Question:
Is it permissible for me to uncover my hair and wear tight clothes which outline the shape of my body, in front of suitor?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
It is permissible for the suitor, someone one intends to marry, to look at the intended female before Nikaah. This is something that has been encouraged by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Abu Hurayra (Radhiallahu Anhu) narrates: I was in the company of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) when a man came and informed him that he had contracted to marry a woman of the Ansar. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to him: “Did you cast a glance at her? He said: No. He said: “Go and look at her, for there is something in the eyes of the Ansar”. (Sahih Muslim)
Jabir (Radhiallahu Anhu) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “When one of you proposes to a woman for marriage, then if he is able to look at what will induce him to marry her, he should do so.” (Abu Dawud and Musnad Ahmad)
The suitor is only permitted to look at the female’s exposed face and hands and speak to her. This should only be done when matters of marriage has already been discussed and one believes it is very likely he will get married to her.”
Furthermore, the suitor is not permitted to touch the female and the meeting should be done in such a way that the both are not alone. Parents or a Wali should also be present, not necessarily listening.
Abullah bin Abbas (Radhiallahu Anhu) narrates that The Prophet ﷺ said, “A man must not remain alone in the company of a woman and a woman must not travel except that her mahram is accompanying her.” (Sahih Bukhari)
Therefore, it will not be permissible to uncover your hair or wear tight clothes which outline the shape of the body in front of the suitor.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Arshad Ali
Darul Iftaa, Jaamia Madinatul Uloom (Trinidad)
