ions and other movements.

The Obligatory Prayer originally enjoined by Baha'u'llah upon His
followers consisted of nine rak'ahs. The precise nature of this prayer and
the specific instructions for its recitation are unknown, as the prayer
has been lost. (See note 9.)

In a Tablet commenting on the presently-binding Obligatory Prayers,
'Abdu'l-Baha indicates that "in every word and movement of the Obligatory
Prayer there are allusions, mysteries and a wisdom that man is unable to
comprehend, and letters and scrolls cannot contain".

Shoghi Effendi explains that the few simple directions given by
Baha'u'llah for the recital of certain prayers not only have a spiritual
significance but that they also help the individual "to fully concentrate
when praying and meditating".

5. at noon and in the morning and the evening #6

Regarding the definition of the words "morning", "noon" and "evening", at
which times the currently binding medium Obligatory Prayer is to be
recited, Baha'u'llah has stated that these coincide with "sunrise, noon
and sunset" (Q and A 83). He specifies that the "allowable times for
Obligatory Prayers are from morning till noon, from noon till sunset, and
from sunset till two hours thereafter". Further, 'Abdu'l-Baha has stated
that the morning Obligatory Prayer may be said as early as dawn.

The definition of "noon" as the period "from noon till sunset" applies to
the recitation of the short Obligatory Prayer as well as the medium one.

6. We have relieved you of a greater number #6

The requirements for obligatory prayer called for in the Babi and Islamic
Dispensations were more demanding than those for the performance of the
Obligatory Prayer consisting of nine rak'ahs that was prescribed in the
Kitab-i-Aqdas (see note 4).

In the Bayan, the Bab prescribed an Obligatory Prayer consisting of
nineteen rak'ahs which was to be performed once in a twenty-four-hour
period--from noon of one day to noon of the next.

The Muslim prayer is recited five times a day, namely, in the early
morning, at midday, in the afternoon and evening, and at night. While the
number of rak'ahs varies according to the time of recitation, a total of
seventeen rak'ahs are offered in the course of a day.

7. When ye desire to perform this prayer, turn ye towards the Court of My
Most Holy Presence, this Hallowed Spot that God hath ... decreed to be the
Point of Adoration for the denizens of the Cities of