The Babi and Baha'i Religion — Page 73
THE B Ā B Ī AND BAH Ā ’ Ī RELIGION 73 The income from Zak a t is public property in Is- lam. In addition, individuals spend on the poor in charity according to their means and noble impulse. Islam has discouraged begging, but if someone resorts to it in distress, Islam does not absolutely forbid it. In fact it has ordained on the rich and directed them that the poor too have share in their wealth: But while on the one hand Bah a ’ull a h strengthened his own hold on public properties, he forbade that help be extended to any needy person, "From whomsoever anyone begs, it is not permissible for him to give anything to the beggar" (315). For the well-to-do Bah a ’ull a h directs that they should be laid to rest in costly boxes of crystal and expensive woods, and silken clothes (270, 279). 18. Bah a ’ull a h has remained silent about intoxicating drinks. Also about pork and bacon. But he has twice written opium is forbidden (233, 409). While ignoring questions of such great impor- tance, he sometimes astounds the intelligent reader with fuss over trifles (331). 19. Bah a ’ull a h has directed that it is the duty of every Bah a ’ i that he keeps his home well decorated (64). The second point in this connection is that every nineteen years he is to change all the furnishings (328), and it would be interesting to find out, if one could, how far the Bah a ’ i s act upon this ad-