It was in the summer of 1873 that 'Abdu'l-Baha [then 29
years old] was married to Munirih Khanum, the niece of two brothers who were
devoted followers of Baha'u'llah in Isfahan [six years later they became King
and Beloved of the martyrs] She had been brought to 'Akka by Baha'u'llah in
early 1873, at a time when the situation was very difficult due to the murder
of the Azalis and all other Baha'i pilgrims had been told to stay away.
'Abdu'l-Baha himself had been reluctant to marry, although a number of spouses
had been proposed to him over the years. He felt he could serve his Father
better if he remained single, as indeed did his sister Bahiyyih Khanum who
never married. Although he had turned down the other spouses who had been
proposed to him, he was attracted to Munirih Khanum and agreed to marry her.
The marriage was put off for a few months however because the tight
accommodation in their place of residence meant that the couple could not have
a room to themselves. llyas 'Abbud, their neighbor who lived in the other half
of the same building and who had been so fearful of the Baha’is earlier, had by
this time been won over by 'Abdu'l-Baha. Bahiyyih Khanum went to the wife of
Ilyas 'Abbud and told her of the problem. When he was informed, 'Abbud
immediately opened up a doorway between his residence and Baha'u'llah's and
gave ‘Abdu'l-Baha a room in his house for his use. Once this happened the
marriage was able to proceed.
Four daughters were the surviving children from this
marriage; the two sons who were born both died at about the age of two and
three other daughters died in infancy.
- Moojan Momen (‘Baha’u’llah A Short
Biography')
