My fiancé was refused entry visa on grounds that we did not provide photos together to prove we met also after our engagement the emails that were exchanged to prove contact were not intimate.

So I can explain in my appeal why there are no photos together, or our emails were not intimate even though we were engaged.

Please can you tell me if it is permissible or not in Islam, in the light of the Quran and the Hadith, to have photos taken together and write intimate emails even though we are engaged?

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Answer

An engagement is a promise between two prospective spouses or their families of marriage. The purpose of engagements is a confirmation to marry. At that stage, the boy and girl are still strangers to one another in that they cannot communicate with one another.

There are many ahadiths on the prohibition of men and women intermingling. Saaiduna Jarir Bin Abdullah Radiallah Anhu narrates that I asked the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam about the sudden glance (that is cast) on the face (of a non-Mahram). He commanded me that I should turn away my eyes. (Sahih Muslim)

Saaiduna Uqba Bin Amir Radiallahu Anhu narrates that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said, “Beware of entering upon the ladies.” A man from the Ansar said, “Allah’s Apostle! What about the in-laws of the wife?” The Prophet replied, “The in-laws of the wife are death itself.” (Sahih Bukhari)

Regarding your question, it will not be permissible to take photos or share intimate emails with your fiancé before the marriage is done. The best way to get around your situation is that you travel to the country where your fiancé is, get married in which case it will be permissible for you to share photos or intimate emails together.

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham