Fasting and others not fasting

Eat frugally and in private (if taking exemption for hard labour)

Those taking the exemption for hard work should eat with frugality and in private

"76. QUESTION: Concerning observance of the Fast by people engaged in hard labour during the month of fasting.

"ANSWER: Such people are excused from fasting; however, in order to show respect to the law of God and for the exalted station of the Fast, it is most commendable and fitting to eat with frugality and in private."

(Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Question and Answer, no. 76)

Not to fast if prevented by military or would agitate enemies of the Cause

If a military school would not allow someone to observe the Fast, one must obey them (though one should make every effort to obtain permission)

"With reference to your son's request for advice regarding the observance of the Baha'i fast: Much as the Guardian realizes the difficulty which a believer of his position, attending a military school, will have to encounter if he wishes to strictly conform to the regulations of the fast, he nevertheless would advise him to make every effort to obtain from the school authorities the necessary permission. In case his request is refused the only alternative for him would be to obey his superiors."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, October 27, 1938, in Lights of Guidance, no. 783)

One is to persist with the Fast unless doing so would agitate enemies (or be dangerous or unwise) and cause dissension (or if an insurmountable obstacle presents itself)

"In the realm of worship, fasting and obligatory prayer constitute the two mightiest pillars of God's holy Law. Neglecting them is in no wise permitted, and falling short in their performance is of a certainty not acceptable. In the Tablet of Visitation He saith: "I beseech God, by Thee and by them whose faces have been illumined with the splendours of the light of Thy countenance, and who, for love of Thee, have observed all whereunto they were bidden." 2 He declareth that observance of the commands of God deriveth from love for the beauty of the Best-Beloved. The seeker, when immersed in the ocean of the love of God, will be moved by intense longing and will arise to carry out the laws of God. Thus, it is impossible that a heart which containeth the fragrance of God's love should yet fail to worship Him, except under conditions when such an action would agitate the enemies and stir up dissension and mischief. Otherwise, a lover of the Abhá Beauty will assuredly and continually demonstrate perseverance in the worship of the Lord."

2. "I beseech God ... were bidden," translated by Shoghi Effendi; see Prayers and Meditations by Bahá'u'lláh, CLXXX

('Abdu'l-Bahá, The Importance of Obligatory Prayer and Fasting, sec. 2, no. 2)

"The laws of God, such as fasting, obligatory prayer and the like, as well as His counsels regarding virtues, good deeds and proper conduct, must be carried out everywhere to the extent possible, unless some insurmountable obstacle or some great danger presents itself or it runneth counter to the dictates of wisdom. For indolence and laxity hinder the outpourings of love from the clouds of divine mercy, and people will thus remain deprived."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, The Importance of Obligatory Prayer and Fasting, sec. 2, no. 4)

See also

• Fast - exemptions
• Fasting