Asked once what His faith taught about the family, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá answered with a catalogue of rights: the son’s, the father’s, the mother’s, the sister’s, none to be transgressed and none arbitrary, the injury of one counted the injury of all. Everything else about parents and children rests on that mutuality. A home without children is a home without light; parents learn that their example teaches what instruction cannot, and that regard for parents stands next after the oneness of God itself. The Qur’án joins gratitude to parents with worship of the One, yet adds that a parent demanding idolatry is not to be obeyed, though still kept company with courteously, and that pairing of gratitude with conscience keeps this subject from becoming a charter for mere obedience [1]. The road leads on into the education of children, into prayer for parents who may not share one’s faith, and into inheritance and the rights of the eldest son through which one generation hands its trust to the next.
The integrity of the family bond must be constantly considered, and the rights of the individual members must not be transgressed. The rights of the son, the father, the mother -- none of them must be transgressed, none of them must be arbitrary. 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. The injury of one shall be considered the injury of all; the comfort of each, the comfort of all; the honor of one, the honor of all.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given in Church of the Ascension on 1912-Jun-02 -- ABU0006)
02
I had a son about three or four years old. This child was a great comfort to me. Often, past midnight while I was sound sleep, the child would leave his small bed and slowly creep in toward mine and putting his lovely little arms around my neck and kiss my closed eyelids and face. Then I would wake and endear and love it. That state-that happiness-that beatific joy - that is to wake up and find your beloved child clasping his tiny arms around your neck - is only known to a father.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at Rue St. Didier 30 in Paris, 1913-Feb-18 -- ABU1531)
03
O child of the servant of God! In the world of existence, the most precious of all beings is a loving father and a kind mother. Praise be to God that thou hast been blessed with such parents, who are dawning-places of certitude and manifestations of assurance.
How blessed is the son who hath such a father, and how blessed is the father who hath a son who is a worthy successor and a manifestation of the most great and glorious grace.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Kashani, Inayatullah son of Aqa Muhammad Ali -- AB09979)
04
O thou servant of Baha!
Thy father is present in this gathering and requested this letter. Consider how dear is a father who, in this gathering, is intimately engaged in remembrance of thee and familiar with thy mention, and who begs from God that thou mayest be confirmed. At every moment thou shouldst offer a hundred thousand thanks that thou hast such a loving father and art confirmed in the grace and bounty of the Ancient Beauty.
The available source contains an omission or incomplete wording; sentence boundaries need review.
05
There is nothing sweeter than that sons may become the spiritual lights of their father; there is nothing more fine and that they become new branches with verdant leaves in the garden of the love of God in which they grow. What a joy is there in this, what happiness that hath neither equal nor peer!
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1903-Jun-23, to Haji Ali Askar Aqa et al -- AB04128)
06
In this glorious Cause the life of a married couple should resemble the life of the angels in heaven -- a life full of joy and spiritual delight, a life of unity and concord, a friendship both mental and physical. … Even as two birds they should warble melodies upon the branches of the tree of fellowship and harmony. They should always be elated with joy and gladness and be a source of happiness to the hearts of others. They should set an example to their fellow-men, manifest a true and sincere love towards each other and educate their children in such a manner as to blazon the fame and glory of their family.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1916-Jul-02 -- ABU2222)
07
Children are the ornaments of the home. A home without children is like a home without light.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Mrs Maxwell, spoken on 1912-Sep-06 -- ABU3563)
08
To sum up, parents must so behave before their children that they may be noble examples to them in words and deeds.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Florence Khan spoken in June 1906 -- ABU1326)
09
The parents must teach their children the laws of life and how to avoid evils and temptations.
… It is an axiomatic fact that all the lasting and beneficial reforms must commence with the family. Both the father and mother must contribute their share to the idealization and sanctification of the hearth. This is the cornerstone of national greatness.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Doctor Finkelstein, spoken on 1915-May-03 -- ABU1399)
10
Unto every father hath been enjoined the instruction of his son and daughter in the art of reading and writing and in all that hath been laid down in the Holy Tablet.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Kitab-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book), 1290-05-15 [1873-Jul-11] -- BH00001)
11
If, as she ought, the mother possesseth the learning and accomplishments of humankind, her children, like unto angels, will be fostered in all excellence, in right conduct and beauty.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1911 ca., to Munavvar et al -- AB03327)
12
Education and refinement after maturity becomes extremely difficult. Experience has shown that despite utmost effort to change even one trait in someone's character, it proves impossible. If today they become somewhat aware, after a few days they forget and return to their habitual state and accustomed ways.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1900 or <, to Mulla Ahmad Ali Nayrizi -- AB00251)
13
Train thy dear son in such a manner that he will attain the illumination of the Kingdom, will become a true servant of God, a light of love and a radiance of harmony.
When the child sees that the parents love him more for his good qualities than purely for his own self, then he will endeavor to obey his parents by characterizing himself with noble qualities. For he will know that by this means, his parents' love for him will increase, and that to neglect this, he shall forfeit their greater love and affection.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Florence Khan spoken in June 1906 -- ABU1147)
15
Parents must strive diligently for the religion of their children and its strengthening, for any child who departeth from the divine religion will surely not act in accordance with the good-pleasure of his parents and of God, glorified be His majesty.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1301-06-20 [1884-Apr-17], to Zaynul-Muqarrabin et al -- BH00228)
16
The fruits of the tree of existence are trustworthiness, religion, truthfulness and sincerity, and greatest of all, after the oneness of God, exalted and mighty be He, is due regard for the rights of parents. … Consider what the All-Merciful has revealed in the Qur'an, His words exalted be He: "Worship God and associate naught with Him, and show kindness unto parents." Observe how kindness to parents is joined with the oneness of God.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1300 or > ? [1882-1883], to Qasim -- BH02956)
17
And the greatest of all, after recognition of the unity of the Lord, exalted and glorified be He, is regard for the rights of one's parents. This matter hath been mentioned in all the heavenly Books and recorded by the Most Exalted Pen. Consider what the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Qur'an: "Worship God and join not any partners with Him, and show kindness unto parents." Observe how association with parents is linked with the recognition of the one true God.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1301 ? [1883-1884], to Siyyid Husayn Afnan -- BH02374)
18
These are the parents of whom He says: "Worship God and associate naught with Him, and show kindness unto parents." He hath joined their rights with the rights of His Divinity.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Diyaullah Doctor Alai -- AB07628)
19
20. QUESTION: Concerning the age of maturity with respect to religious duties.
ANSWER: The age of maturity is fifteen for both men and women.
… The fruits that best befit the tree of human life are trustworthiness and godliness, truthfulness and sincerity; but greater than all, after recognition of the unity of God, praised and glorified be He, is regard for the rights that are due to one's parents. This teaching hath been mentioned in all the Books of God, and reaffirmed by the Most Exalted Pen. Consider that which the Merciful Lord hath revealed in the Qur'an, exalted are His words: "Worship ye God, join with Him no peer or likeness; and show forth kindliness and charity towards your parents..." Observe how loving-kindness to one's parents hath been linked to recognition of the one true God!
(Bahá’u’lláh, Su'al va Javab (Questions and Answers), to Zaynul-Muqarrabin -- BH00069)
The available source contains an omission or incomplete wording; sentence boundaries need review.
20
Beware lest ye commit that which would sadden the hearts of your fathers and mothers. Follow ye the path of Truth, which indeed is a straight path. Should anyone give you a choice between the opportunity to render a service to Me and a service to them, choose ye to serve them, and let such service be a path leading you to Me.
Father and mother are worthy of esteem and it is necessary (to secure their good pleasure); but this on condition that they may not prevent one from nearness to the Threshold of the Almighty and may not withhold one from walking in the path of the Kingdom.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1905-Jan-20, to Charles Mason Remey -- AB03276)
22
Seek the good pleasure of thy father as far as it is possible for thee and be not aggrieved by his indifference for the rights of one's parents are sacred even should they perpetrate injustices against thee.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1902-Oct-06, to Abdu'l-Ghaffar Shirazi -- AB03934)
23
Be thou patient in what thou hast received from thy father and deal with him under all conditions with patience. … We have enjoined upon all to honor their fathers and mothers.
Convey yearning greetings to your esteemed father, act according to his good pleasure, and carry out whatever he deems advisable. Set aside your own thoughts and execute whatever is his will. Do not deviate from his good pleasure by so much as a hair's breadth, and know that this is the cause of your eternal happiness.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906 ca., to Mirza Ali, son of Adib -- AB03455)
25
The son, on the other hand, must show forth the utmost obedience towards his father, and should conduct himself as a humble and a lowly servant. Day and night he should seek diligently to ensure the comfort and welfare of his loving father and to secure his good pleasure.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Najjar, Shukrullah et al -- AB05586)
26
There are also certain sacred duties on children toward parents, which duties are written in the Book of God, as belonging to God. The (children's) prosperity in this world and the Kingdom depends upon the good pleasure of parents, and without this they will be in manifest loss.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1915 or <, to Addie Dealy -- AB02613)
27
Know thou that the rights of parents are great, very great, and God hath compared them to His own rights. Thou must, therefore, please thy mother, obey her orders, and show consideration towards thy brother under all conditions, as required in the law of God.
Satisfy thy revered father and seek his pleasure, so that he may consider that thou observest his obedience more than ever. Practice the utmost love and affection.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1902-May-14, to Charles Mason Remey -- AB03769)
29
And if you wish to take a spouse in obedience to your mother, there is no objection to this, for mothers have rights conjoined with the rights of the Lord of verses. He has said in the Qur'an: "Lower unto them the wing of humility and say: My Lord! Have mercy on them even as they cherished me when I was little." Based on this, obeying one's mother in a legitimate matter is a gift to man.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1903 ca., to Nasim Effendi Abdu'llah (Lebanon) -- AB06444)
30
A son should be thus affectionate and worship his parents, forsake his own comfort and think of the ease of both stranger and kin.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1908-Jan-18, to Mother of Mir Nasir -- AB06489)
31
I hope that all children will be assisted to serve their mothers as you did and become the cause of their happiness, for the rights of father and mother are conjoined with the rights of the Divine Unity, and "show kindness unto parents" is a clear and evident proof.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Hand of the Cause Ali Muhammad Ibn Asdaq -- AB02049)
32
You must obey your parents so that they may be pleased with you, and so that God will be pleased with you, and that you may become the children of the Kingdom and mirror forth the words of Christ.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to some children, spoken on 1912-Nov-24 -- ABU2244)
33
I send boundless greetings to thy honored son. I hope that through divine grace and favor he may be assisted and confirmed in his youth to serve the Cause and to serve thee, for the rights of parents are most great in the sight of the Beloved, especially in this matter wherein they have placed great emphasis.
Thou art a memorial of that Tree of God's love; thou art a remnant of that sign of divine bounty. I beseech the Lord of existence, by His kindness and generosity, to reveal the truth of the saying "the child is the secret essence of its sire" in the inner reality of that new flower of the garden of recognition. Thus mayest the branch follow the way of the root "and that is not difficult for God."
He said: "Blessed is the one who arises to serve the Cause of the Lord of the beginning and the end in the prime of youth, and is adorned with His love. The appearance of this greatest bounty is greater than the creation of the heavens and earth. Blessed are the firm ones and joy be to the steadfast."
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1299-05-25 [1882-Apr-14], to Mulla Ali Akbar Shahmirzadi (Haji Akhund) -- BH00044)
36
O loved ones of 'Abdu'l-Baha! Man's life has its springtime, which is endowed with marvellous brightness. The period of youth is characterised by strength and vigour and identified as the choice hour of human life. Strive day and night, therefore, to be endowed with heavenly strength, inspired with unclouded motives, aided by His celestial power, His heavenly grace and confirmation that you may all become ornaments of the world of humanity and pre-eminent among the initiates of true learning in the love of God.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1911 ca., to Abbas Ali Milani -- AB01329)
37
After a time he enters the period of youth, in which his former conditions and needs are superseded by new requirements applicable to the advance in his degree. His faculties of observation are broadened and deepened; his intelligent capacities are trained and awakened; the limitations and environment of childhood no longer restrict his energies and accomplishments.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given at Genealogical Hall on 1912-Nov-17 -- ABU0101)
38
One of the special bounties vouchsafed in this Revelation is this: that every soul who turneth in faith toward the Dawning-Place of the Cause---his parents, albeit they have not attained unto faith in this Manifestation---shall yet be encompassed by the rays of the Sun of Divine loving-kindness, and shall be taken into its shelter. This is of His grace unto His loved ones. Render thou thanks, and be thou of the thankful.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290 [1873] or earlier, to Muhammad Ismail Buranjani -- BH01972)
39
In the Book of God it is recorded that should a person embrace this Faith, his father and mother shall also receive forgiveness.
(Bahá’u’lláh, From the recollections of Mirza 'Ali-Akbar Kashani -- BHU0060)
Further quotations · supplied wording and references
40
Baha'u'llah came to bring unity to the world, and a fundamental unity is that of the family. Therefore, one must believe that the Faith is intended to strengthen the family, not weaken it, and one of the keys to the strengthening of unity is loving consultation. The atmosphere within a Baha'i family as within the community as a whole should express 'the keynote of the Cause of God' which, the beloved Guardian has stated, 'is not dictatorial authority but humble fellowship, not arbitrary power, but the spirit of frank and loving consultation'.
LG#734 (28 Dec. 1980 from the Universal House of Justice)
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified
41
Among the young ones in the community are those known as junior youth, who fall between the ages of, say, 12 and 15. They represent a special group with special needs as they are somewhat in between childhood and youth when many changes are occurring within them. Creative attention must be devoted to involving them in programs of activity that will engage their interests, mold their capacities for teaching and service, and involve them in social interaction with older youth.
Ruhi5.2.1, Ridvan.2000
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified
42
The regular holding of Baha'i children's classes should be given high priority. Indeed in many parts of the world this is the first activity in a process of community building, which, if pursued vigorously, gives rise to the other developments. In all this, particular attention needs to be given to the youth, who are often the Faith's most enthusiastic supporters. The establishment of these activities defines a first stage in the process of community development, which, once attained, must be followed by subsequent stages until a community reaches a point where it can formulate its own plans of expansion and consolidation.
M86-01 213.23 (26 Dec. 1995 from the Universal House of Justice)
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified
43
The Baha'i youth must be taught how to teach the Cause of God. Their knowledge of the fundamentals of the Faith must be deepened and the standard of their education in science and literature enhanced. They must become thoroughly familiar with the language used and the example set by 'Abdu'l-Baha in His public addresses throughout the West. They must also be acquainted with those essential prerequisites of teaching as recorded in the Holy Books and Tablets.
COC#431, COC#2237 (9 Jun. 1925 from Shoghi Effendi, translated from Persian)
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified
44
His hope, as well as that of the friends, is that you should increase both in number and spirituality. The future of this Cause, which is so dear to us all, depends upon the energy and devotion of the rising generation. It is you who before long will be called to shoulder its responsibilities and undertake its spread. To do that, however, you ought to be well equipped. You ought to have your intellectual as well as spiritual side equally developed....
COC#2242 (28 Dec. 1925 from Shoghi Effendi, Ruhi5.1.7)
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified
Sentence boundary needs source review; the supplied wording is retained.
45
From the very beginning of the Baha'i Era, youth have played a vital part in the promulgation of God's Revelation. The Bab Himself was but twenty-five years old when He declared His Mission, while many of the Letters of the Living were even younger. The Master, as a very young man, was called upon to shoulder heavy responsibilities in the service of His Father in Iraq and Turkey, and His brother, the Purest Branch, yielded up his life to God in the Most Great Prison at the age of twenty-two that the servants of God might "be quickened, and all that dwell on earth be united.", Shoghi Effendi was a student at Oxford when called to the throne of his guardianship, and many of the Knights of Baha'u'llah, who won imperishable fame during the Ten Year Crusade, were young people. Let it, therefore, never be imagined that youth must await their years of maturity before they can render invaluable services to the Cause of God.
M63-86 37.1 (10 Jun. 1966 from the Universal House of Justice), Ruhi5.1.19
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified
46
It is on young and active Baha'is, like you, that the Guardian centers all his hopes for the future progress and expansion of the Cause, and it is on their shoulders that he lays the responsibility for the upkeep of the spirit of selfless service among their fellow-believers. Without that spirit no work can be successfully achieved. With it triumph, though hardly won, is but inevitable. You should therefore, try all your best to carry aflame within you the torch of faith, for through it you will surely find guidance, strength and eventual success.
(COC#1940, 1 Sep. 1933 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; Ruhi5.1.5)
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified
47
The endurance of youth under arduous conditions, their vitality and vigour, and their ability to adapt themselves to local situations, to meet new challenges, and to impart their warmth and enthusiasm to those they visit, combined with the standard of conduct upheld by Baha'i youth, make them potent instruments for the execution of the contemplated projects. Indeed, through these distinctive qualities they can become the spearhead of any enterprise and the driving force of any undertaking in which they participate, whether local or national.
(LG#2122, 25 May 1975 from the Universal House of Justice, Ruhi5.1.5)
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified
48
No greater demonstration can be given to the peoples of both continents of the youthful vitality and the vibrant power animating the life, and the institutions of the nascent Faith of Baha'u'llah than an intelligent, persistent, and effective participation of the Baha'i youth, of every race, nationality, and class, in both the teaching and administrative spheres of Baha'i activity.
ADJ#101 p069-070
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified
49
I need not tell you what great hopes he cherishes for the future role which young Baha'is will be inevitably called upon to play in the teaching as well as in the administrative fields of Baha'i activity. It is on them that he centres his essential and vital hopes for the effective and wide spread of the Message, and for the strengthening of the basis of the nascent Baha'i administrative institutions which are gradually taking shape amidst storms of an unprecedented severity, and under extremely tragic circumstances.
COC#2259 (2 Nov. 1933 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified
50
At every stage of the growth of the Faith, young people have played a pivotal role in its propagation and consolidation. You have the bounty of being youth at a unique time in history. Like the generations before you, you must seize the opportunities that the hour has thrust upon you. These are the years during which the Baha'i community must make a significant advance in the process of entry by troops. Now is the time to teach. It is imperative that you take up your responsibility to lead not only your peers but all people toward the world civilization of Baha'u'llah.
Ruhi5.1.17 (3 Jan. 1996 from the Universal House of Justice)
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified
51
The Five Year Plan ... requires concentrated and sustained attention to two essential movements. The first is the steady flow of believers through the sequence of courses offered by training institutes, for the purpose of developing the human resources of the Cause. The second, which receives its impetus from the first, is the movement of geographic clusters from one stage of growth to the next. That Baha'i youth must be intensely involved in both of these--indeed, that they must be a driving force behind them--goes without saying.
Ruhi5.1.17 (22 Dec. 2001 from the Universal House of Justice)
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified
Sentence boundary needs source review; the supplied wording is retained.
52
Even though the Baha'i Youth should feel with the condition in which they see their non-Baha'i friends and not indict them for it, they should not let themselves be carried by the wave of world events as they are being carried. Whereas they see before them only a world that is crumbling down we are also seeing a new world being built up. Whereas they experience the destruction of old institutions that commanded their respect, we are beholding the dawn of a new era with its strict commands and new social bonds. Their materialistic outlook shows them the futility of all things while our faith in a regenerated and spiritualized man makes us look to the future and build for it. To make them follow our ways we should sympathize with their plight but should not follow their ways. We should take our stand on a higher plane of moral and spiritual life and, setting for them the true example, urge them up to our level.
COC#2253 (26 Oct. 1932 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified
53
Be not dismayed if your endeavors are dismissed as utopian by the voices that would oppose any suggestion of fundamental change. Trust in the capacity of this generation to disentangle itself from the embroilments of a divided society. To discharge your responsibilities, you will have to show forth courage, the courage of those who cling to standards of rectitude, whose lives are characterized by purity of thought and action, and whose purpose is directed by love and indomitable faith. As you dedicate yourselves to healing the wounds with which your peoples have been afflicted, you will become invincible champions of justice.
Ruhi5.1.17 (8 Jan. 2000 from the Universal House of Justice)
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified
54
One of the distinguishing characteristics of this most great Dispensation is that the kin of such as have recognized and embraced the truth of this Revelation and have, in the glory of His name, the Sovereign Lord, quaffed the choice, sealed wine from the chalice of the love of the one true God, will, upon their death, if they are outwardly non-believers, be graciously invested with divine forgiveness and partake of the ocean of His Mercy. This bounty, however, will be vouchsafed only to such souls as have inflicted no harm upon Him Who is the Sovereign Truth nor upon His loved ones.
(From a Tablet of Baha'u'llah, Compilation of Compilations #823)