As for looking at the woman one intends to marry, is it permissible to stay with her and eat something, meaning the suitor and the woman he is courting, or to drink something?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : As for looking at the woman one intends to marry, is it permissible to stay with her and eat something, meaning the suitor and the woman he is courting, or to drink something like coffee, tea, or some juices?
The Shaykh : This is not permissible. It is not permissible except to look only to the extent that prompts him to propose to her.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And on the condition that his look is not with desire or pleasure, and that there is no seclusion, and also on the condition that he is mostly convinced of her acceptance.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : If he is not mostly convinced of her acceptance, then there is no benefit in it.
The questioner : Yes, but as for the drink or food in general, it is not permissible to consume it...?
The Shaykh : It is not permissible, it is not permissible, because this leads to sitting with her and talking to her, and this is not permissible except with a woman who is lawful for him, such as his wife or those mahram women whom he is permitted to look at.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The Shaykh : This is not permissible. It is not permissible except to look only to the extent that prompts him to propose to her.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And on the condition that his look is not with desire or pleasure, and that there is no seclusion, and also on the condition that he is mostly convinced of her acceptance.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : If he is not mostly convinced of her acceptance, then there is no benefit in it.
The questioner : Yes, but as for the drink or food in general, it is not permissible to consume it...?
The Shaykh : It is not permissible, it is not permissible, because this leads to sitting with her and talking to her, and this is not permissible except with a woman who is lawful for him, such as his wife or those mahram women whom he is permitted to look at.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.