ANSWER: The ordinance of God is that real estate which hath ceased to
yield income, that is, from which no profit accrueth, is not liable to
payment of Huquq. He, verily, is the Ruler, the Munificent.
103. QUESTION: Concerning the holy verse: "In regions where the days and
nights grow long, let times of prayer be gauged by clocks..."
ANSWER: The intention is those territories that are remote. In these
climes, however, the difference in length is but a few hours, and
therefore this ruling doth not apply.
104. In the Tablet to 'Aba Badi, this holy verse hath been revealed:
"Verily, We have enjoined on every son to serve his father." Such is the
decree which We have set forth in the Book.
105. And in another Tablet, these exalted words have been revealed: O
Muhammad! The Ancient of Days hath turned His countenance towards thee,
making mention of thee, and exhorting the people of God to educate their
children. Should a father neglect this most weighty commandment laid down
in the Kitab-i-Aqdas by the Pen of the Eternal King, he shall forfeit
rights of fatherhood, and be accounted guilty before God. Well is it with
him who imprinteth on his heart the admonitions of the Lord, and
steadfastly cleaveth unto them. God, in truth, enjoineth on His servants
what shall assist and profit them, and enable them to draw nigh unto Him.
He is the Ordainer, the Everlasting.
106. He is God, exalted be He, the Lord of majesty and power! The Prophets
and Chosen Ones have all been commissioned by the One True God, magnified
be His glory, to nurture the trees of human existence with the living
waters of uprightness and understanding, that there may appear from them
that which God hath deposited within their inmost selves. As may be
readily observed, each tree yieldeth a certain fruit, and a barren tree is
but fit for fire. The purpose of these Educators, in all they said and
taught, was to preserve man's exalted station. Well is it with him who in
the Day of God hath laid fast hold upon His precepts and hath not deviated
from His true and fundamental Law. The fruits that best befit the tree of
human life are trustworthiness and godliness, truthfulness and sincerity;
but greater than all, after recognition of the unity of God, praised and
glorified be He, is regard for the rights that are due to one's parents.
This teaching hath been mentioned in all the Books of God, and reaffirmed
by the Most Exalted Pen. Consider that which the Merciful Lord hath
revealed in the Qur'an, exalted are His words: "Worship ye God, join with
Him no peer or likeness; and show forth kindliness and charity towards
your parents..." Observe how loving-kindness to one's parents hath been
linked to recognition of the one true God! Happy they who are endued with
true wisdom and understanding, who see and perceive, who read and
understand, and who observe that which God hath revealed in the Holy Books
of old, and in this incomparable and wondrous Tablet.
107. In one of the Tablets He, exalted be His words, hath revealed: And in
the matter of Zakat, We have likewise decreed that you should follow what
hath been revealed in the Qur'an.