… 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.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet to an individual believer, published in ‘Paris Talks: Addresses
given by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in Paris in 1911-1912’; The Compilation of Compilations,
vol. II, Women)
