What should we do between the engagement and the marriage contract
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 Allaah.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).