Selections from the Bahá'í Writings on Women
From the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh
All should know, and in this regard attain the splendours of the sun of
certitude, and be illumined thereby: Women and men have been and will always
be equal in the sight of God. The Dawning-Place of the Light of God sheddeth
its radiance upon all with the same effulgence. Verily God created women for
men, and men for women. The most beloved of people before God are the most
steadfast and those who have surpassed others in their love for God, exalted be
His glory....
The friends of God must be adorned with the ornament of justice, equity,
kindness and love. As they do not allow themselves to be the object of cruelty
and transgression, in like manner they should not allow such tyranny to visit
the handmaidens of God.1 He, verily, speaketh the truth and commandeth that
which benefitteth His servants and handmaidens. He is the Protector of all in
this world and the next.2
Exalted, immensely exalted is He Who hath removed differences and
established harmony. Glorified, infinitely glorified is He Who hath caused
discord to cease, and decreed solidarity and unity. Praised be God, the Pen of
the Most High hath lifted distinctions from between His servants and
handmaidens, and, through His consummate favours and all-encompassing mercy,
hath conferred upon all a station and rank of the same plane. He hath broken
the back of vain imaginings with the sword of utterance and hath obliterated
the perils of idle fancies through the pervasive power of His
might.
3
In this Day the Hand of divine grace hath removed all distinctions. The
servants of God and His handmaidens are regarded on the same plane. Blessed is
the servant who hath attained unto that which God hath decreed, and likewise
the leaf moving in accordance with the breezes of His will.
4
This favour is
great and this station lofty. His bounties and bestowals are ever present and
manifest.
Who is able to offer befitting gratitude for His successive
bestowals and continuous favours?
5
By My Life! The names of handmaidens who are devoted to God are written
and set down by the Pen of the Most High in the Crimson Book. They excel over
men in the sight of God. How numerous are the heroes and knights in the field
who are bereft of the True One and have no share in His recognition, but thou
hast attained and received thy fill.
6
Bahá'u'lláh has envisaged that women as well as men would be breadwinners in
stating:
Everyone, whether man or woman, should hand over to a trusted
person a portion of what he or she earneth through trade,
agriculture or other occupation, for the training and education
of children...7
In this Day the Blessed Tree of Remembrance speaketh forth in the Kingdom
of Utterance saying: Well is it with the servant who hath turned his face
towards Him, and embraced His truth, and with the handmaiden who hath hearkened
to His Voice and become of the blissful. Verily, she is a champion of the
field of true understanding. To this the Tongue of Truth beareth witness from
His exalted Station.
O My leaf, blessed art thou for having responded to My call when it was
raised in the name of the True One. Thou didst recognize My Revelation when
men of renown were immersed in manifest idle fancies. Thou hast verily
attained the mercy of thy Lord time and again. Render thanks unto Him and
glorify Him with thy Praise. He is, in truth, with His handmaidens and
servants who have turned towards Him. The shining glory from the Horizon of My
Kingdom be upon thee and upon the one who hath guided thee to My straight
path.8
We beseech the True One to adorn His handmaidens with the ornament of
chastity, of trustworthiness, of righteousness and of purity. Verily, He is
the All-Bestowing, the All-Generous. We make mention of the handmaidens of God
at this time and announce unto them the glad-tidings of the tokens of the mercy
and compassion of God and His consideration for them, glorified be He, and We
supplicate Him for all His assistance to perform such deeds as are the cause of
the exaltation of His Word. He verily speaketh the truth and enjoineth upon
His servants and His handmaidens that which will profit them in every world of
His worlds. He, verily, is the All-Forgiving, the
All-Merciful.
9
From the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá
And among the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh is the equality of women and
men. The world of humanity has two wings -- one is women and the other men.
Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. Should one wing
remain weak, flight is impossible. Not until the world of women becomes equal
to the world of men in the acquisition of virtues and perfections, can success
and prosperity be attained as they ought to be.
10
Know thou, O handmaid, that in the sight of Baha, women are accounted the
same as men, and God hath created all humankind in His own image, and after His
own likeness. That is, men and women alike are the revealers of His names and
attributes, and from the spiritual viewpoint there is no difference between
them. Whosoever draweth nearer to God, that one is the most favoured, whether
man or woman. How many a handmaid, ardent and devoted, hath, within the
sheltering shade of Baha, proved superior to the men, and surpassed the
famous of the earth.
11
In this day man must investigate reality impartially and without prejudice
in order to reach the true knowledge and conclusions. What, then, constitutes
the inequality between man and woman? Both are human. In powers and function
each is the complement of the other. At most it is this: that woman has been
denied the opportunities which man has so long enjoyed, especially the
privilege of education....
The truth is that all mankind are the creatures and servants of one God,
and in His estimate all are human. Man is a generic term
applying to all
humanity. The biblical statement "Let us make man in our image, after our
likeness" does not mean that woman was not created. The image and likeness of
God apply to her as well. In Persian and Arabic there are two distinct words
translated into English as man: one meaning man and woman collectively, the
other distinguishing man as male from woman the female. The first word and its
pronoun are generic, collective; the other is restricted to the male. This is
the same in Hebrew.
To accept and observe a distinction which God has not intended in creation
is ignorance and superstition....
It is my hope that the banner of equality may be raised throughout the
five continents where as yet it is not fully recognized and established. In
this enlightened world of the West woman has advanced an immeasurable degree
beyond the women of the Orient. 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. For the world of humanity consists of two parts
or members: one is woman; the other is man. Until these two members are equal
in strength, the oneness of humanity cannot be established, and the happiness
and felicity of mankind will not be a reality. God willing, this is to be
so.12
Today questions of the utmost importance are facing humanity, questions
peculiar to this radiant century....
One of these questions concerns the rights of woman and her equality with
man. In past ages it was held that woman and man were not equal -- that is to
say, woman was considered inferior to man, even from the standpoint of her
anatomy and creation. She was considered especially inferior in intelligence,
and the idea prevailed universally that it was not allowable for her to step
into the arena of important affairs. In some countries man went so far as to
believe and teach that woman belonged to a sphere lower than human. But in
this century, which is the century of light and the revelation of mysteries,
God is proving to the satisfaction of humanity that all this is ignorance and
error; nay, rather, it is well established that mankind and womankind as parts
of composite humanity are coequal and that no difference in estimate is
allowable, for all are human. The conditions in past centuries were due to
woman's lack of opportunity. She was denied the right and privilege of
education and left in her undeveloped state. Naturally, she could not and did
not advance. In reality, God has created all mankind, and in the estimation of
God there is no distinction as to male and female. The one whose heart is pure
is acceptable in His sight, be that one man or woman. God does not inquire,
"Art thou woman or art thou man?" He judges human actions. If these are
acceptable in the threshold of the Glorious One, man and woman will be equally
recognized and rewarded.13
The status of woman in former times was exceedingly deplorable, for it was
the belief of the Orient that it was best for woman to be ignorant. It was
considered preferable that she should not know reading or writing in order that
she might not be informed of events in the world. Woman was considered to be
created for rearing children and attending to the duties of the household. If
she pursued educational courses, it was deemed contrary to chastity; hence
women were made prisoners of the household. The houses did not even have
windows opening upon the outside world. Bahá'u'lláh destroyed these ideas
and proclaimed the equality of man and woman. He made woman respected by
commanding that all women be educated, that there be no difference in the
education of the two sexes and that man and woman share the same rights. In
the estimation of God there is no distinction of sex. One whose thought is
pure, whose education is superior, whose scientific attainments are greater,
whose deeds of philanthropy excel, be that one man or woman, white or colored,
is entitled to full rights and recognition; there is no differentiation
whatsoever....
14
Woman's lack of progress and proficiency has been due to her need of equal
education and opportunity. Had she been allowed this equality, there is no
doubt she would be the counterpart of man in ability and capacity. The
happiness of mankind will be realized when women and men coordinate and advance
equally, for each is the complement and helpmeet of the
other.
15
Women have equal rights with men upon earth; in religion and society they
are a very important element. As long as women are prevented from attaining
their highest possibilities, so long will men be unable to achieve the
greatness which might be theirs.
16
In the world of humanity ... the female sex is treated as though inferior, and
is not allowed equal rights and privileges. This condition is due not to
nature, but to education. In the Divine Creation there is no such distinction.
Neither sex is superior to the other in the sight of God. Why then should one
sex assert the inferiority of the other, withholding just rights and privileges
as though God had given His authority for such a course of action? If women
received the same educational advantages as those of men, the result would
demonstrate the equality of capacity of both for scholarship.
In some respects woman is superior to man. She is more tender-hearted,
more receptive, her intuition is more intense.17
Divine Justice demands that the rights of both sexes should be equally
respected since neither is superior to the other in the eyes of Heaven.
Dignity before God depends, not on sex, but on purity and luminosity of heart.
Human virtues belong equally to all!
18
In the Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh, women are advancing side by side with
men. There is no area or instance where they will lag behind: they have equal
rights with men, and will enter, in the future, into all branches of the
administration of society. Such will be their elevation that, in every area of
endeavour, they will occupy the highest levels in the human world. Rest thou
assured. Look not upon their present state. In future, the world of womankind
will shine with lustrous brilliance, for such is the will and purpose of
Bahá'u'lláh. At the time of elections the right to vote is the inalienable
right of women, and the entrance of women into all human departments is an
irrefutable and incontrovertible question. No soul can retard or prevent it.
...His Holiness Bahá'u'lláh has greatly strengthened the cause of women, and
the rights and privileges of women is one of the greatest principles of
'Abdu'l-Bahá. Rest ye assured! Ere long the days shall come when the men
addressing the women, shall say:
'Blessed are ye! Blessed are ye!
Verily ye
are worthy of every gift. Verily ye deserve to adorn your heads with the crown
of everlasting glory, because in sciences and arts, in virtues and perfections
ye shall become equal to man, and as regards tenderness of heart and the
abundance of mercy and sympathy ye are
superior'.19
The world in the past has been ruled by force, and man has dominated over
woman by reason of his more forceful and aggressive qualities both of body and
mind. But the balance is already shifting; force is losing its dominance, and
mental alertness, intuition, and the spiritual qualities of love and service,
in which woman is strong, are gaining ascendancy. Hence the new age will be an
age less masculine and more permeated with the feminine ideals, or, to speak
more exactly, will be an age in which the masculine and feminine elements of
civilization will be more evenly balanced.
20
...it is incumbent upon the father and mother to train their children both in
good conduct and the study of books; study, that is, to the degree required, so
that no child, whether girl or boy, will remain
illiterate....
21
...it is incumbent upon the girls of this glorious era to be fully versed in
the various branches of knowledge, in sciences and the arts and all the wonders
of this pre-eminent time, that they may then educate their children and train
them from their earliest days in the ways of
perfection.
22
The purpose, in brief, is this: that if woman be fully educated and
granted her rights, she will attain the capacity for wonderful accomplishments
and prove herself the equal of man. She is the coadjutor of man, his
complement and helpmeet. Both are human; both are endowed with potentialities
of intelligence and embody the virtues of humanity. In all human powers and
functions they are partners and coequals. At present in spheres of human
activity woman does not manifest her natal prerogatives, owing to lack of
education and opportunity. Without doubt education will establish her equality
with men....
23
In proclaiming the oneness of mankind He taught that men and women are
equal in the sight of God and that there is no distinction to be made between
them. The only difference between them now is due to lack of education and
training. If woman is given equal opportunity of education, distinction and
estimate of inferiority will disappear....
He promulgated the adoption of the same course of education for man and
woman. Daughters and sons must follow the same curriculum of study, thereby
promoting unity of the sexes. 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....24
The Lord, peerless is He, hath made woman and man to abide with each other
in the closest companionship, and to be even as a single soul. They are two
helpmates, two intimate friends, who should be concerned about the welfare of
each other.
If they live thus, they will pass through this world with perfect
contentment, bliss, and peace of heart, and become the object of divine grace
and favor in the Kingdom of heaven. But if they do other than this, they will
live out their lives in great bitterness, longing at every moment for death,
and will be shamefaced in the heavenly realm.
Strive, then, to abide, heart and soul, with each other as two doves in
the nest, for this is to be blessed in both
worlds.25
Question: What is the attitude of your belief toward the family?
Answer: According to the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh the family, being a
human unit, must be educated according to the rules of sanctity. 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.26
In this wondrous Dispensation the favours of the Glorious Lord are vouchsafed
unto the handmaidens of the Merciful. Therefore, they should, like unto men,
seize the prize and excel in the field, so that it will be proven and made
manifest that the penetrative influence of the Word of God in this new
Dispensation hath caused women to be equal with men, and that in the arena of
tests they will outdo others. Therefore, the true bondsmaids of the Blessed
Beauty must be revived by the spirit of detachment, and refreshed by the
breezes of attraction. With hearts overflowing with the love of God, with
souls gladdened by the heavenly glad-tidings, and with extreme humility and
lowliness, let them speak out with eloquent speech, and praise and glorify the
Great Lord, for they are the manifestations of His bounty and adorned with the
crown of splendour.
27
- "Handmaiden" is a poetic designation given by Bahá'u'lláh to women.
"Servant" is a designation referring to men.
- From a Tablet translated from the Persian and Arabic.
- From a Tablet translated from the Persian.
- "Leaf" is a designation given by Bahá'u'lláh to the women of His family, and
in some cases to women in general.
- From a Tablet translated from the Persian and Arabic.
- From a Tablet translated from the Persian.
- Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas (Haifa: Bahá'í World Centre), p. 90.
- From a Tablet translated from the Persian and Arabic.
- From a Tablet translated from the Persian and Arabic.
- Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, rev. ed.
(Haifa: Bahá'í World Centre, 1982), p. 302.
- Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, pp. 79-80.
- The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by
`Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in
1912, 2nd. ed. (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1982),
pp. 75-77.
- The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 133.
- The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 166.
- The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 182.
- The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 133.
- Paris Talks: Addresses given by `Abdu'l-Bahá in Paris in
1911-1912, 11th ed. (London: Bahá'í Publishing
Trust, 1979), p. 161.
- Paris Talks, p. 162.
- Paris Talks, pp. 182-84.
- Quoted in J. E. Esslemont, Bahá'u'lláh and the New
Era, 5th rev. ed.
(Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1987), p. 149.
- Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 127.
- Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, Women, 1986, p. 17.
- The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 136-37.
- The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 174-75.
- Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 122.
- The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 168.
- From a Tablet translated from the Persian.
