Obligatory Prayer, Exemption from
by Shoghi Effendi and Universal House of Justice Research Department
 

Extracts from Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi

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) [1] 


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 which a physician would attest as genuine. 
      (17 February 1955 to a Local Spiritual Assembly) [2] 


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) [3] 

Extracts from Letters Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice

The Universal House of Justice has received your letter of 7 March 1991 concerning exemption from fasting and obligatory prayers in the case of an individual suffering from alcoholism. We have been asked to convey the following. 

Regarding the Fast, as you know, there is exemption for those who are ill. The answer to your question, therefore, should be determined on the basis of competent medical advice. Ultimately, the keeping of the Fast and saying of the obligatory prayers are left to the conscience of the individual. 
      (20 May 1991 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer) [5] 


In response to your question pertaining to the obligatory prayers and the degree of one's illness in ascertaining whether one is exempt or not, such a determination can only be made by the individual believer, himself. It is therefore a matter of conscience, and is left to the individual's discernment. 
      (28 December 1993 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer) [6] 


The Universal House of Justice has received your letter of 1 December 1993 in which you explain that complications arising from a chronic heart condition have left you in a weakened state, and request a definition of "ill health" as it relates to the exemption from obligatory prayers and fasting under these circumstances. We have been asked to respond.

The following excerpt from a letter dated 14 April 1947 written on behalf of the Guardian provides instruction for determining whether one should participate in the Fast. As to your question regarding the Fast: if there is any doubt in the mind of a person as to whether it will really be bad for that person's health to keep it, the best doctor's advice should be obtained. Insofar as the exemption from the saying of obligatory prayers is concerned, this is left to the conscience of the individual. 
      (9 January 1994 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer) [7]