Bahá’í glossary of Arabic & Fársí transliteration Contents

J..

Ja’far Ja‘far little river, creek (Djaffar) The name of the sixth Imám

Ja’fari Ja‘farí Pers. the finest kind of gold (named after a celebrated alchemist); a kind of cupola; a sort of screen (the interstices of the frame being lozenged); lattice-work; name of a yellow flower; parsley; name of a fortress. Ja‘farí jurisprudence, derived from the name of the sixth Imám

Ja’far-i-Istarabadi Ja‘far-i-Istarábádí

Ja’far-i-Sadiq, Ja’far as-Sadiq Ja‘far-i-Ṣádiq, Ar. Ja‘far aṣ-Ṣádiq the Sixth Imám

Ja’far-i-Tabrizi Ja‘far-i-Tabrízí

Ja’far-i-Yazdi Ja‘far-i-Yazdí (MF)

Ja’fariyyih Ja‘faríyyih

Ja’far-Quli Ja‘far-Qulí

Jabal, Jibal, Ajbal Jabal, pl. Jibál, Ajbál mountain; mountains, mountain range

Jabal-i-Basit Jabal-i-Básiṭ “the Open Mountain”—Máh-Kú (same numerical value as Básiṭ, 72) al-Básiṭ “the one who expands or stretches”)

Jabal-i-Shadid Jabal-i-Shadíd “the Grievous Mountain”—fortress of Chihríq

Jabarut Jabarút (“the All-highest Dominion” or “the Empyrean Heaven”—realm of being). See Háhút, Láhút and Násút.

Jabir Jábir bonesetter Jábir Ibn-i-Ḥayyán was a follower of Imám Ṣádiq who handed down his traditions.

Jabr wa’l-muqabala Jabr wa’l-muqábala Al-Jabr wa’l-muqábala (“completing” or “restoring”, and “simplifying” or “balancing”) Part of a book title from which the word “algebra” is derived.

Jabr Jabr setting (of broken bones); force, compulsion; coercion, duress; power, might; (predestined, inescapable) decree of fate.

Jabriyyah Jabríyyah Muslims who championed determinism

Jabulqa and Jabulsa Jábulqá and Jábulsá (According to Shí’ih traditions, the mythical twin cities of Jábulqá and Jábulsá are the dwelling place of the Hidden Imám (the Promised One), whence He will appear on the Day of Resurrection.)

Jadhbiyyid Jadhbíyyih Pers. attraction

Jadhdhab Jadhdháb Attractive; magnetic; suction; winning; charming

Jadhib Jádhib attractive; magnetic (fig.); winning, fetching, engaging; charming, enticing, captivating, gripping

Jadhibiya, Jadhbiyyih Jádhibíyah gravitation; attraction; attractiveness; charm; fascination; magnetism

Jadid, Judud, Judad Jadíd, pl. Judud, Judad new, recent; renewed; modern; novel, unprecedented

Jadidu’llah Jadídu’lláh “New one of God” Jadídu’lláh Ashraf

Jafr Jafr Islamic science of the numerical values of letters; numerology. ‘ilm al-jafr: divination, fortune telling.

Jahada, Jahd Jahada (Jahd) to endeavour, strive, labour, take pains, put oneself out; to over-work, overtax, fatigue, exhaust (someone). Form III to endeavour, strive; to fight (for something); to wage holy war against the infidels. Form IV to strain, exert (something); to tire, wear out, fatigue (someone), give trouble (to).

Jahan (Jihan) Jahán (Jihán) (Pers.) world

Jahangir Jahángír (Pers.) “conqueror of the world” Núri’d-Dín Muḥammad Salím (Mughul Emperor)

Jahiliyyih Jáhilíyyih The dark age of ignorance among the Arabs before the appearance of Muḥammad.

Jahl, Jahal Jahl and Jahála ignorance; folly, foolishness, stupidity

Jahrum Jahrum place south of Shíráz

Jalal Khazih Jalál Kházih [not Khazeh]

Jalal Jalál loftiness, sublimity, augustness; splendor, glory

Jalaliyyih Jalálíyyih

Jalalu’d-Dawlih Jalálu’d-Dawlih

Jalalu’d-Din Rumi Jalálu’d-Dín Rúmí [or Jaláli’d-Dín Rúmí or Jalála’d-Dín Rúmí] (called Mawláná (“our Master”), is the greatest of all Persian Súfí poets, and founder of the Mawlawí “whirling” dervish order.)

Jali Jalí (loudly and publicly, as in prayers, etc.)

Jalil, Ajilla’, Ajilla, Jala’il Jalíl, Ajillá’, Ajilla, Jalá’il great, important, significant, weighty, momentous; lofty, exalted, sublime; revered, honourable, venerable; glorious, splendid

Jalil-i-Khu’i Jalíl-i-Khu’í

Jalil-i-Tabrizi Jalíl-i-Tabrízí

Jam Jam Pers. name of an ancient king of Persia, whom they confound with Solomon and Alexander the Great; a monarch, a great king; the pupil of the eye; pure, free, exempt; essence, nature, person. (Zend or Avestan: yima and Sanskrit: yama [“the twins”]. Yama became Jam). See Jamshíd

Jam’iya, Jam’iyat Jam‘iya, pl. Jam‘iyát club, association, society; corporation, organization; assembly

Jamad, Jamadat Jamád, pl. Jamádát a solid; inorganic body; mineral; inanimate body, inanimate being

Jamadiyu’l-Avval Jamádíyu’l-Avval Fifth month in Islamic calendar

Jamadiyu’th-Thani Jamádíyu’th-Thání Sixth month in Islamic calendar

Jamal Afandi (Jamal Effendi) Jamál Afandí (Effendi) name given to Sulaymán Khán-i-Tunukábání

Jamal Jamál beauty

Jamal, Jimal Jamal, pl. Jimál, Ajmál Camel

Jamali’d-Din Jamáli’d-Dín Beauty of the Faith

Jamal-i-Burujirdi Jamál-i-Burújirdí

Jamal-i-Mubarak Jamál-i-Mubárak “The Blessed Beauty”. Title occasionally used by Bahá’ís for Bahá’u’lláh.

Jamal-i-Qidam Jamál-i-Qidam The Ancient Beauty. A title of Bahá’u’lláh.

Jamalu’d-Din-i-Afghani Jamálu’d-Dín-i-Afghání

Jami’ Jámi‘ total; whole, entire; all; entirety

Jama’a, Jama’at Jamá‘a(h), pl. Jamá‘át group (of people); band, gang, party, troop; community; squad (military unit)

Jammal, Jammalun Jammál, pl. Jammálún camel driver. Gardens of Jammál are at the south entrance of the Mansion of Bahjí.

Jamshid Jamshíd (“Djemsheed”) mythical King in Iranian traditions and culture. A compound of Jam and shíd formed by changes to the original Avestran names.

Jamshid-i-Gurji Jamshíd-i-Gurjí (MF)

Jan Aqa Big Ján Áqá Big known as a Kaj Kuláh

Jan Ján Pers. soul, vital spirit, mind; self; life; spirit, courage; wind; the mouth; arms; the father of demons; name of a race said to have inhabited the world before Adam; in modern conversation a word of endearment. See nafs

Janami Jánamí

Jangal Jangal Pers. a wood, forest, thicket; a country overgrown with wood, reeds, or long grass; a jungle

Jangali Jangalí Pers. wild, untilled, jungle-like. Insult referring to uncultured people (raised in jungles)

Jani Jání Pers. soul; cordial, heartily loved, devoted. Title of a merchant of Kashán, Ḥájí Mírzá Jání, early historian of the Bábí Cause and a martyr.

Janib, Jawanib Jánib, pl. Jawánib side; lateral portion; sidepiece; flank; wing; face (geometry); part, portion, partial amount; partial view, section (of a scene, picture or panorama); quantity, amount; a certain number (of), a few, some. “draw back”? Seven Valleys p. 43

Jan-i-Khamsih Ján-i-Khamsih

Janna, Jannat (“Jinnat”), Jinan Janna, pl. Jannát, Jinán garden; paradise, heaven. Persian sing. Jannat

Jarib Jaríb 10,000 sq metres

Jasad, Ajsad Jasad, pl. Ajsád body. Compare Jism

Jasb Jásb rural district, Markazí Province, Iran

Jashn Jashn Pers. A feast, social entertainment; convivial meeting; a solemn feast

Jashn-i-A’zam Jashn-i-A‘ẓam (the Greatest Festival because ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was known as the Ghusn-i-A’ẓám [the Greatest Branch])—Day of the Covenant

Jasim Jásim healthy, strong, powerful, good health

Jasim, Jisam Jasím, pl. Jisám great, big, large; voluminous, bulky, huge; vast, immense; stout, corpulent; weighty, most significant, momentous, prodigious

Jathiya Játhiya fem., the kneeling or crouching one

Javad-i-Karbila’i Javád-i-Karbilá’í

Javad-i-Qazvini Javád-i-Qazvíní

Javad-i-Tabataba’i Javád-i-Ṭabáṭabá’í

Javahiru’l-Asrar Javáhiru’l-Asrár “Gems of Divine Mysteries” or “The Essence of Mysteries” by Bahá’u’lláh. See jawhar and sirr

Jawab (Javab), Ajwiba, Jawabat Jawáb, pl. Ajwiba, Jawabát answer, reply; octave (to a given tone; music); (e.g. pronounced gawáb pl. jawabát) letter, message

Jawad, Ajwad, Ajawid, Jud Jawád, pl. Ajwád, Ajáwid, Ajawíd, Júd openhanded, liberal, generous, magnanimous;—pl. jiyád, ajyád, ajáwíd race horse, racer; charger

Jawan (Javan) Jawán Pers. young; young man, youth, lad

Jawhar (Jauhar), Jawahir Jawhar, pl. Jawáhir intrinsic, essential nature, essence; content, substance (as opposed to form; philosophy); matter, substance; atom; jewel, gem;—pl. jewelry. See Pers. Gawhar

Jawhara, Jawharat Jawhara(t), pl. Jawharát “jewel or gem”

Jawsh (Jaush) Jawsh Pers. the breast; the middle of a man; midnight; a large section of the night, or the latter part of it; a march during the whole of the night. See Jayb

Jawshan (Jaushan) Jawshan breast plate, steel plate or chain mail

Jawshan Kabir Jawshan Kabír long (“big”) Islamic prayer with 1,000 names and attributes of God that is Muḥammad’s “coat of amour” to protect Him from injuries

Jayb (Jaib), Juyub Jayb, pl. Juyúb breast, bosom, heart; sine (mathematics); hole, hollow, cavity, excavation; pocket; purse

Jayhun Jayhún Oxus River

Jaz Jaz Pers. An island; name of a country between Euphrates and Tigris (Mesopotamia, al-Jazírat)

Jazira, Jaza’ir, Juzur Jazíra, pl. Jazá’ir, Juzur island

Jazirat al-Bahr Jazírat al-Baḥr Name given to Búshihr by the Báb

Jaziriy-i-Khadra Jazíriy-i-Khaḍrá “Verdant Isle”

Jazzar, Jazzarun Jazzár, pl. Jazzárún butcher

Jibra’il Jibrá’íl Gabriel

Jibt Jibt sorcery, divination or any false belief

Jidal, Mujadala, Mujadalat Jidál (m.), Mujádala (f.), pl. Mujádalát quarrel, argument; dispute, discussion, debate

Jiha, Jihat, Juhat Jiha (Pers. Jihat, Juhat), pl. Jihát side; direction; region, part, section, area; district, precinct, city quarter; agency, authority; administrative agency

Jihad Jihád Commonly understood to be: fight, battle; jihad, holy war (against the infidels, as a religious duty). Literally means “striving” (see root jahada)—a witness or martyr. During and immediately after the time of Muḥammad, jihad was directed against pagans and idolaters—the polytheists—and was undertaken in defence of the realm of Islám. Meaning was later obscured and lost. See Qitál

Jihan Jihán Pers. world

Jihat-i-Mahiyyati Jihat-i-Máhíyyatí Pers. essential aspect

Jihat-i-Vujudi Jihat-i-Vujúdí Pers. existential aspect

Jilf, Ajlaf Jilf, pl. Ajláf boorish, rude, uncivil

Jilf, Ajlaf Jilf, pl. Ajláf Pers. any empty vessel, pot or pan; an animal disembowelled, and skinned; anything empty in the middle; silly, trifling

Jilf-ast Jilf-ast “he is a light-weight”

Jillabiyya Jillábíyya Ar. Gúllábíyya Pers. (galabieh) coat

Jim Jím Arabic letter (j)

Jinab Jináb courtesy title sometimes translated as ‘His Honour’, or ‘The Honourable’.

Jinab-i Jináb-i (Janabe)

Jinab-i-’Azim Jináb-i-‘Aẓím

Jinab-i-Amin Jináb-i-Amín

Jinab-i-Avarih Jináb-i-Ávárih (Unfolding Destiny, p. 13.)

Jinab-i-Fadil-i-Mazindarani Jináb-i-Fáḍil-i-Mázindarání (Jenabi Fazel)

Jinab-i-Husayn Jináb-i-Ḥusayn

Jinab-i-Ibn-’Abhar Jináb-i-Ibn-‘Abhar (Jenabe Ayadi, Ibn Abhar)

Jinab-i-Ismu’llah Jináb-i-Ismu’lláh

Jinab-i-Ismu’llahu’l-Asdaq Jináb-i-Ismu’lláhu’l-Aṣdaq

Jinab-i-Khan Jináb-i-Khán

Jinab-i-Mirza Jináb-i-Mírzá

Jinab-i-Mishkin Jináb-i-Mishkín (MF p. 100)

Jinab-i-Muhammad-Taqi Jináb-i-Muḥammad-Taqí

Jinab-i-Mulla Jináb-i-Mullá

Jinab-i-Munib Jináb-i-Muníb (Memorials of the Faithful, GPB & Child of the Covenant 73)

Jinab-i-Munir Jináb-i-Munír

Jinab-i-Nabil-i-Akbar Jináb-i-Nabíl-i-Akbar

Jinab-i-Quddus Jináb-i-Quddús

Jinab-i-Sayyah Jináb-i-Sayyáḥ (MF)

Jinab-i-Shaykh Jináb-i-Shaykh

Jinab-i-Tahirih Jináb-i-Ṭáhirih

Jinab-i-Varqa Jináb-i-Varqá

Jináb-i-Zayn Jináb-i-Zayn (Jinabi Zain)

Jinn Jinn (collective) jinn, demons (invisible beings, either harmful or helpful, that interfere with the lives of mortals)

Jinni, Jinniya Jinní, Jinníya (fem.) jinní, (demonic); jinni (demon); Jinníya (female demon)

Jirjis Jirjís Pers. George, particularly St. George of England; ranked among the prophets by Muslims.

Jism, Ajsam, Jusum Jism, pl. Ajsám, Jusúm body (also [new meaning] of an automobile); substance, matter; mass; form, shape. Compare jasad

Jizya (Pers. Jizyah), Jizan, Jiza’ Jizya, pl. Jizan, Jizá’ tax; tribute; head tax on free non-Muslims under Muslim rule

Ju Jú‘ hunger, starvation

Ju‘an Jú‘án Said to be “I am hungry” in Chosen Highway, p. 212

Jubbih Jubbih [Pers] Outer coat, overcoat.

Jubbiy-i-Hizari’i Jubbiy-i-Hizári’í A type of overcoat

Jud Júd open-handedness, liberality, generosity, bounty

Juj (Jujih), Jawj (Jauj) Júj, Jawj Pers. a cock's comb; a crest; a pennant, vane

Jujih Khanum Jújih Khánum The minuscule Leona Barnitz was called Jújih Khánum (Little Chick Lady) by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Juk Júk Jug-Basisht (Book of Juk), the Persian translation of the Yoga Vasistha, a syncretic philosophic text

Julab Juláb, Julláb rose water

Julfa (Jolfa) Julfá “New” (ad 1606) Julfá is an Armenian-populated area (one of the world’s largest) of Iṣfahán, located south of the Záyandí-Rúd. The people migrated from the Armenian city of Julfá in Azerbaijan.

Juljul, Jalajil Juljul, pl. Jalájil (little) bell, sleigh bell; cowbell; jingle

Jull, Gul Jull, Pers. Gul rose

Jum’a, Jum’ih, Juma’, Juma’at Jum‘a, Pers. Jum‘ih, pl. Juma‘, Juma‘át week; Friday

Jum’ih-Bazar Jum‘ih-Bázár Friday Bazaar. Normal market with many temporary traders on Friday

Jumada al-Awwal, Jumada al-Ula Jumádá al-Awwal Fifth Islamic calendar month (the first of parched land). Also known as Jumádá al-Úlá.

Jumada ath-Thani, Jumada al-Akhir Jumádá ath-Thání Sixth Islamic calendar month (the second/last of parched land). Also known as Jumádá al-Ákhir.

Jumada Jumádá dry. Name of the fifth and sixth months of the Muslim year

Jumhuriya, Jumhuriyat Jumhúriya, pl. Jumhúriyát republic

Jumu’at al-Jumu‘at [a proper name] [the day of gathering, the day of congregating] Friday. Súra 62 named al-Jumu‘ah because verse 9 mentions the call for the 'Congregational Prayer on Friday”. See jum‘a

Junaina, Junaynih Junaina, pl. Junainát, Pers. Junaynih little garden; garden. Junaynih Garden—garden NW of Mazra‘ih, Israel

Jurj Jurj Pers. wallets; saddlebags. Jurjí Zaydán

Juvayn, Juwayn Juvayn, Ar. Juwayn Joveyn, area about 50 km NNW of Sabzivár, Írán

Juz’, Ajza’ Juz’, pl. Ajzá’ part, portion; constituent, component; fraction; division; section; the 30th part of the Qur’án (= 2 ḥizb)