Reciting the verses of God - individuals
From Bahai9
Contents |
When/How often to Recite
(See recitation of the verses of God for the general duty to recite in whatever context (i.e., not only the individual duty to read every morning and evening) and see the section under community for community recitation.)
Recite every morning and evening
"Recite ye the verses of God every morn and eventide. Whoso faileth to recite them hath not been faithful to the Covenant of God and His Testament, and whoso turneth away from these holy verses in this Day is of those who throughout eternity have turned away from God. Fear ye God, O My servants, one and all."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 149)
Need for following specific times of remembrance of God and meditation (for divine bestowals and confirmation / in influence on souls)
"...the friends must observe the specific times for the remembrance of God, meditation, devotion and prayer, as it is highly unlikely, nay impossible, for any enterprise to prosper and develop when deprived of divine bestowals and confirmation. One can hardly imagine what a great influence genuine love, truthfulness and purity of motives exert on the souls of men. But these traits cannot be acquired by any believer unless he makes a daily effort to gain them."
- (Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-86, Message to Iranian Bahá'ís throughout the World, no. 246.6b, p. 436)
Revelation of Hidden Words to assist in this duty
"HE IS THE GLORY OF GLORIES
"This is that which hath descended from the realm of glory, uttered by the tongue of power and might, and revealed unto the Prophets of old. We have taken the inner essence thereof and clothed it in the garment of brevity, as a token of grace unto the righteous, that they may stand faithful unto the Covenant of God, may fulfill in their lives His trust, and in the realm of spirit obtain the gem of Divine virtue."
"It behoveth us one and all to recite day and night both the Persian and Arabic “Hidden Words”, to pray fervently and supplicate tearfully that we may be enabled to conduct ourselves in accordance with these divine counsels. These holy Words have not been revealed to be heard but to be practiced."
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Compilation on the Hidden Words, no. 2)
(Application) Question
Morning and Evening as in Obligatory Prayer?
Is morning and evening defined here as in Obligatory Prayer?
