As to the attitude of resentment which the young believers
are inclined to assume regarding certain precepts of the Cause, such as
obligatory prayers: there can and should be no compromise whatever in such
matters that are specifically enjoined by Bahá'u'lláh. We should neither have
any feeling of shame when observing such laws and precepts, nor should we
overestimate their value and significance. Just as the friends have no
difficulty in recognizing the value of the specific prayers revealed by
Bahá'u'lláh, such as the Tablets of fasting and healing, so also they should
recognize that the obligatory prayers are by their very nature of greater
effectiveness and are endowed with a greater power than the non-obligatory ones,
and as such are essential.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 4 January 1936 written on
behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of
Compilations, vol. II, Youth)
