Bahá'u'lláh has reduced all ritual and form to an absolute
minimum in His Faith. The few forms that there are -- like those associated
with the two longer obligatory daily prayers -- are only symbols of the inner
attitude. There is a wisdom in them, and a great blessing, but we cannot force
ourselves to understand or feel these things, that is why He gave us also the
very short and simple prayer, for those who did not feel the desire to perform
the acts associated with the other two.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 24
June 1949 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The
Compilation of Compilations, Vol. II, The Importance of Prayer, Meditation and
the Devotional Attitude)
