Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatu Allaahi wa barakatuh. I am a young man who has written his marriage contract and paid the Mahr already. My question is: am I allowed being alone with my fiancée in private and am I allowed kissing her and taking her and spending time together inside the house and outside the house? What is the ruling on the man who had sexual intercourse with his fiancée before the wedding although he has written the marriage contract and paid the Mahr and is simply waiting to start the wedding and other arrangements? May Allaah bless you.

All praise is for Allaah and peace and blessings upon the noble Messenger of Allaah. In principle, the woman is lawful to her husband by the time they conduct the marriage contract. However, the practiced norms of most Muslims are that no husband and wife relationship takes place prior to the wedding even if the marriage contract is conducted. For it is possible that one of them may change their mind during this period; which will cause more harm particularly for the woman. The norm has its weight and consideration in the Shari’ah. Therefore, the best and the safest path is to act upon this norm and Allaah is the Guide to success.