Question:
Is it permissible in the marriage process to see your future wife without Hijaab and is it permissible to see her body figure. and what are the general etiquettes?
Answer:
Nabi (S.A.W.) has encouraged the man who wishes to get married to look at the girl he intends marrying. When Mughirah bin Shu’bah wished to propose to a certain lady, Nabi (S.A.W) advised him saying: “Look at the lady (whom you intend proposing to) as it will create affection between the two of you.” In the commentary of this Hadith the renowned jurist Mufti Taqi Uthmani states that according to majority of the Ulamaa it is permissible for the man to look at the face and palms only. It is not permissible for him to see the body figure; therefore the lady should not wear such clothes which expose her figure. The man’s mother or sisters can describe to him those parts of the lady’s body which they are allowed to see. (Darse-Tirmidhi, Vol. 3, Page 350, Raddul Muhtaar, Vol. 9, Page 532)
The man and lady should not go into privacy. The lady’s Mahram should be present throughout the meeting .The man should ask the necessary questions and the lady should answer accordingly and vice versa. The conversation should not unnecessarily be prolonged as speaking and looking at strange women for no valid reason is Haraam. Once he has taken a proper look at her and acquired the necessary information they should immediately separate. Thereafter they should both make Istikhaarah and ask Allah (S.W.T.) to pass a decision in there favour.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Ebrahim bin Zainul Abedeen Backus
Attested to as correct by:
Mufti Muhammad Ashraf
Darul Iftaa
Jameah Mahmoodiyah
Springs
27 August 2004
10 Rajab 1425