Question:
What do the scholars of Islam say about ‘Halal dating’. I seek your guidance as to whether it is Sharia compliant. I Have had the privilege of facilitating and conducting Hundreds of thousands of marriages over 20 years under the guidance of esteemed scholars such as yourself, through our influential platform of www.singlemuslim.com, I am seeking to provide new avenues through which dating can take place in a halal manner.
This will provide much-needed clarity to thousands of young people who are eager to meet their life partner but are not sure if its allowed. I have proposed to follow four conditions for the Halal dating:
- Presence of family member/members as a chaperone,
- The meeting is in a public place,
- Agreement to be respectful and courteous,
- Genuine intention to marry
Can we use the term “Halal Dating” as a strap line?
Adeem Younis Wakefield
Answer:
Marriage is a beautiful sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and unites man and a woman as husband and wife. Islam has outlined clear and respectful boundaries for what is appropriate contact between young men and women prior to marriage.
A man and woman can arrange to meet each other in the presence of a relative and use this as an opportunity to get to know each other. Sayyiduna ‘Umar related that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “None of you should meet a woman in private unless she is accompanied by a relative (mahram).” (Bukhari & Muslim)
Another way for them to meet is in a public place where they will not be alone. Again, they should inform their kin for the purpose of the meeting and be accompanied to and from the location. In this way, a man and a woman can respectfully get to know each other.
A man and a woman should not meet up privately and alone. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whenever a man is alone with a woman, Shaytan is the third one.” (Tirmidhi). They should not put themselves in any situation where temptation could lead them into sin. Allah ﷻ has mentioned in the Holy Qur’an: “Tell believing men to lower their gaze and be modest, that is best for them. Allah is aware of what they do. And tell believing women to lower their gaze and be modest.” (Al-Nur: 30-31) It has also been mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, “You must not go near adultery; it is indecency and an evil way of life.” (Al-Isra: 32)
The four conditions that you will be applying for prospective suitors to meet makes this dating ‘Halal dating’ in our view, since these are the conditions laid down by the Sharia. So a ‘Halal dating’ strap line is sharia compliant.
And Allah ﷻ knows the best
This fatwa is written by Dr Musharraf Hussain Al-Azhari
