Medium Obligatory Prayer

Question 1

Whoso wisheth to pray, let him wash his hands, and while he washeth, let him say:

Answer 1

Strengthen my hand, O my God, that it may take hold of Thy Book with such steadfastness that the hosts of the world shall have no power over it. Guard it, then, from meddling with whatsoever doth not belong unto it. Thou art, verily, the Almighty, the Most Powerful.

Question 2

And while washing his face, let him say:

Answer 2

I have turned my face unto Thee, O my Lord! Illumine it with the light of Thy countenance. Protect it, then, from turning to anyone but Thee.

Question 3

Then let him stand up, and facing the Qiblih (Point of Adoration, i.e., Bahjí, ‘Akká), let him say:

Answer 3

God testifieth that there is none other God but Him. His are the kingdoms of Revelation and of creation. He, in truth, hath manifested Him Who is the Dayspring of Revelation, Who conversed on Sinai, through Whom the Supreme Horizon hath been made to shine, and the Lote-Tree beyond which there is no passing hath spoken, and through Whom the call hath been proclaimed unto all who are in heaven and on earth: “Lo, the All-Possessing is come. Earth and heaven, glory and dominion are God’s, the Lord of all men, and the Possessor of the Throne on high and of earth below!”

Question 4

Let him, then, bend down, with hands resting on the knees, and say:

Answer 4

Exalted art Thou above my praise and the praise of anyone beside me, above my description and the description of all who are in heaven and all who are on earth!

Question 5

Then, standing with open hands, palms upward toward the face, let him say:

Answer 5

Disappoint not, O my God, him that hath, with beseeching fingers, clung to the hem of Thy mercy and Thy grace, O Thou Who of those who show mercy art the Most Merciful!

Question 6

Let him, then, be seated and say:

Answer 6

I bear witness to Thy unity and Thy oneness, and that Thou art God, and that there is none other God beside Thee. Thou hast, verily, revealed Thy Cause, fulfilled Thy Covenant, and opened wide the door of Thy grace to all that dwell in heaven and on earth. Blessing and peace, salutation and glory, rest upon Thy loved ones, whom the changes and chances of the world have not deterred from turning unto Thee, and who have given their all, in the hope of obtaining that which is with Thee. Thou art, in truth, the Ever-Forgiving, the All-Bountiful.

Question 7

what does hosts of the world mean?

Answer 7

hosts of the world: This refers to worldly distractions, influences, or temptations

Explanation in the Prayer: The prayer acknowledges that there are external forces that can pull us away from focusing on the holy book (symbolic of God’s teachings). These “hosts” could be anything from daily tasks and worries to societal pressures or negative thoughts.

Question 8

what does meddling mean?

Answer 8

Meddling: To interfere or intrude in something without right or invitation.

Explanation in the Prayer: Here, “meddling” implies protecting the holy book from misinterpretations, manipulations, or introducing ideas that aren’t part of its divine message. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the book in its pure form
Meddling: To interfere or intrude in something without right or invitation.
Explanation in the Prayer: Here, “meddling” implies protecting the holy book from misinterpretations, manipulations, or introducing ideas that aren’t part of its divine message. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the book in its pure form

Question 9

what does hosts of the world mean?

Answer 9

hosts of the world: This refers to worldly distractions, influences, or temptations

Explanation in the Prayer: The prayer acknowledges that there are external forces that can pull us away from focusing on the holy book (symbolic of God’s teachings). These “hosts” could be anything from daily tasks and worries to societal pressures or negative thoughts.

Question 10

what does doth mean?

Answer 10

doth: An archaic form of the word “does” (third-person singular present tense of the verb “to do”). In modern English

Explanation in the Prayer: “Doth not belong unto it” is a more poetic way of saying “does not belong to it.” It refers to anything that isn’t part of the true meaning or purpose of the holy book.

Question 11

what does countenance mean?

Answer 11

“countenance” refers to the divine presence, light, or favor of God.

In this prayer, “countenance” takes on a symbolic meaning. It represents the divine presence, light, or favor of God.

Question 12

what does God testifieth mean?

Answer 12

God declares” or “God affirms.” It emphasizes the certainty and truthfulness of the following statement

Question 13

what does His are the kingdoms of Revelation and of creation mean?

Answer 13

His: Refers back to God, emphasizing His ownership and power.

Kingdoms: Can have two meanings here.

Spiritual Realms: Represents the different planes of spiritual knowledge and existence.

Physical World: All of creation is considered God’s kingdom, signifying His dominion over all that exists.

Revelation: Refers to divine teachings, guidance, and inspiration revealed to humanity through Manifestations of God.

Creation: Everything that exists, both physical and spiritual.

Question 14

what does He, in truth, hath manifested Him Who is the Dayspring of Revelation mean?

Answer 14

He: Refers back to God.

In truth: Emphasizes the certainty of what follows.

Hath manifested: God has revealed or brought forth.

Him Who is the Dayspring of Revelation: A metaphorical title for a Manifestation of God,
a prophet or messenger who brings new spiritual teachings.

The “Dayspring” signifies the source of divine light and truth for humanity.

Question 15

what does Who conversed on Sinai mean?

Answer 15

Who: Refers back to the “Dayspring of Revelation.”

Conversed on Sinai: This is an allusion to Moses receiving the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai. However, “conversed” doesn’t imply a literal conversation. It refers to God communicating His message through a Manifestation of God.
through Whom the Supreme Horizon hath been made to shine,

Question 16

what does through Whom the Supreme Horizon hath been made to shine mean?

Answer 16

Whom: Refers back to the “Dayspring of Revelation.”

Supreme Horizon: A metaphorical term signifying a new level of spiritual understanding or revelation.

Hath been made to shine: This signifies that the Manifestation brought forth new spiritual knowledge and guidance.

Question 17

what does the Lote-Tree beyond which there is no passing hath spoken, mean?

Answer 17

Lote-Tree: A symbolic reference from the Quran (Surah 53:16-18) representing the ultimate limit of human knowledge and understanding. It signifies the mysteries of God’s essence, which are beyond human comprehension.

Spoken: This doesn’t necessarily mean literal speech. It refers to the Manifestation conveying God’s message.

Question 18

what does and through Whom the call hath been proclaimed unto all who are in heaven and on earth: mean?

Answer 18

Whom: Refers back to the “Dayspring of Revelation.”

Call: Refers to God’s message or teachings.

Proclaimed: Announced or declared with emphasis.

All who are in heaven and on earth: Represents all creation, both physical and spiritual.

Question 19

what does “Lo, the All-Possessing is come. Earth and heaven, glory and dominion are God’s, the Lord of all men, and the Possessor of the Throne on high and of earth below!”
mean?

Answer 19

Lo: An archaic term meaning “behold” or “see.” It draws attention to the importance of the following statement.

he All-Possessing is come: This is a declaration of the arrival of a Manifestation of God, though the prayer doesn’t specify who.

Earth and heaven, glory and dominion are God’s: This emphasizes God’s ultimate power and authority over all creation.

The Lord of all men: God is the master and ruler of all humanity.

Possessor of the Throne on high and of earth below: God’s dominion extends over both the spiritual and physical realms.

An archaic term is a word or phrase that is no longer in common usage. It belongs to a much older period of the language and sounds outdated or old-fashioned in modern conversation.

Question 20

what does Disappoint not mean?

Answer 20

Disappoint not: This is a plea, asking God not to let down the speaker.

Question 21

what does O my God mean?

Answer 21

O my God: This is an address to God, expressing devotion and reverence.

Question 22

what does him that hath mean?

Answer 22

him that hath: This refers to the speaker of the prayer, using a somewhat impersonal pronoun (“him”).

Question 23

what does with beseeching fingers: mean?

Answer 23

with beseeching fingers: This describes the speaker’s action of clinging to the “hem” (edge) of God’s mercy and grace. The “beseeching fingers” symbolize reaching out desperately and humbly.

Question 24

what does clung to the hem of Thy mercy and Thy grace mean?

Answer 24

clung to the hem of Thy mercy and Thy grace: This metaphor portrays God’s mercy and grace as a garment. Clinging to the hem signifies holding on tightly for support and protection.

Question 25

what does O Thou Who of those who show mercy art the Most Merciful: mean?

Answer 25

O Thou Who of those who show mercy art the Most Merciful: This is another way of addressing God, emphasizing his supreme quality of being the most merciful of all those who show mercy.

Question 26

what does I bear witness mean?

Answer 26

I bear witness: This is a declaration of faith, stating firm belief.

Question 27

what does to Thy unity and Thy oneness mean?

Answer 27

to Thy unity and Thy oneness: This affirms God’s absolute oneness and indivisibility. There are no separate gods, only one God.

Question 28

what does and that Thou art God mean?

Answer 28

and that Thou art God: This reiterates the speaker’s belief in God’s divinity.

Question 29

what does and that there is none other God beside Thee mean?

Answer 29

and that there is none other God beside Thee: This emphasizes the concept of monotheism, that there is no other deity worthy of worship.

Question 30

what does mean?

Question 31

what does Thou hast, verily mean?

Answer 31

Thou hast, verily, (or “Thou hast, truly”): This strengthens the following statement, emphasizing its truthfulness.

Question 32

what does revealed Thy Cause mean?

Answer 32

revealed Thy Cause: This refers to God’s message or teachings, often associated with a specific religion or prophet.

Question 33

what does fulfilled Thy Covenant mean?

Answer 33

fulfilled Thy Covenant: This signifies God’s faithfulness to his promises made with humanity.

Question 34

what does and opened wide the door of Thy grace mean?

Answer 34

and opened wide the door of Thy grace: This metaphor portrays God’s grace as something readily available to all. An open door suggests easy access.

Question 35

what does to all that dwell in heaven and on earth mean?

Answer 35

to all that dwell in heaven and on earth: This signifies that God’s grace extends to all creation, both in the spiritual realm (heaven) and the physical world (earth).

Question 36

what does Blessing and peace, salutation and glory mean?

Answer 36

Blessing and peace, salutation and glory: This is a series of wünschformel (expressions of well-being) directed towards God.

Question 37

what does rest upon Thy loved ones mean?

Answer 37

rest upon Thy loved ones: This refers to those devoted to God. “Rest upon” suggests that God’s blessings will be with them.

Question 38

what does whom the changes and chances of the world have not deterred from turning unto Thee mean?

Answer 38

**whom the changes and chances of the world have not deterred from turning unto Thee: **This describes those who remain steadfast in their faith despite the challenges and uncertainties of life. “Deterred” means discouraged or prevented.

Question 39

what does and who have given their all, in the hope of obtaining that which is with Thee mean?

Answer 39

and who have given their all, in the hope of obtaining that which is with Thee: This describes the complete devotion of these faithful people. They have dedicated everything in pursuit of God’s favor.
“That which is with Thee” refers to spiritual reward or God’s presence.

Question 40

what does Thou art, in truth, the Ever-Forgiving, the All-Bountiful mean?

Answer 40

Thou art, in truth, the Ever-Forgiving, the All-Bountiful: This is another declaration of faith, highlighting God’s attributes of forgiveness and generosity.