Woman

Specific women in the Bahá'í Writings

• Women

General Compilations

• https://bahai-library.com/compilation_women

Equality with men

• Equality of women and men

Women and Spirituality

• https://bahai-library.com/uhj_ancient_goddess_religion (includes discussion of relevance of gender and femininity to God, to the Manifestations, to the spirit, and in society.
• Women and proofs

Women and Materiality

• Women and physical development

Women in the (Bahá'í and public) Community

Regarding women-only meetings

• Women's-only meetings

Regarding voting

• Women and voting

Regarding domestic abuse of

• https://bahai-library.com/nsa_guidelines_domestic_violence

Women and Leadership

Religious roles/administration

• Women as Manifestations of God
• Bahíyyih Khánum (as temporary head of Faith)
• Women as important religious figures
• Women and the Universal House of Justice
• Women on institutions

Women in government

• Women in government
• Women in military

Regarding women on the future Supreme Tribunal

• https://bahai-library.com/uhj_equality_monogamy_uhj
• https://bahai-library.com/uhj_women_uhj

From Lights of Guidance (to categorize)

Both Women and Men Have Been Created in the Image of God

"Know thou, O handmaid, that in the sight of Bahá, 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 Bahá, proved superior to the men, and surpassed the famous of the earth.

('Abdu'l-Bahá: Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, 1978 World Centre edition, pp. 79-80, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2072)

A lack of equality of function does not mean a lack of equality in rights

"From the fact that there is no equality of functions between the sexes one should not, however, infer that either sex is inherently superior or inferior to the other, or that they are unequal in their rights."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, July 28, 1936: Women, A Compilation, p. 9, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2074)

Women Are Destined to Attain to the Very Highest Station of the World of Humanity--Bahá'u'lláh Has Willed It So!

"In this Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, the women go neck and neck with the men. In no movement will they be left behind. Their rights with men are equal in degree. They will enter all the administrative branches of politics. They will attain in all such a degree as will be considered the very highest station of the world of humanity and will take part in all affairs. Rest ye assured. Do ye not look upon the present condition; in the not far distant future the world of women will become all-refulgent and all-glorious. For His Holiness Bahá'u'lláh Hath Willed It so! 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.

"But there are certain matters, the participation in which is not worthy of women. For example, at the time when the community is taking up vigorous defensive measures against the attack of foes, the women are exempt from military engagements. It may so happen that at a given time warlike and savage tribes may furiously attack the body politic with the intention of carrying on a wholesale slaughter of its members; under such a circumstance defence is necessary, but it is the duty of men to organize and execute such defensive measures and not the women--because their hearts are tender and they cannot endure the sight of the horror of carnage, even if it is for the sake of defence. From such and similar undertakings the women are exempt.

('Abdu'l-Bahá: Paris Talks, 1961, U.K. edition, pp. 182-184, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2075)

All Mankind Are the Creatures of One God--"Man" is a Generic Term Applying to All Humanity

"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."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace, 1982 U.S. edition, pp. 74-77, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2077)

Bahá'u'lláh Made Women Respected by Proclaiming that All Women Be Educated--In Some Societies It was considered preferable that She Should Not Know Reading and Writing

"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 the 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 coloured, is entitled to full rights and recognition; there is no differentiation whatsoever."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace, 1982 U.S. edition, p. 166, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2078)

The New Age Will Be an Age Less Masculine; the Feminine and Masculine Elements Will Be More Evenly Balanced

"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 weight 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."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era, 1976 U.S. edition, p. 156, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2079)

Woman Would Be the Peer of Men if Equal Opportunity Were Granted

"It has been objected by some that woman is not equally capable with man and that she is deficient by creation. This is pure imagination. The difference in capability between man and woman is due entirely to opportunity and education. Heretofore woman has been denied the right and privilege of equal development. If equal opportunity be granted her there is no doubt she would be the peer of man. History will evidence this...."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 135, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2080)

With the Same Educational Advantages Women Will Show Equal Capacity for Scholarship

"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."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: Paris Talks, 1961 U.K. edition, p. 161, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2081)

She is the Coadjutor of Man

"...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 co-equals. 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...."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 136-137, 1982 ed., in Lights of Guidance, no. 2082)

The Need to Educate and Guide Women in Their Primary Responsibility as Mothers

"The House of Justice regards the need to educate and guide women in their primary responsibility as mothers as an excellent opportunity for organizing women's activities. Your efforts should focus on helping them in their function as educators of the rising generation. Women should also be encouraged to attract their husbands and male members of their families to the Faith so that the Bahá'í community will be representative of the society of which it forms a part. Gradually the spirit of unity and fellowship, as set forth in our teachings, will be reflected in the life of Bahá'í families."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly, February 29, 1984: Women, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2083)

No Nation Can Achieve Success Unless Education is Accorded to All Its Citizens

"The cause of universal education, which has already enlisted in its service an army of dedicated people from every faith and nation, deserves the utmost support that the governments of the world can lend it. For ignorance is indisputably the principle reason for the decline and fall of people and the perpetuation of prejudice. No nation can achieve success unless education is accorded all its citizens. Lack of resources limits the ability of many nations to fulfil this necessity, imposing a certain ordering of priorities.

"The decision-making agencies involved would do well to consider giving first priority to the education of women and girls, since it is through educated mothers that the benefits of knowledge can be most effectively and rapidly diffused throughout society. In keeping with the requirements of the times, consideration should also be given to teaching the concept of world citizenship as part of the standard education of every child."

(From a letter written by the Universal House of Justice, October 1985: Ibid., in Lights of Guidance, no. 2084)

The Assumption of Superiority by Men Will Continue to be Depressing to the Ambition of Women

"In brief, the assumption of superiority by man will continue to be depressing to the ambition of woman, as if her attainment of equality was creationally impossible; woman's aspiration toward advancement will be checked by it, and she will gradually become hopeless. On the contrary, we must declare that her capacity is equal, even greater than man's. This will inspire her with hope and ambition, and her susceptibilities for advancement will continually increase. She must not be told and taught that she is weaker and inferior in capacity and qualification. If a pupil is told that his intelligence is less than his fellow pupils, it is a very great drawback and handicap to his progress. He must be encouraged to advance by the statement, 'You are most capable, and if you endeavour, you will attain the highest degree'."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace, 1982 U.S. edition, pp. 76-77, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2086)

The Boldness which the Women Who Enlisted in the Ranks of the Faith Have Evinced is One of the Miracles which Distinguish This Sacred Dispensation

"Abdu'l-Bahá has pointed out that 'Among the miracles which distinguish this sacred Dispensation is this, that women have evinced a greater boldness than men when enlisted in the ranks of the Faith.' Shoghi Effendi has further stated that this 'boldness' must, in the course of time, 'be more convincingly demonstrated, and win for the beloved Cause victories more stirring than any it has as yet achieved.' Although obviously the entire Bahá'í world is committed to encouraging and stimulating the vital role of women in the Bahá'í community as well as in society at large, the Five Year Plan calls specifically on eighty National Spiritual Assemblies to organize Bahá'í activities for women. In the course of the current year which has been designated 'International Women's Year' as a world-wide activity of the United Nations, the Bahá'ís, particularly in these eighty national communities, should initiate and implement programs which will stimulate and promote the full and equal participation of women in all aspects of Bahá'í community life, so that through their accomplishments the friends will demonstrate the distinction of the Cause of God in this field of human endeavour."

(From a letter written by the Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies, May 25, 1975: Women, A Compilation, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2087)

The Women's Liberation Movement

"Concerning the point you raised in your letter ... that the women's liberation movement in ... is assuming extreme positions which are having some influence on impressionable Bahá'í young women, we feel it would be helpful if your Assembly were to stress the unique position that women occupy by being members of the Bahá'í Faith particularly through participation in the administration of its affairs on both a local and national scale."

(From a letter written by the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly, April 9, 1971: Ibid., in Lights of Guidance, no. 2088)

What Abdu'l-Bahá Meant by Women Arising for Peace

"What Abdu'l-Bahá 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 Bahá'í 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."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, March 24, 1945: Ibid., in Lights of Guidance, no. 2089)

The Emancipation of Women and the Achievement of Full Equality is One of the Most Important Prerequisites for Peace

"The emancipation of women, the achievement of full equality between the sexes, is one of the most important, though less acknowledged prerequisites of peace. The denial of such equality perpetrates an injustice against one half of the world's population and promotes in men harmful attitudes and habits that are carried from the family to the workplace, to political life, and ultimately to international relations. There are no grounds, moral, practical, or biological, upon which such denial can be justified. Only as women are welcomed into full partnership in all fields of human endeavour will the moral and psychological climate be created in which international peace can emerge."

(From a letter written by the Universal House of Justice, October 1985, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2090)

The Hearts of Women Are More Tender and Susceptible Than the Hearts of Men and They Are More Philanthropic and Responsive Toward the Needy and Suffering

"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."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace, 1982 U.S. edition, p. 284, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2091)

Woman by Nature is Opposed to War

"...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 labour 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."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace, 1982 U.S. edition, p. 375, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2092)

The Woman Has Greater Moral Courage Than Man and is of the Greater Importance to the Race

"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."

(Attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, 'Abdu'l-Bahá in London, 1982 U.K. edition, pp. 102-103, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2093)

The Duty of Women in Being the First Educators of Mankind

"The duty of women in being the first educators of mankind is clearly set forth in the Writings. It is for every woman, if and when she becomes a mother, to determine how best she can discharge on the one hand her chief responsibility as a mother and on the other, to the extent possible, to participate in other aspects of the activities of the society of which she forms a part."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, April 22, 1981: Women, A Compilation, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2094)

At Present the Equality of Men and Women is Not Universally Applied

"The equality of men and women is not, at the present time, universally applied. In those areas where traditional inequality still hampers its progress we must take the lead in practising this Bahá'í principle. Bahá'í women and girls must be encouraged to take part in the social, spiritual and administrative activities of their communities."

(From the Message of the Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 1984, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2095)

One of the Factors in Bringing About International Peace is Woman's Suffrage

"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 favour 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."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace, 1982 U.S. edition, p. 167, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2096)

Equality of Men and Women is Conducive to the Abolition of Warfare

"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 by willing to sanction it."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace, 1982 U.S. edition, p. 175, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2097)

The Principle of Equality Can Be Effectively and Universally Established When Pursued in Conjunction with All Other Aspects of Bahá'í Life

"The principle of the equality between women and men, like the other teachings of the Faith, can be effectively and universally established among the friends when it is pursued in conjunction with all the other aspects of Bahá'í life. Change is an evolutionary process requiring patience with one's self and others, loving education and the passage of time as the believers deepen their knowledge of the principles of the Faith, gradually discard long-held traditional attitudes and progressively conform their lives to the unifying teachings of the Cause."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, July 25, 1984: Women, A Compilation, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2098)

God Does Not Inquire, "Art Thou Woman or Art Thou Man?"

"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."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace, 1982 U.S. edition, p. 133, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2099)

Woman Must Study the Industrial and Agricultural Sciences in Order to Assist Mankind in that which is Most Needful

"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."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace, 1982 U.S. edition, p. 283, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2100)

When Woman Receives Education and Full Rights to the Prerogatives of Man, She Will Refuse to Send Her Sons to the Battlefield and She Will Abolish Warfare Among Mankind

"...the principle of religion has been revealed by Bahá'u'lláh 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."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace, 1982 U.S. edition, p. 108, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2101)

Abdu'l-Bahá Regards Such Inequalities as Remain Between the Sexes in This Age as Being "Negligible"

"Abdu'l-Bahá asserts: 'In this divine age the bounties of God have encompassed the world of women. Equality of men and women, except in some negligible instances, has been fully and categorically announced. Distinctions have been utterly removed.' That men and women differ from one another in certain characteristics and functions is an inescapable fact of nature; the important thing is that He regards such inequalities as remain between the sexes as being 'negligible'."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly, January 8, 1981: Women, A Compilation, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2102)

The World of Humanity Consists of Two Complementary Parts: Male and Female. If One is Defective the Other Will Necessarily Be Incomplete

"The world of humanity consists of two parts: male and female. Each is the complement of the other. Therefore, if one is defective, the other will necessarily be incomplete, and perfection cannot be attained. There is a right hand and a left hand in the human body, functionally equal in service and administration. If either proves defective, the defect will naturally extend to the other by involving the completeness of the whole; for accomplishment is not normal unless both are perfect. If we say one hand is deficient, we prove the inability and incapacity of the other; for single-handed there is no full accomplishment. Just as physical accomplishment is complete with two hands, so man and woman, the two parts of the social body, must be perfect. It is not natural that either should remain undeveloped; and until both are perfected, the happiness of the human world will not be realized."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace, 1982 U.S. edition, p. 134, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2103)

Universal Peace is Impossible Without Universal Suffrage: It is Historically True that Every Influential Undertaking in the World Where Woman Was a Participant Has Attained Importance

"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 re-established 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."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace, 1982 U.S. edition, p. 134-135, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2104)

See also

• mother
• wife
• man
• Education of girls