Is it permissible to pursue a girl and speak with her to ask about the possibility of proposing to her?

It is permissible for a man to speak with a woman out of necessity, provided there are controls, such as the absence of khalwa (private seclusion), a soft tone of voice, the wearing of the shar’i (religiously prescribed) hijab, and ensuring there is no fitna (temptation/discord). However, with the increase in corruption and the weakening of religious deterrents, it has become more prudent to prevent a man from speaking with an unfamiliar woman about marriage unless a mahram (unmarriageable kin) is present. This is to block the means to corruption. The correct way to pursue a girl for marriage is by approaching her guardians or sending a female relative to inquire about her consent.