86 TRANSLATION OF THE SYMBOL OF THE GREATEST NAME: "He also wishes me to
inform you that the symbol of the Greatest Name represents an invocation which can be
translated either as `O Glory of Glories' or `O Glory of the All-Glorious'.
The word Glory used in this connection is a translation of the Arabic term `Bahá,
the name of Bahá'u'lláh." Concerning the short obligatory Prayer: the Guardian does not wish to define these
things at present; the time will come for it in future. The friends need not be too strict
about it at present. The Greatest Name is Alláh-u-Abhá. Recite the Greatest Name at every morn, and turn thou unto the Kingdom of Abhá, until
thou mayest apprehend my mysteries. Concerning the Greatest Name; this term refers both to "Alláh-u-Abhá"
and to "Yá Bahá'u'l-Abhá". The first is a form of Bahá'í greeting
and should be used, while the other is an invocation, meaning "O Thou Glory of
Glories!" These two words are both referred to as the Greatest Name. Nine-Pointed Star for Headstone . It should be made clear to every one reading those extracts that by the phrase
"the Tongue of the Ancient" no one else is meant but God, and that the
term "the Greatest Name" is an obvious reference to Bahá'u'lláh, and
that "the Covenant" referred to is not the specific Covenant of which
Bahá'u'lláh is the immediate Author and `Abdu'l-Bahá the Center but that general
Covenant which, as inculcated by the Bahá'í teaching, God Himself invariably establishes
with mankind when He inaugurates a new Dispensation. "The Tongue" that
"gives," as stated in those extracts, the "glad-tidings" is none other
than the Voice of God referring to Bahá'u'lláh, and not Bahá'u'lláh referring to
`Abdu'l-Bahá. Regarding the blessed word, the Greatest Name: Its writing or spelling is according to
its pronunciation (i.e., it is spelled as it is pronounced) in the Persian language.
Bahá is correct; Beha is incorrect. However this question must not cause
inharmony and grief among the friends. This truth shall become manifest. Should ye
attribute a mistake to a person, it will be a cause of offense and grief to him - how much
greater would this be if it is attributed to a number of people! How often it hath
occurred that a slight difference hath caused a great dissension and hath been made a
reason for division. Now, you write Bahá'u'lláh, but do not object to any person. All
will eventually follow the correct spelling. Regarding thy presence, at this time, in this Brilliant Spot -- it is not in accord with the wisdom revealed in the Book. But I pray God to make thee a manifestation of His hidden favors, so that thou be with me in His Sublime Kingdom. We send for thee and thy revered wife, stones of the Greatest Name. [Ring Stones] O thou who art advancing unto God! The nineteen-day fast is a duty to be observed by all. All should abstain from eating
and drinking from sunrise to sunset. This fast is conducive to the spiritual development
of the individual. The Greatest Name should be read every day. *** O thou who art attracted to the Kingdom of God! .... As to the manifestation of the Greatest Name (Bahá'u'lláh): This was the
Divine Manifestation which appeared upon the earthly world. This is He whom God promised
in all His Books and Scriptures, such as the Bible, the gospels and the Koran. All of
these Books indicate this fact, and the least doubt cannot possibly occur to the minds
concerning this clear fact, as is recorded in detail in the heavenly Books, especially in
the brilliant and holy Tablets. But notwithstanding this fact, if there is anyone who
hesitates therein, do not dispute with him, nay rather prove this to him with all joy and
fragrance, lest he may be obstinately compelled to rebellion. O maid-servants of God! Continue in healing hearts and bodies and seek healing for sick
persons by turning unto the Supreme Kingdom and by setting the heart upon obtaining
healing through the power of the Greatest Name and by the spirit of the love of God. O ye friends of God! Be thou a breath of life, a banner of salvation and a manifest sign in this great
world, so that thou mayest become a lamp of reconciliation and peace, a banner of love and
attraction, a star of guidance among mankind, (and be thou) humble, meek and a servant to
the maid-servants of the Merciful One. Unfurl the sail of spirit on the ship of guidance
and hoist the banner of piety in those regions, so that the everlasting light may shine
forth upon all parts. Verily existence is a parched ground and the bounty of the Kingdom is a copious rain.
The ground of existence shall surely be developed into myrtles of the wisdom of God, for
the fragrances of holiness have encompassed the earth, east and west, the glad-tidings of
God have successively come from the Kingdom of heaven and the Sun of Truth hath shone
forth to all regions with the greatest effulgence. Impart thou the Greatest Name to the
ears, so that all may call out among nations: "O Thou Bahá of the world! O Thou Sun
of Pre-existence!" Truly, I say unto thee, this blessed Name is the spirit of life,
the deliverer from death, the word of salvation and of manifest signs! Thou shalt surely
hear from all parts the cry, "Ya Bahá El-Abhá!" reaching to the Supreme
Concourse. The House of Justice calls upon the members of the community of the Greatest Name,
young and old, men and women alike, to strive to develop and offer to humanity a new model
of scholarly activity along the lines set out in this compilation, animated by the spirit
of inquiry into the limitless meaning of the Divine Teachings. This scholarly endeavour
should be characterized by the welcome it offers to all who wish to be involved in it,
each in his or her own way, by mutual encouragement and cöoperation among its
participants, and by the respect accorded to distinguished accomplishment and outstanding
achievement. The spirit and approach should be far removed from the arrogance, contention,
and exclusiveness which have too often sullied the name of scholarship in the wider
society, and which have created barriers to the sound development of this worthy pursuit. `Abdu'l-Bahá: Yes! This is the day of Bahá'u'lláh, the age of the Blessed
Perfection, the cycle of the Greatest Name. If you do not smile now, for what time
will you await and what greater happiness could you expect? This is the springtime of
manifestation. The vernal shower has descended from the cloud of divine mercy; the
life-giving breeze of the Holy Spirit is wafting the perfume of blossoms. From field and
meadow rises a fragrant breath of thanksgiving like pure incense ascending to the throne
of God. The world has become a new world; souls are quickened, spirits renewed, refreshed.
Truly it is a time for happiness. Know that the attributes of perfection, the splendor of the divine bounties, and the
lights of inspiration are visible and evident in all the Holy Manifestations; but the
glorious Word of God, Christ, and the Greatest Name, Bahá'u'lláh, are
manifestations and evidences which are beyond imagination, for They possess all the
perfections of the former Manifestations; and more than that, They possess some
perfections which make the other Manifestations dependent upon Them. So all the
Prophets of Israel were centers of inspiration; Christ also was a receiver of inspiration,
but what a difference between the inspiration of the Word of God and the revelations of
Isaiah, Jeremiah and Elijah! In these and other ways the community of the Greatest Name will endeavour to blazon
the Name of Bahá'u'lláh across the globe, to make it a known eminence in the
consciousness of peoples everywhere. 37. We rejoiced greatly to learn of the unity among the friends, their staunchness,
their ardour, and the fact that they have established a Spiritual Assembly. It is clear
that the stronger grow the bonds of yearning love among the believers, and the fiercer
its fire, the more will they find themselves embraced by the bounties of the Ancient of
Days, and receiving the continuous confirmations of the Greatest Name. Thus
will the Assemblies of the friends become reflections of the gardens of the Concourse on
High, mirroring forth the radiance of the Abhá Kingdom. FROM THE FORWARD OF Ninety-Nine Names of ALLÁH He is Alláh, there is no God but Him, Religious scholars have related that Alláh has three thousand Names.
All of Alláhs Names are great, but since He has hidden this particular Name it
is referred to as The Greatest Name. The Name is mentioned in the Quran as this
Hadis states: ........ |
Immerse v0.95 for Windows 95/98
is NOW available!!!
You can get a free download or buy a CD
http://www.lotsofschooleys.com/Immerse/
Or you can download a copy from:
In 8 chunks on this Site (also has
a link to buy the CD form Bernal)
https://havcamwiltrav.tripod.com/immerse/index.htm
Casper Voogt's Site at BCCA
In One 32mg piece at http://www.bci.org/bahaisoftware/Immerse/Immerse95.zip
Alternate Download Site What is Immerse? It's an Electronic Bahá'í Library that contains nearly 400
books, messages, and texts from the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh, `Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi,
the Universal House of Justice, the Bahá'í International Community, the Bible,
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Here you can purchase a CD with Immerse and Ocean on it.
http://www.allhear.com/immerse/
Bernal Schooley is studing his options at the moment. He lost his source code and text files for the current version of Immerse and thus he won't be releasing an updated version of it.