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 relationships between each of the partners
and members of both sexes are 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 if necessary 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.
- The Universal House of
Justice (From a letter dated March 6, 1974; compilation: Developing Distinctive
Baha’i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)
