Is it permissible to seek a spouse on Online matrimonial websites?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Matrimonial sites are matchmaking websites meant to facilitate seeking a compatible marriage partner. We understand the practical need for such a facility, especially for reverts and for unmarried individuals who do not have the necessary family and social support for identifying a suitable partner.

A workable Islamic matrimonial website should consist of the following features:

A group of respectable people appointed by ‘ulamā’ regulate the website.

The database of profiles is accessible only to the regulators.

No pictures are submitted for the profiles, although there may be a description of key physical features.

The regulators verify each profile that is submitted by reliable methods of investigation.

The regulators act as intermediaries between potential spouses by matching up profiles according to their suitability (based on location, language and so on) and according to what each person is looking for.

Once profiles have been matched up, and potential partners agree to consider each other, it can be arranged for them to meet under the guidance of the regulators and the relatives of the potential partners. The regulators should ensure that there is no fear of fitnah and abuse in arranging a meeting between potential partners.

One should also ask his sister/s, mother and female relatives to use their network of friends to find a suitable partner. If as many reliable people as possible are informed that one is single and in search of a spouse, the chances of finding a suitable spouse will be greatly improved.

If any of the above procedures are not fulfilled and there is a potential of violations of the laws of Shari’ah, then it is not permissible to seek a spouse through such means.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Abu ‘Umar Muhammad bin Zayn Patel

Student Darul Iftaa
South Africa

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.