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Huqúqu'lláh

January 01, 1970

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]

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 edit

Gradual implementation edit

See also: Baháʼí laws § Gradualism

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 edit

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

Purpose edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Hartz 2009, p. 60.
  2. ^ a b c Garlington 2008.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Smith 2008.
  4. ^ a b c Adamson 2009.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Smith 2000.
  6. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b Stockman 2012, pp. 186–189.
  11. ^ Smith 2000, pp. 114–5.
  12. ^ Garlington 2008, p. 54.

References edit

Baháʼí sources edit

  • Adamson, Hugh C. (2009). "Huqúqu'lláh". The A to Z of the Baháʼí Faith. The A to Z Guide Series, No. 70. Plymouth, UK: Scarecrow Press. pp. 240–241. ISBN 978-0-8108-6853-3.
  • Compilations (1991). Research Department of the Universal House of Justice (ed.). Huqúqu'lláh - A Compilation, published in: Compilation of Compilations, Volume I. Baháʼí World Centre: Baháʼí Publications Australia. pp. 489–527.
  • Garlington, William (2008). The Baha'i Faith in America (Paperback ed.). Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield. p. 54. ISBN 978-0-7425-6234-9.
  • Hartz, Paula (2009). World Religions: Baha'i Faith (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Chelsea House Publishers. ISBN 978-1-60413-104-8.
  • Research Department of the Universal House of Justice (April 2007). Huqúqu'lláh -- The Right of God. Baha'i Publications Canada and Palabra Publications. ISBN 978-0888671301.
  • Smith, Peter (2000). "Huqúqu'lláh". A Concise Encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford, UK: Oneworld Publications. pp. 189–190. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  • Smith, Peter (2008). An Introduction to the Baha'i Faith. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 163–164. ISBN 978-0-521-86251-6.
  • Taherzadeh, Adib (1987). The Revelation of Baha'u'llah: Volume four. Oxford, UK: George Ronald. pp. 248–256. ISBN 0-85398-270-8.

External links edit

  • Kitáb-i-Aqdas Project: Comprehensive Indices - Huqúqu'lláh
  • Redistribution of Wealth - a compilation by the Baha'i World Centre
  • Sixteen Questions about Huququ'llah - by the Universal House of Justice (1991)
  • Examples of Huququ'llah Transactions - by the Universal House of Justice (1991)

January 01, 1970
huqúqu, lláh, Ḥuqúqu, lláh, arabic, ﺣﻘﻮﻕ, ﺍﻟﻠﻪ, right, voluntary, wealth, paid, adherents, baháʼí, faith, support, work, religion, individuals, following, practice, calculate, their, discretionary, income, after, income, minus, essential, expenses, send, head,. Ḥuququ llah Arabic ﺣﻘﻮﻕ ﺍﻟﻠﻪ Right of God is a voluntary wealth tax paid by adherents of the Bahaʼi 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 Ḥuququ llah is a Bahaʼi law established by Bahaʼu llah in the Kitab i Aqdas in 1873 It is separate and distinct from the general Bahaʼi 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 Ḥuququ llah 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 Bahaʼis of the Middle East until 1992 when the authoritative English translation of the Kitab i Aqdas was published and the Universal House of Justice made Ḥuququ llah universally applicable 3 A central office to receive payments was established at the Bahaʼi 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 Contents 1 History 1 1 Gradual implementation 1 2 Timeline 2 Purpose 3 Calculation 4 Role in succession of authority 5 See also 6 Notes 7 References 7 1 Bahaʼi sources 8 External linksHistory editGradual implementation edit See also Bahaʼi laws Gradualism Bahaʼu llah wrote down the law of Huququ llah in the Kitab i Aqdas in 1873 but he did not accept any payments initially He delayed the release of the Kitab i Aqdas because of apprehension that the law of Huquq 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 Huququ llah was not to be implemented and it remained thus for about 5 years during which time Bahaʼu llah returned money to donors In 1878 he appointed the first trustee of Huququ llah who had the responsibility of receiving the Huquq as it is known from the Bahaʼis in Iran The majority of these donations were spent caring for the poor and needy of the community or for teaching efforts 6 Bahaʼu llah and his family led an austere life According to Bahaʼi 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 Huququ llah was expanded to the Bahaʼis of the Middle East In 1985 information about the Huquq 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 Huququ llah was established at the Bahaʼi World Centre in Haifa Israel 3 5 Timeline edit The following is a basic timeline related to Ḥuququ llah including trustees 5 Revelation of the Kitab i Aqdas 1873 Aminu l Bayan 1878 1881 Haji Amin Amin i Ilahi 1881 1928 Haji Ghulam Rida Amin i Amin 1928 1938 Valiyu llah Varqa 1938 1955 ʻAli Muhammad Varqa 1955 2007 Compilation Ḥuququ llah 1985 Central office of Ḥuququ llah 1991 Kitab i Aqdas in English Law of Ḥuququ llah universally applicable 1992 present Purpose editThe 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 Bahaʼi 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 editThe payment of Ḥuququ llah 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 mithqals 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 Ḥuququ llah Thereafter whenever an individual acquires more possessions or wealth from income by the amount of at least nineteen mithqals 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 Ḥuququ llah such as one s residence necessary household furnishings business or professional equipment and furnishings and others 3 5 Bahaʼu llah 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 Ḥuququ llah in the event of the person s death citation needed Role in succession of authority editDuring the lifetime of Bahaʼu llah the Ḥuququ llah offerings were made directly to him and following his death to ʻAbdu l Baha In his Will and Testament ʻAbdu l Baha 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 editBahaʼi laws Socio economic development Bahaʼi Notes edit Hartz 2009 p 60 a b c Garlington 2008 a b c d e f g Smith 2008 a b c Adamson 2009 a b c d e f g h i Smith 2000 a b c Taherzadeh 1987 Taherzadeh 1987 p 256 Taherzadeh 1987 p 253 Agarwal Sanjay 2010 Daan and Other Giving Traditions in India The Forgotten Pot of Gold AccountAid India p 103 ISBN 978 8191085402 a b Stockman 2012 pp 186 189 Smith 2000 pp 114 5 Garlington 2008 p 54 References editBahaʼi sources edit Adamson Hugh C 2009 Huququ llah The A to Z of the Bahaʼi Faith The A to Z Guide Series No 70 Plymouth UK Scarecrow Press pp 240 241 ISBN 978 0 8108 6853 3 Compilations 1991 Research Department of the Universal House of Justice ed Huququ llah A Compilation published in Compilation of Compilations Volume I Bahaʼi World Centre Bahaʼi Publications Australia pp 489 527 Garlington William 2008 The Baha i Faith in America Paperback ed Lanham Maryland Rowman amp Littlefield p 54 ISBN 978 0 7425 6234 9 Hartz Paula 2009 World Religions Baha i Faith 3rd ed New York NY Chelsea House Publishers ISBN 978 1 60413 104 8 Research Department of the Universal House of Justice April 2007 Huququ llah The Right of God Baha i Publications Canada and Palabra Publications ISBN 978 0888671301 Smith Peter 2000 Huququ llah A Concise Encyclopedia of the Bahaʼi Faith Oxford UK Oneworld Publications pp 189 190 ISBN 1 85168 184 1 Smith Peter 2008 An Introduction to the Baha i Faith Cambridge Cambridge University Press pp 163 164 ISBN 978 0 521 86251 6 Stockman Robert H 2012 The Bahaʼi Faith A Guide For The Perplexed Guides for the Perplexed A amp C Black ISBN 9781441104472 Taherzadeh Adib 1987 The Revelation of Baha u llah Volume four Oxford UK George Ronald pp 248 256 ISBN 0 85398 270 8 External links editKitab i Aqdas Project Comprehensive Indices Huququ llah Redistribution of Wealth a compilation by the Baha i World Centre Sixteen Questions about Huququ llah by the Universal House of Justice 1991 Examples of Huququ llah Transactions by the Universal House of Justice 1991 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Huququ 27llah amp oldid 1104773911, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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