Marriage
One of the most important social institutions in the Baha'i Faith
What is marriage
One of the fundamental principles of the Baha'i Faith that is woven as a basic factor into the fabric of Baha'u'llah's social order
What is equality of men and women
The extended family, and not just the nuclear family
What is the structure of the Baha'i family
They are the primary trainers of children and infants.
Who are mothers
The Law of Parental Consent is to Strengthen Family Relationships
True
"Bahá’u’lláh has clearly stated the consent of all living parents is required for a Bahá’í marriage. This applies whether the parents are Bahá’ís or non-Bahá’ís, divorced for years or not. This great law He has laid down to strengthen the social fabric, to knit closer the ties of the home, to place a certain gratitude and respect in the hearts of children for those who have given them life and sent their souls out on the eternal journey towards their Creator. We Bahá’ís must realize that in present-day society the exact opposite process is taking place: young people care less and less for their parents' wishes, divorce is considered a natural right, and obtained on the flimsiest and most unwarrantable and shabby pretexts. People separated from each other, especially if one of them has had full custody of the children, are only too willing to belittle the importance of the partner in marriage also responsible as a parent for bringing those children into this world. The Bahá’ís must, through rigid adherence to the Bahá’í laws and teachings, combat these corrosive forces which are so rapidly destroying home life and the beauty of family relationships, and tearing down the moral structure of society."
(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, October 25, 1947) LofG 1235
Baha'i marriage is conditional upon their consent
Who are the parents
To become loving companions and comrades and at one with each other for time and eternity
What is the goal or purpose of a husband and wife in their marriage
Bahá’u’lláh came to bring unity to the world, and a fundamental unity is this.
What is the family
This family member has a prior right to education over another
Who is the daughter
Consent is not required of Parents for Adults, for Second Marriages
False
"About the consent of parents for marriage: This is required before and also after the man or woman is twenty-one years of age. It is also required in the event of a second marriage, after the dissolution of the first whether through death or through divorce.
"The parental consent is also a binding obligation irrespective of whether the parents are Bahá’ís or not, whether they are friendly or opposed to the Cause. In the event of the death of both parents, the consent of a guardian is not required."
(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, October 10, 1936) LofG 1234
We will all verily abide by the will of God
What is the Baha'i marriage vow
20 years (from 1937 to 1957, upon his passing)
How many years were Shogi Effendi and Ruhiyyih Khanum married
This can alleviate the Mother-in-law problem
What is unity in the family (735 from Lights of Guidance)
This provides a way of resolving conflicts that may arise, between the marriage partners or between parents and children, and also as a social education for the children.
What is consultation
If marrying a Non-Bahá’í, consent of the Non-Bahá’í Parents is not required
False
"Regarding the question whether it is necessary to obtain the consent of the parents of a non-Bahá’í participant in a marriage with a Bahá’í: As Bahá’u’lláh has stated that the consent of the parents of both parties is required in order to promote unity and avoid friction, and as the Aqdas does not specify any exceptions to this rule, the Guardian feels that under all circumstances the consent of the parents of both parties is required."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, August 12, 1941) LofG 1240
Where a husband and wife are 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
What is a Baha'i marriage
Selections from the writings of Abdu'l-Baha #86
Union of East and West proclaimed by Baháʼí Faith cemented
What did the marriage of Shoghi Effendi and Ruhiyyih Khanum represent.
A true fortress upon which the Cause can rely while planning its campaigns
What is a truly Baha'i home. (736 Lights of Guidance)
They are held responsible to God for Education of Children
Who are the parents
Although Baha'is have a moral duty to marry, Marriage is not an Obligation
True
"… Of course, under normal circumstances, every person should consider it his moral duty to marry. And this is what Bahá’u’lláh has encouraged the believers to do. But marriage is by no means an obligation. 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."
(From a letter of the Guardian to an individual believer, May 3, 1936; cited by the Universal House of Justice in a letter to an individual believer, February 6, 1973: Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1968-1973, pp. 109-110) LofG 1267
This period cannot exceed 95 days
What is the engagement period (for Persians)
my helpmate, my shield in warding off the darts of Covenant breakers and my tireless collaborator in the arduous tasks I shoulder
How did Shoghi Effendi describe Ruhiyyih Khanum
Harmony, unity and love are held up as the highest ideals in this.
What are human relationships
They make use of human education to develop the powers, whether spiritual or material, of humankind, while they are training young plants in the gardens of God according to the education of Heaven, and art giving them the lessons of the Kingdom.
Who are Teachers
False
"In reply to your letter of 9 March, 1979 requesting comment on an item in the Minutes of a Local Spiritual Assembly concerning parental consent to marriage, the Universal House of Justice directs us to say that while parents may seek advice of an Assembly about whether they should consent to the marriage of their children and the Assembly may give such advice, the decision rests with the parents and the Assembly cannot assume that responsibility."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, April 5, 1979) LofG 1238