List all Bahá'í books by 'Abdu'l-Bahá and tell me which one discusses education

One man, writing in 1875 from the Persian city of Akka under house arrest, produced a treatise arguing that education is not a luxury but the engine of civilizational life. What these passages reveal is that for 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the question was never whether to educate — it was how urgently, and whether any human being could rightly be left out. The Secret of Divine Civilization is the text where that argument is made most fully, but it runs like a current through nearly everything he wrote.

Drawn from 25 passages across Baha'i

What corpus of works did 'Abdu'l-Bahá author?

Several distinct titles emerge across these passages — The Secret of Divine Civilization, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan, and The Promulgation of Universal Peace among them. A bibliography compiled from these sources is partial but points clearly to the shape of his literary output.

Baha'i

Compiled educational work attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá's words

A Compilation of the Words of Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá to assist parents and teachers in the education of children.

Baha'i

Sequel compilation of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's words on education

Compiled from the Words of Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá to assist Parents and Teachers in the Education of Children — a Sequel to Bahá'í Methods of Education.

Baha'i

Six titles attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá listed and abbreviated

Divine Philosophy; Foundations of World Unity; Promulgation of Universal Peace; Some Answered Questions; Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá; Wisdom of 'Abdu'l-Bahá.

Which of his writings address education most directly?

The Secret of Divine Civilization stands out as the text where education becomes a civilizational argument, not merely a pious recommendation. Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá carries this further into the personal and familial sphere.

Baha'i

Education placed first among 'Abdu'l-Bahá's concerns

In the day of His Holiness 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the question of education has again been given first place. He has praised the promoters of this great work, for education has become a great necessity.

Baha'i

Secret of Divine Civilization names education the top priority

The primary, the most urgent requirement is the promotion of education. It is inconceivable that any nation should achieve prosperity and success unless this paramount, this fundamental concern is carried forward.

Baha'i

Secret of Divine Civilization argues education determines national strength

Observe to what a degree the lack of education will weaken and degrade a people. Today from the standpoint of population the greatest nation in the world is China, which has something over four hundred million inhabitants.

Why do sacred writings treat education as a social obligation?

Education without it, these passages argue, produces national degradation — a blunt claim that places learning at the center of civilizational health. The tone is urgent, not abstract.

Baha'i

Lack of education causes national degradation and contempt

Bear in mind what a terrible cause of degradation and of contempt amongst nations is the lack of education.

Baha'i

Education's absence measurably weakens and degrades nations

Observe to what a degree the lack of education will weaken and degrade a people. Today from the standpoint of population the greatest nation in the world is China, which has something over four hundred million inhabitants.

Baha'i

Religion and education together drive civilizational progress

True religion becomes the means of civilization, fame, prosperity, the enhancer of dignity and education and a source of progress for the degraded and captive.

What role do tablets and epistles play in transmitting religious teaching?

Tablets addressed to individuals — on child-rearing, on teaching the faith — carry doctrinal weight equal to formal treatises. The personal letter becomes a vessel for universal principle.

Baha'i

Tablet responds to personal question about children's education

As to thy question regarding the education of children: it behooveth thee to nurture them at the breast of the love of God, and urge them onward to the things of the spirit, that they may turn their faces unto God.

Baha'i

Discourses on children's education conveyed through recorded speech

His Holiness 'Abdu'l-Bahá repeatedly spoke of the education of children and how parents should continually put into their minds ideas of peace and righteousness.

Baha'i

Personal tablet specifies spiritual education for named children

My wish is that these children should receive a Bahá'í education, so that they may progress both here and in the Kingdom, and rejoice thy heart.

Is universal education — regardless of gender — treated as a spiritual duty?

The equality of men and women in education is named explicitly, and the mother's role in early formation is given its own theological urgency. These are not peripheral remarks — they appear repeatedly across multiple texts.

Baha'i

Mothers bear primary educational responsibility for children

Let the mothers consider that whatever concerneth the education of children is of the first importance. Let them put forth every effort in this regard, for when the bough is green and tender it will grow in whatever way you train it.

Baha'i

Maternal training and institutional duty both required for education

So long as the mother faileth to train her children, and start them on a proper way of life, the training which they receive later on will not take its full effect. It is incumbent upon the Spiritual Assemblies to provide for the education of children.