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Abstract:
A summary of the laws and principles of the Fast.
Crossreferences:
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The Purpose of Fasting
“This material fast is an outer token of the spiritual fast; it is a symbol of self-restraint, the withholding of oneself from all appetites of the self, taking on the characteristics of the spirit, being carried away by the breathings of heaven and catching fire from the love of God.”General
· No food and drink may be taken between sunrise and sunset. This is approximately 12 hours at this time of year. This also means no smoking between these times. In places near the Arctic and Antarctic circles, clocks are used to measure the day instead of using the sun. · Bahá’ís should keep the Fast from the age of maturity, which is 15. After the age of 70 they need not fast.
“The law of the Fast is ordained for those who are sound and healthy; as to those who are ill or debilitated, this law hath never been nor is now applicable.”
· A journey is the whole period of travel, from leaving one place until arriving at the destination, it is not just the time spent in a car, train, boat, plane, etc. · Those who are travelling on foot need not fast, if the journey is longer than 2 hours. · If a traveller arrives at a place during the Fast, and is going to stay there for at least 19 days, he or she should fast following the first 3 days after arrival. · If a traveller stays in one place for less than 19 days, he or she need not keep the Fast during that time. · Travellers who reach home during the Fast should start fasting from the day after they arrive.
· Women need not fast during a period, provided that each day they perform their ablutions (washing of the hands and face) and repeat 95 times “Glorified be God, the Lord of Splendour and Beauty”. In this case a day means between one noon and the next. The day of the spring equinox which signals the end of the Fast is a Holy Day for Bahá'ís. This is the first day of the new year and is known as Naw-Rúz. It is a time of celebration, of starting the new year spiritually refreshed. “We have enjoined upon you fasting during a brief period, and at its close have designated for you Naw-Rúz as a feast.” The text of all these leaflets remains the copyright of Warwick Bahá'í Bookshop. The Bookshop is happy for people to download individual copies for their own purposes. Printed copies can be purchased from the Warwick Bookshop. Individuals or communities wishing to translate or print these leaflets in other countries please contact the Bookshop for permission. |
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