A

• 'Abdu'l-Baha (Servant of Baha): (1844-1921)Eldest son of Baha’u’llah designated by Baha'u'llah as the Center of the Covenant and authorized interpreter of his father's (Baha'u'llah) writings. Commonly known as Abbas Effendi, Center of the Covenant, Most Mighty Branch.

• Ablutions: A ritual washing of hands and face in preparation for preyers that Baha'u'llah requires as part of the daily obigatory prayer.

• Admistrative Order: All the institutions that admisiter the affairs of the Baha'i Faith. Created by Baha'u'llah and elaborated by 'Abdu'l-Baha, Shoghi Effendi and Universal House of Justice. .

• Ala (Loftiness): The nineteenth and last month of the Baha’i calender starting at sunset on March 2 and the month of fasting.

• Arc: A cut into the Mount of Carmel in Haifa, where the international administrative buildings of the Baha'i Faith are built.

• Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha: November 28, a Holy Day when work is NOT suspended.

• Ascension of Baha'u'llah: May 29th a Holy Day when all work should be suspended.

• Asma' (Names): The ninth month of the Bah'i calendar starting at sunset on August 20.

• Auxilliary Board: An appointed admistrative 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 can not appoint new hands of the Cause). Members are appointed on the basis of spiritual knowledge and primarily act as advisors to Local Spiritual Assemblies (LSA's)and individuals in their areas.

• Ayyam’i’Ha (The Days of HA):A four day time (five in leap year) of gift exhange for Baha’is. Also known and intercalary days(February 25-March 1) immediately before the period of fasting. See: 'Ha'

• 'Azamat (Grandeur): The fourth month of the Baha'i calendar starting at sunset on May 17.

B

• Bab, The (The Gate): (1819-1850) Hájí Siyyid Mírzá Alí Muhammad Shirazi, the Prophet-Founder of the Bábí Faith and "Herald" of the Bahá'í Faith, just like John the Baptist for Christians. His ministry ended with His public execution on July 9, 1850 in Tabríz, Persia.

• Baha (Splendour): First month of the Baha'i Calendar starting at sunsest on March 21

• Baha'i Calendar (Badi Calendar): A solar calendar used by Baha'is, consisting of 19 months of 19 days, with four inctercalry days 'Ayyam'i'Ha' (five in leap year) For a online version click here: Baha'i Calendar

• Baha'i Era: The period since the birth of Baha'u'llah until the next manifestation of God appears.

• Baha'i World Center: At Mount Carmel in Haifa (Acre) Israel. Home to the Universal House of Justice, The Shrine of Bab and other Buildings. Is across the bay is the Shrine of Baha'u'llah.

• Baha'u'llah (Glory of God): (1817-1892) Mírzá Husayn Alí Nuri is the Mainfestation of God for this day. He spread the message of unity and peace, and authored over 100 volumes to form the core of the Baha'i Holy Writings. He spent his 40 year minstry in prison and in exile.

• Bahji: The house near 'Alla where Baha'u'llah spent his final years (1879-1892) Baha'u'llah is buried in a shrine at Bahji, the holiest sport on Earth for Baha'is.

• Bayan (Book of Laws): The major work of The Bab, which replaced some Muslem laws.

• Birth of the Bab: October 20 when all work should be suspended.

• Birth of Baha'u'llah: November 12 when all work should be suspended.

C

• Center of the Covenant: A name given to 'Abdu'l-Baha.

• Consultation: The act of individuals or a group meet and openly share thoughts with kindness and courtesy and decisions can be made fairly.

• Continental Board of Counsellors:. An appointed admistrative 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 can not appoint new hands of the Cause). Members are appointed on the basis of spiritual knowledge and primarily act as advisors to Local Spiritual Assemblies (LSA's) in their areas

• Covenant: An agreement between God and humanity. Baha'is believe in two covenants: 'The Greater Covenant' is an element of every religion that God will send anothe Manifestation of God. The 'Lesser Covenant' is specific to the Baha'i Faith and involves Baha'u'llah assurance that the unity of His followes will be maintained.

D

• Day of the Covenant: November 26, a Holy Day when work is NOT suspended, a celebration of 'Abdu'l-Baha's life.

• Declaration of the Bab: May 23, a Holy Day when all work should be suspended.

• Deepening: Studying the Holy Writings amd sometimes, other religions as well

E

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F

• Fast: Baha'is fast for a period of 19 days starting March 2 in the month of Ala the 19th month. During the fast, adult Baha'is refrain from eating and drinking between the hours of sunrise and sunset. Children, the elderly, prengnant and nursing mothersm and ill are exempt.

G

• Greatest Name: (also "Most Great Name") A title of Baha'u'llah, some of the others are "Allah-u-Abah" (God, the All-Glorious) and "Ya Baha'u'l-Abah" (O Glory of the All-Glorious")

H

• Ha: The letter in the Arabic alphabet associated with god.

• Hands of the Cause of God: An appointed position appointed by Baha'u'llah. 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi. Appointed on the basis of their spiritual knowledge and wisdom, act as advisors and emissaries for the Guardian and the Universal House of Justice.

• Holy Days: Bahá'ís celebrate eleven Holy Days, on nine of which work should be suspended. These days are: Naw-Rúz (March 21), the First Day of Ridván (April 21), the Ninth Day of Ridván (April 29), the Twelfth Day of Ridván (May 2), the Declaration of the Báb (May 23), the Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh (May 29), the Martyrdom of the Báb (July 9), the Birth of the Báb (October 20),and the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh (November 12). The remaining Holy Days when work isn't suspended are: Day of the Covenant (November 26), and the Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá (November 28)).

• Homefront Pioneer: A Baha'i who leaves his or her home and takes up residence in another area to spread Baha'u'llah's teaching. Can be a city, town or secluded area where there are no Baha'is.

I

• 'Ilm (Knowledge): Twelfth month of the Baha'i calendar starting at sunset on October 16.

• 'Izzat (Might): Tenth month of the Baha'i calendar starting at sunset on September 8.

J

• Jalal (Glory): Second month of the Baha'i calendar starting at sunset on April 9

• Jamal (Beauty): The third month of the Baha'i calendar starting at sunset on April 28.

K

• Kalimat (Words): The seventh month of the Baha'i ca;endar starting at sunset on July 13.

• Kamal (Perfection): The eight month of the Baha'i calendar starting at sunset on August 1.

L

• Lesser Covenant: Bahá'u'lláh's agreement with His followers that in exchange for their obedience to His laws and institutions, He will protect the unity of the religion.

• Local Spiritual Assembly (LSA): Nine elected body that administers the affairs of the Baha'i Faith on a local level for citys and towns.

• Lote Tree (Sahratu'l-Muntanh): 'The tree beyond where there is no passing' In anceient times, Arabs planted such a tree to mark the end of the road. In the Writings of Baha'u'llah, the Lote Tree generally means the Manifestation of God, which ordinary humanss can never be.

M

• Martydom of the Bab: July 9, a Holy Day when all work should be suspended.

• Masa'il (Questions): Fifthteen month of the Baha'i calendar starting at sunset on December 12.

• Mashiyyat (Will): Eleven month of the Baha'i calendar starting at sunset on September 27.

• Mírzá Husayn Alí Nuri (Baha'u'llah): The given name of Baha'u'llah.

• Mona Mahmudnizhad: One of 10 Baha'i young women and girls martyrs, who refused to recant their faith in Shiraz Iran on June 18, 1983.

• Most Might Branch: One of names given to 'Abdu'l-Baha.

• Mulk (Dominion): Eighteenth month of the Baha'i calendar starting at sunset on February 7

N

• National Spiriual Assembly (NSA): The elected body the deals with th affairs of the Baha'i Faith at a national level.

• Naw Ruz (New Year): First day of the Baha'i Newy Year on March 21 when all work should be suspended

• Nur (Light): The fifth month of the Baha'i calendar starting at sunset on June 5.

O

• Obligatory Prayer: A special prayer required by religious law. Baha'u'llah specified three obligatory prayers for Baha'is to chose from.

P

• Pioneer: A Baha'i who leaves his or her home and takes up residence in another country to spread Baha'u'llah's teaching. Also see: Homefront Pioneers

• Progressive Revelation: The Baha'i belief that God has sent successive revelations in order to uplift and educate humanity

Q

• Quadrat (Power): Thirteenth month of the Baha'i calendar starting at sunset on November 4.

• Qual (Speech): Fourteenth month of the Baha'i calendar starting at sunset on November 23.

R

• Rahmat (Mercy): The sixth month of the Baha'i calendar starting at sunset on June 24.

• Ridvan (Paradise): Twelve day festival, celebrating Baha'u'llah's public declaration of his mission. The first, ninth and twelfth days of Ridvan are Holy Days when work should be suspended.

S

• Sharaf (Honor): Sixteen month of the Baha'i calendar starting at sunset on December 31.

• Shoghi Effendi: (1896-1957) Great-grandson of Baha'u'llah, appointed by Abdu'l Baha as the first Guardian of the Baha'i Faith.

• Spiritual Assembly: An elected administration body consisting of nine members with jurisdiction over a specified region. (LSA's) Local Spiritual Assemblies govern the afairs of a town/city. (NSA's) National Spiritual Assemblies govern the affairs of national Baha'i communities..

• Sultan (Sovereignty): Seventh month of the Baha'i calendar starting at sunset on January 19

• Sultan (Sovereignty): A tablet writen by Baha'u'llah tiled "Tarazat' in which he tells of six: Knowledge of one's own self, to consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of fellowship and friendliness, development of a goodly character, trustworthiness, the protection and presercation of the stations of God's servants, and the acquisition of knowledge.

• Siyyid-‘Ali-Muhammed (Hájí Siyyid Mírzá Alí Muhammad Shirazi): The given name of The Bab See The Bab.

T

• Tablet: The term usually given to a letter (epistles) written by The Bab, Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha.

• Tajallí (effulgence): One of Baha'u'llah tablets was titled Tajalliyat, in which he tells us about four "effulgences": the knowledge of God, steadfastness in God's Cause, the acquisition of knowledge, and the Divinity of the Manifestation of God.

• Taraz (ornament): One of Baha'u'llah tablets was titled Tarazat, in which he tells us about six "ornaments": knowledge of one's own self, to consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of fellowship and friendliness, developement of a goodly character, trustworthiness, the protection and preservation of the stations of God's servants and the acquisition of knowledge.

U

• Universal House of Justice: The supreme administration institution of the Baha'i Faith. An elected body consisting of nine members from all over the world and on Mount Carmel, Haifi Israel.

V

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W

• Writings: The Holy works of The Bab, Baha'u'llah, and 'Abdu'l-Baha

X

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Y

• Ya Baha'u'l-Abha (O Glory of the All Glorious): A form of praise and gratitude used by Baha'is to call on God's assistance and support and as and affirmation of faith. Also a form of the Greatest Name.

• Year of Service: When Baha'is volunteer for a year, (usually youth) that frequently involves in social and economice developement projects in all parts of the world where the need is great.

Z

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