His statement, “He may look at what is ordinarily visible,” such as the face, neck, hands, feet, and the like. As for looking at what is not ordinarily visible, that is not permissible. The word “ordinarily” is determined by the customary practice of the righteous early generations, not by the custom of every individual; for if we were to leave it to each person’s custom, the matter would be lost and people would differ greatly. Rather, what is meant is that which is ordinarily visible and seen by her unmarriageable male relatives. A suitor may therefore look at it. The most important matter is the face. He should look at her before proposing, and it is permissible for the woman to allow the suitor to look at her, subject to the conditions mentioned by the author.

His statement, “repeatedly,” means that he may look at her more than once, due to the Prophet’s statement: “When one of you proposes marriage to a woman, if he is able to see something of her that will encourage him to marry her, then let him do so.” If, on the first occasion, he does not find what encourages him to marry her, then he may look a second and a third time.

May he speak with her by telephone? No, because conversation is more likely to arouse desire and enjoyment of her voice. This is why the Prophet said, “to see something of her,” and did not say, “to hear something of her.”

His statement, “without being in seclusion,” is because she remains a non-mahram woman to him, and it is forbidden for a man to be alone with a non-mahram woman, due to the Prophet’s saying: “No man should be alone