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Tag: "Marriage"

tag name Marriage type: Miscellaneous; Practices
web link bahai-library.com/tags/Marriage
related tags Family
referring tags - Compilations on bahai.org; Consent (marriage); Divorce; Dowry; Interracial marriage; Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Selected topics; Marriage, Civil; Marriage certificate; Marriage prayers; Marriage vows; Marriage with non-Bahá'í; Monogamy; Soul mates; Su'al va Javab (Questions and Answers, Kitáb-i-Aqdas); Weddings
Inventory subject Laws of marriage and dowry; Marriage as means of spiritual progress; Prayer for married couples
notes

See also:

– Bahá'í Sacred Writings, chapter 7, section "Marriage and Family Life" (Bahá'u'lláh), and chapter 12, section "Family Life" ('Abdu'l-Bahá)

– Compilation To Set the World in Order: Building and Preserving Strong Marriages

– Prayers for marriage on bahai.org/library.

selected quotations
(authoritative sources)

These quotations reflect common presentations of Bahá’í views; the materials below may show a wider range of interpretations and contexts:

"... And when He desired to manifest grace and beneficence to men, and set the world in order, He revealed observances and created laws; among them He established the law of marriage, made it as a fortress for well-being and salvation..."

– Bahá'u'lláh, Bahá'í Prayers

"Bahá’í marriage is union and cordial affection between the two parties. They must, however, exercise the utmost care and become acquainted with each other’s character. This eternal bond should be made secure by a firm covenant, and the intention should be to foster harmony, fellowship and unity and to attain everlasting life."

– Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá'í Prayers

"... marriage must be a union of the body and of the spirit as well... This connection between them is a spiritual one, hence it is a bond that will abide forever. Likewise do they enjoy strong and lasting ties in the physical world as well, for if the marriage is based both on the spirit and the body, that union is a true one, hence it will endure..."

– ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, ¶84.2–84.5 (AB02400)

"... For Bahá’ís, marriage is not only a physical bond, but a spiritual one as well, with implications for life in this world and the next. Bahá’í marriage, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains, “is the commitment of the two parties one to the other, and their mutual attachment of mind and heart”, so that they “may ever improve the spiritual life of each other,” and so that they may “abide with each other in the closest companionship” and “be even as a single soul.” In Bahá’í marriage, two souls learn how to assist one another so that both may achieve their twofold moral purpose—to develop their inherent God-given potentialities and to contribute to an ever-advancing civilization. The relationship the couple establishes beginning with their marriage ceremony will, throughout space and time, affect the forging of countless new relationships among other people that can constructively reshape lives and communities.

... central to the development of a new pattern of Bahá’í married life is the principle of the equality of women and men. As this principle is applied between the wife and husband within the marriage, the relationship is strengthened and thrives, and girls and boys will be raised with a new understanding of equality and its practical expression. The ramifications of this principle will thus gradually extend to future generations and contribute to the advancement of women until ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s expectation that women will “participate fully and equally in the affairs of the world” is entirely realized..."

– From a letter from the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá'ís of the world, 19 March 2025

"God hath prescribed matrimony unto you." ¶63

"...The Synopsis and Codification, section IV.C.1.a.–o., summarizes and synthesizes the provisions in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas and Questions and Answers concerning marriage and the conditions under which it is permitted (Q&A 3, 13, 46, 50, 84, and 92), the law of betrothal (Q&A 43), the payment of the dowry (Q&A 12, 26, 39, 47, 87, and 88), the procedures to be adopted in the event of the prolonged absence of a spouse (Q&A 4 and 27), and sundry other circumstances (Q&A 12 and 47). (See also notes 89–99.)"

– Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Note 88

bahaidata.org Q4613   ·   Links to Bahá'í wikis (bahai9, bahaipedia, etc.)
references en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baháʼí_marriage; bahaiquotes.com/subjects/m; www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/search#q=Marriage

"Marriage" has been tagged in:

62 results from the Main Catalog

13 results from the Chronology

14 results from the Chronology Canada

from the main catalog (62 results; expand)

sorted by  
  1. n.d.. Marriage, Consent of Parents to. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice, Universal House of Justice, Research Department, comp. . Compilations.
  2. n.d.. Developmental Stages in Marriage. Hossain B. Danesh. Audio.
  3. n.d.. Healthy Communication in Marriage. Hossain B. Danesh. Audio.
  4. 2025-12-22. Expressions of Equality in the Family. Bahá'í World Centre. — Short documentary, on how the principle of equality is reshaping patterns of life among several fami... Video.
  5. 2025-07. Bahá'í Sacred Writings. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Bahá'í World Centre, comp. . — A comprehensive collection of selections from the Writings of Baha’u’llah and the Writings and u... Writings.
  6. 2025-03-19. Regarding Family Life and Marriage. Universal House of Justice. — Letter emphasizing the Baha’i family’s role in fostering unity, equality, and spiritual growth, ... UHJ-letters.
  7. 2023-08. To Set the World in Order: Building and Preserving Strong Marriages. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice, Universal House of Justice, Research Department, comp. . — The cause of unity; creating families that illuminate the world; the ideal milieu for learning the p... Compilations.
  8. 2023-06. Báb on the Rights of Women, The. Siyamak Zabihi-Moghaddam. — Statements of the Bab on issues such as mutʿah and tahlil marriages, polygyny, bridal consent, divo... Articles.
  9. 2021-03-14. Notes on Letter from Shoghi Effendi re Parental Consent for Marriage. Universal House of Justice, Research Department. — Answers re a letter from the Guardian from 1929 on: the correct order of two excerpts from this lett... UHJ-letters.
  10. 2019-09. Worldview and the Laws of the Bayán. Nader Saiedi. — Explores the Persian Bayan's spiritual worldview and laws through four talks, offering insights into... Audio.
  11. 2019. Writings of the Báb: Lecture Series at the Norwegian Summer School. Nader Saiedi. — On topics including the concept of God; Manifestations of God; Day of Resurrection, heaven and hell;... Audio.
  12. 2018/2025. Additional Tablets, Extracts and Talks. Abdu'l-Bahá, Bahá'í World Centre, trans. . — 216 selections, last updated 2025. Writings.
  13. 2018. Reflections on the Principle of Unity/Oneness, Some. Hooshmand Badee. — Reflections on the message of Baha'u'llah creating the oneness of humanity and a global society that... Articles.
  14. 2013-2018/2023. Various Essays. Susan Gammage. — 47 short essays on following the teachings and living a Baha'i life, life coaching and counselling, ... Essays.
  15. 2013-04-23. Difficulty of teachings on chastity. Universal House of Justice. — Discusses the need of institutions not to pry but to encourage willful obedience with the teachings ... UHJ-letters.
  16. 2013-04-19. Challenges for Bahá'í Youth in a Western Way of Life. Universal House of Justice. — Difficulties young people might face in upholding Baha'i ideals and standards of behaviour in the co... UHJ-letters.
  17. 2009-2025. Translation List: Provisional Translations of Baháʼí Texts. Adib Masumian, trans. — Index to talks, letters, and other items translated from Persian and Arabic to English by Adib Masum... Bibliographies.
  18. 2008. Family Life. Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice, Universal House of Justice, Research Department, comp. . — Extracts on preserving the bond between husband and wife, parent-child relationships and responsibil... Compilations.
  19. 2005-11. Collected Essays. John Wiegley. — Dozens of essays on numerous topics of Baha'i thought and practice. Books.
  20. 2004-04. Faith, Theory, and Practice: Interracial Marriage as a Symbol of the Oneness of Humanity. Benjamin Leiker. Theses.
  21. 2002-05-28. Apparent Contradictions in the Bahá'í Writings, Reconciliation of. Universal House of Justice. — On apparent contradictions, regarding Mirza Abu'l-Fadl on Abraham and Zoroaster; 'Abdu'l-Baha and a ... UHJ-letters.
  22. 2001. Family Law in Iran. Sen McGlinn. — Detailed overview of 20th-century Iranian laws regarding marriage, divorce, marriage rights and duti... Articles-unpublished.
  23. 2000. Guidance for Bahá'í Groups. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States. — The purpose, organization, functioning, limitations, privileges and responsibilities of Baha'i group... NSA-documents.
  24. 2000. Cultural Diversity in the Age of Maturity. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice, Universal House of Justice, Research Department, comp. . Compilations.
  25. 2000. Principles for Effective Parenting. Don Dainty. — A cycle for successful family development; preparation for marriage; parental roles; virtues educati... Essays.
  26. 1998. Recognition of Bahá'í Marriage and Holidays in American State Law. Ralph D. Wagner, comp. — List of sample legal statutes and proceedings from various states, followed by specific legal counse... Documents.
  27. 1996/2001. Ethics of African Culture and Its Relation to the Bahá'í Faith. Mojgan Derakhshani. — Overview of some aspects of African traditional practices from a Baha'i perspective. Articles-unpublished.
  28. 1996. Universality of the Laws of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, The. Bijan Samali. — The laws of the Aqdas focus on the individual; are applicable to everyone; facilitate the realisatio... Articles.
  29. 1996. Family in Bahá'í Faith, The. Moojan Momen. — Overview of Baha'i teachings on marriage, children, and education. Essays.
  30. 1996. Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986: Third Epoch of the Formative Age. Universal House of Justice, Geoffrey W. Marks, comp. . Books.
  31. 1995-12. Police Forces Bearing Arms, Bahá'í Enlistment in. Universal House of Justice. — Two letters from the House on joining armed police forces, e.g. the Ulster Defence Regiment and the ... UHJ-letters.
  32. 1994-07-06. New Religious Movements, Tolkien, Marriage. Universal House of Justice. — Various questions: new religious movements; Indian Letter of the Living; J.R.R. Tolkien; eternality... UHJ-letters.
  33. 1994. Rituals in Babism and Baha'ism. Denis MacEoin. — On practices of prayer, invocations, talismans, jewelry, fasting, purity, birth, death, marriage, fe... Books.
  34. 1994. Tablet on Marriage (Lawh-i-Nikáh). Bahá'u'lláh, Denis MacEoin, trans. . Translations.
  35. 1993-11-23. Violence Against Women and Children. Universal House of Justice. — Baha’i principles on violence, sexual abuse, family dynamics, gender equality, consultation, child... UHJ-letters.
  36. 1993(?)/2015. Communal Harmony: India's Greatest Challenge. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of India. — A formal statement from the NSA of the Baha'is of India on the need to overcome religious, linguisti... NSA-letters.
  37. 1993. "In the Beginning Was the Word": Apocalypse and the Education of the Soul. Ross Woodman. — Hidden meanings in scripture and the soul are metaphorically identified with the huris, or brides. T... Articles.
  38. 1992-12-22. Childhood Abuse, and Revoking Parent's Right of Marriage Consent. Universal House of Justice. — Guidance on therapy and recovery from sexual abuse. The abusing parent's right to consent to marriag... UHJ-letters.
  39. 1992. Marriage, Bahá'í: Warwick Leaflets. Warwick Bahá'í Bookshop. — Baha'u'llah said everyone should marry. Marriage unites the physical and spiritual in a "fortress fo... Introductory.
  40. 1991-04-13. Marriage and Sexuality. Hossain B. Danesh. — Transcript of a talk at a private home in Springfield, Virginia, recorded and distributed for teachi... Talks.
  41. 1991-03. Spiritual Health of American Community. Universal House of Justice. — Publication of a letter addressing an individual's concerns for the spiritual health of the American... UHJ-letters.
  42. 1991. Marriages, Preserving Bahá'í. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice, Universal House of Justice, Research Department, comp. . Compilations.
  43. 1991. Family Life. The Báb, Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi. Compilations.
  44. 1990. Hinduism and the Bahá'í Faith. Moojan Momen. — An attempt to explore the relationship between Hinduism and the Baha'i Faith and to explain the Baha... Books.
  45. 1988. Lights of Guidance: A Bahá'í Reference File. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice, Helen Bassett Hornby, comp. . — The classic Baha'i reference book. This is its first online edition. Compilations-personal.
  46. 1987. Question of Gender, A: A Forum on the Status of Men in Bahá'í Law. Susan Maneck (published as Susan Stiles Maneck), Baharieh Rouhani Ma'ani, R. Jackson Armstrong-Ingram, Anthony Lee. — Six authors address issues of theology, sociology, law, inheritance, equality, the Kitab-i-Aqdas, ma... Articles.
  47. 1986. Six-Year Plan, 1986-1992. Universal House of Justice. — Outline of Baha'i goals for 1986-1992, and collection of letters from the House. UHJ-documents.
  48. 1986. Study Guide for Baha'i Marriage and Family Life. Author unknown, comp. — This study guide is a companion to the compilation Baha'i Marriage and Family Life. Study.
  49. 1985. Unrestrained as the Wind: A Life Dedicated to Bahá'u'lláh. National Youth Committee, comp. — Compilation of quotations on topics of especial interest to Baha'i youth. Compilations-NSA.
  50. 1983/1997. Bahá'í Marriage and Family Life. Various. — Selections from the Bahà’i writings. Compilations-NSA.
  51. 1983. Divine Institution of Marriage, The. Anonymous. Essays.
  52. 1983. Development and Dimensions of Love in Marriage. Hossain B. Danesh. — As with all forms of love, love in marriage is developmental in nature. Its development is closely r... Articles.
  53. 1983. Applications of Positive Psychotherapy for Marriage and Family Therapy. Nossrat Peseschkian. — To understand observed behaviour, we need to consider transcultural conditions as well as those in t... Articles.
  54. 1983. Marriage Breakdown in North America: A Psychosocial Perspective. Kerry Mothersill. — What are the effects of marital breakdown, what are its causes, and what can be done to enhance mari... Articles.
  55. 1983. Divine Institution of Marriage, The: Bahá'í Studies Notebook. Various. — Compilation of essays on marriage from a Baha'i perspective. Books.
  56. 1983. Marriage and the Nuclear Family: A Bahá'í Perspective. Khalil A. Khavari. — Baha'i concepts of the purposes of marriage, courtship and dating, family communication, and childre... Articles.
  57. 1983. Marriage: the Eternal Principle. Ruth Eyford, Helgi Eyford. — The role marriage plays in our ultimate purpose to know and worship God. The practical implications ... Articles.
  58. 1982. Thoughts on Marriage, Some. Margaret Ruhe. — An essay on various aspects of Baha'i marriage. Essays.
  59. 1976. Dawn over Mount Hira and Other Essays. Marzieh Gail. — A collection of essays on various topics of interest to Baha'i studies and history. Most of these we... Books.
  60. 1956. Notes on Words of the Guardian. Virginia Orbison. — Ten pages of notes, preserved as an appendix to Orbison's lengthy manuscript "Diary of a Pilgrimage ... Pilgrims.
  61. 1936. Marriage certificates of The Bab and Baha'u'llah. Author unknown, comp. — Marriage certificates of The Bab (1842) and Baha'u'llah (1835). Visual.
  62. 1912/1947/1974. "Easy Familiarity," Explanations of. Rúhíyyih Khánum, Ann Boylan, John B. Cornell, Universal House of Justice. — Statements on displays of affection (hugging and kissing) between members of the opposite sex. Also ... Guardian.

from the Chronology (13 results; expand)

  1. 1850-06-27 — The first known written Babi marriage certificate was between Mirza Muhammad Ja'far Khan and Tuba Kh...
  2. 1912-09-22 — The marriage of Louis G. Gregory and Louisa ("Louise") A. M. Mathew, the first interracial Baha'i co...
  3. 1937-00-00 — The marriage of Ruth Browne and Ellsworth Blackwell in Chicago. Theirs was the second United States...
  4. 1939-09-22 — The State of Illinois issued the first Baha'i marriage licence, authorizing the Spiritual Assembly o...
  5. 1950-00-00 — The Court of the First Instance in Karkúk, Iraq, registered a Baha'i marriage certificate. [MBW4; U...
  6. 1960-07-01 — Ben and Louise Whitecow (early Peigan believers) married in Calgary, Alberta, were the first Baha'is...
  7. 1961-07-27 — The first legally recognized Bahaʼi wedding in Panama was held in the city of David in Chiriqui Pro...
  8. 1979-00-00 — The government of Denmark recognized the right of the Baha'i Community of Denmark to perform marriag...
  9. 1980-01-18 — The publication of the compilation on Divorce by the Universal House of Justice. [MUHJ63-86p404]
  10. 1982-02-18 — The publication of the compilation entitled "Family Life" by the Universal House of Justice. [Messag...
  11. 1982-11-18 — Publication by the Universal House of Justice of the compilation on "Family Life". [BW18p41; CoC1p38...
  12. 2004-00-00 — The General Register Office in Northern Ireland officially recognised the Baha'i Faith as a legitima...
  13. 2023-08-15 — The release of the compilation To Set the World in Order: Building and Preserving Strong Marriages

from the Chronology of Canada (14 results; expand)

  1. 1914-04-30 — The marriage of Dr Zia Bagdadi, an Arab from Syria and devoted companion of 'Abdu'l-Baha to Zeenat K...
  2. 1937-03-25 — Shoghi Effendi married Mary Maxwell, Amatu'l-Baha Rúhiyyih Khanum. [PP151; UD115] For a descri...
  3. 1947-11-15 — Noel Wuttunee and Gerda Chrostopherson, both who had recently moved from Calgary, accepted the Faith...
  4. 1953-07-00 — First Baha'i wedding in London was solemnized between Dorothy Boys and Bob Smith, the Secretary and ...
  5. 1953-07-14 — Gale Keass and Jameson Bond were married in the Maxwell home, the first marriage to be performed the...
  6. 1954-07-14 — The first Baha'i wedding in Charlottetown took place on July 14, when Muriel Sheppard and Elwood M...
  7. 1956-09-00 — The National Spiritual Assembly published the policy for the performing of a Baha'i marriage by a lo...
  8. 1957-02-19 — Dr Donald Kidd and Mary Campbell, both of Edmonton were married in a Baha'i marriage ceremony in Cal...
  9. 1959-10-00 — In the October 1959 edition of the Canadian Baha'i News it was announced that request from the Natio...
  10. 1962-04-07 — The first Baha'i marriage ceremony to be legally recognized by the Ontario provincial government, to...
  11. 1963-08-24 — Lenore Perrault and Shane Chambers were married in a Baha'i ceremony at Prospect Point in Stanley Pa...
  12. 1963-10-12 — The first Baha'i wedding in Manitoba was held at the Girl Guide House at 25 Osborne Street in Winnip...
  13. 1968-09-01 — The marriage of Cynthia Wrate to Reginald Newkirk in Lethbridge, AB. It was the first Baha'i (only) ...
  14. 1981-02-01 — The friends were advised at the Regional Convention that an Order in Council by the Government of Qu...
 
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