Fast - abstinence activities

What is to be refrained from during the Fast

IV.B."3. Abstinence from food and drink, from sunrise to sunset, is obligatory."

"when they end--these days of giving that precede the season of restraint--let them enter upon the Fast...Abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sundown, and beware lest desire deprive you of this grace that is appointed in the Book."

(Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 16-17)

(Also reiterated in Kitáb-i-Aqdas Notes 25 and 32)

"The fasting period...involves complete abstention from food and drink..."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, January 10, 1936, in Lights of Guidance, no. 775)

Abstinence from "whatever is not of Him" (whatever is not of God)

"We beseech God to assist His people that they may observe the most great and exalted Fast, which is to protect one's eye from beholding whatever is forbidden and to withhold one's self from food, drink and whatever is not of Him. We pray God to confirm His loved ones that they may succeed in accomplishing that which they have been commanded in this Day."

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Importance of Obligatory Prayer and Fasting, sec. I, no. 12

Abstinence from smoking

"In one of His Tablets, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, after stating that fasting consists of abstinence from food and drink, further indicates that smoking is a form of "drink". In Arabic the verb "drink" applies equally to smoking."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, March 15, 1972, in Lights of Guidance, no. 782; also in Kitáb-i-Aqdas Notes, no. 32)

The regulation including smoking is not yet applicable in the West

(unless the 28 Dec. 1999 letter below makes this now applicable?)

"In the East, therefore, the friends abstain from smoking during the hours of fasting, and friends from the East living in the West do likewise. But, as stated in our letter to the National Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand, this application of the Divine Law has not been extended to the friends in the West for the present, and therefore it should not be made an issue."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, March 15, 1972, in Lights of Guidance, no. 782)

Now Western believers also not to smoke during the Fast?

"The friends have long been familiar with the great importance which Baha'u'llah attaches to...the observance of the fast, but a number of aspects of the law, such as those concerning...travelling...remained to be made universally applicable. This step is now taken. Thus all elements of the laws dealing with...fasting are, without any exception, now applicable."

(Universal House of Justice, Dec. 28, 1999)

Abstinence from lust

"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)."

(Attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, quoted in Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era, p. 184)

Abstinence from marital sexual relations has not been found to be specified

"In response to your question concerning marital sexual relations during the Fast, the House of Justice knows of no text in the Writings specifically prohibiting such an act during the Fast. This is a matter left to the discretion of the individual believer."

(On behalf of the Universal House of Justice, email dated 17 April 2000, at http://bahairesearch.com/english/Baha%27i/Authoritative_Baha%27i/The_Universal_House_of_Justice/Letters/Laws_and_Ordinances/2000_Apr_17_Marital_Sexual_Relations_During_the_Fast.aspx )

Brushing teeth without swallowing water during Fast (and other detailed matters) is not legislated upon at this time

"Concerning the permissibility of brushing one's teeth without swallowing water during the Fast, the House of Justice does not wish at this time to legislate on detailed matters pertaining to the Fast. The general principles are known, and when the friends encounter specific details that seem not to be explicitly covered, they should make their own decisions after prayerful and conscientious consideration of the principles, and then carry out their decisions with a clear conscience. Keeping the Fast is a spiritual obligation and it is a matter between each believer and God."

(On behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, in The American Bahá'í, March 2014, republished from January/February 2012 issue)

See also

• Fasting