A Compilaton on Women Part 7

O ye loving mothers, know ye that in G.o.d's sight, the best of all ways to wors.h.i.+p Him is to educate the children and train them in all the perfections of humankind; and no n.o.bler deed than this can be imagined.

("Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha", sec. 144, p. 139) [58]

59: Note ye how easily, where unity existeth in a given family, the affairs of...

Note ye how easily, where unity existeth in a given family, the affairs of that family are conducted; what progress the members of that family make, how they prosper in the world. Their concerns are in order, they enjoy comfort and tranquillity, they are secure, their position is a.s.sured, they come to be envied by all. Such a family but addeth to its stature and its lasting honour, as day succeedeth day....

("Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha", sec. 221, p. 279) [59]

60: You have asked whether a husband would be able to prevent his wife from...

You have asked whether a husband would be able to prevent his wife from embracing the divine light or a wife dissuade her husband from gaining entry into the Kingdom of G.o.d. In truth neither of them could prevent the other from entering into the Kingdom, unless the husband hath an excessive attachment to the wife or the wife to the husband. Indeed when either of the two wors.h.i.+ppeth the other to the exclusion of G.o.d, then each could prevent the other from seeking admittance into His Kingdom.

(From a Tablet - Translated from the Arabic, published in "Family Life, a compilation", p. 8) [60]

61: Question: What is the att.i.tude of your belief toward the family?...

Question: What is the att.i.tude of your belief toward the family?

Answer: According to the teachings of Baha'u'llah the family, being a human unit, must be educated according to the rules of sanct.i.ty. All the virtues must be taught the family. The integrity of the family bond must be constantly considered, and the rights of the individual members must not be transgressed. The rights of the son, the father, the mother-none of them must be transgressed, none of them must be arbitrary. Just as the son has certain obligations to his father, the father, likewise, has certain obligations to his son. The mother, the sister and other members of the household have their certain prerogatives. All these rights and prerogatives must be conserved, yet the unity of the family must be sustained. The injury of one shall be considered the injury of all; the comfort of each, the comfort of all; the honor of one, the honor of all.

("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912", p. 168) [61]

Extracts From letters written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to individual believers unless otherwise cited

62: When such difference of opinion and belief occurs between husband and wife it...

When such difference of opinion and belief occurs between husband and wife it is very unfortunate for undoubtedly it detracts from that spiritual bond which is the stronghold of the family bond, especially in times of difficulty. The way, however, that it could be remedied is not by acting in such wise as to alienate the other party. One of the objects of the Cause is actually to bring about a closer bond in the homes. In all such cases, therefore, the Master used to advise obedience to the wishes of the other party and prayer. Pray that your husband may gradually see the light and at the same time so act as to draw him nearer rather than prejudice him. Once that harmony is secured then you will be able to serve unhampered.

(15 July 1928) [62]

63: Shoghi Effendi trusts that as a result of his cable and this letter your...

Shoghi Effendi trusts that as a result of his cable and this letter your wife will be able to devote a little more time to her family, but he also hopes that you will be able to a.s.sist her in obtaining the time and opportunity to serve a Cause that is so dear and near to her heart and in which her services are much appreciated.

(19 June 1931) [63]

64: The Guardian, in his remarks ... about parents' and children's, wives'

and...

The Guardian, in his remarks ... about parents' and children's, wives' and husbands' relations in America, meant that there is a tendency in that country for children to be too independent of the wishes of their parents and lacking in the respect due to them. Also wives, in some cases, have a tendency to exert an unjust degree of domination over their husbands, which, of course, is not right, any more than that the husband should unjustly dominate his wife.

(22 July 1943) [64]

65: It is one of the essential teachings of the Faith that unity should be...

It is one of the essential teachings of the Faith that unity should be maintained in the home. Of course this does not mean that any member of the family has a right to influence the faith of any other member; and if this is realized by all the members, then it seems certain that unity would be feasible.

(6 July 1952) [65]

66: The Guardian fully appreciates your desire to go forth as a pioneer at...

The Guardian fully appreciates your desire to go forth as a pioneer at this time, and to help establish the Faith in the virgin areas, but you should not go against the wishes of your husband, and force him to give up everything in order that you might serve the Faith in this manner. We must bear in mind the wishes and the rights of those who are closely connected in our lives.

If your husband wishes you to remain where you are, certainly there is a vast field for teaching there....

(31 July 1953) [66]

67: Wherever there is a Baha'i family, those concerned should by all means...

Wherever there is a Baha'i family, those concerned should by all means do all they can to preserve it, because divorce is strongly condemned in the Teachings, whereas harmony, unity and love are held up as the highest ideals in human relations.h.i.+ps. This must always apply to the Baha'is, whether they are serving in the pioneering field or not.

(9 November 1956 to the National Spiritual a.s.sembly of Central America) [67]