Dear Scott I am very glad you found Benjamin Todd Lawson useful. I am hoping that more people from this list would read his thesis and some of his papers.
God willing it will elevate us. He is a Canadian Bahai and most faithful servant of the Cause of God in addition to being very learned in the humanly sense. Of course Todd Lawson's very long Ph D thesis is there on Jonah's list http://bahai-library.com/?file=lawson_quran_commentary_bab Qur'an Commentary of Sayyid 'Alí Muhammad, the Báb, The Doctoral dissertation by Todd Lawson 1987-07 Abstract Title: The Qur'an Commentary of Sayyid `Alí Muhammad, the Bab Author: B. Todd Lawson Degree: Ph.D. Department: Institute of Islamic Studies, McGill University The Bábí religion had, during its brief life, a tremendous impact on Iranian society. Its founder, Sayyid `Alí Muhammad, the Bab (1819-1850) wrote a great many works of several kinds. Of his major writings, the two earliest are partial commentaries on the Qur'an. The following study examines these two remarkably different commentaries in an attempt to appreciate the Bab's attitude towards the Qur'an, Islam, and himself. The earliest work, the Tafsír súrat al-baqara, was written before the Báb had publicized a claim to messiahship. In the Tafsír súrat Yúsuf, written only a short time later, this claim is made explicit. The radical difference in the style of the two commentaries, which may be seen as a reflection of a development in the Bab's perception of himself, is analyzed. ... And they say, 'The Fire shall not touch us save a number of days.' [2:80a] Those who love the false waláya have indeed worshipped the calf (al-`ijl). And they say, 'The Fire shall not touch us that is (ay) the waláya of `Alí,save a number of days during the lifetime of the Messenger of God.[281] This refers to the duplicity of those who accepted the Prophet's nomination of `Alí at Ghadír Khumm, only to renege later... The word báb occurs in almost every chapter of the text, usually several times. Sometimes it appears simply as báb alláh: Verily, those who disbelieve in the exalted Gate of God (bi-báb alliah al-rafí`), indeed I have ordained for them a painful chastisement by the authority of God.[923] At other times, it appears as báb imámikum: Did not the Remembrance and the Book come to you from all directions with the most great truth calling: "O concourse! I am the Gate of your awaited Imám . . .";[924] or, as hádhá 'l-báb: Indeed, mankind is wrongfully in neglect and perturbed concerning this Most Great Gate [who comes] by Our mighty command. And He is God, Exalted, Great.[925] Dhálika 'l-báb is also frequently encountered and is seen to exploit the ambiguity associated with Qur'án 2:2 dhálika 'l-kitáb.[926] Such an allusion represents yet another example of the Shí`í doctrine of "the Imám as Book and Book as Imám", discussed above. And indeed We have sent down the book upon Our servant in order that mankind might be a witness to the exalted Remembrance of God [which is] in that Gate.[927] Several times, the author is referred to as báb alláh al-akbar, al-báb al-akbar, or dhálika al-báb al-a`zam.[928] These usages find their parallel in others, such as al-dhikr al-akbar, or kalimat al-akbar (sic).[929] Other epithets, such as báb alláh al-rafí` are also found.[930] Several times the ahl al-báb are referred to, indicating presumably, those who have recognized the claims put forth. Verily your Lord, God, said: "I am truly merciful to those believers from among the people of the Gate."[931] Similarly, the sabíl al-báb, or some variation is often read: He is God, the Truth, He of whom [it is said] "There is no God but He." He has desired only that you serve sincerely in the path of this Gate.[932] http://bahai-library.com/articles/reading.lawson.html http://www.h-net.org/~bahai/bhpapers/vol1/nahl2.htm "Reading Reading Itself: The Bab's `Sura of the Bees,' A Commentary on Qur'an 12:93 from the Sura of Joseph- Text, Translation and Commentary" The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto ("e-mail") is sent by the Johnson County Community College ("JCCC") and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you. -----Original Message----- From: Richard H. Gravelly [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 06 September 2005 02:41 To: Khazeh Fananapazir Subject: Todd Lawson Khazeh : I am most pleased with the paper of Todd Lawson. His expositions and explanations have opened vistas of heretofore only guessed at meanings. At any rate, is it possible that I may have access to other articles by him? Thank you, Richard H. 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