Fatwa: Sheikh Muhammad bin Saleh Al-Uthaymeen حفظ اللہ
However, if the relationships refer to those occurring before the marriage contract, even after engagement, such relationships are forbidden (haram). It is absolutely impermissible for any man to engage in conversation, gaze, or seclusion with a non-mahram woman, as the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
“No man should be alone with a woman without a mahram, and no woman should travel without a mahram.”
[Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
In summary, relationships after the marriage contract are permissible, while relationships before the contract, even if after engagement, are forbidden and haram, as the woman remains a non-mahram until the marriage has taken place.
Question:
What does Islam say about relationships before marriage?Answer:
If the inquirer refers to relationships that occur after the marriage contract (nikah) but before consummation, there is no harm in this, as a woman becomes a wife through the marriage contract, even if the act of consummation has not yet taken place.However, if the relationships refer to those occurring before the marriage contract, even after engagement, such relationships are forbidden (haram). It is absolutely impermissible for any man to engage in conversation, gaze, or seclusion with a non-mahram woman, as the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
“No man should be alone with a woman without a mahram, and no woman should travel without a mahram.”
[Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
In summary, relationships after the marriage contract are permissible, while relationships before the contract, even if after engagement, are forbidden and haram, as the woman remains a non-mahram until the marriage has taken place.