93 No Marriage May Be Contracted Without Payment Of A Dowry #66
Categories: NOTESSources: The Kitab-i-aqdas
The Synopsis and Codification, section IV.C.1.j.i.-v., summarizes the main
provisions concerning the dowry. These provisions have their antecedents
in the Bayan.
The dowry is to be paid by the bridegroom to the bride. It is fixed at 19
mithqals of pure gold for city-dwellers, and 19 mithqals of silver for
village-dwellers (see note 94). Baha'u'llah indicates that, if, at the
time of the wedding, the bride
is permissible for him to issue a promissory note to the bride (Q and A
39).
With the Revelation of Baha'u'llah many familiar concepts, customs and
institutions are redefined and take on new meaning. One of these is the
dowry. The institution of dowry is a very ancient practice in many
cultures and takes many forms. In some countries it is a payment made by
the parents of the bride to the bridegroom; in others it is a payment made
by the bridegroom to the parents of the bride, called a bride-price. In
both such cases the amount is often quite considerable. The law of
Baha'u'llah abolishes all such variants and converts the dowry into a
symbolic act whereby the bridegroom presents a gift of a certain limited
value to the bride.
More
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84
Know thou, moreover, that in this most hallowed and resplendent city thou shalt find the wayfarer to be lowly before all men and humble before all things. For naught doth he behold save that he perceiveth God therein. He beholdeth the effulgent glori... 84 Hunt Not To Excess #60
While hunting is not forbidden by Baha'u'llah, He warns against excessive hunting. The Universal House of Justice will, in due course, have to consider what constitutes an excess in hunting. ... 85
Know, however, that the seeker, at the outset of his journey, witnesseth change and transformation, as hath already been mentioned. This is undoubtedly the truth, as hath been revealed concerning those days: "On the day when the earth shall be change... 85 He Hath Granted Them No Right To The Property Of Others #61
The injunction to show kindness to Baha'u'llah's kindred does not give them a share in the property of others. This is in contrast to Shi'ih Muslim practice, in which lineal descendants of Muhammad are entitled to receive a share of a certain tax.... 86
In this station, all changing and varying realities are manifest before thee. Whosoever denieth this truth hath verily turned aside from the Cause of God, rebelled against His rule, and gainsaid His sovereignty. For it is indeed within the power of H... 86 Should Anyone Intentionally Destroy A House By Fire
him also shall ye burn; should anyone deliberately take another's life, him also shall ye put to death. 62 The law of Baha'u'llah prescribes the death penalty for murder and arson, with the alternative of life imprisonment (see note 87). In ... 87
O My brother! In this stage, which marketh the beginning of the journey, thou shalt behold divers stations and differing signs, even as was mentioned in connection with the City of Search. All these hold true in their respective planes. It behoveth t... 87 Should Ye Condemn The Arsonist And The Murderer To Life Imprisonment
it would be permissible according to the provisions of the Book. 62 Shoghi Effendi, in response to a question about this verse of the Aqdas, affirmed that while capital punishment is permitted, an alternative, life imprisonment, has been provide... 88
By My Lord! Notwithstanding all that We have revealed unto thee of the mysteries of utterance and the degrees of exposition, methinks I have spoken not a single letter of the ocean of God's hidden knowledge and the essence of His inscrutable wisdom. ... 88 God Hath Prescribed Matrimony Unto You #63
Baha'u'llah, in one of His Tablets, states that God, in establishing this law, has made marriage a fortress for well-being and salvation. The Synopsis and Codification, section IV.C.1.a.-o., summarizes and synthesizes the provisions in the Kitab... 89
Know thou, moreover, that the bird that taketh flight in the atmosphere of the realm on high will never be able to soar unto the heaven of transcendent holiness, nor taste of the fruits which God hath brought forth therein, nor quaff from the streams... 89 Beware That Ye Take Not Unto Yourselves More Wives Than Two
Whoso contenteth himself with a single partner from among the maidservants of God, both he and she shall live in tranquillity. 63 While the text of the Kitab-i-Aqdas appears to permit bigamy, Baha'u'llah counsels that tranquillity and contentm... 8: O Son Of Glory! Be Swift In The Path Of Holiness And Enter The
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O SON OF SPIRIT! There is no peace for thee save by renouncing thyself and turning unto Me; for it behooveth thee to glory in My name, not in thine own; to put thy trust in Me and not in thyself, since I desire to be loved alone and above all that... 9
In the second Gospel, according to Mark, the Dove of holiness speaketh in such terms: "For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be."(7) And it singeth la... 9 We Have Set Forth The Details Of Obligatory Prayer In Another Tablet#8
The original Obligatory Prayer had for reasons of wisdom been revealed by Baha'u'llah in a separate Tablet (Q and A 63). It was not released to the believers in His lifetime, having been superseded by the three Obligatory Prayers now in use. Sh... 90
Comprehend, in like manner, every station, sign, and allusion, that thou mayest perceive all things in their own place and consider all matters in their proper light. For in this station, the City of Divine Unity, are to be found those who have enter... 90 He Who Would Take Into His Service A Maid May Do So With Propriety #63
Baha'u'llah states that a man may employ a maiden for domestic service. This was not permissible under Shi'ih Muslim practice unless the employer entered into a marriage contract with her. Baha'u'llah emphasizes that the service referred to in thi... 91
Know then that all thou hast heard and witnessed that Daystar of Truth, the Primal Point, ascribe to Himself from the designations of former times is only on account of the weakness of men and the scheme of the world of creation. Otherwise, all names... 91 This Is My Bidding Unto You; Hold Fast To It As An Assistance To Yourselves #63
While marriage is enjoined in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, Baha'u'llah clarifies that it is not obligatory (Q and A 46). Shoghi Effendi, in a letter written on his behalf, also declared that marriage is by no means an obligation, and he affirmed that in the... 92
Know, moreover, that all that We have mentioned concerning these journeys is intended for none but the elect amongst the righteous. And shouldst thou spur on the charger of the spirit and traverse the meads of heaven, thou wouldst complete all these ... 92 We Have Conditioned It Upon The Permission Of Their Parents #65
In a letter written on his behalf, Shoghi Effendi has commented on this provision of the law: Baha'u'llah has clearly stated the consent of all living parents is required for a Baha'i marriage. This applies whether the parents are... 93
O My brother! If thou be a champion of this arena, speed within the lands of certitude, that thy soul may be delivered in this day from the bondage of misbelief, and that thou mayest perceive the sweet savours that waft from this garden. Verily, the ... 93 No Marriage May Be Contracted Without Payment Of A Dowry #66
The Synopsis and Codification, section IV.C.1.j.i.-v., summarizes the main provisions concerning the dowry. These provisions have their antecedents in the Bayan. The dowry is to be paid by the bridegroom to the bride. It is fixed at 19 mithqals... 94
His fragrant breaths diffused in Eastern lands could well To sick ones in the West restore their sense of smell!(59) ... 94 For City-dwellers At Nineteen Mithqals Of Pure Gold And For
village-dwellers at the same amount in silver 66 Baha'u'llah specifies that the criterion for determining the dowry payment is the location of the permanent residence of the bridegroom, not of the bride (Q and A 87, 88). ... 95
After this heavenly journey and mystical ascent the wayfarer will enter within the Garden of Wonderment. Were I to disclose unto thee the reality of this station, thou wouldst lament and bewail the plight of this Servant Who remaineth in the hands of... 95 Whoso Wisheth To Increase This Sum
it is forbidden him to exceed the limit of ninety-five mithqals... If he content himself, however, with a payment of the lowest level, it shall be better for him according to the Book. 66 In answer to a question about the dowry, Baha'u'llah sta... 96
Were I to recount unto thine eminence the dire adversities that have befallen Me, thou wouldst be so grieved as to forsake the mention of all things and to forget thyself and all that the Lord hath created on earth. But as this is not Our wish, I hav... 96 Should Any One Of His Servants Intend To Travel He Must Fix For His Wife A Time When He Will Return Home #67
If the husband leaves without informing his wife of the date of his return, and no news of him reaches her and all trace of him is lost, Baha'u'llah has stated that, should the husband have been aware of the law prescribed in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, th... 97
As We have digressed from Our theme, let Us leave aside these allusions and return to Our discussion of this city. Verily, whoso entereth therein shall be saved, and whoso turneth aside therefrom will assuredly perish. ... 97 It Behoveth Her To Wait For A Period Of Nine Months After Which There Is No Impediment To Her Taking Another Husband #67
In the event of the husband's failure, either to return at the end of the specified period of time or to notify his wife of a delay, the wife must wait nine months, after which she is free to remarry, though it is preferable for her to wait longer... 98
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