Is it permissible for the engagement to culminate in marriage between an engaged couple after they have committed forbidden acts that did not amount to breaking the hymen, and what is the way to purify the soul and draw closer to Allah?

The engagement does not permit the suitor anything beyond seeing the fiancée when intending to propose; thereafter, she reverts to being a stranger to him. Both the suitor and the fiancée must repent for the sins they committed. If they repent, there is no harm in completing the marriage. As for self-purification (Tazkiyah), it occurs in two parts: The first is purificatory, involving the treatment of negative traits, repentance, and rectifying the effects of sins, followed by prevention through piety and avoiding what leads to downfall. This is based on the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, who said: "Fear Allah wherever you are, and follow up a bad deed with a good one that will erase it, and deal with people with good manners." The second is developmental, involving the continuous building of positive traits and nurturing the human personality with values of goodness, based on the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, who said: "Wealth is not in having many possessions, but wealth is the richness of the soul." Thus, tazkiyah aims to create a growing, active, and productive personality.