In some societies, they replace looking at the prospective bride with a picture of the woman; what is the ruling on that?
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The questioner : In some societies, they use a picture instead of looking, so he goes and asks for the picture?
The Shaykh : What do you say about this question? He says that some people ask for a picture of the woman and are content with the picture instead of looking at her.
The student: ... Then this is not permissible because it is frivolity regarding the honor of people. Perhaps the suitor looks at the picture, for example, and desires it, so he wants to enjoy looking at it. Then, the picture does not show the truth. From this, it is obligatory to close the door.
The Shaykh : Yes, we mentioned previously that this is not permissible. First, because the suitor might enjoy looking at this picture before the contract is concluded. Second, he might show it to his companions and display it to them, saying, "What do you say about this woman?" Then each one of them brings up a flaw or makes a joke about the woman. Third, the picture does not give the truth. First, because the woman might adorn herself and deceive the suitor when the picture is taken. Second, even if the picture is taken of her, pictures are not one hundred percent accurate. How many people, when they compare themselves to the picture they have, find a difference? What we see is that it is not permissible.
The Shaykh : What do you say about this question? He says that some people ask for a picture of the woman and are content with the picture instead of looking at her.
The student: ... Then this is not permissible because it is frivolity regarding the honor of people. Perhaps the suitor looks at the picture, for example, and desires it, so he wants to enjoy looking at it. Then, the picture does not show the truth. From this, it is obligatory to close the door.
The Shaykh : Yes, we mentioned previously that this is not permissible. First, because the suitor might enjoy looking at this picture before the contract is concluded. Second, he might show it to his companions and display it to them, saying, "What do you say about this woman?" Then each one of them brings up a flaw or makes a joke about the woman. Third, the picture does not give the truth. First, because the woman might adorn herself and deceive the suitor when the picture is taken. Second, even if the picture is taken of her, pictures are not one hundred percent accurate. How many people, when they compare themselves to the picture they have, find a difference? What we see is that it is not permissible.