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1985 Dec 02 Child Abuse Psychology and Knowledge of Self
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1992 May 05 Testamentary Instructions for Payment of Huquq
1992 Violence and Sexual Abuse of Women and Children
1993 Jan 24 UHJ Domestic Violence
1993 Jan 24 Violence Against Women Sexual Abuse
1993 Jun 05 Homosexuality
1994 Mar Dancing at Feast
1995 May 29 Non-membership in other Spiritual Organizations like Subud
1995 Oct 23 Wives of Baha'u'llah
1995 Sept 11 Homosexuality
1996 July 01 Wills Applicable Laws Inheritance
1996 Jun 27 Monogamy Equality of Sexes
1997 Aug 13 Science and Religion
1999 Dec 28 Further Application of Devotional Laws
1999 Dec 28 UHJ Obligatory Prayer and Fasting
1999 Jun 10 Dealcoholized Beverages
2000 Apr 17 Marital Sexual Relations During the Fast
2000 Mar 27 Exemptions from Obligatory Prayers
2000 May 22 UHJ Obligatory Prayer and Fasting
2000 Nov 28 Various Questions re Long Obligatory Prayer
2000 Oct 08 Long Obligatory Prayer and those with Disabilities
2001 Feb 08 Laws of the Aqdas not yet Universally Applied
2002 Feb 14 The Funds and Suffering of the Poor
2002 Nov 29 UHJ Celebrating Christmas
2003 Apr 2 UHJ Domestic Violence
2003 Feb 24 Smoking During the Fast
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Laws and Ordinances : 2000 Oct 08 Long Obligatory Prayer and those with Disabilities
The Universal House of Justice
The Bahá'í World Centre
Department of the Secretariat
8 October 2000
Dear Bahá'í Friend,

The Universal House of Justice has received your emailed letter of 19 August 2000 requesting guidance, in light of your physical incapability, about the requirements of the Obligatory Prayers. With regard to your query, we share with you below extracts from two letters written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi in response to similar questions.

"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)

"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 a physician would attest as genuine."

(17 February 1955 to a Local Spiritual Assembly)

It is hoped that these quotes will provide the clarification you seek.

With loving Bahá'í greetings,
Department of the Secretariat

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