r, they will occupy the highest levels in the human world.
Rest thou assured. Look not upon their present state. In future, the world
of womankind will shine with lustrous brilliance, for such is the will and
purpose of Baha'u'llah. 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.
But there are certain matters, the participation in which is not worthy of
women. For example, at the time when the community is taking up vigorous
defensive measures against the attack of foes, the women are exempt from
military engagements. It may so happen that at a given time warlike and
savage tribes may furiously attack the body politic with the intention of
carrying on a wholesale slaughter of its members; under such a
circumstance defence is necessary, but it is the duty of men to organize
and execute such defensive measures and not the women--because their hearts
are tender and they cannot endure the sight of the horror of carnage, even
if it is for the sake of defence. From such and similar undertakings the
women are exempt.
As regards the constitution of the House of Justice, Baha'u'llah 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. Be ye confident on these accounts. His
Holiness Baha'u'llah has greatly strengthened the cause of women, and the
rights and privileges of women is one of the greatest principles of
'Abdu'l-Baha. Rest ye assured! Ere long the days shall come when the men
addressing the women, shall say: 'Blessed are ye! Blessed are ye! Verily
ye are worthy of every gift. Verily ye deserve to adorn your heads with
the crown of everlasting glory, because in sciences and arts, in virtues
and perfections ye shall become equal to man, and as regards tenderness of
heart and the abundance of mercy and sympathy ye are superior'.
(From a Tablet to an individual believer - translated from the Persian,
published in "Paris Talks: Addresses given by 'Abdu'l-Baha in Paris in
1911-1912", p. 182-84) [23]
24: The woman of the
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