❀ The Sharʿī Method of Looking at a Woman Before Engagement ❀
This fatwa is derived from the book “500 Questions and Answers for Women,” based on the rulings of the scholars of the Ḥaramayn and translated by Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbdullāh Salīm.
Is it permissible for a man to look at a woman whom he intends to propose to for marriage?
Yes, it is permissible for a man to look at the woman he intends to marry, provided that this is done with the agreement of her guardian (walī). In such a case, he may look at her face and her hands only.
However, if the man sees the woman unexpectedly and without a prior arrangement, then he may look at whatever of her is visible that inclines him toward marriage. The meaning here is that if he happens to see her spontaneously without a formal plan, then he may look at what he finds attractive in her.
Thus, there are two situations in this matter:
① When the man looks at her with the permission of her walī and in a deliberate manner – in this case, he may only look at her face and hands.
② When he sees her without prior arrangement and without her knowledge – in this situation, he may look at whatever of her is visible that draws him toward marrying her. The ḥadīths narrated from Jābir رضي الله عنه and others are understood in this context.
However, if a man is with the woman’s guardian and she is in her home in a relaxed state—beautified, with her head uncovered and without hijāb—then it is not permissible for the man to look at her in that condition.
(Muḥammad Nāṣir al-Dīn al-Albānī رحمه الله)
This fatwa is derived from the book “500 Questions and Answers for Women,” based on the rulings of the scholars of the Ḥaramayn and translated by Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbdullāh Salīm.
❖ Question:
Is it permissible for a man to look at a woman whom he intends to propose to for marriage?
❖ Answer:
Yes, it is permissible for a man to look at the woman he intends to marry, provided that this is done with the agreement of her guardian (walī). In such a case, he may look at her face and her hands only.
However, if the man sees the woman unexpectedly and without a prior arrangement, then he may look at whatever of her is visible that inclines him toward marriage. The meaning here is that if he happens to see her spontaneously without a formal plan, then he may look at what he finds attractive in her.
Thus, there are two situations in this matter:
① When the man looks at her with the permission of her walī and in a deliberate manner – in this case, he may only look at her face and hands.
② When he sees her without prior arrangement and without her knowledge – in this situation, he may look at whatever of her is visible that draws him toward marrying her. The ḥadīths narrated from Jābir رضي الله عنه and others are understood in this context.
However, if a man is with the woman’s guardian and she is in her home in a relaxed state—beautified, with her head uncovered and without hijāb—then it is not permissible for the man to look at her in that condition.
(Muḥammad Nāṣir al-Dīn al-Albānī رحمه الله)
