Online Dating Versus Long Term Commitment – A Brief Overview In The Light Of Islamic Philosophy
Islam views marriage from a legal point of view as a contract. The marriage contract in Islam requires free and full consent of the two parties concerned just like any other contract. The final decision to enter into a valid marriage contract solely rests on the two parties though guardians or parents may choose a partner for marriage, use persuasion leading to marriage or give their advice. The marriage contract is a life long or long term commitment and only under extreme circumstances can in it be terminated. The terms usually involve a gift from the husband given to the intended wife, and secondly, a commitment from the two to try their best to provide psychological, emotional and spiritual happiness. Therefore, the only relationship allowed is a long-term commitment in the form of marriage. Dating is totally prohibited in Islam and is viewed as haraam. Haraam means something that has been forbidden by Allah Subhana Wa Tallah under all or any circumstances and doing any haraam act makes one responsible of answering to Allah Subhana Wa Tallah on the Day of Judgment. Anything that goes against the will of Allah Subhana Wa Tallah is haraam and displeases Him Subhana Wa Tallah.
Dating is basically getting to know well each other. In the contemporary love dating however entails intimate relationships with acts of kissing, touching, necking, petting and many more. One can say that Islam, being a religion based on love and humanity could be so strict when it comes to the relationship between man and woman. To a few of the members of society this may seem to be bit unfair but those who are aware of the risks, endangerment and life threatening results of dating, this is the best solution. Following rules of your Creator can never be wrong.
These acts ultimately lead to pre marital sex with is zina or adultery and prohibited in Islamic faith or philosophy. Technological advancement has furthered dating to web premises otherwise known as online dating. People get to meet and flirt online in various social media and online dating sites. Therefore, dating, be it physically or online is denied on the premise, that it inevitably normally leads to a type of Zina. Though for long term commitment in form of marriage it is allowed for couples or partners to meet in group or chaperoned environment, as Islam recognizes the need of the two partners entering into it willingly, based on family involvement, careful investigation and above all prayers. This is retaliated in Qur’an 2:235 “You commit no sin by announcing your engagement to the women, or keeping it secret. God knows that you will think about them. Do not meet them secretly, unless you have something righteous to discuss. Do not consummate the marriage until their interim is fulfilled. You should know that God knows your innermost thoughts, and observe Him. You should know that God is forgiver, clement.”
