Communicating 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)[edit]
"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)[edit]
"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; in Lights of Guidance, no. 776)
