What is a man allowed to see of a woman he intends to propose to for marriage, and is he permitted to see her hair or her entire head?

It is permissible for a suitor to look at his fiancée in order to make a decision about marriage, based on the noble prophetic hadiths from Jabir ibn Abdullah, Abu Hurairah, Al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah, and Sahl ibn Sa'd, which encourage looking at the fiancée.

The article mentioned the sayings of scholars regarding the limits of looking. Al-Shafi'i stated the permissibility of looking at the face and hands. Al-Nawawi stated that it is recommended to look at them, and it is permissible to repeat the look with or without permission. If this is not possible, a woman should be sent to describe her.

The article also mentioned other opinions from Abu Hanifah, Ibn Abidin, and some narrations from Imam Malik and Imam Ahmad regarding the permissibility of looking at the feet or the neck and shins in addition to the face and hands.

The article concluded that the majority of scholars permitted the suitor to look at the fiancée's face and hands, because they indicate plainness or beauty.

The article emphasized the prohibition of touching the fiancée and being alone with her, because she is unlawful (non-mahram), and being alone with her does not guarantee safety from falling into what is forbidden. It also stressed that the looking must not be with pleasure or lust.

The article indicated the permissibility of looking at the fiancée without her permission or knowledge, citing the words of Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar and the practice of the Companions.

The article concluded by mentioning a benefit regarding sending a woman to see the fiancée and describe her to the suitor, and that the description might exceed what the suitor could see himself.