Need advice about a potential husband
Salam everyone, I’m talking to a really good man about marriage - we’ve been in contact for about two months. He seems to have a clean past, looks after himself, and we agree on a lot: religion, plans after marriage, kids, careers, that kind of thing. Since this is the first man I’ve seriously spoken to for marriage, I don’t want to rush or be naive. I did look up red flags and noticed a few things that worry me. He can be a bit controlling and says things like “I want you covered.” I understand that from a religious standpoint and it doesn’t automatically bother me. He’s caring and understanding in many ways. But sometimes I worry I might be getting love-bombed - our conversations sometimes turn to sexting and other haram behaviour. I’ll admit I’ve started some of it, but he seems very into it and that makes me uneasy. He told me he used to watch pornography and, alhamdulillah, he says he’s stopped, but I still find him overly focused on women. He gossip-talks a lot about who’s married to whom, who wore hijab or not, and that kind of chatter feels unattractive to me - I’d prefer someone more laid-back. He also comes across as a bit arrogant; I’m not sure if it’s confidence or just showing off. He often talks up how amazing he is, calls me his future wife, and flirts in ways that feel extreme and too forward. Overall he’s kind in many ways, but the sexual stuff and some controlling tendencies are worrying. I’m confused and not sure what to do. Edit: He also tells me not to wear pants and to dress more “feminine,” tries to take a fatherly control role in our dynamic, and sometimes encourages pity for men and a victim mindset. Would appreciate honest advice - should I raise boundaries, slow things down, or step back completely? JazakAllahu khair.