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.
As to “aghsán”, it also means branch. But it is a bigger branch than “afnán”. It refers to Bahá’u’lláh’s descendants.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 25 September 1934, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to Dr. Mühlschlegel; ‘The Light of Divine Guidance, vol. 1)