Is it permissible to write a contract or agreement to guarantee the rights of both parties during the engagement period, such as the suitor ensuring that the fiancée's father will not deny the engagement and marry her to another person?

An engagement does not require writing or witnesses; these are necessary for the marriage contract. This is because engagement is merely a promise of marriage that can be revoked. The guardian and the woman have the right to withdraw from the engagement if they see a benefit in doing so, and the suitor has no right to object. It is forbidden to propose to a woman who is already engaged to another man, after her acceptance and commitment to him. However, before her acceptance, there is no harm in doing so.