The Kitáb-i-Aqdas
you He Who is the Dawning-place of
Revelation, would that ye might comprehend.
61God hath bidden you to show forth kindliness towards My kindred, but He hath granted them no right to the property of others. He, verily, is self-sufficient, above any need of His creatures.
62Should anyone intentionally destroy a house by fire, him also shall ye burn; should anyone deliberately take another’s life, him also shall ye put to death. Take ye hold of the precepts of God with all your strength and power, and abandon the ways of the ignorant. Should ye condemn the arsonist and the murderer to life imprisonment, it would be permissible according to the provisions of the Book. He, verily, hath power to ordain whatsoever He pleaseth.
63God hath prescribed matrimony unto you. Beware that ye take not unto yourselves more wives than two. Whoso contenteth himself with a single partner from among the maidservants of God, both he and she shall live in tranquillity. And he who would take into his service a maid may do so with propriety. Such is the ordinance which, in truth and justice, hath been recorded by the
Pen of Revelation. Enter into wedlock, O people, that ye may bring forth one who will make mention of Me amid My servants. This is My bidding unto you; hold fast to it as an assistance to yourselves.
64O people of the world! Follow not the promptings of the self, for it summoneth insistently to wickedness and lust; follow, rather, Him Who is the Possessor of all created things, Who biddeth you to show forth piety, and manifest the fear of God. He, verily, is independent
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What has God bidden us to do?
“Should anyone intentionally destroy a house by fire” what can happen?
“Should anyone deliberately take another’s life” what could happen?
How are we told to take hold of the precepts of God?
What is an alternative punishment for murder and arson?
How does ‘Abdu’l-Bahá describe the difference between revenge and punishment?
What is the purpose of punishing criminals?
What has been prescribed?
What are we to beware of when taking wives?
Who shall live in tranquillity?
Complete this quotation:
“Enter into wedlock . . . ”
How has the practice of monogamy been introduced by the Manifestations of God?
What promptings are not to be followed and why?
What are we asked to follow?
What are we asked to show forth?
What are we asked to manifest?
Who is independent of all His creatures?
What are we asked not to stir up?