Fast - applicability of

All to observe

"The nineteen-day fast [From March 2d to March 20th, inclusive. The fast is kept by refraining from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset.] is a duty to be observed by all. All should abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbás, p. 57)

"Fasting is binding on men and women on attaining the age of maturity, which is fixed at 15." (IV.B.4.)

"We have commanded you to pray and fast from the beginning of maturity; this is ordained by God, your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers."

(Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 10)

"The ordinance of fasting is, as is the case with these three prayers (obligatory) a spiritual and vital obligation enjoined by Bahá'u'lláh upon every believer who has attained the age of fifteen. In the Aqdas He thus writes: 'We have commanded you to pray and fast from the beginning of maturity; this is ordained by God, your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers.'"

((On behalf of?) Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p. 27)

"QUESTION: Concerning the age of maturity with respect to religious duties.

"ANSWER: The age of maturity is fifteen for both men and women.

(Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Question and Answer 20)

"Concerning the age of maturity, He reveals in the appendix of that same Book {the Aqdas}: 'The age of maturity is in the fifteenth year; women and men are alike in this respect.'"

((On behalf of?) Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p. 28)

All aspects of the law are now fully applicable in the entire Bahá'í world

"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...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)

(See the section in Fast - exemptions on travelers and women in their courses for the specific application of these newly applicable exemptions and their required procedures.)

Keeping the Fast is enjoined on all Bahá'ís, regardless of nationality

"Keeping the Fast is enjoined upon all Baha'is, regardless of nationality..."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, May 21, 1946, in Lights of Guidance, no. 777)

Fasting is a universal obligation binding on all those from 15 to 70, no matter the country, nationality, or class, or variance of maturity; however, no Assembly may enforce it on the friends (though it may be consulted if there is doubt)

"Regarding the nineteen-day fast: Its observance has been enjoined by Baha'u'llah upon all the believers, once they attain the age of fifteen and until they reach seventy. Children of all countries, nationalities and classes who are fifteen years old are under this obligation. It matters not whether they mature later in one country than in another. The command of Baha'u'llah is universal, irrespective of any variance in the age of maturity in different countries and among different peoples.

"In the 'Aqdas' Baha'u'llah permits certain exceptions to this general obligation of fasting, among them are included those who do hard work, such as workers in heavy industries.

"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)

(See Fast - exemptions section for those who do not need to fast and whether the exemption details have been elaborated upon yet.)