Allah has forbidden zinā and forbidden every path that leads to it: looking, seclusion (khalwah), touching, and free mixing. He said: "And do not approach zinā" — He did not merely say "do not commit it", but "do not approach it", forbidding all its means. A relationship between an unmarried man and woman, by phone, message, or in person, that is built on affection without a contract of marriage, falls under approaching zinā and is forbidden, even if the two of them claim purity of intention.