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The Light of Divine Guidance [First of Two Volumes]
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Pages 61-63
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Letter of 25 September 1934
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Dear Dr. Mühlschlegel,
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I am directed by the Guardian to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter dated August 29th, and to express his
appreciation of your highly-valued efforts for the
translation of the "Kitáb-i-`Ahd" into German. He hopes
that copies of this precious tablet will soon be made
available to all the friends, and that through its study their
knowledge of the Teachings will be deepened, and their zeal
for their spread stimulated and sustained.
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The term "afnán" means literally small branch, and refers
to the relatives of the Báb, both men and women. As the
Báb's only son died while in infancy, the former had no
direct descendants. The "afnán" are, therefore, all indirectly
related to the Báb.
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As to "aghsán", it also means branch. But it is a bigger
branch than "afnán". It refers to Bahá'u'lláh's descendants.
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The "Kitáb-i-`Ahd" is, as you know, Bahá'u'lláh's "Book
of Covenant". It is entirely written in His own handwriting.
And in the light of the objections raised by some of the
believers concerning the Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá,
it is highly significant to note that this Book of
Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh bears neither signature, nor seal,
nor any date. It was shown to the believers, and was read in
their presence nine days after Bahá'u'lláh's ascension. The
manuscript was in the possession of `Abdu'l-Bahá all
through His ministry, and after His passing it was found
enclosed in His own will. These two precious documents,
namely the book of Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh and the Will
and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá have both been carefully
preserved and are now in the possession of the Guardian....
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[From the Guardian:]
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Dear and valued co-worker:
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I greatly value these fresh evidences of your continued,
your intelligent and most helpful labours for a better
understanding and a wider diffusion of the essentials and
fundamentals of our beloved Faith.
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You are indeed a pillar of the Administrative Order,
which, despite the storms and tests of recent years, is rearing
its head in the heart of your beloved and promising country.
Persevere, be happy and confident. I will continue to pray
for you from the depths of my heart.
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Your true and grateful brother,
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Shoghi
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