Mirror of Light No. 57

In this issue, we feature the June-August 2011 articles of the communication series called HUQÚQ’s CORNER. We also provide a background information on this spiritual and socio-economic law.

Huqúqu'lláh, originating from Arabic and translating to "Right of God"), and sometimes called the Law of Huqúq, is a socio-economic and spiritual law of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, a charter document of the Bahá'í Faith written by Bahá'u'lláh. In its most basic form, it states that Bahá'ís should make a 19% voluntary payment on any wealth in excess of what is necessary to live comfortably, after the remittance of any outstanding debt, to the head of the Bahá'í Faith. The money is then disbursed to social and economic development projects, or similar philanthropic purposes.

HUQÚQ’s CORNER

“Those who have observed this weighty ordinance have received heavenly blessings and in both world 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.”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Huqúqu’lláh Compilation no.62, p 25

Huqúqu’lláh in an Individual’s Will: Part 1

Through repeated examination of the compilation on Huqúqu’lláh, I have come to the conclusion that all the text point to the fact that it is a great privilege for believers to contribute to the Right of God in the course of their lifetimes – assuming that they regard this [law] as an indebtedness – so as to benefit from the resulting “abundance, prosperity, dignity, and honour” while they are living. This privilege is also emphasized in Compilation no. 22 (*), which states: “Well is it with him who ascendeth unto God, without any obligations to Huqúqu’lláh and to His servants.”

Fulfillment through a will can create some disadvantages; some heirs (especially non- Bahá’ís) may not, for one reason or other, accept the provisions of the testament, or compliance with those provisions may not take place “with utmost joy and pleasure” (no. 32). Both of these situations have actually occurred. In one case, the non- Bahá’í heirs caused such great difficulties that Shoghi Effendi ordered the Huqúqu’lláh already paid by the deceased person be returned.

There are references in the Writings underline the importance of the spiritual attitude with which the Right of God is to be offered: “Should anyone offer Huqúqu’lláh 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” (no.40)

Designating the Board of Trustees as beneficiary in one’s estate and life policy would in effect dissociate the act of payment from the spirit with which this act should be carried out. The Writings repeatedly remind us that it is the joyful submission to and ready compliance with the Law of Huqúqu’lláh that make the difference.

In consideration to the fact that Bahá’ú’lláh states: “God hath made the achievement of everything conditional upon material means” (no. 33), the procedure to leave fulfillment to theirs heirs – obligation to Huqúqu’lláh, may seriously impede the carrying out of numerous projects within the Bahá’í world which are financed principally by the Huqúqu’lláh.

Statement made by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá regarding the law of Huqúqu’lláh lead us to conclude that He is speaking of yearly accounts, which of course indicates payments made during a person’s lifetime (nos. 66, 67, 69).

Huqúqu’lláh in an Individual’s Will: Part 2

"In the 'Kitab‐i‐Aqdas' Bahá'u'lláh has stated: 'It is incumbent upon everyone to write his testament. It behooveth him to adorn its heading with the Most Great Name, to testify therein to the oneness of God as manifested in the DaySpring of His revelation and to set forth such good deeds as he may wish to be realized , that these may stand as his testimony in the worlds of Revelation and of Creation and be as a treasure stored up with his Lord, the Protector, the Trusted One.'"(1)

The “testament” is required by a believer by Bahá’ú’lláh has the following provisions:

• To adorn its heading with the Most Great Name.
• To testify to the oneness of God as manifested in the Day‐Spring of His revelation. An expression of his/her devotion to Bahá’ú’lláh as the Manifestation of God for this Day.
• To set forth such good deeds as he/she may wish to be realized. This provision in the will states that a believer not only indicate which deeds he wishes done in this world on his behalf, but may leave funds for those purposes (2).
• To distribute one’s assets after payment of debts and expenses (3).
• The payment of Huqúqu’lláh.
  

The Bahá’í law leaves a believer free as to the distribution of his possessions at his death. If his will points to a document which makes clear what is to be done, that is entirely acceptable. Provisions as to the payment of debts and the balance of Huqúqu’lláh due could also be in the Trust document (4).

Legal wording and the laws governing inheritance vary from country to country, the advice needs to be local(5). Should a friend suffer from mental illnesses and therefore have a custodian (Bahá’í) who manage their economy and would like to pay for the Huqúqu’lláh, it is necessary to consider the law of the land, the payment can be done either during his lifetime or at the time of his death (6).

The wish to leave his property, for example, partly or wholly, to the Bahá’í Funds cannot be considered as part of one’s payment of Huqúqu’lláh (7). The friends should separate the account Huqúqu’lláh from that of the other contributions. Thus they must first settle their obligation concerning Huqúqu’lláh, as it is a spiritual obligation binding on the people Bahá. Failure to comply with this injunction is regarded as a betrayal of trust, and the divine call: “Whoso dealeth faithlessly with God will in justice be exposed.”

As to whether the 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 up to the judgement of each individual in the light of his own circumstances (8).

NOTE:

(1) From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly, September 4, 1982), Lights of Guidance p 192.

(2) "The Master has told us that gifts and good deeds done in memory of those who have passed on, are most helpful to the development of their souls in the realms beyond....", Lights of Guidance p 204.

(3) The Right of God – Huqúqu’lláh Compilation by Bahá’ú’lláh , ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi and The Universal House of Justice, The Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, no.22, 65,66,78,83, 103, 105.

(4) Letter of 9th December 1991 from the World Centre to an individual.

(5) Letter of 17th July 1989 from the World Centre to a National Spiritual Assembly.

(6) Letter of 5th July 1994 from the Dept. of the Secretariat the Universal House of Justice to an individual

(5) The Right of God – Huqúqu’lláh Compilation by Bahá’ú’lláh , ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi and The Universal House of Justice, The Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, no.97, 98, 105.

(6) As above, no. 105

- HUQÚQ’s Corner articles contributed by Stephen Ramo