The Babi and Baha'i Religion — Page 72
THE B Ā B Ī AND BAH Ā ’ Ī RELIGION 72 this Bah a ’ull a h has laid down two pilgrimages for his followers: one to the house of B a b in Shriaz, the other to Bah a ’ull a h’s own house in Baghdad 17. Bah a ’ull a h has made a departure from Islam in the matter of Zak a t. He had laid down that one who possessed a hundred misq a ls of gold should give nineteen’ misq a ls to God (210). In another place he has said " Zak a t is obligatory for you on all grains and other things". This order has been given by him who has sent down the A y a t in strong parchment. In the near future, if God wills, we shall set down details in this behalf (314). Bah a ’ull a h died long ago, but these details still remain to be set down. It is also to be carefully noted that the wording of the passage above referred to shows conclusively that Bah a ’ull a h composed this sharia entirely on his own, not on the basis of any Revelation or wa hi from Allah. Further it is to be noted that during his life Bah a ’ull a h kept the control of properties of the movement in his own hand, leaving it in the hands of his sons after his death; and it was only after the death of these sons that anyone else was to have a say in their management and control (98). Evidently, in this way he turned financial resources of the movement into a family concern for the benefit of his own person and then of his heirs.