Fast - dates of

Specific Dates of the Fast

IV.B."2. The period of fasting commences with the termination of the Intercalary Days (in the month of 'Alá), and ends with the Naw-Rúz Festival."

"And in another passage He says: 'We have enjoined upon you fasting during a brief period, and at its close have designated for you Naw-Ruz as a Feast..."

(Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, paragraph 16; also in Directives from the Guardian, p. 28)

"Fasting hath been decreed for you in the month of 'Ala."

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Importance of Obligatory Prayer and Fasting, sec. 1, no. 13)

The fast thus begins on March 2 and ends on March 20th

(at least until the ending date may be changed--see below)

"The fasting period...lasts nineteen days starting as a rule from the second of March every year and ending on the twentieth of the same month..."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, January 10, 1936 ; quoted in Lights of Guidance, no. 775; also in Directives from the Guardian, p. 28)

(See Naw-Rúz for how Naw-Rúz may in the future begin (and thus the fast end????) on March 20, 21, or 22nd, depending on whether the sun passes through the constellation of Aries at a fixed spot (i.e., the vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere).)

"He [Bahá'u'lláh] states that, should they [the Twin Birthdays of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh which are consecutive in the Muslim lunar calendar] fall within the month of fasting [which is based on a solar calendar], the command to fast shall not apply on those days (Q and A 36). Given that the Bahá'í calendar (see notes 26 and 147) is a solar calendar, it remains for the Universal House of Justice to determine whether the Twin Holy Birthdays are to be celebrated on a solar or lunar basis."

(Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Note 138)

Application Observation: If Bahá'u'lláh made a provision for the Twin Birthdays to allow an exemption for fasting, if a solar calendar is applied and thus the Twin Birthdays cannot fall within the fasting month, then the provision will only have been in effect for the Eastern believers following the Muslim calendar up until the decision time

Application Observation: The Fast thus isn't technically always 19 days.

The Fast (proper) can only be kept during the month set aside for it

"...Of course the Fast, as you know, can only be kept during the month set aside for that purpose."

(Shoghi Effendi, Principles of Baha'i Administration, pp. 9-10; quoted in Lights of Guidance, no. 780; also in Directives of the Guardian, p. 29)

VI.B."6. Vowing to fast (in a month other than the one prescribed for fasting) is permissible. Vows which profit mankind are however preferable in the sight of God."

"QUESTION: Should a person wish to fast at a time other than in the month of 'Alá', is this permissible or not; and if he hath vowed or pledged himself to such a fast, is this valid and acceptable?

"ANSWER: The ordinance of fasting is such as hath already been revealed. Should someone pledge himself, however, to offer up a fast to God, seeking in this way the fulfilment of a wish, or to realize some other aim, this is permissible, now as heretofore. Howbeit, it is God's wish, exalted be His glory, that vows and pledges be directed to such objectives as will profit mankind."

(Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas Question and Answer no. 71)

(Islám required fasts to be made up for those who missed it for certain conditions????)