Is what the young man and his fiancée called a marriage during the engagement period—including his divorcing her twice without consummation, under the pretext that their intention was marriage and that their families were informed, which they considered publicizing—considered a legitimate marriage, and does the divorce he issued during that period take effect?

The engagement is merely a promise of marriage, and it is neither a marriage nor a semblance of marriage, nor does it entail any of the rulings of marriage. Therefore, enjoyment between the engaged couple is forbidden and necessitates repentance, and their desire to marry does not justify committing what is unlawful. Any divorce pronounced by the suitor upon his fiancée before the marriage contract is not considered valid.