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Courtesy of Planet Baha'i

Abdu'l-Baha (1844-1921): The name by which Baha'u'llah's son and appointed successor, Abbas Effendi, is commonly known. "'Abdu'l-Baha" means "Servant of Baha." He was designated by Baha'u'llah as the "Center of the Covenant" toward whom all Baha'is should turn, the authorized interpreter of His father's writings and the perfect exemplar of Baha'i life.

Abha: Most glorious. "Baha" means glory, and "abhá" is its superlative form. Both are titles of Baha'u'llah and His Kingdom.

Ablutions: The ritual washing of the hands and face in preparation for prayer. Baha'u'llah requires ablutions as part of the daily obligatory prayer.

Administrative Order: Collectively, the institutions that administer the affairs of the Baha’i Faith. The administrative order was created by Baha'u'llah, and certain of its elements were further elaborated by Abdu’l-Baha, Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice.

Afnan: The relatives of the Bab. Literally, "twigs."

Aghsan: The relatives of Baha'u'llah. Literally, "branches."

Akka: (Also Akko or Acre) The prison-city near Haifa (in modern-day Israel) where Baha'u'llah was imprisoned from late August, 1868, through June 1877.

Ala: "Loftiness," the 19th month in the Baha’i calendar. Ala is also the month during which the 19-day Fast is observed..

Allah-u-Abha: A form of the Greatest Name, literally "God, the All-Glorious." It is often used by Baha'is as a greeting.

Ancient of Days: A title of God. In the Bible it appears in the Book of Daniel. It also appears frequently in the Baha’i Holy Writings.

Ancient Beauty: A title of Bahá'u'lláh

The Arc: The collection of administrative buildings at the Baha’i 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.

Asma: "Names," the ninth month in the Baha’i 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. Auxiliary Board members are appointed on the basis of their spiritual knowledge and act primarily as advisers to the Local Spiritual Assemblies and individuals in their areas.

Ayyam-i-Ha: Literally, "the days of Ha" (Ha being a letter in the Arabic alphabet associated with God). A four-day period (five in leap years) for Baha'is of charity, gift-giving and celebration that immediately proceeds the period of fasting.

Azamat: "Grandeur," the fourth month in the Baha’i calendar.

The Bab (1819-1850): Literally, "the Gate." The title by which Haijí Siyyid Mírza Alí Muhammad Shirazi, the founder of the Babí Faith and Herald of the Baha’i Faith, is known. Throughout His brief mission, the Bab called on the people to purify themselves in preparation for the coming of "Him whom God will manifest." His ministry ended with His public execution on July 9, 1850, in Tabríz, Persia.

Babi: A follower of the Bab. Upon Baha'u'llah's declaration of His mission, most Babís accepted Him and became Baha'is.

Badi Calendar: A solar calendar used by Baha'is, composed of 19 months that each have 19 days and four intercalary days (five in leap years) inserted between the 18th and 19th months.

Baha: "Splendor" or "Glory" in Arabic; the first month in the Baha’i calendar.

Baha'u'llah (1817-1892): Literally, "the Glory of God." The title by which Mírza Husayn Ali Nuri, the Founder of the Baha'i Faith, is known. He spent His 40-year ministry in prison and in exile. In spite of great hardships and the opposition of the most powerful people in the Islamic world, Baha'u'llah persisted in spreading His message of unity and peace, authored the equivalent of 100 volumes (which form the core of the Baha’i Holy Writings) and called on the world's leaders to reconcile their differences and establish true justice in the world.

Baha’i: A follower of Baha'u'llah.

Bahjí: The house near Akka where Baha'u'llah was allowed to spend His final years (1879-1892). He is buried in a shrine at Bahji, the holiest spot on Earth for Baha'is.

Bayan: The most important book written by the Bab, in which His laws are revealed.

Continental Board of Counsellors: 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 Counsellors are appointed on the basis of their spiritual knowledge and act primarily as advisers to the National Spiritual Assemblies in their areas.

Covenant: In the general religious sense, a covenant is an agreement between God and humanity. In Baha’i terms, two covenants are recognized: the Greater Covenant and the Lesser Covenant. The Greater Covenant is an element of every religion and provides God's assurance that He will send another Manifestation of God in the future. The Lesser Covenant is specific to the Baha’i Faith and involves Baha'u'llahs assurance that the unity of His followers will be maintained.

Deepening: The process of studying the Holy Writings (usually Baha’i but sometimes those of other religions as well).

Devotional gathering: A gathering where Baha'is and those of other faiths pray and read from the Holy Writings of the world's religions. There is usually an emphasis on the Baha'i Holy Writings, but readings may be and often are drawn from other Holy Books, such as the Bible and the Qur'an.

The Fast: Baha'is observe an annual 19-day period of fasting from March 2-20. The Fast takes place in the month of Ala, the 19th (and last) month of the Baha’i year. During this time, adult Baha'is abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. A spiritual discipline, fasting is symbolic of restraint and obedience to God. Children, the elderly, pregnant women, nursing mothers and the ill are exempt from fasting.

Feast: A local gathering held on the first day of each Baha’i month (every 19 days) incorporating prayers, discussion and socializing.

Fireside: An informal gathering, also called an introductory meeting, for those who want to learn about the Baha’i Faith in an informal setting.

The Fund: Baha’i Funds, commonly referred to as the Fund, exist to support the Universal House of Justice, National Spiritual Assemblies Local Spiritual Assemblies, the Continental Board of Counsellors and other institutions. Only Baha'is may contribute to the Fund.

Greater Covenant: God's agreement with each Divine Messenger of God that in exchange for the obedience of His followers, another Divine Messenger will appear in the future.

Greatest Name (also Most Great Name): One of the various forms of Baha'u'llah’s name. Others are "Allah-u-Abha" ("God, the All-Glorious") and "Ya Baha'u'l-Abha" ("O Glory of the All-Glorious"). There are also several calligraphic expressions of the Greatest Name.

The Guardian: A title referring to Shoghi Effendi, Abdu’l-Baha's grandson, who was given the sole authority to interpret the Holy Writings. After Shoghi Effendi’s death, the Universal House of Justice assumed his duties as well as others.

Hands of the Cause of God: Baha'is who were appointed for life by Baha'u'llah,
Abdu’l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi for their spiritual knowledge and wisdom to propagate and protect the Baha'i Faith. Only fifty individuals received this title.  There are no longer any living Hands of the Cause.

Homefront pioneer: A Baha’i who leaves his or her home and takes up residence elsewhere in the same country for the purpose of spreading Baha'u'llah's teachings.

Holy Day (Baha'i) : A religious celebration or commemoration of which there are 11 in the Baha'i Faith. On nine of those days, work should be suspended. These days are: Naw-Ruz (March 21), the first day of Ridvan (April 21), the ninth Day of Ridvan (April 29), the twelfth Day of Ridvan (May 2), the Declaration of the Bab (May 23), the Ascension of Baha'u'llah (May 29), the Martyrdom of the Bab (July 9), the Birth of the Bab (Oct. 20), the Birth of Baha'u'llah (Nov.12), the Day of the Covenant (Nov. 26) and the Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha (Nov. 28). The latter two are not days on which work should be suspended.

House of Justice: A Baha'i group of nine elected administrative members who have jurisdiction over a specified region. Baha'u'llah created these Houses of Justice in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. At present, the Universal House of Justice, the supreme administrative body of the Faith, is the only one in existence. The Local and National Spiritual Assemblies are the embryonic forms of future Houses of Justice at their respective levels.

House of Worship: A temple in which Baha’i worship services are held. At present there are seven Baha’i Houses of Worship in the world and another under construction, but in time every Baha’i community will have one, with associated dependencies such as a university and a home for the aged.

Huququ'llah: Literally, "the right of God." A payment that Baha'is make to the House of Justice based on their means. The payment is equal to 19 percent of one's wealth, excluding certain items such as one's home and furnishings, and is made only one time. If one's wealth increases, a payment of 19 percent of the increase is called for. If one's wealth decreases, no additional payments are required until it rises above the level previously "cleared.”

Ilm: "Knowledge," the twelfth month in the Baha’i calendar.

International Teaching Center: An appointed administrative body created by the Universal House of Justice to 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.) The members of the Center are appointed on the basis of their spiritual knowledge and primarily act as advisers to the Universal House of Justice.

Ishraq: Literally, "splendor." Baha'u'llah titled one of His tablets "Ishráqát," in which He enumerates nine "splendors": the profound regard the wealthy and powerful should have for religion, the establishment of the Most Great Peace, the importance of observing God's commandments, the importance of praiseworthy deeds and an upright character, the need for governments to understand the conditions of their people, union and concord among all peoples, the education of children, the authority of the House of Justice, and the establishment of unity and concord as the purpose of religion.

Izzat: "Might," the tenth month in the Baha’i calendar.

Jalal: "Glory," the second month in the Baha’i calendar.

Jamal: "Beauty," the third month in the Baha’i calendar.

Kalimat: "Words," the seventh month in the Baha’i calendar.

Kamal: "Perfection," the eighth month in the Baha’i calendar.

Kawthar: A river in paradise that is the source of all other rivers. Bahá'u'lláh mentions it in a symbolic sense in a number of places in His Writings.

Knight of Baha'u'llah: A designation conferred by Shoghi Effendi on certain individuals who were the first Baha'ís to travel to a country or territory for the purposes of spreading the religion.

Local Spiritual Assembly (LSA): The elected body that administers the affairs of the Baha’i Faith at the local level.

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

Lesser Peace: A state of relative world peace and security created by an international treaty that fixes borders and controls??? armaments for all nations, and is supported by a collective security arrangement. Baha'u'llah called on the world's leaders to establish the Lesser Peace.

Letters of the Living: The first 18 disciples of the Bab, plus the Bab Himself.

Lote Tree: In ancient times, the Arabs planted such a tree to mark the end of a road. In the writings of Baha'u'llah, the Lote Tree generally refers to the Divine Messenger of God. The implication is that this Messenger occupies a station to which ordinary human beings can neither attain nor surpass.

Manifestation of God: A Divine Messenger sent by God to reveal His teachings to humanity. The Manifestation is the "express image" of the attributes and perfections of God. There are nine historical Manifestations of God: Abraham, Moses, Zoroaster, Krishna, the Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, the Bab and Baha'u'llah. There were others before them whose names are lost to history or who are known only as mythical figures (such as Adam and Noah), and there will be others at approximately 1,000-year intervals.

Masá'il: "Questions," the fifteenth month in the Baha’i calendar.

Mashíyyat: "Will," the eleventh month in the Baha’i calendar.

Mashriqu'l-Adhkar: Literally, "the dawning-place of the mention of God." A temple in which Baha’i worship services are held. At present there are seven Baha’i Houses of Worship in the world and another under construction, but in time every Baha’i community will have one, with associated dependencies such as a university and a home for the aged.

Master: A title of Abdu’l-Baha. This is a translation of Aqa, a title of respect applied to the eldest son of a family by his siblings.

Mazra'ih: The house near Akka where Baha'u'llah was allowed to live from 1877 to 1879.

National Spiritual Assembly (NSA): The elected body that administers the affairs of the Baha’i Faith at the national level.

Naw-Ruz: The first day of the Baha’i Year, March 21, the vernal equinox. Celebrated as a Holy Day. Also the traditional Persian New Year.

Nur: "Light," the fifth month in the Baha’i calendar.

Obligatory Prayer: A special prayer required by religious law. Bahá'u'lláh specified three obligatory prayers for Bahá'ís to use, one of which must be said each day. The choice of which prayer to say is left to the individual. Ablutions are required as part of obligatory prayers.

Pioneer: A Baha’i who leaves his or her home and takes up residence in another country for the purpose of spreading Baha'u'llah's teachings.

Progressive Revelation: The Baha’i belief that the world's major religions are part of an ongoing process through which God reveals His will to humanity through Divine Messengers such as Abraham, Moses, Christ, Zoroaster, Krishna, Muhammad and Baha'u'llah.

Qá'im: Literally, "He who arises." The Promised One of Islam. Baha'is believe the Bab was the Qa'im.

Qawl: "Speech," the fourteenth month in the Baha’i calendar.

Qiblih: The "Point of Adoration" toward which one turns during prayer. In former times the Qiblih had been Jerusalem. Muhammad changed the Qiblih to Mecca. The Bab specified that "The Qiblih is indeed He Whom God will make manifest [Baha'u'llah]; whenever He moveth, it moveth, until He shall come to rest." Baha'u'llah confirmed this, so that today the Qiblih is the Shrine of Baha'u'llah at Bahjí, where His earthly remains rest.

Qudrat: "Power," the thirteenth month in the Baha’i calendar.

Qurratu'l-Ayn: Literally, "the Solace of the Eyes." The Bab gave this name to Tahirih after she embraced His Cause. In some of His Writings, the Bab also refers to Himself as Qurratu'l-Ayn.

Rahmat: "Mercy," the sixth month in the Baha’i calendar.

Regional Council: In 1988, the Universal House of Justice created Regional Councils in some countries as an intermediate level of administration between the local and national spiritual assemblies. 

Revelation: The unveiling by God to humanity of something previously hidden. The Divine Messengers of God and the minor prophets are the recipients of revelations from God. The term is also frequently used to describe revealed writings such as the Qur’an or the writings of the Bab and Baha'u'llah.

Ridván: Literally, "Paradise." A 12-day festival, held from April 21 through May 2, celebrating Baha'u'llah’s public declaration of His mission on the eve of His departure from Baghdad for exile in Constantinople.

Ringstone Symbol: A calligraphic design created by Abdu’l-Baha that is commonly used on Baha’i rings and pendants and often displayed in Baha’i homes. The design represents the Bab and Baha'u'llah, as well as the worlds of God, the Manifestations of God and man -- and how they are connected.

Seeker: An individual who is searching for spiritual truth.

Sharaf: "Honor," the sixteenth month in the Baha’i calendar.

Shoghi Effendi (1896 - 1957): The great-grandson of Baha'u'llah, appointed by Abdu’l-Baha to be the first Guardian of the Baha’i Faith. The Guardian held the explicit authority to interpret the writings of the Bab, Baha'u'llah and Abdu’l-Baha.

Spiritual Assembly: An elected Baha'i administrative body composed of nine members who have jurisdiction over a specified region. At present, there are Local Spiritual Assemblies (LSAs) and National Spiritual Assemblies (NSAs). In the future these Spiritual Assemblies will evolve into Houses of Justice at their respective levels.

Sultan: "Sovereignty," the seventeenth month in the Baha’i calendar.

Tablet: A term used by the Baha'i, Baha'u'llah and Abdu’l-Baha to designate many of their writings. Tablets are generally epistles (letters) addressed to specific individuals.

Tajallí: Literally, "effulgence." Baha'u'llah titled one of His tablets "Tajalliyat," in which He enumerates four "effulgences": the knowledge of God, steadfastness in God's Cause, the acquisition of knowledge and the Divinity of the Manifestation of God.

Universal House of Justice: The international governing body of the Baha'i Faith. Composed of nine individuals, the Universal House of Justice is elected every five years by the combined membership of all the National Spiritual Assemblies. The Universal House of Justice is located at the Baha'i World Center in Haifa, Israel.

Writings: Shorthand for "Holy Writings," usually used to denote the Baha’i Holy Writings of the Bab, Baha'u'llah and Adu’l-Baha.

Ya Baha'u’l-Abha: A form of the Greatest Name, literally meaning "O Glory of the All-Glorious." It is an invocation used by Baha'is as an affirmation of faith, as an expression of praise and gratitude, and to call on God's assistance and support.

Year of Service: How Baha'is refer to a year spent in volunteer service to a community. Youth especially are encouraged to do a year of service, which frequently involves participation in social and economic development projects.