𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (538)

Can I show my hair to my potential suitor during the marriage meeting? Question: If a young man comes forward to propose marriage to a young woman, must he see her? And is it permissible for the woman to uncover her head in order to show her beauty more to her suitor? Shaykh Ibn Bāz rahimahullāh said: There is no harm in that, though it is not obligatory. It is recommended that he see her and that she see him, because this is more conducive to harmony. The Prophet ﷺ instructed one who proposes to look [at the woman he intends to marry]. If she uncovers her face, her hands, and her head for him, there is no harm in that according to the sound opinion. Some of the scholars said that the face and hands are sufficient, but the correct view is that there is also no harm in uncovering the head and the feet so that her good qualities may be fully observed. She may look at him, and he may look at her, because this is more likely to foster affection between them, as stated in the ḥadīth. This should be done without seclusion; rather, her father, her brother, or another woman should be present, and he should not be alone with her. [End of quote] [Fatāwā Nūr ʿalā Ad-Darb (3/1522)] Similarly, Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn rahimahullāh was asked: There are differing opinions regarding which parts a woman who is engaged may show to her suitor. Among these opinions is that she may show only her face, hands, and neck. What is the ruling, O noble Shaykh, if the woman shows her hair to the one who wishes to propose to her, and what do you consider to be preferable? He replied: There is no harm in a woman who is being proposed to showing of her adornment that which would encourage a desire to marry her. Thus, she may show her hair, face, hands, and feet. However, she should not beautify herself for the suitor, since he is not yet her husband. Moreover, if she beautifies herself or adorns her face with cosmetics, and then marriage takes place and the man later finds her different from how she appeared to him during the engagement, his desire for her may decline significantly, to the extent that separation might be feared. This is especially so because the gaze of a suitor is not like the gaze of a husband who has ownership and assurance of the marital bond. Therefore, I say that it is permissible for a man, when he proposes to a woman, to look at that which would incline him toward desiring to marry her—such as the face, hands, head, hair, and feet—on the condition that this does not occur in seclusion between the two of them. A maḥram must be present with her, because seclusion with a non-maḥram woman is prohibited, as the Prophet ﷺ said: “No man should be alone with a woman except in the presence of a maḥram. [End of quote] Source: https://alathar.net/home/esound/index.php?op=codevi&coid=56123