Property, restraint, and the claims of others

They who dwell within the tabernacle of God, and are established upon the seats of everlasting glory, will refuse, though they be dying of hunger, to stretch their hands and seize unlawfully the property of their neighbor, however vile and worthless he may be.

God has commanded all to be known for righteousness, religion, trustworthiness, truthfulness, purity, humanity and faithfulness. Nevertheless, they have acted with the utmost cunning and deceit in appropriating people's wealth. Some have entered various lands declaring that the property of others is permissible for the friends to take and that the law of the Book has been abrogated. We seek refuge in God from such rejected utterances and abhorrent deeds!

The people of truth have no attachment or concern for their own wealth, let alone allowing their pure hands to be sullied with the property of other peoples. No one's property is lawful unto another.

God's curse be upon him who hath usurped your rights and deprived you of what was created for you, for whatsoever is on earth was created for the loved ones of God and His chosen ones. Thus hath the matter been decreed by One Who is mighty and wise. Those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the path of God, God will surely punish them for what they have hoarded - and who is more truthful in speech than God? This is the inner meaning, but outwardly the property of others is forbidden unto you. Beware lest ye deal treacherously with any soul or dispose of their property without their leave. This indeed is a grievous error in the Book.

They that spread disorder in the land, and lay hands on the property of others, and enter a house without leave of its owner, We, verily, are clear of them, unless they repent and return unto God, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Merciful."

O partner in servitude to 'Abdu'l-Baha! Your letter arrived. You had asked that since well-wishing toward government and nation is explicitly commanded as a religious obligation, and likewise covering faults is among the requirements of faith and certitude in the Divine Unity - in this case what should be done if someone commits treachery against the government and nation? Should it be concealed or reported to the government trustees and leaders of the national assembly?

The former is explicitly commanded and must be carried out. However, covering faults applies to matters where the harm returns to the doer himself, not to the government, nation, human society and mankind. For example, if someone commits an immoral act or does something reprehensible where the harm returns to that person himself, such as drinking alcohol or committing adultery, in such cases covering faults is acceptable and praiseworthy. But if someone steals and takes another's property, covering it up in this case would be an injustice to the property owner. Although concealment would be a kindness to the thief, it would be pure oppression and injustice to that poor victim whose property was stolen. This is the standard that has been explained.

Nevertheless, one should not become obsessed with exposing people's faults. Investigation is necessary but within limits - not that someone should make it their occupation to say this person committed oppression and that person transgressed and what treachery appeared from the officials, spending all their time focused on this. This too is unacceptable.

If a man kills another or sets fire to a house, he is condemned as a murderer; but if he annihilates an army and overturns a country, he is called a conqueror and is admired. If a man steals a dollar he is thrown into prison but if he plunders the homes of people and lays waste a city he is called a commander and is praised.

Exile and imprisonment are decreed for the thief, and, on the third offence, place ye a mark upon his brow so that, thus identified, he may not be accepted in the cities of God and His countries. Beware lest, through compassion, ye neglect to carry out the statutes of the religion of God; do that which hath been bidden you by Him Who is compassionate and merciful.

The possessions of those who trust in God and are sincere have been and always will be under the protection and guardianship of God, exalted be His glory. He said: "O Nabil-Ibn-Nabil, upon you be My peace. There are two kinds of possessions: One comprises the pearls of divine love, praiseworthy character, and pleasing attributes, which have always been and will remain preserved, for the hand of the thief and traitor falls short in this station. In previous years, there was a sum in the keeping of a trustee, and a thief stole it. We wrote: We beseech God to assist you in acquiring that which thieves and traitors cannot lay hands upon. The other kind of possessions thieves may plunder if they gain access to them, but whatever belongs to the people of truth will surely be compensated and bestowed upon them ere long."