Concerning certain instructions in the Long Obligatory Prayer - 13 February 1975

The Universal House of Justice received your letter of 7 January 1975, enquiring about the correct way of following certain instructions in the Long Obligatory Prayer, and has asked us to give you this reply.

In following the direction stating: 'Let him then stand and raise his hands twice in supplication, and say': ... the believer does not have to read twice the paragraph which follows. Whether the believer raises his hands twice before the reciting of the paragraph, or commences the reciting after having raised his hands once, and raises them a second time soon thereafter, is left to his choice.

As to the direction which states: 'Let him then raise his hands thrice, and say: ... . ', an individual believer asked the beloved Guardian the following question: "... the direction to raise the hands thrice and say 'greater is God than every great one.' Does this mean after every raising of the hands, or only to be said once, after the three raisings?'

Shoghi Effendi's secretary answered on his behalf as follows:

"The hands should be raised three times and each time the sentence be repeated in conjunction with the act." 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice dated February 13, 1975; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Civil divorce does not complete the requirements for Baha’i divorce - February 1975

Even though a Bahá'í has obtained a civil divorce, under Bahá'í law he cannot be regarded as divorced unless he has also obtained a Bahá'í divorce, therefore he is not free to marry. Should he attempt to marry and in the process violate the Bahá'í law governing marriage, he is, of course, subject to sanction. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter Letter dated February 13, 1975, quoted in the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada's Assembly Resource Compilation, p. DIV-21; compilation: Developing Distinctive Baha’i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition) 

Use of admonitions and stern warnings to NSA members re abstinence from intoxicating drinks - 10 February 1975

Flagrant violation by members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'í requirement to abstain from intoxicating drinks will certainly have a debilitating effect on the national community, and these violations should be forcefully resisted through frank consultation of the matter by the Counsellors with the National Spiritual Assembly, so that in addition to admonishments, stern warnings be given to the member or members concerned, and sanctions imposed, if disregard of Bahá'í laws is continued. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a memorandum dated 10 February 1975 to the International Teaching Centre; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Prohibition on Drinking Alcohol)

Purchasing property for local Haziratu'l-Quds - 6 February 1975

We have been asked to say that there is no objection to the Local Assembly looking for a property to purchase for their Haziratu'l-Quds, but they should be reminded that in addition to the initial cost of acquisition they must be prepared to assume the continuing costs of upkeep, maintenance, and services. They should also decide whether they can manage the financial outlay required without interfering with the discharge of their other responsibilities toward the success of the Five Year Plan [1974-1979]. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (Letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, dated February 6, 1975, to a National Spiritual Assembly; compilation: Developing Distinctive Baha’i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)