 Monasticism is forbidden , and Bahá 'ís attempt to ground their spirituality in ordinary daily life . Performing useful work , for example , is not only required but considered a form of worship . Bahá 'u'lláh prohibited a mendicant and ascetic lifestyle . The importance of self @-@ exertion and service to humanity in one 's spiritual life is emphasised further in Bahá 'u'lláh 's writings , where he states that work done in the spirit of service to humanity enjoys a rank equal to that of prayer and worship in the sight of God . 
