The Kitab-i-Aqdas Part 13

a. Ablutions must precede the recital of the Obligatory Prayers.

b. For every Obligatory Prayer fresh ablutions must be performed.

c. Should two Obligatory Prayers be offered at noon one ablution for both prayers is sufficient.

d. If water is unavailable or its use harmful to the face or hands, the repet.i.tion, five times, of a specifically revealed verse is prescribed.

e. Should the weather be too cold the use of warm water is recommended.

f. If ablutions have been performed for other purposes, their renewal prior to the recital of the Obligatory Prayer is not required.

g. Ablutions are essential whether a bath has been taken previously or not.

11. Determining the times fixed for Prayer:

a. Reliance on clocks is permissible in determining the times for offering the Obligatory Prayers.

b. In countries situated in the extreme north or south, where the duration of days and nights varies considerably, clocks and timepieces should be relied upon, without reference to sunrise or sunset.

12. In case of danger, whether when travelling or not, for every Obligatory Prayer not offered a prostration and the recital of a specific verse is enjoined, to be followed by the repet.i.tion, eighteen times, of another specific verse.

13. Congregational prayer is forbidden except the Prayer for the Dead.

14. The recital, in its entirety, of the Prayer for the Dead is prescribed except for those unable to read, who are commanded to repeat the six specific pa.s.sages in that Prayer.

15. The Obligatory Prayer to be thrice repeated, three times a day, at morn, noon and evening, has been superseded by three Obligatory Prayers subsequently revealed.

16. The Prayer of the Signs has been annulled, and a specifically revealed verse subst.i.tuted for it. The recital of this verse is not however obligatory.

17. Hair, sable, bones and the like do not nullify one's prayer.

B. Fasting

1. The sublime station occupied by fasting in the Baha'i Revelation.

2. The period of fasting commences with the termination of the Intercalary Days, and ends with the Naw-Ruz Festival.

3. Abstinence from food and drink, from sunrise to sunset, is obligatory.

4. Fasting is binding on men and women on attaining the age of maturity, which is fixed at 15.

5. Exemption from fasting is granted to:

a. Travellers

i. Provided the journey exceeds 9 hours.

ii. Those travelling on foot, provided the journey exceeds 2 hours.

iii. Those who break their journey for less than 19 days.

iv. Those who break their journey during the Fast at a place where they are to stay 19 days are exempt from fasting only for the first three days from their arrival.

v. Those who reach home during the Fast must commence fasting from the day of their arrival.

b. Those who are ill.

c. Those who are over 70.

d. Women who are with child.

e. Women who are nursing.

f. Women in their courses, provided they perform their ablutions and repeat a specifically revealed verse 95 times a day.

g. Those who are engaged in heavy labour, who are advised to show respect for the law by using discretion and restraint when availing themselves of the exemption.

6. Vowing to fast (in a month other than the one prescribed for fasting) is permissible. Vows which profit mankind are however preferable in the sight of G.o.d.

C. Laws of Personal Status

1. Marriage:

a. Marriage is highly recommended but not obligatory.

b. Plurality of wives is forbidden.

c. Marriage is conditioned upon both parties having attained the age of maturity which is fixed at 15.

d. Marriage is conditioned on the consent of both parties and their parents, whether the woman be a maiden or not.

e. It is inc.u.mbent upon both parties to recite a specifically revealed verse indicating their being content with the will of G.o.d.

f. Marriage with one's stepmother is forbidden.

g. All matters related to marriage with one's kindred are to be referred to the House of Justice.

h. Marriage with unbelievers is permitted.

i. Betrothal:

i. The period of engagement must not exceed 95 days.

ii. It is unlawful to become engaged to a girl before she reaches the age of maturity.

j. The Dowry:

i. Marriage is conditioned on payment of a dowry.

ii. The dowry is fixed at 19 mit_h_qals of pure gold for city-dwellers, and 19 mit_h_qals of silver for village-dwellers, depending on the permanent residence of the husband, and not of the wife.

iii. It is forbidden to pay more than 95 mit_h_qals.

iv. It is preferable that a man content himself with the payment of 19 mit_h_qals of silver.

v. If the full payment of dowry is not possible the issue of a promissory note is permissible.

k. Should either party, following the recital of the specifically revealed verse and the payment of the dowry, take a dislike to the other before the marriage is consummated, the period of waiting is not necessary prior to a divorce. The taking back of the dowry, however, is not permitted.

l. The husband must fix for his wife the time of his return when intending to travel. If, for a legitimate reason, he is prevented from returning at the appointed time, he must inform her and strive to return to her. If he fails to fulfil either condition, she must wait 9 months, after which she may remarry, though it is preferable for her to wait longer. If news of his death or murder reaches her, and the news is confirmed by general report or by 2 reliable witnesses, she may remarry after the lapse of 9 months.

m. If the husband departs without informing his wife of the date of his return, and is aware of the law prescribed in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, the wife may remarry after waiting a full year. If the husband is unaware of this law, the wife must wait until news of her husband reaches her.

n. Should the husband, after the payment of the dowry, discover that the wife is not a virgin, the refund of the dowry and of the expenses incurred may be demanded.

o. If the marriage has been conditioned on virginity the refund of the dowry and of the expenses incurred may be demanded and the marriage invalidated. To conceal the matter, however, is highly meritorious in the sight of G.o.d.

2. Divorce:

a. Divorce is strongly condemned.

b. If antipathy or resentment develop on the part of either the husband or the wife, divorce is permissible, only after the lapse of one full year. The beginning and end of the year of waiting must be testified by two or more witnesses. The act of divorce should be registered by the judicial officer representing the House of Justice. Intercourse during this period of waiting is forbidden, and whoever breaks this law must repent and pay the House of Justice 19 mit_h_qals of gold.

c. A further period of waiting after divorce has taken place is not required.

d. The wife who is to be divorced as a result of her unfaithfulness forfeits the payment of the expenses during the waiting period.

e. Remarrying the wife whom one has divorced is permissible, provided she has not married another person. If she has, she must be divorced before her former husband can remarry her.

f. If at any time during the waiting period affection should recur, the marriage tie is valid.

If this reconciliation is followed by estrangement and divorce is again desired, a new year of waiting will have to be commenced.

g. Should differences arise between husband and wife while travelling, he is required to send her home, or entrust her to a dependable person, who will escort her there, paying her journey and her full year's expenses.

h. Should a wife insist on divorcing her husband rather than migrate to another country, the year of waiting is to be counted from the time they separate, either while he is preparing to leave, or upon his departure.

i. The Islamic law regarding remarriage with the wife whom one has previously divorced is abrogated.

3. Inheritance:(22)

a. Inheritance falls into the following categories:

1. children 1,080 out of 2,520 shares 2. husband or wife 390 out of 2,520 shares 3. father 330 out of 2,520 shares 4. mother 270 out of 2,520 shares 5. brother 210 out of 2,520 shares 6. sister 150 out of 2,520 shares 7. teacher 90 out of 2,520 shares

b. The share of the children, as allotted by the Bab, is doubled by Baha'u'llah, and an equal portion correspondingly reduced from each of the remaining beneficiaries.

c.

i. In cases where there is no issue the share of the children reverts to the House of Justice to be expended on orphans and widows and for whatever will profit mankind.

ii. If the son of the deceased be dead and leave issue, these will inherit the share of their father. If the daughter of the deceased be dead and leave issue, her share will have to be divided into the seven categories specified in the Most Holy Book.