Q: I am a 19-year-old and am currently studying in a polytechnic. Recently I have had serious issues with my parents when they found out about my relationship with my boyfriend. I have been together with him for almost a year, although I am aware these kind of relationships are haram in Islam. I did not tell my parents about us from the beginning as I know they too would not approve of it. While with my boyfriend though, I wanted badly to turn our relationship into a halal one, since he had already agreed to make me his wife once he has the financial capacity. This however meant that we would need to wait at least 3 years before he has a stable job, since he is still studying in a polytechnic now as well. After being found out by my parents regarding our relationship, I stumbled upon a post on Twitter a few days later which talked about Nikah Khitbah. I do not know if it was God’s way of showing me the solution to my problems, but it sure gave me a slight sense of relief, knowing that there is still a chance for me to be with my boyfriend the halal way, without having to worry too much about finances. However, I am scared of suggesting this to my parents, since they are still not happy with what they had found out. I love my boyfriend and I want to be able to spend my life with him in a way that is granted by God. But how do I approach my parents and convince them that Nikah Khitbah is what I would like to do, without potentially getting them angry again?
A: We do not know about this nikaah khitbah, but this relationship that you are in involved in is haraam and you have to terminate it immediately and beg Allah Ta`ala’s forgiveness.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)