Of course, under normal circumstances, every person should
consider it his moral duty to marry. And this is what Baha'u'llah has
encouraged the believers to do. But marriage is by no means an obligation. In
the last resort it is for the individual to decide whether he wishes to lead a
family life or live in a state of celibacy.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter
dated May 3, 1936, to an individual believer; compilation ‘Baha’i Marriage and
Family Life’)
