From Desolation to Deification: Some Reflections on  key theological  and non-theological meanings of the Arabic word Bahā'  in Islamic and Bābī-Bahā'ī scriptural and related literatures.

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Stephen Lambden (Ohio University).

        Bahā''is view the Arabic word Bahā'  with its numerical (abjad) value of nine as the locus or quintessence of the Mightiest or Greatest name of God (al-ism al-a`zam).  This word meaning radiant splendor or glory and much more besides is not among the Islamic ninety-nine  al-asmā al-ḥusnā, the "Most beautiful Names" of God, singled out in traditions ascribed to the Prophet Muhammad (d. 632 CE) as the most befitting expressions of Islamic theological nomenclature. Rather, it is a name which, as the Greatest Name personified in Bahā'u'llāh, remained "hidden," and concealed "for an eternity of eternities". This although the `ordinary' use of the Arabic word bahā' has a  quite well-known,  very long and fascinating history.
         In this presentation, the  wide range of meanings of the secular word Bahā''  will be sketched, as will the theological senses and literary occurrences of this and related words such as Abhā, (the superlative = "all-glorious") and  the adjective Bahiyy ("luminous").  A few non-Islamic occurrences of bahā' in Arabic literature will be noted  as will a variety of interesting meanings found in Islamic Arabic literatures. Special reference will be given to a few Shī`ī ḥadīth texts. 
        Among the most interesting of these hadith texts is the well-known Ramadan (fasting period) Dawn prayer entitled Du'ā al-Bahā' or Du'ā al-Sahar (Dawn Supplication), the opening lines of which contain five occurrences of the word bahā' or certain of its major forms:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ بَهَائِكَ بِأَبْهَاهُ

 وَكُلُّ بَهَائِكَ بَهِيٌّ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِبَهَائِكَ كُلِّهِ

O my God!

I beseech Thee by Thy Bahā'' (Splendor) at its most splendid (abhā)

for all Thy Splendor (Bahā'') is truly resplendent (bahiyy).

I, verily, O my God!

beseech Thee by the fullness of Thy Splendor (Bahā'').

 

The Bāb's use of this prayer in ritual and theological contexts will be detailed as will select examples with translations of his quite frequent creative re-revelations of it along with the related Du`ā al-Mubahala ("Supplication for Mutual Desecration").  What Bahā''u'llah had to say about this  Du`ā al-Sahar / al-Bahā'  will also be indicated as will select statements by Abdu'l-Bahā' (d. 1921) and Shoghi Effendi (d. 1957) about the gravitas and power of Bahā' as the Greatest Name  (al-ism al-a`ẓam) of God  manifested and transfigured in  the temple or person of Bahā''u'llah (d. 1892).