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Site last updated: 15/05/2003 12:50:38 PM | |
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Local community Clarence "The fundamental purpose animating
the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the
unity of the human race..." Bahá'u'lláh
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Mothers and FamiliesFrom
the Baha’i Writings
In proclaiming the oneness of mankind He taught that men and women are equal in the sight of God and that there is no distinction to be made between
them. The only difference between them now is due to lack of education and training. If woman is given equal opportunity of education, distinction and
estimate of inferiority will disappear. The world of humanity has two wings, as it were: One is the female; the other is the male. If one wing be defective, the
strong perfect wing will not be capable of flight. The world of humanity has two hands. If one be imperfect, the capable hand is restricted and unable to perform
its duties. God is the Creator of mankind. He has endowed both sexes with perfections and intelligence, given them physical members and organs of sense,
without differentiation or distinction as to superiority; therefore, why should woman be considered inferior? This is not according to the plan and justice of
God. He has created them equal; in His estimate there is no question of sex. The one whose heart is purest, whose deeds are most perfect, is acceptable to God,
male or female. Often in history women have been the pride of humanity--for example, Mary, the mother of Jesus. She was the glory of mankind. Mary
Magdalene, Ásíyih, daughter of Pharaoh, Sarah, wife of Abraham, and innumerable others have glorified the human race by their excellences. In this
day there are women among the Bahá'ís who far outshine men. They are wise, talented, well-informed, progressive, most intelligent and the light of men.
They surpass men in courage. When they speak in meetings, the men listen with great respect. Furthermore, the education of women is of greater importance than
the education of men, for they are the mothers of the race, and mothers rear the children. The first teachers of children are the mothers. Therefore, they must
be capably trained in order to educate both sons and daughters. There are many provisions in the words of Bahá'u'lláh in regard to this.
‘Abdu’l-Baha From the Baha’i Writings
O handmaid of God!... To the mothers must be given the divine Teachings and effective counsel, and they must be encouraged and made eager to train their
children, for the mother is the first educator of the child. It is she who must,
at the very beginning, suckle the newborn at the breast of God's Faith and God's
Law, that divine love may enter into him even with his mother's milk, and be
with him till his final breath.
So long as the mother faileth to train her children, and start them on a
proper way of life, the training which they receive later on will not take its
full effect. It is incumbent upon the Spiritual Assemblies to provide the
mothers with a well-planned programme for the education of children, showing
how, from infancy, the child must be watched over and taught. These instructions
must be given to every mother to serve her as a guide, so that each will train
and nurture her children in accordance with the Teachings. Thus will these young plants in the garden of God's
love grow and flourish under the warmth of the Sun of Truth, the gentle spring
winds of Heaven, and their mother's guiding hand. Thus, in the Abhá Paradise,
will each become a tree, bearing his clustered fruit, and each one, in this new
and wondrous season, out of the bounties of the spring, will become possessed of
all beauty and grace. ‘Abdu’l-Baha Let the mothers consider that whatever concerneth the education of children is of the first importance. Let them put forth every effort in this regard, for when the bough is green and tender it will grow in whatever way ye train it. Therefore is it incumbent upon the mothers to rear their little ones even as a gardener tendeth his young plants. Let them strive by day and by night to establish within their children faith and certitude, the fear of God, the love of the Beloved of the worlds, and all good qualities and traits. Whensoever a mother seeth that her child hath done well, let her praise and applaud him and cheer his heart; and if the slightest undesirable trait should manifest itself, let her counsel the child and punish him, and use means based on reason, even a slight verbal chastisement should this be necessary. ‘Abdu’l-Baha From the Baha’i Writings
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