Ḥuqúqu’lláh—The Right of God

We are deeply touched by your loving letter of 27 December 1972 expressing the wish to follow the Law of Ḥuqúqu’lláh with respect to your inheritance from your mother….

This Law of the Aqdas stipulates that nineteen percent of one’s capital is payable as Ḥuqúqu’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 percent on the remainder of his capital if it is equal to at least nineteen mithqáls of gold.

…to observe this Law of the Aqdas …, you should determine the total value of your inheritance in cash and other assets less any expenses of debts you may have, and consider the circumstances under which you may be able to pay Ḥuqúqu’lláh on the net value of your inheritance. The time and conditions of payment are left to each individual.

For example, if one’s assets include property or shares in addition to cash, he may find it disadvantageous or inconvenient to pay nineteen percent of the value of the non-cash assets until they are disposed of, at which time he would prefer to fulfill this spiritual obligation. Any expenses that may be involved in disposing of one’s assets should be deducted before calculating the net value on which Ḥuqúqu’lláh is payable. 18