Bahá'í laws
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Bahá'í laws are laws and ordinances used in the Bahá'í Faith, according to the instructions of the Bahá'u'lláh, and written in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas.
Application
The laws of the Bahá'í Faith primarily come from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book). In Bahá'í scripture the laws are not seen as a constricting code, or a ritual, but are described by Bahá'u'lláh as the "choice wine", and a means to happiness. They are not considered as binding to anyone until they become a Bahá'í, and becoming a Bahá'í is not conditional on a person's level of adherence. An individual is expected to gradually apply laws on a personal basis.
- "Think not that We have revealed unto you a mere code of laws. Nay, rather, We have unsealed the choice Wine with the fingers of might and power. To this beareth witness that which the Pen of Revelation hath revealed. Meditate upon this, O men of insight!"
- : (Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 20)
Upon being written, the laws were immediately considered applicable to Eastern believers (i.e. Persian and Arab), but some specific laws were not considered binding on the Western believers (i.e. European and American), and would be gradually applied over time. (See [list] as of 1974.) A third level of responsibility to the laws exists in China, where there is no Bahá'í administration
- "The society for which certain of the laws of the Aqdas are designed will come only gradually into being, and Bahá’u’lláh has provided for the progressive application of Bahá’í law."
- :(Universal House of Justice, Introduction to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, [p. 5])
Here are a few examples of laws and basic religious observances of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas which are considered obligatory for Bahá'ís:
- * There is a specified statement which must be recited as a marriage vow.
- * There are a few specified funerary practices.
- * Recite an obligatory prayer each day. There are three such prayers among which one can be chosen each day.
- * Recite the phrase "Alláh'u'Abhá", a form of the Greatest Name 95 times each day, often using prayer beads.
Laws and ordinances
Prayer
Bahá'ís between the ages of 15 and 70 daily perform one of three prescribed obligatory prayers, while facing the Qiblih, preceded by ablutions. The prayers were written by Bahá'u'lláh, and exemption from this obligation is given to those who are ill, in danger, and women in their courses.
Bahá'ís should also pray, meditate and study sacred scripture daily, and use prayers by the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh and `Abdu'l-Bahá that have been collected into various prayer books, which encompass many topics that include meetings, evening, and healing.
Congregational prayer is forbidden in the Bahá'í Faith, except for the case of the Prayer for the Dead, so the daily obligatory prayers are offered individually. However, Bahá'ís often read from writings and prayers written by the Central Figures in groups.
Fasting
The Bahá'í fast is done in a similar manner to Islamic fasting - that is the fast is observed from sunrise to sunset. The period of fasting, however, is from March 2 through March 20. During this time Bahá'ís in good health between the ages of 15 and 70 abstain from eating and drinking.
For people who are travelling, ill, pregnant, nursing, menstruating, or engaged in heavy labor, they are exempted from the fast. Vowing to fast outside of the prescribed fasting period is permissible, and encouraged when done for the benefit of mankind.
Backbiting and gossip
Gossip and backbiting are prohibited and viewed as particularly damaging to the individual and their relationships. This practice is seen as having a deeply negative effect on the community as well as the individuals involved.
- "On no subject are the Bahá'í teachings more emphatic than on the necessity to abstain from fault-finding and backbiting while being ever eager to discover and root out our own faults and overcome our own failings. ...
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, May 12, 1925: Living the Life, p.3)"
- : (Helen Hornby (Ed.), Lights of Guidance, p. 87)
Dietary restrictions
- Bahá'ís are forbidden to drink alcohol or to take drugs (except by a doctor's order).
- The non-medicinal use of opium is particularly condemned in the Bahá'í scriptures.
- Tobacco is not forbidden but is discouraged.
Giving to funds
- Bahá'ís are generally expected by the Writings to make financial contributions to the Faith. However, contributions are strictly confidential, including whether or not a believer makes one, and is up to individual discretion.
- Contributions are never solicited, and are not accepted, from non-Bahá'í sources.
- Distinct from the general Bahá'í funds is the law of Huqúqu'lláh ("Right of God"), which requires Bahá'ís to pay 19% of their surplus net-worth (i.e. those things that they do not need to live comfortably) at least once in their lifetime, after the discharge of all debts.
Marriage
In the Kitáb-i-Aqdas marriage is highly recommended but is stated to not be obligatory. According to Bahá'í teachings, sexuality is a normal part of married life and is intended to enhance the relationship. However, sexual relationships are only permitted between a man and woman who are married. This precludes marriages that are homosexual or polygamous, as well as any sexual relationship outside of marriage. Bahá'ís need to be at least 15 years of age to get married, and the consent of all living biological parents is needed to get engaged. Kitáb-i-Aqdas states that [k66] " No marriage may be contracted without payment of a dowry, which hath been fixed for city-dwellers at nineteen [mithqáls] of pure gold, and for village-dwellers at the same amount in silver." The dowry is to be paid by the bridegroom to the bride and is dependant on the permanent residence of the bridegroom. Interreligious marriages are permitted, and interracial marriages are encouraged. Divorce is permitted, although discouraged, and is granted after a year of separation if the couple is unable to reconcile their differences.
The Kitáb-i-Aqdas allows a man to marry two wives under the condition that they be treated equally. Later, `Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi interpreted that monogamy was the intent of the paragraph.
- See also: Homosexuality and Bahá'í Faith
Family life
- The family is, in the Bahá'í view, the cornerstone of society, and marriage is encouraged.
- Parents are required to provide an education to their children. If resources permit for only one child to be educated, a daughter must be chosen over a son, as she is the first educator to her future children.
Inheritance
In the Kitáb-i-Aqdas it is stated that all Bahá'ís must write a will. The other Bahá’í laws of inheritance in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas apply only in case of intestacy, that is, when the individual dies without leaving a will. The system of inheritance provides for distribution of the deceased's estate among seven categories of heirs: children, spouse, father, mother, brothers, sisters, and teachers with higher categories obtaining a larger share. In cases where some of the categories of heirs does not exist the share falls partly to the children and the Local Spiritual Assembly. The distribution among heirs is uneven: children receive nine parts; the wife receives eight; the father, seven; the mother, six; the brothers, five; the sisters, four; and the teachers, three.Other laws
Other laws that have been prescribed in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas include:- Pilgrimage to be one of two places: the House of Bahá'u'lláh in Baghdad, and the House of the Báb in Shiraz.
- The holding of a Nineteen Day Feast which are regular community gatherings, occurring on the first day of each month of the Bahá'í calendar and consist of a devotional, administrative, and social part.
- After death it is forbidden to carry the body more than one hour's journey from the place of death. The body should be wrapped in a shroud of silk or cotton and placed in a coffin made of polished stone, crystal or hard wood. A specific prayer must be read before burial.
- Engaging in a trade or profession is made obligatory and is exalted to the rank of worship.
- Being obedient to the government of one's country.
- The compulsary education of children.
- Repetition of the Greatest Name 95 times a day.
- The hunting of animals is allowed provided that the name of God is invoked before hunting. If the game is found dead in a net or trap it's consumption is not allowed.
- If someone comes upon a treasure trove, one third of the treasure is the right of the discoverer, and the other two thirds is the right of the House of Justice. This law is designed for a future state of society and these matters are currently covered by the civil law of each country.
- If someone comes upon lost property in a town, they must try to find the owner and wait one year before taking possession. If the property is of significantly small value, they must wait one day. If the property is found in an uninhabited area, they must wait three days. This law is designed for a future state of society and these matters are currently covered by the civil law of each country.
Other prohibitions
Prohibitions included in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas include:- Interpreteting the Bahá'í writings (`Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi were the only approved interpreters of Bahá'u'lláh's writings).
- Slavery
- Asceticism
- Monasticism
- Begging
- Clergy
- Use of Pulpits
- The kissing of Hands (as a form of worship)
- Confession of sins
- Polygamy
- Opium
- Gambling
- Homosexuality
- Cruelty to animals
- Sloth
- gossip
- Calumny
- The carrying of arms unless essential.
- Trespassing into a house without the owner's permission.
- Assault
- Shaving of one's head and the growth of men's hair beyond the lobe of the ear.
- Adultery and sexual intercourse between unmarried couples: it is punishable by a fine paid to the Local Spiritual Assembly.
- Arson: The punishment for arson is either the death penalty or life imprisonment. If the death penalty is applied the convicted person is killed by burning. The details of the law such as the degree of the offence and the circumstances are to be taken into account to decide which of the two sentences is to be selected has been left to the Universal House of Justice. The Universal House of Justice has stated that the law is intended for a future condition of society, at which time they will be supplemented and applied by the Universal House of Justice; the Universal House of Justice has written "In relation to arson, this depends on what 'house' is burned. There is obviously a tremendous difference in the degree of offence between the person who burns down an empty warehouse and one who sets fire to a school full of children." (Notes of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Universal House of Justice, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, pp. 203).
- Murder: murder is punishable by the death penalty or life imprisonment. The details of the law such as the degree of the offence and the circumstances that are to be taken into account to decide which of the two sentences are to be selected has been left to the Universal House of Justice; the Universal House of Justice has stated that the law is intended for a future condition of society, at which time they will be supplemented and applied by the Universal House of Justice. In the case of manslaughter, it is necessary to pay a specified indemnity to the family of the deceased.
- Theft: Theft is punishable by either imprisonment or exile; on the third offense, however, a mark should be placed upon the thief's brow so it is easy to identify the person and disallow him in the "cities of God". The purpose of the mark on the forehead serves in warning other people of the thief's proclivities. The details of the nature of the mark (how the mark is to be applied, how long it has to be worn, and under what conditions it may be removed) and the circumstances that are to be taken into account in deciding which sentence is to be applied have been left to the Universal House of Justice; the Universal House of Justice has stated that the law is intended for a future condition of society, at which time they will be supplemented and applied by the Universal House of Justice.
See also
References
External links
- [Six Lessons on Baha'i Law] - A Deepening Course published by the NSA of Hawaii
- [Compilation] - Three letters about laws, wills, and inheritance. Includes list of laws not applicable to Western believers.
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