104. In the Tablet to ‘Abá Badí, 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 Muḥammad! 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 Kitáb-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’án, 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 [pg 140]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 Zakát, We have likewise decreed that you should follow what hath been revealed in the Qur’án.
Synopsis And Codification Of The Laws And Ordinances Of The Kitáb-i-Aqdas
Summary Of Contents
| I. THE APPOINTMENT OF ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ AS THE SUCCESSOR OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH AND INTERPRETER OF HIS TEACHINGS A. Turn towards HimB. Refer to Him | |
|---|---|
| A. Turn towards Him | |
| B. Refer to Him | |
| II. ANTICIPATION OF THE INSTITUTION OF THE GUARDIANSHIP | |
| III. THE INSTITUTION OF THE HOUSE OF JUSTICE | |
| IV. LAWS, ORDINANCES AND EXHORTATIONS A. PrayerB. FastingC. Laws of Personal StatusD. Miscellaneous Laws, Ordinances and Exhortations | |
| A. Prayer | |
| B. Fasting | |
| C. Laws of Personal Status | |
| D. Miscellaneous Laws, Ordinances and Exhortations | |
| V. SPECIFIC ADMONITIONS, REPROOFS AND WARNINGS | |
| VI. MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS |