“Just as there are laws governing our physical lives… there are laws governing our spiritual lives.” - 6 February 1973

Just as there are laws governing our physical lives, requiring that we must supply our bodies with certain foods, maintain them within a certain range of temperatures, and so forth, if we wish to avoid physical disabilities, so also there are laws governing our spiritual lives. These laws are revealed to mankind in each age by Manifestation of God, and obedience to them is of vital importance if each human being, and mankind in general, is to develop properly and harmoniously. Moreover, these various aspects are interdependent. If an individual violates the spiritual laws for his own development he will cause injury not only to himself but to the society in which he lives. Similarly, the condition of society has a direct effect on the individuals who must live within it. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; excerpts to all National Spiritual Assemblies, February, 1973: Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1968-1973’; Compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Games & raffles – inappropriate medium to raise funds for the Faith - 29 January 1973

As to participation in Bingo games by a Local Spiritual Assembly with the intention of contributing to the Fund, we do not feel it is appropriate for funds for the Faith to be raised through games of chance or raffles. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly, January 29, 1973; Compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Voting procedure - 21 January 1973

The same procedure in voting should be followed, namely, the ballot should be placed and sealed in an unmarked inner envelop and that envelop placed in an outer envelope marked with the name of the voter... 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies, January 21, 1973; compilations: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Huququ’llah – paying the amount due on one’s inheritance - 21 January 1973

We are deeply touched by your loving letter of 27 December, 1972 expressing the wish to follow the law of Huqúqu'lláh with respect to your inheritance from your mother.

Although, as you correctly state, this Law is not at present applicable to the friends in the West, any believer is free to observe it if he wishes.

This Law of the Aqdas stipulates that nineteen per cent of one's capital is payable as Huqúqu'lláh when such capital has reached an amount of at least "nineteen mithqáls in gold".... In determining the amount a believer should pay, he should first deduct any debts and expenses he may have, and pay nineteen per cent of the remainder of his capital if it is equal to at least nineteen mithqáls of gold.

If you decide that you wish to observe this Law of the Aqdas at the present time, you should determine the total value of your inheritance in cash and other assets less any expenses or debts you may have, and consider the circumstances under which you may be able to pay Huqúqu'lláh on the net value of your inheritance. The time and conditions of payment are left to each individual.