Bahá’í Marriage and Family Life/Introduction

Bahá’í Marriage and Family Life Introduction

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Introduction

All of the institutions of the Bahá’í Faith were established so that love and unity would have means of expression in the life of human society. This is especially true of the institution of marriage, which Bahá’u’lláh called a “fortress for well-being”, and which is the foundation of family life.

Nothing is more delightful than to visualize ourselves as entering into a relationship which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá describes as “mutual attraction of mind and heart”, “a tie that will endure forever”, enabling us to become “loving companions and comrades”, and “at one with each other for time and eternity”. The question is not: “Is this what I want?” The question is: “Have we developed the qualities of character which will make it possible to build such a relationship?”

This compilation is designed to help us prepare for marriage, to assist those of us already married, and to improve our family life. It is also intended to assist Bahá’í Spiritual Assemblies in their educational and counselling responsibilities.

Two compilations from the Bahá’í teachings on “Discouraging Divorce” and “Family Life”, sent to National Spiritual Assemblies by the Universal House of Justice, have been incorporated into this collection. Additional passages have been selected for their capacity to shed further light on the terms and concepts referred to in the guidance specifically related to Bahá’í marriage and family life.

What greater joy is there than to love and to be loved, and to raise a family distinguished for its unity and harmony? What effort is too great, what discipline too strenuous for the reward of such a joy?

Warmest Bahá’í love,
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF CANADA