Answer
Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
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:
When is falling in love not haram in Islam?
- If the feeling is natural and not acted upon in a haram way
- When thereโs no dating or isolation involved
- If the intention is marriage
- When one considers the personโs character and faith
- If Islamic guidelines on gender interaction are respected
Shedding more light on the issue in point, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states,
Natural Feelings Are Not a Sin
It is not a sin if you feel a special affinity or inclination towards a certain individual since human beings have no control on such natural inclinations. We are, however, definitely responsible and accountable if we get carried away by such feelings and take specific actions or steps that might be deemed as haram (forbidden).
Islam Forbids Dating and Free Mixing
As far as male and female interaction is concerned, Islam dictates strict rules: It forbids all forms of โdatingโ and isolating oneself with a member of the opposite sex, as well indiscriminate mingling and mixing.
If, however, one does none of the above, and all that he or she wants is to seriously consider marrying someone, such a thing itself is not considered haram.
Marrying for Love Is Encouraged
In fact, Islam encourages us to marry persons for whom we have special feelings and affinity. Thus, Islam recommends that potential marriage partners see one another before proposing marriage.
Explaining the reason for such a recommendation, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: โThat would enhance/foster the bonding.โ (Ibn Majah)
This permission notwithstanding, we are advised against getting carried away by merely the outward appearances of a person; these may be quite misleading.
Marriage is a life-long partnership and a personโs real worth is determined not by his or her physical looks, but more so by the inner person or character.
Inner Character Matters Most
Hence, after having mentioned that people ordinarily look for beauty, wealth and family in a marriage partner, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) advised us to consider primarily โthe religious or character factorโ over and above all other considerations.
Discover more perspectives in the fatwas mentioned below:
What Are the Conditions of Marriage in Islam?
Is Secret Marriage Allowed In Islam?
Love before Marriage in Islam
What Invalidates Marriage in Islam
Is Misyar Marriage Valid?
Does Islam Condone Mutah Marriage?
What Is Socially Acceptable Between Engaged Couples?
Can Engaged Couples Go out Together in Islam?
Engaged in Sexual Relation After Iddah: Can We Remarry?
Can I Talk to My Fiance before Marriage in Islam?
Allah Almighty knows best.
Editorโs note: This fatwa is from Ask the Scholarโs archive and was originally published at an earlier date.