# Huququ'llah: The Right of God

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> Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Bahá'u'lláh, Huququ'llah: The Right of God, Bahá’í World Centre, 2007-04, bahai-library.com.
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> 
> Huqúqu'lláh:
> 
> The Right of God
> 
> Bahá'u'lláh
> 
> Abdu'l-Bahá
> 
> Shoghi Effendi
> 
> Universal House of Justice
> 
> Universal House of Justice, Research Department
> 
> , compiler
> 
> Bahá’í World Centre, 2007-04
> 
> Contents
> 
> 1.
> Foundations of the Law of Huqúqu’lláh
> 
> 2. Application of the Law of Huqúqu’lláh
> 
> 3. Functions of the Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh and the Spiritual
> Assemblies
> 
> 4. Disbursement of Huqúqu’lláh
> Funds
> 
> -->
> 
> 1. Foundations of the Law of Huqúqu’lláh
> 
> Extracts from the Writings of
> Bahá’u’lláh
> 
> 1. "Magnified art Thou, O Lord of
> the entire creation, the One unto Whom all…"
> 
> Magnified
> art Thou, O Lord of the entire creation, the One unto Whom all things must
> turn! With my inner and outer tongues I bear witness that Thou hast manifested
> and revealed Thyself, sent down Thy signs, and proclaimed Thy testimonies. I
> testify to Thy self-sufficiency from aught else except Thee, and Thy sanctity
> above all earthly things. I entreat Thee by the transcendent glory of Thy Cause
> and the supreme potency of Thy Word to grant confirmation unto him who desireth
> to offer what Thou hast prescribed unto him in Thy Book and to observe that
> which will shed forth the fragrance of Thine acceptance. Verily Thou art the
> Almighty, the All-Gracious, the All-Forgiving, the All-Generous.
> 
> 2. "Thine intention to pay a
> visit to the blessed House is acceptable and…"
> 
> Thine
> intention to pay a visit to the blessed House is acceptable and well-pleasing
> in the sight of this Wronged One….
> 
> Say: O
> people, the first duty is to recognize the one true God—magnified be His
> glory—the second is to show forth constancy in His Cause and, after these,
> one’s duty is to purify one’s riches and earthly possessions according to that
> which is prescribed by God. Therefore it beseemeth thee to meet thine
> obligation to the Right of God first, then to direct thy steps toward His
> blessed House. This hath been brought to thine attention as a sign of favour.
> 
> 3. "Should anyone acquire one
> hundred mi
> th
> qáls of gold,…"
> 
> Should
> anyone acquire one hundred mi
> th
> qáls of gold, nineteen mi
> th
> qáls
> thereof are God’s and to be rendered unto Him, the Fashioner of earth and
> heaven. Take heed, O people, lest ye deprive yourselves of so great a bounty.
> This We have commanded you, though We are well able to dispense with you and
> with all who are in the heavens and on earth; in it there are benefits and
> wisdoms beyond the ken of anyone but God, the Omniscient, the All-Informed.
> Say: By this means He hath desired to purify what ye possess and to enable you
> to draw nigh unto such stations as none can comprehend save those whom God hath
> willed. He, in truth, is the Beneficent, the Gracious, the Bountiful. O people!
> Deal not faithlessly with the Right of God, nor, without His leave, make free
> with its disposal. Thus hath His commandment been established in the holy
> Tablets, and in this exalted Book. He who dealeth faithlessly with God shall in
> justice meet with faithlessness himself; he, however, who acteth in accordance
> with God’s bidding shall receive a blessing from the heaven of the bounty of
> his Lord, the Gracious, the Bestower, the Generous, the Ancient of Days. He,
> verily, hath willed for you that which is yet beyond your knowledge, but which
> shall be known to you when, after this fleeting life, your souls soar
> heavenwards and the trappings of your earthly joys are folded up. Thus
> admonisheth you He in Whose possession is the Guarded Tablet.
> 
> (The
> Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 97)
> 
> 4. "Nothing that existeth in the
> world of being hath ever been or will ever…"
> 
> Nothing
> that existeth in the world of being hath ever been or will ever be worthy of
> mention. However, if a person be graciously favoured to offer a pennyworth—nay,
> even less—in the path of God, this would in His sight be preferable and
> superior to all the treasures of the earth. It is for this reason that the one
> true God—exalted be His glory—hath in all His heavenly Scriptures praised those
> who observe His precepts and bestow their wealth for His sake. Beseech ye God
> that He may enable everyone to discharge the obligation of Huqúq, inasmuch as the progress
> and promotion of the Cause of God depend on material means. If His faithful
> servants could realize how meritorious are benevolent deeds in these days, they
> would all arise to do that which is meet and seemly. In His hand is the source
> of authority and He ordaineth as He willeth. He is the Supreme Ruler, the
> Bountiful, the Equitable, the Revealer, the All-Wise.
> 
> 5.
> "For a number of years Huqúq
> was not accepted…."
> 
> For a
> number of years Huqúq
> was not accepted…. However, in recent years We have, in view of the exigencies
> of the times, accepted the payment of the Huqúq, but have forbidden solicitation thereof.
> Everyone must have the utmost regard for the dignity of the Word of God and for
> the exaltation of His Cause. Were a person to offer all the treasures of the
> earth at the cost of debasing the honour of the Cause of God, were it even less
> than a grain of mustard, such an offering would not be permissible. All the
> world hath belonged and will always belong to God. If one spontaneously
> offereth Huqúq
> with the utmost joy and radiance it will be acceptable, and not otherwise. The
> benefit of such deeds reverteth unto the individuals themselves. This measure
> hath been ordained in view of the necessity for material means, for "averse is
> God from putting aught into effect except through its means". Thus instructions
> were given to receive the Huqúq.
> 
> 6. "The one true God—exalted be
> His glory—hath ever been and will continue…"
> 
> The one
> true God—exalted be His glory—hath ever been and will continue to be exalted
> above every expression of praise and is sanctified from the world of existence
> and all the riches therein. Whatsoever proceedeth from Him produceth a fruit
> the benefits of which revert to the individuals themselves. Erelong will they
> perceive the truth of that which the Tongue of Grandeur hath uttered aforetime
> and will utter hereafter. And such benefits will indeed accrue if the Huqúq is offered with the utmost
> joy and radiance and in a spirit of perfect humility and lowliness.
> 
> 7. "O Zayn! Such souls as comply
> with the injunction of God prescribed in…"
> 
> O Zayn!
> Such souls as comply with the injunction of God prescribed in the Book are
> regarded as most excellent in the estimation of God. There can be no doubt that
> whatsoever is revealed from the heaven of divine commandment is by virtue of
> His wisdom and is in the best interests of the people themselves. Moreover,
> although these insignificant amounts are not worthy of mention, they are well
> pleasing, since the donors offer them for the sake of God. If the offering be
> but a single grain it is regarded as the crowning glory of all the harvests of
> the world.
> 
> 8. "Whoso is privileged to pay
> the Right of God will be numbered with such…"
> 
> Whoso is
> privileged to pay the Right of God will be numbered with such as have observed
> the ordinances of the one true God—magnified be His glory—and have fulfilled
> that which is set down by the All-Glorious Pen.
> 
> Time and
> again have We written and commanded that no one should solicit such payment.
> The offering of every person that voluntarily tendereth the Huqúqu’lláh with the utmost joy
> and pleasure may be accepted, otherwise acceptance was not and is not
> permissible. Those that are oblivious of their duty should be briefly reminded.
> Deeds must be performed with willingness, and in all circumstances high regard
> must be given to the dignity of the Cause of God. Formerly We have mentioned
> that were a person to possess the whole world and would tender his possessions
> at the cost of degrading the honour of the Cause, even to the extent of a grain
> of mustard, it would be essential and imperative to refuse to accept such
> wealth. Such is the Cause of God, eternal in the past, eternal in the future.
> Well is it with them that act accordingly.
> 
> The
> ordinance prescribing the payment of Huqúq is but a favour vouchsafed by the one true
> God—exalted be His glory—and the benefits arising therefrom shall fall to the
> donors themselves. It behoveth all to render thanks unto God, the Most Exalted,
> Who hath graciously enabled them to meet the obligation of Huqúq. We held back the Pen for a
> long period during which no instruction was issued in this respect, until such
> time as the requirements of His inscrutable wisdom demanded the acceptance of Huqúq. "Averse is God from putting
> aught into effect except through its means." It is essential for certain people
> to receive aid, and others need attention and care, but all this must take
> place by the leave of God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.
> 
> 9. "And now concerning what thou
> hast mentioned regarding the…"
> 
> And now
> concerning what thou hast mentioned regarding the Huqúq. This hath been ordained
> especially for the one true God—exalted be His glory—and should be forwarded to
> the court of His Holy Presence. In His grasp is the source of authority. He
> doeth what He pleaseth and ordaineth what He chooseth….
> 
> This
> ordinance is binding upon everyone, and by observing it one will be raised to
> honour inasmuch as it will serve to purify one’s possessions and will impart
> blessing, and added prosperity. However, the people are as yet ignorant of its
> significance. They continually endeavour to amass riches by lawful or unlawful
> means in order to transmit them to their heirs, and this to what advantage, no
> one can tell. Say: In this day the true Heir is the Word of God, since the
> underlying purpose of inheritance is the preservation of the name and traces of
> men. It is indubitably clear that the passing of centuries and ages will
> obliterate these signs, while every word that hath streamed from the Pen of
> Glory in honour of a certain individual will last as long as the dominions of earth
> and heaven will endure.
> 
> 10. "This is the Book of
> Generosity which hath been revealed by the King of…"
> 
> This is
> the Book of Generosity which hath been revealed by the King of Eternity. Whoso
> adorneth himself with this virtue hath distinguished himself and will be
> blessed by the All-Merciful from His exalted Kingdom of Glory. However, despite
> his high rank and prominent position, were he to pass beyond the limits, he
> would be regarded as among the prodigal by the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Cling
> ye unto moderation. This is the commandment that He Who is the All-Possessing,
> the Most High hath enjoined upon you in His Generous Book. O ye that are the
> exponents of generosity and the manifestations thereof! Be generous unto them
> whom ye find in manifest poverty. O ye that are possessed of riches! Take heed
> lest outward appearance deter you from benevolent deeds in the path of God, the
> Lord of all mankind.
> 
> Say: I
> swear by God! No one is despised in the sight of the Almighty for being poor.
> Rather is he exalted, if he is found to be of them who are patient. Blessed are
> the poor that are steadfast in patience, and woe betide the rich that hold back
> Huqúqu’lláh
> and fail to observe that which is enjoined upon them in His Preserved Tablet.
> 
> 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.
> 
> Say: The
> appointed Day is come. This is the Springtime of benevolent deeds, were ye of
> them that comprehend. Strive ye with all your might, O people, that ye may
> bring forth that which will truly profit you in the worlds of your Lord, the
> All-Glorious, the All-Praised.
> 
> Say:
> Hold ye fast unto praiseworthy characteristics and goodly deeds and be not of
> them that tarry. It behoveth everyone to cleave tenaciously unto that which is
> conducive to the exaltation of the Cause of God, your Lord, the Mighty, the
> Powerful.
> 
> Say:
> Behold ye not the world, its changes and chances, and its varying colours?
> Wherefore are ye satisfied with it and with all the things therein? Open your
> eyes and be of them that are endued with insight. The day is fast approaching
> when all these things will have vanished as fast as the lightning, nay even
> faster. Unto this beareth witness the Lord of the Kingdom in this wondrous
> Tablet.
> 
> Wert
> thou to be enraptured by the uplifting ecstasy of the verses of God, thou
> wouldst yield thanks unto thy Lord and say: "Praise be unto Thee, O Desire of
> the hearts of them that hasten to meet Thee!" Rejoice then with exceeding
> gladness, inasmuch as the Pen of Glory hath turned unto thee and hath revealed
> in thy honour that which the tongues of creation and the tongues of
> transcendence are powerless to describe.
> 
> 11. "It is incumbent upon
> everyone to discharge the obligation of…"
> 
> It is
> incumbent upon everyone to discharge the obligation of Huqúq. The advantages gained from
> this deed revert to the persons themselves. However, the acceptance of the
> offerings dependeth on the spirit of joy, fellowship and contentment that the
> righteous souls who fulfil this injunction will manifest. If such is the
> attitude, acceptance is permissible and not otherwise. Verily thy Lord is the All-Sufficing,
> the All-Praised.
> 
> 12. "It is clear and evident that
> the payment of the Right of God is…"
> 
> 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.
> 
> 13. "Huqúqu’lláh is indeed a great law.
> It is incumbent…"
> 
> 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.
> 
> 14. "In this day it is incumbent
> upon everyone to serve the Cause of God,…"
> 
> In this
> day it is incumbent upon everyone to serve the Cause of God, while He Who is
> the Eternal Truth—exalted be His glory—hath made the fulfilment of every
> undertaking on earth dependent on material means. Hence it is enjoined upon
> every individual to offer that which is the Right of God.
> 
> 15. "Great God! In this glorious
> Dispensation the treasures laid up by kings…"
> 
> Great
> God! In this glorious Dispensation the treasures laid up by kings and queens
> are not worthy of mention, nor will they be acceptable in the Presence of God.
> However, a grain of mustard offered by His loved ones will be extolled in the
> exalted court of His holiness and invested with the ornament of His acceptance.
> Immeasurably exalted is His bounty, immeasurably glorified is His majesty.
> 
> 16. "The benefits accruing from
> benevolent works shall fall to the…"
> 
> The
> benefits accruing from benevolent works shall fall to the individuals
> concerned. In such matters only a word would suffice. Should anyone offer Huqúq with utmost joy and
> radiance, manifesting a spirit of resignation and content, his offering shall
> be acceptable before God, otherwise He can dispense with all the peoples of the
> earth…. Well is it with them that have fulfilled that which is prescribed in
> the Book of God. It is incumbent upon everyone to observe that which God hath
> purposed, for whatsoever hath been set forth in the Book by the Pen of Glory is
> an effective means for the purging, the purification and sanctification of the
> souls of men and a source of prosperity and blessing. Happy are they that have
> observed His commandments.
> 
> No
> goodly deed was or will ever be lost, for benevolent acts are treasures
> preserved with God for the benefit of those who act. Blessed the servant and
> the maidservant who have fulfilled their obligation in the path of God our
> Lord, the Lord of all worlds…. The Right of God must be paid whenever possible
> and should be offered in a spirit of joy and radiance. Those that are unable to
> pay will be invested with the ornament of His forgiveness.
> 
> 17. "There can be no doubt that
> whatsoever hath been revealed from the…"
> 
> There
> can be no doubt that whatsoever hath been revealed from the All-Glorious Pen,
> be it ordinances or prohibitions, conferreth benefits upon the believers
> themselves. For example, among the commandments is that of the Huqúqu’lláh. If the people attain
> the privilege of paying the Huqúq,
> the one true God—exalted be His glory—will of a certainty confer blessing upon
> them. Moreover, such payment will enable them and their offspring to benefit
> from their possessions. As thou dost observe, large portions of people’s wealth
> are lost to them as God causeth strangers, or heirs in comparison with whom
> strangers would have been preferable, to lay hands on their possessions.
> 
> God’s
> consummate wisdom is far beyond any description or fitting mention. Verily,
> people see with their own eyes and yet deny; they are aware, yet they pretend
> not to know. Had they observed the ordinance of God they would have attained
> the good of this world and the next.
> 
> 18.
> "The question of the Huqúq
> dependeth on the willingness…"
> 
> The
> question of the Huqúq
> dependeth on the willingness of the individuals themselves. From every true
> believer who is willing to tender the Right of God spontaneously and with the
> utmost joy and radiance, the offering is graciously acceptable, but not
> otherwise. Verily, thy Lord is independent of all mankind. Consider thou that
> which the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Qur’án: "O men! Ye are but paupers
> in need of God, but God is the Self-Sufficient, the All-Praised."
> 
> [2]
> 
> At all
> times one must have the utmost regard for the dignity and honour of the Cause
> of God.
> 
> 19. "Thou hast written that they
> have pledged themselves to observe maximum…"
> 
> Thou
> hast written that they have pledged themselves to observe maximum austerity in
> their lives with a view to forwarding the remainder of their income to His
> exalted presence. This matter was mentioned at His holy court. He said: Let
> them act with moderation and not impose hardship upon themselves. We would like
> them both to enjoy a life that is well-pleasing.
> 
> 20. "There is a prescribed ruling
> for the Huqúqu’lláh…."
> 
> There is
> a prescribed ruling for the Huqúqu’lláh.
> After the House of Justice hath come into being, the law thereof will be made
> manifest, in conformity with the Will of God.
> 
> 21. "Glorified art Thou, O my
> compassionate Lord! I entreat Thee by the…"
> 
> Glorified
> art Thou, O my compassionate Lord! I entreat Thee by the tumult of the ocean of
> Thy holy utterance, and by the manifold tokens of Thy supreme sovereignty, and
> the compelling evidences of Thy Divinity, and the hidden mysteries that lie
> concealed within Thy knowledge, to give me Thy grace to serve Thee and Thy
> chosen ones, and enable me to dutifully offer Thy Huqúq which Thou hast ordained in
> Thy Book.
> 
> I am the
> one, O my Lord, who hath set his affections on Thy realm of glory, and hath
> clung tenaciously to the hem of Thy generosity. O Thou Who art the Lord of all
> being and the Ruler of the kingdom of names, I beseech Thee not to deny me the
> things Thou dost possess, nor to withhold from me that which Thou hast ordained
> for Thy chosen ones.
> 
> I
> implore Thee, O Lord of all names and Creator of the heavens, to assist me to
> be steadfast in Thy Cause, through Thy strengthening grace, in such wise that
> the vanities of the world may not suffer me to be shut out as by a veil, nor to
> be hindered by the violent commotions of the wicked-doers who have risen up to
> lead Thy people astray in Thy days. Destine for me then, O my heart’s Desire,
> the good of this world and the world to come. Verily Thou art powerful to do as
> Thou willest. No God is there but Thee, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Generous.
> 
> Extracts from the Writings of
> ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
> 
> 22. "O friends of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá!
> The Lord, as a sign of His…"
> 
> O
> friends of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá! The Lord, as a sign of His infinite bounties, hath
> graciously favored His servants by providing for a fixed money offering (Huqúq), to be dutifully presented
> unto Him, though He, the True One and His servants have been at all times
> independent of all created things, and God verily is the All-Possessing,
> exalted above the need of any gift from His creatures. This fixed money offering,
> however, causeth the people to become firm and steadfast and draweth Divine
> increase upon them.
> 
> (
> Will
> and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
> (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1944,
> 1997 printing), p. 15)
> 
> 23. "As preordained by the
> Fountain-head of Creation, the temple of the world…"
> 
> As
> preordained by the Fountain-head of Creation, the temple of the world hath been
> fashioned after the image and likeness of the human body. In fact each
> mirroreth forth the image of the other, wert thou but to observe with discerning
> eyes. By this is meant that even as the human body in this world, which is
> outwardly composed of different limbs and organs, is in reality a closely
> integrated, coherent entity, similarly the structure of the physical world is
> like unto a single being whose limbs and members are inseparably linked
> together.
> 
> Were one
> to observe with an eye that discovereth the realities of all things, it would
> become clear that the greatest relationship that bindeth the world of being
> together lieth in the range of created things themselves, and that
> co-operation, mutual aid and reciprocity are essential characteristics in the
> unified body of the world of being, inasmuch as all created things are closely
> related together and each is influenced by the other or deriveth benefit
> therefrom, either directly or indirectly.
> 
> Consider
> for instance how one group of created things constituteth the vegetable
> kingdom, and another the animal kingdom. Each of these two maketh use of
> certain elements in the air on which its own life dependeth, while each
> increaseth the quantity of such elements as are essential for the life of the
> other. In other words, the growth and development of the vegetable world is
> impossible without the existence of the animal kingdom, and the maintenance of
> animal life is inconceivable without the co-operation of the vegetable kingdom.
> Of like kind are the relationships that exist among all created things. Hence
> it was stated that co-operation and reciprocity are essential properties which
> are inherent in the unified system of the world of existence, and without which
> the entire creation would be reduced to nothingness.
> 
> In
> surveying the vast range of creation thou shalt perceive that the higher a
> kingdom of created things is on the arc of ascent, the more conspicuous are the
> signs and evidences of the truth that co-operation and reciprocity at the level
> of a higher order are greater than those that exist at the level of a lower
> order. For example, the evident signs of this fundamental reality are more
> discernible in the vegetable kingdom than in the mineral, and still more
> manifest in the animal world than in the vegetable.
> 
> And thus
> when contemplating the human world thou beholdest this wondrous phenomenon
> shining resplendent from all sides with the utmost perfection, inasmuch as in
> this station acts of co-operation, mutual assistance and reciprocity are not
> confined to the body and to things that pertain to the material world, but for
> all conditions, whether physical or spiritual, such as those related to minds, thoughts,
> opinions, manners, customs, attitudes, understandings, feelings or other human
> susceptibilities. In all these thou shouldst find these binding relationships
> securely established. The more this interrelationship is strengthened and
> expanded, the more will human society advance in progress and prosperity.
> Indeed without these vital ties it would be wholly impossible for the world of
> humanity to attain true felicity and success.
> 
> Now
> consider, if among the people who are merely the manifestations of the world of
> being this significant matter is of such importance, how much greater must be
> the spirit of co-operation and mutual assistance among those who are the
> essences of the world of creation, who have sought the sheltering shadow of the
> heavenly Tree, and are favoured by the manifestations of divine grace; and how
> the evidences of this spirit should, through their earnest endeavour, their
> fellowship and concord, become manifest in every sphere of their inner and
> outer lives, in the realm of the spirit and divine mysteries and in all things
> related to this world and the next. Thus there can be no doubt that they must
> be willing even to offer up their lives for each other.
> 
> This is
> the basic principle on which the institution of Huqúqu’lláh is established, inasmuch
> as its proceeds are dedicated to the furtherance of these ends. Otherwise the
> one true God hath ever been and will always be independent of all else beside
> Him. Even as He hath enabled all created things to partake of His boundless
> grace and loving-kindness, likewise is He able to bestow riches upon His loved
> ones out of the treasuries of His power. However, the wisdom of this command is
> that the act of giving is well-pleasing in the sight of God. Consider how
> well-pleasing must this mighty act be in His estimation that He hath ascribed
> it unto His Own Self. Rejoice ye then, O people of generosity!
> 
> We
> earnestly hope that in this Most Great Cycle the wondrous attributes of the
> All-Merciful may, through the infinite bounty and blessings of the King of
> Glory, find expression in the lives of the servants of God in such wise that
> the sweet savours thereof will shed fragrance upon all regions.
> 
> This
> matter needeth further details, but We have treated it in brief.
> 
> 24. "O my heavenly friends! It is
> certain and evident that the Incomparable…"
> 
> O my
> heavenly friends! It is certain and evident that the Incomparable One is always
> praised for His absolute wealth, distinguished for His all-embracing mercy,
> characterized by His eternal grace, and known for His gifts to the world of
> existence. Nonetheless, in accordance with His inscrutable wisdom and in order
> to apply a unique test to distinguish the friend from the stranger, He hath
> enjoined the Huqúq
> upon His servants and made it obligatory.
> 
> Those
> who have observed this weighty ordinance have received heavenly blessings and
> in both worlds their faces have shone radiantly and their nostrils have been
> perfumed by the sweet savours of God’s tender mercy. One of the tokens of His
> consummate wisdom is that the payment of the Huqúq will enable the donors to
> become firm and steadfast and will exert a great influence on their hearts and
> souls. Furthermore, the Huqúq
> will be used for charitable purposes.
> 
> 25. "The Blessed Beauty—may my
> life be offered up for His Dust—hath…"
> 
> The
> Blessed Beauty—may my life be offered up for His Dust—hath emphasized through
> His decisive Word that the utmost honesty hath to be observed in matters
> related to the Huqúq.
> The institution of Huqúq
> is sacred.
> 
> 26. "Render thou thanks unto God,
> for He hath graciously enabled thee to…"
> 
> Render
> thou thanks unto God, for He hath graciously enabled thee to observe the
> injunction set forth in His Most Holy Book, inasmuch as thou hast arisen to
> fulfil the obligation of Huqúq,
> and God hath accepted thy goodly deed.
> 
> Know
> thou, moreover, that those who faithfully serve the All-Merciful will be
> enriched by Him out of His heavenly treasury, and that the Huqúq offering is but a test
> applied by Him unto His servants and maidservants. Thus every true and sincere
> believer will offer Huqúq
> to be expended for the relief of the poor, the disabled, the needy, and the
> orphans, and for other vital needs of the Cause of God, even as Christ did
> establish a Fund for benevolent purposes.
> 
> Extract from a Letter Written on
> Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
> 
> 27. "Great is the recompense that
> God has ordained for the true and devoted…"
> 
> Great is
> the recompense that God has ordained for the true and devoted souls, the pure
> and detached beings who have spontaneously bequeathed a portion of their
> earthly possessions to the Cause of God, either during their own lifetimes or
> through their wills, and have had the privilege and honour of discharging their
> obligations to Huqúqu’lláh.
> 
> Give
> assurance on my behalf to the donors and to the survivors of those who have
> ascended unto God, affirming that these efforts and donations are bound to
> attract divine confirmations, heavenly blessings and incalculable favours, and
> to promote the manifold interests of the International Bahá’í Community. Well
> is it with them, inasmuch as God has enabled them to fulfil that which shall
> elevate their stations in this world and in the world to come.
> 
> (23 June
> 1945, to an individual believer, translated from the Persian)
> 
> Extracts from Letters Written by
> and on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice
> 
> 28. "Such an exceptional
> confluence of imminent achievements—the publication…"
> 
> Such an
> exceptional confluence of imminent achievements—the publication of the
> Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the progress of the building projects on Mount Carmel, the
> conclusion of the Six Year Plan, the inception of the Holy Year—animates the
> expectations of the Bahá’í world, sets the stage for mightier endeavours than
> have already been attempted, and points us all to the opening of a new phase of
> history. It seems fitting, then, that the sacred law which enables each one to
> express his or her personal sense of devotion to God in a profoundly private
> act of conscience that promotes the common good, which directly connects the
> individual believer with the Central Institution of the Faith, and which, above
> all, ensures to the obedient and the sincere the ineffable grace and abundant
> blessings of Providence, should, at this favourable juncture, be embraced by
> all who profess their belief in the Supreme Manifestation of God. With humility
> before our sovereign Lord, we now announce that as of Riḍván 1992, the beginning of the
> Holy Year, the Law of Huqúqu’lláh,
> the Right of God, will become universally applicable. All are lovingly called
> to observe it.
> 
> (Riḍván 1991, written by the
> Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of the world)
> 
> 29. "And now, amid the eager
> anticipations occasioned by the two major…"
> 
> And now,
> amid the eager anticipations occasioned by the two major commemorative events
> 
> [3]
> 
> and by the imminent publication
> of the Mother Book of the Bahá’í Revelation, the Law of Huqúqu’lláh takes effect as part
> of the constant practice of the members of our entire world community. May the
> promised divine bounties associated with the activation of this holy law be
> showered upon the beloved of the Lord in every land.
> 
> (Riḍván 1992, written by the Universal
> House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of the world)
> 
> 30. "It is the ardent hope of the
> Universal House of Justice that the spirit…"
> 
> It is
> the ardent hope of the Universal House of Justice that the spirit of the Holy
> Year and the effect of obedience to the Law of Huqúqu’lláh will produce a
> quickening of the believers’ awareness of the sacred character of the funds of
> the Faith and of the essential part they play in carrying out the purpose of
> Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation.
> 
> (19 June
> 1992, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National
> Spiritual Assembly)
> 
> 31. "The institution of Huqúqu’lláh will, during the
> course…"
> 
> The
> institution of Huqúqu’lláh
> will, during the course of this Dispensation, contribute to the
> spiritualization of humanity through the promotion of a new attitude to the
> acquisition and use of material resources. It will provide the material
> resources necessary for great collective enterprises designed to improve all
> aspects of life, and will be a powerful element in the growth of a world civilization.
> 
> (12
> January 2003, written by the Universal House of Justice to the Deputies and
> Representatives of the institution of Ḥuqúqu’lláh)
> 
> 32. "As to your fear over money,
> the acquisition of wealth is not in itself a…"
> 
> As to
> your fear over money, the acquisition of wealth is not in itself a fearsome
> objective, it is a practical necessity. The problem with wealth arises from
> inappropriate attitudes toward possessing and using it. In this regard, you may
> find it helpful to read the Hidden Words (Persian) numbers 80, 81 and 82. As in
> so many other aspects of personal life, Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings provide a means
> for safeguarding us from the test of wealth by ordaining the law of Huqúqu’lláh, providing the
> opportunity to contribute to the Bahá’í Funds, and encouraging philanthropic
> endeavors for the well-being of all.
> 
> (7
> October 2005, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an
> individual believer)
> 
> 2. Application of the Law of Huqúqu’lláh
> 
> Extracts from the Writings of
> Bahá’u’lláh
> 
> 33. "They that have kept their
> promises, fulfilled their obligations,…"
> 
> They
> that have kept their promises, fulfilled their obligations, redeemed their
> pledges and vows, rendered the Trust of God and His Right unto Him—these are
> numbered among the inmates of the all-highest Paradise. Thus from His mighty
> Prison doth the Wronged One announce unto them this glad-tiding. Blessed are
> the servants and maidservants that have performed their deeds and blessed is
> the man that hath cleaved tenaciously unto praiseworthy acts and fulfilled that
> which is enjoined upon him in the Book of God, the Lord of the worlds.
> 
> 34. "The payment of the Right of
> God is conditional upon one’s financial…"
> 
> The
> payment of the Right of God is conditional upon one’s financial ability. If a
> person is unable to meet his obligation, God will verily excuse him. He is the
> All-Forgiving, the All-Generous.
> 
> 35. "Question: Concerning the
> basic sum on which…"
> 
> Question:
> Concerning the basic sum on which Huqúqu’lláh
> is payable.
> 
> Answer:
> The basic sum on which Huqúqu’lláh
> is payable is nineteen mi
> th
> qáls 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 acquireth a thousand mi
> th
> qáls 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.
> 
> (
> The
> Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book
> , Questions and Answers, no. 8)
> 
> 36. "Question: Which is to take
> precedence: the…"
> 
> 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.
> 
> (
> The
> Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book
> , Questions and Answers, no. 9)
> 
> 37. "Question: The ordinance of Huqúqu’lláh is…"
> 
> 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.
> 
> (
> The
> Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book
> , Questions and Answers, no. 42)
> 
> 38. "Question: If a person hath,
> for example, a hundred…"
> 
> Question:
> If a person hath, for example, a hundred túmáns, 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 Ḥuqúq is due—must such a person pay Ḥuqúq or not?
> 
> Answer:
> In such an event the Huqúq
> is not payable.
> 
> (
> The
> Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book
> , Questions and Answers, no. 44)
> 
> 39. "Question: If, after payment of Huqúq, this…"
> 
> Question:
> If, after payment of Huqúq,
> this same sum of one hundred túmáns is lost in its entirety, but 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.
> 
> (
> The
> Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book
> , Questions and Answers, no. 45)
> 
> 40. "Question: May a person, in
> drawing up his will, assign some…"
> 
> 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 declaration
> 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.
> 
> (
> The
> Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book
> , Questions and Answers, no. 69)
> 
> 41. "Question: If the deceased
> hath not settled his obligation to…"
> 
> 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.
> 
> (
> The
> Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book
> , Questions and Answers, no. 80)
> 
> 42. "Question: When one’s wealth
> exceeds nineteen, is it necessary…"
> 
> 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.
> 
> (
> The
> Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book
> , Questions and Answers, no. 90)
> 
> 43. "Question: Regarding the
> appointments of a place of business,…"
> 
> 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.
> 
> (
> The
> Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book
> , Questions and Answers, no. 95)
> 
> 44. "The minimum amount subject
> to Huqúqu’lláh
> is reached…"
> 
> The
> minimum amount subject to Huqúqu’lláh
> is reached when one’s possessions are worth the number of Váh
> 
> [4]
> 
> that is, whenever one owneth nineteen mi
> th
> qáls of gold, or acquireth
> possessions attaining this value, after having deducted therefrom the yearly
> expenses, the Huqúq
> becometh applicable and its payment is obligatory.
> 
> 45. "It hath been decreed by God
> that a property which is not lucrative, that…"
> 
> It hath
> been decreed by God that a property which is not lucrative, that is, yieldeth
> no profit, is not subject to the payment of Huqúq. Verily He is the Ordainer,
> the Bountiful.
> 
> Extracts from the Writings of
> ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
> 
> 46.
> "Thou hast enquired about the Huqúq.
> From one’s annual…"
> 
> Thou
> hast enquired about the Huqúq.
> From one’s annual income, all expenses during the year are deductible, and on
> what is left 19% is payable to the Huqúq.
> Thus, a person hath earned £1,000 income out of his business. After deducting
> his annual expenses of, say, £600, he would have a surplus of £400 on which Huqúq is payable at the rate of
> 19%. This would amount to £76 to be offered for charitable purposes to the Huqúq.
> 
> The Huqúq 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 Huqúq
> on this property every year? For instance, whatever income thou hast earned in
> a particular year, you should deduct from it your expenses during that year.
> The Huqúq will
> then be payable on the remainder. Possessions on which Huqúq was paid the previous year
> will be exempt from further payment.
> 
> 47.
> "As to the Huqúq,
> it is payable on whatever is left over…"
> 
> As to
> the Huqúq, it
> is payable on whatever is left over after deducting one’s yearly expenses.
> However, any money or possession which is necessary in producing income for
> one’s subsistence, and on which Huqúq
> hath once been paid, is exempt from Huqúq. This exemption also applieth to a property on
> which Huqúq
> hath already been paid, and the income of which doth not exceed one’s needs….
> Disposition of the Huqúq,
> wholly or partly, is permissible, but this should be done by permission of the
> authority in the Cause to whom all must turn.
> 
> 48.
> "Huqúq is
> applied on everything one possesseth…."
> 
> Huqúq
> is applied on everything one possesseth. However, if a person hath paid the Huqúq on a certain property, and
> the income from that property is equal to his needs, no Huqúq is payable by that person.
> 
> Huqúq
> is not payable on agricultural tools and equipment, and on animals used in
> ploughing the land, to the extent that these are necessary.
> 
> 49.
> "As to the way the Huqúq
> must be paid: Having deducted…"
> 
> As to
> the way the Huqúq
> must be paid: Having deducted the expenses incurred during the year, any excess
> of income derived from one’s property, profession or business is subject to the
> payment of Huqúq.
> 
> Extracts from the Utterances of
> ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
> 
> 50.
> "Question: As to the matter of Huqúq,
> does it mean…"
> 
> Question:
> As to the matter of Huqúq,
> does it mean 1/19th of one’s net income or one’s gross income? For example, in
> America, there is a tax on the gross income, after certain exemptions are made.
> How is the Huqúq
> to be worked out?
> 
> Answer:
> The substance of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s explanation was: After one has paid all his
> necessary expenses 19% of what is left is then taken by him and given as Huqúq. For example, if a person
> has 100 piastres left after all his expenses have been paid, then 19 piastres
> are taken as Huqúq
> for the Cause of God. This is done at the end of the year after he has
> ascertained what his expenses are. For every hundred piastres, 19 are taken for
> Huqúq.
> 
> He pays
> this once, then there is no more Huqúq
> to be paid on that sum. It is finished. Next year he will pay on the amount he
> has left over in his possession after his expenses have been deducted, and
> after the amount he paid Huqúq
> on the previous year is also deducted.
> 
> For
> example, at the end of the first year a man has 1000 piastres left after all
> his expenses are paid, then 190 piastres are taken as Huqúq: at the end of the next year
> after all expenses are determined, he may have 2000 piastres left. As he has
> already paid Huqúq
> on 1000 piastres the previous year this sum is deducted from the 2000 and he
> pays Huqúq on
> 1000 piastres (or 190 piastres). The third year the net amount of what he owns
> may be 2500 piastres, he deducts 2000 piastres from this amount and pays 19% on
> 500 piastres or 95 piastres. If at the end of the 4th year he has 2500
> piastres, no Huqúq
> is taken.
> 
> Question:
> In the deduction of our necessary expenses, are contributions to the Ma
> sh
> riqu’l-A
> dh
> kár,
> teaching and other activities of the Cause considered a part of Huqúq or should they be taken
> separately?
> 
> Answer:
> ‘Abdu’l-Bahá replied that Huqúq
> was separate and independent of these and came first. After that had been
> determined then the other affairs could be looked after. He smiled and said
> when Huqúq is
> given ‘Abdu’l-Bahá will ascertain how much of it is for the Ma
> sh
> riqu’l-A
> dh
> kár,
> how much for teaching and how much for the needy, etc.
> 
> (Interview
> with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 26 November 1919, note in the handwriting of Shoghi Effendi
> circa 1920. Questions posed in a letter from George O. Latimer, undated)
> 
> Extracts from Letters Written by
> and on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
> 
> 51. "Regarding the Huqúqu’lláh … this is applied to
> one’s…"
> 
> Regarding
> the Huqúqu’lláh
> … this is applied to one’s merchandise, property and income. After deducting
> the necessary expenses, whatever is left as profit, and is an addition to one’s
> capital, such a sum is subject to Huqúq.
> When one has paid Huqúq
> once on a particular sum, that sum is no longer subject to Huqúq, unless it should pass from
> one person to another. One’s residence and the household furnishings are exempt
> from Huqúq. Huqúqu’lláh is paid to the Centre
> of the Cause.
> 
> (April/May
> 1927, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, translated
> from the Persian)
> 
> 52.
> "You will find references to the Huqúq
> in the book of…"
> 
> You will
> find references to the Huqúq
> in the book of Aqdas…. All matters not specifically provided by Bahá’u’lláh are
> to be referred to the Universal House of Justice.
> 
> (Postscript
> in the handwriting of Shoghi Effendi, appended to a letter dated 16 December
> 1927 written on his behalf to an individual believer)
> 
> 53. "One mi
> th
> qál consists
> of nineteen nu
> kh
> uds. The…"
> 
> One mi
> th
> qál
> consists of nineteen nu
> kh
> uds. The weight of twenty-four nu
> kh
> uds
> equals four and three-fifths grammes. Calculations may be made on this basis.
> 
> (17
> November 1937, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer,
> translated from the Persian)
> 
> 54. "Concerning your question
> whether the heirs to whom the principal…"
> 
> 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 Huqúq
> 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 Huqúq, therefore when the transfer
> of ownership takes place such possessions continue to be exempt.
> 
> (29
> September 1942, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual
> Assembly of Iran, translated from the Persian)
> 
> Extracts from Letters Written by
> and on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice
> 
> 55. "Some of the dear friends who
> observe their Huqúqu’lláh…"
> 
> Some of
> the dear friends who observe their Huqúqu’lláh
> obligations have written asking about the relationship that exists between
> contribution to the Funds and the payment of Huqúqu’lláh. That is, if a person
> who intends to meet his Huqúqu’lláh
> obligations offers contributions to other Funds and projects instead, would he
> be exempted from the payment of Huqúqu’lláh
> or not?
> 
> The Holy
> Texts relevant to this matter are clear but, since this question has been
> repeatedly asked by the friends, it was decided to elucidate it for their
> information.
> 
> 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
> 
> [5]
> 
> with God will in justice be
> exposed", is a clear reference to such people.
> 
> The
> Centre of the Covenant has affirmed the obligation of Huqúq in these words: "The Lord as
> a sign of His infinite bounties hath graciously favoured His servants by
> providing for a fixed money offering,
> 
> [6]
> 
> 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, Huqúq
> 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.
> 
> (25
> October 1970, written by the Universal House of Justice to the National
> Spiritual Assembly of Iran, translated from the Persian)
> 
> 56. "We are deeply touched by
> your loving letter of 27 December 1972…"
> 
> We are
> deeply touched by your loving letter of 27 December 1972 expressing the wish to
> follow the Law of Huqúqu’lláh
> with respect to your inheritance from your mother….
> 
> This Law
> of the Aqdas stipulates that nineteen percent of one’s capital is payable as Huqúqu’lláh when such capital has
> reached an amount of at least "nineteen mi
> th
> qáls in gold"…. In
> determining the amount a believer should pay, he should first deduct any debts
> and expenses he may have, and pay nineteen percent on the remainder of his
> capital if it is equal to at least nineteen mi
> th
> qáls of gold.
> 
> …to
> observe this Law of the Aqdas …, you should determine the total value of your
> inheritance in cash and other assets less any expenses of debts you may have,
> and consider the circumstances under which you may be able to pay Huqúqu’lláh on the net value of
> your inheritance. The time and conditions of payment are left to each
> individual.
> 
> For
> example, if one’s assets include property or shares in addition to cash, he may
> find it disadvantageous or inconvenient to pay nineteen percent of the value of
> the non-cash assets until they are disposed of, at which time he would prefer
> to fulfill this spiritual obligation. Any expenses that may be involved in
> disposing of one’s assets should be deducted before calculating the net value
> on which Huqúqu’lláh
> is payable.
> 
> (21
> January 1973, written by the Universal House of Justice to an individual
> believer)
> 
> 57. "The devoted believer who is
> privileged to pay "the right of God", far…"
> 
> The
> devoted believer who is privileged to pay "the right of God", far from seeking
> excuses for evading this spiritual obligation, will do his utmost to meet it.
> On the other hand, inasmuch as obedience to this Law is a matter of conscience,
> and payment of Huqúqu’lláh
> is a voluntary act, it would not be seemly to go beyond informing the … friends
> of their spiritual obligation, and leaving to them to decide what they wish to
> do about it.
> 
> The same
> principle applies to those friends who spend lavishly on their families, who
> purchase or build residences and furnish them far in excess of their needs, and
> rationalize these expenditures in their desire to avoid payment of Huqúqu’lláh.
> 
> (26
> February 1973, written by the Universal House of Justice to an individual
> believer, translated from the Persian)
> 
> 58. "…many details in the
> computation of Huqúqu’lláh have…"
> 
> …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 Ḥuqúqu’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.
> 
> (16
> September 1979, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an
> individual believer)
> 
> 59. "It is clear from the
> Writings that a person is exempt from paying…"
> 
> It is
> clear from the Writings that a person is exempt from paying Huqúqu’lláh on his residence and
> such household and professional equipment as are needful. It is left to the
> discretion of the individual to decide which items are necessary and which are
> not. It is obvious that the friends should not spend lavishly on residences and
> furnishings and rationalize these expenditures in their desire to avoid payment
> of Huqúqu’lláh.
> No specific text has been found exempting capital used to earn income. The
> Universal House of Justice leaves such matters to the consciences of individual
> believers.
> 
> (9 April
> 1980, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)
> 
> 60. "Your second question asks
> whether, where there is perfect understanding…"
> 
> Your
> second question asks whether, where there is perfect understanding between
> husband and wife and she is empowered to manage her husband’s property as well
> as her own, she could pay the amount of Huqúqu’lláh applicable to all their possessions or,
> since the husband owns a portion of the property, she should pay only the
> amount of Huqúqu’lláh
> on her own share of the property.
> 
> In
> answering this question one should remember that the Huqúqu’lláh is payable on
> possessions that are indisputably recognised as being one’s own and not on
> property that one merely controls or uses. However, in cases similar to the one
> you have mentioned above, it is incumbent on husband and wife to take counsel
> together and to define precisely the limits of their personal belongings, then
> they should either jointly or individually render to the Huqúq the amount they consider to
> be their binding obligation.
> 
> (10
> January 1982, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an
> individual believer, translated from the Persian)
> 
> 61. "As to the question raised by
> Mr. …, kindly inform him that in a letter…"
> 
> As to
> the question raised by Mr. …, kindly inform him that in a letter to an
> individual believer the beloved Guardian explained that Huqúqu’lláh is payable only once
> on a given property, whether personal or real, but should this property pass
> from one person to another, such as through inheritance, it becomes again
> subject to the payment of Huqúqu’lláh.
> This in effect means that heirs receiving a share of their inheritance from an
> estate must pay Huqúqu’lláh,
> if the share they are receiving increases their wealth to a level calling for
> the discharge of this sacred obligation.
> 
> (1 June
> 1983, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National
> Spiritual Assembly)
> 
> 62. "As regards your question
> concerning the principal residence and…"
> 
> As
> regards your question concerning the principal residence and subsidiary rulings
> relevant to it, we wish to let you know that in these days it is not deemed
> advisable to enact detailed rulings for Huqúqu’lláh. Thus the friends are left free, and
> whenever no definite rulings exist they may fulfil in each case that which they
> understand from the texts, and may honour their Huqúqu’lláh obligations according
> to their own judgement and the promptings of their own conscience.
> 
> (4 March
> 1984, written by the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer,
> translated from the Persian)
> 
> 63. "…if a believer has
> calculated his liability to…"
> 
> …if a
> believer has calculated his liability to Huqúqu’lláh and knows that he owes some, he should
> pay this in preference to making any other contributions.
> 
> However,
> during the course of the year a believer may well be making contributions to
> various funds, or giving money to charity, just as he is spending his money on
> a wide range of activities associated with his daily life. The … Universal
> House of Justice leaves it to his judgement to follow either of the following
> courses:
> 
> (a) To
> treat such contributions as expenses. They would then reduce the balance of
> savings he would have left at the end of the year on which Huqúqu’lláh is payable.
> 
> (b) To
> consider that he should make such contributions only out of money on which Huqúqu’lláh has been paid.
> 
> This
> ruling also leaves it open to the individual to treat some contributions in one
> way and some in the other. The House of Justice leaves all such details to the
> judgement and conscience of the individual believer.
> 
> (3
> February 1987, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an
> individual believer)
> 
> 64. "If, as you say, you are not
> in a position ever to accumulate assessable…"
> 
> If, as
> you say, you are not in a position ever to accumulate assessable property
> equivalent in value to 19 mi
> th
> qáls in gold, then, as the texts explain,
> you have no obligation to pay Huqúqu’lláh.
> However, this does not mean that you may not contribute to this Fund if you
> wish to do so out of your love for Bahá’u’lláh and the generosity of your
> heart.
> 
> (23 June
> 1987, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)
> 
> 65. "1. One believer cannot
> discharge the obligation of another to pay…"
> 
> 1. One
> believer cannot discharge the obligation of another to pay Huqúqu’lláh.
> 
> 2. It is
> not permissible for a believer to earmark for any purpose a payment he makes to
> Huqúqu’lláh,
> nor may he make such payment in honour of anyone.
> 
> (22
> March 1989, memorandum from the Universal House of Justice to a department at
> the Bahá’í World Centre)
> 
> 66. "Essentially, the Ḥuqúqu’lláh should be paid by a…"
> 
> Essentially,
> the Huqúqu’lláh
> should be paid by a believer during the course of his life whenever his surplus
> property reaches the assessable level. A certain leeway is provided in the law,
> inasmuch as reference is made to the annual expenses which should be deducted
> before the liability to Huqúqu’lláh
> is calculated. Ideally, when a Bahá’í dies, the only payment to Huqúqu’lláh which should need to
> be provided for in his Will is such additional liability as may be found to
> exist when his affairs are reckoned up as at the date of his death.
> 
> The House
> of Justice hopes that as the believers acquaint themselves with the law of Huqúqu’lláh and start to pay it,
> they will also learn not only how to calculate it during the course of their
> lives but will thereby be enabled to understand how to provide for the payment
> of the balance remaining at their deaths.
> 
> (1
> October 1989, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a Board of
> Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh)
> 
> 67. "The House of Justice does
> not envisage issuing any specific method of…"
> 
> The
> House of Justice does not envisage issuing any specific method of calculation
> for the use of the friends. They should be left free to work out their own
> methods on the basis of the texts and examples already before them.
> 
> (1 July
> 1991, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the Office of the
> Treasurer of a National Spiritual Assembly)
> 
> 68. "The Universal House of
> Justice has received your letter of 28 December…"
> 
> The
> Universal House of Justice has received your letter of 28 December 1991 in
> which you pose a question related to calculating the property on which you are
> due to pay Huqúqu’lláh.
> The information provided by you is summarized as follows.
> 
> You have
> in your possession a collection of items in the nature of heirlooms, some of
> which are probably quite valuable, and which you call "The Family Museum". This
> collection yields no income, and never has, apart from a few occasions on which
> you have put it on display to raise money for charity. You wish to know whether
> you should now have this collection valued so that you can include it in your
> property for the purposes of computing your Huqúqu’lláh.
> 
> The
> House of Justice has asked us to say that it is not necessary to bring such a
> possession into account immediately. If it is sold, in whole or in part, then
> the proceeds become assessable to Huqúqu’lláh.
> 
> (9
> February 1992, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an
> individual believer)
> 
> 69. "The payment of Huqúqu’lláh is a personal obligation on…"
> 
> The
> payment of Huqúqu’lláh
> is a personal obligation on each Bahá’í, and it is for him to meet this
> obligation in accordance with his own conscience; it cannot be demanded from
> him by any of the institutions of the Faith. A part of this obligation is for a
> Bahá’í to make provision in his will for the payment of whatever remains of his
> debt to Huqúqu’lláh
> at the end of his life. The Bahá’í law of intestacy, likewise, provides for the
> payment of such a balance of Huqúqu’lláh
> before the distribution of the estate to the heirs.
> 
> The Law
> of Inheritance as revealed in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, which is applicable when the
> deceased has left no will, is explicit in stating:
> 
> Division
> of the estate should take place only after the Huqúqu’lláh hath been paid….
> 
> Likewise,
> in relation to the making of a Will, Bahá’u’lláh has stated:
> 
> 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 declaration
> 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.
> 
> This
> makes it clear that the responsibility of a testator to pay his debts and his Huqúqu’lláh have precedence over
> his freedom to leave his property in whatever other manner he wishes.
> 
> (30
> April 1992, memorandum from the Universal House of Justice to a department at
> the Bahá’í World Centre)
> 
> 70. "The question is whether the
> property on which a person is obliged to…"
> 
> The
> question is whether the property on which a person is obliged to compute his Huqúqu’lláh is all that he
> possesses at the date on which the Law becomes applicable to him, or only on
> such property as he amasses subsequent to that date.
> 
> Our
> conclusion is that the property which is assessable to Huqúqu’lláh is all that a person
> possesses on the date that the Law becomes applicable to him. This does not
> mean, of course, that he must immediately pay the Huqúqu’lláh that is due, since to
> do so might require him to dispose of many of his belongings and place him in a
> very difficult situation. But the principle of computation is clear, and the Huqúqu’lláh due should ultimately
> be paid.
> 
> (4 May
> 1992, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the Trustee of Huqúqu’lláh, the Hand of the Cause
> of God ‘Alí-Muhammad Varqá)
> 
> 71. "You ask about the
> applicability of the law of…"
> 
> You ask
> about the applicability of the law of Huqúqu’lláh to the money that a believer spends on
> "travelling for the Faith, living a little more generously" and so forth. Our
> impression from answers given to other questions is that this is a matter for
> the conscience of the individual. There is, in fact, a vast range of
> expenditures which could, or could not, be included under the heading of normal
> annual expenses which are to be set against income before arriving at the sum
> assessable to Huqúqu’lláh.
> In the specific case of contributions to the various funds of the Faith, the
> Universal House of Justice has already stated that it is for the individual to
> decide whether he will consider these as part of his normal expenditure or will
> pay them out of his savings which have been cleared.
> 
> (14
> February 1993, memorandum from the Universal House of Justice to the Office of Huqúqu’lláh in the Holy Land)
> 
> 72. "The Office of Huqúqu’lláh in the Holy Land referred to…"
> 
> The
> Office of Huqúqu’lláh
> in the Holy Land referred to the Universal House of Justice the questions on
> the law of Huqúqu’lláh
> attached to your letter of 21 April 1993, and we have been instructed to send
> you the following answers.
> 
> 1.There
> are, indeed, differences among a person’s debts in relation to the calculation
> and payment of Huqúqu’lláh.
> With regard to computation, debts are, naturally, to be offset against assets.
> With regard to priority of payment, one should take into account the terms of a
> loan. If a schedule of payments has been specified, and one will be able to
> meet them from anticipated income when they are due, one should, of course, pay
> one’s Huqúqu’lláh
> in the meantime. If, however, one cannot meet the payment of both, the debt
> must take precedence.
> 
> 2.The
> relative priority of the payment of Huqúqu’lláh and of contributing to the funds of the
> Faith is made clear in section 105
> 
> [7]
> 
> of the compilation on Huqúqu’lláh.
> The House of Justice does not wish to go beyond this at the present time.
> 
> 3.Freedom
> is left to each husband and wife to decide whether to comply with their
> obligations to Huqúqu’lláh
> jointly or separately because the House of Justice does not wish to interfere
> with the right of each couple to decide how they wish to deal with their own
> finances. One couple may prefer to own their property jointly; another may
> prefer to keep their respective properties separate; or there may be various
> combinations of these arrangements.
> 
> (8 July
> 1993, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual
> believer)
> 
> 73. "Your letters of 24 and 25
> May 1993 and the booklet you sent were…"
> 
> Your
> letters of 24 and 25 May 1993 and the booklet you sent were received by the
> Office of Huqúqu’lláh.
> The two questions you raised were referred to the Universal House of Justice,
> which has now instructed us to send you the following reply.
> 
> 1.Funds
> being saved up for the purchase of a residence are not
> in themselves
> exempt
> from Huqúqu’lláh.
> Thus, if the person were to die before purchasing a residence, these savings
> would be assessable to Huqúq.
> However, … it is left to the individual, who is saving to buy a residence, to
> decide whether to pay Huqúqu’lláh
> on the money as he saves it, and then count the exemption when the residence is
> actually purchased, or to postpone the inclusion of the savings in his
> calculation of Huqúqu’lláh
> until after the residence is purchased, at which time, of course, the value of
> the residence becomes exempt.
> 
> 2….computations
> for Huqúqu’lláh
> in practice should be made on the basis of the
> accumulation
> of savings,
> not just on each year separately. Only in this way can one take account of
> losses in one year which reduce one’s liability in the next, or compute the
> profit or loss on the sale of an investment which was purchased in an earlier
> year.
> 
> (8
> October 1993, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an
> individual believer)
> 
> 74. "Your … question centers on
> the provision for Huqúqu’lláh…"
> 
> Your …
> question centers on the provision for Huqúqu’lláh in Bahá’í wills. Your understanding that
> the obligation to pay Huqúqu’lláh
> arises during one’s lifetime and is normally to be carried out with lifetime
> giving is correct, although at the same time it is true that there may be cases
> where a believer dies without having made provision in his or her will for
> payment of the unpaid portion of Huqúqu’lláh,
> if any. The event of death does not remove from a believer the obligation to
> pay Huqúqu’lláh.
> Whatever portion is due to be paid is therefore a debt due from the believer’s
> estate at the time of his or her death. The cost of the funeral and burial, the
> payment of the debts of the deceased, and the payment of whatever portion of Huqúqu’lláh remains due are prior
> charges on the estate which must be met before arriving at the amount of the
> property which has to be divided in accordance with the provisions of the law
> of inheritance. Thus, whether or not a person makes a will or, having made a
> will, whether he or she makes provision in it for the payment of Huqúqu’lláh, the Huqúqu’lláh should be paid, like
> all debts, before the rest of the estate is divided.
> 
> In light
> of this, it is certainly advisable for a believer to make the necessary
> arrangements for payment of Huqúqu’lláh
> prior to his or her death, in order to avoid complications or confusions which
> could arise. It should be noted that the question of a legal wording to include
> provision in a will for the payment of Huqúqu’lláh after a believer has died is dependent
> upon so many factors, that it would be preferable to seek legal advice so that
> wording which is appropriate and in accordance with the laws governing
> inheritance can be used. Obviously, unless the believer leaves a clear
> accounting of his or her property and payment of Huqúqu’lláh to date, if any, it
> will not be possible for anyone to calculate accurately what remains to be paid
> at the time of death. While the application of the principles involved in
> payment of Huqúqu’lláh
> may well require subsidiary legislation by the House of Justice in the future,
> at the present time it falls to the executor or administrator of an estate to
> apply them to the extent possible, using his or her best judgment and taking
> into account the information available. Finally, while the payment of Huqúqu’lláh is each individual’s
> own responsibility, a believer may be referred to the nearest Representative of
> the Trustee of Huqúqu’lláh,
> who could advise him or her in the light of any specific circumstances.
> 
> (1 July
> 1996, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual
> believer)
> 
> 75. "In Bahá’í law each
> individual believer, whether man or…"
> 
> In
> Bahá’í law each individual believer, whether man or woman, is responsible for
> paying Huqúqu’lláh
> on the property he or she owns or acquires; this presumes the right of
> individual ownership of property. In the case of a married couple, however, the
> Universal House of Justice has indicated that they may choose to pay their Huqúqu’lláh jointly, if they so
> wish, and there is no prohibition against joint ownership, whether by a couple
> or by two or more business partners. Each individual is under the obligation of
> making a will. In the Questions and Answers no. 78 we read that, in the case of
> intestacy, apart from used clothing, whatever there may be among the husband’s
> possessions, whether jewellery or otherwise, belongs to the husband, "except
> what is proven to have been gifts to the wife". Similarly, in a letter written
> on behalf of the Guardian in Persian we find the following: "You have asked
> concerning the division of furniture and property, after the completion of the
> year of waiting…. The Guardian stated that whatever belonged to the wife and
> constituted her personal property remains hers and that no one has any right to
> interfere."
> 
> It is
> clear, therefore, that the property of a husband and wife are regarded as
> separate except insofar as one makes gifts to the other or they agree to own
> all or part of the property jointly. In other words, it is for the husband and
> wife themselves to decide how their property is held. An inheritance or gift
> received by one spouse would remain the property of that individual unless he
> or she decides otherwise.
> 
> It is
> also possible for a husband and wife to enter into an agreement at the time of
> marriage, or later, concerning the apportionment of their property.
> 
> The
> status of the ownership of the property then affects what becomes of it in the
> case of divorce or the death of one of the parties.
> 
> This is
> a very brief summary of the situation. Undoubtedly in the years to come the
> Universal House of Justice will be called upon to decide on specific issues of
> detail as they arise. It must also be remembered that at the present time the
> implementation of Bahá’í law in such matters is dependent upon the provisions
> of the civil law, which takes precedence.
> 
> (15
> October 1998, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an
> individual believer)
> 
> 76. "As to whether Huqúqu’lláh is acceptable from…"
> 
> As to
> whether Huqúqu’lláh
> is acceptable from Bahá’ís who have been deprived of their voting rights, the
> House of Justice has stated:
> 
> After
> considering precedents set by the beloved Guardian, we have come to the
> conclusion that Huqúqu’lláh
> is not acceptable from such believers…. Any believer who is under the sanction
> of deprivation of administrative rights and who offers to pay Huqúqu’lláh should simply be told
> that such a payment is not acceptable. If he remits a payment, it should be
> returned to him.
> 
> (12
> September 2000, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an
> individual believer)
> 
> 77. "The Universal House of
> Justice has received your email letter dated 31…"
> 
> The
> Universal House of Justice has received your email letter dated 31 January
> 2002, inquiring if a company, owned only by a Bahá’í, may make contributions to
> the Fund and pay Huqúqu’lláh.
> 
> The
> obligation to pay Huqúqu’lláh
> rests on individual believers, not on corporate bodies, even if they are wholly
> owned by Bahá’ís. On the other hand, if the owners of a company, which is
> entirely Bahá’í-owned, wish their company to make a donation to Huqúqu’lláh, such a contribution
> is acceptable. It does not, of course reduce the obligation of the individual
> believers concerned to pay their own Ḥuqúqu’lláh.
> 
> With
> regard to the Bahá’í Fund, it is entirely permissible for contributions to be
> made to the Fund from a business which is owned solely by Bahá’ís.
> 
> (12
> February 2002, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a
> National Spiritual Assembly)
> 
> 78. "Your memorandum refers to us
> the question of a believer who sells his or…"
> 
> Your
> memorandum refers to us the question of a believer who sells his or her
> principal residence to move into a nursing home or a similar care facility. The
> inquiry is whether the difference between the sale price of the residence and
> the sum required to pay the nursing home fees should be subject to the Right of
> God.
> 
> We have
> decided that it should be left to the discretion of the individual concerned to
> determine the course of action to be followed, having regard for his own
> assessment of his personal circumstances and intentions, as well as his own
> understanding of the text.
> 
> (12 July
> 2004, memorandum from the Universal House of Justice to the Office of Huqúqu’lláh in the Holy Land)
> 
> 79. "…if one’s assets include
> property or shares in addition to cash, the…"
> 
> …if
> one’s assets include property or shares in addition to cash, the individual
> might sustain financial loss or may face other difficulties in paying nineteen
> percent of the value of the non-cash assets before they are disposed of, and he
> may therefore prefer to pay the Huqúqu’lláh
> once they are dispensed with. Any expenses that may be involved in disposing of
> one’s assets should be deducted before calculating the net value on which Huqúqu’lláh is payable.
> 
> We also
> remind you that Huqúqu’lláh
> is payable on all that a person possesses on the date that the Law becomes
> applicable to him. This does not mean, of course, that the Huqúqu’lláh payment that is due
> must be made immediately, since to do so might require an individual to dispose
> of many of his belongings and could place him in a difficult situation. The
> principle of the computation, however, is clear, and the Huqúqu’lláh due should ultimately
> be paid.
> 
> (10 May
> 2006, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual
> believer, translated from the Persian)
> 
> 80. "The basic principle is that
> when a believer passes away, his principal…"
> 
> The
> basic principle is that when a believer passes away, his principal residence,
> as well as items such as necessary furnishings and tools of trade, remains
> exempt when computing how much, if any, Ḥuqúqu’lláh remains to be paid on his estate.
> 
> Subject
> to the terms of the will, a beneficiary may well receive some or all of these
> items. Whether or not he is required to pay Huqúqu’lláh on these newly
> acquired assets will depend on the purpose for which he uses them. If they are
> used for purposes subject to exemption, such as his principal residence,
> necessary furnishings, or tools of trade, he would be exempt from paying Huqúqu’lláh on them. However, if
> he uses them for other purposes, such as converting them to cash, the exemption
> would not apply.
> 
> (21 May
> 2006, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual
> believer)
> 
> 81. "When funds are offered by a
> believer in honour of another…"
> 
> When
> funds are offered by a believer in honour of another Bahá’í, the donor should
> be informed that it cannot be accepted as a Huqúqu’lláh payment on behalf of
> the other believer. The donor can then be given the option of his providing
> these funds as a Huqúqu’lláh
> payment on his own behalf or as a contribution to the Bahá’í International Fund
> in honour of the other individual or of having the funds returned to him.
> 
> (12 June
> 2006, memorandum from the Universal House of Justice to the Office of Huqúqu’lláh in the Holy Land)
> 
> 3. Functions of the Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh and the Spiritual
> Assemblies
> 
> Extracts from the Writings of
> Bahá’u’lláh
> 
> 82. "He is the True, the
> Faithful!…"
> 
> He is
> the True, the Faithful!
> 
> O Abu’l-Hasan!
> 
> [8]
> 
> God willing thou art sustained
> by His lordly favours and art occupied with such deeds as befit His Day. Regard
> faith as a tree: its fruits and leaves, its branches and boughs are, and ever
> have been, truthfulness, trustworthiness, rectitude of conduct, and
> forbearance. Be assured of God’s sustaining grace, and engage thyself with
> service to His Faith. We have designated thee a trustee of God, have bidden
> thee to observe that which shall exalt the Cause of Him Who is the Lord of the
> worlds, and have bestowed upon thee the right to receive Huqúqu’lláh. Consort with the
> people in a spirit of amity and concord, and be unto them a loyal counsellor
> and a loving companion. Content thyself then with that which We have ordained
> for thee.
> 
> 83.
> "As to the question of Huqúq: Reference to this matter…"
> 
> As to
> the question of Huqúq:
> Reference to this matter is in no wise permissible. …it is entirely dependent
> upon the willingness of the individuals themselves. They are well acquainted
> with the commandment of God and are familiar with that which was revealed in
> the Book. Let him who wisheth observe it, and let him who wisheth ignore it.
> Verily, thy Lord is the Self-Sufficing, the All-Praised. Indeed, independence
> of all things is as a door of guidance unto His faithful servants. Well is it
> with them that have severed themselves from the world and have arisen to serve
> His Cause. Verily, they are numbered with the people of Bahá at the court of
> His resplendent Beauty.
> 
> 84.
> "O Abu’l Hasan!…"
> 
> O
> Abu’l Hasan!
> 
> [9]
> 
> May my
> Glory rest upon thee! Fix thy gaze upon the glory of the Cause. Speak forth
> that which will attract the hearts and the minds. To demand the Huqúq 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.
> 
> 85.
> "Whenever they make reference to the Huqúq,
> let them…"
> 
> Whenever
> they make reference to the Huqúq,
> let them confine themselves to a mere word uttered for the sake of God and this
> will suffice; coercion is unnecessary, inasmuch as God hath never wished that
> those engaged in His service should experience any hardship. Verily He is the
> Forgiving, the Merciful, the Gracious, the All-Bountiful.
> 
> 86. "If a person is willing to
> offer the Right of God, such offering should…"
> 
> If a
> person is willing to offer the Right of God, such offering should be received
> by the Trustees, to whom reference hath been made in the Book of God. This ordinance
> hath, in view of certain considerations, been revealed from the heaven of
> divine Revelation as a token of His grace. The advantages arising therefrom
> shall fall to the individuals themselves. Verily He speaketh the truth and
> there is none other God but Him, the Mighty, the Powerful.
> 
> Any
> amount received by them will be transmitted. Great is the blessedness of them
> that observe His bidding.
> 
> 87. "Whoso desireth to offer Huqúqu’lláh with the utmost joy…"
> 
> Whoso
> desireth to offer Huqúqu’lláh
> with the utmost joy and eagerness should pay it to trustworthy persons like
> unto thyself and obtain a receipt, so that whatsoever is effected may conform
> to His sanction and permission. Verily He is the Knowing, the Wise.
> 
> 88. "Payments for the Huqúqu’lláh cannot be handed over to…"
> 
> 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.
> 
> 89. "To discharge one’s
> obligations is highly praiseworthy in the sight of…"
> 
> To
> discharge one’s obligations is highly praiseworthy in the sight of God.
> However, it is not permitted to solicit Huqúq from anyone. Beseech ye the one true God to
> enable His loved ones to offer that which is the Right of God, inasmuch as the
> observance of this injunction would cause one’s possessions to be purified and
> protected and would become the means of attracting goodly gifts and heavenly
> blessings.
> 
> 90. "Someone must needs remind
> the servants of God, that perchance they may…"
> 
> Someone
> must needs remind the servants of God, that perchance they may be privileged to
> meet their obligation of Huqúq,
> thus attaining a sublime station and gaining a reward that would last for ever.
> The payments for the Huqúq
> should be kept in the custody of a trusted person and a report submitted so
> that steps may be taken according to the good pleasure of God.
> 
> 91. "O Amín! Upon thee be My
> glory. It behoveth thee to…"
> 
> O Amín!
> Upon thee be My glory. It behoveth thee to have the utmost regard for the
> dignity of the Cause of God in all circumstances…. We exhort thee to keep thine
> eyes directed to the horizon of dignity and, while being mindful of His sublime
> words: "…yet warn them, for in truth warning will profit the believers",
> 
> [10]
> 
> to give the friends of God a
> gentle reminder in a spirit of amity and concord. Indeed, whoever is graciously
> enabled to fulfil this obligation, he will be reckoned among the sincere lovers
> of God in the lucid Book; but if not, no one should contend with him.
> 
> In this
> Day the glances of God—exalted be His glory—are directed towards the hearts of
> men and to the goodly pearls treasured therein. This beseemeth the Lord and His
> chosen ones—glorified be His majesty. It behoveth thee to pray on behalf of the
> friends and loved ones of God, that He may graciously enable them to fulfil
> that which is ordained in the Book, and that they may not be hindered by vain
> imaginings and the transitory things of the world.
> 
> Extract from the Writings of
> ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
> 
> 92. "A third requisite is the
> promulgation of the…"
> 
> A third
> requisite
> 
> [11]
> 
> is the promulgation of the divine commandments among the friends, such as the
> Obligatory Prayers, Fasting, Pilgrimage, Ḥuqúqu’lláh and all the other ordinances.
> 
> Extract from a Letter Written on
> Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
> 
> 93.
> "The paying of the Huqúq is a spiritual obligation;
> the…"
> 
> The
> paying of the Huqúq
> is a spiritual obligation; the friends must not be obliged by the Assemblies to
> pay it, but they should be encouraged to fulfil this spiritual obligation laid
> upon them in the Aqdas.
> 
> (12
> October 1946, to a National Spiritual Assembly)
> 
> Extracts from Letters Written by
> and on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice
> 
> 94. "Since the Huqúqu’lláh has, according to the injunction…"
> 
> 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.
> 
> (27
> October 1963, written by the Universal House of Justice to the National
> Spiritual Assembly of Iran, translated from the Persian)
> 
> 95. "Undoubtedly the friends are
> illumined with the light of the fear of God…"
> 
> Undoubtedly
> the friends are illumined with the light of the fear of God and are fully
> conscious of the need to purify and protect their possessions in accordance
> with the decisive Words revealed by our Lord, the Most High.
> 
> In these
> turbulent days, we that yearn for Him, fervently turn in prayer to the court of
> the Lord of mankind that He may graciously enable that august Assembly to
> repeatedly remind the lovers of the Beauty of the All-Merciful of the vital
> importance and the binding character of this sacred and heavenly injunction.
> Through issuing announcements, distributing leaflets and in gatherings, schools
> and conferences held by the followers of our Zealous Lord, they should be
> guided and encouraged to observe strictly and conscientiously that which His
> divine commandment has enjoined upon them, so that those believers who are
> adorned with the fear of God may be shielded from the dire consequences
> foreshadowed in His ominous warnings, may become the recipients of His assured
> blessings and be enabled to partake of the outpourings of His infallible
> spiritual grace.
> 
> (12
> September 1969, written by the Universal House of Justice to the National
> Spiritual Assembly of Iran, translated from the Persian)
> 
> 96. "The continuing
> responsibility for educating the believers in the law of…"
> 
> The
> continuing responsibility for educating the believers in the law of Huqúqu’lláh is shared by all the
> institutions of the Faith. But your deputies and their representatives, through
> the close relationships which they are forming with individual believers, will
> be able to advance their understanding of the spiritual and practical aspects
> of this law in an especially effective way. The primary need at this time, we
> believe, is … for the friends to be encouraged to understand and accept the
> responsibility which rests on every true-hearted follower of the Faith to apply
> the principles of the law to the specific details of his or her own condition.
> The members of your institution, through wise and tactful comments and
> explanations, can assist them to do this, while refraining from exerting, or
> appearing to exert, any form of pressure.
> 
> A major
> challenge now before those devoted friends who have been called to serve as
> your deputies and representatives is the organization of their own work to
> ensure a reliable system for the acceptance, receipting, custody and remittance
> of the funds of Huqúqu’lláh.
> It is love for Bahá’u’lláh which will be the primary motive for the friends in
> obeying this law, but they will carry out their duty with greater assurance and
> promptitude the greater their confidence in and respect for those on whom has
> been conferred the responsibility of receiving this Right of God on your behalf.
> 
> (13
> November 1992, written by the Universal House of Justice to the Trustee of Huqúqu’lláh, the Hand of the Cause
> of God ‘Alí-Muhammad Varqá)
> 
> 97. "The functions you have been
> summoned to perform are vital. You are…"
> 
> The
> functions you have been summoned to perform are vital. You are charged with the
> responsibility to educate the believers in the law presented to them in the
> Kitáb-i-Aqdas to render payment unto God of a specific portion of their
> material assets. Your task is essentially spiritual, that of drawing the
> attention of the friends to their obligations as followers of Bahá’u’lláh and
> thus of playing a significant role in fostering the development of the
> relationships of love and obedience which must bind the believer to his
> Creator. In a world preoccupied with self-indulgence, you are called upon to
> revive the hallowed concept of religious duty and obligation.
> 
> The work
> in which you are engaged is most challenging. It concerns promulgation of a law
> which is fundamental to the individual’s spiritual life, and the attitude with
> which it is carried out is an essential feature of its observance. The
> befitting discharge of your functions requires the utmost sensitivity and
> discretion, to avoid undue pressure on believers to adhere to a law which is a matter
> of conscience, and to find the proper mode of communication which provides
> timely reminders while refraining from unproductive repetition.
> 
> Central
> to the success of your endeavours is the extent to which you are able to create
> and sustain a relationship of love and trust with the believers you are called
> upon to assist, so that they will, through their association and interaction
> with you, be motivated to adhere wholeheartedly to the law of Huqúqu’lláh and to partake of its
> inestimable spiritual benefits.
> 
> These
> are still early days in the worldwide development of the institution of Huqúqu’lláh, which will expand and
> flourish in the centuries to come, and will provide material resources
> essential for the advancement of the human race. How important, then, that such
> an institution be distinguished by the impeccable probity with which it is
> administered, and by the evident trustworthiness of those who serve it.
> Assuredly your efforts will continue to be exerted in a manner that will
> enhance the high reputation which the institution of Huqúqu’lláh has acquired in the
> eyes of the believers.
> 
> (14
> February 1997, written by the Universal House of Justice to the Deputies and
> Representatives of the institution of Ḥuqúqu’lláh)
> 
> 98. "One of the tasks of the
> Representatives is to assist in educating the…"
> 
> One of
> the tasks of the Representatives is to assist in educating the believers in the
> law of Huqúqu’lláh
> and its importance. Naturally, this process of education cannot be limited to
> those whose possessions reach the amount to bring them within the obligation of
> the law, since this fact is often known only to the individual concerned.
> Children, also, should learn the law of the Right of God as part of their
> Bahá’í education. Sometimes friends become so enthused with the concept of this
> law that they express the wish to make contributions to the Huqúqu’lláh Fund, even though they
> are not obliged to do so. The House of Justice has stated that it is
> permissible for the Representatives to accept such contributions.
> 
> In other
> words, if someone, out of their love for the Cause, makes a payment to Huqúqu’lláh, it is not for the
> Representative to question whether or not that person is under obligation to
> pay it; he should graciously accept it.
> 
> This, as
> you can see, is quite different from actually encouraging Bahá’ís to pay more Huqúqu’lláh than the law of God
> requires them to do, and such encouragement would be a departure from the
> spirit of the law as Bahá’u’lláh has revealed it.
> 
> (13
> September 1998, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an
> individual believer)
> 
> 99. "It is clear that, over the
> past decade, more and more believers have…"
> 
> It is
> clear that, over the past decade, more and more believers have become informed
> of the significance of the law of Huqúqu’lláh,
> and are following its provisions. You may well contemplate with satisfaction
> the results of your labours, as you formulate your plans for the extension of
> the influence of this mighty law to all segments of the worldwide Bahá’í
> community. Your integrity, the scrupulous care with which you have handled the
> funds entrusted to you, and your efficiency in providing receipts and
> maintaining accurate records have all contributed to the confidence of the
> believers in this institution and to the high prestige with which it is held in
> the Bahá’í community.
> 
> In
> carrying out your functions, you are assisting in the advancement of a process
> which will, in the centuries ahead, give rise to a transformation of society
> far beyond our present capacity to comprehend.
> 
> (12 January
> 2003, written by the Universal House of Justice to the Deputies and
> Representatives of the institution of Ḥuqúqu’lláh)
> 
> 100. "Furthermore, efforts at
> fostering the development of institutions…"
> 
> Furthermore,
> efforts at fostering the development of institutions operating at the World
> Centre were especially evident in the continuing evolution of the institution
> of Huqúqu’lláh
> under the distinguished leadership of the Trustee, the Hand of the Cause of God
> ‘Alí-Muhammad
> Varqá. Through his wise initiative and constant endeavour, Dr. Varqá has
> inspired the education of the friends everywhere concerning the law of Huqúqu’lláh. In the decade since
> the law was universally applied, a network of national and regional boards of
> trustees has been brought into existence, which provides coordination and
> direction to the service of an increasing number of deputies and
> representatives. Knowledge of this great law has spread widely, and friends
> from all continents are responding to it with a spirit of devotion, which the Trustee
> hopes will touch those who have not yet availed themselves of the promised
> blessings flowing from adherence to this law.
> 
> (Riḍván 2003, written by the
> Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of the world)
> 
> 101. "With the approach of the
> meeting …, which will mark your inaugural…"
> 
> With the
> approach of the meeting …, which will mark your inaugural meeting as members of
> the International Board of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh, we have decided that it is now
> appropriate to provide you with guidance about your work and the development of Huqúqu’lláh,
> the Right of God, in the years ahead.
> 
> As
> stated in our letter …, notifying you of your appointment, your duties are
> those of the trusteeship of Huqúqu’lláh,
> following in the path of the Chief Trustee of Huqúqu’lláh, the Hand of the Cause
> Dr. ‘Alí-Muhammad Varqá….
> 
> A major
> element of the duties to be undertaken by the Deputies and Representatives
> throughout the world will continue to be the education of believers in the
> Right of God. The required education should be accomplished in a moderate and
> patient manner, so that the hearts of the believers are attracted to obedience
> to the provisions of the law of Huqúqu’lláh
> as part of their yearning to pursue the path of spiritual development
> prescribed by Bahá’u’lláh. The most important features of the law should be
> presented in as simple a form as possible, to avoid the dear friends obligated
> to pay Huqúqu’lláh
> from becoming inhibited about doing so by an unwarranted fear of its complexity
> of application.
> 
> Under
> all conditions, due attention should be given to preserving the dignity of the
> Faith….
> 
> We ask
> you to propose … details for a network of National or Regional Boards embracing
> the entire worldwide community and to recommend the membership of these Boards.
> In countries where there are a substantial number of believers obligated to pay
> Huqúqu’lláh, a
> National Board is appropriate. Regional Boards should be set up to cover other
> groups of countries, with the expectation that each Regional Board will be
> replaced by a number of National Boards in the future, as the Bahá’í community
> grows.
> 
> The
> members of these Boards will be appointed to serve for a term of three years
> and will be eligible for reappointment. No specific date is set for the
> appointment, so that a replacement can be approved whenever a Deputy is unable
> to discharge the functions. We have decided that Counsellors should not be
> eligible for membership to these Boards.
> 
> The
> Regional and National Boards would have the function of appointing
> Representatives, for a term of three years; as in the case of Deputies, when a
> Representative is appointed to replace an existing member unable to carry out
> the functions, the new appointee will serve for a full three years.
> 
> To the
> extent possible the Representatives will not be required to receive and
> transmit funds or to issue receipts…. This modification in the functions of the
> Representatives means that their work will be educational….
> 
> (25
> January 2005, written by the Universal House of Justice to the members of the
> International Board of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh)
> 
> 102. "New developments have,
> likewise, taken place at the World Centre. We…"
> 
> New
> developments have, likewise, taken place at the World Centre. We have decided
> that the time is propitious to bring into being an International Board of
> Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh
> to guide and supervise the work of Regional and National Boards of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh throughout the world.
> It will operate in close collaboration with the Chief Trustee, the Hand of the
> Cause of God Dr. ‘Alí-Muhammad
> Varqá, and will be able to benefit from his knowledge and counsel in carrying
> out its duties. The three members now appointed to the International Board of
> Trustees are Sally Foo, Ramin Khadem, and Grant Kvalheim. Their term of office
> will be determined at a later date. The members of the Board will not transfer
> their residence to the Holy Land but will utilize the services of the Office of
> Huqúqu’lláh at
> the World Centre in performing their functions.
> 
> (Riḍván 2005, written by the
> Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of the world)
> 
> 103. "The Universal House of
> Justice has received your email letter dated…"
> 
> The
> Universal House of Justice has received your email letter dated 4 December 2005
> concerning the permissibility of individuals paying Huqúqu’lláh via their National
> Spiritual Assembly and has forwarded it to our Department for reply.
> 
> …the
> believers may prefer to make their payments through the treasurers of their
> National Assemblies, and the House of Justice has maintained the right of the
> friends to pay their Huqúqu’lláh
> in this way if they so choose.
> 
> (19
> January 2006, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National
> Spiritual Assembly)
> 
> 104. "The Institution of Huqúqu’lláh has steadily progressed…"
> 
> The
> Institution of Huqúqu’lláh
> has steadily progressed under the stewardship of the Hand of the Cause of God
> Dr. ‘Alí-Muhammad
> Varqá, appointed Trustee by Shoghi Effendi fifty years ago, culminating in the
> establishment in 2005 of an international board designed to promote the
> continued widespread application of this mighty law, a source of inestimable
> blessings for all humanity.
> 
> (Riḍván 2006, written by the
> Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of the world)
> 
> 4. Disbursement of Huqúqu’lláh Funds
> 
> Extracts from the Writings of
> Bahá’u’lláh
> 
> 105. "It is the binding command
> of God that in every locality whatever hath…"
> 
> It is
> the binding command of God that in every locality whatever hath been or will be
> made available for the Huqúqu’lláh
> should be submitted to His Holy Presence. Any instructions issued in this
> respect should be observed accordingly, so that all matters may be
> well-ordered.
> 
> 106. "And now concerning the
> poor, thou hast written to ask whether it is…"
> 
> And now
> concerning the poor, thou hast written to ask whether it is permissible to pay
> them out of the Right of God. This is conditional upon permission having been
> granted. In each locality where the Right of God is being received, details of
> it must be submitted to His exalted presence together with a statement
> describing the position of the needy ones. Verily He doeth what He willeth and
> ordaineth what He pleaseth. If permission were to be given universally it would
> lead to strife and give rise to trouble.
> 
> Extract from the Writings of
> ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
> 
> 107. "According to the explicit
> text of the Most Holy Book the amounts offered…"
> 
> According
> to the explicit text of the Most Holy Book the amounts offered for the Huqúq should be deposited in a
> place and be disbursed, as necessary. However thou shouldst not require anyone
> there to offer the Huqúq
> unless someone is prepared to do so willingly and of his own free choice.
> 
> Extract from a Letter Written by
> Shoghi Effendi
> 
> 108. "In accordance with the
> explicit text of the Will and Testament,…"
> 
> In
> accordance with the explicit text of the Will and Testament, Huqúqu’lláh should be expended on
> teaching the Cause of God in countries throughout the East and the West,
> establishing institutions, building Bahá’í Temples and promoting benevolent
> undertakings and the general weal.
> 
> (15
> January 1933, to a National Spiritual Assembly, translated from the Persian)
> 
> Extracts from Letters Written by
> and on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice
> 
> 109. "‘Abdu’l-Bahá in one of His
> Tablets has stated:…"
> 
> ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
> in one of His Tablets has stated: "Disposition of the Huqúq, wholly or partly, is
> permissible, but this should be done by permission of the authority in the
> Cause to whom all must turn." The provision in His Will and Testament that the Huqúqu’lláh "is to be offered
> through the Guardian of the Cause of God…" is clearly in accord with this
> principle. In another Tablet ‘Abdu’l-Bahá referred to the Universal House of
> Justice as "the authority in the Cause to whom all must turn" and it is clear
> that in the absence of the Guardian it is the supreme and central institution
> of the Cause. Moreover, before ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’u’lláh had revealed the
> following: "There is a prescribed ruling for the Huqúqu’lláh. After the House of
> Justice hath come into being, the law thereof will be made manifest, in
> conformity with the Will of God." In accordance with these explicit texts it is
> clearly within the jurisdiction of the Universal House of Justice to decide
> about the receipt and disbursement of Ḥuqúqu’lláh at the present time.
> 
> (2 March
> 1972, written by the Universal House of Justice to the Hands of the Cause
> residing in the Holy Land)
> 
> 110. "Concerning the Huqúqu’lláh, … the disposition of the…"
> 
> Concerning
> the Huqúqu’lláh,
> … the disposition of the Huqúqu’lláh
> is a prerogative reserved to the Center of the Faith. The Universal House of Justice
> is invested with a number of "powers and duties" enumerated in its Constitution
> such as "preservation of the Sacred Texts", "advanc[ing] the interests of the
> Faith", "propagat[ing] and teach[ing] its Message", and so forth. The funds
> collected from the payment of Huqúqu’lláh
> are expended in pursuit of these purposes, as the House of Justice deems
> appropriate.
> 
> (18 July
> 1994, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual
> believer)
> 
> 111. "You have asked as to where
> and how the House of Justice reports on its…"
> 
> You have
> asked as to where and how the House of Justice reports on its uses of the funds
> received through payment of Huqúqu’lláh.
> The House of Justice does not issue an accounting of the current expenditure of
> these funds. However, there is no secret as to the uses to which the funds are
> put. The Sacred Texts affirm that the Huqúqu’lláh is to be paid to the Authority in the
> Faith to whom all must turn, and indicate that these funds may be "expended for
> the relief of the poor, the disabled, the needy, and the orphans, and for other
> vital needs of the Cause of God". Decisions concerning such factors as the
> timing, the methods of disbursement and the amount rest with the House of
> Justice.
> 
> In these
> days, as during the ministry of Shoghi Effendi, all funds received by the Head
> of the Faith are used to promote the interests of the Faith at the World Centre
> and worldwide. The
> Institution of
> 
> H
> 
> uqúqu’lláh Newsletter
> , issue no. 6, mentions that the
> funds are spent for such purposes as, "promotion of the teaching and
> proclamation of the Faith worldwide; care, maintenance and restoration of
> Bahá’í Holy Places; building up of the Bahá’í World Administrative Centre;
> support of the work of the many Bahá’í institutions and agencies; erection and restoration
> of Bahá’í Houses of Worship; establishment and support of new institutions;
> charitable and benevolent undertakings; and support of the worldwide manifold
> interests of the Faith."
> 
> The
> effective utilization of Huqúqu’lláh
> and other funds available to the House of Justice is manifest in the great
> developments taking place at the World Centre and throughout the Bahá’í world
> community, many of whose national budgets must be subsidized by the House of
> Justice, owing to the fact that the vast majority of the world’s Bahá’ís are
> poor and cannot adequately support their national funds….
> 
> The Huqúqu’lláh, as its name "The
> Right of God" implies, has a special character which distinguishes it from all
> other Bahá’í funds. Its nature and purpose, and the blessings with which
> payment of it has been endowed can be read in the compilation which has been
> issued on the subject….
> 
> In
> accordance with Bahá’í principle, contributions to the various Bahá’í funds, as
> well as payments of the Right of God, are offered confidentially and are
> receipted…. You may rest assured that at the Bahá’í World Centre a method of
> financial management has been instituted to keep scrupulous accounts and also
> to prevent any significant incidence of extravagance or, God forbid,
> malfeasance from occurring undetected and unchecked. It is a method that
> maintains both the confidentiality of individual contributions and the
> integrity of the use of all funds entrusted to the House of Justice.
> 
> (16
> February 1998, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an
> individual believer)
> 
> 112. "As to the specific concern
> that prompted your inquiry, the use of funds…"
> 
> As to
> the specific concern that prompted your inquiry, the use of funds from Huqúqu’lláh, the disbursement of
> which is entirely at the discretion of the Head of the Faith, entails a wide
> range of applications that will eventually address various needs of society in
> ways that will also contribute toward the solution of economic problems.
> However, it is much too early in the worldwide observance of the Law, and is
> not possible in the current state of the Bahá’í community or of society, for
> the House of Justice to elaborate on these details. For the time being, the Huqúqu’lláh is used principally
> for the work of the Bahá’í community, which, of course, includes its initial
> efforts at social and economic development.
> 
> (8
> September 1999, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an
> individual believer)
> 
> 113. "As you are aware, the
> obligation of believers to pay…"
> 
> As you
> are aware, the obligation of believers to pay Huqúqu’lláh is set out in the
> Kitáb-i-Aqdas, and it is offered to the Head of the Faith, now the House of
> Justice. Disbursement of these funds is decided by the House of Justice and is
> presently directed to the vital task of raising the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh,
> which is the essential prerequisite for the enduring resolution of the
> afflictions humanity is now experiencing.
> 
> The
> House of Justice ensures that detailed accounts of Huqúqu’lláh income and
> expenditures are maintained by the International Board of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh and its Office of Huqúqu’lláh in the Holy Land. It
> monitors the functioning of the Institution of Huqúqu’lláh and is well satisfied
> that matters are being handled with the highest level of integrity.
> 
> Such an
> assurance from the House of Justice is, of course, sufficient for members of
> the Bahá’í community. At this time the House of Justice sees no need to present
> information on Huqúqu’lláh
> accounts to external audiences; if a situation arises in the future where there
> is public controversy over this issue, it will take whatever action it deems
> appropriate at that time.
> 
> (25 July
> 2006, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual
> believer)
> 
> Notes
> 
> 2
> 
> Qur’án 35:15.
> 
> 3
> 
> A reference to
> the solemn occasion of the one hundredth anniversary of the Ascension of
> Bahá’u’lláh and the celebration of the centenary of the inauguration of His
> mighty Covenant.
> 
> 4
> 
> Nineteen.
> 
> 5
> 
> The word
> "dishonestly" has been replaced with the word "faithlessly" in the authorized English
> translation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. See extract 3 in this compilation.
> 
> 6
> 
> Huqúq.
> 
> 7
> 
> In this
> compilation, the statement appears as extract 58.
> 
> 8
> 
> Known as
> Jináb-i-Amín, Trustee of the Huqúq in the days
> of Bahá’u’lláh.
> 
> 9
> 
> Ibid.
> 
> 10
> 
> Qur’án 51:55.
> 
> 11
> 
> For them that
> take counsel together, i.e., the members of the Spiritual Assemblies.
> 
> METADATA
> 
> Views
> 
> 19603 views since posted 2013-03-21; last edit 2025-12-30 08:15
> UTC
> ;
> 
> previous at
> archive.org
> ...
> /compilation_huququllah_right_god
> 
> Inventory #
> 
> BH09404[BRL_HUQUQ#001]
> ,
> BH10068[BRL_HUQUQ#002x]
> ,
> BH01747[BRL_HUQUQ#004x]
> ,
> BH05250[BRL_HUQUQ#005x]
> ,
> BH00676[BRL_HUQUQ#006x]
> ,
> BH00072[BRL_HUQUQ#007x]
> ,
> BH03018[BRL_HUQUQ#008x]
> ,
> BH00722[BRL_HUQUQ#009x]
> ,
> BH02886[BRL_HUQUQ#010]
> ,
> BH00177[BRL_HUQUQ#011x]
> ,
> BH00129[BRL_HUQUQ#012x]
> ,
> BH01554[BRL_HUQUQ#013x]
> ,
> BH08796[BRL_HUQUQ#014x]
> ,
> BH08235[BRL_HUQUQ#015x]
> ,
> BH00261[BRL_HUQUQ#016x]
> ,
> BH00325[BRL_HUQUQ#017x]
> ,
> BH00027[BRL_HUQUQ#018x]
> ,
> BH00963[BRL_HUQUQ#019x]
> ,
> BH01365[BRL_HUQUQ#020x]
> ,
> BH02753[BRL_HUQUQ#021x]
> ,
> AB00446[BRL_HUQUQ#023]
> ,
> AB01016[BRL_HUQUQ#024x]
> ,
> AB10178[BRL_HUQUQ#025x]
> ,
> AB04325[BRL_HUQUQ#045x]
> ,
> AB00324[BRL_HUQUQ#046x]
> ,
> AB01909[BRL_HUQUQ#047x]
> ,
> AB11145[BRL_HUQUQ#048x]
> ,
> ABU0849[BRL_HUQUQ#049]
> ,
> BH04864[BRL_HUQUQ#081x]
> ,
> BH05026[BRL_HUQUQ#082x]
> ,
> BH00886[BRL_HUQUQ#083x]
> ,
> BH00261[BRL_HUQUQ#084x]
> ,
> BH00473[BRL_HUQUQ#085x]
> ,
> BH00542[BRL_HUQUQ#086x]
> ,
> BH00508[BRL_HUQUQ#087x]
> ,
> BH00302[BRL_HUQUQ#088x]
> ,
> BH09310[BRL_HUQUQ#089x]
> ,
> BH00886[BRL_HUQUQ#090x]
> ,
> AB01545[BRL_HUQUQ#091x]
> ,
> BH00074[BRL_HUQUQ#104x]
> ,
> BH00145[BRL_HUQUQ#105x]
> ,
> AB05229[BRL_HUQUQ#106x]
> ,
> BH01747[BRL_HUQUQ#32x]
> ,
> BH06789[BRL_HUQUQ#33x]
> ,
> BH00169[BRL_HUQUQ#43x]
> ,
> BH01075[BRL_HUQUQ#44x]
> 
> Language
> 
> English
> 
> Permission
> 
> © BIC, public sharing permitted. See sources
> 1
> ,
> 2
> , and
> 3
> .
> 
> History
> 
> Formatted 2013-03-21 by Brett Zamir.
> 
> Share
> 
> Shortlink:
> 
> bahai-library.com/4071
> 
> Citation
> :
> 
> ris/4071
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> — *Huququ'llah: The Right of God (Used by permission of the curator)*