Oaths

Legal Oaths

Bahá'ís may take an oath on a sacred book, preferably a Bahá'í book if possible

"In reply to your letter of September 12th the Universal House of Justice asks us to refer you to a letter on this subject written on behalf of the beloved Guardian on July 11th, 1956 to your National Spiritual Assembly:

`Regarding taking oaths, there is nothing in the Teachings on this subject. As a Baha'i is enjoined by Baha'u'llah to be truthful, he would express his truthfulness, no matter what the formality of the law in any local place required of him. There can be no objection to Baha'is conforming to the requirements of the law court whatever they may be in such matters, as in no case would they constitute in any way a denial of their own beliefs as Baha'is.'

"The above direction makes it clear that Baha'is may take an oath, if required, on any sacred book. The Universal House of Justice considers that it may be preferable for them to do so on a Bahá'í book, if possible."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United Kingdom, September 20, 1973), quoted in Lights of Guidance, no. 1464, p. 451)

See also

• Dissimulation

See also

• truthfulness
• promises (regarding the making (or breaking) of non-legal verbal commitments)
• Government
• Obedience to government

To-dos for this page

• Anecdotes from Dawn-Breakers of enemies of Faith breaking their oaths on the Qur'an with Babis honoring them