What is to be done in the case of a young woman and a young man who met in a da‘wah (Islamic propagation) group, and the young man wishes to marry her, but circumstances currently do not permit it, and he is suffering from lust because of her and is asking to stop communicating, while she is worried that he might marry someone else?

Conversation between a man and a woman who is a stranger to him is not permissible, and it is a gateway to fitna (strife/temptation). Therefore, these conversations must be cut off, and communication between you two must cease. Marriage is among the best means to help one remain chaste, but marriage based solely on acquaintance through social media platforms is fraught with dangers. Ascertaining the truth about a suitor is done by asking trustworthy people who know him. After consulting trustworthy individuals about him, then comes Istikhara (definition) (prayer for guidance). If the matter of marriage is postponed, we advise entrusting the matter to Allah and asking Him to facilitate marriage to a righteous man. If marriage to this particular man does not materialize, do not grieve, for Allah knows and you do not know.