Is it permissible for a boy and girl to have an e-mail communication if the intention is marriage?

Answer

All kinds of pre-marital contact and communication are not permissible. Compatibility cannot be established by e-mail communication. Information pertaining to character, compatibility, etc. should be acquired by the parents/relatives/friends. Premarital contact, even by email, is a stepping stone for zina. It is a kind of zina. Such communication will generate frivolity and shahwat (lust). E-mail communication will be permissible in exceptional cases where there are no parents, relatives and friends to institute investigations on behalf of the couple intending marriage. Such scenarios exist with converts. We receive many letters from adults from different countries. They have embraced Islam. They have no relationship with the Muslim community and no Muslim relatives. Some are prisoners. For them e-mail contact is the only way of communication.

But, e-mail communication is not a license for the boy and girl to communicate freely and at will. Such contact applies to people who have no parents, no Muslim relatives and no way of ascertaining anything about the females whom they wish to propose to.

As far as our kind of society is concerned, it will not be permissible for a boy and girl to communicate even by e-mail when they have parents and senior relatives who can make investigations. However, there are some issues which parents may want to discuss by email, and which may be embarrassing to discuss face to face, hence e-mail is best for the seniors.

recite in the Imaam‟s last qa‟dah after having recited Tashahhud? Should he also recite Durood and Dua?

A. No, the Masbooq should recite only Tashahhud. He may also repeat Tashahhud until the Imaam makes Salaam. He should not recite Durood and Dua.