The institution of Marriage in Islam is governed by very precise and sophisticated rules in order to protect the rights of both men and women and uphold morality. One of the crucial areas where these rules are manifested is in the meeting between the prospective bride and groom before marriage in order to allow them to know each other to the point where they can decide whether they want to proceed ahead with this commitment or not. Part of this acquaintance between the prospective spouses would imply being aware of each others physical appearance as it does play an important role in terms of them being physically attracted towards each other and maintaining a healthy fulfilling marriage. The issue of permissibility is resolved by a narration
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According to Munajjid, from among the four schools, Al Shafi allowed looking at face and hands, and not without a head cover. Abu Hanifa included feet besides head and face. Maliki School has two opinions on this issue- one allowing only face and hands and other including forearms as well. Two opinions also exist with the Hanbali school, first allowing face and forearms and the second stating ‘what usually appears’- which besides face and hands includes calves, neck etc.(1998). A woman’s face is the center of her beauty and her hands indicate fertility. The majority of the scholars leaned towards the position that only showing of hands and face was appropriate.
An institution as revered as marriage in Islam has been facilitated with its own procedures and laws for before, during and after it happens. But what eventually distinguishes between a Prohibited and Permissible marriage in Islam is whether it follows the sharia or goes against it. Therefore in order to be a permissible marriage, a marriage has to be done according to Sharia. And all the rules concerning marriage and engagement, including those concerned with seeing each other, have to be followed in order for it to be a blessed
According to Munajjid, from among the four schools, Al Shafi allowed looking at face and hands, and not without a head cover. Abu Hanifa included feet besides head and face. Maliki School has two opinions on this issue- one allowing only face and hands and other including forearms as well. Two opinions also exist with the Hanbali school, first allowing face and forearms and the second stating ‘what usually appears’- which besides face and hands includes calves, neck etc.(1998). A woman’s face is the center of her beauty and her hands indicate fertility. The majority of the scholars leaned towards the position that only showing of hands and face was appropriate.
An institution as revered as marriage in Islam has been facilitated with its own procedures and laws for before, during and after it happens. But what eventually distinguishes between a Prohibited and Permissible marriage in Islam is whether it follows the sharia or goes against it. Therefore in order to be a permissible marriage, a marriage has to be done according to Sharia. And all the rules concerning marriage and engagement, including those concerned with seeing each other, have to be followed in order for it to be a blessed