Fatwa No. 31

Question:

What is the ruling on communicating with my fiancé via WhatsApp in a group that includes myself, my brother, and him — given that I feel embarrassed after our conversation has opened up into joking and teasing between us?

Answer:

Al-ḥamdu lillāhi rabb al-ʿālamīn. To proceed:

The engaged woman remains a legal stranger (ajnabiyyah) to her suitor — engagement does not render permissible what is otherwise forbidden between the two parties. There is, however, no objection to their conversing within proper bounds (bi-l-maʿrūf), without seclusion (khalwah), without suspicious circumstances, without romantic speech (taghazzul), and without softness or seductiveness in speech (khudūʿ bi-l-qawl).

As for joking — the matter requires elaboration: not every form of joking is forbidden. The Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to joke, yet he never said anything but the truth. Light and gentle joking that

does not entail any vulgarity ، inappropriate speech, or breach of the veil of modesty (sitār

al-ḥayāʾ) — it is to be hoped that this falls within the scope of dispensation (rukhṣah).

Beyond this, the doors of scrupulousness (warʿ) remain open to whoever wishes to avail themselves of them. May Allah increase you in eagerness and grant you success.

And Allah Most High knows best.