Fast

From Bahai9

Contents 1 Aspects of Fasting 1.1 General Information about Fasting 1.2 Applicability of Fasting 1.3 Mechanics of Fasting 1.4 Resources for Fasting 2 Other miscellaneous topics pertaining to the Fast 2.1 Stages and Stations of the Fast 2.2 Communicating/Enforcing the need for the Fast 2.2.1 Although the Fast is absolutely incumbent on all, if one is found to doubt or misinterpret the need to do so, one should only endeavor with friendliness to turn him from such a mistaken interpretation (and only if he harbors no secret motive or defiance) 2.2.2 No Assembly may enforce the Fast on the friends (though it may be consulted if there is doubt) 2.3 Accidental eating/drinking: If one unconsciously eats during the Fast, this is not breaking the Fast 3 Todos for this page

Aspects of Fasting

General Information about Fasting

• Fast - need to obey
• Fast - purposes of
• Fast - motives for obeying
• Fast - rigors of
• Fast - bounties of

Applicability of Fasting

• Fast - applicability of
• Fast - exemptions

Mechanics of Fasting

• Fast - dates of
• Fast - timing of
• Fast - abstinence activities
• Fast - making up

Resources for Fasting

• Fast - prayers for
• Study materials: http://www.education.usbnc.org/a_themes/bahai_essentials/23_TheBahaiFast.pdf
• Sunrise/sunset times: see for example: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html

Other miscellaneous topics pertaining to the Fast

Stages and Stations of the Fast

"There are various stages and stations for the Fast"*

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Importance of Obligatory Prayer and Fasting, sec. 1, no. 19)

Communicating/Enforcing the need for the Fast

Although the Fast is absolutely incumbent on all, if one is found to doubt or misinterpret the need to do so, one should only endeavor with friendliness to turn him from such a mistaken interpretation (and only if he harbors no secret motive or defiance)

"The laws of God regarding fasting and obligatory prayer are absolutely incumbent upon His servants. Therefore, they must turn their faces to the Point of Adoration of the celestial Concourse, hold fast to the most sublime Station, and pray and supplicate that they may be freed from the doubts of misinterpretation. This is the way of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. This is the religion of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. This is the path of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Whoever cherisheth the love of Bahá, let him choose this straight path. Whoever abandoneth this path, verily, he is of them who are shut out as by a veil from Him. Shouldst thou observe any soul who is in doubt about this commandment or who misinterpreteth it, but hath no secret motive or defiance in what he doeth, be friendly towards him, and with the utmost cordiality and through kind speech, endeavour to turn him from the path of such interpretation towards the plain meaning of the verses of God"

('Abdu'l-Bahá, The Importance of Obligatory Prayer and Fasting, sec. 2, no. 3)

No Assembly may enforce the Fast on the friends (though it may be consulted if there is doubt)

"But while a universal obligation, the observance of the nineteen day fast has been made by Baha'u'llah the sole responsibility of the individual believer. No Assembly has the right to enforce it on the friends, or to hold anybody responsible for not observing it. The believer is free, however, to ask the advice of his Assembly as to the circumstances that would justify him to conscientiously break such a fast. But he is by no means required to do so."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, March 9, 1937; quoted in Lights of Guidance, no. 776)

Accidental eating/drinking: If one unconsciously eats during the Fast, this is not breaking the Fast

"If one eats unconsciously during the fasting hours, this is not breaking the Fast as it is an accident..."

(Shoghi Effendi, Principles of Bahá'í Administration, pp. 9-10, in Lights of Guidance, no. 780)

Todos for this page

• Concepts within the Fast prayers could be incorporated within this page's subpages or this page itself; see Fast - prayers for