The Kitab-i-Aqdas Part 12

ANSWER: Since G.o.d, exalted be His glory, doth not favour divorce, nothing was revealed on this issue. However, from the beginning of the separation until the end of one year, two people or more must remain informed as witnesses; if, by the end, there is no reconciliation, divorce taketh place. This must be recorded in the registry by the religious judicial officer of the city appointed by the Trustees of the House of Justice.

Observance of this procedure is essential lest those that are possessed of an understanding heart be saddened.

99. QUESTION: Concerning consultation.

ANSWER: If consultation among the first group of people a.s.sembled endeth in disagreement, new people should be added, after which persons to the number of the Greatest Name, or fewer or more, shall be chosen by lot.

Whereupon the consultation shall be renewed, and the outcome, whatever it is, shall be obeyed. If, however, there is still disagreement, the same procedure should be repeated once more, and the decision of the majority shall prevail. He, verily, guideth whomsoever He pleaseth to the right way.

100. QUESTION: Concerning inheritance.

ANSWER: Regarding inheritance, that which the Primal Point hath ordained-may the souls of all else but Him be offered up for His sake-is well pleasing. The existing heirs should receive their allotted shares of the inheritance, while a statement of the remainder must be submitted to the Court of the Most High. In His hand is the source of authority; He ordaineth as He pleaseth. In this regard, a law was revealed in the Land of Mystery,(21) temporarily awarding the missing heirs' inheritance to the existing heirs until such time as the House of Justice shall be established, when the decree concerning this will be promulgated. The inheritance, however, of those who emigrated in the same year as the Ancient Beauty, hath been awarded to their heirs, and this is a bounty of G.o.d bestowed upon them.

101. QUESTION: Concerning the law on treasure trove.

ANSWER: Should a treasure be found, one third thereof is the right of the discoverer, and the other two thirds should be expended by the men of the House of Justice for the welfare of all people. This shall be done after the establishment of the House of Justice, and until that time it shall be committed to the keeping of trustworthy persons in each locality and territory. He, in truth, is the Ruler, the Ordainer, the Omniscient, the All-Informed.

102. QUESTION: Concerning ?uquq on real estate which yieldeth no profit.

ANSWER: The ordinance of G.o.d is that real estate which hath ceased to yield income, that is, from which no profit accrueth, is not liable to payment of ?uquq. He, verily, is the Ruler, the Munificent.

103. QUESTION: Concerning the holy verse: "In regions where the days and nights grow long, let times of prayer be gauged by clocks..."

ANSWER: The intention is those territories that are remote. In these climes, however, the difference in length is but a few hours, and therefore this ruling doth not apply.

104. In the Tablet to 'Aba Badi, this holy verse hath been revealed: "Verily, We have enjoined on every son to serve his father." Such is the decree which We have set forth in the Book.

105. And in another Tablet, these exalted words have been revealed: O Mu?ammad! The Ancient of Days hath turned His countenance towards thee, making mention of thee, and exhorting the people of G.o.d to educate their children. Should a father neglect this most weighty commandment laid down in the Kitab-i-Aqdas by the Pen of the Eternal King, he shall forfeit rights of fatherhood, and be accounted guilty before G.o.d. Well is it with him who imprinteth on his heart the admonitions of the Lord, and steadfastly cleaveth unto them. G.o.d, in truth, enjoineth on His servants what shall a.s.sist and profit them, and enable them to draw nigh unto Him.

He is the Ordainer, the Everlasting.

106. He is G.o.d, exalted be He, the Lord of majesty and power! The Prophets and Chosen Ones have all been commissioned by the One True G.o.d, magnified be His glory, to nurture the trees of human existence with the living waters of uprightness and understanding, that there may appear from them that which G.o.d hath deposited within their inmost selves. As may be readily observed, each tree yieldeth a certain fruit, and a barren tree is but fit for fire. The purpose of these Educators, in all they said and taught, was to preserve man's exalted station. Well is it with him who in the Day of G.o.d hath laid fast hold upon His precepts and hath not deviated from His true and fundamental Law. The fruits that best befit the tree of human life are trustworthiness and G.o.dliness, truthfulness and sincerity; but greater than all, after recognition of the unity of G.o.d, praised and glorified be He, is regard for the rights that are due to one's parents.

This teaching hath been mentioned in all the Books of G.o.d, and reaffirmed by the Most Exalted Pen. Consider that which the Merciful Lord hath revealed in the Qur'an, exalted are His words: "Wors.h.i.+p ye G.o.d, join with Him no peer or likeness; and show forth kindliness and charity towards your parents..." Observe how loving-kindness to one's parents hath been linked to recognition of the one true G.o.d! Happy they who are endued with true wisdom and understanding, who see and perceive, who read and understand, and who observe that which G.o.d hath revealed in the Holy Books of old, and in this incomparable and wondrous Tablet.

107. In one of the Tablets He, exalted be His words, hath revealed: And in the matter of Zakat, We have likewise decreed that you should follow what hath been revealed in the Qur'an.

SYNOPSIS AND CODIFICATION OF THE LAWS AND ORDINANCES OF THE KITaB-I-AQDAS

Summary Of Contents

I. THE APPOINTMENT OF 'ABDU'L-BAHa AS THE SUCCESSOR OF BAHa'U'LLaH AND INTERPRETER OF HIS TEACHINGS

A. Turn towards Him B. Refer to Him

II. ANTIc.i.p.aTION OF THE INSt.i.tUTION OF THE GUARDIANs.h.i.+P III. THE INSt.i.tUTION OF THE HOUSE OF JUSTICE IV. LAWS, ORDINANCES AND EXHORTATIONS

A. Prayer B. Fasting C. Laws of Personal Status D. Miscellaneous Laws, Ordinances and Exhortations

V. SPECIFIC ADMONITIONS, REPROOFS AND WARNINGS VI. MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS

Synopsis And Codification

I. THE APPOINTMENT OF 'ABDU'L-BAHa AS THE SUCCESSOR OF BAHa'U'LLaH AND INTERPRETER OF HIS TEACHINGS

A. The faithful are enjoined to turn their faces towards the One "Whom G.o.d hath purposed, Who hath branched from this Ancient Root".

B. The faithful are bidden to refer whatsoever they do not understand in the Baha'i writings to "Him Who hath branched from this mighty Stock".

II. ANTIc.i.p.aTION OF THE INSt.i.tUTION OF THE GUARDIANs.h.i.+P III. THE INSt.i.tUTION OF THE HOUSE OF JUSTICE

A. The House of Justice is formally ordained.

B. Its functions are defined.

C. Its revenues are fixed.

IV. LAWS, ORDINANCES AND EXHORTATIONS

A. Prayer

1. The sublime station occupied by the Obligatory Prayers in the Baha'i Revelation.

2. The Qiblih:

a. Identified by the Bab with "the One Whom G.o.d will make manifest".

b. The appointment made by the Bab is confirmed by Baha'u'llah.

c. Baha'u'llah ordains His resting-place as the Qiblih after His pa.s.sing.

d. Turning to the Qiblih is mandatory while reciting the Obligatory Prayers.

3. The Obligatory Prayers are binding on men and women on attaining the age of maturity, which is fixed at 15.

4. Exemption from offering the Obligatory Prayers is granted to:

a. Those who are ill.

b. Those who are over 70.

c. Women in their courses provided they perform their ablutions and repeat a specifically revealed verse 95 times a day.

5. The Obligatory Prayers should be offered individually.

6. The choice of one of the three Obligatory Prayers is permissible.

7. By "morning", "noon" and "evening", mentioned in connection with the Obligatory Prayers, is meant respectively the intervals between sunrise and noon, between noon and sunset, and from sunset till two hours after sunset.

8. The recital of the first (long) Obligatory Prayer, once in twenty-four hours is sufficient.

9. It is preferable to offer the third (short) Obligatory Prayer while standing.

10. Ablutions: