Dating Tips for Couples Wishing to be Sharia Compliant
Islam is one of the biggest religions in the world, it's estimated that over 1.8 billion people in the world are Muslims. Muslims believe in Allah, one God, and the promise of paradise if they follow his teachings.
Islam teaches us that marriage is the finest, purest and permissible relationship that should exist between a male and female. There is no dating or living in de facto relationship or trying each other out before committing to each other in Islam.
However, feelings around dating and falling in love are beginning to change. Many Muslims now believe that if they do not engage in any activity that can be seen as impure, they are allowed to date and fall in love. Thanks to this, countless Muslim men and women have started choosing for themselves who they want to spend the rest of their lives with. If you are interested in dating a Muslim man or woman and you want to know how to remain Sharia-compliant, then here are some of our top tips to help you:
1. Use a Dating App
One of the best ways to find a date who has similar religious views to you is to use a dating app. Dating apps allow you to determine whether a match is right for you before you even meet them. You will be able to see pictures of potential dates, find out information about their likes and dislikes, and discover whether they have similar views as you.
This list of the most popular dating apps includes eHarmony, JDate, and Match, so you can read reviews on them and make a more informed decision.
2. Control Your Feelings
It is normal to fall in love with another. Islam teaches you to love every creature. In Islam, if you start to develop special or strong feelings for another person, the only way to make your relationship Sharia-compliant is to get married.
However, if you’re not ready to plan your wedding or get married just yet, then the best way to control your lust is fasting.
3. Consider Eating Habits
When going on a date with a Muslim man or woman, it's important to understand what they can and can’t eat. For example, Muslims do not eat pork, so it is important to remember this when ordering food on your date.
To be on the safe side, ask your date what they would like to eat, and what foods are not allowed.
4. Think About the Time
It is important to be aware that most Muslims pray 5 times a day. If you choose to go on a date with a Muslim man or woman, make sure that your date does not interfere with their praying time.
5. Understand Your Partner
When dating a Muslim woman or man, you will have a much higher chance to deal with their culture and traditions. This is a good thing, and it can expand your world. However, because traditions and culture are so important to Muslim people, you need to understand them to keep your relationship sharia-compliant.
Before you start dating a Muslim, it is important to appreciate the fundamentals regarding dating traditions and culture. It is also important to understand that all Muslim people have different views and opinions. This means that they might not all follow the same traditions.
6. Take a Chaperone on Your Date
In the Muslim faith, single men and women are not allowed to meet each other for a date without a chaperone. The chaperone is usually a family member who comes on a date to control how a date goes. Most Muslims do not have sex before marriage, so a chaperone is sent on a date to reduce the amount of sexual temptation.
7. Take Your Time
Although most people believe that Muslim dating is brief as there is no sex before marriage, for most Muslims, this is not the case. Most modern Muslims do not rush into marriage; instead, they take their time choosing a partner. Take your time and develop your relationship slowly.
8. Date Someone of the Same Religion
Islamic dating is taken much more seriously than Western dating where most people date just for fun. In Islamic dating, men and women consider their partners as their potential future husband or wife. This means that if you want to meet someone who has similar views to you, you should choose someone of the same religion as you. Muslim men have a much higher chance of being happy with an Islamic woman than a woman who follows a different religion.
Many Muslims find dating a difficult balance between the wants of society and their family and their own needs and wants. However, dating does not have to mean a compromise between your love life and your religion. Follow some of our top tips above if you want to remain Sharia-compliant while dating.
