A letter which was
signed by you in general was received. Its content was of the utmost beauty,
sweetness, eloquence and perfection. While reading it the utmost happiness was
produced. It spoke of fasting during the month of the Fast. Happy is your
condition for you have executed the divine command; and have arisen to fast in
these blessed days. For this physical fasting is a symbol of the spiritual
fasting, that is, abstaining from all carnal desires, becoming characterized
with the attributes of the spiritual ones, attracted to the heavenly fragrances
and enkindled with the fire of the love of God.
- ‘Abdu'l-Baha (Tablets of
Abdu'l-Baha vol. 1)