Baha'u'llah states that a man may employ a maiden for domestic service.
This was not permissible under S{~COMBINING MACRON BELOW~}h{~COMBINING MACRON BELOW~}i'ih Muslim practice unless the
employer entered into a marriage contract with her. Baha'u'llah emphasizes
that the "service" referred to in this verse is solely "such as is
performed by any other class of servants, be they young or old, in
exchange for wages" (Q and A 30). An employer has no sexual rights over
his maid. She is "free to choose a husband at whatever time she pleaseth",
for the purchase of women is forbidden (Q and A 30).
91. This is My bidding unto you; hold fast to it as an assistance to
yourselves. #63
While marriage is enjoined in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, Baha'u'llah clarifies
that it is not obligatory (Q and A 46). Shoghi Effendi, in a letter
written on his behalf, also declared that "marriage is by no means an
obligation", and he affirmed that "in the last resort, it is for the
individual to decide whether he wishes to lead a family life or live in a
state of celibacy". If a person has to wait a considerable period of time
before finding a spouse, or ultimately must remain single, it does not
mean that the individual is thereby unable to fulfil his or her life's
purpose, which is fundamentally spiritual.