Fasting: an outward rhythm and an inward awakening

These are the days whereon Thou hast bidden all men to observe the Fast, that through it they may purify their souls and rid themselves of all attachment to any one but Thee, and that out of their hearts may ascend that which will be worthy of the court of Thy majesty and may well beseem the seat of the revelation of Thy oneness. Grant, O my Lord, that this fast may become a river of life-giving waters and may yield the virtue wherewith Thou hast endowed it.

For this bodily fast is a symbol of the spiritual fast, that is, the restraint of the self from all selfish desires, the adornment of the soul with spiritual attributes, attraction to the breaths of the All-Merciful, and enkindlement with the fire of the love of God.

There are two kinds of fast: material and spiritual. The material fast consists in abstaining from food and drink, that is, refraining from satisfying the physical appetites. But the true and spiritual fast is for man to forsake covetous desires, heedlessness, and evil and animalistic attributes. The material fast is therefore a symbol of that spiritual fast. It is like saying: "O Divine Providence! As I am abstaining from bodily desires and from all occupation with food and drink, even so purify and sanctify my heart from the love of anyone save Thyself, and shield and protect my soul from corrupt inclinations and satanic qualities, that my spirit may commune with the breaths of holiness and fast from the mention of all else besides Thee."

It is necessary for the rich to think of the poor during the month of Ramadan.

It behoveth the people of Baha, throughout these days, to provide good cheer for themselves, their kindred and, beyond them, the poor and needy, and with joy and exultation to hail and glorify their Lord, to sing His praise and magnify His Name; and when they end --these days of giving that precede the season of restraint--let them enter upon the Fast. Thus hath it been ordained by Him Who is the Lord of all mankind. The traveller, the ailing, those who are with child or giving suck, are not bound by the Fast; they have been exempted by God as a token of His grace.

… Abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sundown, and beware lest desire deprive you of this grace that is appointed in the Book.

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

Verily I say, fasting and prayer have a great station before God, but their excellence exists in time of health, and when weakness comes, observance thereof is not permitted.

Some people lay stress on fasting. They affirm that in augmenting the weakness of the body they develop a spiritual sensibility and thus they think to approach God.

Weakening one's self physically does not necessarily contribute to spiritual progress.

Although fasting is outwardly difficult and toilsome, inwardly it is a blessing and comfort. Refinement and training depend upon spiritual exercises - such spiritual exercises as are in accordance with the Book of God and are permitted by religious law, not those wherewith certain deluded ones have afflicted the people.

In the Prayer of Fasting We have revealed: “Should Thy Will decree that out of Thy mouth these words proceed and be addressed unto them, ‘Observe, for My Beauty’s sake, the fast, O people, and set no limit to its duration,’ I swear by the majesty of Thy glory, that every one of them will faithfully observe it, will abstain from whatsoever will violate Thy law, and will continue to do so until they yield up their souls unto Thee.”

We have fasted by His command and broken our fast by His leave, and He has completed for us the two flowing bounties - the bounty of fasting and the table of breaking fast.

We have observed the Fast in conformity with Thy bidding and break it now through Thy love and Thy good-pleasure.

Fasting is a symbol. Fasting signifies abstinence from lust. Physical fasting is a symbol of that abstinence, and is a reminder; that is, just 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 is conducive to the mindfulness and heedfulness of man. its ulterior wisdom is the sanctification of the soul from carnal and physical appetites. Fasting energizes and sharpens the spiritual consciousness and cleanses the hearts from the worldly desires.

… These higher reasons of fasting are now completely forgotten. It has become only a habit; a custom, handed down from Ancestors and forefathers. In reality they are not fasting; they are keeping up a dead institution. Fasting is like a lamp. What is a lamp for? It is a chimney for the protection of the light. If there is no light in the glass; what use is there for it? Now these people are constantly cleaning the glass and are not thinking of the light.

These are the days of fasting, when the dawning-place of the manifestations of the grace of the Lord of all beings decreases the carnal and increases the spiritual. It transforms base desire into guidance and cruelty into faithfulness. For the training of the soul it is the most potent remedy and the greatest medicine. Within it are concealed wisdoms and hidden benefits.

These are, O my Lord, the days in which Thou hast bidden Thy servants to observe the fast. Blessed is he that observeth the fast wholly for Thy sake and with absolute detachment from all things except Thee. Assist me and assist them, O my Lord, to obey Thee and to keep Thy precepts.

These are the days whereon Thou hast enjoined Thy chosen ones, Thy loved ones and Thy servants to observe the Fast, which Thou hast made a light unto the people of Thy kingdom, even as Thou didst make obligatory prayer a ladder of ascent unto those who acknowledge Thy unity.

Cling firmly to obligatory prayer and fasting. Verily, the religion of God is like unto heaven; fasting is its sun, and obligatory prayer is its moon. In truth, they are the pillars of religion whereby the righteous are distinguished from those who transgress His commandments.

The traditions established the fact that in all Dispensations the law of prayer hath constituted a fundamental element of the Revelation of all the Prophets of God -- a law the form and the manner of which hath been adapted to the varying requirements of every age.

… And as the sun and moon constitute the brightest and most prominent luminaries in the heavens, similarly in the heaven of the religion of God two shining orbs have been ordained -- fasting and prayer.

The days of fasting have arrived wherein those servants who circle round Thy throne and have attained Thy presence have fasted.

Be constant in prayer and mindful in fasting. Day and night occupy yourselves with devotion, supplication and prayer, especially at the designated time.

We, verily, have commanded all to observe the Fast in these days as a bounty on Our part, but the people remain unaware, except for those who have attained unto the purpose of God as revealed in His laws and have comprehended His wisdom that pervadeth all things visible and invisible.

Thou hast commanded that Thy servants and Thy people should fast therein and seek thereby to draw nearer unto Thee. The days and months of the year have culminated with the Fast, even as the first month began with Thy Name, Baha, that all might testify that Thou art the First and the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden, and be well assured that the glory of all names is conferred only through the glory of Thy Cause and the word expounded by Thy will and revealed through Thy purpose.

All the days have been honoured, O my God, by the arrival of the days upon which Thou hast conferred the name of Ha, each of which Thou hast made a herald and a messenger announcing unto the people the advent of the days on which Thou didst enjoin Thy creation and Thy people to observe the Fast. Thus may every soul prepare himself to behold these days and appoint a place for them in his heart and purify it by Thy Name, the Lord, for their appearance.

My God, my Fire and my Light! The days which Thou hast named the Ayyam-i-Ha in Thy Book have begun, O Thou Who art the King of names, and the fast which Thy most exalted Pen hath enjoined unto all who are in the kingdom of Thy creation to observe is approaching.

Grant, O my Lord, that the fire of Thy love and the heat produced by the fast enjoined by Thee may inflame them in Thy Cause, and make them to be occupied with Thy praise and with remembrance of Thee.

Since Thou hast adorned them, O my Lord, with the ornament of the fast prescribed by Thee, do Thou adorn them also with the ornament of Thine acceptance, through Thy grace and bountiful favor. For the doings of men are all dependent upon Thy good-pleasure, and are conditioned by Thy behest.

These are, O my God, the days whereon Thou didst enjoin Thy servants to observe the fast. With it Thou didst adorn the preamble of the Book of Thy Laws revealed unto Thy creatures, and didst deck forth the Repositories of Thy commandments in the sight of all who are in Thy heaven and all who are on Thy earth. Thou hast endowed every hour of these days with a special virtue, inscrutable to all except Thee, Whose knowledge embraceth all created things.

The nineteen-day fast is a duty to be observed by all. All should abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. This fast is conducive to the spiritual development of the individual.

The limits of travel have been fixed at nine hours in the Book of God - that is, from the place of departure to the intended destination should be nine hours, then the law of fasting is lifted.

Should the traveller stop in a place, anticipating that he will stay there for no less than one month by the Bayan reckoning, it is incumbent on him to keep the Fast; but if for less than one month, he is exempt from fasting. If he arriveth during the Fast at a place where he is to stay one month according to the Bayan, he should not observe the Fast till three days have elapsed, thereafter keeping it throughout the remainder of its course; but if he come to his home, where he hath heretofore been permanently resident, he must commence his fast upon the first day after his arrival.

Furthermore, regarding what was asked about the limit of travel for those who fast - the limit has been set at nine hours. If a traveler arrives in a place and intends to stay, it is permissible to fast for three days, but not before; thereafter he may fast. If he arrives in his hometown and it is during the days of fasting, he must fast. If a traveler has been traveling during the days of fasting, he need not make up for what he missed - that is, he need not fast in compensation. God hath pardoned him as a bounty from His presence.

A traveler must not abstain except after My permission. Say: Eat and drink in enjoyment.

QUESTION: Some of the friends in America say that the Fast is not to be observed now but in the future.

'ABDUL-BAHA: In places where it will be the cause of trouble, such as in Bokhara or Afghanistan, or in some of the towns in Persia, the Fast cannot be kept. In these places if the friends fast it will be the cause of trouble, people will rise against them. But in those places where there is safety and security it should be kept. I fasted sixty years-the first one who fasted was I.

QUESTION: In a family where it is difficult, should one attempt to keep the Fast?

'ABDUL-BAHA: Difficulty is not a preventative. But if fasting gives rise to inharmony it is injurious.

The subject of the 19 day Fast was spoken of; this is the fast from March 2nd to the 20th of March. Mrs. Frankland said it seemed to her as though Abdul-Baha laughed down his sleeve at them all the time they talked about this subject, as He thinks so little of fasting while we make so much of it. Some one asked should one fast when it was so inconvenient to do so, that is, get up early before probably the rest of the family were around, and Abdul-Baha said 'what is a little inconvenience?' He said ALL SHOULD FAST. When told that it had been said that 45 was the age limit, He smiled at them and said there was no limit and when pushed for an answer said 70 years was the limit. He said nothing should pass the lips from sunrise to sundown."

Observe thou the paths of fasting as ordained by thy Lord: from the first day of obligation in each month, fast for ten days when thou hast reached thirty years of age. When thou hast attained this station, fast half the month until thy survival reaches forty years. When thou hast attained this age, fast three days each month - the twenty-fifth day and the middle fourth day - until thou hast reached fifty years.

I have explained the ruling about what emerges from the chest to the mouth during fasting - that he should expel it from his mouth, and it is not valid if he was deliberate in his action. Thou forgiveth those who cannot control themselves, for Thou art Kind and Merciful to the believers.

God hath prescribed fasting for you during nineteen days, as ordained in the Bayan, that ye might not transgress. Fear ye God and observe ye the fast in the Most Great Month of God, then believe in God and His signs.

The laws of fasting and prayer as revealed have not been changed, but wisdom is necessary. Hitherto, most have acted in accordance with the laws of the Qur'an. Were something entirely different to suddenly appear before the people, great discord would arise and none would draw nigh to hear the Word of God.

Concerning what you wrote about the Fast - the Fast remains as it was, that is, the Fast of the Bayan, as explicitly mentioned in the Kitab-i-Aqdas. … Regarding what they have heard about the Fast of Ramadan in this land - since some of the friends acted unwisely and the heedless and antagonists became aware of it, therefore, as a matter of wisdom, the command was sent down from the heaven of the Ancient One to observe the Fast of Ramadan, lest the clamor of the heedless be raised. In all circumstances wisdom must be observed, even as the True One Himself, exalted be His glory, would attend the mosque in Iraq and likewise visit Kazimayn before the Cause was proclaimed. Prior to the proclamation of the Cause, it is necessary to hold fast to that which draweth people near, for were people to become fully informed and aware, a greater separation would occur and none would then draw nigh to hear the Word of God and hold fast to the straight path.

These days are the days of Baha'i fasting but the Blessed Perfection has commanded us not to keep it in Turkey, so instead of this we keep the fast of Ramazan. For the present this is in accord with wisdom. As we keep the latter, the former is left aside... My highest longing is to keep this fast, but wisdom must be considered. However in other parts of the world the believers should keep the Baha'i fasting. The time will also come for his country. Through this fast great spirituality is obtained and joy and fragrance realized.

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Today is the last day of the month of Ramadan, and a number of people have attained to deeds for the sake of God. For fasting there are stations and ranks, and effects and fruits beyond counting. Blessed are they who have attained. This deed is obligatory in prison, a wisdom from Our presence, and I am the Commander, the All-Wise.

On this day, which is the first day of the blessed Ramadan, the Wronged One is fasting.

O Ramadan! The blessed Ramadan draweth nigh, and the people of Baha in this prison shall fast.

This night is among the nights of the blessed month of Ramadan. Wisdom has necessitated that We observe the fast.

Therefore, O ye beloved of God! Now the time has come that in order to show thankfulness for this Gift, ye may arise to perform that which is incumbent upon you, and to observe the Laws of the Religion of God. Offer prayers before the Threshold of Oneness in the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar (Baha'i Temple of Worship), beseech and supplicate to God and engage in glorification and praise, keep the fast in the month of fasting and be awake during its nights—but all this should be observed with the utmost wisdom, and not in such a manner as might lead to the complaint and lamentation of the ignorant.

Similarly, prayer and fasting are among the greatest obligations of this holy Dispensation. If anyone interprets them away or is negligent, it is absolutely necessary to avoid such souls. Otherwise, a great weakness will result in the religion of God.

And among these is the law of fasting which hath dawned forth from the horizon of Thy Will and descended from the heaven of Thy Purpose, and which Thou didst ordain for them that have turned unto the court of Thy manifestation and answered Thy most sweet call when it was raised betwixt earth and heaven.

...Be not neglectful of obligatory prayer and fasting. He who faileth to observe them hath not been nor will ever be acceptable in the sight of God. Follow ye wisdom under all conditions. He, verily, hath bidden all to observe that which hath been and will be of profit to them. He, in truth, is the All-Sufficing, the Most High....

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He, verily, is the One Who commandeth, the All-Knowing. They who circle round the Throne, and they who believed in Him when He was established upon His mighty throne, have observed the Fast. Blessed are they who follow the commandments of God - they, verily, are in an exalted station.

And We have ordained obligatory prayer and fasting so that all may by these means draw nigh unto God, the Most Powerful, the Well-Beloved. We have written down these two laws and expounded every irrevocable decree. We have forbidden men from following whatsoever might cause them to stray from the Truth, and have commanded them to observe that which will draw them nearer unto Him Who is the Almighty, the All-Loving.

O ye flock of the Lord of glory! Blessed are they who have observed the fast during its appointed month, who have gathered together in perfect unity and harmony, have freed themselves from the insinuations of doubt and stood firm in the Covenant, have been graciously enabled to promote the Cause of God, and have arisen with utter self-abnegation for love of Baha'u'llah.

We beseech the Lord of existence to aid them to observe the fast and prayer in this blessed month.

In this blessed month the friends in this land have attained to the honor of true fasting, inasmuch as they have, for the sake of God, performed that which was enjoined upon them. They fast during the day and arise for prayer during the night.

These are the days of fasting, formerly designated as the Month of God. We beseech the True One to aid all to observe that which hath been revealed in the Book by the Most Exalted Pen.

O Lord! This is a Day wherein the Sun of Thy Cause hath shone forth from the heaven of Thy wisdom and Thou hast commanded all who have turned to Thee to fast out of love for Thy Beauty.

O Lord! He hath hastened unto Thy good-pleasure and observed the fast out of love for Thee and in conformity with Thy command.

This Wronged One and those who accept Him in this land hold fast to the strong cord of fasting and prayer and the deeds mentioned in the Book.

Be firm in the worship of God, fasting, praying, imploring and invoking unto thy God, the Generous; so that He shall destine to thee the honor of sacrifice in the path of thy Beloved, the Ancient.

Praise be to God! Although these days are blessed days when fasting is among the binding divine ordinances, and weakness and lassitude are human traits, yet His grace hath bestowed bounties and favors. His Word is not weakened by fasting, nor doth abstinence prevent His work.

Further, this servant knows not what to submit and what to mention - whether to complain about the fast or express satisfaction. If we say we were and are satisfied with it, it is observed to have become a barrier and cause of prevention, and the reason for separation and remoteness which has ever been detested. And if we mention anything less than good, this would be counted among real transgressions, for it has been and remains among the greatest bounties with God, the Lord of Names.

O Lord! This is a day wherein I behold that the very essence of fasting hath fasted out of longing for Thy Cause, having tasted the sweetness of Thy call which was raised from Thy most exalted station and Thy most resplendent horizon.

O thou who art attracted by the fragrances of God! The month of fasting has advanced with its overwhelming armies and charging forces, and all parties are routed.

These are the days of farewell, and grief hath seized the people of God, for the Fast, which was the cause of refinement and the means of reformation and spirituality of souls, hath come to an end.

All praise be unto God, Who hath revealed the law of obligatory prayer as a reminder to His servants, and enjoined on them the Fast that those possessed of means may become apprised of the woes and sufferings of the destitute....

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Obligatory prayer is a duty and compulsory for all. We must exhort all to fasting and prayer as they are a ladder for the ascent of the souls, a key to the heart of the faithful, the water of life in the paradise of Ridvan, and an injunction revealed by the All-Merciful. Their neglect is in no wise permitted.

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"May I ask what the fasting of the mind is?" Confucious said, "Make your will one! Don't listen with your ears, listen with your mind. No, don't listen with your mind, but listen with your spirit. Listening stops with the ears, the mind stops with recognition, but spirit is empty and waits on all things. The Way gathers in emptiness alone. Emptiness is the fasting of the mind."

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It essentially a period of meditation and prayer, of spiritual recuperation, during which the believer must strive to make the necessary readjustments in his inner life, and to refresh and reinvigorate the spiritual forces latent in his soul. Its significance and purpose are, therefore, fundamentally spiritual in character. Fasting is symbolic, and a reminder of abstinence from selfish and carnal desires.

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