Recitation of 95 Alláh-u-Abhás
Daily recitation required[edit]
Need to recite "Alláh-u-Abhá" 95 times per day after performing ablutions[edit]
"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."
- (Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 18)
Notes[edit]
Summary of steps:
- perform ablutions
- seat oneself, and then
- recite
The corresponding note (no. 33) (explains the background, various forms of the Greatest Name, and reaffirms the need expressed in the text for the recitation to be preceded by ablutions)
(Note: there does not seem to be any provision to break up the 95 throughout the day, unlike the substitution verse for women (in their courses).
(Apparent reference to this law (of reading the Greatest Name every day))[edit]
"The Greatest Name should be read every day."
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbás, p. 57)
Specific name to be used[edit]
The Use of the Greatest Name is to be "Alláh-u-Abhá"[edit]
"When using the Greatest Name the words 'Allah-u-Abha' should be used and not 'Ya Baha'u'l-Abha'."
- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, October 10, 1936, in Lights of Guidance, no. 905)
Applicability[edit]
Regarding the law's applicability now also in the West (universally)[edit]
(Recitation had been optional before the application of the law)[edit]
"While certain laws of conscience, such as the repetition of the Greatest Name 95 times daily, may not yet have been specified by the House of Justice as applicable in the West, individual are free to practice them if they wish; however, no issue should be made of such matters."
- (On behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, at https://bahai-library.com/zamir/oblig.html )
"The use of the Greatest Name 95 times a day is not absolutely binding. This and other similar matters will be clearly and fully explained when the 'Aqdas' is published. At present, however, the friends should be careful not to lay an undue emphasis upon them.
- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, October 10, 1936, in Lights of Guidance, no. 905)
Details of recitation and its ablutions[edit]
Recitation can be silent as well as out loud[edit]
"Reciting" the Greatest Name means to repeat it over and over, silently or out loud...."
- (On behalf of? Shoghi Effendi, Unfolding Destiny, p. 450)
Ablutions (for the 95 recitations) do not need to be renewed if an Obligatory Prayer is done before or afterwards[edit]
"77. Question: Do ablutions performed for the Obligatory Prayer suffice for the ninety-five repetitions of the Greatest Name?
" Answer: It is unnecessary to renew the ablutions."
- (Question no. 77 of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas))
"62. Question: If, for another purpose, one hath performed ablutions, and the time of obligatory prayer arriveth, are these ablutions sufficient or must they be renewed?
" Answer: These same ablutions are sufficient, and there is no need for them to be renewed.
- (Question no. 62 of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas)
Possible exemptions[edit]
If one is sick, it is up to oneself whether to recite the Alláh-u-Abhás[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."
- (On behalf of the Universal House of Justice, at https://bahai-library.com/uhj_contacting_obligatory_exemptions#page3 )
(Possibly relevant quote on sitting position--preferable to sit on floor?)[edit]
"...one of the believers asked the Guardian a question about the correct position for sitting. From the context it seems clear that this question is related to the medium Prayer, but this is not explicitly stated. The Guardian's reply states that sitting on a chair is permissible, but to sit on the floor is preferable and more fitting."
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, April 1, 1982: Notes on Obligatory Prayers and Ablutions, A Compilation of the Universal House of Justice, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1536)
No objection (nor requirement) to reciting the verses prescribed in the Obligatory Prayer (medium) for ablutions for the 95 Alláh-u-Abhá ablutions.[edit]
"...the recitation of the words specified in the medium Obligatory Prayer pertains only to that prayer; that is, for the short and long Obligatory Prayers it would be sufficient to wash one’s hands and face in preparation for each of these two prayers. It follows then that the recitation of the specific verses need not be applied when performing ablutions prior to the recitation of the phrase “Alláh-u-Abhá” ninetyfive times. However, there would be no objection to saying the verses with the ablutions in such cases, should any of the friends so desire."
- (On behalf of the Universal House of Justice, at https://bahai-library.com/uhj_obligatory_greatest_name )
Purpose[edit]
(According to a pilgrim's note the recitation might be indirectly indicated as for the morning and for causing us to advance toward Him and be more vigilant)[edit]
Question - What is the reason that every one should mention every morning, ninety five times, the Greatest Name; i.e., Allah-u-Abha! "It is only for mentioning the name of God, for to commemorate His Holy Name causes us to advance toward Him and to be more vigilant."
- (Unauthenticated Tablet or talk attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Barstow collection, at https://bahai-library.com/zamir/barstow2.html#151 )
No directions on how prayer beads to be used[edit]
"As regards the repeating of the Greatest Name ninety-five times, this also has been mentioned by Bahá'u'lláh but He has given no directions as to how the prayer beads should be used in this connection."
- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, April 25, 1937, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1525)