While decades ago a couple "living in sin" might have been looked on askance by others, today it is very common for two people to choose to live together before marriage. Sometimes this is done to test their relationship for eventual nuptials, other times it is simply more convenient and less costly to cohabitate. ...
With over an 800% increase of people living together before or in place of marriage and with over 50% of all marriages being preceded by a trial marriage of cohabitation, people are marrying later because they have an inclination to test the relationship through cohabitation. ... Muslims are supposed to marry early so protect themselves from having sexual relations outside of marriage, which is a major sin. ... Marriage provides a guard against sin, "They [wives] are like garments for you, and you are like garments for them."" ...
