What Is Halal Dating And How Does It Work

Islam is the second most popular religion in the world after Christianity, with almost 2 billion adherents. The words “halal” and “haram” are often used when talking about the rules of Islam. In western culture, “halal” is usually associated with Muslim-owned restaurants, but few know what it means. This term refers to what is permitted by Islam, and when it comes to food, there are a few rules that have to be applied for the food to be “halal.”

The term “haram” is the antonym of “halal.” It means anything that is forbidden by Islam. When it comes to dating, there are a few set rules that are commonly practiced by many Muslims. Like in any religion, there are liberals, extremists, and everything in between. However, there are a few basics that most Muslims live by. In this article, we’ll discuss the rules of halal dating and how it works in modern societies.

Many Muslims, especially older generations, don’t even accept the concept of dating. They believe the idea came from the Western world, where dating is a common social practice. However, Islam does permit a period for a couple to get acquainted, but it isn’t without rules. Usually, halal dating must be held in a public place; there can’t be any private visits before marriage. There shouldn’t be touching, kissing, or any physical display of affection. Before marriage, Islam allows an engagement period where the future bride and groom can learn about each other’s personalities to decide if they want to continue in this relationship. This time is also for families to get acquainted with each other and know if this is a suitable fit for their sons and daughters.

With social media and dating apps, there are countless options to choose a potential Muslim partner. In the past, girls depended on their parents to introduce them to a potential suitor, as Muslim dating wasn’t that common. Nowadays, couples can meet through social media platforms or dating apps specified for Muslims. Some websites are even dedicated to Muslim marriages.

Younger couples search these apps to get to know Muslims in their area. Some of them may not abide by all Islamic regulations but still refrain from having premarital sex. Many people in Western countries like Germany and the UK use these apps to get married temporarily so they can have a normal relationship without breaking any Islamic rules. A lot of people nowadays find arranged marriages a ridiculous notion, so they turn to online platforms to pursue halal dating and marriage.

Including the parents from the beginning is very important among many Muslim families. In older generations, arranged marriages were common, and some women didn’t even get to meet their husbands before the wedding. Some conservative communities still abide by this tradition. Nowadays, many parents allow men to date their daughters as long as they’ve made a proper introduction.

Halal dating usually means that the man is serious about the relationship with the woman and intends to get married. Asking for the parents’ permission or blessing reflects the man’s morals by showing respect to his potential in-laws. Some parents require that a third person attends the dates as a chaperone to the future bride, which ensures the halal aspect of Muslim dating.

The term halal dating was influenced by the younger generations. Dating has always been a stigma in the Muslim world since it seems like a foreign practice far from Islamic values. But actually, Islam doesn’t prohibit love; it just sets some boundaries to what a relationship before marriage should be like. Youngsters adding the term “halal” to dating suggest that nothing forbidden or “haram” happens during a date between a Muslim couple.

On the other hand, other young people refuse the term since they believe dating shouldn’t be categorized as a shameful act. In their opinion, Islam is about having pure intentions, so if they are serious and intend to marry someone, then that’s between them and God; calling the process “halal” doesn’t automatically mean it’s practiced according to Islam.

In the end, it’s up to each individual to determine how to pursue halal dating. What seems valid to some might come as a shock to others. Every Muslim tries their best to uphold the Islamic regulations when it comes to dating and marriage.

In older times and before globalization, traditions were passed down from generation to generation. But in today’s world and with the openness of social media, many people found that religious views became mixed with ancient traditions that sometimes go above and beyond what Islam dictates. Many people enforce rules that have nothing to do with Islam. Couples should be honest with each other about their beliefs, and they need to remember that it’s completely “halal” to meet as many people as they want until they find the right person for them.