Q Salamualykum.

I am Jasmine who wrote the question about the hyper-sexualized society. Thank you so much for answering my question passionately. I just wanted to give you some background information about myself as I wasn’t very specific and it was a lengthy question.

I am a 17-year-old 2nd generation Lebanese Australian, born and bred with my mother also born in Australia. I come form a conservative family and became more aware of my society and the ‘haram’ when I reached adolescence, primarily because I developed anxiety and other mental health issues. So, my view of the world, with an Islamic insight and a biased view of my family, was quite distorted. Nevertheless, I did and now spend a lot of time on the internet trying to fill the gaps in my Islamic knowledge. There are ups and downs and when I wrote to you, I was too sick to pray and in that situation, my anxiety and paranoia worsened. However, when I got healthy enough to pray, my mindset returned to normal (at least).

My worries have somewhat increased due to being uncertain about my situation since the arrival of my 22-year old second-cousin from Lebanon. He arrived in the 2015 summer school holidays (in my 10th grade year). He arrived on a university workshop, selling his motorbike in order to get a ticket and while he was here, he stayed at my grandmother's house. He then changed his mind and decided to stay here forever, against his parents wishes. He has since been desperately looking for a bride. With no luck, it alludes he is thinking of me and has been suggested by a few members of my family as there is simply no other girl available. Me having the issues I have but having matured and improved in the year he arrived, I feel very awkward as my family just recently mentioned me being a potential for him. In my heart, I want it to happen and I like a lot about him and have spent some time with him. He is also close and gets along well with my mum and he enjoys playing with my two kindergarten-aged sisters.

Its just that I don’t feel ready but don’t want to miss this opportunity either if this is from Allah and If I am the one for him. Testament for this, I have since had very good and happy dreams. I am young, seventeen, but am very mature for my age (I have a 30-40-year-old brain). I believe to be compatible with him and always have a good time with him, cracking jokes and just getting along. I am the type of girl who always knows what she wants and has a genuine pair of eyes, so I am certain I am not wrong.

I also did heaps of research on marriage/nikah and all the important information and factors on marriage. However, my grandmother and mother say I need to finish university (when I am 25-26 years old) but he has to find a bride now or else he will have to go back to Lebanon. I have never had a father figure and my parents divorced when I was 4 and a half and I haven’t seen my biological dad for 2 years and counting. My current step-father only sees me and my family on Sunday,s so my father figure image is slightly broken. So yes, I am insecure, confused and in a vulnerable time, (studying for my university score as I am in year 11) and having to contemplate an idea that could change my life which I was never expecting nor planning for. Your support is much appreciated.