Is what the fiancée and her fiancé do—kissing and hugging after the Fatiha recitation and the announcement of the engagement—considered forbidden (haram)? And will Allah forgive them and grant them success after the legal marriage contract (aqd al-qiran)? And how can the fiancée rid herself of the obsessive thoughts (waswas) of illness that have afflicted her due to this feeling of guilt?

The hijab is an obligation upon the Muslim woman, and she must hasten to wear it and repent for any past leniency in observing it. The women of the Muhajirat (emigrants) were foremost in obedience, and proof of this is the statement of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) when Allah revealed: {And let them cast their head-coverings over their bosoms} [An-Nur:31], they tore their garments and covered themselves with them.

Know that what transpired between you and the suitor was not a legal marriage contract; rather, it was an engagement that permits the suitor nothing more than looking. The suitor is a stranger to the fiancée, and it is not permissible for him to be alone with her, or to touch her, or to kiss her, or to embrace her. All of these are manifest evils and a great sin. You must repent to Allah from that by immediately ceasing the sin, regretting it, and resolving not to return to it. If you repent sincerely, Allah will erase the sin, and you will be rid of the whispers of illness and enjoy a good life, because the repentant person is close to Allah.