77. God hath imposed a fine on every adulterer and adulteress, to be paid to the House of Justice
Although the term translated here as adultery refers, in its broadest sense, to unlawful sexual intercourse between either married or unmarried individuals (see note 36 for a definition of the term), Abdu'l-Baha has specified that the punishment here prescribed is for sexual intercourse between persons who are unmarried. He indicates that it remains for the Universal House of Justice to determine the penalty for adultery committed by a married individual. (See also Q and A 49.) (200:1)

In one of His Tablets, Abdu'l-Baha refers to some of the spiritual and social implications of the violation of the laws of morality and, concerning the penalty here described, He indicates that the aim of this law is to make clear to all that such an action is shameful in the eyes of God and that, in the event that the offence can be established and the fine imposed, the principal purpose is the exposure of the offenders--that they are shamed and disgraced in the eyes of society. He affirms that such exposure is in itself the greatest punishment. (200:2)

The House of Justice referred to in this verse is presumably the Local House of Justice, currently known as the Local Spiritual Assembly. (200:3)

78. nine mithqals of gold, to be doubled if they should repeat the offence
A mithqal is a unit of weight. The weight of the traditional mithqal used in the Middle East is equivalent to 24 nakhuds. However, the mithqal used by the Baha'is consists of 19 nakhuds, "in accordance with the specification of the Bayan" (Q and A 23). The weight of nine of these mithqals equals 32.775 grammes or 1.05374 troy ounces. (200:4)

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