Community dawn prayers
From Bahai9
See Mashriqu'l-Adhkár for the organization of these meetings and the building to host time.
"Dawn Prayers" may take place from dawn until up to two hours after sunrise
"QUESTION: Concerning the remembrance of God in the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár "at the hour of dawn".
"ANSWER: Although the words "at the hour of dawn" are used in the Book of God, it is acceptable to God at the earliest dawn of day, between dawn and sunrise, or even up to two hours after sunrise."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Question and Answer, no. 15)
"With reference to attending dawn prayers in the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, the Bahá'í House of Worship, Bahá'u'lláh has explained that, although the actual time specified in the Book of God is "the hour of dawn", it is acceptable at any time from "the earliest dawn of day, between dawn and sunrise, or even up to two hours after sunrise" (Q and A 15)."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Note, no. 142)
Where these gatherings would fit into the pattern of daily life (esp. rural), such meetings could be regular
Attendance at such gatherings is not to be obligatory (though ideal for more and more to take part)
"One of the characteristics of Bahá'í society will be the gathering of the believers each day during the hours between dawn and two hours after sunrise to listen to the reading and chanting of the Holy Word. In many communities at the present time, especially in rural ones, such gatherings would fit naturally into the pattern of the friends' daily life, and where this is the case it would do much to foster the unity of the local community and deepen the friends' knowledge of the Teachings if such gatherings could be organized by the Local Spiritual Assembly on a regular basis. Attendance at these gatherings is not to be obligatory, but we hope that the friends will more and more be drawn to take part in them. This is a goal which can be attained gradually."
Prayer meetings may be organized for smaller groups if distance is a problem
Prayer meetings might begin once a week as a first step
"We have been watching with profound interest the manner in which the goal of encouraging the friends to meet for dawn prayers is being carried out. In some rural areas this has become already an established practice of the friends and indeed a source of blessing and benefit to them as they pursue their activities during the day, as well as increasing the consciousness of community solidarity. In other areas, the friends have found that, because of the distances involved, better results are obtained by meeting for prayer in smaller groups. In yet other areas, as a first step, plans have been made to meet for dawn prayers once a week."
Application Question
If one's community has community dawn prayers, would the recommendation for family prayer and reading be fulfilled?
