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Huqúqu'lláh

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Huqúqu'lláh (Template:Lang-ar, "Right of God"), 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. The money is then disbursed to social and economic development projects, or similar philanthropic purposes.

History

Gradual implementation

See also: Gradualism in Bahá'í laws

Bahá'u'lláh wrote down the law of Huqúqu'lláh in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas in 1873, but he did not accept any payments initially. In 1878 he appointed the first trustee of the Huqúqu'lláh, who had the responsibility of receiving the Huqúq from the Bahá'ís in Iran. Later this was expanded to the Bahá'ís of the Middle East. In 1985 information about the Huqúq was distributed worldwide and in 1992 the law was made universally applicable. As the number of payments increased, deputies and representatives to receive the payments have been appointed. In 1991 the central office of Huqúqu'lláh was established at the Bahá'í World Centre in Haifa, Israel.[1][2]

Recipients

During the lifetime of Bahá'u'lláh, the offerings were made directly to him, and following his death, to `Abdu'l-Bahá. In his Will and Testament, `Abdu'l-Bahá provided that Huqúqu'lláh be offered after him "through the Guardian of the Cause of God".[3] Since the election of the Universal House of Justice, it is to this institution that payments are made.[1][4]

Trustees

  • Hájí Sháh-Muhammad Manshádi, Amínu’l-Bayán (’trustee of the Bayán’; d. 1881)
  • Hájí Amín (Abdu’l-Hasan Ardikání), Amín-i-Iláhi (‘trustee of God’; 1881-1928)
  • Hájí Ghulám-Ridá, Amín-i-Amín (‘trustee of the trustee’; 1928–38)
  • Valíyu'lláh Varqá (1938–55)
  • `Alí-Muhammad Varqá (1955-2007)[2]

Timeline of the institution of Huqúqu'lláh

The following is a basic timeline of the institution of Huqúqu'lláh.

Purpose

The Huquq'ullah is not meant to be a donation, but is rather meant to be a claim by God for support of the interests of all people. It is partly used to equalize wealth across different parts of the world.[4] The payment of the Huquq'ullah is also meant to increase the spiritual link between the religion's central institutions and the individual.[4] This offering is to be considered separate from giving to the various Bahá’í funds and takes precedence over them.[2] Furthermore, the Huquq'ullah should not be solicited by anyone, and no payments of it can be accepted unless the individual was doing so "with the utmost joy".[5]

Calculation

The payment of Huqúqu'lláh is based on the calculation of the value of the individual’s possessions, which includes one’s merchandise, property and income, after all necessary expenses have been paid. If a person has possessions or wealth in excess of what is necessary equal in value to at least one hundred mithqáls of gold it is a spiritual obligation to pay nineteen percent of the total amount, once only, as Huqúqu'lláh. Thereafter, whenever an individual acquires more possessions or wealth from income by the amount of at least one hundred mithqáls of gold, one is to pay nineteen percent of this increase, and so on for each further increase.

"Should anyone acquire one hundred mithqals of gold, nineteen mithqals 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.", page 54, Bahá'u'lláh (1992) [1873]. The Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book. Bahá'í Publishing Trust.
"Whosoever owns one hundred mithkal of gold, a nineteenth part must be given to God, the creator of heaven and earth.", page 26, Baha'o'llah; tr. Anton Haddad (1900) [1873]. Kitab el Akdas - The Most Holy Book (PDF). typescript.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
"If anyone possesses a hundred mithqals of gold, nineteen mithqals of them are for God, the Maker of earth and heaven. Beware, O people, lest you deny yourselves this great favour.", page 50, Bahā'-Allāh; tr. Earl E. Elder & William McE. Miller (1961) [1873]. Al-kitab al-aqdas or The most holy book. London: The Royal Asiatic Society.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

Note, that certain individuals, including published and repeatedly cited works such as "A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith.", and "An Introduction to the Baha'i Faith" (both by author Peter Smith), continuously advance the completely erroneous notion that the calculation of Huqúqu'lláh is to be based upon ownership of 19 mithqals of Gold instead of the very clear instructions in the above sited and authoritative references by the Founder of the Baha'i Faith, Bahá'u'lláh; all without citing any authoritative Holy Writings of the central figures of the Baha'i Faith for their supposition.

Certain categories of possessions are exempt from the payment of the Huqúqu'lláh, such as one’s residence, necessary household furnishings, business or professional equipment and furnishings, and others.[1][2] Bahá'u'lláh has left it to the individual to decide which items are considered necessary and which are not. Specific provisions are outlined to cover cases of financial loss, the failure of investments to yield a profit and for the payment of the Huqúqu'lláh in the event of the person’s death.

[1][6]<ref name="AC">Stockman, Robert H. (2012). The Baha’i Faith: A Guide For The Perplexed. A & C Black. pp. 186–189.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d Smith, Peter (2008). An Introduction to the Baha'i Faith. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 164.
  2. ^ a b c d Smith, Peter (2000). "Huqúqu'lláh". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 189–190. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  3. ^ Smith, Peter (2000). "Covenant". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 114–5. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  4. ^ a b c Hatcher, W.S.; Martin, J.D. (1998). The Bahá'í Faith: The Emerging Global Religion. San Francisco: Harper & Row. p. 198. ISBN 0-87743-264-3.
  5. ^ Taherzadeh, Adib (1988). The revelation of Baha'u'llah. Vol 4 : Mazra'ih & Bahji 1877-92. UK: George Ronald. p. 253. ISBN 9780853981442.
  6. ^ Agarwal, Sanjay (2010). Daan and Other Giving Traditions in India: The Forgotten Pot of Gold. AccountAid India. p. 103. ISBN 8191085402.

Further reading

  • Other English Translations
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