WHAT DO VARIOUS HOLY BOOKS OF MAJOR WORLD RELIGIONS SAY ABOUT WOMEN?
Compiled by: Fereshteh. T. Bethel, Ph.D.

Name of Religion: Bahá'í Faith, Date of Inception: May 23, 1844
Name of Founder: Bahá'u'lláh
Name of Most Holy Book: Aqdas (Author of this Faith and His appointed successors have written more than one 
hundred volumes of books which are all considered holy)
www.Bahai.com


Equality in the Sight of God
1.  Women and men have been and will always be equal in the sight of God.  Verily, God created women for 
men, and men for women.  The most beloved of people before God are the most steadfast and those who have 
surpassed others in their love for God, exalted be His glory...(Bahá'u'lláh, cited in 'Women', p. 26)

2. .... the Pen of the Most High hath lifted distinctions from between His servants and handmaidens, and, .....hath 
conferred upon all a station and rank on the same plane.  (Bahá'u'lláh, cited in 'Women', p. 2)

3. Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust?  That no one should exalt himself over the other. 
(Arabic Hidden Words, #68))

Equality of Men and Women in Action
4. The world of humanity has two wings -one is women and the other men.  Not until both wings are equally 
developed can the bird fly.  Should one wing remain weak, flight is impossible.  Not until the world of women 
becomes equal to the world of men in the acquisition of virtues and perfections, can success and prosperity be 
attained as they ought to be. (Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá [SWAB], p. 302)

5.  ...men and women are equal in the sight of God and that there is no distinction to be made between them.  
The only difference between them now is due to lack of education and training. (Promulgation of Universal Peace 
[PUP], p. 174)

6.  In this Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, the women go neck and neck with the men.  In no movement will they be left 
behind.... rest ye assured.  Do ye not look upon the present conditions; in the not far distant future the world of 
women will become all-refulgent and all-glorious,..... (Paris Talks, p. 182)

7. .... until woman and man recognize and realize equality, social and political progress here or anywhere will not 
be possible.  For the world of humanity consists of two parts or members:  one is woman; the other is man.  Until 
these two members are equal in strength, the oneness of humanity cannot be established, and the happiness 
and felicity of mankind will not be a reality.     (PUP, p. 77)

8.  The happiness of mankind will be realized when women and men coordinate and advance equally, for each is 
the complement and helpmeet of the other. (PUP, p. 182)

9. Equality of the sexes will be established in proportion to the increased opportunities afforded woman in this 
age, ... (PUP, p. 300)

10. In this divine age the bounties of God have encompassed the world of women.  Equality of men and women, 
except in some negligible instances, has been fully and categorically announced. Distinctions have been utterly 
removed. ('Abdu'l-Bahá, cited in 'Women', p. 16, Bahá'í Canada Publishers, 1986)

11. In the world of humanity we find a great difference; the female sex is treated as though inferior, and is not 
allowed equal rights and privileges.  This condition is due not to nature, but to education. In the Divine Creation 
there is no such distinction.  Neither sex is superior to the other in the sight of God.  Why then should one sex 
assert the inferiority of the other, withholding just rights and privileges as though God had given His authority for 
such a course of action?  If women received the same educational advantages as those of men, the result would 
demonstrate the equality of capacity of both for scholarship.  In some respects woman is superior to man.  She is 
more tender-hearted, more receptive, her intuition is more intense. (Paris Talks, p. 16)

12. It has been objected by some that woman is not equally capable with man and that she is deficient by 
creation.  This is pure imagination. The difference in capability between man and woman is due entirely to 
opportunity and education.  Heretofore woman has been denied the right and privilege of equal development.  If 
equal opportunity be granted her, there is no doubt she would be the peer of man.  History will evidence this.  In 
past ages noted women have arisen in the affairs of nations and surpassed men in their accomplishments. 
(PUP, p. 135)

13. Why should a woman be left mentally undeveloped?  Science is praiseworthy - whether investigated by the 
intellect of man or woman. ... woman has been outdistanced through lack of education and intellectual facilities.  
If given the same educational opportunities or course of study, she would develop the same capacity and 
abilities. (PUP, p. 281)

14. It is not natural that either should remain undeveloped; and until both are perfected, the happiness of the 
human world will not be realized. (PUP, p. 134)

15. In this day man must investigate reality impartially and without prejudice in order to reach the true knowledge 
and conclusions.  What, then, constitutes the inequality between man and woman? Both are human.  In powers 
and function each is the complement of the other.  At most it is this: that woman has been denied the 
opportunities which man has so long enjoyed, especially the privilege of education. (PUP, p. 75)
 
16. This is a bounteous characteristic of this wondrous Age which hath granted strength to the weaker sex and 
hath bestowed masculine might upon womanhood.... ('Abdu'l-Bahá, cited in 'Women', p. 5)

17. Erelong will women in every field keep pace with the men. ('Abdu'l-Bahá, cited in Education, p. 285)

Men's Greatness is Contingent Upon Women Attaining Their Highest Possibilities
18.  As long as women are prevented from attaining their highest possibilities, so long will men be unable to 
achieve the greatness which might be theirs. (Paris Talks, p. 133)

Woman Honored
19. The woman is indeed of the greater importance to the race.  She has the greater burden and the greater 
work.... The woman has greater moral courage than the man; she has also special gifts which enable her to 
govern in moments of danger and crisis. ('Abdu'l-Bahá in London, 1982 U.K. edition, pp. 102-103)

20. Again, it is well established in history that where woman has not participated in human affairs the outcomes 
have never attained a state of completion and perfection.  On the other hand, every influential undertaking of the 
human world wherein woman has been a participant has attained importance.  This is historically true and 
beyond disproof even in religion.  Jesus Christ had twelve disciples and among His followers a woman known as 
Mary Magdalene.  Judas Iscariot had become a traitor and hypocrite, and after the crucifixion the remaining 
eleven disciples were wavering and undecided.  It is certain from the evidence of the Gospels that the one who 
comforted them and reestablished their faith was Mary Magdalene. (PUP, p. 134)

21. ...in this wondrous Dispensation, ...Some handmaidens arose who excelled men in the arena of knowledge. 
('Abdu'l-Bahá, cited in 'Women', p. 5)

22.  They will prove that in this cycle women are equal to men, nay, in certain respects they will excel. 
('Abdu'l-Bahá, cited in 'Women', p. 395)

Equality in Chastity
23.  And if he met the fairest and most comely of women, he would not feel his heart seduced by the least 
shadow of desire for her beauty.  Such an one, indeed, is the creation of spotless chastity. 
(Gleanings, p. 118)

24.  We beseech the True One to adorn His handmaidens with the ornament of chastity, of trustworthiness, of 
righteousness and of purity. (Bahá'u'lláh, cited in 'Women', p. 394)

Universal Suffrage/Universal Peace
25.  ...universal peace is impossible without universal suffrage.  Children are educated by the women.  The 
mother bears the troubles and anxieties of rearing the child, undergoes the ordeal of its birth and training.  
Therefore, the mothers will not sanction war nor be satisfied with it.  So it will come to pass that when women 
participate fully and equally in the affairs of the world, when they enter confidently and capably the great arena of 
laws and politics, war will cease; for woman will be the obstacle and hindrance to it.  This is true and without 
doubt. (Promulgation of Universal Peace {PUP}, p. 134)

26.  At the time of elections the right to vote is the inalienable right of women, and the entrance of women into all 
human departments is an irrefutable and incontrovertible question.  ... No soul can retard or prevent it. (Paris 
Talks, p. 182)

27.  ...when perfect equality shall be established between men and women, peace may be realized for the simple 
reason that womankind in general will never favor warfare.  Women will not be willing to allow those whom they 
have so tenderly cared for to go to the battlefield.  (PUP, p. 167)

28. ... there must be no difference in the education of male and female in order that womankind may develop 
equal capacity and importance with man in the social and economic equation.  Then the world will attain unity 
and harmony.  In past ages humanity has been defective and inefficient because it has been incomplete.  War 
and its ravages have blighted the world; the education of woman will be a mighty step toward its abolition and 
ending, for she will use her whole influence against war.  Woman rears the child and educates the youth to 
maturity.  She will refuse to give her sons for sacrifice upon the field of battle.  In truth, she will be the greatest 
factor in establishing universal peace and international arbitration.  Assuredly, woman will abolish warfare among 
mankind. (PUP, p. 108)

29. ... a real evidence of woman's superiority will be her service and efficiency in the establishment of universal 
peace. (PUP, p. 284)

Marriage/Marital Relationship
30. O ye two believers in God!  The Lord, peerless is He, hath made woman and man to abide with each other in 
the closest companionship, and to be even as a single soul.  They are two helpmates, two intimate friends, who 
should be concerned about the welfare of each other.   (SWAB, p. 122)

31. Strive, then, to abide, heart and soul, with each other as two doves in the nest, for this is to be blessed in 
both worlds. (SWAB, p. 122)

32.  Enter into wedlock, O people, that ye may bring forth one who will make mention of Me amid My servants.  
This is My bidding unto you; hold fast to it as an assistance to yourselves.  (Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 41)

33.  Thus the husband and wife are brought into affinity, are united and harmonized, even as though they were 
one person.  Through their mutual union, companionship and love great results are produced in the world, both 
material and spiritual. ('Abdu'l-Bahá, cited in Family Life, p. 391)

34.  The love between husband and wife should not be purely physical, nay, rather it must be spiritual and 
heavenly.  These two souls should be considered as one soul.  ('Abdu'l-Bahá, cited in Divorce, p. 236)

35.  Marriage, among the mass of the people, is a physical bond, and this union can only be temporary, since it 
is foredoomed to a physical separation at the close.  Among the people of Bahá, however, marriage must be a 
union of the body and of the spirit as well, ...  Their purpose must be this: to become loving companions and 
comrades and at one with each other for time and eternity.... (SWAB, p. 117)

36.  God hath prescribed matrimony unto you.  Beware that ye take not unto yourselves more wives than two.  
Whoso contenteth himself with a single partner from among the maidservants of God, both he and she shall live 
in tranquility. (Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 41)
   
36a.  Know thou that polygamy is not permitted under the law of God, for contentment with one wife hath been 
clearly stipulated.  Taking a second wife is made dependent upon equity and justice being upheld between the 
two wives, under all conditions.  However, observance of justice and equity towards two wives is utterly 
impossible. The fact that bigamy has been made dependent upon an impossible condition is clear proof of its 
absolute prohibition.  Therefore, it is not permissible for a man to have more than one wife.  
(Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 206)

37.  Marriage is conditional upon the consent of the parents of both parties to the marriage, and in this respect it 
maketh no difference whether the bride be a virgin or otherwise.  (Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 111)

38.  It is forbidden you to wed your fathers' wives. (Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 58)

39.  You have asked whether a husband would be able to prevent his wife from embracing the divine light or a 
wife dissuade her husband from gaining entry into the Kingdom of God.  In truth neither of them could prevent 
the other from entering into the Kingdom, unless the husband hath an excessive attachment to the wife or the 
wife to the husband.  ...   Indeed when either of the two worshippeth the other to the exclusion of God, then each 
could prevent the other from seeking admittance into His Kingdom. 
('Abdu'l-Bahá, cited in Family Life, p. 391)

Marrying a Non-virgin
40.  QUESTION:  Supposing that a man hath wed a certain woman believing her to be a virgin and he hath paid 
her the dowry, but at the time of consummation it becometh evident that she is not a virgin, are the expenses 
and the dowry to be repaid or not?  And if the marriage had been made conditional upon virginity, doth the 
unfulfilled condition invalidate that which was conditioned upon it?
ANSWER: In such a case the expenses and the dowry may be refunded.  The unfulfilled condition invalidateth 
that which is conditioned upon it.  However, to conceal and forgive the matter will, in the sight of God, merit a 
bounteous reward. (Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 121)

Divorce
41.  Should resentment or antipathy arise between husband and wife, he is not to divorce her but to bide in 
patience throughout the course of one whole year, that perchance the fragrance of affection may be renewed 
between them.  If, upon the completion of this period, their love hath not returned, it is permissible for divorce to 
take place. (Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 43)

42.  He who hath divorced his wife may choose, upon the passing of each month, to remarry her when there is 
mutual affection and consent, so long as she hath not taken another husband.  Should she have wed again, 
then, by this other union, the separation is confirmed and the matter is concluded unless, clearly, her 
circumstances change. (Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 44)

43.  Should a woman be divorced in consequence of a proven act of infidelity, she shall receive no maintenance 
during her period of waiting. (Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 44)

The First Teacher of the Child is the Mother
44.  The first teachers of children are the mothers.  Therefore, they must be capably trained in order to educate 
both sons and daughters. (PUP, p. 175)

45. For mothers are the first educators, the first mentors; and truly it is the mothers who determine the 
happiness, the future greatness, the courteous ways and learning and judgment, the understanding and the faith 
of their little ones. (SWAB, p. 126)

46. So long as the mother faileth to train her children, and start them on a proper way of life, the training which 
they receive later on will not take its full effect. (SWAB, p. 138)

Father's Duty in Educating His Children
47.  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. (Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 37)

Parent's Obligation to Educate the Child
48. ... it is incumbent upon the father and mother to train their children both in good conduct and the study of 
books; study, that is, to the degree required, so that no child, whether girl or boy, will remain illiterate. 
(SWAB, p. 127)

49.  It is for this reason that, in this new cycle, education and training are recorded in the Book of God as 
obligatory and not voluntary.  That is, it is enjoined upon the father and mother, as a duty, to strive with all effort 
to train the daughter and the son, to nurse them from the breast of knowledge and to rear them in the bosom of 
sciences and arts...  Should they neglect this matter, they shall be held worthy of reproach in the presence of the 
stern Lord. (SWAB, p. 127)

Same Curriculum for Boys and Girls
50. 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.  Then all mankind shall receive 
the same opportunity of education and the equality of men and women be realized,.... (PUP, p. 175)

Greater Importance Placed on Woman's Education
51. Bahá'u'lláh declares the education of woman to be of more importance than that of man.  If the mother be 
ignorant, even if the father have great knowledge, the child's education will be at fault, for education begins with 
the milk.  A child at the breast is like a tender branch that the gardener can train as he wills. 
('Abdu'l-Bahá, cited in 'Woman', p. 368)

52.  ...the education of women is of greater importance than the education of men, for they are the mothers of the 
race, and mothers rear the children. (PUP, p. 175)

53. .... the education of woman is more necessary and important than that of man, for woman is the trainer of the 
child from its infancy.  If she be defective and imperfect herself, the child will necessarily be deficient; therefore, 
imperfection of woman implies a condition of imperfection in all mankind, for it is the mother who rears, nurtures 
and guides the growth of the child.  This is not the function of the father.  If the educator be incompetent, the 
educated will be correspondingly lacking.  This is evident and incontrovertible.  Could the student be brilliant and 
accomplished if the teacher is illiterate and ignorant?  The mothers are the first educators of mankind; if they be 
imperfect, alas for the condition and future of the race.    (PUP, p. 134)

54.  Ignorance is thus utterly to be blamed, whether in male or female; indeed, in the female its harm is greater. 
('Abdu'l-Bahá, cited in 'Education', p. 268)

In Support of Education
55. Everyone, whether man or woman, should hand over to a trusted person a portion of what he or she earneth 
through trade, agriculture or other occupation, for the training and education of children, to be spent for this 
purpose. (Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 90)

Female or Male Dominance and Contention are Discouraged
56. Also wives, in some cases, have a tendency to exert an unjust degree of domination over their husbands, 
which, of course, is not right, any more than that the husband should unjustly dominate his wife. 
(Shoghi Effendi, cited in 'Family Life', p. 405)

57. I appeal to you to obliterate this contention between men and women...
('Abdu'l-Bahá, cited in 'Women', p. 362)

Bahá'í Institutions and Women
58. As regards the constitution of the House of Justice, Bahá'u'lláh addresses the men.  He says:  `O ye men of 
the House of Justice!'  But when its members are to be elected, the right which belongs to women, so far as their 
voting and their voice is concerned, is indisputable.  When the women attain to the ultimate degree of progress, 
then, according to the exigency of the time and place and their great capacity, they shall obtain extraordinary 
privileges. (Paris Talks, p. 183)

59.  ...while the membership of the Universal House of Justice is confined to men, both women and men are 
eligible for election to Secondary and Local Houses of Justice.... (Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 201)

Adultery
60.  God hath imposed a fine on every adulterer and adulteress, to be paid to the House of Justice: nine mithqals 
of gold, to be doubled if they should repeat the offence.  Such is the penalty which He Who is the Lord of Names 
hath assigned them in this world; and in the world to come He hath ordained them a humiliating torment.  Should 
anyone be afflicted by a sin, it behoveth him to repent thereof and return unto his Lord.  He, verily, granteth 
forgiveness unto whomsoever He willeth, and none may question that which it pleaseth Him to ordain.  He is, in 
truth, the Ever-Forgiving, the Almightly, the All-Praised. (Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 37)




Employment of Maiden for Domestic Service
61.  ... he who would take into his service a maid may do so with propriety....  service such as is performed by 
any other class of servants, be they young or old, in exchange for wages, such a maiden is free to choose a 
husband at whatever time she pleaseth... (Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 116)

Slavery Forbidden
62.  It is forbidden you to trade in slaves, be they men or women.  It is not for him who is himself a servant to buy 
another of God's servants, ... (Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 45)

Inheritance in Case of Intestacy: Distribution of Resources is Based Upon Responsibility
63.  We have divided inheritance into seven categories: to the children, We have allotted nine parts comprising 
five hundred and forty shares; to the wife, eight parts comprising four hundred and eighty shares; to the father, 
seven parts comprising four hundred and twenty shares; to the mother, six parts comprising three hundred 
shares; to the brothers, five parts or three hundred shares; to the sisters, four parts or two hundred and forty 
shares; and to the teachers, three parts or one hundred and eighty shares.  Such was the ordinance of My 
Forerunner, He Who extolleth My Name in the night season and at the break of day.  When We heard the 
clamour of the children as yet unborn, We doubled their share and decreased those of the rest. 
(Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 26)

64.  We have assigned the residence and personal clothing of the deceased to the male, not female, offspring, 
nor to the other heirs. (Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 27)

The Role of Men in Fostering Gender Equality
65...., the assumption of superiority by man will continue to be depressing to the ambition of woman, as if her 
attainment to equality was creationally impossible; woman's aspiration toward advancement will be checked by 
it, and she will gradually become hopeless... She must not be told and taught that she is weaker and inferior in 
capacity and qualification.      ('Abdu'l-Bahá:  PUP, Page: 76)

66. When men own the equality of women there will be no need for them to struggle for their rights!
(Paris Talks, p. 163)

Androgyny/Balance Between Masculine and Feminine Qualities
67. The world in the past has been ruled by force, and man has dominated over woman by reason of his more 
forceful and aggressive qualities both of body and mind.  But the balance is already shifting; force is losing its 
dominance, and mental alertness, intuition, and the spiritual qualities of love and service, in which woman is 
strong, are gaining ascendancy.  Hence the new age will be an age less masculine and more permeated with the 
feminine ideals, or, to speak more exactly, will be an age in which the masculine and feminine elements of 
civilization will be more evenly balanced. ('Abdu'l-Bahá, cited in 'Women', p. 369)

Responsibility of Proof is Levied Upon Women
68. ... while this principle of equality is true, it is likewise true that woman must prove her capacity and aptitude, 
must show forth the evidences of equality.  She must become proficient in the arts and sciences and prove by 
her accomplishments that her abilities and powers have merely been latent.  Demonstrations of force, such as 
are now taking place in England, are neither becoming nor effective in the cause of womanhood and equality.  
Woman must especially devote her energies and abilities toward the industrial and agricultural sciences, seeking 
to assist mankind in that which is most needful.  By this means she will demonstrate capability and ensure 
recognition of equality in the social and economic equation. (PUP, p. 283)

69. Woman must endeavour then to attain greater perfection, to be man's equal in every respect, to make 
progress in all in which she has been backward, so that man will be compelled to acknowledge her equality of 
capacity and attainment. (Paris Talks, p. 162)

70. When students have arrived at the end of their school term an examination takes place, and the result 
thereof determines the knowledge and capacity of each student.  So will it be with woman; her actions will show 
her power, there will no longer be any need to proclaim it by words.  (Paris Talks, p. 162)

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