I am engaged to a girl. Our families want us to marry only next year. Since we are seeing each other, can we perform a secret marriage to avoid committing adultery and officially marry next year?

Question

Islam encourages announcing the marriage (Nikah). The wisdom behind the announcement is to avoid any misconception of an illegal and illicit relationship between a man and a woman. Although the first and secret marriage for the purpose of legalizing intimacy will be valid, but we also advise to abstain from doubt and disgrace. If the Nikah is not announced, people witnessing the relationship will regard the relationship as Haraam and illegal. Therefore we advise that if there is a dire need to fulfill one’s desires, the Nikah be expedited to avoid the above-mentioned negative factors of a secret marriage.