Shikkar-Shikan-Shavand

Shikkar-Shikan-Shavand, which translates to Sweet Scented Being, is a Persian Tablet revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in Baghdad. The Tablet has been partially officially translated into English.

Adib Taherzadeh writes that the Tablet predicts the dangers ahead of Bahá’u’lláh and draws parallels to the sufferings of Muhammad stating that the Manifestation of God must endure hardships and tribulations in the path of God. The Tablet begins with a quotation of the notable Persian poet Hafiz.

The Tablet was revealed in response to a letter from Mírzá Husayn-i-Mutavalli, a Bábí who Taherzadeh describes as being of fickle faith, written on the behalf of Mírzá Sa'id Khán, the Persian Foreign Minister, who was working to have Bahá’u’lláh banished further from the Persian border. In the letter Mutavalli cautions Bahá’u’lláh to stop teaching, appearing in public, and mentioning the Faith for His safety in an intimidating tone.

Bahá’u’lláh revealed the Tablet in response to Mutavalli, but it was also directed towards other enemies of Bahá’u’lláh, including Mírzá Sa'id Khán. Copies of it were sent to civil and ecclesiastical dignitaries on the instructions of Bahá’u’lláh.

Official Translation

• Translation of Excerpt by Habib Taherzadeh.

References

• Adib Taherzadeh, Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Vol. 1, pp 147-152.
• Shikkar-Shikan-Shavand: Wilmette Institute Faculty Notes by Iskandar Hai, Iraj Ayman