He says in his letter: What is the Sharia-compliant method that does not conflict with the pure religion of Islam for exchanging love between a girl and a boy, or a young woman and a young man?
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The questioner : This is a letter we received from our brother Fathi Muhammad Mu'min from the Arab Republic of Egypt, Marsa Matruh Governorate. He says in his letter: What is the Sharia-compliant method that does not conflict with our pure Islamic religion for exchanging love between a girl and a boy, or a young woman and a young man? Please inform us; may Allah reward you and make you among the righteous and the pious?
The Shaykh : The Sharia-compliant method in this matter is that if a man develops a love in his heart for a woman who is not his wife, he should propose to her family and then marry her through a valid marriage contract. By doing so, he will have followed the sound, Sharia-compliant path. In this case, it is not permissible for him to contact her in seclusion before the marriage contract is concluded. It is also not permissible for him to exchange love letters, flattery, or enjoyment through written correspondence and conversation, or anything similar to that.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Because what is prescribed is to look at her only insofar as it leads him to marry her, if he needs to look at her.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : As for correspondence, written letters, phone calls, and the like, this is not permissible because it leads to fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). Perhaps the means to reach her through a Sharia-compliant marriage will not be available, and his heart will become attached to her and her heart to him, while neither of them reaches the other.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.
The Shaykh : The Sharia-compliant method in this matter is that if a man develops a love in his heart for a woman who is not his wife, he should propose to her family and then marry her through a valid marriage contract. By doing so, he will have followed the sound, Sharia-compliant path. In this case, it is not permissible for him to contact her in seclusion before the marriage contract is concluded. It is also not permissible for him to exchange love letters, flattery, or enjoyment through written correspondence and conversation, or anything similar to that.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Because what is prescribed is to look at her only insofar as it leads him to marry her, if he needs to look at her.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : As for correspondence, written letters, phone calls, and the like, this is not permissible because it leads to fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). Perhaps the means to reach her through a Sharia-compliant marriage will not be available, and his heart will become attached to her and her heart to him, while neither of them reaches the other.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.