In Arabic, there are several words for prayer. The word
“salát”, which appears here [Paragraph
6 of the Kitab-i-Aqdas] in the original, refers to a particular category of
prayers, the recitation of which at specific times of the day is enjoined on
the believers. To differentiate this category of prayers from other kinds, the
word has been translated as “obligatory prayer”.
Bahá’u’lláh states that “obligatory prayer and fasting
occupy an exalted station in the sight of God” (Q and A 93). ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
affirms that such prayers are “conducive to humility and submissiveness, to
setting one’s face towards God and expressing devotion to Him”, and that
through these prayers “man holdeth communion with God, seeketh to draw near
unto Him, converseth with the true Beloved of his heart, and attaineth
spiritual stations”.
- The Universal House of Justice (‘The 'Notes' section of the
Kitab-i-Aqdas’)
