"In a hierarchical reading, it would suggest that the primary decision about disposition of the waqf resides with the Aghsan, but the House of Justice, when formed, has a role in execution of this decision. That is, it could be understood that the House of Justice, when formed, would assist Abdu'l-Baha in execution of decisions He made regarding waqf properties."
Dear Ahang, That strikes me as reading much more into the passage than is actually there. It's seems pretty obviously chronological to me. > Otherwise, the endowments > shall > revert to the people of Baha who speak not except by His leave <snip> "Now this is the part I don't understand. Since Baha'u'llah has already mentioned the Aghsan and the House of Justice, then who has He in mind in this passage? Note the transition word: Otherwise!" When He mentions the House of Justice He stipulates that His statement is contingent on the House of Justice having been formed *prior* to the end of the line of the Aghsan. The verse above applies if that House has not yet been formed. As it turned out, this was precisely the case and it was the Hands who represented the People of Baha until the House could be elected. warmest, Susan __________________________________________________ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
