Definition
Bahá'u'lláh established the guidelines of the fast in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, his book of laws. Fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset during the Bahá'í month of `Ala' (between March 2nd through March 20th) and it is the complete abstention from food, drink and smoking. Observing the fast is an individual obligation, and is binding on all Bahá'ís who have reached the age 15 until the age of 70; it is not enforceable by the Bahá'í administrative institutions. Various exemptions are given to the sick, the travelling, and others (see below).
While Bahá'ís are allowed to fast at other times during the year, fasting at other times is not encouraged and is rarely done; Bahá'u'lláh permitted the making of vows to fast, which was a Muslim practice, but he stated that he preferred that such vows be "directed to such objectives as will profit mankind."
Read more about this topic: Nineteen Day Fast
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