law of repetition; recitation of the Greatest Name
Editorial introduction
Say the Name of God when trouble comes, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá advised, when someone opposes you, and even in the middle of your work. In the Kitáb-i-Aqdas Bahá’u’lláh ordains a simple daily act: having washed the hands and face, to sit, turn to God, and repeat Alláh-u-Abhá ninety-five times. Around that discipline gather other uses of the Greatest Name, recited at morning to apprehend hidden mysteries, spoken in silence to bring harmony into a meeting, and exchanged as a greeting that, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote, filled His soul with fragrance whenever it reached His ears. The Qur’an likewise calls believers to remember God often [1], morning and evening. Repetition here is not mechanical. It trains the heart to return, again and again, to the One it loves, until remembrance colours the whole day. From this practice the way leads to the Greatest Name itself and its meanings, to the laws of the Aqdas, and to the quieter work of meditation.
If you fall into trouble say "Ya Baha'u'l Abha"; and if anyone oppose you, say "Ya Baha ul Abha" Even when you may be in your work, mention "Ya Baha ul Abha."
The substance of this gate is that from the dawning of the sun until its setting, the Lord hath permitted each soul to repeat ninety-five times "Allah-u-Abha;" or "Allah-u-A'zam;" or "Allah-u-Azhar" ("God is Most Manifest"); or "Allah-u-Anwar" ("God is Most Luminous"); or "Allah-u-Akbar" ("God is Most Great"); or the like of this kind of peerless Words: perchance on the Day of Resurrection he may, through the blessing of reciting these Holy Names, attain the honour of being guided by that Most Great Luminary and Ancient Countenance, and may be able on that Day to be guided by the guidance of the Letters of the Living.
Concerning ablutions that were asked about - whether it is possible with the ablutions performed for obligatory prayer to also recite ninety-five times the Greatest Name and visit the Shrine of the Ancient Beauty, or whether ablutions must be renewed for each one - after submission to God, the Tongue of God spoke these words: Renewal is not necessary. In all matters His grace encompasses all and His mercy takes precedence. And He Himself suffices as witness.
The Greatest Name should be read every day.
Of course, anyone who wants to gain a following and create division among the friends will at first resort to one of the divine verses and make himself appear to be sincere and deeply attached to the Faith. Words of humility and sacrifice flow from his tongue so that he may deceive the simple and the naive. For example, we repeat the Greatest Name ninety-five times a day. If someone proposes, 'What harm is there in repeating it ninety-six times?' - just once more, or 'We should repeat it twice ninety-five times,' you should know that his purpose is to infiltrate the Cause of God.
Recite the Greatest Name at every morn, and turn thou unto the Kingdom of ABHA, until thou mayest apprehend my mysteries.
Therefore, follow thou that rejoicing, and continue (saying) the Greatest Name every morning.
We asked 'Abdu'l-Baha about our Oakland, home meetings - how they should be conducted and we told him we opened our service by saying the Greatest Name (in silence) nine times. He replied, That is very good, that is right for that brings harmony into the meeting.
Concerning the greeting which thou didst mention, this servant's heart and soul desire that the blessed Name alone may be the spiritual fragrance of the sincere ones in the gardens of the earthly and heavenly kingdoms. And when this holy Name reaches my ears, my soul becomes filled with spirit and sweet fragrance, and my spirit is moved. Therefore, O friend, seek what brings joy to my heart and soul, and raise such a cry of "Allah-u-Abha" that it may reach the ears of all the sincere ones here and gladden the heart of this servant.
Further quotations · supplied wording and references
We have also decided that it is timely for Baha'is in every land to take to their hearts the words of the Kitab-i-Aqdas: "It hath been ordained that every believer in God, the Lord of Judgment, shall, each day, having washed his hands and then his face, seat himself and, turning unto God, repeat 'Allah-u-Abha' ninety-five times. Such was the decree of the Maker of the Heavens when, with majesty and power, He established Himself upon the thrones of His Names." Let all experience the spiritual enrichment brought to their souls by this simple act of worshipful meditation.
For thought and discussion