“Alláh-u-Abhá” is an Arabic phrase meaning “God the
All-Glorious”. It is a form of the Greatest Name of God. In Islám there is a
tradition that among the many names of God, one was the greatest; however, the
identity of this Greatest Name was hidden. Bahá’u’lláh has confirmed that the
Greatest Name is “Bahá”.
The various derivatives of the word “Bahá” are also regarded
as the Greatest Name.
Shoghi Effendi’s secretary writing on his behalf explains
that “The Greatest Name is the Name of Bahá’u’lláh. “Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá” is an
invocation meaning: “O Thou Glory of Glories!”. “Alláh-u-Abhá” is a greeting
which means: “God the All-Glorious”. Both refer to Bahá’u’lláh. By Greatest
Name is meant that Bahá’u’lláh has appeared in God’s Greatest Name, in other
words, that He is the supreme Manifestation of God.”
The greeting “Alláh-u-Abhá” was adopted during the period of
Bahá’u’lláh’s exile in Adrianople.
The repetition of “Alláh-u-Abhá” ninety-five times is to be
preceded by the performance of ablutions. (The Notes section of the
Kitab-i-Aqdas, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of
Justice)
