Family Life

FAMILY LIFE

A Compilation of Extracts from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Letters of Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal House of Justice

Prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

Family Life © Bahá’í International Community Prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice Compiled March 2008 © Bahá’í Publications Australia Published June 2021 All Rights Reserved ISBN 978-0-909991-23-4 Distributed by Bahá’í Distribution Services of Australia 173 Mona Vale Road Ingleside NSW 2101 bds@bahai.org.au www.bahaibooks.com.au

CONTENTS Preservation of the Bond between Husband and Wife

7

Extracts from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

7

Extracts from the Writings and Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

8

Extracts from Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi

13

Extracts from Letters Written by and on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice

21

Parent-Child Relationships and Responsibilities

37

Extracts from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

37

Extracts from the Writings and Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

40

Extracts from Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi

47

Extracts from Letters Written by and on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice

52

Enhancing Family Life

71

Extracts from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

71

Extracts from the Writings and Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

73

Extracts from Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi

78

Extracts from Letters Written by and on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice

84

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 assured, they come to be envied by all. Such a family but addeth to its stature and its lasting honour, as day succeedeth day.

— ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

5

Preservation of the Bond between Husband and Wife Extracts from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh 1

And when He desired to manifest grace and beneficence to men, and set the world in order, He revealed observances and created laws; among them He established the law of marriage, made it as a fortress for well-being and salvation, and enjoined it upon us in that which was sent down out of the heaven of sanctity in His Most Holy Book.

Bahá’í Prayers

2

Enter into wedlock, O people, that ye may bring forth one who will make mention of Me amid My servants.

This is My bidding unto you; hold fast to it as an assistance to yourselves.

The Kitáb-i-Aqdas

7

FA MILY LIFE

3

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….

From a Tablet translated from the Arabic and Persian

4

The beginning of magnanimity is when man expendeth his wealth on himself, on his family and on the poor among his brethren in his Faith.

Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas

Extracts from the Writings and Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 5

Bahá’í marriage is the commitment of the two parties one to the other, and their mutual attachment of mind and heart. Each must, however, exercise the utmost care to become thoroughly acquainted with the character of the other, that the binding covenant between them may be a tie that will endure forever. Their purpose must be this: to become loving companions and comrades and at one with each other for time and eternity….

8