Need to fix return time for spouse upon travel and adhere to it
Need to fix return time for spouse upon travel and adhere to it[edit]
"It hath been decreed by God that, should any one of His servants intend to travel, he must fix for his wife a time when he will return home. If he return by the promised time, he will have obeyed the bidding of his Lord and shall be numbered by the Pen of His behest among the righteous..."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 67)
"The husband must fix for his wife the time of his return when intending to travel."
If there is a good reason for a delay, he should inform her and endeavor to return[edit]
"...otherwise, if there be good reason for delay, he must inform his wife and make the utmost endeavour to return to her."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 67)
"If, for a legitimate reason, he is prevented from returning at the appointed time, he must inform her and strive to return to her."
If the husband does not return or inform his wife (and is aware of the law), the wife should wait at least nine Bahá'í months, and then she can remarry (though better to be patient)[edit]
"Should neither of these eventualities occur, it behoveth her to wait for a period of nine months, after which there is no impediment to her taking another husband; but should she wait longer, God, verily, loveth those women and men who show forth patience. Obey ye My commandments, and follow not the ungodly, they who have been reckoned as sinners in God's Holy Tablet."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 67)
"If he fails to fulfil either condition, she must wait 9 months, after which she may remarry, though it is preferable for her to wait longer."
"In the event of the husband's failure, either to return at the end of the specified period of time or to notify his wife of a delay, the wife must wait nine months, after which she is free to remarry, though it is preferable for her to wait longer (see note 147 for the Bahá'í calendar).
- (Notes to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, no. 97)
If word of her husband reaches her during her 9 month waiting, she should wait for him to return[edit]
"If, during the period of her waiting, word should reach her from her husband, she should choose the course that is praiseworthy. He, of a truth, desireth that His servants and His handmaids should be at peace with one another; take heed lest ye do aught that may provoke intransigence amongst you. Thus hath the decree been fixed and the promise come to pass."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 67)
If news of one's spouse's death is received while spouse was traveling, and confirmed by 2 reliable witnesses, spouse may remarry after 9 months (Bahá'í months; see note 97)[edit]
"If, however, news should reach her of her husband's death or murder, and be confirmed by general report, or by the testimony of two just witnesses, it behoveth her to remain single; then, upon completion of the fixed number of months, she is free to adopt the course of her choosing. Such is the bidding of Him Who is mighty and powerful in His command."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 67)
"If news of his death or murder reaches her, and the news is confirmed by general report or by 2 reliable witnesses, she may remarry after the lapse of 9 months."
"Bahá'u'lláh states that, in such circumstances, should news reach the wife of "her husband's death or murder", she must also wait nine months, prior to remarrying (Q and A 27)."
- (Notes to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, no. 97)
Not required to wait nine Bahá'í months if one's spouse's death occurs while at home (only if away)[edit]
"'Abdu'l-Bahá, in a Tablet, has further clarified that the nine months' waiting period following news of the husband's death applies only if the husband had been away at the time of his death, and not if he dies while at home."
- (Notes to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, no. 97)
When a man goes on a journey without specifying an expected time for return, and is not heard from[edit]
If he were aware of the law to inform his spouse, the spouse should wait at least one year (though preferable to be patient)[edit]
"QUESTION: Should a man go on a journey without specifying a time for his return--without indicating, in other words, the expected period of his absence--and should no word be heard of him thereafter, and all trace of him be lost, what course should be followed by his wife?"
"ANSWER: Should he have omitted to fix a time for his return despite being aware of the stipulation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas in this regard, his wife should wait for one full year, after which she shall be free either to adopt the course that is praiseworthy, or to choose for herself another husband."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Questions and Answers, no. 4)
"If the husband departs without informing his wife of the date of his return, and is aware of the law prescribed in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the wife may remarry after waiting a full year."
"If the husband leaves without informing his wife of the date of his return, and no news of him reaches her and all trace of him is lost, Bahá'u'lláh has stated that, should the husband have been aware of the law prescribed in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the wife may remarry after waiting a full year."
- (Notes to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, no. 96)
If he were unaware of the law to inform his spouse, the spouse should wait until learning of his fate[edit]
"If, however, he be unaware of this stipulation, she should abide in patience until such time as God shall please to disclose to her his fate. By the course that is praiseworthy in this connection is meant the exercise of patience."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Questions and Answers, no. 4)
"If the husband is unaware of this law, the wife must wait until news of her husband reaches her."
"If, however, the husband was unaware of the law, the wife must wait until news of her husband reaches her (Q and A 4)."
- (Notes to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, no. 96)
"Bahá'u'lláh defines "the course that is praiseworthy" as "the exercise of patience" (Q and A 4)."
- (Notes to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, no. 98)
