Planet Bahá'í

Abdu'l-Bahá (1844 - 1921)

The name by which Bahá'u'lláh's son and appointed successor Abbas Effendi is commonly known. "'Abdu'l-Bahá" means "Servant of Bahá." He was designated by Bahá'u'lláh as the "Center of the Covenant" towards whom all Bahá'ís should turn, the authorized interpreter of His Father's Writings, and the perfect exemplar of Bahá'í life.

Abhá

Most glorious. "Bahá" means glory, and "abhá" is its superlative form. Both are titles of Bahá'u'lláh and of His Kingdom.

Ablutions

The ritual washing of the hands and face in prepration for prayer. Bahá'u'lláh requires ablutions as part of the daily obligatory prayer. See also: Obligatory Prayer

Administrative Order

Collectively, the institutions that administer the affairs of the Bahá'í Faith. The administrative order was created by Bahá'u'lláh, and certain of its elements were further elaborated by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal House of Justice.See also: Auxiliary Board, Continental Board of Counsellors, Guardian, Hand of the Cause of God, House of Justice, Spiritual Assembly

Afnán

The relatives of the Báb. Literally, "twigs."

Aghsán

The relatives of Bahá'u'lláh. Literally, "branches."

'Akká

The prison-city near Haifa (in modern-day Israel) where Bahá'u'lláh was imprisoned from late August, 1868 through June, 1877. See also: Bahjí, Mazra'ih, Most Great Prison

'Alá

"Loftiness," the nineteenth month in the Bahá'í calendar. 'Alá is also the month during which the 19-day Fast is observed. See also: The Fast

Alláh-u-Abhá

A form of the Greatest Name, literally meaning "God, the All-Glorious." It is often used by Bahá'ís as a greeting. See also: Greatest Name, Ya Bahá'u'l-Abhá

Ancient of Days

A title of God. In the Bible it appears in the Book of Daniel. It also appears frequently in the Bahá'í Holy Writings.

Ancient Beauty

A title of Bahá'u'lláh

The Arc

The collection of administrative buildings at the Bahá'í World Center on Mt. Carmel, Israel. The buildings on the Arc include the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, the International Teaching Center, the International Archives, and the Center for the Study of the Sacred Texts.

Asmá'

"Names," the ninth month in the Bahá'í calendar.

Auxiliary Board

An appointed administrative body created by the Universal House of Justice to take over and extend the functions of the Hands of the Cause of God. (The House does not have the power to appoint new Hands of the Cause.) Auxiliary Board members are appointed on the basis of their spiritual knowledge and primarily act as advisors to the Local Spiritual Assemblies and individuals in their areas. See also: Continental Board of Counsellors, Hand of the Cause of God, International Teaching Center

Ayyam-i-Há

Literally, "the days of Há" (Há being a letter in the Arabic alphabet associated with God). A four-day period (five in leap years) of charity, gift-giving and celebration that immediately preceeds the period of fasting.

'Azamat

"Grandeur," the fourth month in the Bahá'í calendar.

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