Hunting
Among the laws not presently binding in the West[edit]
"IV.D.1.r The law concerning the hunting of animals."
Hunting allowed (though vegetarian diet preferable)[edit]
"There are a number of other situations in which weapons are needed and can be legitimately used; for instance, in countries where people hunt for their food and clothing, and in such sports as archery, marksmanship, and fencing."
- (Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Note no. 173)
- See also Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, section 137
To invoke Name of God before hunt (whether using beasts or birds of prey or bow & arrow, guns, etc.)[edit]
"If ye should hunt with beasts or birds of prey, invoke ye the Name of God when ye send them to pursue their quarry; for then whatever they catch shall be lawful unto you, even should ye find it to have died. He, verily, is the Omniscient, the All-Informed."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 60)
"QUESTION: Concerning hunting.
"ANSWER: He saith, exalted be He: "If ye should hunt with beasts or birds of prey" and so forth. Other means, such as bows and arrows, guns, and similar equipment employed in hunting, are also included."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Question and Answer no. 24)
May not eat animals killed by traps/snares if the animal has already died before being reached (though acceptable to eat if an animal is killed by other means and dies before being reached)[edit]
"If ye should hunt with beasts or birds of prey, invoke ye the Name of God when ye send them to pursue their quarry; for then whatever they catch shall be lawful unto you, even should ye find it to have died. He, verily, is the Omniscient, the All-Informed."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 60)
"QUESTION: Concerning hunting.
"ANSWER: He saith, exalted be He: "If ye should hunt with beasts or birds of prey" and so forth. Other means, such as bows and arrows, guns, and similar equipment employed in hunting, are also included. If, however, traps or snares are used, and the game dieth before it can be reached, it is unlawful for consumption.
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Question and Answer no. 24)
"By this law, Bahá'u'lláh greatly simplifies practices and religious regulations of the past relating to hunting. He has also stated that hunting with such weapons as bows and arrows, guns, and the like, is included in this ruling, but that the consumption of game if it is found dead in a trap or a net is prohibited (Q and A 24)."
- (Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Note no. 83)
Not to hunt to excess[edit]
"Take heed, however, that ye hunt not to excess. Tread ye the path of justice and equity in all things. Thus biddeth you He Who is the Dawning-place of Revelation, would that ye might comprehend."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 60)
"While hunting is not forbidden by Bahá'u'lláh, He warns against excessive hunting. The Universal House of Justice will, in due course, have to consider what constitutes an excess in hunting."
- (Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Note no. 84)
