Daily Frameworks for 02 February 2025

Jamál, 16 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 181 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection

The outer sun is a sign or symbol of the inner and ideal Sun of Truth, the Word of God. Inasmuch as this is the century of light, it is evident that the Sun of Reality, the Word, has revealed itself to all humankind. One of the potentialities hidden in the realm of humanity was the capability or capacity of womanhood. Through the effulgent rays of divine illumination the capacity of woman has become so awakened and manifest in this age that equality of man and woman is an established fact. In past ages woman was wronged and oppressed. This was especially the case in Asia and Africa. In certain parts of Asia women were not considered as members of humankind. They were looked upon as inferior, unworthy creatures, subordinate and subject to man. A certain people known as the Nusayris held to the belief for a long period that woman was the incarnation of the evil spirit, or Satan, and that man alone was the manifestation of God, the Merciful. At last this century of light dawned, the realities shone forth, and the mysteries long hidden from human vision were revealed. Among these revealed realities was the great principle of the equality of man and woman, which is now finding recognition throughout the whole world—America, Europe and the Orient.— ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ¹

Another teaching is that there shall be perfect equality between men and women. Why should man create a distinction which God does not recognize? In the kingdoms below man sex exists, but the distinction between male and female is neither repressive nor restrictive. The mare, for instance, is as strong and often more speedy than the horse. Throughout the animal and vegetable kingdoms there is perfect equality between the sexes. In the kingdom of mankind this equality must likewise exist, and the one whose heart is purest, whose life and character are highest and nearest to the divine standard is most worthy and excellent in the sight of God. This is the only true and real distinction, be that one man or woman. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ²

Know thou that the distinction between male and female is an exigency of the physical world and hath no connection with the spirit; for the spirit and the world of the spirit are sanctified above such exigencies, and wholly beyond the reach of such changes as befall the physical body in the contingent world. In former ages, men enjoyed ascendancy over women because bodily might reigned supreme and the spirit was subject to its dominion. In this radiant age, however, since the power of the spirit hath transcended that of the body and assumed its ascendancy, authority and dominion over the human world, this physical distinction hath ceased to be of consequence; and, as the sway and influence of the spirit have become apparent, women have come to be the full equals of men. Today, therefore, there is no respect or circumstance in which a person’s sex provideth grounds for the exercise of either discrimination or favour. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ³

Ṭáhirih had caught fire. She set out for Karbilá, hoping to meet Siyyid Káẓim, but she arrived too late: ten days before she reached that city, he passed away. Not long before his death the Siyyid had shared with his disciples the good news that the promised Advent was at hand. “Go forth,” he repeatedly told them, “and seek out your Lord.” Thus the most distinguished of his followers gathered for retirement and prayer, for fasts and vigils, in the Masjid-i-Kúfih, while some awaited the Advent in Karbilá. Among these was Ṭáhirih, fasting by day, practicing religious disciplines, and spending the night in vigils, and chanting prayers. One night when it was getting along toward dawn she laid her head on her pillow, lost all awareness of this earthly life, and dreamed a dream; in her vision a youth, a Siyyid, wearing a black cloak and a green turban, appeared to her in the heavens; he was standing in the air, reciting verses and praying with his hands upraised. At once, she memorized one of those verses, and wrote it down in her notebook when she awoke. After the Báb had declared His mission, and His first book, “The Best of Stories,” (The “Aḥsanu’l-Qiṣaṣ,” the Báb’s commentary on the Súrih of Joseph, was called the Qur’án of the Bábís, and was translated from Arabic into Persian by Ṭáhirih. Cf. God Passes By, Chapter V, paragraph beginning “Already in Shíráz…”.) was circulated, Ṭáhirih was reading a section of the text one day, and she came upon that same verse, which she had noted down from the dream. Instantly offering thanks, she fell to her knees and bowed her forehead to the ground, convinced that the Báb’s message was truth. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁴

He promulgated the adoption of the same course of education for man and woman. Daughters and sons must follow the same curriculum of study, thereby promoting unity of the sexes. 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 be willing to sanction it. Mothers will not give their sons as sacrifices upon the battlefield after twenty years of anxiety and loving devotion in rearing them from infancy, no matter what cause they are called upon to defend. There is no doubt that when women obtain equality of rights, war will entirely cease among mankind. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁵

Question for Consideration

Section 10 of the second unit, “Uplifting Conversations,” in Book 2 Arising to Serve concerns equality of men and women based, in part, on the writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá quoted above. ⁶ How can one draw on His explanations to better understand the significance and implications of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings and feel encouraged to initiate and sustain meaningful and uplifting conversations with others about what changes are necessary if women are to assume an equal position with men in all fields of endeavor? ⁷

Perplexity Pro Response ⁸

The teachings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on the equality of men and women offer a profound spiritual and practical framework for understanding and promoting gender equality in all aspects of society. These teachings emphasize the spiritual basis of equality, the historical progress towards recognition of women’s rights, and the transformative power of equal education in fostering a more just and peaceful world.

Spiritual Basis of Equality

The spiritual foundation of gender equality transcends physical distinctions, as emphasized by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He asserts that the spirit is “sanctified above such exigencies” as bodily differences, highlighting that true worth is determined by one’s character and proximity to divine standards, regardless of gender [1]. This perspective challenges long-held prejudices and offers a profound basis for reimagining societal structures. In this “radiant age,” the ascendancy of spiritual power over physical might has rendered gender-based discrimination obsolete, paving the way for women to be recognized as full equals to men in all aspects of life [3].

Historical Progress and Challenges

Throughout history, women faced severe oppression, particularly in Asia and Africa. In certain Asian regions, women were not even considered human, viewed as inferior and subordinate to men. The Nusayris, for instance, believed women to be incarnations of evil spirits [1]. However, the dawn of the “century of light” brought about a radical shift in perspective. The principle of gender equality, once hidden from human understanding, has now gained recognition worldwide, spanning America, Europe, and the Orient [1]. This transformation marks a significant departure from past injustices, highlighting the evolving consciousness of humanity towards embracing equal rights and opportunities for both sexes.

Education’s Role in Equality

Equal education for both sexes is a cornerstone of achieving true gender equality, according to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He advocates for daughters and sons to follow the same curriculum, promoting unity between the sexes. This approach not only fosters equality but also has far-reaching societal implications. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá posits that when women receive equal educational opportunities, it will contribute significantly to the abolition of warfare. Mothers, having invested years in nurturing their children, would be unwilling to sacrifice them in conflicts, potentially leading to the cessation of war among mankind when women attain full equality of rights.

Ṭáhirih: A Symbol of Leadership

Ṭáhirih, a Persian poetess born in the early 1800s, emerged as a powerful symbol of women’s leadership and spiritual insight in a time of profound societal change. Despite the oppressive conditions for women in Persia, she became the first woman to accept the Báb’s new Revelation, dedicating herself to proclaiming the truth of gender equality [1]. Her journey led her to Karbilá in search of Siyyid Káẓim, where she engaged in intense spiritual practices, including fasting and vigils. In a pivotal dream, Ṭáhirih received a verse that she later recognized in the Báb’s first book, “The Best of Stories,” confirming her belief in His message. This experience not only solidified her faith but also showcased her scholarly aptitude, as she later translated this work from Arabic to Persian, demonstrating the intellectual capabilities of women in religious scholarship and leadership.

Citations

[1] Book 2: Arising to Serve (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

[2] Book 7: Walking Together on a Path of Service (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

[3] Book 1: Reflections on the Life of the Spirit (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How did Ṭáhirih’s dream influence her acceptance of the Báb’s message?
• What specific actions can individuals take to promote gender equality in their communities?
• How does the concept of gender equality in the Bahá’í faith compare to other religious teachings?
• What are some historical examples of women who have championed gender equality in different cultures?
• How can educational systems be reformed to better support gender equality?
• What were the key moments in Ṭáhirih’s life that showcased her leadership qualities?
• How did Ṭáhirih’s teachings challenge the societal norms of her time?
• What were the reactions of the clergy and the king towards Ṭáhirih’s actions?
• How did Ṭáhirih’s eloquence and knowledge influence the perception of women in her community?
• What specific actions did Ṭáhirih take to promote the equality of men and women?

1. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 74. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/4#340692704. ↩
2. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 434. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/32#749055499. ↩
3. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Additional Tablets, Extracts and Talks. Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 2018. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/additional-tablets-extracts-talks/329894047/1#531605375. ↩
4. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Memorials of the Faithful. Translated by Marzieh Gail. 1st ed. 1971. Reprint, Wilmette, Ill: Baháʾ í Pub. Trust, 1975, 192-193. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/memorials-faithful/6#547931169. ↩
5. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 175. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/13#986057314. ↩
6. Ruhi Institute. Arising to Serve. 2.1.1.PE September 2020. Vol. Book 2. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2020, v, 28-29. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#AS. ↩
7. Ruhi Institute. Walking Together on a Path of Service. 2.1.1.PE February 2024. Vol. Book 7. 14 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2024, 70-72. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
8. Perplexity Pro. “Equality of Men and Women.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. January 31, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/the-outer-sun-is-a-sign-or-sym-CUFdE80ESraClfgIfvyIQg. ↩