Category: Windflower Translations

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…

Commentary on ‘He who knows his self knows his Lord’ contains important discussion on general subjects related to religion, such as the transcendence of God and the concept of the Day of Judgement. Original title: Lawh-i Hadi (or Bayan-i Hadith-i Sharif `Man `arafa nafsahu fa qad `arafa rabbahu’) Read the Introduction. Watch on YouTube. Translation by Juan…

City of Radiant Acquiescence (Lawh-i Madinatu’r-Rida) is about the spiritual state of radiant acquiescence, what it means, why it is important, and how people can attain it. Read the Introduction. Watch on YouTube. Translation by Juan Cole In the name of God, the exalted, the most high. [1] Remind his servant of God’s clemency in truth, that…

Breath of Spirit (Lawh-i huwwa munfikhu ‘r-ruh) is a mystical tablet in which Baha’u’llah describes, in allegorical language, the metaphysical wonders of God renewing creation, and how the inhabitants of the spiritual worlds participate. Read the Introduction. Watch on YouTube. Translation by Juan Cole [1] In the name of the one who breathed spirit into…

Catalogue Because Baha’u’llah wrote in Arabic and Persian, English readers meet his writings through translation. This collection gathers translations by various scholars, with a particular focus on works related to Baha’u’llah’s mystical writings. All translations appear here with the appropriate permissions or rights held by the translators. Explore the library through four pathways: Visions of…

Book of the Tigris (Sahifih-‘i Shattiyyih) is a letter in which Baha’u’llah compares the effects on the land of the flooding of the Tigris River to the effects on society of a new divine revelation. The letter also contains discussion on miracles and on the first Arabic Hidden Word. Read the Introduction. Watch on YouTube. Translation…