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It’s one of the most common questions Muslims ask—especially those studying, working, or living in Western societies, where often times it would be impossible to avoid any interactions with the opposite gender because western society is not built to cater to Islamic standards.

The short answer?Friendship in the casual, emotionally intimate sense is discouraged.But professional, respectful interaction with clear boundaries is permitted—and sometimes necessary.

Want to learn from different perspectives? We dive into this topic more in this video ⤵️

❌ Islam Does Not Promote Casual Friendships

Islam isn’t against gender interaction, it’s against free mixing (ikhtilat) that leads to fitnah (temptation), emotional attachment, or inappropriate closeness.

For the sake of this article, we will be defining friendship as a close and intimate bond, one where two people are in regular communication and are emotionally dependent on one another, as Islamically, this is where the danger in mixed friendships lies.“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity… And tell the believing women to lower their gaze…” – Qur’an 24:30–31

Islam’s concern is not talking to the opposite gender—it’s how and why you’re doing it.

✅ What Is Permissible in a Western Context?

In the West, Muslims often can’t avoid mixed environments—schools, universities, offices. Islam doesn’t expect isolation, it expects conduct marked by dignity, clarity, and restraint.  There is a big difference between a friendship between men and women, and a relationship whereby interactions are limited to respectful conversations regarding topics relevant to your environment i.e. a work project or school work.

You can:

Collaborate in class or work settings Exchange respectful formalities Be courteous and professional Maintain modesty in dress and speech Keep emotional boundaries clear

Your intention (niyyah) matters and Allah (SWT) knows what is in your heart.

“…Speak to them in a straightforward manner.” – Qur’an 33:32

🚩 Signs You’re Crossing the Line

Ask yourself:

Are we joking/flirting privately? Do I text them beyond work or study needs? Do I confide in them emotionally? Would I act differently if my future spouse was watching?

If yes, then the relationship may have slipped into emotional intimacy, which Islam advises against.

💡 Islam Offers Guidelines, Not Isolation

Islam doesn’t forbid men and women from interacting—it structures the interaction with wisdom.

And that’s mercy.It protects your heart.It protects their heart.And it protects the sacred bond of marriage from becoming just another “casual” connection.

📿 What to Do Instead Set clear boundaries early: People respect what you respect. Keep conversations purposeful: Avoid small talk unless necessary. Don’t seek emotional support from the opposite gender: That’s what friends of the same gender, family, or eventually, your spouse are for. Seek forgiveness if the line was crossed: Allah is Merciful, and it’s never too late to realign with your values. Respect Doesn’t Require Friendship

You don’t need to “be friends” to be friendly. Islam asks us to be respectful, not cold; professional, not flirtatious; connected by akhlaq, not casual intimacy.

In a Western society, Muslim men and women can interact—but they should do so with purpose, modesty, and taqwa (God-consciousness).

Is Physical Touch and Kissing Permissible During Engagement?

Having sex before marriage is strictly haram in Islam but what about other things? There is a lot of nuance to physical intimacy and sometimes lines can get blurred, if you know that you are marrying someone does this mean certain acts of intimacy are allowed? What physical boundaries should be maintained during engagement according to Islamic teachings? Let’s dive into it.

Watch our CEO address this and more in this video ⬇️

Understanding the Islamic Position on Pre-Marital Physical Contact

In Islam, the engagement period (khitbah) is distinct from marriage (nikah). This distinction is crucial for understanding permissible boundaries:

The fundamental principle: Islam permits physical contact between non-mahrams (those eligible to marry) only after the marriage contract (nikah) is completed – not during engagement.

Most Islamic scholars across major schools of thought (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali) agree that:

Engagement is a promise to marry, not a marriage itself Until the nikah is completed, the couple remains non-mahrams to each other Physical boundaries that apply between non-mahrams continue to apply during engagement Why These Boundaries Exist

These guidelines aren’t meant to make life difficult but rather serve several important purposes:

Protecting dignity and honor: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasised respecting boundaries that protect one’s honor. Preventing gradual escalation: Physical touch often leads to increasing desire for more intimate contact. Avoiding regret: If the engagement ends (which is permissible in Islam), having maintained physical boundaries prevents potential regret and ensures no one is put in a position where they feel like they gave away a part of themselves that they wanted to save for their husband or wife. Building a foundation beyond physical attraction: The engagement period is valuable for developing communication and understanding beyond physical desire. When two people become engaged there can be a lot of lust, removing the physical aspect of a relationship allows you to see whether this person is truly the one for you beyond any physical attraction, do you have things to talk about? Do you enjoy the same activities? The non-physical things are what keep a relationship going after the honeymoon, lust phase has run it’s course. Common Misunderstandings About Engagement Misunderstanding #1: “Engagement makes some physical contact permissible”

While engagement is a serious commitment toward marriage, it doesn’t change the ruling on physical contact. The Islamic position is that physical intimacy becomes permissible only after the nikah contract.

Misunderstanding #2: “If we’re definitely getting married soon, it doesn’t matter”

The intention to marry doesn’t alter the Islamic ruling. Even a day before the wedding, if the nikah hasn’t been performed, Islamic boundaries remain in place. Engagement is not an Islamic loophole.

Misunderstanding #3: “Just kissing isn’t really crossing the line”

Islamic scholars point out that seemingly “minor” forms of physical contact can:

Awaken desires that are difficult to control Begin a pattern of compromising on religious principles Create emotional and physical bonds that should be reserved for marriage What About Looking at Each Other?

While physical touch before nikah is not permissible, Islam does encourage potential spouses to see each other before marriage:

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ told a companion who wanted to marry a woman: “Go and look at her, for that is more likely to create love between you.” (Narrated by Ahmad, an-Nasa’i)

However, this looking:

Should be in the presence of family members Doesn’t extend to physical contact Is limited to seeing the face and hands (according to most scholars) Cultural Practices vs. Islamic Teachings

It’s important to distinguish between cultural practices and Islamic teachings. In some Muslim cultures:

Engaged couples may be allowed significant freedom together Families might be lenient about physical boundaries during engagement Pre-wedding celebrations might include mixed gatherings with physical contact

However, these cultural practices should be evaluated against Islamic principles. Islamic guidance is more important than cultural norms, if the two are conflicting always go with what Islam says.

Practical Tips for Maintaining Boundaries During Engagement

If you’re currently engaged and striving to maintain Islamic boundaries but you are finding it tough; firstly remember this is completely normal and usually a good sign that you are with someone you will enjoy being married to. However, try to do these things to avoid putting yourself in a situation of temptation:

Meet in public or family settings Be honest with each other about your commitment to these boundaries Discuss your boundaries explicitly early in the engagement Keep conversations and interactions purposeful rather than flirtatious; sure you can compliment one another and not necessarily have to speak the way you would with just a friend, but keeping a line there again helps to prevent any blurred boundaries Remind each other of your spiritual goals and the barakah (blessings) that come with following Allah’s guidance The Rewards of Patience

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “No one leaves something for the sake of Allah but that Allah will replace it with something better.” (Ahmad)

Couples who maintain proper Islamic boundaries during engagement will usually have a deeper respect for one another due to the display they have seen of religious commitment, a stronger foundation of trust when entering the marriage, a more intense appreciation for the sanctity of their physical relationship once married and most importantly, Allah (SWT) will bring greater barakah (blessings) into their marriage.

Conclusion

While the engagement period can test one’s patience and self-control, maintaining proper Islamic boundaries ensures that your relationship begins with respect for Allah’s commands. The engagement period is a valuable time to develop communication, mutual understanding, and respect that will enrich your marriage.

Remember that Islamic boundaries aren’t restrictions but protections—they preserve the special nature of physical intimacy for marriage and build a foundation of respect and spiritual commitment between spouses.

In today’s digital economy, unconventional income streams are constantly popping up, ones that weren’t specifically addressed in traditional Islamic texts, such as selling pictures of your feet online. Muzz is a place of no judgement, we will answer the questions you’re afraid to ask. While we can’t definitively say whether it is haram or halal, we can dive into the knowledge we have about this so you can reach your own conclusion.

Watch our CEO address this and more in this video ⬇️

Understanding the Islamic Framework for Evaluating Actions

Before addressing this specific question, it’s important to understand how Islamic scholars evaluate new situations:

Intention (Niyyah) – What is the purpose behind the action? Context and Usage – How will the content be used? Principles of Modesty (Haya) – Does it align with Islamic modesty? Harm Reduction – Does it lead to potential harm? Available Alternatives – Are there better options? The Reality of the Foot Pictures Industry

While selling foot pictures might seem innocuous at first glance, it’s important to understand the context:

Most foot picture marketplaces are explicitly connected to fetish communities Buyers typically purchase these images for sexual gratification The industry operates in proximity to more explicit adult content Sellers are often encouraged to gradually provide more provocative content Islamic Considerations Around Selling Foot Pictures 1. Intention and End Use

In Islam, actions are judged by intentions. When selling foot pictures online, consider:

Are you aware of how these images will likely be used? Are you contributing to something that contradicts Islamic values?

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Actions are according to intentions, and everyone will get what they intended.” If you know your images will be used for inappropriate purposes, this becomes problematic regardless of what part of the body is photographed.

2. Modesty (Haya)

While feet themselves aren’t considered awrah (parts of the body that must be covered) for most Islamic scholars, the context matters significantly:

Creating content specifically to cater to sexual desires contradicts Islamic modesty, as you know that someone isn’t viewing this body part as neutral Participating in an industry that objectifies body parts conflicts with Islamic principles The gradual normalisation of selling increasingly intimate content creates a slippery slope; while feet might not be innately sexual, selling this content puts you on a path where you might start getting roped into creating other content 3. Contributing to Harmful Industries

In Islam, there’s the concept of sadd al-dhara’i (blocking the means to evil). Muslims are encouraged to avoid:

Supporting industries that exploit or objectify people Participating in systems that normalise inappropriate desires Creating content that could lead others toward haram activities 4. Financial Considerations

While seeking halal income is important:

The Quran emphasizes earning money through ethical means There are many alternative ways to earn money that don’t raise these ethical concerns Short-term financial gain shouldn’t compromise long-term spiritual wellbeing Scholarly Perspectives

While there isn’t a specific fatwa from classical scholars about selling foot pictures (as this is more of a modern issue), most contemporary scholars would probably consider selling foot pictures online to be problematic or haram because:

The primary market for these images is for inappropriate purposes It contradicts the spirit of modesty encouraged in Islam It could be a gateway to more explicit content creation It potentially contributes to unhealthy fetishization Conclusion

While feet themselves aren’t awrah in most scholarly opinions, selling foot pictures online typically involves participation in an industry that conflicts with Islamic principles of modesty and avoiding contribution to potentially harmful activities.

Before pursuing any income stream, Muslims should consider not just whether something is technically permissible in the narrowest sense, but whether it aligns with the broader values and spirit of Islam. Financial decisions, like all decisions in a Muslim’s life, should be guided by taqwa (God-consciousness) and a desire to please Allah rather than simply maximizing income.

If you’re facing financial hardship and considering unconventional income sources, remember that Islam encourages seeking knowledge and developing skills that can lead to sustainable, clearly halal income. Consider speaking with your local imam or a trusted Islamic scholar who can provide guidance specific to your situation.

Disclaimer: This article presents a general Islamic perspective based on principles of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence). Individual circumstances may vary, and Muslims are encouraged to consult knowledgeable scholars for specific guidance.