In Islamic Marriages, what symbols are used from the engagement period to the celebrations? And what is the significance of the rituals involved from engagement to celebration?
Praise be to Allah.The relationship of an engaged man with his fiancée is the same as a
man’s relationship with any woman to whom he is not related: he is not allowed to
enjoy any kind of physical relationship with her whatsoever, until the marriage contract
with her has been completed.
If it is asked what kind of relationship the husband can have with his
wife after the contract has been completed and before the wedding party, the answer is
that he may enjoy a full husband-wife relationship, including looking at her, kissing her,
being alone with her, travelling with her, having intercourse with her, etc. (al-Lajnah
al-Daa’imah li’l-iftaa: Fataawa Islamiyyah, 3/154).
For more information on the Sunnah (way of the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in weddings, and what is done during the
celebrations, you can refer to the questions under the heading of Nikaah (marriage) in the
Fiqh (Jurisprudence and Islamic rulings) section of this Website. If you have any further
questions, please feel free to contact us again. And Allah is the source of strength.