❀ Sharʿī Limits and Etiquettes of Viewing a Fiancée ❀
This fatwa is derived from the book “500 Questions and Answers for Women,” compiled from the fatāwā of the scholars of the Ḥaramayn, translated by Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbdullāh Salīm.
Is it permissible for a man who has proposed marriage to look at his fiancée? If so, to what extent? May he look only at her face, or can he see other parts of her body as well?
Yes, it is permissible for a man who intends to propose to a woman to look at her, as affirmed by the Prophet ﷺ in multiple narrations.
Jābir ibn ʿAbdillāh رضي الله عنه narrated that when he proposed to a woman, the Prophet ﷺ instructed him to look at her.
Similarly, the Prophet ﷺ told al-Mughīrah ibn Shuʿbah رضي الله عنه to look at the woman he proposed to and to observe whatever inclined him toward marrying her.
If what the man is inclined by is her face and hands, then there is no harm in seeing them. However, if other parts such as the shin or legs are visible unintentionally, then seeing them without deliberate planning also bears no harm.
A related incident is narrated (though its chain of narration is considered weak by some scholars):
When ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه sent a proposal for Umm Kulthūm bint ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib رضي الله عنهما, ʿAlī said, "She is still young, but I will send her to you; if she pleases you, I will marry her to you." When she came to ʿUmar, she said, "My father says this is what we have," and handed him something. ʿUmar uncovered her shins, and she said angrily, "By Allāh! If you were not the Commander of the Faithful, I would have broken your nose!" She returned to her father, and ʿAlī said to her, "Indeed, he is your husband."
Though the narration is weak, the principle remains that:
✔ It is permissible for a man to look at what encourages him toward marrying the woman.
✔ The woman may also look at the man for the same purpose.
✔ Both should reveal any known faults or deficiencies prior to marriage to avoid future discord.
It is recommended that the man view her in the presence of a maḥram, and preferably:
① If he is able to see her from a distance (without her knowing) in a context like passing by, this is better.
② If such indirect viewing is not possible, then viewing her directly in a dignified and sharʿī manner is permissible.
(Maqbil ibn Hādī al-Wādiʿī رحمه الله)
This fatwa is derived from the book “500 Questions and Answers for Women,” compiled from the fatāwā of the scholars of the Ḥaramayn, translated by Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbdullāh Salīm.
❖ Question:
Is it permissible for a man who has proposed marriage to look at his fiancée? If so, to what extent? May he look only at her face, or can he see other parts of her body as well?
❖ Answer:
Yes, it is permissible for a man who intends to propose to a woman to look at her, as affirmed by the Prophet ﷺ in multiple narrations.
Jābir ibn ʿAbdillāh رضي الله عنه narrated that when he proposed to a woman, the Prophet ﷺ instructed him to look at her.
Similarly, the Prophet ﷺ told al-Mughīrah ibn Shuʿbah رضي الله عنه to look at the woman he proposed to and to observe whatever inclined him toward marrying her.
If what the man is inclined by is her face and hands, then there is no harm in seeing them. However, if other parts such as the shin or legs are visible unintentionally, then seeing them without deliberate planning also bears no harm.
A related incident is narrated (though its chain of narration is considered weak by some scholars):
When ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه sent a proposal for Umm Kulthūm bint ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib رضي الله عنهما, ʿAlī said, "She is still young, but I will send her to you; if she pleases you, I will marry her to you." When she came to ʿUmar, she said, "My father says this is what we have," and handed him something. ʿUmar uncovered her shins, and she said angrily, "By Allāh! If you were not the Commander of the Faithful, I would have broken your nose!" She returned to her father, and ʿAlī said to her, "Indeed, he is your husband."
Though the narration is weak, the principle remains that:
✔ It is permissible for a man to look at what encourages him toward marrying the woman.
✔ The woman may also look at the man for the same purpose.
✔ Both should reveal any known faults or deficiencies prior to marriage to avoid future discord.
It is recommended that the man view her in the presence of a maḥram, and preferably:
① If he is able to see her from a distance (without her knowing) in a context like passing by, this is better.
② If such indirect viewing is not possible, then viewing her directly in a dignified and sharʿī manner is permissible.
(Maqbil ibn Hādī al-Wādiʿī رحمه الله)
