"In view of the importance of such a statement, he feels it is his duty to
explain that the Laws revealed by Baha'u'llah in the Aqdas are, whenever
practical and not in direct conflict with the Civil laws of the land,
absolutely binding on every believer or Baha'i institution whether in the
East or in the West. Certain laws, such as fasting, obligatory prayers,
the consent of the parents before marriage, avoidance of alcoholic drinks,
monogamy, should be regarded by all believers as universally and vitally
applicable at the present time. Others have been formulated in
anticipation of a state of society destined to emerge from the chaotic
conditions that prevail today.
"When the Aqdas is published, this matter will be further explained and
elucidated. What has not been formulated in the Aqdas, in addition to
matters of detail and of secondary importance arising out of the
application of the laws already formulated by Baha'u'llah, will have to be
enacted by the Universal House of Justice. This body can supplement but
never invalidate or modify in the least degree what has already been
formulated by Baha'u'llah. Nor has the Guardian any right whatsoever to
lessen the binding effect much less to abrogate the provisions of so
fundamental and sacred a Book..."