What is the ruling on detailing the descriptions of a proposed woman (maktuba) in a marriage proposal (khitaba), or displaying her photos and videos, or recording her voice for the proposing man (khatib)?
It is the right of a man to know the characteristics of his future wife. This can be achieved through the permissible Islamic viewing (ru'yah shar'iyyah) and direct hearing, or through visual and audio means like pictures and videos, or through the description provided by the female matchmaker. It is a condition that these methods do not lead to temptation (fitnah), and that the pictures and videos conform to the regulations of the permissible Islamic viewing. What is forbidden to see directly is forbidden to record. Therefore, the pictures and videos must be returned after the purpose of viewing has been fulfilled. It is permissible for the female matchmaker to describe to the suitor what the suitor is not permitted to see, but it is not permissible for her to describe what she herself is not permitted to see.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/149844
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 149844
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy