QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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1. QUESTION:
Concerning the Most Great Festival.
ANSWER: The Most Great Festival commenceth late in the
afternoon of the thirteenth day of the second month of the year according to the
Bayán. On the first, ninth and twelfth days of this Festival, work is
forbidden.
2. QUESTION:
Concerning the Festival of the Twin Birthdays.
ANSWER: The Birth of the Abhá Beauty(1) was at
the hour of dawn on the second day of the month of Muharram,(2) the
first day of which marketh the Birth of His Herald. These two days are accounted
as one in the sight of God.
3. QUESTION: Concerning the Marriage Verses.(3)
ANSWER: For
men: "We will all, verily, abide by the Will of God." For women: "We will all,
verily, abide by the Will of God."
4. QUESTION: Should a man go on a journey without
specifying a time for his return--without indicating, in other words, the
expected period of his absence--and should no word be heard of him thereafter,
and all trace
1.
Bahá'u'lláh
2. First month of the Islamic lunar calendar
3. In Arabic the
two verses differ in gender
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of him be lost, what course should be followed by his
wife?
ANSWER: Should he have omitted to
fix a time for his return despite being aware of the stipulation of the
Kitáb-i-Aqdas in this regard, his wife should wait for one full year, after
which she shall be free either to adopt the course that is praiseworthy, or to
choose for herself another husband. If, however, he be unaware of this
stipulation, she should abide in patience until such time as God shall please to
disclose to her his fate. By the course that is praiseworthy in this connection
is meant the exercise of patience.
5.
QUESTION: Concerning the holy verse: "When We heard the clamour of the
children as yet unborn, We doubled their share and decreased those of the
rest."
ANSWER: According to the Book of
God, the estate of the deceased is divided into 2,520 shares, which number is
the lowest common multiple of all integers up to nine, and these shares are then
distributed into seven portions, each of which is allocated, as mentioned in the
Book, to a particular category of heirs. The children, for example, are allotted
nine blocks of 60 shares, comprising 540 shares in all. The meaning of the
statement "We doubled their share" is thus that the children receive a further
nine blocks of 60 shares, entitling them to a total of 18 blocks all told. The
extra shares that they receive are deducted from the portions of the other
categories
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of heirs, so that, although it is revealed, for instance, that the
spouse is entitled to "eight parts comprising four hundred and eighty shares",
which is the equivalent of eight blocks of 60 shares, now, by virtue of this
rearrangement, one and a half blocks of shares, comprising 90 shares in all,
have been subtracted from the spouse's portion and reallocated to the children,
and similarly in the case of the others. The result is that the total amount
subtracted is equivalent to the nine extra blocks of shares allotted to the
children.
6. QUESTION: Is it
necessary that the brother, in order to qualify for his portion of the
inheritance, be descended from both the father and the mother of the deceased,
or is it sufficient merely that there be one parent in common?
ANSWER: If the brother be descended from the father he
shall receive his share of the inheritance in the prescribed measure recorded in
the Book; but if he be descended from the mother, he shall receive only two
thirds of his entitlement, the remaining third reverting to the House of
Justice. This ruling is also applicable to the sister.
7. QUESTION: Amongst the provisions
concerning inheritance it hath been laid down that, should the deceased leave no
offspring, their share of the estate is to revert to the House of Justice. In
the event of other categories of heirs, such as the father, mother, brother,
sister and teacher being similarly absent, do their shares of the inheritance
also revert to the House of Justice, or are they dealt with in some other
fashion?
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ANSWER: The sacred verse sufficeth. He
saith, exalted be His Word: "Should the deceased leave no offspring, their share
shall revert to the House of Justice" etc. and "Should the deceased leave
offspring, but none of the other categories of heirs that have been specified in
the Book, they shall receive two thirds of the inheritance and the remaining
third shall revert to the House of Justice" etc. In other words, where there are
no offspring, their allotted portion of the inheritance reverteth to the House
of Justice; and where there are offspring but the other categories of heirs are
lacking, two thirds of the inheritance pass to the offspring, the remaining
third reverting to the House of Justice. This ruling hath both general and
specific application, which is to say that whenever any category of this latter
class of heirs is absent, two thirds of their inheritance pass to the offspring
and the remaining third to the House of Justice.
8. QUESTION: Concerning the basic sum on which Huqúqu'lláh
is payable.
ANSWER: The basic sum on which
Huqúqu'lláh is payable is nineteen mithqáls of gold. In other words, when
money to the value of this sum hath been acquired, a payment of Huqúq falleth
due. Likewise Huqúq is payable when the value, not the number, of other forms of
property reacheth the prescribed amount. Huqúqu'lláh is payable no more than
once. A person, for instance, who
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acquireth a thousand mithqáls of gold, and payeth the
Huqúq, is not liable to make a further such payment on this sum, but only on
what accrueth to it through commerce, business and the like. When this increase,
namely the profit realized, reacheth the prescribed sum, one must carry out what
God hath decreed. Only when the principal changeth hands is it once more subject
to payment of Huqúq, as it was the first time. The Primal Point hath directed
that Huqúqu'lláh must be paid on the value of whatsoever one possesseth; yet, in
this Most Mighty Dispensation, We have exempted the household furnishings, that
is such furnishings as are needed, and the residence itself.
9. QUESTION: Which is to take precedence:
the Huqúqu'lláh, the debts of the deceased or the cost of the funeral and
burial?
ANSWER: The funeral and burial
take precedence, then settlement of debts, then payment of Huqúqu'lláh. Should
the property of the deceased prove insufficient to cover his debts, the
remainder of his estate should be distributed among these debts in proportion to
their size.
10. QUESTION:
Shaving the head hath been forbidden in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas but enjoined in the
Súriy-i-Hájj.
ANSWER: All are charged with
obedience to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas; whatsoever is revealed therein is the Law of God
amid His servants. The injunction on pilgrims to the sacred House to shave the
head hath been lifted.
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11. QUESTION: If
intercourse take place between a couple during their year of patience, and they
become estranged again thereafter, must they recommence their year of patience,
or may the days preceding the intercourse be included in the reckoning of the
year? And once divorce hath taken place, is it necessary that a further period
of waiting be observed?
ANSWER: Should
affection be renewed between the couple during their year of patience, the
marriage tie is valid, and what is commanded in the Book of God must be
observed; but once the year of patience hath been completed and that which is
decreed by God taketh place, a further period of waiting is not required. Sexual
intercourse between husband and wife is forbidden during their year of patience,
and whoso committeth this act must seek God's forgiveness, and, as a punishment,
render to the House of Justice a fine of nineteen mithqáls of
gold.
12. QUESTION: Should
antipathy develop between a couple after the Marriage Verses have been read and
the dowry paid, may divorce take place without observance of the year of
patience?
ANSWER: Divorce may legitimately
be sought after the reading of the Marriage Verses and payment of the dowry, but
before the consummation of the marriage. In such circumstances there is no need
for observance of a year of patience, but recovery of the dowry payment is not
permissible.
13. QUESTION:
Is the consent of the parents on both sides
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prerequisite to marriage, or is that of the parents on one side
sufficient? Is this law applicable only to virgins or to others as
well?
ANSWER: Marriage is conditional upon the
consent of the parents of both parties to the marriage, and in this respect it
maketh no difference whether the bride be a virgin or otherwise.
14. QUESTION: The believers have been
enjoined to face in the direction of the Qiblih when reciting their Obligatory
Prayers; in what direction should they turn when offering other prayers and
devotions?
ANSWER: Facing in the direction
of the Qiblih is a fixed requirement for the recitation of obligatory prayer,
but for other prayers and devotions one may follow what the merciful Lord hath
revealed in the Qur'án: "Whichever way ye turn, there is the face of
God."
15. QUESTION:
Concerning the remembrance of God in the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár "at
the hour of dawn".
ANSWER: Although the
words "at the hour of dawn" are used in the Book of God, it is acceptable to God
at the earliest dawn of day, between dawn and sunrise, or even up to two hours
after sunrise.
16. QUESTION:
Is the ordinance that the body of the deceased should be carried no greater
distance than one hour's journey applicable to transport by both land and
sea?
ANSWER: This command applieth to
distances
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by sea as well as by land, whether it is an hour by steamship or
by rail; the intention is the hour's time, whatever the means of transport. The
sooner the burial taketh place, however, the more fitting and acceptable will it
be.
17. QUESTION: What
procedure should be followed on the discovery of lost property?
ANSWER: If such property be found in the town, its
discovery is to be announced once by the town crier. If the owner of the
property is then found, it should be delivered up to him. Otherwise, the finder
of the property should wait one year, and if, during this period, the owner
cometh to light, the finder should receive from him the crier's fee and restore
to him his property; only if the year should pass without the owner's being
identified may the finder take possession of the property himself. If the value
of the property is less than or equal to the crier's fee, the finder should wait
a single day from the time of its discovery, at the end of which, if the owner
hath not come to light, he may himself appropriate it; and in the case of
property discovered in an uninhabited area, the finder should observe a three
days' wait, on the passing of which period, if the identity of the owner remain
unknown, he is free to take possession of his find.
18. QUESTION: With reference to the
ablutions: if, for example, a person hath just bathed his entire body, must he
still perform his ablutions?
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ANSWER: The commandment regarding
ablutions must, in any case, be observed.
19. QUESTION: Should a person plan to migrate from his
country, and his wife be opposed and the disagreement culminate in divorce, and
should his preparations for the journey extend until a year hath passed, may
this period be counted as the year of patience, or should the day the couple
part be regarded as the starting-point of that year?
ANSWER: The starting-point for computation is the day the
couple part, and if, therefore, they have separated a year before the husband's
departure, and if the fragrance of affection hath not been renewed between the
couple, divorce may take place. Otherwise the year must be counted from the day
of his departure, and the conditions set forth in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas
observed.
20. QUESTION:
Concerning the age of maturity with respect to religious
duties.
ANSWER: The age of maturity is
fifteen for both men and women.
21.
QUESTION: Concerning the holy verse: "When travelling, if ye should
stop and rest in some safe spot, perform ye ... a single prostration in place of
each unsaid Obligatory Prayer..."
ANSWER:
This prostration is to compensate for obligatory prayer omitted in the course of
travel, and by reason of insecure circumstances. If,
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at the time of prayer, the traveller should find himself at rest
in a secure place, he should perform that prayer. This provision regarding the
compensating prostration applieth both at home and on a journey.
22. QUESTION: Concerning the definition
of a journey.(1)
ANSWER: The
definition of a journey is nine hours by the clock. Should the traveller stop in
a place, anticipating that he will stay there for no less than one month by the
Bayán reckoning, it is incumbent on him to keep the Fast; but if for less than
one month, he is exempt from fasting. If he arriveth during the Fast at a place
where he is to stay one month according to the Bayán, he should not observe the
Fast till three days have elapsed, thereafter keeping it throughout the
remainder of its course; but if he come to his home, where he hath heretofore
been permanently resident, he must commencé his fast upon the first day after
his arrival.
23. QUESTION:
Concerning the punishment of the adulterer and adulteress.
ANSWER: Nine mithqáls are payable for the first
offence, eighteen for the second, thirty-six for the third, and so on, each
succeeding fine being double the preceding. The weight of one mithqál
1. This relates
to the minimum duration of a journey which exempts the traveller from
fasting
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is equivalent to nineteen nákhuds in accordance with the
specification of the Bayán.
24.
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.
25.
QUESTION: Concerning the pilgrimage.
ANSWER: It is an obligation to make pilgrimage to one of
the two sacred Houses; but as to which, it is for the pilgrim to
decide.
26. QUESTION:
Concerning the dowry.
ANSWER:
Regarding dowry, the intention of contenting oneself with the lowest level is
nineteen mithqáls of silver.
27. QUESTION: Concerning the sacred verse: "If, however,
news should reach her of her husband's death", etc.
ANSWER: With reference to waiting a "fixed number of
months" a period of nine months is intended.
28. QUESTION: Again inquiry hath been made about the
teacher's share of the inheritance.
ANSWER: Should the teacher have passed away, one third of
his share of the inheritance reverteth
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to the House of Justice, and the remaining two thirds pass to the
deceased's, and not the teacher's, offspring.
29. QUESTION: Again inquiry hath been made about the
pilgrimage.
ANSWER: By pilgrimage to the sacred House, which is
enjoined upon men, is intended both the Most Great House in Baghdád and
the House of the Primal Point in Shíráz; pilgrimage to either of these
Houses sufficeth. They may thus make pilgrimage to whichever lieth nearer to the
place where they reside.
30.
QUESTION: Concerning the verse: "he who would take into his service a
maid may do so with propriety."
ANSWER:
This is solely for service such as is performed by any other class of servants,
be they young or old, in exchange for wages; such a maiden is free to choose a
husband at whatever time she pleaseth, for it is forbidden either that women
should be purchased, or that a man should have more wives than two.
31. QUESTION: Concerning the sacred
verse: "The Lord hath prohibited ... the practice to which ye formerly had
recourse when thrice ye had divorced a woman."
ANSWER: The reference is to the law which previously made
it necessary for another man to marry such a woman before she could again be
wedded to her former husband; this practice hath been prohibited in the
Kitáb-i-Aqdas.
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32. QUESTION:
Concerning the restoration and preservation of the two Houses in the Twin
Spots, and the other sites wherein the throne hath been
established.
ANSWER: By the two Houses is
intended the Most Great House and the House of the Primal Point. As for other
sites, the people of the areas where these are situated may choose to preserve
either each house wherein the throne hath been established, or one of
them.
33. QUESTION: Again
inquiry hath been made about the inheritance of the teacher.
ANSWER: If the teacher is not of the people of Bahá, he
doth not inherit. Should there be several teachers, the share is to be divided
equally amongst them. If the teacher is deceased, his offspring do not inherit
his share, but rather two thirds of it revert to the children of the owner of
the estate, and the remaining one third to the House of Justice.
34. QUESTION: Concerning the residence
which hath been assigned exclusively to the male offspring.
ANSWER: If there are several residences, the finest and
noblest of these dwellings is the one intended, the remainder being distributed
amongst the whole body of the heirs like any other form of property. Any heir,
from whichever category of inheritors, who is outside the Faith of God is
accounted as non-existent and doth not inherit.
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35. QUESTION:
Concerning Naw-Rúz.
ANSWER: The
Festival of Naw-Rúz falleth on the day that the sun entereth the sign of
Aries,(1) even should this occur no more than one minute
before sunset.
36. QUESTION:
If the anniversary either of the Twin Birthdays or of the Declaration of the
Báb occurreth during the Fast, what is to be done?
ANSWER: Should the feasts celebrating the Twin Birthdays or
the Declaration of the Báb fall within the month of fasting, the command to fast
shall not apply on that day.
37.
QUESTION: In the holy ordinances governing inheritance, the residence
and personal clothing of the deceased have been allotted to the male offspring.
Doth this provision refer only to the father's property, or doth it apply to the
mother's as well?
ANSWER: The used
clothing of the mother should be divided in equal shares among the daughters,
but the remainder of her estate, including property, jewellery, and unused
clothing, is to be distributed, in the manner revealed in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, to
all her heirs. If, however, the deceased hath left no daughters, her estate in
its entirety must be divided in the manner designated for men in the holy
Text.
38. QUESTION:
Concerning divorce, which must be preceded
1. The vernal
equinox in the northern hemisphere
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by a year of patience: if only one of the parties is inclined
toward conciliation, what is to be done?
ANSWER: According to the commandment revealed in the
Kitáb-i-Aqdas, both parties must be content; unless both are willing, reunion
cannot take place.
39.
QUESTION: In connection with the dowry, what if the bridegroom cannot
pay this sum in full, but instead were to formally deliver a promissory note to
his bride at the time of the wedding ceremony, on the understanding that he will
honour it when he is able to do so?
ANSWER: Permission to adopt this practice hath been granted
by the Source of Authority.
40.
QUESTION: If during the year of patience the fragrance of affection be
renewed, only to be succeeded by antipathy, and the couple waver between
affection and aversion throughout the year, and the year endeth in antipathy,
can divorce take place or not?
ANSWER: In
each case at any time antipathy occurreth, the year of patience beginneth on
that day, and the year must run its full course.
41. QUESTION: The residence and personal clothing of the
deceased have been assigned to the male, not female, offspring, nor to the other
heirs; should the deceased have left no male offspring, what is to be
done?
ANSWER: He saith, exalted be He:
"Should the deceased leave no offspring, their share shall revert to the House
of Justice..." In conformity
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with this sacred verse, the residence and personal clothing of the
deceased revert to the House of Justice.
42. QUESTION: The ordinance of Huqúqu'lláh is revealed in
the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Is the residence, with the accompanying fixtures and
necessary furnishings, included in the property on which Huqúq is payable, or is
it otherwise?
ANSWER: In the laws revealed
in Persian We have ordained that in this Most Mighty Dispensation the residence
and the household furnishings are exempt--that is, such furnishings as are
necessary.
43. QUESTION:
Concerning the betrothal of a girl before maturity.
ANSWER: This practice hath been pronounced unlawful by the
Source of Authority, and it is unlawful to announce a marriage earlier than
ninety-five days before the wedding.
44 QUESTION: If a person hath, for example, a hundred
tumans, payeth the Huqúq on this sum, loseth half the sum in unsuccessful
transactions and then, through trading, the amount in hand is raised again to
the sum on which Huqúq is due--must such a person pay Huqúq or
not?
ANSWER: In such an event the Huqúq is
not payable.
45. QUESTION:
If, after payment of Huqúq, this same sum of one hundred tumans is lost in
its entirety, but
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subsequently regained through trade and business dealings, must
Huqúq be paid a second time or not?
ANSWER: In this event as well, payment of Huqúq is not
required.
46. QUESTION: With
reference to the sacred verse, "God hath prescribed matrimony unto you", is this
prescription obligatory or not?
ANSWER: It
is not obligatory.
47.
QUESTION: Supposing that a man hath wed a certain woman believing her
to be a virgin and he hath paid her the dowry, but at the time of consummation
it becometh evident that she is not a virgin, are the expenses and the dowry to
be repaid or not? And if the marriage had been made conditional upon virginity,
doth the unfulfilled condition invalidate that which was conditioned upon
it?
ANSWER: In such a case the expenses
and the dowry may be refunded. The unfulfilled condition invalidateth that which
is conditioned upon it. However, to conceal and forgive the matter will, in the
sight of God, merit a bounteous reward.
48. QUESTION: "A feast hath been enjoined upon you..." Is
this obligatory or not?
ANSWER: It is not
obligatory.
49. QUESTION:
Concerning the penalties for adultery, sodomy, and theft, and the degrees
thereof.
ANSWER: The determination of the
degrees of these penalties rests with the House of Justice.
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50. QUESTION:
Concerning the legitimacy or otherwise of marrying one's
relatives.
ANSWER: These matters likewise
rest with the Trustees of the House of Justice.
51. QUESTION: With reference to ablutions, it hath been
revealed, "Let him that findeth no water for ablution repeat five times the
words `In the Name of God, the Most Pure, the Most Pure'": is it permissible to
recite this verse in times of bitter cold, or if the hands or face be
wounded?
ANSWER: Warm water may be used in
times of bitter cold. If there are wounds on the face or hands, or there be
other reasons such as aches and pains for which the use of water would be
harmful, one may recite the appointed verse in place of the
ablution.
52. QUESTION: Is
the recitation of the verse revealed to replace the Prayer of the Signs
obligatory?
ANSWER: It is not
obligatory.
53. QUESTION:
With reference to inheritance, when there are full brothers and full sisters,
would half-brothers and half-sisters on the mother's side also receive a
share?
ANSWER: They receive no
share.
54. QUESTION: He
saith, exalted be He: "Should the son of the deceased have passed away in the
days of his father and have left children, they will inherit
their
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father's share..." What is to be done if the daughter hath died
during the lifetime of her father?
ANSWER:
Her share of the inheritance should be distributed among the seven categories of
heirs according to the ordinance of the Book.
55. QUESTION: If the deceased be a woman, to whom is the
"wife's" share of the inheritance allotted?
ANSWER: The "wife's" share of the inheritance is allotted
to the husband.
56. QUESTION:
Concerning the shrouding of the body of the deceased which is decreed to
comprise five sheets: does the five refer to five cloths which were hitherto
customarily used or to five full-length shrouds wrapped one around the
other?
ANSWER: The use of five cloths is
intended.
57. QUESTION:
Concerning disparities between certain revealed verses.
ANSWER: Many Tablets were revealed and dispatched in their
original form without being checked and reviewed. Consequently, as bidden, they
were again read out in the Holy Presence, and brought into conformity with the
grammatical conventions of the people in order to forestall the cavils of
opponents of the Cause. Another reason for this practice is that the new style
inaugurated by the Herald, may the souls of all else but Him be offered up for
His sake, was seen to be marked by substantial latitude in adherence to the
rules of
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grammar; sacred verses therefore were then revealed in a style
which is for the most part in conformity with current usage for ease of
understanding and concision of expression.
58. QUESTION: Concerning the blessed verse, "When
travelling, if ye should stop and rest in some safe spot, perform ye ... a
single prostration in place of each unsaid Obligatory Prayer": is this
compensation for the Obligatory Prayer missed by reason of insecure
circumstances, or is obligatory prayer completely suspended during travel, and
doth the prostration take its place?
ANSWER: If, when the hour of obligatory prayer arriveth,
there be no security, one should, upon arrival in safe surroundings, perform a
prostration in place of each Obligatory Prayer that was missed, and after the
final prostration, sit cross-legged and read the designated verse. If there be a
safe place, obligatory prayer is not suspended during travel.
59. QUESTION: If, after a traveller hath
stopped and rested it is the time for obligatory prayer, should he perform the
prayer, or make the prostration in its stead?
ANSWER: Except in insecure circumstances omission of the
Obligatory Prayer is not permissible.
60. QUESTION: If, due to missed Obligatory Prayers, a
number of prostrations are required, must the verse be repeated after each
compensating prostration or not?
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ANSWER: It is sufficient to recite the
designated verse after the last prostration. The several prostrations do not
require separate repetitions of the verse.
61. QUESTION: If an Obligatory Prayer be omitted at home,
is it to be compensated for by a prostration or not?
ANSWER: In answer to previous questions it was written:
"This provision regarding the compensating prostration applieth both at home and
on a journey."
62. QUESTION:
If, for another purpose, one hath performed ablutions, and the time of
obligatory prayer arriveth, are these ablutions sufficient or must they be
renewed?
ANSWER: These same ablutions are
sufficient, and there is no need for them to be renewed.
63. QUESTION: In the Kitáb-i-Aqdas
obligatory prayer hath been enjoined, consisting of nine rak'áhs, to be
performed at noon, in the morning and the evening, but the Tablet of Obligatory
Prayers(1) appeareth to differ from
this.
ANSWER: That which hath been
revealed in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas concerneth a different Obligatory Prayer. Some
years ago a number of the ordinances of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas including that
Obligatory Prayer were, for reasons of wisdom,
1. The Tablet
containing the three Obligatory Prayers now in use
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recorded separately and sent away together with other sacred
writings, for the purposes of preservation and protection. Later these three
Obligatory Prayers were revealed.
64.
QUESTION: In determining time, is it permissible to rely on clocks and
watches?
ANSWER: It is permissible to rely
on clocks and watches.
65.
QUESTION: In the Tablet of Obligatory Prayers, three prayers are
revealed; is the performance of all three required or not?
ANSWER: It is enjoined to offer one of these three prayers;
whichever is performed sufficeth.
66.
QUESTION: Are ablutions for the morning prayer still valid for the
noonday prayer? And similarly, are ablutions carried out at noon still valid in
the evening?
ANSWER: Ablutions are
connected with the Obligatory Prayer for which they are performed, and must be
renewed for each prayer.
67.
QUESTION: Concerning the long Obligatory Prayer, it is required to
stand up and "turn unto God". This seemeth to indicate that it is not necessary
to face the Qiblih; is this so or not?
ANSWER: The Qiblih is intended.
68. QUESTION: Concerning the sacred
verse: "Recite ye the verses of God every morn and eventide."
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ANSWER: The intention is all that hath
been sent down from the Heaven of Divine Utterance. The prime requisite is the
eagerness and love of sanctified souls to read the Word of God. To read one
verse, or even one word, in a spirit of joy and radiance, is preferable to the
perusal of many Books.
69.
QUESTION: May a person, in drawing up his will, assign some portion of
his property--beyond that which is devoted to payment of Huqúqu'lláh and the
settlement of debts--to works of charity, or is he entitled to do no more than
allocate a certain sum to cover funeral and burial expenses, so that the rest of
his estate will be distributed in the manner fixed by God among the designated
categories of heirs?
ANSWER: A person hath
full jurisdiction over his property. If he is able to discharge the Huqúqu'lláh,
and is free of debt, then all that is recorded in his will, and any déclaration
or avowal it containeth, shall be acceptable. God, verily, hath permitted him to
deal with that which He hath bestowed upon him in whatever manner he may
desire.
70. QUESTION: Is the
use of the burial ring enjoined exclusively for adults, or is it for minors as
well?
ANSWER: It is for adults only. The
Prayer for the Dead is likewise for adults.
71. QUESTION: Should a person wish to fast at a
time
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other than in the month of `Alá, is this permissible or not;
and if he hath vowed or pledged himself to such a fast, is this valid and
acceptable?
ANSWER: The ordinance of
fasting is such as hath already been revealed. Should someone pledge himself,
however, to offer up a fast to God, seeking in this way the fulfilment of a
wish, or to realize some other aim, this is permissible, now as heretofore.
Howbeit, it is God's wish, exalted be His glory, that vows and pledges be
directed to such objectives as will profit mankind.
72. QUESTION: Again a question hath been
asked concerning the residence and personal clothing: are these to revert, in
the absence of male offspring, to the House of Justice, or are they to be
distributed like the rest of the estate?
ANSWER: Two thirds of the residence and personal clothing
pass to the female offspring, and one third to the House of Justice, which God
hath made to be the treasury of the people.
73. QUESTION: If, upon completion of the year of patience,
the husband refuseth to allow divorce, what course should be adopted by the
wife?
ANSWER: When the period is ended
divorce is effected. However, it is necessary that there be witnesses to the
beginning and end of this period, so that they can be called upon to give
testimony should the need arise.
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74. QUESTION:
Concerning the definition of old age.
ANSWER: To the Arabs it denoteth the furthest extremity of
old age, but for the people of Bahá it is from the age of seventy.
75. QUESTION: Concerning the limit of
fasting for someone travelling on foot.
ANSWER: The limit is set at two hours. If this is exceeded,
it is permissible to break the Fast.
76. QUESTION: Concerning observance of the Fast by people
engaged in hard labour during the month of fasting.
ANSWER: Such people are excused from fasting; however, in
order to show respect to the law of God and for the exalted station of the Fast,
it is most commendable and fitting to eat with frugality and in
private.
77. QUESTION: Do
ablutions performed for the Obligatory Prayer suffice for the ninety-five
repetitions of the Greatest Name?
ANSWER:
It is unnecessary to renew the ablutions.
78. QUESTION: Concerning clothes and jewellery which a
husband may have purchased for his wife: are these to be distributed, after his
death, amongst his heirs, or are they specially for the wife?
ANSWER: Aside from used clothing, whatever there may be,
jewellery or otherwise, belongeth to
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the husband, except what is proven to have been gifts to the
wife.
79. QUESTION:
Concerning the criterion of justness when proving some matter dependent on the
testimony of two just witnesses.
ANSWER:
The criterion of justness is a good reputation among the people. The testimony
of all God's servants, of whatever faith or creed, is acceptable before His
Throne.
80. QUESTION: If the
deceased hath not settled his obligation to Huqúqu'lláh, nor paid his other
debts, are these to be discharged by proportionate deductions from the
residence, personal clothing and the rest of the estate, or are the residence
and personal clothing set aside for the male offspring, and consequently the
debts must be settled from the rest of the estate? And if the rest of the estate
is insufficient for this purpose, how should the debts be
settled?
ANSWER: Outstanding debts and
payments of Huqúq should be settled from the remainder of the estate, but if
this is insufficient for the purpose, the shortfall should be met from his
residence and personal clothing.
81.
QUESTION: Should the third Obligatory Prayer be offered while seated
or standing?
ANSWER: It is preferable and
more fitting to stand in an attitude of humble reverence.
82. QUESTION: Concerning the first
Obligatory Prayer
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it hath been ordained, "one should perform it at whatever time
one findeth oneself in a state of humbleness and longing adoration": is it to be
performed once in twenty-four hours, or more frequently?
ANSWER: Once in twenty-four hours is sufficient; this is
that which hath been uttered by the Tongue of Divine Command.
83. QUESTION: Concerning the definition
of "morning", "noon" and "evening".
ANSWER: These are sunrise, noon and sunset. The allowable
times for Obligatory Prayers are from morning till noon, from noon till sunset,
and from sunset till two hours thereafter. Authority is in the hand of God, the
Bearer of the Two Names.
84.
QUESTION: Is it permissible for a believer to marry an
unbeliever?
ANSWER: Both taking and giving
in marriage are permissible; thus did the Lord decree when He ascended the
throne of bounteousness and grace.
85.
QUESTION: Concerning the Prayer for the Dead: should it precede or
follow the interment? And is facing the Qiblih required?
ANSWER: Recital of this prayer should precede interment;
and as regards the Qiblih: "Whichever way ye turn, there is the face of
God."(1)
1. Qur'án
2:115
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86. QUESTION: At
noon, which is the time for two of the Obligatory Prayers--the short midday
prayer, and the prayer to be offered in the morning, noon, and evening--is it
necessary in this case to perform two ablutions or would one
suffice?
ANSWER: The renewal of ablutions
is unnecessary.
87. QUESTION:
Concerning the dowry for village-dwellers which is to be of silver: is it the
bride or bridegroom who is intended or both of them? And what is to be done if
one is a city-dweller and the other a village-dweller?
ANSWER: The dowry is determined by the dwelling-place of
the bridegroom; if he be a city-dweller, the dowry is of gold, and if he be a
village-dweller, it is of silver.
88.
QUESTION: What is the criterion for determining if one is a
city-dweller or a village-dweller? If a city-dweller taketh up residence in a
village, or a village-dweller in a city, intending to settle permanently, what
ruling is applicable? Is the place of birth the deciding
factor?
ANSWER: The criterion is permanent
residence and, depending on where this is, the injunction in the Book must be
observed accordingly.
89.
QUESTION: In the holy Tablets it hath been revealed that when someone
acquireth the equivalent of nineteen mithqáls of gold, he should pay the
Right of God on that
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sum. Might it be explained how much of this nineteen should be
paid?
ANSWER: Nineteen out of one hundred
is established by the ordinance of God. Computation should be made on this
basis. It may then be ascertained what amount is due on nineteen.
90. QUESTION: When one's wealth exceeds
nineteen, is it necessary for it to increase by a further nineteen before Huqúq
is due again, or would it be due on any increase?
ANSWER: Any amount added to nineteen is exempt from Huqúq
until it reacheth a further nineteen.
91. QUESTION: Concerning pure water, and the point at
which it is considered used.
ANSWER: Small
quantities of water, such as one cupful, or even two or three, must be
considered used after a single washing of the face and hands. But a kurr(1) or more
of water remaineth unchanged after one or two washings of the face, and there is
no objection to its use unless it is altered in one of the three ways,(2) for
example its colour is changed, in which case it should be looked upon as
used.
92. QUESTION: In a
treatise in Persian on various questions, the age of maturity hath been set at
fifteen; is
1. This refers to
a volume of approximately one half of a cubic metre
2. Colour, taste and
smell
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marriage likewise conditional upon the reaching of maturity, or
is it permissible before that time?
ANSWER: Since the consent of both parties is required in
the Book of God, and since, before maturity, their consent or lack of it cannot
be ascertained, marriage is therefore conditional upon reaching the age of
maturity, and is not permissible before that time.
93. QUESTION: Concerning fasting and obligatory prayer by
the sick.
ANSWER: In truth, I say that
obligatory prayer and fasting occupy an exalted station in the sight of God. It
is, however, in a state of health that their virtue can be realized. In time of
ill-health it is not permissible to observe these obligations; such hath been
the bidding of the Lord, exalted be His glory, at all times. Blessed be such men
and women as pay heed, and observe His precepts. All praise be unto God, He who
hath sent down the verses and is the Revealer of undoubted proofs!
94. QUESTION: Concerning mosques, chapels
and temples.
ANSWER: Whatever hath been
constructed for the worship of the one true God, such as mosques, chapels and
temples, must not be used for any purpose other than the commemoration of His
Name. This is an ordinance of God, and he who violateth it is verily of those
who have transgressed. No harm attacheth to the builder, for he
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hath performed his deed for the sake of God, and hath received and
will continue to receive his just reward.
95. QUESTION: Regarding the appointments of a place of
business, which are needed for carrying on one's work or profession: are they
subject to the payment of Huqúqu'lláh, or are they covered by the same ruling as
the household furnishings?
ANSWER: They
are covered by the same ruling as the household furnishings.
96. QUESTION: Concerning the exchange of
property held in trust for cash or other forms of property, to guard against
depreciation or loss.
ANSWER: Regarding
the written question on the exchange of property held in trust to guard against
depreciation and loss, such exchange is permissible on condition that the
substitute will be equivalent in value. Thy Lord, verily, is the Expounder, the
Omniscient, and He, truly, is the Ordainer, the Ancient of Days.
97. QUESTION: Concerning the washing of
the feet in winter and summer.
ANSWER: It
is the same in both cases; warm water is preferable, but there can be no
objection to cold.
98.
QUESTION: A further question on divorce.
ANSWER: Since God, exalted be His glory,
doth
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not favour divorce, nothing was revealed on this issue. However,
from the beginning of the separation until the end of one year, two people or
more must remain informed as witnesses; if, by the end, there is no
reconciliation, divorce taketh place. This must be recorded in the registry by
the religious judicial officer of the city appointed by the Trustees of the
House of Justice. Observance of this procedure is essential lest those that are
possessed of an understanding heart be saddened.
99. QUESTION: Concerning consultation.
ANSWER: If consultation among the first group of people
assembled endeth in disagreement, new people should be added, after which
persons to the number of the Greatest Name, or fewer or more, shall be chosen by
lot. Whereupon the consultation shall be renewed, and the outcome, whatever it
is, shall be obeyed. If, however, there is still disagreement, the same
procedure should be repeated once more, and the decision of the majority shall
prevail. He, verily, guideth whomsoever He pleaseth to the right
way.
100. QUESTION:
Concerning inheritance.
ANSWER:
Regarding inheritance, that which the Primal Point hath ordained--may the souls
of all else but Him be offered up for His sake--is well pleasing. The existing
heirs should receive their allotted shares of the inheritance, while a statement
of the remainder must be submitted to
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the Court of the Most High. In His hand is the source of
authority; He ordaineth as He pleaseth. In this regard, a law was revealed in
the Land of Mystery,(1) temporarily awarding the
missing heirs' inheritance to the existing heirs until such time as the House of
Justice shall be established, when the decree concerning this will be
promulgated. The inheritance, however, of those who emigrated in the same year
as the Ancient Beauty, hath been awarded to their heirs, and this is a bounty of
God bestowed upon them.
101.
QUESTION: Concerning the law on treasure trove.
ANSWER: Should a treasure be found, one third thereof is
the right of the discoverer, and the other two thirds should be expended by the
men of the House of Justice for the welfare of all people. This shall be done
after the establishment of the House of Justice, and until that time it shall be
committed to the keeping of trustworthy persons in each locality and territory.
He, in truth, is the Ruler, the Ordainer, the Omniscient, the
All-Informed.
102. QUESTION:
Concerning Huqúq on real estate which yieldeth no profit.
ANSWER: The ordinance of God is that real estate which hath
ceased to yield income, that is,
1.
Adrianople
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from which no profit accrueth, is not liable to payment of Huqúq.
He, verily, is the Ruler, the Munificent.
103. QUESTION: Concerning the holy verse: "In regions
where the days and nights grow long, let times of prayer be gauged by
clocks..."
ANSWER: The intention is those
territories that are remote. In these climes, however, the difference in length
is but a few hours, and therefore this ruling doth not apply.
104. In the Tablet to `Abá Badí, this holy
verse hath been revealed: "Verily, We have enjoined on every son to serve his
father." Such is the decree which We have set forth in the Book.
105. And in another Tablet, these
exalted words have been revealed: O Muhammad! The Ancient of Days hath
turned His countenance towards thee, making mention of thee, and exhorting the
people of God to educate their children. Should a father neglect this most
weighty commandment laid down in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas by the Pen of the Eternal
King, he shall forfeit rights of fatherhood, and be accounted guilty before God.
Well is it with him who imprinteth on his heart the admonitions of the Lord, and
steadfastly cleaveth unto them. God, in truth, enjoineth on His servants what
shall assist and profit them, and enable them to draw nigh unto Him. He is the
Ordainer, the Everlasting.
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106. He is God, exalted
be He, the Lord of majesty and power! The Prophets and Chosen Ones have all been
commissioned by the One True God, magnified be His glory, to nurture the trees
of human existence with the living waters of uprightness and understanding, that
there may appear from them that which God hath deposited within their inmost
selves. As may be readily observed, each tree yieldeth a certain fruit, and a
barren tree is but fit for fire. The purpose of these Educators, in all they
said and taught, was to preserve man's exalted station. Well is it with him who
in the Day of God hath laid fast hold upon His precepts and hath not deviated
from His true and fundamental Law. The fruits that best befit the tree of human
life are trustworthiness and godliness, truthfulness and sincerity; but greater
than all, after recognition of the unity of God, praised and glorified be He, is
regard for the rights that are due to one's parents. This teaching hath been
mentioned in all the Books of God, and reaffirmed by the Most Exalted Pen.
Consider that which the Merciful Lord hath revealed in the Qur'án, exalted are
His words: "Worship ye God, join with Him no peer or likeness; and show forth
kindliness and charity towards your parents..." Observe how loving-kindness to
one's parents hath been linked to recognition of the one true God! Happy they
who are endued with true wisdom and understanding, who see and perceive, who
read and understand, and who observe that which God hath
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revealed in the Holy Books of old, and in this incomparable and
wondrous Tablet.
107. In
one of the Tablets He, exalted be His words, hath revealed: And in the
matter of Zakát, We have likewise decreed that you should follow what hath been
revealed in the Qur'án.
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