Q 4: Is it permissible for a fiancé to sit alone with his fiancée in her family's house in a room with the door open or in an open living room? Is it permissible for him to sit with her in private or go out with her in the presence of her mother or her younger sister who is 10 years old? Is it permissible for the fiancé to hold the hand of his fiancée and shake hands with her and with her mother? We appreciate your advice, may Allah reward you with the best.

A: It is not permissible for a fiancé to sit in private with his fiancée as long as he has not concluded the marriage contract. It is also not permissible for him to shake hands with her or go out with her because she is not Mahram (spouse or permanently unmarriageable relative) to him. He may look at her when he first proposes to her without sitting with her in private. He may sit with her in the presence of her mother, father or other relatives whose presence will end privacy. It is authentically reported on the authority of Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, When one of you asks a woman in marriage, if he is able to look at what will induce him to marry her, he should do so. (Related by Ahmad and Abu Dawud) Al-Hafizh Ibn Hajar said, 'Its narrators are reliable.' Muslim reported on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to a man who had proposed to a woman, "Have you looked at her?" He said, "No." The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Go and look at her." This is because he wanted to marry her. (Part No. 18; Page No. 79) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.