Reciting the verses of God - individuals
When/How often to Recite[edit]
(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[edit]
"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)
"To recite the holy verses at morn and at eventide"
How to Recite[edit]
To recite with eagerness, love, joy, and radiance[edit]
"68. QUESTION: Concerning the sacred verse: "Recite ye the verses of God every morn and eventide."
"ANSWER: The intention is all that hath been sent down from the Heaven of Divine Utterance. The prime requisite is the eagerness and love of sanctified souls to read the Word of God. To read one verse, or even one word, in a spirit of joy and radiance, is preferable to the perusal of many Books."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Questions and Answers, no. 68)
"Bahá'u'lláh states that the essential "requisite" for reciting "the verses of God" is the "eagerness and love" of the believers to "read the Word of God" (Q and A 68)."
- (Notes to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, no. 165)
What to Recite[edit]
The duty for day and night recitation is not met by recitation of the writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá or Shoghi Effendi[edit]
"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."
- (Notes to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, no. 165)
Need for following specific times of remembrance of God and meditation (for divine bestowals and confirmation / in influence on souls)[edit]
"...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[edit]
"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)
Notes[edit]
- See Non-obligatory prayers mentioned for daily recitation on apparent non-requirement of daily recitation of this work, however
If one is sick, it is up to oneself whether to read the verses in the morning and evening[edit]
"The Research Department has not been able to locate any Bahá'í texts which relate to whether or not a believer is relieved of the duty of reciting the Greatest Name or of reading the Writings in the morning and evening on account of ill health. In the absence of such guidance, Mr. ___ is free to make his own decisions in these matters."
(Application) Questions[edit]
Morning and Evening as in Obligatory Prayer?[edit]
Is morning and evening defined here as in Obligatory Prayer?
Reciting silently?[edit]
Is it permissible to recite these silently as is the case with Obligatory prayer and Recitation of 95 Alláh'u'Abhás?
