NPR

How Young Muslims Define "Halal Dating" For Themselves

Young Muslims find a middle ground for fostering romantic relationships between what is permissible and what is forbidden.
Young Muslims find a middle ground for fostering romantic relationships between what is permissible and what is forbidden.

When 18-year-old Nermeen Ileiwat first began college, she could not wait to get into a relationship — maybe even get engaged before graduation. But after one year, the rising sophomore realized she had no idea what she wanted out of life and was in no position to get into a relationship.

That decision didn't last long. Only a few months after, Ileiwat met someone at a party, and their friendship quickly turned into something more.

However, dating was not that simple for the now 21-year-olds who are Muslim. They have religious restrictions that limit physical contact in premarital relationships. They chose to focus more on developing their emotional intimacy, with the occasional hug or kiss. Out of respect for their religious beliefs, Ileiwat and her boyfriend decided not to engage in any advanced sexual activity until they're married.

For young couples like them, the idea of dating is common, and it means balancing their religious views with their desire for emotional intimacy. But the term "dating" still invites an offensive suggestion for many Muslims,

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR6 min readPopular Culture & Media Studies
Supreme Court Examines Whether Government Can Combat Disinformation Online
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Missouri, Louisiana and five individuals who were either banned from social media during the pandemic or whose posts, they say, were not prominently featured.
NPR7 min read
Q&A: Author of 'Bottled: How Coca-Cola Became African' on Coke's surprising history
How did the soda giant from America come to be seen as "local" in Africa? And what has the impact been on the continent for worse and for better?
NPR3 min readInternational Relations
Who Is Mohammad Mustafa, The New Prime Minister Of The Palestinian Authority?
Mustafa was appointed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in a move seen as an attempt to appease U.S. demands for reform.

Related Books & Audiobooks