Siyyid ‘Alí Afnán
Siyyid ‘Alí Afnán (d. 1916) was a relative of the Báb who supported Mírzá Muhammad ‘Alí in his campaign against ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
Biography[edit]
‘Alí was a son of Afnán-i-Kabír. Like his father he established a career as merchant in Yazd.[1] His father became a Bahá’í in 1868 and he also became a Bahá’í at some point.[2]
‘Alí's aunt Khadíjih Bagum, the widow of the Báb, requested to go on pilgrimage to meet with Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Alí agreed to take her to the Holy Land in the early 1870's if she could secure a marriage between him and one of Bahá’u’lláh's daughters.[3] Bahá’u’lláh agreed to the marriage however when ‘Alí went on pilgrimage in July 1882 he did not take his aunt and she passed away two months later.[4] He remained in the Holy Land for an extended period as Furúghiyyih Khánum, who he was betrothed to, had not yet come of age.[5] His marriage took place on May 17, 1886,[1] and he and his wife then resided in the building next to the Mansion of Bahjí which became the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh when Bahá’u’lláh's remains were laid to rest in it after His Ascension.[6]
After the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh in 1892 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá became head of the Bahá’í Faith having been appointed in His fathers Will, however ‘Alí and his wife both supported Mírzá Muhammad ‘Alí who attempted to usurp control over the community. ‘Alí also levelled serious accusations against ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the course of a legal case he pursued in an attempt to gain ownership over some property in the Holy Land which belonged to his brother Mírzá Muhsin. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá referred to him as Siyyid Mutimarid meaning the rebellious Siyyid.[1]
In 1903 ‘Alí requested forgiveness from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and wrote a letter denouncing Mírzá Muhammad ‘Alí, however he covertly continued working with Mírzá Muhammad ‘Alí and ultimately resumed open support for him.[7] He passed away in Akka after suffering a heart attack in 1916.[1][8]
‘Alí had four sons, one of whom was Husayn Afnán.[1] Shoghi Effendi asked Husayn to resign a high post that he held with the Iraqi government so that he would not be placed in the position of endorsing that governments' seizure of the House of Bahá’u’lláh. Husayn refused and was expelled.[9] ‘Alí had three other sons and after his passing his son Nayyir married Rúhangiz Rabbání the sister of Shoghi Effendi. His son Hasan married her sister Mehrangiz, and his son Faydi married another grand-daughter of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá named Thurayya.[10] All of his sons were also named Covenant-breakers.[11]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Ahang Rabbani, The Afnán Family: Some Biographical Notes, 2007
- ↑ H.M. Balyuzi, Eminent Baha'is in the Time of Baha'u'llah, George Ronald: Oxford, 1985, p 229
- ↑ Baharieh Rouhani Ma'ani, Leaves of the Twin Divine Trees, George Ronald: Oxford, 2009, p 26
- ↑ Baharieh Rouhani Ma'ani, Leaves of the Twin Divine Trees, George Ronald: Oxford, 2009, p 49
- ↑ Baharieh Rouhani Ma'ani, Leaves of the Twin Divine Trees, George Ronald: Oxford, 2009, p 49
- ↑ Baha'i World Centre, Visiting Baha'i Holy Places, Baha'i World Centre: Haifa, 2003, p 1
- ↑ Baharieh Rouhani Ma'ani, Leaves of the Twin Divine Trees, George Ronald: Oxford, 2009, p 256
- ↑ Adib Taherzadeh, The Covenant of Baha'u'llah, George Ronald: Oxford, 1992, p 251
- ↑ Moojan Momen, The Covenant and Covenant-breaker, Bahá’í Library Online, 1995
- ↑ Adib Taherzadeh, The Child of the Covenant, George Ronald: Oxford, 2000, p 308
- ↑ Adib Taherzadeh, The Covenant of Baha'u'llah, George Ronald: Oxford, 1972, p 359
