Guidelines for Seeing the Fiancée

Question:
And this person asks: What are the guidelines for the Shari'ah-prescribed seeing of the wife? And what is your advice to some of the guardians who object to that?

Answer:
Yes, seeing the fiancée—seeing the fiancée—the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) granted a dispensation for it so that he and she would be on clear knowledge, because this is more conducive to agreement between them and more conducive to good conduct between them. This is a dispensation; if you act upon it, that is permitted, and if you do not act upon it, it is not obligatory. If you know the woman, or you send a trustworthy woman to her and she knows her and describes her qualities to you, that is sufficient in place of seeing her. That is sufficient in place of seeing her. Seeing her is not a condition; it is only a dispensation when there is a need for it. So if her guardian prevents you from seeing her,
then send a trustworthy woman or two women to look at her and inform you of her suitability or unsuitability. The seeing that is permitted is what makes you desire to marry her by looking at her face, her hands, and the hair of her head, without seclusion. It must be done in the presence of her guardian; you do not seclude yourself with her. You look at her extremities and her face; that is what is permitted. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you