ANSWER: Many Tablets were revealed and dispatched in their original form
without being checked and reviewed. Consequently, as bidden, they were
again read out in the Holy Presence, and brought into conformity with the
grammatical conventions of the people in order to forestall the cavils of
opponents of the Cause. Another reason for this practice is that the new
style inaugurated by the Herald, may the souls of all else but Him be
offered up for His sake, was seen to be marked by substantial latitude in
adherence to the rules of grammar; sacred verses therefore were then
revealed in a style which is for the most part in conformity with current
usage for ease of understanding and concision of expression.
58. QUESTION: Concerning the blessed verse, "When travelling, if ye should
stop and rest in some safe spot, perform ye ... a single prostration in
place of each unsaid Obligatory Prayer": is this compensation for the
Obligatory Prayer missed by reason of insecure circumstances, or is
obligatory prayer completely suspended during travel, and doth the
prostration take its place?
ANSWER: If, when the hour of obligatory prayer arriveth, there be no
security, one should, upon arrival in safe surroundings, perform a
prostration in place of each Obligatory Prayer that was missed, and after
the final prostration, sit cross-legged and read the designated verse. If
there be a safe place, obligatory prayer is not suspended during travel.
59. QUESTION: If, after a traveller hath stopped and rested it is the time
for obligatory prayer, should he perform the prayer, or make the
prostration in its stead?
ANSWER: Except in insecure circumstances omission of the Obligatory Prayer
is not permissible.
60. QUESTION: If, due to missed Obligatory Prayers, a number of
prostrations are required, must the verse be repeated after each
compensating prostration or not?
ANSWER: It is sufficient to recite the designated verse after the last
prostration. The several prostrations do not require separate repetitions
of the verse.
61. QUESTION: If an Obligatory Prayer be omitted at home, is it to be
compensated for by a prostration or not?
ANSWER: In answer to previous questions it was written: "This provision
regarding the compensating prostration applieth both at home and on a
journey."
62. QUESTION: If, for another purpose, one hath performed ablutions, and
the time of obligatory prayer arriveth, are these ablutions sufficient or
must they be renewed?
ANSWER: These same ablutions are sufficient, and there is no need for them
to be renewed.
63. QUESTION: In the Kitab-i-Aqdas obligatory prayer hath been enjoined,
consisting of nine rak'ahs, to be performed at noon, in the morning and
the evening, but the Tablet of Obligatory Prayers(17) appeareth to differ
from this.
ANSWER: That which hath been revealed in the Kitab-i-Aqdas concerneth a
different Obligatory Prayer. Some years ago a number of the ordinances of
the Kitab-i-Aqdas including that Obligatory Prayer were, for reasons of
wisdom, recorded separately and sent away together with other sacred
writings, for the purposes of preservation and protection. Later these
three Obligatory Prayers were revealed.
64. QUESTION: In determining time, is it permissible to rely on clocks and
watches?
ANSWER: It is permissible to rely on clocks and watches.
65. QUESTION: In the Tablet of Obligatory Prayers, three prayers are
revealed; is the performance of all three required or not?
ANSWER: It is enjoined to offer one of these three prayers; whichever is
performed sufficeth.
66. QUESTION: Are ablutions for the morning prayer still valid for the
noonday prayer? And similarly, are ablutions carried out at noon still
valid in the evening?
ANSWER: Ablutions are connected with the Obligatory Prayer for which they
are performed, and must be renewed for each prayer.
67. QUESTION: Concerning the long Obligatory Prayer, it is required to
stand up and "turn unto God". This seemeth to indicate that it is not
necessary to face the Qiblih; is this so or not?
ANSWER: The Qiblih is intended.
68. QUESTION: Concerning the sacred verse: "Recite ye the verses of God
every morn and eventide."
ANSWER: The intention is all that hath been sent down from the Heaven of
Divine Utterance. The prime requisite is the eagerness and love of
sanctified souls to read the Word of God. To read one verse, or even one
word, in a spirit of joy and radiance, is preferable to the perusal of
many Books.
69. QUESTION: May a person, in drawing up his will, assign some portion of
his property--beyond that which is devoted to payment of Huququ'llah and
the settlement of debts--to works of charity, or is he entitled to do no
more than allocate a certain sum to cover funeral and burial expenses, so
that the rest of his estate will be distributed in the manner fixed by God
among the designated categories of heirs?
ANSWER: A person hath full jurisdiction over his property. If he is able
to discharge the Huququ'llah, and is free of debt, then all that is
recorded in his will, and any declaration or avowal it containeth, shall
be acceptable. God, verily, hath permitted him to deal with that which He
hath bestowed upon him in whatever manner he may desire.
70. QUESTION: Is the use of the burial ring enjoined exclusively for
adults, or is it for minors as well?
ANSWER: It is for adults only. The Prayer for the Dead is likewise for
adults.
71. QUESTION: Should a person wish to fast at a time other than in the
month of 'Ala, is this permissible or not; and if he hath vowed or pledged
himself to such a fast, is this valid and acceptable?
ANSWER: The ordinance of fasting is such as hath already been revealed.
Should someone pledge himself, however, to offer up a fast to God, seeking
in this way the fulfilment of a wish, or to realize some other aim, this
is permissible, now as heretofore. Howbeit, it is God's wish, exalted be
His glory, that vows and pledges be directed to such objectives as will
profit mankind.
72. QUESTION: Again a question hath been asked concerning the residence
and personal clothing: are these to revert, in the absence of male
offspring, to the House of Justice, or are they to be distributed like the
rest of the estate?
ANSWER: Two thirds of the residence and personal clothing pass to the
female offspring, and one third to the House of Justice, which God hath
made to be the treasury of the people.
73. QUESTION: If, upon completion of the year of patience, the husband
refuseth to allow divorce, what course should be adopted by the wife?
ANSWER: When the period is ended divorce is effected. However, it is
necessary that there be witnesses to the beginning and end of this period,
so that they can be called upon to give testimony should the need arise.