Does it not seem strange that Christian sects should have instituted the monastic life and celibacy for the clergy, in view of the facts that Christ chose married men for His disciples, and both He Himself and His apostles lived lives of active beneficence, in close association and familiar intercourse with the people? (113:6)

In the Muhammadan Qur'an we read:
To Jesus the son of Mary We gave the Gospel, and We put into the hearts of those who followed Him kindness and compassion: but as to the monastic life, they invented it themselves. The desire only of pleasing God did We prescribe to them, and this they observed not as it ought to have been observed. - Qur'an, Súrih lvii. 27 (113:7)

Whatever justification there may have been for the monastic life in ancient times and bygone circumstances, Baha'u'llah declares that such justification no longer exists; and, indeed, it seems obvious that the withdrawal of a large number of the most pious and God- fearing of the population from association with their fellows, and from the duties and responsibilities of parenthood, must result in the spiritual impoverishment of the race (113:8)

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