A Compilaton on Women Part 9

It is enjoined upon every one of you to engage in some form of occupation, such as crafts, trades and the like. We have graciously exalted your engagement in such work to the rank of wors.h.i.+p unto G.o.d, the True One.

Ponder ye in your hearts the grace and the blessings of G.o.d and render thanks unto Him at eventide and at dawn. Waste not your time in idleness and sloth. Occupy yourselves with that which profiteth yourselves and others. Thus hath it been decreed in this Tablet from whose horizon the day-star of wisdom and utterance s.h.i.+neth resplendent.

The most despised of men in the sight of G.o.d are those who sit idly and beg. Hold ye fast unto the cord of material means, placing your whole trust in G.o.d, the Provider of all means. When anyone occupieth himself in a craft or trade, such occupation itself is regarded in the estimation of G.o.d as an act of wors.h.i.+p; and this is naught but a token of His infinite and all-pervasive bounty.

("Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas" [rev. ed.], (Haifa: Baha'i World Centre, 1982), p. 26) [76]

Extracts From the Writings and Utterances of 'Abdu'l-Baha:

77: The handmaidens of G.o.d and the bondsmaids in His divine Court should...

The handmaidens of G.o.d and the bondsmaids in His divine Court should reveal such attributes and att.i.tudes amongst the women of the world as would cause them to stand out and achieve renown in the circles of women.

That is, they should a.s.sociate with them with supreme chast.i.ty and steadfast decency, with unshakeable faith, articulate speech, an eloquent tongue, irrefutable testimony and high resolve. Beseech G.o.d that thou mayest attain unto all these bounties.

(From a Tablet - translated from the Persian) [77]

78: Until the reality of equality between man and woman is fully established and...

Until the reality of equality between man and woman is fully established and attained, the highest social development of mankind is not possible.

Even granted that woman is inferior to man in some degree of capacity or accomplishment, this or any other distinction would continue to be productive of discord and trouble. The only remedy is education, opportunity; for equality means equal qualification....

And let it be known once more that until woman and man recognize and realize equality, social and political progress here or anywhere will not be possible....

("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912", pp. 7677) [78]

79: ...the principle of religion has been revealed by Baha'u'llah that woman...

...the principle of religion has been revealed by Baha'u'llah that woman must be given the privilege of equal education with man and full right to his prerogatives. That is to say, there must be no difference in the education of male and female in order that womankind may develop equal capacity and importance with man in the social and economic equation. Then the world will attain unity and harmony. In past ages humanity has been defective and inefficient because it has been incomplete. War and its ravages have blighted the world; the education of woman will be a mighty step toward its abolition and ending, for she will use her whole influence against war. Woman rears the child and educates the youth to maturity. She will refuse to give her sons for sacrifice upon the field of battle. In truth, she will be the greatest factor in establis.h.i.+ng universal peace and international arbitration. a.s.suredly, woman will abolish warfare among mankind....

("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912", p. 108) [79]

80: Again, it is well established in history that where woman has not...

Again, it is well established in history that where woman has not partic.i.p.ated in human affairs the outcomes have never attained a state of completion and perfection. On the other hand, every influential undertaking of the human world wherein woman has been a partic.i.p.ant has attained importance. This is historically true and beyond disproof even in religion. Jesus Christ had twelve disciples and among His followers a woman known as Mary Magdalene. Judas Iscariot had become a traitor and hypocrite, and after the crucifixion the remaining eleven disciples were wavering and undecided. It is certain from the evidence of the Gospels that the one who comforted them and reestablished their faith was Mary Magdalene.

The most momentous question of this day is international peace and arbitration, and universal peace is impossible without universal suffrage....

("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912", p. 134) [80]

81: Question: Is it not a fact that universal peace cannot be accomplished...

Question: Is it not a fact that universal peace cannot be accomplished until there is political democracy in all the countries of the world?

Answer: It is very evident that in the future there shall be no centralization in the countries of the world, be they const.i.tutional in government, republican or democratic in form. The United States may be held up as the example of future government-that is to say, each province will be independent in itself, but there will be federal union protecting the interests of the various independent states. It may not be a republican or a democratic form. To cast aside centralization which promotes despotism is the exigency of the time. This will be productive of international peace. Another fact of equal importance in bringing about international peace is woman's suffrage. That is to say, when perfect equality shall be established between men and women, peace may be realized for the simple reason that womankind in general will never favor warfare.

Women will not be willing to allow those whom they have so tenderly cared for to go to the battlefield. When they shall have a vote, they will oppose any cause of warfare. Another factor which will bring about universal peace is the linking together of the Orient and the Occident.

("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912", p. 167) [81]

82: When all mankind shall receive the same opportunity of education and the...

When all mankind shall receive the same opportunity of education and the equality of men and women be realized, the foundations of war will be utterly destroyed. Without equality this will be impossible because all differences and distinction are conducive to discord and strife. Equality between men and women is conducive to the abolition of warfare for the reason that women will never be willing to sanction it....

("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912", p. 175) [82]

84: Woman must especially devote her energies and abilities toward the industrial...

Woman must especially devote her energies and abilities toward the industrial and agricultural sciences, seeking to a.s.sist mankind in that which is most needful. By this means she will demonstrate capability and ensure recognition of equality in the social and economic equation....

("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912", p. 283) [84]

85: Therefore, strive to show in the human world that women are most capable...

Therefore, strive to show in the human world that women are most capable and efficient, that their hearts are more tender and susceptible than the hearts of men, that they are more philanthropic and responsive toward the needy and suffering, that they are inflexibly opposed to war and are lovers of peace. Strive that the ideal of international peace may become realized through the efforts of womankind, for man is more inclined to war than woman, and a real evidence of woman's superiority will be her service and efficiency in the establishment of universal peace.

("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912", p. 284) [85]

86: ...imbued with the same virtues as man, rising through all the degrees of human...