What is the ruling on a woman describing herself to men interested in marriage via the internet, and what is the meaning of the Hadith: "A woman should not describe another woman to her husband"?
The prevalence of online marriage websites indicates the suffering of Muslim women in societies that have made marriage difficult. These websites vary: reputable sites that facilitate matches between genders with good precautions, such as matching requests without publishing personal data, are permissible and fall under cooperation in righteousness and piety, with the emphasis that the matter thereafter is considered an engagement. As for websites that publish the data of both parties, they are fraught with risks and must be avoided. Regarding the Hadith: "No woman should describe another woman to her husband as if he is looking at her," the prohibition in it is out of fear that the husband might be impressed by the description and what might ensue from it. This applies to situations other than those seeking marriage. As for someone seeking marriage, it is permissible for him to see the woman he intends to marry or have her described to him.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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