Q: I am a Palestinian woman, 20 years old now in USA, my family is back in Palestine. Desperate for marriage I went on a Muslim matrimonial website and found a Pakistani man to be my husband. I have met his family and spent much time with his family. Due to our tradition though, he says he cannot marry me and will not marry me until he and his parents meet my parents. There really is not a way to make that happen at least for years. What do I do? What are the options for us? We are engaged, will I have to repent to Allah if this does not work out? I am so lost and alone please help.
A: Engagement does not make any haraam into halaal. The boy is a total stranger to you. You cannot engage in any type of casual talk nor can you get close to him. He is a total stranger until nikaah has been done. If any type of premarital relationship took place you should at once make taubah and make it known to the boy that he needs to make taubah and that he needs to move on with his life and you move on with your life.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)