Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

i met someone over the internet/chat, and we took a liking to each other.he has asked me to marry him and wants to meet my parents to propose.is the whole idea of meeting someone on the net haram?my parents will not approve of it because we did not meet in the traditional way. so is this internet thing haram?plz brother enlighten me.altought i would be really sad if it was.

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Answer:

Proposal through internet

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 3118 Narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattab

The Prophet (saws) said, "Whenever a man is alone with a woman the Devil makes a third."

Islam has forbidden the casual meeting or talking or chatting vain talk with a non-mehram member of the opposite sex in isolation; thus in that sense internet chatting without a valid excuse with a non-mehram would obviously be incorrect.

Q-1: i met someone over the internet/chat, and we took a liking to each other.he has asked me to marry him and wants to meet my parents to propose.is the whole idea of meeting someone on the net haram?

There is absolutely no harm if the man now wishes to meet your parents and ask for your hand in marriage, regardless of whether you have met in the internet chat-room or not.

Q-2: my parents will not approve of it because we did not meet in the traditional way.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 3090 Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, 'When someone with whose religion and character you are satisfied asks your daughter in marriage, accede to his request. If you do not do so, there will be temptation on earth, and extensive corruption.'

You are assuming that your parents would not approve before even giving the man a chance to meet your parents and proposing for your hand. Maybe your parents might not give it as much importance as you fear; and if they are satisfied with the character and religion of the man, they might accede to his request.

The absolute best way is for the elders or guardians of the boy visit your parents through a mutual friend, and ask for your hand in marriage.

Q-3: so is this internet thing haram?

Islam has absolutely discouraged and forbidden the private meeting of a non-mehram man and a non-mehram woman in isolation. But there is absolutely no harm if the man now wishes to meet the guardians of the girl to seek her hand in marriage.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan