Principles To Follow When Dating Muslims

By Ann Turner


Islam has a very elaborate guide on courtship and marriage. Dating Muslims are required to follow the guide, whether they met online or in the real world. There is punishment if you fail to observe these rules. Beyond being punished by the community, you will face the wrath of Allah, one whose punishment is severe.

It is clear in Muslim faith that people must fall in love and marry. Religious teachings are consistent and constantly urge the faithful to love one another and also extend their love to all that Allah created. To protect people and the community from hurt and broken hearts, the principles are put in place. Everything you want to know about relationships, engagements, premarital sex and marriage is captured in the Quran.

The Quran does not restrict people when and where they can meet. Traditionally, a man and a woman would be introduced to each other by their parents or relatives. It means that each side had already vetted the other person and ascertained that he would be fit for their son or daughter. This was made easy by the fact that people lived together in communities and had full knowledge of each other.

As people disperse and people desire to make personal decisions on marriage, online dating takes root. It is embraced because people no longer live in exclusive societies. It also gives people an opportunity meet partners from other countries or cities. This is not a reason to break any of the courtship rules. Meetings that have their genesis on the internet must also remain within the principles set in the Quran.

The main principle guiding courtship for a Muslim is to keep away from private spaces when alone with your potential partner. Being in a secluded place alone gives room for temptations that might lead you to sex. When you meet online, you must still not organize a session where you will be alone. In case elders in your life discover that this has happened, the courtship will be annulled.

Chaperons were present in traditional setting. Present day dating websites for Muslims have tweaked the idea to involve group activities where age mates, friends and family are involved. This happens through outdoor activities where you can interact with dignity. Remember that until marriage, even kissing or such closeness is prohibited.

Halal dating is the new version that is approved by clerics around the world. You are allowed to keep in contact with your target partner through the phone or via the internet. Even introduction by parents and relatives is allowed. Once you feel compatible and decide to spend your life together, you will sign a nikah, a contract that is just as binding as the marriage certificate.

It is common to mistake the courtship process in Islam as having no emotions and genuine love. These rules are only meant to protect you from hurt and the community from broken families. The arrangement provides ample time for partners to interact and make a decision on whether they want to spend the rest of their lives together. The rules will safeguard the integrity of the process, whether you meet physically or online.




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