Persian

Persian laudable; Persian deserves every praise since the Manifestation of God for today speaks it

"Thou hast written concerning languages. Both Arabic and Persian are laudable. That which is desired of a language is that it convey the intent of the speaker, and either language can serve this purpose. And since in this day the Orb of divine knowledge hath risen in the firmament of Persia, that tongue deserveth every praise."

(Bahá'u'lláh, Tabernacle of Unity, par. 1.7)

Need for Iranian parents to teach their children Persian

“...the Bahá’í parents from an Iranian background should endeavor to teach their children the Persian language, for Persian is one of the two languages of revelation in this glorious Dispensation. Bahá’u’lláh says: “In this Day when the sun of knowledge hath appeared and is resplendent from the firmament of Iran, whatever is said in praise of this language is meet and seemly.” He also says: “The Beloved of the world speaks in the Persian language. It would be praiseworthy in His eyes if His loved ones also converse and write in this language.”

(Universal House of Justice, to the Iránian believers throughout the world, 154 B.E. at https://bahai-library.com/uhj_history_bahais_iran )

Classes in Persian (language and study of the Writings) recommended in cities where number of Iranian Baha'is reside

“It would be a great service if, in every city and region where a number of Iranian Bahá’ís reside, some Persian friends would exert a special effort to teach this language to the children and youth, study together the Writings in Persian, and drink their fill from the billowing source of the Creative Word and the Sacred Writings. We praise God for having enabled some Bahá’í institutions abroad to devise ways and develop programs to teach the Persian language to those Iranians who live outside their homeland. Such programs can be put to good use for the achievement of this blessed service.”

(Universal House of Justice, to the Iránian believers throughout the world, 154 B.E. at https://bahai-library.com/uhj_history_bahais_iran )

Note on the programs for learning Persian that are mentioned

"MATERIALS FOR THE STUDY OF THE PERSIAN LANGUAGE

"Although, as you have noted, the House of Justice refers in its letter of 21 March 1997 to the Persian believers to materials which have been developed for the study of Persian, no particular ones are explicitly endorsed. However, you may wish to correspond with the Persian Institute for Bahá'í Studies, whose address appears at the foot of this letter.

...

Persian Institute for Bahá'í Studies

P.O. Box 65600

Dundas, ON L9H 6Y6

Canada

(at https://bahai-library.com/uhj_pioneering_language_arts#s7 )

Sweetness unique to the original Persian of the Bahá’í Writings (and benefit toward being able to read it directly)

"Concerning the effect of translation, it is evident that it is not as effective as the original. For instance, the Tablets of His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH which have been translated from Persian or Arabic, the original text exerts a wonderful power, while translation may produce certain effect but cannot be measured with the original. The delicacy, smoothness and sweetness of the Words of His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH are beyond any human conception. It is, however, conditioned upon one's knowledge of Persian and Arabic."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Star of the West, vol. 10, issue 7, p. 144)

"But afterward, if thou desirest to get the translation of a Tablet from the Blessed Writings, it must be translated by a committee of two Persian translators together with two competent English writers. The Persians should translate, and the writers mould the significance into profound, musical and perfect cast of style in English, and in such wise that the musical sweetness of the original Persian may not be lost."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Vol. I, pp. 151-152)

"Shoghi Effendi was very glad to hear that you are planning to study Persian very seriously. Should you do it you will obtain ample reward for your labours, for you will then be able to go straight to the writings themselves."

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, The Light of Divine Guidance (vol2), p. 21)

"Such testimonies bearing on this theme {inestimable wealth which Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá bequeathed to posterity (in the greatness of this Day)} are impregnated with such power and reveal such beauty as only those who are versed in the languages in which they were originally revealed can claim to have sufficiently appreciated."

(Shoghi Effendi, World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 103)

Persian language study recommended

"Acquire the Persian tongue, so as to learn of the meanings of the divine words and to know the divine mysteries, to develop an eloquent speech and to translate the blessed Tablets of Baha'u'llah. The Persian language shall become noteworthy in this cycle; nay, rather, the people shall study it in all the world."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Vol. II, p. 306; also in Lights of Guidance, no. 1143)

"Study Persian and acquire it more day by day, for by the study of this language great and boundless results are obtained."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Vol. II, p. 307)

"The purport of the study of the Persian tongue is this: That thou mayest memorize a commune in the Persian and at the time of communion and supplication, when present in the meeting of the maid-servants of the Merciful, thou mayest chant it."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Vol. II, p. 427)

"Exert thyself in studying the Persian language in order that with perfect eloquence and fluency thou mayest talk, read and write."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Vol. I, p. 210)

"Thy letter was received. It was written in Persian. I was very much pleased. I hope thou wilt memorize all the poetry of the Blessed Perfection and chant with wonderful melody in the assemblages and gatherings. These verses will soon be translated into English poetical form and then this Divine Song will rise from those lands and reach the ABHA Kingdom in utmost joy and happiness."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Vol. I, p. 212)

"In the Persian tongue has thou written a letter; I was happy to read it.

"Praise be to God! This is the dawn of the light of unity between the Eastern and Western people. In Persia the English language is being studied widely and in America the Persian tongue is beloved by some dear souls. In both countries the respective languages are being studied. This is in itself a proof that the East and the West (literally, place of sunrise and sunset) shall clasp hands as two families. The standard of unity shall be raised, and the means of love and friendship will be accomplished.

"Endeavor to complete the study of the Persian—thus mayest thou read the Tablets of the Blessed Beauty [3 Baha’o’llah.] and mayest translate them, and without the interpreter’s aid thou mayest read all my letter to thee."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Vol. II, p. 426)

"Thou shalt finally study the Persian language."

(Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbás, vol. 1, p. 219)

"O thou maid-servant of God! Do not be slow in the study of the Persian language and be thou engaged in the service."

(Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbás, vol. 1, p. 218)

"Shoghi Effendi was very glad to hear that you are planning to study Persian very seriously. Should you do it you will obtain ample reward for your labours, for you will then be able to go straight to the writings themselves."

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, The Light of Divine Guidance (vol2), p. 21)

Believers in the West encouraged to learn Persian; final choice for world language to leaders or possibly the House of Justice

“With regard to Arabic, in several Tablets Baha'u'llah praises the vastness and eloquence of the Arabic language, but in none of His Writings does He state that His followers are required to learn that language. In a number of instances `Abdu'l-Baha and the Guardian have both encouraged the believers in the West to learn Persian. Similarly, `Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi on occasion encouraged believers in Europe and Asia to study English. And, as you are no doubt aware, the involvement of the friends in the study of Esperanto has also been deemed praiseworthy. However, the choice as to which language will ultimately be selected as the international auxiliary language has been left by Baha'u'llah, in His Book of Laws, to the leaders of the nations or possibly to the House of Justice to decide.”

(On behalf of the Universal House of Justice, an email dated 10 February 1998 to an individual)

Persian is beautiful when chanted

"Question: In preparing the readings, shall we use only Holy Books extant and available in English for religions listed by you in the series of recognized Revelations?

"Reply: Yes. But if occasionally a reading is in another language there can be no objection, as long as the text is from a Holy Scripture. Persian, Arabic and Hebrew are all very beautiful when chanted.

(From an article based on instructions of the Guardian and containing his replies, compilation on Service in Bahá'í Temples, no. 455, 10th question)

Recital or Chanting of Prayers—Prayer is Essentially Communion Between God and Man

"… There is no objection to the recital or chanting of prayers in the Oriental language, but there is also no obligation whatever of adopting such a form of prayer at any devotional service in the auditorium of the Temple. It should neither be required nor prohibited. The important thing that should always be borne in mind is that with the exception of certain specific obligatory prayers, Bahá’u’lláh has given us no strict or special rulings in matters of worship whether in the Temple or elsewhere. Prayer is essentially communion between man and God, and as such transcends all ritualistic forms and formulae."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, June 15, 1935: Bahá’í News, No. 93, July 1935, p. 1, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1505)

Persian is sweet and pleasing (hard to overestimate its sweetness), but not as vast or comprehensive as Arabic

"His last question: “Most of the Tablets that we have seen are in Arabic. However, since the Beloved in this age is of Persian descent, the Arabic tongue should be abandoned and discarded. For to this day the Arabs themselves have not understood the meaning of the Qur’án, whereas the Persian language is highly prized, lauded and admired among the dwellers of the inhabited quarter of the globe. And just as the Persian of the present day is superior to Arabic, so too is Old Persian, which is greatly favoured by the people of India and others. It would therefore be preferable if the words of God, magnified be His mention, were hereafter mainly delivered in pure Persian, since it attracteth the hearts to a greater degree. It is moreover requested that the reply to these questions be graciously written in pure Persian.”

"The Persian tongue is in truth exceedingly sweet and pleasing, and ever since this request was submitted in His most blessed and exalted court, numerous Tablets have been revealed in that language. As to the statement concerning the Qur’án implying that its outward meaning hath not been understood, in reality it hath been interpreted in numerous ways and translated into countless languages. That which men have been unable to grasp are its hidden mysteries and inner meanings. And all that they have said or will say is limited in scope and should be seen as commensurate with their rank and station. For none can fathom its true meaning save God, the One, the Incomparable, the All-Knowing.

"In this day He Who is the Lord, the Ruler, the Fashioner, and the Refuge of the world hath appeared. Let every ear be eager to hearken unto that which will be revealed from the kingdom of His will; let every eye be expectant to gaze upon that which will shine forth from the Daystar of knowledge and wisdom. By Him Who is the Desire of the world! This is the day for eyes to see and for ears to hear, for hearts to perceive and for tongues to speak forth. Blessed are they that have attained thereunto; blessed are they that have sought after and recognized it! This is the day whereon every man may accede unto everlasting honour, for whatsoever hath streamed forth from the Pen of Glory in regard to any soul is adorned with the ornament of immortality. Again, blessed are they that have attained thereunto!

"The distinguished Sáhib hath written: “Since the Beloved in this age is of Persian descent, the Arabic tongue should be abandoned and discarded.” In this connection these sublime words issued from the Pen of the Most High, magnified and exalted be His glory: “Both Arabic and Persian are laudable. That which is desired of a language is that it convey the intent of the speaker, and either language can serve this purpose. And since in this day the Orb of knowledge hath risen in the firmament of Persia, this tongue deserveth every praise.”

"The light of truth is indeed shining resplendent above the horizon of divine utterance, and hence no further elaboration is required from this evanescent soul or from others like unto him. Although there can be no question or doubt as to the sweetness of the Persian tongue, yet it hath not the scope of the Arabic. There are many things which have not been expressed in Persian, that is to say, words referring to such things have not been devised, whilst in Arabic there are several words describing the same thing. Indeed there existeth no language in the world as vast and comprehensive as Arabic. This statement is prompted by truth and fairness; otherwise it is clear that in this day the world is being illumined by the splendours of that Sun which hath dawned above the horizon of Persia, and that the merits of this sweet language can scarcely be overestimated."

(Bahá'u'lláh, Tabernacle of Unity, par. 2.54-2.58)

See also

• Arabic

To-dos for this page

• The Persian recommended section could be subdivided