Chatting on the Internet
Is chatting on the Internet with members of the opposite sex forbidden in Islam ?
Islamic etiquette demands that any communication, especially between males and females, comply with the highest standards of hayaa' (modesty). Decency and purity of intention are of paramount importance and one should seriously consider the purpose and intent behind such communication. Qur'anic and prophetic precepts clearly require that the mode, tone and content of the communication not be seductive, lewd, crude or suggestive. Any expression of vulgarity, profanity and impropriety would be considered indecent and therefore unacceptable.
Communication between male and female; with due propriety, has been documented in the Qur'anic narration on the history of Prophet Solomon (peace be upon him) who communicated with Bilquis, the Queen of Sheba (Chapter 27 verses 28-34).
Communication per se is therefore not the problem but rather the manner and its purpose.
In the absence of any audio or visual contact (which would place some restriction on the
manner of speaking and of modesty in appearance), the kind of information will determine its
permissibility or otherwise. If the correspondence entails the exchange of cordial, important
or required information then certainly there is no prohibition. If the communication is to
find potential employment then there is no harm; if on the other hand it is to find a life
partner then due caution should be exercised for this opens the door to probable impropriety.