Fast - rigors of
There is some rigor in the Fast but it has been abated since prior times[edit]
"Even though outwardly the Fast is difficult and toilsome, yet inwardly it is bounty and tranquillity. Purification and training are conditioned and dependent only on such rigorous exercises as are in accord with the Book of God and sanctioned by Divine law, not those which the deluded have inflicted upon the people. Whatsoever God hath revealed is beloved of the soul. We beseech Him that He may graciously assist us to do that which is pleasing and acceptable unto Him."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, The Importance of Obligatory Prayer and Fasting, sec. 1, no. 16)
"...Those unwarranted practices, in connection with the sacrament of baptism, of communion, of confession of sins, of asceticism, of priestly domination, of elaborate ceremonials, of holy war and of polygamy, have one and all been rigidly suppressed by the Pen of Baha'u'llah; whilst the rigidity and rigor of certain observances, such as fasting, which are necessary to the devotional life of the individual, have been considerably abated."
The Fast is not harmful to the health (of healthy individuals)[edit]
(see Fast - exemptions (under illness))
"...the friends should realize Baha'u'llah never would have instituted it {the Fast} if it were detrimental to the health."
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, May 21, 1946 ; quoted in Lights of Guidance, no. 777)
Not for anyone to exceed the limits laid down by God and His law (not to practice asceticism)[edit]
"Fast ye for the sake of your Lord, the Mighty, the Most High. Restrain yourselves from sunrise to sunset. Thus doth the Beloved of mankind instruct you as bidden by God, the All-Powerful, the Unconstrained. It is not for anyone to exceed the limits laid down by God and His law, nor should anyone follow his own idle imaginings."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, The Importance of Obligatory Prayer and Fasting, sec. 1, no. 13)
The need to have moderation in fasting (one's intelligence or strength might suffer from extremes)[edit]
"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 a mere 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 in brains or body if he is weakened by lack of food. He cannot see clearly."
"When told of American experiments whereby the mind was supposed to benefit personally by abstinence, Abdul-Baha replied: "It is imagination. . . To sum up, God knows better than all. He has given us an appetite; therefore we should eat. If the body be deprived of that which is necessary for it the mind suffers. God asks of us according to our capacity. If a man who has only sufficient strength to carry fifty kilos be burdened with a hundred kilos he will fall. Moderation and common sense must be used.""
(Words of Abdul-Baha: From an article by Miss E. S. Stevens in the Fortnightly Review, June, 1911)
- (Attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, cited in Star of the West, Volume 8, Issue 6, p. 61; the first paragraph is also cited in Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era, p. 184 with minor differences).
One is permitted to Fast at other times (as for a vow), but it is preferable to make vows to profit mankind[edit]
"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)
