To what extent is it permissible to resort to the brother as an intermediary to introduce a young man who proposed marriage to the family after an online acquaintance? Is the relationship between the two parties online forbidden? Should the first meeting be in the presence of the brother? What is the ruling on marrying a man who had a previous sexual relationship and promised to cut it off upon marriage? What is the Shariah's opinion on the age difference (15 years) between the spouses?

Establishing a relationship with a foreign young man, conversing with him, and exchanging pictures with him are forbidden in Islam. This is because Islam does not approve of any such relationship outside the framework of marriage. The obligation is to sever this relationship and to make sincere repentance, for a girl may lose her chastity and her dignity may be defiled because of such communications. The internet is not a proper way to get to know a husband, due to the many corruptions that result from it.

If the young man desires to marry you, he must repent from his sinful relationship with you and with that woman with whom he insists on committing haram. Then, he should approach your family directly to propose to you, or he should get to know one of your brothers or relatives and then propose to you. There is no harm in meeting him if he is truly a suitor, in the presence of your brother or another mahram, and without khalwa (private seclusion). As for his past relationship, if he has repented from it, it is not an impediment to accepting him as a husband, so long as his religion and character are pleasing.