Can I Send a Picture Of Myself Without Hijab To a Potential Suitor’s Mother?

Question: Can I send a picture of myself without hijab to my suitor’s mom?

Answer:

Assalamu alaykum,

Thank you for your question. Although it is permissible to send a picture of a girl without her hijab to a potential suitor’s mother or sister, nowadays, images can be leaked and shared even unintentionally.  Instead of wondering if his mother and sister are trustworthy, it would be less stressful and easier for everyone not to send it.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, encouraged men to look at the face and hands of a woman, to get an indication of her beauty and robustness. It is commonly understood that women are more beautiful with their hijabs off, so there really is no reason to see the hair before the wedding.

Instead, ask the mother and sister to come over and meet the girl uncovered. This is what is done all over the Middle East, as the first step of approval before the suitor comes to see her. If the family does not even want to give you this much of their time, I dare say, they might not be right for you.
May Allah give you the best in this world and the next.

[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafseer, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.