The well-known position within the Ḥanbalī school is that looking is merely permissible. The majority of scholars, however, deem it recommended, for that is the least that can be inferred from a prophetic command. Those who regard it as recommended include the three Imams—Abu Ḥanīfah, Mālik, and al-Shāfiʿī—as well as one narration from Aḥmad.
Al-Wazīr said: “They are unanimous that whoever wishes to marry a woman may look at whatever of her is not ʿawrah. Some state that it is a sunnah, and al-Inṣāf declared this view correct; the apparent sense of the ḥadith also supports its recommendation.”
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The jurists differed over which parts he may look at. The wording of the ḥadith is unrestricted and designates no specific place, so it is applied to whatever reveals her beauty. The understanding and practice of the Companions confirm this, for ʿAbd al-Razzāq and Saʿīd ibn Manṣūr report that ʿUmar uncovered the shin of Umm Kulthūm, daughter of ʿAlī, when ʿAlī sent her to him so that he might look at her.
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Nayl al-Maʾārib states: “He does not need her permission.” This is shown by the action of Jābir: Aḥmad, al-Shāfiʿī, and al-Ḥākim narrate, “I proposed to a young woman and would hide so as to observe her until I saw in her what moved me to marry her; so I married her.”
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The wisdom behind this is related in the Musnad concerning al-Mughīrah ibn Shuʿbah, who sought a woman’s hand. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Look at her, for that is more likely to foster affection between you.” Thus, a man’s looking at her and reflecting on the matter before the engagement is more conducive to harmony and mutual accord, for he proceeds with full insight.
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Some scholars said that the same ruling applies to the woman: she may look at her suitor, for what pleases her in him is akin to what pleases him in her. This intent is implicit in the ḥadith and is reinforced by the Prophet’s granting the wife of Thābit ibn Qays a separation when she cited his unattractive appearance.
Ibn Abī Khaythamah and al-Ṭabarānī transmit from Ibn ʿAbbās that the Prophet ﷺ said, “O Jamīlah, what do you dislike about Thābit?” She replied, “By Allah, I dislike nothing about him except his ugliness.” He asked, “Will you return his garden to him?” She said, “Yes,” so he separated them.
Accordingly, the woman has an even stronger claim to look, for it is permissible for her to observe the man, even without