The Nineteen-Day Bahá’í Fast

Introduction

Every year, millions of followers of the Bahá’í Faith, ages 15-70, embark on a 19-day spiritual journey called fasting. Bahá’u’lláh (the Prophet founder of the Bahá’í Faith) described this special time as the “season of restraint.” It is a period of reflection, prayer, meditation, and complete daily abstention from food and drink from sunrise to sunset during the period March 2 – March 20.

What Does It Mean To Fast?

“Thou hast endowed every hour of these days with a special virtue, inscrutable to all except Thee, whose knowledge embraceth all created things.”

The above quote by Bahá’u’lláh alludes to the fact that true fasting is a spiritual discipline whose hourly significance transcends merely abstaining from food and drink.

Spirituality

The term spirituality is often used but with various intended meanings. Some related directly to a higher power while others limit it to experiences that are more biologically or psychologically rooted. Some believe it should be defined as a religious construct while others feel it is related to an individual’s personal orientation about the world and their relationship with others without any metaphysical dimension.