Choice of headstone on graves and inscription - May 4, 1972

Normally the building of structures or headstones on graves should be left to the family of deceased, and all expenses should be covered by them. The use of most great name or the ringstone symbol on gravestone is not appropriate.

In a letter dated September 17, 1971 to an individual believer we wrote the following: "Concerning the question you ask in your postscript, there is no specific ruling regarding the type of headstone that may be used at a grave site. However, regarding the inscription on a headstone, the beloved Guardian asked the believers not to use any form of the greatest name but a nine pointed star may be used. Or, you may wish to have an appropriate text from the sacred writings inscribed on the headstone. The position of the body in the grave should be with the feet pointing toward the Qiblih, which is Bahji in 'Akká'." 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated May 4, 1972 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Uganda; compilations: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Restoration of Administrative rights without prior Baha’i marriage ceremony - April 27, 1972

In cases involving only the civil ceremony, voting rights may be restored if the Assembly feels that the believers are truly repentant and wish 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 required if the parents gave their consent. If prior consent of the parents was not obtained, the Bahá'í ceremony may still take place if the parents 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. In such cases the Assembly would restore voting rights immediately before the Bahá'í ceremony on condition that it be performed. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated April 27, 1972, to a National Spiritual Assembly; Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)

"No objection to a Bahá'í being elected as a neighborhood captain serving on a neighborhood council provided…" - April 24, 1972

There is no objection to a Bahá'í being elected a Barrio Captain or serving on a Barrio Council provided:

1. He is not required to become a member of a political party.

2. Serve as a Barrio Captain or as a member of the Barrio Council Captain does not involve him in partisan politics.

3. That he does not campaign for election of office. There is no objection to allowing one's name to be placed in nomination if required by law. If nominations are not obligatory and the voter is allowed to write on the ballot paper and vote for the names of those he wishes to be elected, this procedure should be followed by the Bahá'ís.

It would be preferable, of course, if the election of members of a Barrio Council and Barrio Captains should be strictly in accordance with Bahá'í principles. We would appreciate knowing whether this can be done in... or whether it may be possible to amend the laws so that this procedure can be adopted in villages where the population is entirely or predominantly Bahá'ís. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated April 24, 1972 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Philippines, ; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

The institution of the Hands of the Cause – “an auxiliary institution of the Guardianship” - 24 April 1972

... The institution of the Hands of the Cause of God was brought into existence in the time of Bahá'u'lláh and when the Administrative Order was proclaimed and formally established by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in His Will, it became an auxiliary institution of the Guardianship. The Auxiliary Boards, in their turn, were brought into being by Shoghi Effendi as an auxiliary institution of the Hands of the Cause. 

 - The Universal House of Justice  (From letter of the Universal House of Justice to the Continental Boards of Counsellors and National Spiritual Assemblies, April 24, 1972; ‘Messages from The Universal House of Justice, 1968-1973’; Compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

“permissible for the pioneer family to keep a weapon in the house” - March 20, 1972

We have your letter of March 2, 1972 asking if ... a pioneer couple living in a remote area lacking police protection may have a weapon in their possession for defending themselves as thieves have broken into their house twice and robbed them.

A hitherto untranslated Tablet from 'Abdu'l-Bahá points out that in the case of attack by robbers and highwaymen, a Bahá'í should not surrender himself, but should try, as far as circumstances permit, to defend himself, and later on lodge a complaint with the government authorities. A statement in a letter written on behalf of the Guardian indicates that in an emergency when there is no legal force at hand to appeal to a Bahá'í is justified in defending his life. Although we have advised certain National Assemblies in countries facing increasing civil disorder the protection of their families, we feel that in the circumstances you have outlined in your letter it would be permissible for the pioneer family to keep a weapon in the house, provided the law permits. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated March 20, 1972 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Honduras, ; compilations: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

The “use of the Greatest Name, the names of the Manifestations of God or the names of the Central Figures of our Faith in the lyrics of music” - March 20, 1972

We have found nothing in the text forbidding the use of the Greatest Name, the names of the Manifestations of God or the names of the Central Figures of our Faith in the lyrics of music. However, we feel that when they are used they should be used with reverence and respect, both in the manner in which they are incorporated in the lyrics and in the manner of representation. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated March 20, 1972; Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)

Smoking in relation to the fast - March 15, 1972

In one of His Tablets, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, after stating that fasting consists of abstinence from food and drink, further indicates that smoking is a form of "drink." In Arabic the verb "drink" applies equally to smoking.

In the East, therefore, the friends abstain from smoking during the hours of fasting, and friends from the East living in the West do likewise. But, as stated in our letter to the National Assembly of New Zealand, this application of the divine law has not been extended to the friends in the West for the present, and therefore it should not be made an issue. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (Letter dated March 15, 1972, to an individual believer; Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)

Huququ'lláh is now offered through the Universal House of Justice - March 2, 1972

'Abdu'l-Bahá in one of His Tablets has stated: "Disposition of the Huquq, wholly or partly, is permissible, but this should be done by permission of the authority in the Cause to whom all must turn." The provision in His Will and Testament that the Huququ'lláh "is to be offered through the guardian of the Cause of God..." is clearly in accord with this principle. In another Tablet 'Abdu'l-Bahá referred to the Universal House of Justice as "the authority to whom all must turn" and it is clear that in the absence of the Guardian it is the supreme and central institution of the Cause. Moreover, before 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Bahá'u'lláh had revealed the following: "There is a prescribed ruling for the Huququ'lláh. After the House of Justice hath come into being the law thereof will be made manifest, in conformity with the Will of God." In accordance with these explicit texts it is clearly within the jurisdiction of the Universal House of Justice to decide about the receipt and disbursement of Huququ'lláh at the present time. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 2 March 1972 to the Hands of the Cause residing in the Holy Land; The Compilation of Compilations vol. I)

Declaration of young people under 18 - March 1, 1972

Concerning the declaration of young people under the age of 18, ... we can accept a child of the age of 15 and over as a Bahá'í even if his parents do not consent and this remains true even though according to the law of Finland they cannot be officially transferred to the Bahá'í register. You should not, therefore, exclude such believers from the Nineteen Day Feasts. However, although such believers should not be swayed from their belief by their parents' objections, they should, in view of the stress that the Teachings place upon the respect due to parents and in view of the law in Finland, obey their parents as far as taking part in Bahá'í activities is concerned. Their aim should be to gradually awaken in their parents' hearts the same love for Bahá'u'lláh that has fired their own and not to antagonize their parents needlessly or contribute in any way to disharmony in their families at this crucial point in their development. 

- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated 1 March 1972 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Finland; The Compilation of Compilations vol. I)

Local Assemblies cannot be formed in prisons - February 9, 1972

... the Hands of the Cause residing in the Holy Land have shared with us a portion of the February 3rd letter of... referring to teaching in the prison in ...and to the formation of Local Assemblies in cell blocks, While this teaching work is commendable those who accept Bahá'u'lláh under these conditions cannot undertake administrative responsibilities, nor can Local Assemblies be formed in prisons. However, they may observe Nineteen Day Feasts, Bahá'í Holy Days, and other Bahá'í events. When they return to their own communities they may participate in administrative affairs as well." 
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated February 9, 1972 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador, : Extract from a letter written to another National Spiritual Assembly, June 11, 1964; compilations: ‘Lights of Guidance’)