Helping Our "Singles" (Unmarried Members) of Our Community to Marry

Organizing such events, where unmarried members of the community can seriously pursue their intention to find suitable spouses, is not only permissible but encouraged by the Holy Qur’an.

While matchmaking events are not the only means of finding a spouse, they are practical and effective for those actively seeking a partner. Dismissing such events as un-Islamic or an innovation is baseless.

Hosting these events in masajid or Islamic centers offers additional benefits:

Pure Intentions: Since masajid are houses of Allah, those who attend are likely to have sincere intentions to please Allah.
Respecting Islamic Guidelines: Events held in Islamic centers are naturally governed by the rules of the house of Allah. Proper dress codes, the presence of guardians, and supervised interactions ensure adherence to Islamic principles. This prevents private, unsupervised meetings and fosters transparency.

For these reasons, major national Muslim organizations such as ISNA, MAS, and ICNA have taken the responsibility of organizing matchmaking events. I am confident that these organizations have sought guidance from knowledgeable Islamic scholars. ISNA, for instance, has its Fatwa council, the Fiqh Council of North America, which oversees such initiatives.

In Conclusion

Those who question the legitimacy of matchmaking events organized by Islamic organizations, centers, or masajid have no basis for their objections. Often, these objections stem from other motives or misunderstandings. Allah knows best!

It is time for our communities to prioritize this issue and take collective action. By doing so, we fulfill our responsibility as an Ummah and ensure the preservation of our future generations in faith, identity, and practice.

Jamaica Hills, 22 December 2024

*Director/Imam, Jamaica Muslim Center