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Is the Nineteen Day Feast Really from Baha'u'llah?

 


Why do we have a NDF (Nineteen Day Feast) every month? Is this really from the teachings of Baha'u'llah, or was it later introduced by the Administration to maintain control over the Baha'is, collect funds and just meet to submit to the orders of the administrative bodies? Just asking for your thoughts on this.

Answer:

Dear friend,

Allah'u'Abha!

Baha'u'llah does indeed speak about regular gathering, but His instruction is far simpler and far more spiritual than what exists today. In the Kitab-i-Aqdas, He writes:

"Hospitality has been prescribed (as an obligation), once every month, even though it be with water only. God desired to bring hearts together even, if necessary, it be by the causes of heavens and earth."
-Kitab-i-Aqdas

This passage speaks of hospitality, not administration. It speaks of hearts coming together, not attendance being tracked. It speaks of simplicity, not structured agendas, reports, consultations, or announcements.

What Baha'u'llah envisioned was a natural, loving gathering where believers meet as equals, share kindness, and strengthen bonds. The modern Nineteen Day Feast, however, has become institutionalized. In many places it feels compulsory, scripted, and controlled. Believers often feel observed rather than welcomed, evaluated rather than embraced.

This transformation did not come from the Writings. It came from administrative expansion. Free Baha'is believe that when a spiritual instruction is turned into a mechanism of oversight, it loses its purpose. Unity cannot be enforced. Love cannot be scheduled. Hearts only come together freely.

Let us remember: Baha'u'llah never asked for our money. He asked for our hearts.

Hope that answers your question.

With warm regards,

Team Free Baha'is

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