Letter to the Universal House of Justice
Dear Friends,
I have some questions regarding the Obligatory Prayers.
The following was written on behalf of the Guardian:
"Whichever obligatory prayer is chosen to be used should be followed in
full. If one cannot perform the postures necessary in connection with the
long obligatory prayer, he may choose another if ill, or just the very
short one.
(12 July 1955 to an individual believer) "
I was born with a spinal cord malformation that makes me partly
paralyzed. I can stand, but if I do, I cannot concentrate on the prayer.
Therefore I have been sitting down while reciting the Short Obligatory
Prayer.
But sometimes I find myself in places where I cannot recite this prayer
between noon and 6 pm (as we in the north have been prescribed
to do, since we have long days in the summer and short days in the
winter). I have tried to recite the Long Obligatory Prayer instead of the
Short one whenever I have had the opportunity to recite a prayer, but
cannot do the necessary genuflexions accociated with that prayer.
I would greatly appreciate guidance in this matter.
Thank you in advance,
In His Service, ...
Response from the Universal House of Justice
8 October 2000
Dear Bahá'í Friend,
The Universal House of Justice has received your emailed letter of
19 August 2000 requesting guidance, in light of your physical incapability,
about the requirements of the Obligatory Prayers. With regard to your query,
we share with you below extracts from two letters written on behalf of Shoghi
Effendi in response to similar questions.
With reference to your question regarding the three daily
obligatory prayers: the Bahá'í worshipper is not required to recite
them all each day, but has to choose one, and should also strictly
conform to any instructions revealed by Bahá'u'lláh in connection
with its recital, such as the raising of hands, various
genuflexions, etc. Those who for some reason or other, especially
when physically unable to observe these regulations owing to illness
or some bodily defect, cannot conform to these instructions should
preferably choose the short prayer, which is exceedingly simple.
(7 December 1939 to an individual believer)
As regards the questions about the proper use of the Long
Obligatory Prayer: All the writings of the Faith may be read and
should be read for the instruction and inspiration of the friends.
This includes the specific prayers. If a believer is physically
incapable of performing the genuflexions accompanying one of the
prayers, and yet he longs to say it as an obligatory prayer, then
he may do so. By physically incapable is meant a real physical
incapacity a physician would attest as genuine.
(17 February 1955 to a Local Spiritual Assembly)
It is hoped that these quotes will provide the clarification you seek.
With loving Bahá'í greetings,
Department of the Secretariat
