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===Recipients===
===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 of `Abdu'l-Bahá|Will and Testament]], `Abdu'l-Bahá provided that Huqúqu'lláh be offered after him "through the Guardian of the Cause of God".<ref name="smith covenant">{{cite encyclopedia |last= Smith |first= Peter |encyclopedia= A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith |title= Covenant |year= 2000 |publisher= Oneworld Publications |location= Oxford |isbn= 1-85168-184-1 |pages= 114–5}}</ref> The provisions of the [[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]] specify that after the "Aghsan", the authority over religious endowments pass to the "House of Justice", should it be established in the world; otherwise the endowments revert to the "people of Bahá".<ref>{{cite book|title=The Kitáb-i-Aqdas|year=1873|publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust|location=Wilmette, Illinois|isbn=0-85398-999-0|page=254|url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/KA/ka-5.html|author=Bahá’u’lláh}}</ref> Since the election of the [[Universal House of Justice]] it is to this institution payments are made.<ref name="smith"/>
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 of `Abdu'l-Bahá|Will and Testament]], `Abdu'l-Bahá provided that Huqúqu'lláh be offered after him "through the Guardian of the Cause of God".<ref name="smith covenant">{{cite encyclopedia |last= Smith |first= Peter |encyclopedia= A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith |title= Covenant |year= 2000 |publisher= Oneworld Publications |location= Oxford |isbn= 1-85168-184-1 |pages= 114–5}}</ref> The provisions of the [[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]] specify that after the "Aghsan", the authority over religious endowments pass to the "House of Justice", should it be established in the world; otherwise the endowments revert to the "people of Bahá".<ref>{{cite book|title=The Kitáb-i-Aqdas|year=1873|publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust|location=Wilmette, Illinois|isbn=0-85398-999-0|page=34|url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/KA/ka-5.html|author=Bahá’u’lláh}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Bahā'-Allāh; Earl E. Elder; William McE. Miller |title=Al-Kitab Al-Aqdas or The Most Holy Book|year=1961|publisher=The Royal Asiatic Society|location=London|pages=36}}</ref>


===Trustees===
===Trustees===
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==Calculation==
==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 nineteen [[mithqal|mithqál]]s of gold (19 mithqáls equal to 2.2246 ounces, currently roughly [[United States dollar|US$]]3,000), 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 nineteen mithqáls of gold, one is to pay nineteen percent of this increase, and so on for each further increase.<ref name="smith" />
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 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.

<blockquote>"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."
<ref>{{cite book|title=The Kitáb-i-Aqdas|year=1873|publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust|location=Wilmette, Illinois|isbn=0-85398-999-0|page=54|url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/KA/ka-6.html|author=Bahá’u’lláh}}</ref></blockquote>

<blockquote>"If anyone possesses a hundred mithqals of gold, nineteen mithqals of them are for God, the Maker of earth and heaven.<ref>{{cite book|author=Bahā'-Allāh; Earl E. Elder; William McE. Miller|title=Al-Kitab Al-Aqdas or The Most Holy Book|year=1961|publisher=The Royal Asiatic Society|location=London|pages=50}}</ref></blockquote>


===Exemptions===
===Exemptions===
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|isbn=0-85398-999-0
|isbn=0-85398-999-0
|url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/KA/
|url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/KA/
}}
*{{cite book
|author=Bahá'u'lláh
|authorlink=Bahá'u'lláh
|origyear=1873
|year=1961
|title=Al-kitab al-aqdas or The most holy book
|publisher=The Royal Asiatic Society
|location=London
|url=http://www.worldcat.org/title/al-kitab-al-aqdas-or-the-most-holy-book/oclc/251953536&referer=brief_results
}}
}}
*{{Cite book
*{{Cite book

Revision as of 22:00, 9 January 2014

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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 and Timeline of the institution of Huqúqu'lláh

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 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] In 2005 the International Board of Trustees of Ḥuqúqu’lláh was formed "to guide and supervise the work of Regional and National Boards of Trustees of Ḥuqúqu’lláh throughout the world." [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] The provisions of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas specify that after the "Aghsan", the authority over religious endowments pass to the "House of Justice", should it be established in the world; otherwise the endowments revert to the "people of Bahá".[4][5]

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)[1]

Purpose

Huqúqu'lláh is said to enable the individual to “purify one’s riches and earthly possessions,” insuring the collection of sufficient funds “that the general Treasury is strengthened,” which makes it possible “to promote the interests of the Cause throughout the Bahá’í world,” and eventually provide for “the relief of the poor, the disabled, the needy, and the orphans,” and other philanthropical purposes.[1]

The offering of Huqúqu'lláh is a spiritual obligation, the fulfillment of which has been left to the conscience of each Bahá’í. Moreover, Huqúqu'lláh is only to be accepted if it is given with "utmost joy, radiance and good pleasure." [6] Since "God is independent of all mankind" the offering is for the benefit of the believers:

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. Ere long 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 Huquq is offered with the utmost joy and radiance and in a spirit of perfect humility and lowliness." [7]

While the community may be reminded of the requirements of the law of Huqúqu'lláh, it is a principle that no Bahá’í may be appealed to nor solicited to pay it. For: "coercion is unnecessary, inasmuch as God hath never wished that those engaged in His service should experience any hardship. [...] Those that are unable to pay will be invested with the ornament of His forgiveness." [8] This offering is to be considered separate from giving to the various Bahá’í funds and takes precedence over them.[1]

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 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." [9]

"If anyone possesses a hundred mithqals of gold, nineteen mithqals of them are for God, the Maker of earth and heaven.[10]

Exemptions

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] 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.

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e Smith, Peter (2000). "Huqúqu'lláh". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 189–190. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  2. ^ Compilations (1991). Research Department of the Universal House of Justice (ed.). Huqúqu'lláh - A Compilation, published in: Compilation of Compilations, Volume I. Bahá’í World Centre: Bahá’í Publications Australia. pp. quotation 102.
  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. ^ Bahá’u’lláh (1873). The Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá'í Publishing Trust. p. 34. ISBN 0-85398-999-0.
  5. ^ Bahā'-Allāh; Earl E. Elder; William McE. Miller (1961). Al-Kitab Al-Aqdas or The Most Holy Book. London: The Royal Asiatic Society. p. 36.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Bahá'u'lláh. HUQUQU'LLAH A Compilation. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada. ISBN 0-88867-054-0.
  7. ^ Bahá'u'lláh. HUQUQU'LLAH A Compilation. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada. ISBN 0-88867-054-0.
  8. ^ Bahá'u'lláh. HUQUQU'LLAH A Compilation. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada. ISBN 0-88867-054-0.
  9. ^ Bahá’u’lláh (1873). The Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá'í Publishing Trust. p. 54. ISBN 0-85398-999-0.
  10. ^ Bahā'-Allāh; Earl E. Elder; William McE. Miller (1961). Al-Kitab Al-Aqdas or The Most Holy Book. London: The Royal Asiatic Society. p. 50.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

References

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