Shining Lamp: Munírih Khánum: The Holy Mother (1847-1938)
Munírih Khánum lovingly cared for her family and Bahá’ís who visited ‘Akká and Haifa.
A spark of excitement was growing in Bahá’u’lláh’s family. His eldest son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, was getting married. The bride, Munírih Khánum, had traveled to ‘Akká (now in Israel) all the way from Persia (now Iran).
On the night of March 8, 1873, the family gathered for the ceremony. There were no decorations, gifts, or cake, but the room was full of joy. The bride, wearing a simple white dress made by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s mother, Navváb, chanted prayers and drank tea with her new family.
A spirit of reverence surrounded the wedding. Munírih Khánum said, “The glory and beauty of love and happiness were beyond and above all luxury and ceremony and circumstance.”
Harmonious Marriage
Munírih Khánum was born in 1847 in Isfahán, Persia. Her parents named her Fátimih. She was educated, though that was rare for girls at the time. She spoke multiple languages and loved to write poetry.
When she became engaged to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’u’lláh gave her the name “Munírih,” which means “Luminous.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Munírih faced many challenges, but their marriage endured with love. Four daughters lived to adulthood, but several of their children died young in ‘Akká’s unhealthy climate.* Munírih Khánum spent much of her time raising their children, managing the household, and caring for the sick. She was a source of strength and support for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The first time she traveled out of ‘Akká, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá missed her so much that every morning he asked his daughter, “When do you think your mother will come back?”
Inspired by Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings, Munírih Khánum was passionate about education. She raised funds and had a school built for girls in Haifa, Israel. She wrote, “The education of girls is a matter of the greatest importance. Hence, the friends of the All-Merciful, and the beloved maidservants of the Lord, in all cities and countries must take action and endeavor to their utmost capacity to carry out this weighty injunction.”
The Holy Mother
When Bahá’í women from all over the world visited Haifa and ‘Akká, Munírih Khánum met with them and helped to deepen their understanding of the Bahá’í teachings. One shared the “indescribable joy” of visiting with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s family, saying, “the motherly presence of Munírih Khánum filled the atmosphere ... She seemed the personification of Universal Motherhood—indeed the ‘Holy Mother.’”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Munírih Khánum were happily married for nearly 50 years. When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá passed away in 1921, she was grief-stricken. She said to one Bahá’í, “You, who have known Him, can imagine what my 50 years have been—how they fled by in an atmosphere of love and joy ... I await the day when I shall be called to join Him ...”
Munírih Khánum passed away on April 30, 1938. She was buried on Mount Carmel in Haifa. Her grandson, Shoghi Effendi, who led the Bahá’í Faith after ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, praised her “UNIQUE SERVICES” and “EXALTED POSITION.”
* They had eight known children, though there was no formal registry of births and deaths at that time.
Photos © Bahá’í International Community
Shining Lamps112 Holy Family28 Haifa18 ’Akká40 Bahá’í Faith511 Bahá’ís in History198 History52 Equality18 Education52 Service285 Family119 Master57 ‘Abdu’l–Bahá134