I got a question regarding the matrimonial sites designed for people to search for wife or husband. Inside this site there are chat room created where men and women talk. I myself including chatting of girls try to find if I can get some one I can marry. By fortune one of the brother advice me and told me this is all Haraam because there is free mixing. Since that day I stop chatting but I go into the chat room and tell people if this is Haraam and most of them they said to me there are looking for marriage partners. I don't know what to do, subhaanallaah, because me myself I am now feeling guilty of what I used to do with this site and I want to quit, Insha Allaah. Can you please help me regarding this matter?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

In principle this is permissible. However, it is the dominant opinion that the chatting rooms on the internet are established on false premises. They are a way of playing with feelings and a means to a lot of mischief. Therefore, they should be avoided.

Anyway, if it is determined that some sites in this field are serious, and they are operated by a body which respects Islaamic legislations, then there is no harm, Inshaa' Allaah, to achieve the aim through them. But the matter probably does not require taking these steps, because it is possible for a Muslim male or female to achieve their aim through friends or through the wives of friends and relatives, and the like.

Lastly, we draw the attention of the questioner to repent from any forbidden conversations he could have done in these chats, and not to return to them again, and to perform acts of good deeds in the future.

Allaah knows best.