Man advising a woman to wear Hijab
11-11-2007 | IslamWeb
Question:
I am a 23-year old man. Thanks to Allaah The Almighty I observe all the daily prayers. One day a girl came to buy something from my shop. In fact, I liked her and I felt that she has the same feelings towards me. Therefore, I wanted to propose to her. However, the problem is that she does not wear Hijaab. Is it permissible for me to try to convince her to wear Hijaab before proposing to her?
Answer:
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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.
First of all, we congratulate you for the blessing of observing the obligatory prayers and advise you to adhere to lowering your gaze at all times. Allaah Says (what means): {Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allaah is Acquainted with what they do.} [Quran 24:30]
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, also forbade men from looking at women and stated that whoever deliberately looks to a non-Mahram woman will be sinful. [Ahmad, Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi]
You should also know that the right way to choose a wife is to assign your mother or a female Mahram of yours to do the task of searching for a woman with the qualities you require. The most important qualities you should seek in a woman are religiousness and righteousness.
Once you find a woman with the qualities you need and decide to propose to her, you are permitted to look at her, as the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, pointed out that whoever wants to propose to a woman is permitted to look at her. [Ahmad and Ibn Maajah]
In another Hadeeth, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said that if a man surely wants to marry a woman there is no harm in looking at her. [Ahmad]
Given that you have already looked at and liked a woman who does not wear Hijab, you should read Fatwa 87761 on the ruling of marrying a woman who does not wear Hijab along with Fatwa 89458 on the danger of looking at women.
For further information about the danger of not wearing Hijab and the remedy for this, please refer to Fataawa 86148, 86341and 88490.
Allaah Knows best.