Short answer
Yes, dating in the usual Western sense is haram: being alone together, physical touch and a romantic relationship outside nikah are all forbidden, and the four schools agree. Getting to know a possible spouse for marriage is allowed, with modesty, a clear purpose and the family involved, without privacy or touching.
A romantic relationship with a non-mahram, being alone together (khalwah), touching and flirtatious talk are haram. Zina is a major sin. Meeting a possible spouse in a chaperoned setting, talking for a real need and looking at the face and hands for marriage is permissible.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Allah did not only forbid zina (sex outside marriage). He said, "Do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse" (17:32), which closes the roads that lead to it. Dating, as most people mean it, is built from exactly those roads: time alone, private messages, touching, and the expectation that the relationship can become physical. That is why scholars of all four schools treat it as haram, even when the couple say they intend marriage one day.
What makes a meeting haram:
- Khalwah: a man and a non-mahram woman alone together, in a room, a car or a closed space where no one else can come in.
- Touch: holding hands, hugging and kissing.
- Romantic or flirty talk, in person or by text, and sharing images.
- Lowering the gaze, which Allah commands both men and women, is ignored.
What is allowed is a purposeful search for a spouse, sometimes called halal dating or a halal courtship. You meet in a public place or at home with a family member present, talk about faith, goals, family and expectations, and involve your wali or parents early. Online apps can be used the same way if the conversation stays respectful and moves towards families. Read talking to a fiancé for the limits.
If you have been in a haram relationship, sincere tawbah (repentance) wipes the slate clean. End what is wrong, or turn it into a nikah the right way. See love before marriage and salat al-tawbah.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Israa 17:32
وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ ٱلزِّنَىٰٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ فَٰحِشَةًۭ وَسَآءَ سَبِيلًۭا ﴿٣٢﴾
And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.
Allah forbids not only zina but what leads to it.
Quran, Surah An-Noor 24:30
قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا۟ مِنْ أَبْصَٰرِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا۟ فُرُوجَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ ﴿٣٠﴾
Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.
Believing men are told to lower their gaze and guard their chastity.
Quran, Surah An-Noor 24:31
وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَٰتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَٰرِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ ۖ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ أَخَوَٰتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُهُنَّ أَوِ ٱلتَّٰبِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُو۟لِى ٱلْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ أَوِ ٱلطِّفْلِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا۟ عَلَىٰ عَوْرَٰتِ ٱلنِّسَآءِ ۖ وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ ۚ وَتُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ﴿٣١﴾
And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.
Believing women are given the same command.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5233
Sahih... لا يخلون رجل بامرأة إلا مع ذي محرم ...
"No man should be alone with a woman unless a mahram of hers is with her."
Private time between a non-mahram man and woman is forbidden.
Sahih al-Bukhari 6243
Sahih... فزنا العين النظر ...
"The zina of the eyes is looking."
Even the steps before zina are counted as sin.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Karahiyya, Fasl fi al-Wat' wa al-Nazar wa al-Lams. Touching a non-mahram woman and being alone with her are forbidden; looking for marriage is allowed.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Hazr wa al-Ibahah, Fasl fi al-Nazar wa al-Mass. Details khalwah and what may be seen.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.