Ḥuqúqu’lláh: generosity, conscience, and trust

Now consider, if among the people who are merely the manifestations of the world of being this significant matter is of such importance, how much greater must be the spirit of co-operation and mutual assistance among those who are the essences of the world of creation, who have sought the sheltering shadow of the heavenly Tree, and are favoured by the manifestations of divine grace; and how the evidences of this spirit should, through their earnest endeavour, their fellowship and concord, become manifest in every sphere of their inner and outer lives, in the realm of the spirit and divine mysteries and in all things related to this world and the next. Thus there can be no doubt that they must be willing even to offer up their lives for each other.

This is the basic principle on which the institution of Huququ'llah is established, inasmuch as its proceeds are dedicated to the furtherance of these ends.

The question of the Ḥuqúq dependeth on the willingness of the individuals themselves. From every true believer who is willing to tender the Right of God spontaneously and with the utmost joy and radiance, the offering is graciously acceptable, but not otherwise.

Action must occur with willingness. In all matters the exaltation of the Cause of God must be observed. We wrote before that if someone owned the whole world and were to give it all but diminish the dignity of the Cause by even a mustard seed, forsaking that wealth would be necessary and obligatory.

Regarding what thou didst write about the Huququ'llah, the firm divine ordinance hath been revealed in the Book, and this matter dependeth upon the acceptance of the souls themselves, for God, exalted be His glory, looking to His previous mercy, hath informed all of what hath been prescribed in the Book. Blessed are they that act! Demanding it is not and hath never been beloved.

Concerning what was written about the Huququ'llah, truly much trouble hath been caused to your honor. After it was presented before the Most Holy and Exalted Presence, He said that the benefits of charitable deeds return to the souls themselves, and in these matters the utterance of a single word sufficeth. Whosoever payeth it with the utmost joy and radiance, with submission and contentment, it is acceptable before God; otherwise, He verily is independent of all worlds.

O Abu'l-Hasan, upon thee be my glory! Fix thy gaze upon the glory of the Cause and speak that which attracteth the hearts and minds. The demanding of the Huququ'llah hath never been and is not permissible. This decree hath been revealed in God's Book for certain necessary matters which have been ordained through divine causes. If someone, with utmost contentment and joy, nay rather with insistence, wisheth to attain this bounty, it may be accepted; otherwise, no.

His blessed and exalted Word:

O Son of My Name! Upon thee be My glory! The payment of the Huququ'llah is obligatory upon all and its ordinance hath been revealed and established by the Most Exalted Pen in the Book. However, demanding and insisting upon it is never permitted. If anyone is enabled to pay it and delivers it with joy and radiance, it is accepted; otherwise, no.

Today the payment of Huquq is obligatory and binding upon everyone. We have commanded its collection provided it is done in a spirit of joy and radiance - that is, that the servants of the All-Merciful pay it of their own accord with utmost happiness and gladness. If it is not paid in this manner, its collection is not permissible.

Regarding what thou hast mentioned about the Huquq, this matter depends on the willingness and acceptance of souls. Reminding others of it is beloved, but demanding it is forbidden. Its benefits return to the souls themselves. Whosoever pays the Huquq of God with spirit and fragrance and with eagerness and longing, its acceptance is permitted; otherwise, thy Lord is the Self-Sufficient, the Most High.

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. Say: By this means He hath desired to purify what ye possess and to enable you to draw nigh unto such stations as none can comprehend save those whom God hath willed.

As to what thou hast mentioned regarding the Huququ'llah, this pertaineth exclusively to God, exalted be His glory. It must be sent to the Holy Court. The matter is in His hands. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. Since thou hast inquired, this answer hath been sent down from the heaven of bounty. This matter is obligatory upon all, and the honor of all lieth in its payment, for it is the cause of the purification of one's possessions and the source of blessing and increase in bounty.

O 'Ali-Qabil-Nabil! There has never been any doubt that whatever has been revealed and issued forth from the Most Exalted Pen regarding commandments and prohibitions redounds to the benefit of the servants themselves. For example, among these is the Huququ'llah that hath been revealed. If people succeed in paying it, assuredly God, glorified and exalted be He, will bestow His blessing, and that wealth will benefit that person and his posterity.

Thank thou and bless thou the Lord for He hath allowed thee to offer Him the Right of God. This is verily a special favor on His part, for thee; praise Him then for this commandment that is set forth in the Scriptures of thy Lord, of Him that is the Ancient of Days.

Huquq has been made obligatory and binding in the Book of God, as it is the cause of progress, steadfastness, firmness and the attainment of blessings for the giver.

Today the payment of Huququ'llah is a most momentous deed. A hundred thousand blessings upon those souls who have held fast to the Book of God and acted according to it.

As for Huququ'llah, it is the source of blessing and the manifestation of bounty and loving-kindness for the servants. He, verily, is independent of what hath been and what shall be. Until two years ago, the matter of Huquq was concealed, and even after it was revealed, this was due to grace. Should anyone be enabled to act in accordance with what hath been revealed in the Most Holy Book, this would assuredly be best, most exalted and most befitting for him. This ordinance is binding when possible.

And regarding the Huququ'llah, its minimum amount is one unit, meaning if any person possesses nineteen mithqals of gold or items reaching this value, after deducting the year's expenses, Huquq becomes applicable to it and its payment becomes obligatory.

The basic threshold upon which Huquq becomes applicable is nineteen, and this accords with the Most Holy Book, for in that verse the intention was to explain the amount, not the threshold.

… Although the Most Holy Book was revealed from the heaven of the Cause several years ago and the law of Huquq was established therein, nevertheless until this year They did not command its collection.

As to Huquq which thou hast asked, from the annual income man must deduct his yearly expenditure. Then from residue 19 percent must be given as Huquq. This means that during the year a personal income from his business is 1000 pounds. His yearly expenditure, which amounts to 600 pounds, must be deducted. Four hundred pounds will be the residue. From this 400 pounds nineteen percent Huquq must be taken. That is, from every hundred pounds of this 400 pounds, nineteen percent, whose total will be 76 pounds, which must be taken as Huquq, to be spent for benevolent purposes (public interests).

Regarding Huquq, after deducting the full year's expenses, whatever surplus remains becomes subject to Huquq. However, funds and property that serve as means of livelihood, for which Huquq has been paid once, or property for which Huquq has been paid, if its income barely suffices for expenses, no further Huquq is due on it.

Huquq applies to all possessions, but if someone has paid Huquq on a property and its income is only sufficient for their needs, no further Huquq is required. On farming equipment and even draft animals, to the extent needed, no Huquq is applied.

And as for what was asked about shop equipment that is necessary for work and trade - whether Huququ'llah must be paid on these or whether they fall under the rule of household furnishings - after submission before His presence, He said that the rule of household furnishings applies to them.

As to what thou didst mention regarding the Huququ'llah, writing that a certain one possesseth both cash and property, and while the Huququ'llah on the cash is clear, the property is in a place where none will purchase it so that the Huququ'llah might be separated from it, and if he wished to pay from the cash it would not suffice, and the individual himself would lose his livelihood, and the property yields no rent - in such case what is required? The decree of God is that property from which no profit is derived, that is, from which no benefit is obtained, no Huququ'llah is payable thereon.

As to the way the Ḥuqúq must be paid: Having deducted the expenses incurred during the year, any excess of income derived from one’s property, profession or business is subject to the payment of Ḥuqúq.

However, the selling of properties is not permitted.

Regarding the properties you wrote about selling to pay the Huquq - this is absolutely not permitted. As for the Huquq that has become due from you, I beseech with utmost supplication at the Divine Threshold that it be forgiven. Therefore, do not touch the properties at all.

In brief, after having deducted the yearly expenses, if there is still any surplus left, then Huquq will be applicable to this surplus at the rate of 19 per cent and no further payment of Huquq will fall due on it. In the following year however, after the annual expenses, if there is still an excess of income over the expenditure of that second year, then Huquq will be applicable to the amount of the excess only....

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Question: As to the matter of Huquq, does it mean 1/19th of one's net income or one's gross income? For example, in America, there is a tax on the gross income, after certain exemptions are made. How is the Huquq to be worked out?

Answer:  The substance of 'Abdu'l-Baha's explanation was: After one has paid all his necessary expenses 19 per cent of what is left is then taken by him and given as Huquq. For example, if a person has 100 piastres left after all his expenses have been paid, then 19 piastres are taken as Huquq for the Cause of God. This is done at the end of the year after he has ascertained what his expenses are. For every hundred piastres, 19 are taken for Huquq.

Baha'u'llah, likewise, commanded the rich to give freely to the poor. In the Kitab-i-Aqdas it is further written by Him that those who have a certain amount of income must give one-fifth of it to God, the Creator of heaven and earth.

Q. --What is the Command regarding the giving of tithes: Is it 19% of the increase of one's capital, or it is the one-nineteenth part of one's income?

A. --It should be the one-nineteenth part of one's income. This tithe giving is a blessed privilege. Among mankind money is the greatest thing. This giving will confirm the people. With this money many great works will be done. In Hamadan in Persia, the Jewish believers raised much money in this way. At first I did not accept this money, but later on I directed that it should be used in their own town for the Baha'i school. This giving was a great spiritual blessing to those believers.

2. The well-to-do (among the Baha'is) should, apart from the tax on capital or for the poor payable once - namely 1/19 of one's possessions - give 1/5 of the increase of capital to the House of Justice every two or three years.

The seventeenth: When the value of gold and silver of any person reaches the number of the letters and the two Ha's, one-sixth thereof is due to God. Those who possess only the number belonging to God are exempt, so that the poor may receive from their Lord.

Then He made obligatory upon them, in all that people acquire, the Fifth (Khums) and attributed it to the honor of the kindred of the Messenger of God, peace be upon him and his family, by Himself, like the ordinance of pilgrimage. Indeed, honor belongs to God, then the pilgrimage to the House for those who are able, then the Fifth of what people acquire in everything is for Himself, then for His Messenger Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family, then for the near of kin - the successors of Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family, then for the orphans, the poor, and the wayfarer from the progeny of Hashim, as they are called after their fathers.

Last year there flowed from the Most Exalted Pen concerning the payment of the Huququ'llah that which is recorded in the Tablets. These are the Rights which have been prescribed for everyone by God and were formerly ordained.

That which was issued from the Source of Command this year was that if anyone wishes to pay the Huququ'llah with complete willingness and satisfaction, the Trustees of the lands should receive it and present it. Until this year, although the law of Huquq was revealed in the Book of God with explicit text, not a word was heard from the blessed tongue regarding this matter.

For several years the matter of Huquq was suspended, as permission for its collection had not been issued from the Source of the Cause. In recent years this blessed word shone forth from the tongue of the Divine Unity - exalted be His utterance: "Whosoever desires to pay the Huququ'llah, let the Trustees receive it." The Trustees have been mentioned in the Book of God, and this decree was revealed and sent down from the heaven of the Cause purely as a bounty, in consideration of certain benefits, and its advantage returns to the servants themselves.

However, in recent years We have, in view of the exigencies of the times, accepted the payment of the Huquq, but have forbidden solicitation thereof. Everyone must have the utmost regard for the dignity of the Word of God and for the exaltation of His Cause. Were a person to offer all the treasures of the earth at the cost of debasing the honour of the Cause of God, were it even less than a grain of mustard, such an offering would not be permissible. All the world hath belonged and will always belong to God. If one spontaneously offereth Huquq with the utmost joy and radiance it will be acceptable, and not otherwise. The benefit of such deeds reverteth unto the individuals themselves.

Until this year, this servant always heard these words from the tongue of Grandeur regarding the Huququ'llah, saying that no one should demand Huququ'llah from anyone, as this depends on the success and pleasure of the servants themselves to pay with complete contentment and submission. However, this year, in view of current affairs and apparent conditions, He said that each of the loved ones of God upon whom Huququ'llah has become binding must pay it. We beseech God that all may be enabled to do this, as this matter is truly the cause of preservation and purity of wealth and of blessing, and has ever been so.

In this day it is incumbent upon everyone to meet the obligation of the Right of God as far as it lieth in his power. For a number of years it was not permitted to accept the payment of Huquq. Recently, however, We have issued instructions to receive it. Therefore the friends in that region should, as far as possible, collect the payments, and remit the amounts either to Zaynu'l-Muqarrabin - upon him be the glory of God - in Hadba, or to the Trustee of God in the land of Ya, who will forward them. The observance of this ordinance hath been and will always be conducive to prosperity, to divine increase and to salvation.

As to what you wrote regarding what was mentioned to those souls that the Huququ'llah cannot be given to just anyone - this statement is true. The Huququ'llah must be collected by trustworthy souls and then sent to the Most Holy Court through God's trusted ones.

And whosoever desires with utmost longing to pay the Huququ'llah should give it to such trusted ones as yourself and obtain a receipt, so that whatever transpires may occur with the permission and leave of the Truth.

We have designated thee a trustee of God, have bidden thee to observe that which shall exalt the Cause of Him Who is the Lord of the worlds, and have bestowed upon thee the right to receive Huququ'llah.

Therefore, in compliance with the precept of reward which is ordained by the Lord of Utterance, thou hast been appointed as Trustee of the Huquq and should presently, through the strengthening grace and bounty of the All-Merciful, take up this duty in Tihran, inasmuch as Jinab-i-Amin will occasionally travel to the outlying provinces.

As to what thou didst mention concerning the Huquq, We have commanded him who circleth round the Throne to write for thee what God, the Lord of the worlds, hath desired.

And as to those servants of God, both men and women---upon them all be the glory of Baha---who were enabled to discharge the Huququ'llah and did send it: it was received---praised be God---and they were confirmed in that which hath been revealed in the Book from the Pen of the Most High.

We beseech God to assist those who have acted according to what they were commanded in the Book and to send down upon them from the heaven of His grace a blessing and mercy and benediction from His presence. Verily He is the Mighty, the Bestower. In truth the matter of divine rights is a great matter, incumbent upon all to fulfill, for it is the cause of bounty and blessing and goodness and whatsoever accompanies every soul in every world of the worlds of their Lord, the Self-Sufficient, the Generous.

O beloved of my heart! Ustad 'Ali-Akbar-i-Banna, upon him be the Glory of God, has written from the people of Ya to Hadrat-i-Ism-i-Jud, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God. My brother Ustad Kazim, from whom no good effects have been witnessed, has multiple veils. Among them is that this humble one had sent two payments for the Huquq - once through Jinab-i-Amin, upon him be the Glory of God, and once through His Honor Afnan, upon him be all the Most Glorious Glory. One payment arrived and they wrote it in my brother Ustad Kazim's name.

The sum which the honored master, His Holiness Amin, upon him be Baha'u'llah, has sent by draft pertains to the Huquq which His Holiness Haji Ali, upon him be Baha'u'llah, was to deliver to His Holiness A.H., upon him be from all the Most Glorious Beauty, and they were to deliver this amount to that beloved one.

Regarding the Huquq, the honored Ismu'llah Jamal, upon him be all the most glorious and resplendent Glory, hath mentioned the details which were presented before the Most Holy Court and were accepted. According to the command of the Beloved of hearts, it hath been assigned to the honored Amin, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, that he may act according to the manifest will shining from the horizon of decree.

Regarding the Huquq, according to the command, twenty-five tumans should be given to Jinab-i-Amin Effendi, upon him be God's peace, as this was promised to him previously but until now its payment was not possible.

According to what was commanded, the aforementioned twenty-four tumans and fifty tumans were sent by His Holiness Nabil-i-Akbar, upon him be the Glory of God, the Lord of Power, from the direction of K, some from himself and some from the friends of that land, whose names he had recorded. God willing, a reply to his letter will be sent. From these fifty tumans, as commanded, five tumans were spent on hospitality on his behalf, and certain arrangements were made regarding the aforementioned souls, upon them be the Glory of God. The handmaiden of God who had the honor of serving the House of her Lord, namely the noble lady Sayyidih, upon her be the Glory of God, gave five tumans for her daughter. That sum was received here and the aforementioned hospitality was provided from it. And the aforementioned fifty tumans were assigned to be delivered to the beloved of the heart, His Holiness Samandar, upon him be the Glory of God, that he might distribute that sum along with the twenty-four tumans to the friends of God, exalted be His Glory.

And likewise according to His command, they should write with wisdom and utterance to certain quarters regarding the Huquq, that which is the cause of confirmation of the servants, that perchance they may be enabled to act according to what the All-Bestowing One hath revealed in the Book. And of whatever is received, half should be given to the friends of God in that land.

Know thou that We had previously commanded thee to divide what thou hast of the rights of God into three portions, then spend two-thirds upon thy kindred and upon the poor in that place, for We have heard the cry of those in distress and therefore have We commanded thee thus. Act thou according to what thou hast been commanded by One All-Wise, All-Knowing.

The list of names that you had mentioned was not enclosed in the letter. There was a paper with the names of friends who had given the Huquq in previous years, and those rights were transferred to the assembly of Hamadan for the maintenance of schools and other terrestrial expenses. Therefore, a letter was written in their names. Last year they wrote from Hamadan that some Huquq had been collected, and it was written that it should be spent in Hamadan itself for organizing schools, educating children, and training orphans.

Thank thou God for confirming thee in obeying His command in the Kitab-i-Aqdas such that thou hast fulfilled the rights and God has accepted from thee this blessed deed. Then know thou verily that God has enriched the servants of the Merciful from the treasury of His Kingdom, but the giving of the Rights is a test from God to His servants and handmaidens. Therefore every sincere and pure one offers the Rights for the purpose of spending on the poor, the weak, the needy, the orphans, and other necessary expenses in the Cause of God, just as Christ established a treasury for charitable giving.

However, after that loved one's second letter wherein he had written of his desire to pay the Huququ'llah, after this matter was presented, He said that if the Huquq is paid and this edifice is raised therefrom, it would be nearer and more excellent in the sight of God and would be adorned with the ornament of acceptance.

It is the exaltation of the Word of God and the manifestation of the greatness of the Cause that after fifty years, the revered House has once again been raised up despite the enemies, and it must be built in utmost glory. Since 'Abdu'l-Baha absolutely does not wish to impose on anyone, you and Jenab-i-Amin must send with utmost speed ten thousand tumans from what is available to Haji Mahmud Qassabchi in Baghdad, for the construction of the House requires at least thirty or forty thousand tumans, and this is among the most pressing expenses that cannot be delayed. According to the people, it is more obligatory than prayer.

And collect the Huquq according to the texts of the Kitab-i-Aqdas in a place and spend it where necessary, but do not require anyone there to pay Huquq except if they give it of their own accord and good pleasure.

They have also stated regarding the Huquq that whatever they can send should be sent, as these days some hardship hath appeared, but God will change it to ease, verily He is the All-Powerful, the Almighty.

That which you wrote concerning the mention and service of the friends of God, especially regarding the honored friend J.L.H., may the glory and favors of God rest upon him, and his intention, as well as the payment of the Huququ'llah by all, was presented at the Most Holy Court. His blessed and exalted Word: "Praise be to God, they are blessed with His favors, steadfast in service, speaking His praise and turned toward His face. However, since they are engaged in service and their station is that of the friends and wayfarers, the payment of the Huquq depends on their own will.

...in accordance with His inscrutable wisdom and in order to apply a unique test to distinguish the friend from the stranger, He hath enjoined the Huquq upon His servants and made it obligatory. Those who have observed this weighty ordinance have received heavenly blessings and in both worlds their faces have shone radiantly and their nostrils perfumed by the sweet savours of God's tender mercy. One of the tokens of His consummate wisdom is that the payment of the Huquq will enable the donors to become firm and steadfast and will exert a great influence on their hearts and souls. Furthermore the Huquq will be used to charitable purposes.

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