Huqúqu'lláh

Last updated • 5 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Ḥuqúqu'lláh (Arabic : ﺣﻘﻮﻕ ﺍﻟﻠﻪ, "Right of God") is a voluntary wealth tax paid by adherents of the Baháʼí Faith to support the work of the religion. [1] Individuals following the practice calculate 19% of their discretionary income (after-tax income minus essential expenses) and send it to the head of the religion, which since 1963 has been the Universal House of Justice. [2] [3]

Contents

Ḥuqúqu'lláh is a Baháʼí law established by Baháʼu'lláh in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas in 1873. It is separate and distinct from the general Baháʼí funds. [4] It provides for the financial security of the community by funding promotional activities and the upkeep of properties, and it is a basis for a future welfare program. [5] [2]

The Ḥuqúqu'lláh payment is considered a way to purify one's possessions. [4] It is an individual obligation; nobody in the general community should know who has or has not contributed, nor should anyone be solicited individually for funds. [5] [6] Along with several other practices, it was initially only applicable to Baháʼís of the Middle East until 1992, when the authoritative English translation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas was published and the Universal House of Justice made Ḥuqúqu'lláh universally applicable. [3] A central office to receive payments was established at the Baháʼí World Centre in 1991, [5] and payments are made to trustees appointed by the Universal House of Justice in every country or region. [4]

The obligation is similar to the Shia practice of Khums: a 20% wealth tax payable to the Imams. [5] [2]

History

Gradual implementation

Baháʼu'lláh wrote down the law of Huqúqu'lláh in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas in 1873, but he did not accept any payments initially. He delayed the release of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas because of apprehension that the law of Huqúq might be difficult to implement, or that some would assume that the money was for his personal use. [6] When copies were sent to Iran, they came with instructions that Huqúqu'lláh was not to be implemented, and it remained thus for about 5 years, during which time Baháʼu'lláh returned money to donors. In 1878 he appointed the first trustee of Huqúqu'lláh, who had the responsibility of receiving the Huqúq, as it is known, from the Baháʼís in Iran. The majority of these donations were spent caring for the poor and needy of the community, or for teaching efforts. [6] Baháʼu'lláh and his family led an austere life.

According to Baháʼí author Adib Taherzadeh, [7]

During Baha'u'llah's Ministry the law of Huquq was applicable to only a very small number of Baha'is. The great majority of the community were poor and not eligible to pay the Huquq. Often the Trustee of Baha'u'llah was unable to fully cover the expenses of the Baha'i teachers and those in need.

Later the practice of Huqúqu'lláh was expanded to the Baháʼís 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 Baháʼí World Centre in Haifa, Israel. [3] [5]

Timeline

The following is a basic timeline related to Ḥuqúqu'lláh, including trustees. [5]

Purpose

The Ḥuquq'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. The payment of the Ḥuquq'ullah is also meant to increase the spiritual link between the religion's central institutions and the individual. This offering is to be considered separate from giving to the various Baháʼí funds and takes precedence over them. [5] Furthermore, the Ḥuquq'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". [8]

Calculation

The payment of Ḥuqúqu'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 mithqáls of gold [3] [9] [10] (2.2246 ounces or 69 grams [10] ) it is a spiritual obligation to pay nineteen percent of the total amount, [3] once only, as Ḥuqúqu'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. [5]

Certain categories of possessions are exempt from the payment of the Ḥuqúqu'lláh, such as one's residence, necessary household furnishings, business or professional equipment and furnishings, and others. [3] [5] Baháʼu'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 Ḥuqúqu'lláh in the event of the person's death.[ citation needed ]

Role in succession of authority

During the lifetime of Baháʼu'lláh, the Ḥuqúqu'lláh offerings were made directly to him, and following his death, to ʻAbdu'l-Bahá. In his Will and Testament, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá indicated that payments should go to the appointed Guardian and named Shoghi Effendi as the first of potentially many Guardians, following primogeniture. [11] After Shoghi Effendi died without appointing a successor, the custodial Hands of the Cause headed the Faith until the first election of the Universal House of Justice. [3] [12]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Hartz 2009, p. 60.
  2. 1 2 3 Garlington 2008.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Smith 2008.
  4. 1 2 3 Adamson 2009.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Smith 2000.
  6. 1 2 3 Taherzadeh 1987.
  7. ↑ Taherzadeh 1987, p. 256.
  8. ↑ Taherzadeh 1987, p. 253.
  9. ↑ Agarwal, Sanjay (2010). Daan and Other Giving Traditions in India: The Forgotten Pot of Gold. AccountAid India. p. 103. ISBN   978-8191085402.
  10. 1 2 Stockman 2012, pp. 186–189.
  11. ↑ Smith 2000, pp. 114–5.
  12. ↑ Garlington 2008, p. 54.

Related Research Articles

<i>Kitáb-i-Aqdas</i> 1873 Baháʼí religious text by Baháʼulláh

The Kitáb-i-Aqdas is the central religious text of the Baháʼí Faith, written by Baháʼu'lláh, the founder of the religion, in 1873. Though it is the main source of Baháʼí laws and practices, much of the content deals with other matters, like foundational principles of the religion, the establishment of Baháʼí institutions, mysticism, ethics, social principles, and prophecies. In Baháʼí literature it is described as "the Mother-Book" of the Baháʼí teachings, and the "Charter of the future world civilization".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universal House of Justice</span> Elected institution governing the worldwide Baháʼí community

The Universal House of Justice is the nine-member supreme ruling body of the Baháʼí Faith. It was envisioned by Baháʼu'lláh, the founder of the Baháʼí Faith, as an institution that could legislate on issues not already addressed in the Baháʼí writings, providing flexibility for the Baháʼí Faith to adapt to changing conditions. It was first elected in 1963, and subsequently every five years, by delegates consisting of the members of Baháʼí National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world.

Riḍván is a twelve-day festival in the Bahá'í Faith commemorating Bahá'u'lláh's declaration that he was a Manifestation of God. In the Bahá'í calendar, it begins at sunset on the 13th of Jalál, which translates to the 20th or 21 April, depending on the date of the March equinox. In 2024, it begins in the evening of 19 April. On the first, ninth and twelfth days of Ridván, work and school should be suspended.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mírzá Muhammad ʻAlí</span>

Mírzá Muhammad ʻAlí was the second surviving son of Baháʼu'lláh, the founder of the Baháʼí Faith, and the first from Baháʼu'lláh's second wife Fatimih. He is well-known for an attempted schism in which he claimed leadership over his half-brother ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, and was rejected by the overwhelming majority of Baháʼís, who regard him as a Covenant-breaker. The only result of his unsuccessful leadership attempt was to alienate most of the family of Baháʼu'lláh from ʻAbdu'l-Bahá. His schism was short lived and no longer exists; by the 1960s his descendants had largely melded into Muslim society and had no collective religious life.

Baháʼu'lláh was the founder of the Baháʼí Faith. He was born in 1817 to Khadíjih Khánum and Mírzá Buzurg of Nur, a Persian nobleman, and went on to be a leader in the Bábí movement, and then established the Baháʼí Faith in 1863. Baháʼu'lláh's family consists of his three wives and the children of those wives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baháʼí World Centre buildings</span> Buildings and gardens that are part of the Baháʼí World Centre in Haifa and Acre, Israel

The Baháʼí World Centre buildings are buildings that are part of the Baháʼí World Centre in Israel. The Baháʼí World Centre buildings include both the Baháʼí holy places used for pilgrimage and the international administrative bodies of the Baháʼí Faith; they comprise more than 20 different administrative offices, pilgrim buildings, libraries, archives, historical residences, and shrines. These structures are all set amidst more than 30 different gardens or individual terraces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Covenant of Baháʼu'lláh</span> Primary principle in the Baháí Faith

In the Baháʼí Faith there are two covenants, deemed the 'greater' and 'lesser'. The greater covenant refers to an agreement of progressive revelation: that God will send messengers about every thousand years, and it is humanity's duty to recognize them and respond to their teachings. The lesser covenant is the agreement between the faith's founder, Baháʼu'lláh, and his followers, regarding the succession of leadership and the maintenance of unity.

Spiritual Assembly is a term given by ʻAbdu'l-Bahá to refer to elected councils that govern the Baháʼí Faith. Because the Baháʼí Faith has no clergy, they carry out the affairs of the community. In addition to existing at the local level, there are national Spiritual Assemblies. Spiritual Assemblies form part of the elected branch of the Baháʼí administration.

Baháʼí laws are laws and ordinances used in the Baháʼí Faith and are a fundamental part of Baháʼí practice. The laws are based on authenticated texts from Baháʼu'lláh, the founder of the Baháʼí Faith, and also includes subsequent interpretations from ʻAbdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi, and legislation by the Universal House of Justice. Baháʼí law is presented as a set of general principles and guidelines and individuals must apply them as they best seem fit. While some of the social laws are enforced by Baháʼí institutions, the emphasis is placed on individuals following the laws based on their conscience, understanding and reasoning, and Baháʼís are expected to follow the laws for the love of Baháʼu'lláh. The laws are seen as the method of the maintenance of order and security in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baháʼí marriage</span> Marital union in the Baháʼí Faith

Baháʼí marriage is union of a man and a woman. Its purpose is mainly spiritual and is to foster harmony, fellowship and unity between the two partners. The Baháʼí teachings on marriage call it a fortress for well-being and salvation and place marriage and the family as the foundation of the structure of human society.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baháʼí pilgrimage</span> Pilgrimage to several Baháʼí sacred sites in Israel

A Baháʼí pilgrimage currently consists of visiting the holy places in Acre and Haifa at the Baháʼí World Centre in Northwest Israel. Baháʼís do not have access to other places designated as sites for pilgrimage.

<i>Tablets of Baháʼulláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas</i> Selected texts of Baháʼulláh, founder of the Baháʼí Faith

The Tablets of Baháʼu'lláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas are selected tablets written by Baháʼu'lláh, the founder of the Baháʼí Faith, and published together as of 1978. The current edition bears the title Fountain of Wisdom: A Collection of Writings from Baháʼu'lláh.

The Apostles of Baháʼu'lláh were nineteen prominent followers of Baháʼu'lláh, the founder of the Baháʼí Faith. The apostles were designated as such by Shoghi Effendi, head of the religion in the earlier half of the 20th century, and the list was included in The Baháʼí World, Vol. III (pp. 80–81).

Baháʼí literature covers a variety of topics and forms, including scripture and inspiration, interpretation, history and biography, introduction and study materials, and apologia. Sometimes considerable overlap between these forms can be observed in a particular text.

Adherents of the Baháʼí Faith observe a sunrise-to-sunset fast for nineteen days every March. The practice is regarded as one of the most significant obligations of a Baháʼí, along with daily obligatory prayers. There are several exemptions to the fast, such as pregnancy or illness, and it only applies to those 15 to 70 years old.

Gleanings from the Writings of Baháʼu'lláh is a compilation of selected tablets and extracts from tablets by Baháʼu'lláh, the founder of the Baháʼí Faith. Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Baháʼí Faith from 1921 to 1957, made the selection and performed the translation, which was first published in 1935.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birth of Baháʼu'lláh</span> Baháʼí religious observance; birthday of Baháʼulláh

The Birth of Baháʼu'lláh is one of nine holy days in the Baháʼí calendar that is celebrated by adherents of the Baháʼí Faith and during which work is suspended. The holy day celebrates the birth of Baháʼu'lláh, the founder of the Baháʼí Faith. The 2024 date is November 3.

There are two types of prayer in the Baháʼí Faith: obligatory prayer and general or devotional prayer. Both types of prayer are composed of reverent words which are addressed to God, and the act of prayer is one of the most important Baháʼí laws for individual discipline. The purpose of prayer in the Baháʼí Faith is to grow closer to God and his Manifestation and to help better one's own conduct and to request divine assistance.

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to the Baháʼí Faith.

The Festivals of the Twin Birthdays or the Twin Holy Birthdays refers to two successive holy days in the Baháʼí calendar that celebrate the births of two central figures of the Baháʼí Faith. The two holy days are the birth of the Báb on the first day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar and the birth of Baháʼu'lláh on the second day of Muharram.

References

Baháʼí sources

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.