Attaining Matrimonial and Spiritual Harmony
In the Bahá'í Faith, marriage is viewed as a sacred covenant and a fortress of well-being and salvation, designed to uplift individuals, strengthen families, and contribute to society's spiritual and material advancement. This partnership of mutual assistance is not merely a social contract but a spiritual team dedicated to service to each other and to God’s commandments.
The relationship is built on qualities such as love, respect, knowledge, justice, and the raising of children in a shared household founded on consultation and cooperation. The home is seen as a place of spiritual blessings and mutual growth, where husband and wife help each other grow spiritually and morally, supporting one another's progress and working together to create a home that is open to God’s blessings.
Bahá'í marriages emphasize the union as a spiritual team, dedicated to service to each other and to God’s commandments. The home is a place of spiritual blessings and mutual growth, where couples irrigate their relationship with love, affection, and other qualities as advised by Abdu'l-Baha. The relationship is meant to be enduring and based on a deep commitment of mind and heart, aspiring to be a bond that lasts for time and eternity.
Divorce is discouraged and considered a last resort, with teachings advising patience and efforts towards reconciliation before ending the marriage. Every effort must be made to salvage a troubled marriage for the sake of God and any children. The purpose of marriage, according to Baha'u'llah, is to improve the spiritual life of one's partner.
The Bahá'í marriage ceremony follows traditions and includes readings from sacred scriptures. Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i faith, is believed to have blessed the union with a prayer. The couple utters the Baha'i marriage vow, "We will all, verily, abide by the Will of God."
Couples are encouraged to consult on all matters affecting their relationship. Abdu'l-Baha counseled Baha'is not to allow an offense to linger in the heart and to explain its nature to each other to remove it as soon as possible. The effort required to preserve and strengthen a Baha'í marriage includes prayer, perseverance, self-sacrifice, mutual respect, a willingness to cooperate and to forgive, and frank and loving consultation.
Early in their marriage, the couple realized the importance of sharing a common purpose, which for them was serving their Faith. Within six years, they were blessed with three healthy children, whom they consecrated to their training to develop moral integrity and benefit humanity.
The couple, who were married in Arlington, Texas in 1972, served on Baha'i councils, hosted study classes, visited friends, and attended conferences. In 1975, they resettled in Argentina to share Baha'u'llah’s message of unity. Their wedding was attended by a mix of races and persuasions, and Nancy's devout Christian aunt, believing the ceremony was not official, declared them married by the state of Texas.
Consultation, a principle of the Bahá'í Faith, bestows greater awareness and transmits conjecture into certitude. It is a tool for couples to navigate their relationship and strengthen their bond, promoting unity and spiritual growth.
In conclusion, marriage in the Bahá'í Faith is celebrated as a holy institution that nurtures love, unity, and spiritual development for both partners and serves as a building block for a peaceful and progressive society.
- The Bahá'í marriage, rooted in spiritual teamwork and service, extends beyond a social contract to embrace the uplifting of individuals, strengthening families, and contributing to society's spiritual and material advancement.
- Aside from love and respect, the home in a Bahá'í marriage is also a place of spiritual blessings, cultivating mutual growth in both partners' spiritual and moral lives.
- A Bahá'í marriage is encouraged to endure and is based on a deep commitment, aspiring to be a bond that transcends time and eternity.
- Divorce is discouraged and considered a last resort, with the focus on patience, efforts towards reconciliation, and preserving the marriage for the sake of God and any children.
- The Bahá'í marriage ceremony incorporates traditional practices, sacred scripture readings, and a prayer from Baha'u'llah, emphasizing the union's commitment to God's Will.
- Consultation, a principle in the Bahá'í Faith, empowers couples by enhancing their awareness, resolving issues, promoting unity, and fostering spiritual growth within their relationship.
