Engagement or Nikah now for delayed consummation of marriage?

in the scenario that a marriage partner is found and they wish to delay consummation of marriage for a short time period such as a year..

is it perferable to get get enagged and wait an year for nikah? or have nikah now and consummate the marriage by starting to live together in a year later?

Answer
Bismillah

Al-jawab billahi at-taufeeq (the answer with Allah’s guidance)

Engagements in Islam is permissible. However, One is not allowed to meet or talk after the engagement. The purpose of engagements is a promise and confirmation to marry. At that stage, the boy and girl are still strangers to one another in that they cannot communicate with one another. Hence, Interaction between a non-mahram man and woman are not acceptable in Islam.

Also, there is no point in having a prolonged engagement, it is better to perform the Nikah as soon as possible and then one can therefore, interact in a ‘Halal’ atmosphere.

And Only Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.

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Moulana Qamruz Zaman
London, UK

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This answer was collected from MuftiSays.com, based in London (UK). It is one of the fruits of Darul Uloom London. Many ‘ulama are involved in answering the Q&A on the site, including: Shaikul Hadeeth Mufti Umar Farooq Sahib, Mufti Saifur Rahman Sahib, Mufti Abdullah Patel Sahib, Maulana Qamruz Zaman Sahib, Mufti Abu Bakr Karolia Sahib.

Tags: man and woman, Marriage, marriage partner, marry, Nikah, woman

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