Premises for discussion

1. Kitáb-i-Aqdas, parag 97: “In it there are benefits and wisdoms beyond the ken of anyone but God, the Omniscient, the All-Informed.” “He, verily, hath willed for you that which is yet beyond your knowledge, but which shall be known to you when, after this fleeting life, your souls soar heavenwards and the trappings of your earthly joys are folded up.”

Therefore, understanding the spiritual significance of this great law is impossible for us who are as yet in this world. Why? Example of the embryos. “The world beyond is as different from this world as this world is different from that of the child while still in the womb of its mother.” Gleanings LXXXI

Anecdote of the conference of the embryos and their doubts regarding the existence of this world.

2. The purpose of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh is to create an “organic unity between the inner and outer realities of man.” (Universal House of Justice, Individual Rights and Freedoms within the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh) Therefore, every principle and law in the Bahá’í Faith serves to create this unity, and the two affect each other intimately. Organic means natural, harmonious, living. The opposite is mechanical or cancerous.

Definition of faith: “By faith is meant, first conscious knowledge (inner), and second, the practice of good deeds (outer)” (Abdu’l-Bahá)

Examples:

a) Laws of physical cleanliness (outer) in the Aqdas having a tremendous spiritual effect (inner)

b) Music, a physical phenomenon (outer), has an effect on spiritual state (inner)

c) The Institution of the House of Worship: central temple (worship, inner) +surrounding institutions (service, outer)

d) Harmony of religion (inner) and science (outer)

e) Huququ’lláh (outer) giving spiritual benefits (inner) as well as material benefits

3. Bahá’u’lláh has confirmed the use of material means to achieve various ends. “We have not set aside the use of material means, rather We have confirmed it through this Pen, which God hath made to be the Dawning-place of His shining and glorious Cause.” (K113) Example: consulting a skillful physician when sick. Huququ’lláh used as a means of salvation of individual and society.

4. Organic evolution of mankind - “the central core of the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh” (Shoghi Effendi, compilation on Peace). Humanity has passed through its stages of infancy and childhood, and is passing through its turbulent adolescence, preparing itself for the time of maturity. Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh designed for a mature humanity.

Voluntary sharing >> Equality (Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings, no.79)

Huququ’lláh embodies this principle. It is the law for a spiritual mature human being. Not for reward of heaven or fear of punishment. Conditions of acceptance of Huquq offering also illustrates this point: spontaneously, joyfully, radiantly, with humility and lowliness, with insistence.

5. “All the world hath belonged and will always belong to God.” (Bahá’u’lláh, Huququ’lláh no.27, p.10) God is independent of His creatures. Huququ’lláh is “the mainspring of God’s loving-kindness and tender love vouchsafed unto men.” (Bahá’u’lláh, Huququ’lláh no.29, p.11)

1. A blessing for humanity

2. A spiritual obligation of every true believer

3. A sacrifice offered for and related to God. God loves the act of giving and generosity.

4. An act of servitude leading to the promotion of the Cause of God.

5. A test from God for His servants. “With fire We test the gold and with gold We test Our servants.” (Hidden Words, Arabic no.57, HWP 53, HWP 54, HWA 57)

“…Conducive to the good of this world and the world to come”

(Bahá’u’lláh, Huququ’lláh no.3, p.2)

“The benefits revert to the individuals themselves”

(Bahá’u’lláh, Huququ’lláh no.2,p.1)

The good of this world

1. Purification of possessions

2. Divine protection - averts loss and disaster (Huququ’lláh p.38)

3. Prosperity and abundance

4. Honour and grace

5. Transforming the economy: eliminating the gap between the rich and the poor

6. Enables the friends to become firm and steadfast in faith and certitude

The good of the next world

The purpose of this life is preparation for the life beyond. Example of the embryo and umbilical cord (life-line). Fulfilling one’s duty towards Huququ’lláh is “the cause of everlasting life”. What is meant by everlasting life? “The light which these souls (true believers) radiate is responsible for the progress of the world and the advancement of its peoples.” “All the worlds which the Almighty hath created will benefit through him (the true believer)”. They “furnish the power through which the arts and wonders of the world are made manifest”. “These souls and symbols of detachment constitute the supreme moving impulse in the world of being.”

(Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings no. LXXXI & LXXXII)

“For their citizenship is of the Kingdom of Bahá’u’lláh. Though willing to share to the utmost the temporal benefits and fleeting joys which this earthly life can confer, though eager to participate in whatever activity that conduces to the richness, the happiness and peace of that life, they can at no time forget that it constitutes no more than a transient, a very brief stage in their existence, that they who live in it are but pilgrims and wayfarers whose goal is the Celestial City, and whose home the Country of never-failing joy and brightness.”

(Shoghi Effendi, quoted in The Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, p.85)