Huqúqu'lláh

Compilations

• https://bahai-library.com/compilation_huququllah
• https://bahai-library.com/compilation_huququllah_right_god

Letters

• https://bahai-library.com/uhj_huququllah_questions
• https://bahai-library.com/uhj_huququllah_transactions

(Approximately) one-fifth of income of rich to be voluntarily given for the poor (in contrast to Zakát which is a future tax)

"Bahá'u'lláh, likewise, commanded the rich to give freely to the poor. In the Kitáb-i-Aqdas it is further written by Him that those who have a certain amount of income must give one-fifth of it to God, the Creator of heaven and earth."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 217)

Possible references to Huqúqu'lláh?

• Voluntary funding for education

Divine religions prescribe wealthy men to hand over a part of their fortune for the poor and needy; binding on all but not obliged by the government and out of prompting of one's joyful heart

"Gracious God! How can one see one’s fellow men hungry, destitute, and deprived, and yet live in peace and comfort in one’s splendid mansion? How can one see others in the greatest need and yet take delight in one’s fortune? That is why it has been decreed in the divine religions that the wealthy should offer up each year a portion of their wealth for the sustenance of the poor and the assistance of the needy. This is one of the foundations of the religion of God and is an injunction binding upon all. And since in this regard one is not outwardly compelled or obliged by the government, but rather aids the poor at the prompting of one’s own heart and in a spirit of joy and radiance, such a deed is most commendable, approved, and pleasing.

"This is the meaning of the righteous deeds mentioned in the heavenly Books and Scriptures."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, Chapter 78, pars. 12-13)

From Lights of Guidance (to categorize)

Payment of Huqúqu'lláh Purifies One's Property, Attracts Prosperity and Blessings

"It is clear and evident that the payment of the Right of God is conducive to prosperity, to blessing, and to honour and divine protection. Well is it with them that comprehend and recognize this truth and woe betide them that believe not. And this is on condition that the individual should observe the injunctions prescribed in the Book with the utmost radiance, gladness and willing acquiescence. It behoveth you to counsel the friends to do that which is right and praiseworthy. Whoso hearkeneth to this call, it is to his own behoof, and whoso faileth bringeth loss upon himself. Verily our Lord of Mercy is the All-Sufficing, the All-Praised."

(Bahá'u'lláh: Huqúqu'lláh, A Compilation of the Universal House of Justice, June 1985, Extract No. 6, from a previously untranslated Tablet, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1031)

A Bounty which Shall Remain with Every Soul in Every World of God

"Huqúqu'lláh is indeed a great law. It is incumbent upon all to make this offering, because it is the source of grace, abundance, and of all good. It is a bounty which shall remain with every soul in every world of the worlds of God, the All-Possessing, the All-Bountiful."

(Bahá'u'lláh: Huqúqu'lláh, A Compilation of the Universal House of Justice, June 1985, Extract No. 7, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1032)

Moderation Versus Extravagance

"Say: Pride not yourselves on earthly riches ye possess. Reflect upon your end and upon the recompense for your works that hath been ordained in the Book of God, the Exalted, the Mighty. Blessed is the rich man whom earthly possessions have been powerless to hinder from turning unto God, the Lord of all names. Verily he is accounted among the most distinguished of men before God, the Gracious, the All-Knowing."

(Bahá'u'lláh: Huqúqu'lláh, A Compilation of the Universal House of Justice, June 1985, Extract No. 25, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1033)

Solicitation of the Huqúqu'lláh is Not Permitted

"...To demand the Huquq is in no wise permissible. This command was revealed in the Book of God for various necessary matters ordained by God to be dependent upon material means. Therefore, if someone, with utmost pleasure and gladness, nay with insistence, wisheth to partake of this blessing, thou mayest accept. Otherwise, acceptance is not permissible."

(Bahá'u'lláh: Huqúqu'lláh, A Compilation of the Universal House of Justice, June 1985, Extract No. 9, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1034)

Trustworthiness in Huqúqu'lláh--On Acquiring 100 Mithqals of Gold, 19 Belong Unto God

"Should a person acquire one hundred mithqals of gold, nineteen mithqals thereof belong unto God, the Creator of earth and heaven. Take heed, O people, lest ye deprive yourselves of this great bounty. We have prescribed this law unto you while We are wholly independent of you and of all that are in the heavens and on the earth. Indeed there lie concealed in this command, mysteries and benefits which are beyond the comprehension of anyone save God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Say, through this injunction God desireth to purify your possessions and enable you to draw nigh unto such stations as none can attain, except those whom God may please. Verily, He is the Generous, the Gracious, the Bountiful.

"O people! Act not treacherously in the matter of Huqúqu'lláh and dispose not of it, except by His leave. Thus hath it been ordained in His Epistles as well as in this glorious Tablet.

"Whoso dealeth dishonestly with God will in justice be exposed, and whoso fulfilleth the things he hath been commanded, divine blessings will descend upon him from the heaven of the bounty of his Lord, the Bestower, the Bountiful, the Most Generous, the Ancient of Days. Verily He desireth for you the things that are inscrutable to you at present, though the people themselves will readily discover them when their souls take their flight and the trappings of their earthly gaieties are rolled up. Thus warneth you the Author of the Preserved Tablet."

(Bahá'u'lláh: Huqúqu'lláh, A Compilation of the Universal House of Justice, June 1985, Extract No. 10, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1035)

Huqúqu'lláh Designated as an Institution of the Cause--Calculation of Equivalent of One Mithqal of Gold

"...many details in the computation of Huqúqu'lláh have been left by Bahá'u'lláh to the judgement and conscience of the individual believer. For example, He exempts such household equipment and furnishings as are needful, but He leaves it to the individual to decide which items are necessary and which are not. Contributions to the funds of the Faith cannot be considered as part of one's payment of Huqúqu'lláh; moreover, if one owes Huqúqu'lláh and cannot afford both to pay it and to make contributions to the Fund, the payment of Huqúqu'lláh should take priority over making contributions. But as to whether contributions to the Fund may be treated as expenses in calculating the amount of one's assets on which Huqúqu'lláh is payable: this is left to the judgement of each individual in the light of his own circumstances.

"The Guardian's secretary wrote on his behalf that 'one mithqal consists of nineteen nakhuds. The weight of twenty-four nakhuds equals four and three-fifths grammes. Calculations may be made on this basis.' Nineteen mithqals therefore equal 69.191667 grammes. One troy ounce equals 31.103486 grammes, thus 19 mithqals equal 2.224563 oz...."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer: Huqúqu'lláh, A Compilation of the Universal House of Justice, June 1985, Extract No. 105, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1036)

Promulgation of the Huqúqu'lláh a Responsibility of the Spiritual Assemblies--The Universal House of Justice Determines How Huqúqu'lláh Can Be Used

"Since the Huqúqu'lláh has, according to the injunction in the Book, been designated as one of the institutions of the Cause, and inasmuch as the fulfilment of

this obligation is binding on the people of Bahá, therefore it is deemed appropriate that your Spiritual Assembly should fully familiarize the dear friends in Persia with the significance of this momentous responsibility and to promulgate gradually in the entire community such ordinances related to Huqúqu'lláh as are laid down in His perspicuous Book. Obviously in pursuance of the explicit Texts solicitation of the Huqúqu'lláh is not permissible, but it is the responsibility of those Trustees of the Cause to address appeals of a general character to the dear friends, so that they may become more informed about this essential obligation. God willing, through the occasional reminders issued by your Assembly, they may gain the privilege and honour of achieving this benevolent deed--a deed that draws forth heavenly blessings, serves as a means of purifying the earthly possessions of the devoted friends, and promotes the international activities of the people of Bahá.

"It is evident to those Trustees of the Merciful that this Body, by virtue of the explicit Text of the sacred Writings, is the Body to which all things must be referred, and the Huqúqu'lláh can be used to promote the interests of the Cause throughout the Bahá'í world only with the permission of the Authority in the Cause to which all must turn."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, October 27, 1963, translated from the Persian: Huqúqu'lláh, A Compilation of the Universal House of Justice, June 1985, Extract No. 96, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1037)

Personal Accounting Should Separate Huqúqu'lláh from Contributions-- Huqúqu'lláh Comes First

"The payment of the Huqúqu'lláh is one of the essential spiritual obligations that the wondrous Pen of Bahá'u'lláh has laid down in the Most Holy Book.

"It would be preferable and more fitting if these two accounts, namely contributions to the Funds and payments of the Huqúqu'lláh were to be kept separate. This means that in the first instance you should pay your Huqúqu'lláh, and then you may offer your devoted contributions at your own discretion to the International Fund which is now being used for achieving the goals of the Nine Year Plan."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, August 18, 1965, translated from the Persian: Huqúqu'lláh, A Compilation of the Universal House of Justice, June 1985, Extract No. 97, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1038)

As a Token of Mercy, Cost of Burial and Debts Take Precedence Over Huqúqu'lláh

"Thou hast asked which is to take precedence: the Huqúqu'lláh, the debts of the deceased, or the cost of burial. It is God's command that the cost of burial take precedence, then the payment of debts, then the Right of God. Verily He is the One Who will pay due recompense, the All-Rewarding, the All-Generous. If the property is not equal to the debts, the estate must be distributed in direct proportion to each debt. The settlement of debts is a most important command set forth in the Book. Well is it with him who ascendeth unto God, without any obligations to Huqúqu'lláh and to His servants. It is evident that the Huqúqu'lláh hath priority over all other liabilities; however, as a token of mercy, He Who is the Dawning-Place of Revelation hath commanded that which hath been revealed by His life-giving and omniscient Pen in this Tablet."

(Bahá'u'lláh: Huqúqu'lláh, A Compilation of the Universal House of Justice, June 1985, Extract No. 22, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1039)

The Trusteeship of the Huqúqu'lláh--Cannot Be Turned Over to Every Person

"Payments for the Huqúqu'lláh cannot be handed over to every person. These words have been uttered by Him Who is the sovereign Truth. The Huqúqu'lláh should be kept in the custody of trusted individuals and forwarded to His holy court through the Trustees of God."

(Bahá'u'lláh: Huqúqu'lláh, A Compilation of the Universal House of Justice, June 1985, Extract No. 58, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1040)

The Huquq is Not Payable on Entire Possessions Each Year

"The Huquq is not levied on one's entire possessions each year. A person's wealth may be worth 100,000. How can he be expected to pay Huquq on this property every year? For instance, whatever income thou has earned in a particular year, you should deduct from it your expenses during that year. The Huquq will then be payable on the remainder. Possessions on which Huquq was paid the previous year will be exempt from further payment."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: Huqúqu'lláh, A Compilation of the Universal House of Justice, June 1985, Extract No. 65, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1041)

Huquq is Not Payable on Agricultural Tools and Equipment

"Huquq is applied on everything one possesseth. However, if a person hath paid the Huquq on a certain property, and the income from that property is equal to his needs, no Huquq is payable by that person.

"Huquq is not payable on agricultural tools and equipment, and on animals used in ploughing the land, to the extent that these are necessary."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: Huqúqu'lláh, A Compilation of the Universal House of Justice, June 1985, Extract No. 68, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1042)

Value of Residence, Furniture and Tools of Trade Exempt from Huqúqu'lláh of Heir

"Concerning your question whether the heirs to whom the principal residence, furniture and clothing of the deceased are transferred by way of inheritance will be exempt from the payment of Huquq or not, he said: Since the residence, furniture and the tools of trade have, in accordance with the explicit Text, been granted exemption from the Huquq, therefore, when the transfer of ownership takes place such possessions continue to be exempt."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, September 29, 1942: Huqúqu'lláh, A Compilation of the Universal House of Justice, June 1985, Extract No. 88, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1043)

Payment of the Huqúqu'lláh is a Binding Spiritual Obligation--Conduces to Prosperity and Honour, Ensures Attainment of True Happiness

"Payment of Huqúqu'lláh is a spiritual obligation binding on the people of Bahá. The injunction is laid down in the Most Holy Book, and clear and conclusive explanations are embodied in various Tablets.

"Every devoted believer who is able to meet the specified conditions, must pay the Huqúqu'lláh, without any exception. Indeed according to the explicit Text of the Most Holy Book, failure to comply with this injunction is regarded as a betrayal of trust, and the divine call: 'Whoso dealeth dishonestly with God will in justice be exposed,' is a clear reference to such people.

"The Centre of the Covenant has affirmed the obligation of Huquq in these words: 'The Lord as a sign of His infinite bounties hath graciously favoured His servants by providing for a fixed money offering (Huquq), to be dutifully presented unto Him, though He, the True One and His servants have been at all times independent of all created things'.

"This weighty ordinance, as testified by the Pen of Glory is invested with incalculable benefit and wisdom. It purifies one's possessions, averts loss and disaster, conduces to prosperity and honour and imparts divine increase and blessing. It is a sacrifice offered for and related to God, and an act of servitude leading to the promotion of His Cause. As affirmed by the Centre of the Covenant, Huquq offerings constitute a test for the believers and enable the friends to become firm and steadfast in faith and certitude.

"In brief, payment of Huqúqu'lláh is one of the binding spiritual responsibilities of the followers of Bahá'u'lláh and the proceeds thereof revert to the Authority in the Cause to whom all must turn. Moreover, the Ancient Beauty--magnified be His praise--has affirmed that after the establishment of the Universal House of Justice necessary rulings would be enacted in this connection in conformity with that which God has purposed, and that no one, except the Authority to which all must turn, has the right to dispose of this Fund. In other words, whatever portion of one's wealth is due to the Huqúqu'lláh belongs to the World Centre of the Cause of God, not to the individuals concerned.

"Thus the friends should not follow their own volition and judgement in using any of the funds set aside for Huqúqu'lláh for any other purpose, even for charitable contributions of the Faith.

"We earnestly hope that everyone may be privileged to observe this sacred and blessed obligation which would ensure the attainment of true happiness and would serve to promote the execution of Bahá'í enterprises throughout the world.

"Verily God is Self-Sufficient above the need of His creatures."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, October 25, 1970, translated from the Persian: Huqúqu'lláh, A Compilation of the Universal House of Justice, June 1985, Extract No. 100, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1044)