For the next 19 days, your Bahá'í friends may not be joining you for lunch. Between the 2nd and the 20th of March, Bahá'ís in the Gorge and around the world will be fasting, neither eating nor drinking between sunrise and sunset each day.
The Bahá'í month of fasting was prescribed in Bahá'u'lláh's "Most Holy Book," the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, which contains the laws of the Bahá'í Faith. The observance of the Fast is one of the most important religious duties of any Bahá'í. The Fast is considered "one of the pillars of the religion of God," with "innumerable effects and benefits." Some of these effects are specifically mentioned in the Bahá'í texts:
- "the supreme remedy and the most great healing for the disease of self and passion."
- "that those possessed of means may become apprised of the woes and sufferings of the destitute."
- "a symbol of the spiritual fast ... the cleansing of the soul from all selfish desires, the acquisition of spiritual attributes, attraction to the breezes of the All-Merciful, and enkindlement with the fire of divine love."
While the Fast can be difficult physically, many Bahá'ís find it to be quite fulfilling in other ways. Local Bahá'í Rene Weiler has been fasting since 1976. "When I was young it was really difficult, and I don't know why it's not anymore; I guess you get used to it. Now it just feels much more special and sacred, and it's always kind of sad when it's over." The lack of focus on food, she says, heightens a feeling of spiritual focus, and helps her to re-dedicate herself to the more important aspects of life.
For many Bahá'ís, the fast is also a time of fellowship and togetherness; families and nearby friends often gather to share meals during the Fast even if they may not do so at other times during the year. That's why one local mother hurried downstairs at 5:30 this morning. With a nursing child, she is exempt from fasting according to Bahá'í law, but she really wanted to make bacon for her fasting husband. "Even though I'm not physically fasting this year, just being up early with him at this special time, I feel like I'm a part of it."
What makes a good Fast day? Many people will tell you to eat something hearty to sustain you through the rest of the day. Oatmeal and eggs are two popular breakfast choices. For many, it is also a matter of spiritual preparation. Rene's recipe for a good Fast day starts with "getting up plenty early to have lots of time, time for lots of coffee, and sitting by the wood stove and having time for prayers. Getting up right before sunrise doesn't really work - it always happens a few times during the Fast, but it doesn't feel as good."
The Fast is not just for Bahá'ís; in fact, Bahá'u'lláh mentioned that it is ordained as a bounty for all people. However, if you're thinking of joining your Bahá'í friends in the bounty of fasting, please remember a few points:
- The Fast consists of abstaining from food and drink, as well as things like smoking, between sunrise and sunset of each day.
- Doctor-prescribed medications or treatments are allowed at any time during the Fast.
- Fasting is mandatory for everyone between the ages of 15 and 70, although those outside that age range are not prohibited from fasting.
- If you have any condition under which fasting would be physically harmful or dangerous, then under Bahá'í law you are exempted from fasting. People who are weak or ill, pregnant or menstruating or breastfeeding women, and even travelers and people doing heavy labor are among those specifically exempted from fasting.
- Above all, please eat and drink when it's dark! The Fast is only from sunrise to sunset each day.
Sunrise and sunset times throughout the Columbia Gorge during the Bahá'í Fast
| Day | Stevenson, WA | Hood River, OR | The Dalles, OR | Goldendale, WA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar. 2 | 6:45a - 5:54p | 6:44a - 5:53p | 6:42a - 5:52p | 6:41a - 5:50p |
| Mar. 3 | 6:43a - 5:56p | 6:42a - 5:51p | 6:40a - 5:53p | 6:39a - 5:51p |
| Mar. 4 | 6:42a - 5:57p | 6:40a - 5:56p | 6:39a - 5:54p | 6:37a - 5:53p |
| Mar. 5 | 6:40a - 5:59p | 6:38a - 5:57p | 6:37a - 5:56p | 6:36a - 5:54p |
| Mar. 6 | 6:38a - 6:00p | 6:36a - 5:58p | 6:35a - 5:57p | 6:34a - 5:56p |
| Mar. 7 | 6:36a - 6:01p | 6:35a - 6:00p | 6:33a - 5:59p | 6:32a - 5:57p |
| Mar. 8 | 6:34a - 6:03p | 6:33a - 6:01p | 6:31a - 6:00p | 6:30a - 5:58p |
| Mar. 9 | 7:32a - 7:04p | 7:31a - 7:03p | 7:29a - 7:01p | 7:28a - 7:00p |
| Mar. 10 | 7:31a - 7:05p | 7:29a - 7:04p | 7:28a - 7:03p | 7:26a - 7:01p |
| Mar. 11 | 7:29a - 7:07p | 7:27a - 7:05p | 7:26a - 7:04p | 7:24a - 7:02p |
| Mar. 12 | 7:27a - 7:08p | 7:25a - 7:07p | 7:24a - 7:05p | 7:23a - 7:04p |
| Mar. 13 | 7:25a - 7:10p | 7:23a - 7:08p | 7:22a - 7:07p | 7:21a - 7:05p |
| Mar. 14 | 7:23a - 7:11p | 7:22a - 7:09p | 7:20a - 7:08p | 7:19a - 7:07p |
| Mar. 15 | 7:21a- 7:12p | 7:20a - 7:11p | 7:18a - 7:09p | 7:17a - 7:08p |
| Mar. 16 | 7:19a - 7:14p | 7:18a - 7:12p | 7:16a - 7:11p | 7:15a - 7:09p |
| Mar. 17 | 7:17a - 7:15p | 7:16a - 7:13p | 7:14a - 7:12p | 7:13a - 7:11p |
| Mar. 18 | 7:15a - 7:16p | 7:14a - 7:15p | 7:13a - 7:13p | 7:11a - 7:12p |
| Mar. 19 | 7:13a - 7:18p | 7:12a - 7:16p | 7:11a - 7:15p | 7:09a - 7:13p |
| Mar. 20 | 7:12a - 7:19p | 7:10a - 7:17p | 7:09a - 7:16p | 7:07a - 7:15p |
Prayer for the first day of the Fast
This is, O my God, the first of the days on which Thou hast bidden Thy loved ones to observe the Fast. I ask of Thee by Thy Self and by him who hath fasted out of love for Thee and for Thy good-pleasure - and not out of self and desire, nor out of fear of Thy wrath - and by Thy most excellent names and august attributes, to purify Thy servants from the love of aught except Thee and to draw them nigh unto the Dawning-Place of the lights of Thy countenance and the Seat of the throne of Thy oneness. Illumine their hearts, O my God, with the light of Thy knowledge and brighten their faces with the rays of the Daystar that shineth from the horizon of Thy Will. Potent art Thou to do what pleaseth Thee. No God is there but Thee, the All-Glorious, Whose help is implored by all men.
Assist them, O my God, to render Thee victorious and to exalt Thy Word. Suffer them, then, to become as hands of Thy Cause amongst Thy servants, and make them to be revealers of Thy religion and Thy signs amongst mankind, in such wise that the whole world may be filled with Thy remembrance and praise and with Thy proofs and evidences. Thou art, verily, the All-Bounteous, the Most Exalted, the Powerful, the Mighty, and the Merciful.
-Bahá'u'lláh