A new version of the Bahá’í Reference Library is now available. This ‘old version’ of the Bahá’í Reference Library will be replaced at a later date.
The new version of the Bahá’i Reference Library can be accessed here »
A new version of the Bahá’í Reference Library is now available. This ‘old version’ of the Bahá’í Reference Library will be replaced at a later date.
The new version of the Bahá’i Reference Library can be accessed here »
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Fast |
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The nineteenth month, following immediately on the hospitality
of the intercalary days, is the month of the fast. During
nineteen days the fast is observed by abstaining from both food
and drink from sunrise to sunset. As the month of the fast ends
at the March equinox, the fast always falls in the same season,
namely, spring in the Northern, and autumn in the Southern,
Hemisphere; never in the extreme heart of summer nor in the
extreme cold of winter, when hardship would be likely to result.
At that season, moreover, the interval between sunrise
and sunset is approximately the same all over the habitable
portion of the globe, namely, from about 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. The
fast is not binding on children and invalids, on travelers, or on
those who are too old or too weak (including women who are
with child or have babes at the breast).
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There is much evidence to show that a periodical fast such
as is enjoined by the Bahá’í teachings is beneficial as a measure
of physical hygiene, but just as the reality of the Bahá’í
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fast does not lie in the consumption of physical food, but in
the commemoration of God, which is our spiritual food, so the
reality of the Bahá’í fast does not consist in abstention from
physical food, although that may help in the purification of the
body, but in the abstention from the desires and lusts of the
flesh, and in severance from all save God. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
says:—
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Fasting is a symbol. Fasting signifies abstinence from
lust. Physical fasting is a symbol of that abstinence, and
is a reminder; that is, just as a person abstains from physical
appetites, he is to abstain from self-appetites and self-desires.
But mere abstention from food has no effect on
the spirit. It is only a symbol, a reminder. Otherwise it is
of no importance. Fasting for this purpose does not mean
entire abstinence from food. The golden rule as to food
is, do not take too much or too little. Moderation is necessary.
There is a sect in India who practice extreme abstinence,
and gradually reduce their food until they exist
on almost nothing. But their intelligence suffers. A man
is not fit to do service for God with brain or body if he is
weakened by lack of food. He cannot see clearly. (quoted
by Miss E. S. Stevens in Fortnightly Review, June 1911).
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