Modern Muslim Dating
Forward thinking Muslims believe that Muslim dating is about getting to know each other without the physicality that is associated with dating. The main goal of Muslim dating is actually marriage which ties into religion. When it comes to dating under Islam, the Quran still determines every aspect of a relationship from the introduction to marriage. Traditionally, marriage was about two families coming together. The families would choose suitable mates, conduct and chaperone dates, and oversee the engagement and marriage ceremonies.
In Islamic law, a marriage between a Muslim man and a Muslim woman (Nikkah) initiates a physical relationship used to gain God’s blessings. This long term commitment must first be made before the physical and emotional attachments associated with marriage and love can happen. As the world has progressed, some of these practices have come to be seen as outdated, especially by the younger generations who believe they should have a choice concerning the person they marry. Liberal Muslim scholars and some websites devoted to Muslim Matrimonials have come up with a concept that has tied in faith with dating known as Halal Muslim dating.
Halal Dating
Halal dating is becoming quite popular in countries such as the USA and the UK. What makes a date Halal is the following:
- The date must occur in a public place
- The date must not occur in seclusion (Khulwa) unless there is a chaperone (Mahram) present
- Flirting and physical contact are forbidden.
- The family is usually involved in the process in some way, for example, during the introduction process
Some conservative Muslims choose to refer to Muslim dating as Islamic courting so long as it conforms to the 5 basic principles of religion and marriage: mutual compatibility, attraction, spiritual understanding, social blessing and announcement and finally Islamic marriage.
Muslims and Online Dating
The rise of the internet and increased connectivity has made the world a global community. The ease with which the internet has provided chances for people to engage has spread to dating and nowadays online dating has become a part of everyday life. This fact has also spread to Muslims who are willing to try this method as a way to meet potential marriage partners. This has led to the rise of Muslim dating websites such as Muslima whose main goal is to help singles find likeminded partners with the goal of marriage. It is a low stress solution to the daunting challenges of finding a partner for marriage in countries where few share their faith and in communities where matchmaking is considered a family affair.
The pros of single Muslims engaging in online dating greatly outweigh the cons most of which are rooted in a misunderstanding of what online dating is. Muslim online dating opens up a whole new world of possibilities with the right path to finding a marriage partner.
Muslim online dating opens up a whole new world of possibilities with the right path to finding a marriage partner. Start now by joining Muslima.com!