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8 Muslim Dating Rules and Traditions You Need to Know

BY
The Salams Team

Halal dating is essential to establishing a relationship built on a firm foundation of faith. When it comes to finding a spouse, you should be aware of all of the Muslim dating rules that can arise from the first moment you meet a potential partner. Understanding how to follow halal dating customs can set you up for a strong and lasting marriage. 

 

If you are looking for a spouse in the Muslim community, you need to understand the following eight Muslim dating rules:

What Is Halal Dating? 

Dating is seen as a precursor to any serious relationship. Young Muslims interested in finding a partner often want to know more about halal dating and building long-term relationships. 

 

While many couples focus on building an emotional connection, they often incorporate physical contact into the relationship as well. 


In the Islamic religion, however, having any type of sexual contact before the wedding ceremony is prohibited. This gives Muslim women and men a unique experience when dating compared to many non-Muslims. 

 

To counteract the temptation to engage in physical contact, Muslims who are dating often meet in public places with a chaperone or among groups of friends. 

 

One of the Muslim dating rules for halal relationships is to start with good intentions. Dating should be reserved for those men and women who are seeking a spouse. You should intend to honor your chosen partner and date them with this purpose in mind. 

 

Instead of focusing on the physical aspects of the relationship, you should be paying attention to a potential partner’s other traits, such as: 

 

 

As young Muslims, you will find it easier not to go astray from what your faith commands when you stick with the tradition of halal dating. 

Muslim Dating Rules for Halal Dating

Whether you meet your partner on Muslim dating apps or in real life, there are a few rules that you must follow to have a halal relationship. Consider how to best apply some of these Muslim dating rules to your budding romance. 

1. Be Mature and Old Enough to Start Dating

There is no set age in Islam where individuals are considered old enough or mature enough to enter into a relationship. Islam encourages individuals to marry young so that they won’t fall prey to the temptation of fornication before marriage. 

 

It is perfectly acceptable for young Muslims to start dating around the age of puberty if they feel they are ready for all of the rules and potential responsibilities that come along with it. 

 

Spend some time in prayer and with the Holy Quran to determine whether you are ready to begin searching for a partner. Age is just a number and should not deter individuals from seeking out a partner, as long as both families are actively involved in the process. 

2. Date with the Intention of Finding Your Partner

Dating in the Islamic tradition is not done just for fun or for curing loneliness. Engaging with the opposite sex through dating should be done solely to find a lifelong partner. 


Make your intentions clear, particularly if you are on a dating app, to help you find a thriving relationship. 

3. No Premarital Sex

Zina, also known as fornication, is strictly forbidden to unmarried individuals. Many young people today struggle with this because the Western world views premarital sex as acceptable and even encouraged in some instances. 


Those who profess the Islamic faith are at odds with Western culture on this topic. If you want a halal relationship, premarital sex is off the table.  

4. Single People Need Chaperones

Because of the temptation to give in to premarital sex, or Zina, Muslim singles should never meet one another alone. A chaperone should always be present, ideally a member of either the young man’s or the young woman’s family. 

 

If this is not possible, then go out with friends and meet in a public location where physical temptation will be much lower. One of the things you should always avoid is meeting alone in a private setting. The temptation to give in to the desires of the flesh is too great and can compromise your faith. 

 

It is also sometimes encouraged to have a chaperone for your conversations. A silent chaperone can be involved in your text messaging, stay on the line during phone conversations, and be in the room when you make video calls. This ensures that no unsavory talk will enter the conversation and lead you astray.

5. Avoid Sex Talk

When you meet someone on a dating app or social media, you may encounter the temptation to have inappropriate conversations with your new partner. 


Because sex is forbidden before the wedding ceremony, it is essential to keep your hearts and minds pure. Chaperones can help you manage your conversations and maintain purity during this time.  

 

Avoid all talk of sex and other types of physical intimacy, whether in public or in private. If you are at a loss for things to discuss, consider sharing what you are learning through your daily reading of the Holy Quran to refocus your relationship back to the basics of your faith. 

6. Don’t Rush to a Proposal

Many individuals have a hard time waiting for physical contact with their partners. They connect with them on a deep emotional level and often want to express that love physically as well. While this should be avoided, it leads many people to rush into a proposal so that they can begin having sex with their partners. 

 

Do not rush to this important stage in your relationship. Wait until you know for sure that your partner is a good match for you and will be a faithful spouse for the rest of your lives together. Be mature and take things slowly if you feel that is what is right for you and your partner.

7. Remain Friends, Not Just Lovers

The bedrock of your relationship lies in the connection you share. During the halal dating process, you should be building your friendship as well as your romantic relationship. When things are only about being lovers, it can be tempting to relate to them only on this level. 

 

Unfortunately, this is where many people get off track and give in to temptation. 

 

Instead, you should focus your efforts on remaining friends with your new partner so that your relationship can deepen as you proceed toward marriage. Never discount the importance of friendship to the health of your relationship. 

8. Always Keep a Strong Faith

How are you doing in terms of your dedication to your faith? Never allow your faith to waver with the excitement of a new relationship. Spending time on a dating app can be exciting, but it should not be detrimental to your faith practice of praying, visiting the mosque, and reading the Holy Quran

 

Spend time cultivating your relationship with and understanding of Allah and His Holy Messenger. This will lay a firm foundation for your relationship to grow from and ensure that you stay on the halal path laid out before you. 

Finding the Right Muslim Community

If you want to find a partner who is equally serious about a commitment to marriage, then you need to download Salams. Build a great profile and connect with other like-minded individuals who share your faith. 


We have over 6 million single Muslims on our platform, so you have plenty of potential matches. Download Salams App today! 

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