Dating Sites and the Dating Culture of Young Muslim Men and Women

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The question of whether dating is allowed as a Muslim is one of the many questions that surface when matters of dating are discussed. In practice, courtship and dating are not considered to be such a big deal, but when it concerns religion and religious believes, you can have more than a handful. 

The process of choosing a spouse in a typical Muslim environment can be elaborate and complicated and is often confusing to non-Muslims. Although partners are allowed to date, there is sometimes a restriction on how intimate they can get during the dating period. This is because Muslim women especially in strict religious societies are not allowed to wander off too far from home without a male escort to ensure that they do not engage in indecent behaviors. However, Muslims in the west and in typically liberal societies still use decent dating sites to meet new people and find love. You can check more information about it on this page: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-young-american-muslims-are-dating-and-finding-love-in-new-york-city

Islamic Perspective On Dating

Dating in the generic sense of the word, is not allowed in Muslim culture as Islamic women and men are forbidden from entering into an intimate relationship. As a result, they cannot get too close or spend time together in an intimate way. This view is reinforced by the belief that the choice of a life partner is one of the most important decisions that a person will make in their life. As a result, it must be taken carefully with little regard to feelings and hormonal fluctuations. 

For many singles, ensuring a balance between their desire and the demands of the society and family can be a daunting task. The argument in favor of the Islamic societal demand is that dating can lead to haram (sinful) actions. Hence, it is always advisable to avoid it entirely or do so with every discretion. On the other hand, another argument is that it is not always advisable to date someone you don’t know. Whichever way you choose to see, culture borders dating among the Muslims.  

Islam Is Not Against Love

Before we proceed any further, we must understand that Islam encourages love and it doesn’t forbid it. Each cultural norm that seems to discourage dating is only aimed at preventing indecent relationships between men and women and should not be misunderstood as anti-love. For people in the Western World, these cultural values might seem too harsh. However, every devote Muslim community understands the sacredness of the values as they are the foundation upon which strong morals are built. 

Therefore, if you are serious about wanting to date a Muslim man or woman, you have to come to terms with these values, norms, and traditions. The Koran above any other Islamic book indicates that a man should not pursue marriage for causal ties and desires. Instead, he must feel a psychological need to communicate with a woman and have the intention of marrying her. Contrary to many opinions that a Muslim woman must be the only virgin before marriage, the girl must not only be a virgin, the man must have no sexual experience before the marriage as well. Whatever sexual knowledge they require must be under the laws of Allah. Click here for a 21st century perspective into dating for young Muslims. 

The Role of Family 

The family of the bride and the groom play an important role in the love story between a Muslim man and woman. Like every culture all over the World, Muslim parents show lots of concern when their children want to choose a life partner. The bride’s family, for example, looks out for specific features in a man to ensure that the future of their daughter is secured. For example, a man must not be less educated than the woman. His future income must be secured and his financial status must not be lower than her own (this isn’t a rule but a common practice). As a result, the future financial stability of the couple as determined by the man is known before the marriage. 

The Roles Of Potential Spouses

As youths, boys and girls develop a close relationship with people of the same sex. This friendship then blossoms and continues throughout their journey to adulthood. This way, they can build a strong network with themselves and their families. Before a person can decide on marriage, certain obligations need to be fulfilled. 

First of all, the person needs to make special supplications to Allah for the right choice of partner. After this, family inquires and suggestions are set up through known networks to seek out potential prospects. Then a meeting is held between the two families where they can either agree to their relationship or reject it. 

In a situation where the family agrees to their relationship, the couple is allowed to meet in a group event or in the presence of a relative. By implication, a man is not allowed to remain alone with a woman before marriage. The Islamic law and code of conduct understand the frailty of the human body and its weakness. Therefore, it sets up rules like this as a measure against temptation. 

If the couple is compatible, the family will proceed to investigate further from friends and other members of the community about the character of the man and the woman. If they cannot find any fault in the relationship, the potential spouses are allowed to seek Allah’s help for guidance through prayers. This is how Muslim dating works in strict Islamic societies.

Is Dating Allowed?

Muslim dating is not the same as dating in western cultures. In the context of Muslim dating cultures, the couples are simply working at determining whether they are compatible for marriage. However, while the rules and guidelines are still very much in place, it isn’t uncommon for Muslims to turn to dating sites to find a suitable date. The world is changing and dating sites help to simplify the process of searching for a compatible partner and potential spouse. However, men and women who employ this resource need to understand the cultural rules and how strict they are. This will go a long way in preparing you for what to expect from dating.

Conclusion 

The success or failure of Muslim marriages is often predicated upon the cultural roles that the couples and their families assume before the marriage. By drawing guidance from cultural wisdom, potential spouses can ensure that their choice of life partner is not based on romantic feelings alone. Instead, it is through careful and objective evaluation of how compatible the couples are as a measure for long-term stability.

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