Lonemedic

Regarding the verse:

"Recite ye the verses of God every morning and evening. Whoso reciteth them not hath truly failed to fulfill his pledge to the Covenant of God and His Testament and whoso in this day turneth away therefrom, hath indeed turned away from God since time immemorial. Fear ye God, O concourse of My Servants."

Does this mean for prayer, Writings, or either?

Also, I believe Shoghi Effendi designated these "verses" as being specifically for verses revealed by Baha'u'llah, but I cannot remember where this is stated.

Thanks!

Sboyce

It means the writings!
The prayers are good but it does require the actual writings!
We are supposed to focus more on Baha'u'llah's writings as they are the best Guidance for this Day, however, reading other manifestations work is important as well so we can see progress and relative religious truths. As well as being aware of other doctrines we will encounter!

arthra

Reciting the verses of God...

Look into what it means to recite...

"To repeat or utter aloud (something rehearsed or memorized..)"

This could be a chant of a prayer or a chant...

"Intone of My servant.."

to actually intone

To recite in a singing tone

Rani

In my understanding, -and I could be mistaken - but I think 'reciting the verses of God' refers to both Prayers and other Writings, whether they be letters to Kings, or to followers, or the revealing of certain laws and exhortations, because they all fall into the category of His Writings; He has revealed them all in written form. They are all sacred scripture I believe.


165. Recite ye the verses of God every morn and
eventide. # 149

'..With regard to the definition of "verses of God",
Bahá'u'lláh states that it refers to "all that hath been sent down
from the Heaven of Divine Utterance". Shoghi Effendi, in a
letter written to one of the believers in the East, has clarified
that the term "verses of God" does not include the writings of
Abdu'l-Bahá; he has likewise indicated that this term does
not apply to his own writings.'

(Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 235)

We see from the quote above that the recitation of the verses of Abdu'l-Baha or Shoghi Effendi are not enough to satisfy this injunction; however I haven't seen anything in the Writings yet, that clarifies whether reading the Bab's Writings does, seeing as He also was /is a Manifestation, but unless I find out more I try to read something of Baha'u'llah's Writings each time I do my devotions.


I think we have to both read and recite, isn't that correct? Baha'u'llah says to recite the verses morning and evening; and I think the House of Justice say we need to read from the Writings both in the morning and at night.

I wondered why, in the following summary, the House of Justice used the word to 'read' them and didn't use the word to 'recite' and even considered writing and asking them about it, but haven't as yet. To be more clear, Baha'u'llah tells us to peruse His Writings every day I think, but I haven't seen where He says we should read from them morn and evening; only the reference about reciting them.
Sorry if I'm being pedantic again.. just wanting it to be clear for myself too.

1835. Requisites for Spiritual Growth

"Bahá'u'lláh has stated quite clearly in His Writings the essential requisites for our spiritual growth, and these are stressed again and again by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in His Talks and Tablets. One can summarise them briefly in this way:

1. The recital each day of one of the Obligatory Prayers with pure-hearted devotion.

2. The regular reading of the Sacred Scriptures, specifically at least each morning and evening, with reverence, attention and thought.

3. Prayerful meditation on the teachings, so that we may understand them more deeply, fulfil them more faithfully, and convey them more accurately to others.

4. Striving every day to bring our behaviour more into accordance with the high standard that are set forth in the Teachings.

5. Teaching the Cause of God.

6. Selfless service in the work of the Cause and in the carrying on of our trade or profession."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly, September 1, 1983) 541

(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 540)

So, in the meantime, I'll endeavour to do both, as best as I can.

Rani

I have also wondered myself, whether we are encouraged anywhere in the Writings to memorise and recite the verses of Abdu-l-Baha. It is clear that we are to memorise Baha'u'llah's verses, but does anyone know of a passage that encourages us to memorise Abdu'l-Baha's as an addition and supplement to Baha'u'llah's Writings?

arthra

does anyone know of a passage that encourages us to memorise Abdu'l-Baha's as an addition and supplement to Baha'u'llah's Writings?

You know that's a good question.. I was reading an essay online at

Scripture


Scripture within the Bahá’í Faith.

Terminology for describing the different levels of the Bahá’í authoritative writings—here defined as the works of the Báb, Bahá’u'lláh, `Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal House of Justice—is incompletely developed. The Báb and Bahá’u'lláh are viewed by Bahá’ís as Manifestations of God, and therefore as being channels of God’s revelation to humanity. As a result their works occupy the highest level within the hierarchy of Bahá’í authoritative writings. Their works may be termed holy writ or word of God. The Universal House of Justice has also used the term creative word to describe the writings of Bahá’u'lláh. Bahá’u'lláh makes it clear that the Word of God possesses a creative potency that nothing else can match: "every single letter proceeding out of the mouth of God is indeed a mother letter, and every word uttered by Him Who is the Well Spring of Divine Revelation [the Manifestation] is a mother word, and His Tablet a Mother Tablet" (Gleanings, 142). Reciting the Word of God has profound effects on the believer and the world around him: "Whoso reciteth, in the privacy of his chamber, the verses revealed by God, the scattering angels shall scatter abroad the fragrance of the words uttered by his mouth, and shall cause the heart of every righteous man to throb" (Bahá’í Prayers, v).

Because Bahá’u'lláh succeeded the Báb as a Manifestation, Bahá’u'lláh often modified or discontinued laws of the Báb; consequently the Báb’s teachings are not binding on Bahá’ís. But they remain holy writ, and the Báb’s devotional writings are read by Bahá’ís at their meetings and in private prayer.

`Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi were interpreters of the holy writ, especially the words of Bahá’u'lláh. They were not empowered to deliver a revelation from God and were not Manifestations, but since Bahá’u'lláh gave `Abdu’l-Bahá the power to interpret, and `Abdu’l-Bahá in turn gave the authority to Shoghi Effendi, their works are considered binding on Bahá’ís and must be obeyed. Furthermore, `Abdu’l-Bahá is understood to occupy a station that is closer to the level of a Manifestation of God than any other human being who has ever lived (World Order of Bahá’u'lláh, 132), hence His writings are more sacred than Shoghi Effendi’s. In fact, Shoghi Effendi implies that the term "Bahá’í scripture" applies to the writings of the Báb, Bahá’u'lláh, and `Abdu’l-Bahá alone, and not to his own writings or those of the Universal House of Justice (even though their works are authoritative and binding on the Bahá’ís) (Lights of Guidance, 2d ed., 112).


In another place it says:

From the texts of the wondrous, heavenly Scriptures they should memorize phrases and passages bearing on various instances, so that in the course of their speech they may recite divine verses whenever the occasion demandeth it, inasmuch as these holy verses are the most potent elixir, the greatest and mightiest talisman.

(Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 200)

So if Shoghi Effendi defines the Writings of Abdul-Baha as Baha'i scripture and Baha'u'llah says heavenly scriptures should be memorized....

Lonemedic

Thanks everyone for your helpful comments.

GenuineSeeker

Interesting reading. So, can anyone tell me what are the prayer beads for and when is it appropriate to use them?

Illumine

They are often used to recite the Greatest Name (Allah u Abha). This practice comes as the result of this quote from the Writings.

It hath been ordained that every believer in God, the Lord of Judgement, shall, each day, having washed his hands and then his face, seat himself and, turning unto God, repeat “Alláh-u-Abhá” ninety-five times. Such was the decree of the Maker of the Heavens when, with majesty and power, He established Himself upon the thrones of His Names.”
– Baha’u’llah, Kitab-i-Aqdas, Paragraph 18

Baha'i prayer beads can be bought online in the US, but I have yet to find any in the UK so I use Islamic prayer beads -unfortunately they have 99 beads as opposed to 95 which makes things a little more tricky! I am not aware of there being a specific time to recite the Greatest Name, but my knowledge of the Faith is new and rather limited, so perhaps someone else will answer.

I hope this small amount of information was useful.

GenuineSeeker

Thank you! This is very helpful. Is there a significance to the number 95? Also, is the washing of the hands and face mandatory? I would imagine it is symbolic of a cleansing process? Is this equivalent to repeating GOD, GOD, GOD over and over or does it mean something else.

Illumine

95 is 19 multiplied 5 times and 19 is an important number. For example the Baha'i calendar has 19 months of 19 days each, there were 19 apostles of Bahá'u'lláh etc

I think the ablutions are mandatory (as they are for the obligatory prayer) but I will admit that I often just wash my hands and wipe my face with the wet hands rather than thoroughly washing - I think this is probably wrong so please don't follow my poor example! I am just learning and trying to incorporate the prayers into my life and I haven't quite got there yet.

Allah u Abha is literally 'God is most Glorious'. I love the meditative qualities of this prayer, as well as the fact that I can do it pretty much anywhere. I think I would find it difficult to keep count without distracting myself if I didn't have the beads - I think they are a wise investment.

GenuineSeeker

That is so helpful. Thank you. Is it wrong NOT to wash your face/hands if you are at work when you say the Short O.Prayer? I have said it many times at lunch, mostly before I knew about the washing requirement. It would be very difficult to do this every time, now that I know about it.

Could anyone tell me the scripture that talks about the washing in the context of the Short O. Prayer? It would be greatly appreciated.

Jak08

I hope these quotes from the Kitab-i-Aqdas answer your questions regarding ablutions

Jak08

Maybe shedding more light on the number 95 as I understand it. I understand it as being the number 19 symbolizing the 19 attributes of god multiplied by 5 the true symbol of the faith.
From "Lights of Guidance" A Baha'i Reference File", I really enjoy this compilation, explaining the number 5

I have found numerical symbolism to be really developed in the Faith. the Abjad system is used quite frequently with some words having a numerical significance to another word thus tying them together.

Aquedita

Hi Genuine Seeker

The quotation from The Kitab-i-Aqdas: Illumine posted above is spot on. Also, in the Synopsis we read:

In my understanding, it applies also to the short obligatory prayer as I did not manage to find anything contradictory. Please, correct if me if I'm wrong.
Have to confess that in the begging of my practice I did not fully understand the idea of facing Quiblih. Investigating quotations always helps.

Dear Illumine,
one suggestion, if I may: I use the Android app that counts the number of taps you do on your screen. Works just as fine and it's free

GenuineSeeker

Jak08, I've read all of your quotes. Thanks so much. That helps.

Aqudita, thanks for your input. I was told the Short O. Prayer was not mentioned as one that requires ablutions by one Baha'i and that's the one I say when I'm at lunch by myself. I found this online:
1526. Physical Gestures and Washing Hands and Face in Connection with Obligatory Prayers Are Laws of Bahá'u'lláh

"...The genuflections and washing of hands and face (as clearly put down in 'Prayers and Meditations of Bahá'u'lláh', which he himself translated), associated with the two longer daily prayers (obligatory prayers) are laws of Bahá'u'lláh, applicable to any Bahá'í whether of Muslim background, Christian background or otherwise. It is blasphemy to suggest otherwise. However, the Bahá'ís have been left free by Bahá'u'lláh to choose one of the 3 obligatory prayers, and those who prefer not to perform these acts can say the very short one."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Austria, June 30, 1949)

In any case, Jak08 thanks for posting the scriptures of what to say if I can't get to water and have time by myself and want to say it and other prayers. That is very helpful.

Jak08

I would think that, that phrase is in reference to the various prostrations and other actions that are apart of the medium and long prayer. The short prayer lacks all of those additional actions and is just preferred to be said while standing is my understanding. Just as it is my understanding that it is preferred to recite the greatest name 95 times while sitting in a clean space.

Aquedita

Exactly Jak08, that is my understanding of the phrase as well.

That been said, I believe it's worth to keep in mind why do we do the ablutions in the first place. It's not purely for hygienic reasons, now is it? This quotation might proof useful to think about the wider context:

(The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 79)

Aquedita

Another thought... In the Tablet of True Seeker Baha'ullah have specifically written down:

There is no mention of evening prayer at all. Does this imply that morning is a special time of the day? Think of the month of Ala and fasting as well when we usually have a lot of time on our hands in the mornings.

I find it quite... challenging, being not a morning person