Question
I read in the Fiqhī Kutub that it's impermissible to look at images of animate beings with the intention of deriving pleasure. With this being the case, is it permissible to request a women's photo (passport, etc.) from her Walī in to order to gauge her appearance for marriage purposes? Since said photo is pre-existing, it wouldn't be the same as her providing fresh photos specifically for the suitor's interest. In this way the woman would be also be saved from the embarrassment of being rejected if the suitor finds himself disinclined towards her.
Answer
No, never is it permissible to look at the photo of a woman even with the intention of marriage. A haraam medium should not be adopted for a halaal objective. Evil molvis are notorious for such discordant interpretations. By means of satanic misinterpretation have they halaalized many explicitly haraam issues.
Furthermore, photos can be very deceptive. We are aware of cases of misery - misery in the wake of marrying on the basis of photos. When the chap went to meet his bride, he was shocked and demoralized by the appearance of his obese wife. Both her facial appearance and fatness constrained him to flee. He fled the country, taking the first available plane. The reasons you have proffered are spurious. A haraam may not be halaalized on the basis of the reasons you have stated.
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 27 No 09
- PDF page
- 8
Verbatim verified against the source PDF
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