Compilation on The Greatest Name
compiled by Larry D.Curtis

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 `Bah�, the name of Bah�'u'll�h."
� Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p.33

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 All�h-u-Abh�.
� Shoghi Effendi, Unfolding Destiny, p. 369

Recite the Greatest Name at every morn, and turn thou unto the Kingdom of Abh�, until thou mayest apprehend my mysteries.
� `Abdu'l-Bah�, Tablets of Abdu'l-Bah�, p. 674

Concerning the Greatest Name; this term refers both to "All�h-u-Abh�" and to "Y� Bah�'u'l-Abh�". The first is a form of Bah�'� 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.
� Shoghi Effendi, Letters to Australia and New Zealand, p.16

Nine-Pointed Star for Headstone
Approve star for graves. [October 22, 1954]
(NOTE: The Guardian considered the Greatest Name too sacred for use on tombstones.)
� Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p.132

. 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 Bah�'u'll�h, and that "the Covenant" referred to is not the specific Covenant of which Bah�'u'll�h is the immediate Author and `Abdu'l-Bah� the Center but that general Covenant which, as inculcated by the Bah�'� 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 Bah�'u'll�h, and not Bah�'u'll�h referring to `Abdu'l-Bah�.
� Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bah�'u'll�h, p. 137

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. Bah� 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 Bah�'u'll�h, but do not object to any person. All will eventually follow the correct spelling.
� `Abdu'l-Bah�, Tablets of Abdu'l-Bah�, p. 20-21

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!
Verily I pray to God to make thee and thy revered husband � under the shadow of His Greatest Name � confirmed in all conditions, aided in the service of the Cause of God with a confirmation on the part of the Merciful Lord.
� `Abdu'l-Bah�, Tablets of Abdu'l-Bah�, p. 48

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.
� `Abdu'l-Bah�, Tablets of Abdu'l-Bah�, p. 57

*** O thou who art attracted to the Kingdom of God! ....
The giving .... the ring of the Greatest Name is very beautiful. The ring should be worn on the small finger of the right hand.
� `Abdu'l-Bah�, Tablets of Abdu'l-Bah�, p. 178

As to the manifestation of the Greatest Name (Bah�'u'll�h): 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.
� `Abdu'l-Bah�, Tablets of Abdu'l-Bah�, p. 613-614

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.
� `Abdu'l-Bah�, Tablets of Abdu'l-Bah�, p. 629

O ye friends of God!
Do ye know in what cycle ye are created and in what age ye exist? This is the age of the Blessed Perfection and this is the time of the Greatest Name! This is the century of the Manifestation, the age of the Sun of the Horizons and the beautiful springtime of His Holiness the Eternal One!
� `Abdu'l-Bah�, Tablets of Abdu'l-Bah�, p. 641

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, I am cognizant of the sincerity of thine intention and the purity of thine heart. Therefore, I address thee with this great address, so that thou mayest impart the "Greatest Name" to whomsoever thou findest prepared for entering the Kingdom of God.
We have sent letters for the names which were written in thy letter. We have also sent [stones of the] Greatest Name and roses which express the redness of my blood which I beg of God to be shed in the path of God.
� `Abdu'l-Bah�, Tablets of Abdu'l-Bah�, p. 712

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 Bah� 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 Bah� El-Abh�!" reaching to the Supreme Concourse.
� `Abdu'l-Bah�, Tablets of Abdu'l-Bah�, p. 713

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.
Compilation on Scholarship, p. Opening letter from The Universal House of Justice

`Abdu'l-Bah�: Yes! This is the day of Bah�'u'll�h, 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.
� `Abdu'l-Bah�, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p.210

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, Bah�'u'll�h, 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!
� `Abdu'l-Bah�, Some Answered Questions, p. 149-150

In these and other ways the community of the Greatest Name will endeavour to blazon the Name of Bah�'u'll�h across the globe, to make it a known eminence in the consciousness of peoples everywhere.
� The Universal House of Justice, Ridv�n 1991

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 Abh� Kingdom.
� Bah�'� World Centre, Bah�yyih Kh�num, p. 143-144

FROM THE FORWARD OF �Ninety-Nine Names of ALLÁH�
by Shems Friedlander, Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc. 1978

He is All�h, there is no God but Him,
All�h has said ask from Me through mentioning My names. Hadis Qudsi

Religious scholars have related that All�h has three thousand Names.

• One thousand are only known by angels,
• 1,000 known only by prophets,
• 300 are in the Torah (Old Testament),
• 300 are in Zabur (Psalms of David),
• 300 are in the New Testament,
• and 99 are in the Qur�an.
• This makes 2,999 Names.
• One Name which has been hidden by All�h is called Ism All�h al�a�zam:
  The Greatest Name of All�h.

All of All�h�s 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 Qur�an as this Hadis states: ...
Whoever reads the Qur�an will have read the Greatest Name probably without knowing it.
Some of the companions of the Prophet (Muhammad), may the peace and blessings of All�h be upon him, knew the Name. Ali KarramAll�hu Wachah (the fourth caliph), may All�h exalt him, was one who knew.
All�h has hidden certain things out of His mercy. He has hidden the most righteous people in His eyes (Avliya). so people should respect one another indiscriminately. He has hidden the night of Kadir (the holy night in which (the) Qur�an began to be revealed), and the sura of Kadir (97th chapter) mentions that the night of Kadir is better than 1,000 months. According to Hadis, this night is usually regarded as being the 27th night of Ramadhan. It is hidden so people should act properly and obey His orders throughout Ramadhan.
He has hidden His consent so people will always do good deeds. He has hidden His Greatest Name in the Qur�an so people will read the entire Qur�an.
One should memorize the 99 Names for one�s own benefit. However, learning the Names by heart is not the aim. The aim is to find the One who is Named. ...
The Names of All�h are connected with the life of man. All aspects of life can be seen in the Names.
When a man is given a Name which relates to one of the 99 Names of All�h it should always be preceded by Abd (servant of). ... pp. 6-10

This being the �Greatest Name of God�, see also �The 99 Names of God in Islam�.

This compilation made extensive use of Immerse v0.93 for Windows, sadly not available at the time of writing (2004/10/31).

Immerse is an Electronic Bah�'� Library that contains nearly 400 books, messages, and texts from the B�b, Bah�'u'll�h, `Abdu'l-Bah�, Shoghi Effendi, the Universal House of Justice, the Bah�'� International Community, the Bible, the Qur'an, the Bhagavad-Gita (Hindu), the Dhammapada (Buddhist), and more. Features include: hypertext links between footnotes and references to other texts, advanced full text searches, an easy to browse table of contents, and bookmarks.

Immerse, if you can obtain a copy, is free to copy and use as long as you like.