Is It Permissible to Use Social Media to Seek Marriage?
Answered by Shaykh Bassem Itani
Question
Is it permissible to use social media to seek marriage?
Answer
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, his Family, and all his Companions.
Ruling
Yes, it is permissible to use social media to seek marriage, provided that the matchmaking platforms are safe and adhere to the principles of Sacred Law and the etiquette of communication.
Searching for marriage through online platforms is a modern means that did not exist in the past. There are many permissible ways to get acquainted for the purpose of engagement, and this method via the Internet is one of them.
Caution
There are many marriage websites, and the ruling on them varies depending on their adherence to Sacred Law guidelines. Many sites are not serious and require careful verification of their legitimacy to avoid potential risks, fraud, or mistakes. Such sites should be avoided.
However, if a site is in line with Islamic ethics, there is no harm in using it to achieve one’s goal. These sites should respect the privacy of those submitting their profiles, work transparently and honestly, and strive to match compatible parties. This service can be considered a form of social assistance, even if it involves a fee, as it facilitates marriage, which is a practice encouraged by Islamic law. Allah (Most High) says:
“Cooperate with one another in goodness and righteousness, and do not cooperate in sin and transgression.” [Quran, 5:2]
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
“Whoever among you can afford to marry, let him marry, for it helps lower the gaze and guard chastity.” [Bukhari]
This means that whoever has the means to marry should do so.
Once initial contact is made through these sites lawfully and without unnecessary delay, the couple should proceed to the engagement phase. This phase must involve both parties’ families to prevent any potential manipulation and ensure a safe path toward marriage.
And Allah is the guide to all goodness.
[Shaykh] Bassem Itani
Shaykh Dr. Bassem Itani
Shaykh Dr. Bassem Hussayn Itani was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1965. He earned his Ph.D. in Islamic Studies in 2005. Among his mentors were Shaykh Muhammad Taha Sukkar, Shaykh Adib al-Kallas, Shaykh Mulla Abdul ‘Alim al-Zinki, Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri, Shaykh Abdul Razzaq al-Halabi, Shaykh Dr. Mustafa Dib al-Bugha, Shaykh Dr. Wahba al-Zuhayli, Dr. Muhammad al-Zuhayli, and others, may Allah have mercy on them all.
Shaykh Itani has a rich background in both academic and administrative fields. He has held significant positions in many governmental and non-governmental institutions in Lebanon and abroad. This includes his role as a member of the Academic Committee at SeekersGuidance and a senior teacher with the free online global seminary.
From 2020 to 2021, he served as the Dean of the College of Da‘wa – University for Islamic Studies (Lebanon) – Postgraduate Studies. He was the Director of Dar Iqra for Islamic Sciences from 1998 to 2018. Shaykh Itani is a well-versed teacher in several academic subjects, including Fiqh, Usul, Aqida, and Tafsir. He has supervised and examined numerous Master’s and Doctoral theses at various universities and colleges in Lebanon.
His contributions to Islamic sciences are also evident in his writings and research. His notable works include “The Relied-upon Statements of Imam Zufar in the Hanafi School,” “Collective Ijtihad: The Sublimity of Thought in the 21st Century,” and “Custom and its Impact in Islamic Jurisprudence.” Shaykh Itani has actively participated in numerous scientific conferences and seminars, both in Lebanon and internationally. He is linguistically adept, excelling in Arabic, proficient in French, and comfortably conversant in English.
