Baha’i funerals - January 31, 1971

We have received your letter of 14th December inquiring which funeral prayer is considered as the desirable one for use in Europe, whether there is any obligatory prayer and what instructions are concerning standing at a Bahá'í funeral service.

The only obligatory prayer for use at Bahá'í funerals is the prayer No. 167 in 'Prayers and Meditations'. This prayer should be recited by one of those present and all present should stand while it is being read. There is no requirement to face the Qiblih or any other particular direction while this prayer is being read.

The reading of any other prayers or writings at a Bahá'í funeral is entirely optional. In general it is desirable to keep the service simple and dignified. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 31 January 1971 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Finland; Compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Earmarking to other Funds - January 29, 1971

Care must be taken that the purpose of earmarking is not defeated. Thus the use of earmarked funds to defray the expense of particular items in your budget has the effect of reducing, pro tanto, the amount of general contribution needed to be applied to the budget. In effect, this practice may result in there being no difference between an earmarked contribution and one not earmarked. For example: A friend may earmark a contribution to the Bahá'í International Fund. To apply this to the contributions to the Bahá'í International funds from your National Fund would be wrong unless the earmarked so specifies. Funds earmarked merely to the Bahá'í International Fund should be sent to the World Centre in addition to whatever contribution is made from the National Fund. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 29 January 1971 to a National Spiritual Assembly, published in a compilation of extracts concerning "The Need for Care in Handling Bahá'í Funds; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

The "so called" Marriage Tablet by ‘Abdu’l-Baha - January 18, 1971

With regard to your question concerning the so-called Marriage Tablet printed on page 47 of the supplement of the British Prayer Book, this is not a Tablet, but a talk ascribed to the Master by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab. It was given some time in December, 1918 about Sohrab's marriage. It cannot be regarded as Bahá'í scripture as 'nothing can be considered as scripture for which we do not have an original text', as the beloved Guardian pointed out. The friends may use this talk, but it is not to be considered as scripture. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 18 January 1971 to the National Spiritual Assembly of South and west Africa, published in Bahá'í Journal of the United Kingdom, No. 218, August 1973; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Period of engagement and announcement of engagement - January 17, 1971

The Laws of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas regarding the period of engagement have not been made applicable to believers in the West, and therefore there is no requirement that the parties to a marriage obtain consent of the parents before announcing their engagement. However, there is no objection to informing the believers that it would be wise for them to do so in order to avoid later embarrassment if consents are withheld. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From letter dated 17 January, 1971 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia, published in Australian Bahá'í Bulletin, February 1971, No. 198; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)  

Restoration of voting rights when only civil ceremony performed - November 18, 1971

We have your letter of October 9, 1971 informing us of your action to deprive... of his voting rights for violation of Bahá'í marriage law in that he married without having consent of all living parents. It is noted at he has a civil ceremony and a Catholic ceremony. The question you have asked deals with possible restoration of his voting rights.

In cases involving only the civil ceremony, voting rights may be restored if the Assembly feels that the believer is truly repentant and wishes to comply with the Bahá'í law previously broken. The civil marriage ceremony itself is not contrary to Bahá'í law, and therefore the dissolution of the civil marriage is not a pre- requisite to restoration of voting rights. In such cases the Bahá'í marriage ceremony may take place if the parents now give their consent to the marriage and the Assembly is satisfied that the consent has been genuinely and freely given and is not conditioned by the fact that the parties have already had a civil ceremony on the condition that it be performed.

Should ... apply for restoration of his voting rights, and should your Assembly feel that he is truly repentant, you should offer assistance in arranging the other details including helping him to obtain the consent of parents. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 18 November 1971 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador, November 18, 1971; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Neither National nor Local Assembly should be named Executor of a Will - January 14, 1971

Should a believer express a desire to make a bequest to a National or Local Spiritual Assembly, you may furnish information as a correct name and address of such institution,and you are free to inform those who ask that neither the national or local spiritual assemblies should be name as executor of a will" 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter of Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian islands, January 14, 1971; compilations: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Naming an Executor of a Will - January 14, 1971

You are free to inform those who ask that neither the National or Local Spiritual Assemblies should be named as executor of a will. 

- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated January 14, 1971; Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities, 1998 edition)

Payment of Huqúqu'lláh - October 25, 1970

In brief, payment of Huqúqu'lláh is one of the binding spiritual responsibilities of the followers of Bahá'u'lláh and the proceeds thereof revert to the Authority in the Cause to whom all must turn. Moreover, the Ancient Beauty — magnified be His praise — has affirmed that after the establishment of the Universal House of Justice necessary rulings would be enacted in this connection in conformity with that which God has purposed, and that no one, except the Authority to which all must turn, has the right to dispose of this Fund. In other words, whatever portion of one's wealth is due to the Huqúqu'lláh belongs to the World Centre of the Cause of God, not to the individuals concerned.

Thus the friends should not follow their own volition and judgement in using any of the funds set aside for Huqúqu'lláh for any other purpose, even for charitable contributions of the Faith.

We earnestly hope that everyone may be privileged to observe this sacred and blessed obligation which would ensure the attainment of true happiness and would serve to promote the execution of Bahá'í enterprises throughout the world.

Verily God is Self-Sufficient above the need of His creatures. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 25 October 1970 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, translated from the Persian; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Huququ’llah)