What a suitor sees of his prospective bride
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The first question of Fatwa number ( 10928 )
Q1: What are the parts of his prospective bride that a suitor is permitted to see? I have heard many religious scholars limit it to the face and hands, but I read in the newspaper (Al-Nur), which is published in Egypt, about one of the political parties, that it is permissible for a suitor to see his prospective bride’s foot up to below the knee. I ask you to send us the correct opinion on this matter, and whether it is permissible for a suitor to observe the woman he wishes to propose to while she is walking in the street, and whether it is actually reported that one of the Companions did so?
A1: It is permissible for a man who wishes to marry a woman to look at her face when proposing to her, without pleasure or desire, and without being alone with her, by the consensus of the scholars. This was prescribed out of consideration for the need, and in the hope that he will be content with her if he marries her, and this is sufficient; because the face is the gathering place of beauty, and by it the need is met. Some of the Imams also permitted looking at the hands, and what generally appears of a woman that invites to her marriage. It is permissible for the suitor to observe her while she is walking in the
street to see from her what invites him to her marriage, as Abu Dawud narrated from Jabir ibn 'Abd Allah, that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: , and from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) he said: As-Sunan al-Kubra lil-Nasa'i 30:45 narrated by Ahmad and Abu Dawud . And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q1: What are the parts of his prospective bride that a suitor is permitted to see? I have heard many religious scholars limit it to the face and hands, but I read in the newspaper (Al-Nur), which is published in Egypt, about one of the political parties, that it is permissible for a suitor to see his prospective bride’s foot up to below the knee. I ask you to send us the correct opinion on this matter, and whether it is permissible for a suitor to observe the woman he wishes to propose to while she is walking in the street, and whether it is actually reported that one of the Companions did so?
A1: It is permissible for a man who wishes to marry a woman to look at her face when proposing to her, without pleasure or desire, and without being alone with her, by the consensus of the scholars. This was prescribed out of consideration for the need, and in the hope that he will be content with her if he marries her, and this is sufficient; because the face is the gathering place of beauty, and by it the need is met. Some of the Imams also permitted looking at the hands, and what generally appears of a woman that invites to her marriage. It is permissible for the suitor to observe her while she is walking in the
street to see from her what invites him to her marriage, as Abu Dawud narrated from Jabir ibn 'Abd Allah, that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
If one of you proposes to a woman, then if he is able to look at what invites him to her marriage, let him do so. Jabir said: So I proposed to a woman, and I used to hide myself for her until I saw from her what invited me to her marriage, so I married her.
إذا خطب أحدكم المرأة فإن استطاع أن ينظر إلى ما يدعوه إلى نكاحها فليفعل، قال جابر: فخطبت امرأة فكنت أتخبأ لها حتى رأيت منها ما دعاني إلى نكاحها فتزوجتهاA man proposed to a woman, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Look at her, for there is something in the eyes of the Ansar.
خطب رجل امرأة فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: انظر إليها، فإن في أعين الأنصار شيئًا
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.