Ruling on the suitor looking at his fiancée while she is in her full adornment

Question:
From al-Qasim, we received this message containing a set of questions. The questioner: (A. S. 'A). From al-Qasim, he says: Your Eminence, what is the ruling on the suitor looking at his fiancée while she is in her full adornment, and without a hijab on her head? We ask Your Eminence for guidance?

Answer:
There is nothing wrong with that. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded looking at the prospective bride, so it is a recommended practice (sunnah) for the suitor to look at her, and at her face, hair, hands, and feet. All of this is permissible, but not in seclusion. He looks at her without being alone with her... in the presence of her father, or her mother, or someone else, or from a distance through a gap, or over a wall, or something similar; there is nothing wrong with that. However, being alone with her in one place is not permissible. But if he meets her in the presence of her mother, or her sister, or her aunt, or others, there is no blame on him; in fact, it is recommended (mustahabb), and he may look at her; because this is among the causes of success and among the causes of establishing harmony between them.