behind her veil– and that is a…
Nightingale of Separation, by Baha’u’llah
Nightingale of Separation (Lawh-i Bulbulu’l-Firaq) is a letter in which Baha’u’llah addresses the grief that he and his followers experienced when he was forced to move his residence from Baghdad to the Ottoman capital of Istanbul. Read the Introduction. Watch on YouTube. Translation by Juan Cole The nightingale of separation, perched upon the branch of…