Names - Persian
Persians of the nineteenth century did not use surnames. Men were given proper names, such as Muhammad, Husayn, or Ibrahim, and often more then one -- Muhammad-'Ali, or Rida-Quli. Many times the second name was one of the ninety-nine Most Beauteous Names of God, from the Qur'án. For example, 'Abdu'r-Rahim [Servant of the All-Merciful].To distinguish one individual from another, titles and descriptions would be added to the given name. Haji Muhammad-Hasan Isfahani, for example, would indicate the man from Isfahan named Muhammad-Hasan who had made the pilgrimage to Mecca; Ustad Mahmud Banna would designate the Mahmud who was the master builder; and so forth.The following are a few of the many titles and description added to Persian names:Aqa: Sir, mister. General term of respect.Darvish: A Muslim mystic. Often a wandering, mendicant ascetic whotraditionally carries an ax and a begging bowl (kashkul).Haji: One who had made the Muslim pilgrimage.Kashi: Someone from KashanMirza: A general term of respect which usually indicates that the onedesignated is literate. Used after the name it indicates a prince. 134Mulla: A Muslim priest.Shaykh: An elder; a chief; a professor; or the head of a dervish order.Siyyid: A descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.Ustad: A master craftsman.
- Ustad Muhammad-'Aliy-i Salmani, My Memories of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 134-135
Quote of the Day
Fidal 7 Ilm 182 B.E.
There can be no doubt whatever that, in consequence of the efforts which every man may consciously exert and as a result of the exertion of his own spiritual faculties, this mirror can be so cleansed from the dross of earthly defilements and purged from satanic fancies as to be able to draw nigh unto the meads of eternal holiness and attain the courts of everlasting fellowship.
Bahá’u’lláh – Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 262