Fatwa No. 35 — p. 64

Question:

A sister is living abroad in a foreign country where no one knows her. Is it permissible for her to access Islamic matrimonial websites?

Answer:

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

The Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America (AMJA) has discussed this issue and arrived at the following resolution, which I convey verbatim — and from which the answer will be clear:

“Women and Gender-Matching Websites for the Purpose of Marriage: There is no objection to dealing with trustworthy websites that gather information about men and women seeking marriage in order to facilitate matching between them — provided there is adherence to strict guidelines in the areas of confidentiality and security, and blocking the pathways to temptation (fitnah) and the steps of Shayṭān. It is recommended that such websites have Sharīʿah supervisory boards to oversee the soundness of their procedures.”

There remains, however, a separate matter related to this woman’s expatriation and her residing alone in a foreign country. On this we say: unless she is driven to it by a pressing need (ḥājah māssah) or a compelling necessity (ḍarūrah muljīʾah), it is not lawful for her to do so. She ought to return to her family and live in their midst.

And Allah Most High knows best.