Category: Windflower Translations Library

O Nightingales (Ay Bulbulan) is a short poem in which Baha’u’llah announces to those who are searching for their divine Beloved that they can now see him before them. Read the Introduction. Watch on YouTube. Translation by Juan Cole Nightingales, O nightingales!The season of roses, the blooming time… is here.Mystics, O mystics!What you could not see, now…

Nightingale and the Owl is an allegorical short story centred around a dispute between the owl and the nightingale (Baha’u’llah) over whether it was the nightingale or the crow who sang the sweet tune in the garden. Read the Introduction. Watch on YouTube. Translation by Juan Cole [1] The spiritual rose in the divine garden…

Gems of the Mysteries (Jawahiru’l-Asrar) is a book-length work in which Baha’u’llah discusses major themes of his revelation regarding the renewal of religion. He also outlines seven stages in a person’s spiritual journey to God. Read the Introduction by Juan Cole. Translation by Juan Cole Herein lie gems of the mysteries associated with the stages…

Garden of Justice (Ridvan al-‘adl) is a long commentary on the attribute of God, the Just. Baha’u’llah explains what it is, discusses its role in his religion and admonishes it not to exalt itself over the other attributes of God. Read the Introduction. Translation by Juan Cole, with a short section by Shoghi Effendi This…

Four Valleys (Chihar-Vadi) is a mystical work in which Baha’u’llah describes the four different ways a person might take on the spiritual path to God. The four valleys, in order, are: Self, Intellect, Love, and Mystical Insight.  Read the introduction. Translation by Juan Cole “You light of truth,Husamu’d-Din;The pillars of the world nevergave birth to…

Figurative Interpretation of Scripture (Lawh-i Ta’víl) is a discussion about the issue of ta’wil or figurative interpretation of scripture. Baha’u’llah explains that ta’wil is acceptable so long as it does not deprive the reader of the exoteric or outward meaning of the verse.  Read the Introduction by Juan Cole. Translation by Juan Cole This is…

Countenance of Love (Lawh al-Tal`at al-Hubb) is an endearing short letter written for someone Baha’u’llah describes as having drawn near to God and attained God’s presence. Read the Introduction. Watch on YouTube. Translation by Juan Cole [1] Countenance of love, we have recognized your longing for God in the pavilions of eternity, insofar as you…

Commentary on Surah of the Sun contains a verse-by-verse interpretation of Surah 91, and a discussion on the issue of scriptural interpretation. Read the Introduction. Translation by Juan Cole, with one section by Shoghi Effendi In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. [1] Praise be to God, Who hath set the dove of…

Commentary on a Verse of Sa’di is a discussion about a verse of poetry by the Sufi poet, Mushrif-ud-Din Abdullah Sa’di, regarding Qur’an 50:15, which reads: “We are nearer to him than the jugular vein.” Read the Introduction. Watch on YouTube. Translation by Juan Cole [1] The intent of the poet in these verses,”The Friend…

Commentary on a Verse of Rumi (Lawh-i Salman I) is a long philosophical essay written for the Baha’i courier, Salman, who asked him to interpret a verse from Rumi’s Mathnavi: “Because the colorless has fallen captive to color, Moses has gone to war with Moses.” The main focus of the commentary is the debate over…