In principle, according to the decisive text of
'Abdu'l-Bahá, the period of ninety-five days should commence only when the two
parties have been betrothed, and the marriage is agreed. Therefore, the
breaking of an engagement, although possible, should rarely occur. The
Assemblies should, when the reason for breaking, or extending the fixed period
of engagement is valid, render every assistance to the parties involved to
remove their difficulties and facilitate their observance of the ordinance of
the Book.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated June 29, 1971, to
a National Spiritual Assembly; Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities, NSA of USA, edition)