Looking at a woman’s hair for the purpose of marriage Fatwa No: 101303
- Fatwa Date:15-11-2007
sala alikoum brother. i would like to know if it is possible to ask for a picture of a woman that i am in prosses to know her for marriage to ask her for her picture without scarf to see her face complete with her hair. knowing my intention is purely for marriage and i have got already a picture of her with hijab, waslam alikoum wa rahmatou bellah
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
It is desirable for a man to look at a woman whom he wants to be engaged with. The Hanbali scholars stated that it is permissible for him to look at her hair. Therefore, it is permissible to look at her picture without her covering her head.
However, some conditions should be met: looking at her should not be with any desire, it is her guardian and the like [her other male relatives] who should give you the picture, you should not keep the picture with you; and other conditions by which religious prohibitions should be avoided.
For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 82282.
Allaah Knows best.