76: It is enjoined upon every one of you to engage in some form of
occupation,...
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 worship unto God, the True One.
Ponder ye in your hearts the grace and the blessings of God 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 shineth resplendent.
The most despised of men in the sight of God are those who sit idly and
beg. Hold ye fast unto the cord of material means, placing your whole
trust in God, the Provider of all means. When anyone occupieth himself in
a craft or trade, such occupation itself is regarded in the estimation of
God as an act of worship; 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 God and the bondsmaids in His divine Court
should...
The handmaidens of God and the bondsmaids in His divine Court should
reveal such attributes and attitudes 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 associate with them with supreme chastity and
steadfast decency, with unshakeable faith, articulate speech, an eloquent
tongue, irrefutable testimony and high resolve. Beseech God 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. 76-77) [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 establishing universal peace and
international arbitration. Assuredly, 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
participated 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 participant 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 constitutional 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 assist 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...
...imbued with the same virtues as man, rising through all the degrees of
human attainment, women will become the peers of men, and until this
equality is established, true progress and attainment for the human race
will not be facilitated.
The evident reasons underlying this are as follows: Woman by nature is
opposed to war; she is an advocate of peace. Children are reared and
brought up by the mothers who give them the first principles of education
and labor assiduously in their behalf. Consider, for instance, a mother
who has tenderly reared a son for twenty years to the age of maturity.
Surely she will not consent to having that son torn asunder and killed in
the field of battle. Therefore, as woman advances toward the degree of man
in power and privilege, with the right of vote and control in human
government, most assuredly war will cease; for woman is naturally the most
devoted and staunch advocate of international peace.
("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha
during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912", p. 375) [86]
87: According to the spirit of this age, women must advance and fulfill
their...
According to the spirit of this age, women must advance and fulfill their
mission in all departments of life, becoming equal to men. They must be on
the same level as men and enjoy equal rights. This is my earnest prayer
and it is one of the fundamental principles of Baha'u'llah.
(J. E. Esslemont, "Baha'u'llah and the New Era", p. 147) [87]
88: ...The woman is indeed of the greater importance to the race. She has
the...
...The woman is indeed of the greater importance to the race. She has the
greater burden and the greater work. Look at the vegetable and the animal
worlds. The palm which carries the fruit is the tree most prized by the
date grower. The Arab knows that for a long journey the mare has the
longest wind. For her greater strength and fierceness, the lioness is more
feared by the hunter than the lion.
The woman has greater moral courage than the man; she has also special
gifts which enable her to govern in moments of danger and crisis....
("'Abdu'l-Baha in London: Addresses, and Notes of Conversations" (London:
Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1982), pp. 102-3) [88]
Extracts From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi:
89: Concerning Baha'i representation at the All-Asian Women's Conference:
this...
Concerning Baha'i representation at the All-Asian Women's Conference: this
is undoubtedly a most commendable thing to do especially as the Cause has
so much concerning the position of women in society. Shoghi Effendi hopes
that the National Assembly will do its best to win the admiration of all
the assembled delegates for the teachings of the Cause along that line. We
should always take such opportunities that present themselves. Maybe we
would succeed to render some service to society and alleviate its ills.
(10 November 1930 to the National Spiritual Assembly of India and Burma)
[89]
90: What 'Abdu'l-Baha meant about the women arising for peace is that this
is a...
What 'Abdu'l-Baha meant about the women arising for peace is that this is
a matter which vitally affects women, and when they form a conscious and
overwhelming mass of public opinion against war there can be no war. The
Baha'i women are already organized through being members of the Faith and
the Administrative Order. No further organization is needed. But they
should, through teaching and through the active moral support they give to
every movement directed towards peace, seek to exert a strong influence on
other women's minds in regard to this essential matter.
(24 March 1945 to an individual believer) [90]