Huqúqu'lláh

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Huqúqu'lláh (Arabic: ﺣﻘﻮﻕ ﺍﻟﻠﻪ‎, "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. In its most basic form, it states that Bahá'ís should pay a 19% voluntary tax on any wealth in excess of what is necessary to live comfortably, after the remittance of any outstanding debt, to the head of the Bahá'í Faith. The money is then disbursed to social and economic development projects, or similar philanthropic purposes.

1 Purpose
2 Calculation
3 Exemptions
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Purpose

Huqúqu'lláh is said to enable the individual to “purify one’s riches and earthly possessions,” (COC, Vol. I, p. 499, #1129) insuring the collection of sufficient funds “that the general Treasury is strengthened,” (COC, Vol. I, p. 494, #1117) which makes it possible “to promote the interests of the Cause throughout the Bahá’í world,” (LOG, p. 307, #1037) and eventually provide for “the relief of the poor, the disabled, the needy, and the orphans,” (COC, Vol. I, p. 513, #1173) and other philanthropical purposes. The offering of Huqúqu'lláh is a spiritual obligation, the fulfillment of which has been left to the conscience of each Bahá’í. 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. This offering is to be considered separate from giving to the various Bahá’í funds and takes precedence over them.

[edit] 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 mithqáls of gold (19 mithqáls equal to 2.2246 ounces), 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.

During the lifetime of Bahá’u’lláh, the offering 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”. (WT, p. 15.) There now being no Guardian, it is offered through the Universal House of Justice as the Head of the Faith. Use of this fund is determined by the Universal House of Justice to promote the Faith of God and its interests and for various philanthropic purposes. Payment of Huqúqu'lláh is also made through an appointed trustee.

[edit] 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. 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.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

Bahá'u'lláh (1873). The Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book. Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá'í Publishing Trust. ISBN 0853989990.

(2000) Huqúqu'lláh, the Right of God. Bahá'í Pub. Trust. ISBN 8186953639.

Universal House Of Justice (1987). Huququ'llah. Baha'i Distribution Service. ISBN 0900125659.

Research Department Of The Universal House Of Justice. Right of God, The: Huququ'llah. Baha'i Publications Canada and Palabra Publications. ISBN 088867130X.

Prepared by the Universal House of Justice (1991). The Compilation of Compilations, Vol I. Australian Print Group, Maryborough, Victoria. ISBN 090991545.