Faith and MarriageBahá’í Perspectives

TopicsQuick Bahá’í IntroMarriage Laws and GuidanceWeddingsThe FamilyEquality of Women and MenMixed MarriagesDivorceThe Station of Marriage

Quick Bahá’í IntroBahá’ís are followers of Bahá’u’lláhBahá’u’lláh was born in Iran in 1817 and

died in exile in Palestine in 1892He appointed His son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as

His successor and authorised interpreterThe Faith is now guided by scripture, the

Guardianship, and the Universal House of Justice

The Bahá’í Faith has no clergyBahá’ís come from nearly every nation,

ethnic group, culture, profession, and social or economic background

Bahá’í Marriage Defined“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.”

~‘Abdu’l-Bahá

True Marriage“The true marriage of Bahá'ís is

this, that husband and wife should be united both physically and spiritually, that they may ever improve the spiritual life of each other, and may enjoy everlasting unity throughout all the worlds of God. This is Bahá'í marriage.”

~‘Abdu’l-Bahá

“To foster harmony”“Bahá'í marriage is union and cordial

affection between the two parties. They must, however, exercise the utmost care and become acquainted with each other's character. This eternal bond should be made secure by a firm covenant, and the intention should be to foster harmony, fellowship and unity and to attain everlasting life.”

~‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Purpose of Marriage“…when He desired to manifest

grace and beneficence to men, and to set the world in order…He established the law of marriage, made it as a fortress for well-being and salvation…He saith , great is His glory: ‘Marry, O people, that from you may appear he who will remember Me amongst My servants...’”

~Bahá’u’lláh

Consent of Parents“…marriage is dependent upon

the consent of both parties. Desiring to establish love, unity and harmony amidst Our servants, We have conditioned it, once the couple's wish is known, upon the permission of their parents, lest enmity and rancour should arise amongst them.”

~Bahá’u’lláh

Wedding CeremonyRequirements

◦Bride and Groom each recite marriage verse separately in presence of two witnesses

◦Overseen by the Local Spiritual Assembly

Variations◦Determined by personal tastes, family

resources, and cultural traditions, from small to large, including all manner of music, dance, dress, food, and festivity

Wedding Verse

“We will all, verily, abide by the Will of

God.”

Bahá’í Weddings

Weddings at TemplesCurrently, seven Bahá’í Houses of

Worship in the world (one near Sydney)

For meditation and the Word of God

Weddings are permitted in the gardens

Only Bahá’í weddings are permitted (although anyone can have one)

Family is Fundamental“Bahá'u'lláh came to bring unity to

the world, and a fundamental unity is that of the family. Therefore, we must believe that the Faith is intended to strengthen the family, not weaken it. For example, service to the Cause should not produce neglect of the family.”

~Universal House of Justice

Within the Family“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.”

~‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Equality of Women and Men“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.”

~‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Equality within Marriage“There are…times when a wife

should defer to her husband, and times when a husband should defer to his wife, but neither should ever unjustly dominate the other…. ‘Verily they are married in obedience to Thy command. Cause them to become the signs of harmony and unity until the end of time.’”

~Universal House of Justice

Interracial Marriage“For both Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-

Bahá never disapproved of the idea of interracial marriage, nor discouraged it. The Bahá'í Teachings, indeed, by their very nature transcend all limitations imposed by race…”

~Shoghi Effendi

Interreligious Marriage

“QUESTION: Is it permissible for a believer to marry an unbeliever?ANSWER: Both taking and giving in marriage are permissible; thus did the Lord decree when He ascended the throne of bounteousness and grace.”

~Bahá’u’lláh

Divorce“Truly, the Lord loveth union and

harmony and abhorreth separation and divorce. Live ye one with another, O people, in radiance and joy.”

~Bahá’u’lláh

Year of Waiting“Should resentment or antipathy arise

between husband and wife…[they must] bide in patience throughout the course of one whole year, that perchance the fragrance of affection may be renewed between them. If, upon the completion of this period, their love hath not returned, it is permissible for divorce to take place.”

~Bahá’u’lláh

The Station of Marriage“In Thine almighty wisdom Thou

hast enjoined marriage upon the peoples, that the generations of men may succeed one another in this contingent world, and that ever, so long as the world shall last, they may busy themselves at the Threshold of Thy oneness with servitude and worship, with salutation, adoration and praise.”

~‘Abdu’l-Bahá