Engagement in Islam means that a man asks to marry a woman and is accepted. The view of the scholars is that engagement is prescribed for one who wants to get married. Prophet Muhammad encouraged the one who wants to get engaged to look at the woman to whom he wishes to propose. What some Muslims do, announcing the engagement, having a party to celebrate and exchanging gifts, all comes under the heading of customs which are permissible in principle.

A man and his fiancée are not married; rather she is still a non-Mahram to him until the marriage contract is completed. So, it is not permissible for him to be alone with her, travel with her, touch her, or kiss her.