I have a question regarding Baha'i inheritance laws. My uncle, a fellow Baha'i, recently passed away, and his property is being divided among his close relatives. I took care of him extensively before my marriage, even though he had daughters. Do the Baha'i laws entitle me to any share of his inheritance? I reached out to the LSA for help, but they were unable to assist me. Can you provide any guidance on this matter?
Answer:
Hi Jenny,
Allah’u’Abha!
Certainly. And to answer your
question, would like to take help from the Holy Book of Baha’u’llah. If we look
at the Kitab-i-Aqdas, it suggests that while God commands people to love their
relatives, this does not necessarily translate into a right to a share of one's
property. It emphasizes the importance of loving one's family and maintaining
strong relationships, while also recognizing the importance of personal
property rights.
“Indeed, God has commanded
you to love your relatives, but He has not decreed for them a right in one's
property. He has no need of the worlds.”
This passage can be
interpreted as a reminder that love for one's family should be based on an
intrinsic desire to show affection and care for them, rather than an obligation
to share one's material possessions with them. It also suggests that the
ultimate authority over one's property lies with God, and that he has no need
for material possessions or worldly goods.
In essence, the extract
emphasizes the importance of balancing the love and care for one's family with
the need to respect individual property rights. It serves as a reminder that
one should be generous and kind to their relatives, but also mindful of their
personal property and the need to maintain a fair balance between family
obligations and individual rights. Hope that answers your question.
If you have any more queries,
feel free to write back to us.
Thanks and Regards,
Team Free Baha'is
Reference: The Caravan Magazine, Vol. 7, Edition 2
