Bahá'í marriage
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Baháʼí marriage is a union between a man and a woman. Its primary purpose is spiritual, aiming to cultivate harmony, fellowship, and unity between the two partners. The Baháʼí teachings on marriage describe it as a fortress for well-being and salvation, emphasizing that marriage and family are the foundation of human society.
Spiritual nature
The Baháʼí teachings on marriage regard it as an eternal bond that transcends the physical lives of the partners and extends into the spiritual realms. Therefore, these teachings emphasize that partners must take great care during the courting period to become familiar with each other's character. Moreover, the husband and wife should be united physically and spiritually, enabling them to enhance each other's spiritual lives and advance together towards God.
Engagement
Parents cannot interfere with their children's decisions about whom they want to marry. However, the couple requires their parents' permission. The purpose of this law is to promote unity between the two families, as the Baháʼí teachings regard marriage and family as the foundation of community and society. Having disunity between two families does not contribute to that. The consent of both parents is necessary even if one of the partners is not a Baháʼí.
Baháʼís view this aspect of Baháʼí marriage as merging marriage practices from both the East and the West. In the East, arranged marriages are common, while in the West, marriages sometimes proceed without parental input. The Baháʼí approach to marriage allows individuals full freedom to choose their partner but emphasizes gratitude and respect toward their parents.
"A couple should study each other's character and spend time getting to know each other before they decide to marry, and when they do marry it should be with the intention of establishing an eternal bond."
Waiting period
The time between the official public announcement of the marriage and the wedding ceremony should not exceed 95 days. Currently, this 95-day engagement period applies only to Persian believers.
Ceremony
The Baháʼí marriage ceremony is conducted differently in each culture. The only compulsory part of the wedding is the reading of the wedding vows prescribed by Baháʼu'lláh which both the groom and the bride recite:
- We will all, verily, abide by the Will of God. in the presence of two witnesses to be recorded through a Baháʼí Local Spiritual Assembly. Legal recognition depends on the civil laws of the country.
Most Baháʼí marriage ceremonies include the reading of Baháʼí writings, prayers, and music, followed by a discussion on the spiritual nature of Baháʼí marriage, and concluding with the reading of the vows.
Laws
Several laws pertain to Baháʼís regarding marriage.
- Marriage is not obligatory, but it is highly recommended.
- Only married couples may engage in sexual activity.
- Both partners must be at least 15 years of age at the time of engagement. (The civil laws of their country must be obeyed)
- Marriage is conditional on the consent of both parties and their parents.
- Marriage with non-Baháʼís is permitted (see Interreligious marriage).
- The engagement period must not exceed 95 days (not universally applicable).
- A marriage is contingent upon the payment of a dowry. If the husband resides in a city, the dowry is nineteen mithqáls (approximately 2.22 troy ounces) of pure gold; if he lives in a village, it is the equivalent amount in silver. However, settling for the minimum amount of nineteen mithqáls of silver for city and village residents is preferable. Baháʼu'lláh also established a maximum allowable dowry of 95 mithqáls (approximately 11.1 troy ounces). (Currently, this is not universally applicable)
Children and parenting
Following the natural and appropriate extension of the marriage union, children, whether adopted or biological, should be raised in this same spiritual atmosphere. Formal duties exist between parents and children (of education and obedience, training and respect.) Second, one must respect one's parents to discover God for oneself. Reversing the degradation of women and children is a subject of much attention in the Baháʼí Faith.[citation needed]
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Bahá'í_marriage ]
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