Most-asked question

Is having a boyfriend or girlfriend haraam?

336 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 5 South African Darul Iftas (Mufti Online, AskImam, Ibn Masood, Jamiat KZN, DU Zakariyya). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.

Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.

Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.

What the Darul Iftas say

“It is not permissible for you to punish yourself or take your own life due to committing Zina. You should resort to Taubah and should sincerely repent for your wrongdoing.”

Jamiat KZN — Committing suicide as an expiation for Zina · 13 Jul 2026

“If they continue with the haraam relationship, then this will affect their deen and the ibaadaat that they carry out. They will not receive the full rewards for the ibaadaat they carry out on account of the sins they are involved in.”

Mufti Online — Deen and ibaadat being affected due to getting involved in a haraam relationship · 6 May 2024

“Yes, engaging in a Haraam relationship will destroy the Barakah. The disobedience of Allah Ta’ala draws the curses of Allah which destroys all blessings. If they had erred, then both parties should resort to Taubah and have the Nikah performed as soon as possible.”

Ibn Masood — Engaging in a Haraam relationship with the intention of marriage · 30 Jan 2024

“The answer is addressed to your friend. Brother in Islam, We note your concern, which is not misplaced. Zinā truly is an abhorrent act which is further magnified when it involves a married person, more so when it leads to the break-up of a marriage.”

AskImam — Zina and seeking forgiveness from my wife’s ex-husband · 25 Sep 2023

Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.

Read the fatawa

  1. Committing suicide as an expiation for Zina Jamiat KZN · 13 Jul 2026
  2. Making tawbah after committing zina Mufti Online · 10 Nov 2025
  3. If a married man commit Zina and later he realizes the mistake and honestly ask Tawba from Allah, Will he get Hur-Ul-Iyne in Janna ? AskImam · 3 Oct 2025
  4. Punishment of Zina Ibn Masood · 13 Apr 2025
  5. Nikah to a lady one committed zina with DU Zakariyya
  6. Marrying a child from a relationship of Zina Jamiat KZN · 27 Oct 2022
  7. Marrying a girl after committing zina with her mother Mufti Online · 29 Jun 2024
  8. Why is dating Haraam? AskImam · 16 Sep 2025
  9. Zinah Committed By An Immature Boy Ibn Masood · 23 Jul 2024
  10. When does the Iddah of a divorced women who committed Zina end? Jamiat KZN · 7 Oct 2021
  11. Advising a friend who is involved in a haraam relationship Mufti Online · 1 Jun 2024
  12. Emotional consequences of zina AskImam · 23 Apr 2025
  13. Deen and ibaadat being affected due to getting involved in a haraam relationship Mufti Online · 6 May 2024
  14. Engaging in a Haraam relationship with the intention of marriage Ibn Masood · 30 Jan 2024
  15. Zina and seeking forgiveness from my wife’s ex-husband AskImam · 25 Sep 2023

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