What Is Socially Acceptable Between Engaged Couples?

07 April, 2019

Q What are the limits of the relationship between the engaged couple? I mean, what is permitted and what is not permitted to do during the engagement process?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

In this fatwa:

During engagement, engaged couples can meet, talk, and go out in the presence of a mahram. They cannot go out alone or talk about sex.

Answering your question, Dr. Ali Suleiman Ali, PhD in Islamic Studies and a co-founder, Core Scholar, and member of the Board of Trustees of the American Learning Institute for Muslims (ALIM), states:

The limits of the relationship between engaged individuals should be at follows:

A- Things they can do:

1- They can meet in the house of the girl’s parents or the suitor’s in the presence of at least one of the mahrams

2- They can go out together for dinner or shopping with one of the mahrams.

3- They can have useful conversations but talking about sex or what is to relateed to that is absolutely prohibited.

B- Things they cannot do:

1- Going out alone.

2- Being in khulwa.

3- Sexual talks and gestures.

4- Exposing more than the face, hands and perhaps neck.

5- They should limit telephone conversation as much as they can

Almighty Allah knows best.