It is… important for the friends to realize that although
divorce is permitted in Bahá'í Law, it is nevertheless condemned, and great
efforts should be made to avoid it. It is always the hope that, during the year
of patience, affection between the couple will recur and that divorce will not
be necessary. Therefore, although normal social relationship between each of
the partners and members of both sexes is permissible, it is quite contrary to
the spirit of the teachings for either party to be courting a new partner
during the year of waiting. This should be made clear to the couple and they
should be exhorted to conduct themselves as Bahá'ís. However, this is not an
area in which the Assembly should resort to sanctions if either or both of the
pair disregard this principle. Naturally, if one of the parties conducts
himself or herself in a way that is blatantly or flagrantly immoral the matter
should be handled as any other similar case would be, but from your cables we
understand that this is not the situation in the case at present before you.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter written by the Universal House of Justice to a National
Spiritual Assembly, February 15, 1973; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)
