The Contradictions of Equality Between Men and Women in The Baha’i Faith
The differences between man and woman are self–evident facts.
The religion of Islam confirms this fact and expresses and determines the duties and rights of each one on a just basis. Criterion of valuation in Islam is only according to purity and righteous (Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is –He who is– the most righteous of you. Quran: 49:13).
Equality of men and women is claimed as one of the 12 teachings of the Baha’i Faith; a total and comprehensive equality between man and woman. There are many evidences that Baha’i leaders violated this teaching in their sayings and books.
If you review some Bahai Rules about gender equality, the contradictions come arise and bother you:
- No women are included in the 9-member Universal House of Justice (UHJ)
* Why only this lady is included? Is she not a normal woman!
- The shroud to be given by the eldest male child. Women are disallowed.
- Dower to be given to women only, and nothing for men.
- Polygamy is acceptable but polyandry is banned.
- If a man wishes to travel, he should inform his wife of the time duration, which if exceeds nine months the lady has right to remarry. Then if the husband does not specify the time of his journey the wife should wait for him all her life.
- Maintenance of women is obligatory on the man.
- Only women should attend to the household chores.
- No Hajj for women. Nor are they expected to keep the fasts lapsed during the days of menstruation. Why?
- The house and the clothes of a deceased are the sole property of the eldest male child and nothing is there for women.
Is this not inequality?
