Hi there guys. I love coming back to this site and learn lots about the Bahai Faith. When you Fast, do you eat and drink nothing at all? That's only during the day right? What about night? You do drink and eat? or just drink? Thanks and i envy the courage! Peace.

Interesting article about the bahai faith but, I don't really think I can do it. Fast for nineteen days. I think the longest I've ever gone was like 3 days. I respect all those who do it.

Interesting article about the bahai faith

How does one go so long on a fast? I can't even go 3 days with out eating. I applaud you all.

The practise with Baha'i and Muslim fasting is to have a substantial breakfast before dawn and then have supper after sunset. The total amount of food isn't redused that much, but none of it is in daylight hours.

I stumbled across this acticle and have been hooked on learning about Baha'i faith and fasting ever since. Thank you so much for this well written article!

I just came across this article and I must say it is very interesting about the bahai faith.

I would be interested in the astronomical implications of using a calendar with 19 months of 19 days each, in Baha'i teaching. I wish I knew more regarding these areas, they should be subject to better promotion.

I just became aware of the doctrines of the Bahai faith and I could say that they are the guiding light for the spiritual self of an individual. But going for nineteen days of fasting will involve sheer determination though. 

Just wanna let you know that Baha'i calendar can be easily accessed via your Firefox browser. I just bookmark the Bahai Calendar plugin, and here is the link https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/8526

This is a very useful article. thanx

There is lots of practice for fasting around the globe. Fasting is spiritual and many have the belief this works out well purifying the soul. I have never heard about the Baha'is people and their calendar have the different days. Well nice to hear about this topic, it is really interesting. Thank you Thonosn for providing the link for Baha'is calendar. Cheers :) regards, Royal

Hi, Accidently came accross your post, just wanted to leave a message that I did not know thatthere was any other faith on the world that fasted for prolonged periods of time apart from the muslim faith during Ramadan, but it was good to learn this that others faiths do this as well for spiritual strength.

Thank you very much for the excellent and useful subject.

I am not a member of the Bahai faith but I do know that fasting can be good for purifying the soul. It can be difficult to undertake but the end result is quite rewarding.

Is there any holy day calendar available online for this religion? The christian calendars are very easy to find, I cannot say the same about some other religions. I think it would be an interesting idea for somebody to come up with the idea of centralizing all religious calendars into one single big calendar. Have you guys ever thought about that?

It is so nice to hear of the interest so many people have in the Baha'i faith!!! :) I have been Baha'i for just over a year and this will be my first time fasting! I wonder how I'll go! One of my friends who has been Baha'i for a long time said that he finds this the most powerful part of the year - what he learns during this time keeps him going for the rest of the year! It sounds like a very good way to build up determination, perseverence, detachment and obedience. Hope all the non-Baha'i readers keep reading more about the Baha'i faith - follow your heart and investigate the truth for yourself! And don't worry if, if you do start to become more interested, that you seem to find some obstacles coming up...these are tests and are part of the journey of search. Love to you all

Today was my first time and first day of fasting. It wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. The real benfit is spiritual. After breakfast I did my obligatory prayers and an additional prayer for fasting. Went about my day. At noon, my noon obligatory prayer and an aditional prayer for fasting. Went about my day. I meditated with the help of a prayer tape by the renowned Singer/Songwriter Farideh Motlagh. It was most enlightening. Soon I will end my day with a nice meal and my last prayer before retireing. By skipping the noon meal and having no drink all day it really lets me know that God is there. And this is my way of showing God that I care. As I feel right now religious fasting will forever be a part of my life.

Hi Everyone, This is my 4th year as a Bahai and the Fast gets easier each year. Going from Sunrise to Sunset without eating and drinking is not that hard. It makes you realize how our physical bodies are so demanding. It also makes you realize what hunger and thirst feels like and that millions of people on this planet live with this pain everyday. I do believe we are spiritual beings living in material bodies. The fast makes us connect to that spiritial side when we spend more time in prayer and meditation. Finding the Bahai Faith has changed my life to one of celebration and joy. One humanity, One God, One Religion. I wish all people would at least investigate this Faith. It makes so much sense and could be a chance for all mankind to bring about peace.

Fasting and Prayers are two mightiest pillars of the Bahai Faith. This year is of special significance as I'm fasting at my parent's home. They are very respectful of my spiritual choice and it is a bounty to be involved Spiritual progress of one's own self (disciplining for the soul). Baha'i fast according Baha'u'llah (the founder of the Baha'i Faith) was adopted from the Fast done by the Bab, the fore-runner of Baha'u'llah. In the book written by Bab (Both in Persian and Arabic) he mentions about the Fast to be done in the last month of 'Ala (Loftiness) which is from March 2nd to March 20th in the Gregorian Calendar. It makes sense to me personally after investigation that if we fast in summer, the days are long (in most parts of the world) and in winter it is short. Considering the astronomical significance of the Vernal Equinox, where day and night are equal, Baha'i Fast is around this time where we fast for almost 12 hours. For more information please read http://bahai-library.com/encyclopedia/fasting.html

Baha'i has some common things in common with mormonism. They fast as well.

It sounds like a very good way to build up determination, perseverance, detachment and obedience. Hope all the non-Baha'i readers keep reading more about the Baha'i faith - follow your heart and investigate the truth for yourself!

What is the significance behind such fasting? In other words, relevance towards this holiday? Perhaps in my thoughts to what I think I can comprehend, to bring us back to awareness, back to humanity, to remind us of hunger, of sacrifice, gratitude, not taking things for granted and to awaken us to the act of being, to know that we are drinking, to know that we are eating? Mainly, to bring us in touch with humanity, to awaken into our sense of being and then to share that with the world? Any thoughts? I am deeply researching this faith, curious to understand and learn the purpose and faith.

I am not sure of the spiritual benefits of fasting but the disadvantages of fasting, from a medical stand point, far outweigh the advantages. A good article is found on: http://www.healthmedicalarticles.com/the-dangers-of-fasting/ If you have any form of heart disease or history of difficulties with your kidney, liver, spleen, gastro-intestinal system, or if you have any other health conditions or if you are taking any medications at all, be sure to talk to your physician or primary health care provider before embarking on a fasting effort. You must be aware that fasting can kill or lead to long term and irreversible damage to various organs in the body.