Consequences of Withholding Ḥuqúqu’lláh

Payment of Ḥuqúqu’lláh is considered one of the essential spiritual obligations laid down by Bahá’u’lláh, similar to prayer and fasting. It is also a unique test used to distinguish the friend from the stranger.

1. Spiritual and Bountiful Deprivation: Individuals who fail to honor the obligation of Ḥuqúqu’lláh deprive yourselves of so great a bounty. Bahá’u’lláh states that whoso faileth to observe this law bringeth loss upon himself. The bounties received from paying Ḥuqúqu’lláh—prosperity, blessing, honor, and divine protection—are consequently withheld.
2. Divine Retribution for Dishonesty: Bahá’u’lláh warns against dealing faithlessly or treacherously with the Right of God. If one is eligible but does not pay, or is not trustworthy and honest in calculating the amount, God will punish them. Furthermore, "He who dealeth faithlessly with God shall in justice meet with faithlessness himself". If one acts treacherously, God will expose them and they will not receive God’s bounties.
3. Wealth Becomes a Source of Affliction: Regarding those who are ignorant of the significance of Ḥuqúq and continuously endeavor to amass riches, Bahá’u’lláh notes that their life is wasted, troubles are endured, and wealth becometh a source of affliction. Woe betide the rich that hold back Ḥuqúqu’lláh and fail to observe the injunctions upon them.
4. Societal Hardship: Bahá’u’lláh warns that withholding payment of Ḥuqúq can contribute to collective hardship, promising that had the friends observed this payment, the people of that region would have enjoyed ease and comfort and would not have experienced any hardship.
5. Debt Upon Death: Believers are encouraged to pay their Ḥuqúqu’lláh before they pass on so that they go to the next worlds without a debt to God. If the debt is not cleared, the administrator of the estate should pay it after funeral expenses and debts are paid.

It is also important to note that if Ḥuqúqu’lláh is offered, but not paid willingly, with eagerness, love, and "with the utmost joy and radiance," it will not be accepted in the sight of God.

(Extracted from Ḥuqúqu’lláh - The Right of God by Firaydoun Javaheri, 2015)