Dating Before Marriage

My friend Farhan, 26, has been dating someone from his university for two years. They kept it private, fearing backlash from family and society. Recently, his parents found out and were furious, insisting that dating before marriage is “immoral” and damages family honor. They believe arranged marriages are better, as they prioritize values, compatibility, and tradition. Farhan, however, argues that dating is essential to understand compatibility and build a relationship based on trust before committing. Now, he’s torn between his parents’ expectations and his feelings for his partner, who he genuinely wants to marry. This got me thinking: is dating before marriage a necessary part of building a modern relationship, or does it conflict too much with our cultural norms and traditions? What are your thoughts on this? Have you or someone you know faced a similar dilemma? Would love to hear your insights!