The ruling on looking at photographic images of women for the purpose of marriage

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, you mentioned that it is recommended to look at the woman one intends to marry. What is your view on looking at the photographic images of women that are found with some of the women seeking marriage?

Answer:
It is not permissible to take photographs. Photography is forbidden and its practitioner is cursed. It is of no benefit, and it is not permissible to look at a photograph, nor is it permissible to use it. This is a forbidden way of looking. This is from one aspect. The second aspect is that what is seen in a written or printed image may be false; they may have lied to him and shown him a picture of the most beautiful woman, while his wife is actually one of the ugliest. They lie to him. The image is problematic from the aspect that using it, transmitting it, and relying on it are forbidden, and from the second aspect, which is the photography of women, especially under those conditions.
It is worse than photographing men, given the curse involved and the severity of the punishment involved. It is a source of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). Also, one cannot be certain that there is no alteration or forgery. Yes.