Nightingale

This page lists all references to Nightingale in the writings of the Central Figures of the Bahá’í Faith. Nightingale is frequently used in reference to the Manifestation or Their message, as in "the warbling of the Nightingale" or "the wondrous melodies of the Nightingale". Given its usage in literature as a songbird attracted by the beauty of a rose, the word is also frequently used to describe the ideal condition for the heart of the believer, or to exemplify their actions. Note that the content on this page is subject to certain limitations.

Definition

1.

Any of several Old World birds of the genus Luscinia, of the thrush family (Turdidae). The common species of Great Britain (L. megarhyncha) is about six inches long and russet brown above with the rump and tail lighter and the under parts whitish. It is noted for the sweet song of the male, often heard at night during the breeding season. A species of eastern Europe (L. luscinia) is similar, but larger. With a qualifying term, any of various birds, mostly sweet singers, as mock nightingale, Japanese nightingale, etc.

2.

Loosely, any of various birds that sing at night.

Source: Webster’s New International Dictionary of the English Language, second edition, unabridged, 1934

In reference to the Manifestation[edit]

the warbling of the Nightingale of fervent longing is heard from the horizon of the world APB

the divine Nightingale calleth: “Alas! Alas! for all that hath been made to appear.” APB

Through you the emerald-green Nightingale warbled upon the Crimson Tree, testifying ATB

no song remaineth that this Nightingale hath not warbled. CDB

O Nightingale of heaven! Warble upon the boughs of DR

soul-entrancing melodies warbled by the Nightingale of Eternity upon the twigs DR

and the Nightingale of His Cause hath warbled its melody upon the twigs DR

the heavenly Nightingale warbled its melody upon the Divine Lote-Tree DR

a wondrous melody, the Nightingale pealed out its heavenly song DR

veils have been parted, the Nightingale hath warbled its melody, the Mount DR

We have enabled thee to hear the melodies of the Nightingale of Paradise ESW

and the voice of the Nightingale was silenced in the golden realm GDM

only then, will the Divine Standard be unfurled, and the Nightingale of Paradise GWB

The time cometh, when the nightingale of holiness will no longer unfold HW

Thus hath the Nightingale sung with sweet melody upon the celestial bough KA

beauty of its Rose and the melody of its Nightingale. Once in about a thousand years KI

The day will surely come when the Nightingale of Paradise will have winged its flight KI

They hearken unto the celestial Song, but remain oblivious to the Mystic Nightingale. LW

or the Heavenly Nightingale, according to the decree of God, have warbled its melody? PM

I yield Thee such thanks as can cause the Nightingale of Glory to pour forth its melody in PM

The Nightingale of faithfulness is beset by renegades who are even as ravens of hate. SWAB

Even should the day of the Mystic Nightingale draw to its close, who would ever SWAB

Never will the barking of dogs deter the Nightingale from warbling its melodies. SLH

Wert thou to incline thine ear to the melodies of that Nightingale which warbleth in manifold SLH

hast heard the Nightingale of fidelity pouring forth its notes upon the Branch of Glory TB

set in motion all beings and caused the Nightingale to pour forth its melodies. TB

the foundations of religions have quaked and the Nightingale of Utterance hath warbled its melody TB

In reference to the message of the Manifestation[edit]

the wondrous melodies of the Nightingale and entered beneath the ATB

in the glorious accents of the Nightingale of ‘Iráq CDB

and the melodies of the Nightingale of Holiness can reach no ear save that of the denizens KI

Now doth the mystic nightingale carol its odes, and buds of inner meaning are bursting into SWAB

and give ear unto that which the Nightingale singeth upon the branches of the Divine Lote-Tree SLH

As part of demonstrating some truth[edit]

the charm and perfection of the rose are as nourishment to the impassioned nightingale ATET

They will be sweet-singing nightingales in the gardens of knowledge ATET

the nightingales warble their melodies, chanting a myriad songs at every moment ATET

nor will the nightingale sing thereon. Then, ere the nightingale of the mystic Paradise repair to CDB

many an eagle pursueth this nightingale of the garden of eternity CDB

And if a nightingale soar beyond the clay of self and dwell in the rose bower CDB

the croaking of the raven can in no wise be confounded with the song of the nightingale CDB

In these stations, the nightingale of the heart hath other songs and secrets CDB

Never wilt thou hear from the raven the melodies of the nightingale, nor inhale from CDB

and that the nightingale of thine heart, warbling on all the flowering branches CDB

the crow hath no part in the warbling of the nightingale, and the bat fleeth the DR

The bird seeketh its nest; the nightingale the charm of the rose; whilst those birds HW

enamored with the visage of the raven, they have renounced the melody of the nightingale and the charm KI

It teacheth lamentation and moaning to the nightingales warbling upon the bough of remoteness KI

and upon every rosebush a myriad nightingales pour out, in blissful rapture, their melody KI

and the nightingale of the bower of the Lord shall chant its eternal song LW

Even should the nightingale forsake the rose-garden, the raven and the crow would still not acquire any charm LW

Even should the nightingale of faithfulness wing its flight to the garden of eternity, a mindful soul LW

even as a nightingale endowed with speech, will cry out the secrets of the Heavenly Realm SWAB

no song will stir the world, and save for this nightingale-cry of truth from the Garden of God SWAB

or nightingales have lifted up their warblings out of the land of ‘Iráq? SWAB

or in the vegetable kingdom a rose, or in the animal kingdom a nightingale SAQ

To exemplify the qualities one must possess[edit]

and from the nightingale of affection and desire loosen not thy hold HW

and that each one of you, even as a nightingale in this rose garden of God, will glorify SWAB

vent our plaintive cries; as the nightingales, burst forth in lamentations. SWAB

and like a nightingale, one must be enamoured of the rose SAQ

As part of instructions given[edit]

Hearken with all thy heart unto the nightingale song of the Beloved, that perchance CDB

The first call of the Beloved is this: O mystic nightingale! Abide not but in the rose garden HW

In reference to the believers[edit]

Release yourselves, O nightingales of God, from the thorns DR

even as a nightingale, be spellbound by Thy love and, by day and night TPR

in the rose garden of the spirit the nightingales that utter plaintive cries. SWAB

In the meadows of truth they are as sweet-singing nightingales, and in the flower garden of guidance SWAB

there were nightingales in the branches of the rose tree of heaven that raised their plaintive cries SWAB

General reference to a pleasing or praiseworthy message[edit]

Of this did the nightingale of oneness sing in the garden of his mystical treatise CDB

I have hearkened to the song of the nightingale of knowledge upon the twigs of the tree CDB

O nightingale of the groves of praise to the Abhá Beauty! LW

It was like the melody of the divine nightingale, whose song delighteth the hearts. SWAB

and to incline thine ear to the songs of the nightingales pouring forth TB

Uncategorized[edit]

And the nightingale sang sweetly: “Rejoice! This is DR

I yield Thee such thanks as can cause the Nightingale of Glory to pour forth its melody DR

O nightingale! Incline thine ear unto the voice of the All-Glorious SLH