The Ruling on Seclusion and Going Out with the Woman to Whom One Is Contracted

Question:
The listener is Ahmad Abdul Rahman, and his message contains two questions. In one of them, he says: I proposed to my cousin and contracted the marriage with her. Is it permissible for me to go out with her to buy some necessities? And is it permissible for me to be alone with her, given that I have not yet entered into marital relations with her? Please inform us, may Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
Yes, she is your wife. It is permissible to be alone with her and to go out with her for a need. However, it is safer to refrain from having sexual intercourse with her because you have not entered into marital relations with her in the manner prescribed by the Shari'ah. There is a possibility that she might become pregnant from your intercourse with her; in that case, she might be accused of having relations with someone else, or you might accuse her of having relations with someone else. Therefore, you should not do this. In this situation, you should leave her with her family and buy her necessities together with her family. You should avoid being alone with her to prevent the issue of sexual intercourse from arising, as a precaution and to avoid danger. Otherwise, she is lawful for you; she is your wife. However, sexual intercourse may lead to consequences that are not desirable.
Therefore, it is better for you and safer for you to refrain from that until the entry into marital relations is completed in the manner prescribed by the Shari'ah, if Allah wills. Yes.

The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.