{And when you are seen by those who disbelieved} (13). As for what usually appears other than the face, such as the hands, feet, and similar things that a woman reveals in her home, there are two narrations: The first is that it is not permitted to look at it because it is an 'awrah (area that must be covered), so looking at it is not permitted, just like that which does not appear. Indeed, Abdullah narrated that the Prophet - peace and blessings of Allah be upon him - said: "The woman is an 'awrah" (14). A hasan (good) hadith. Furthermore, the necessity is satisfied by looking at the face, so the rest remains in a state of prohibition. The second [narration] is that it is permitted for him to look at that. Ahmad said, in the narration of Hanbal: There is no harm in him looking at her, and at that which invites him to marry her, such as the hand, the body, and the like (15). Abu Bakr said: There is no harm in him looking at her when proposing, while she is unveiled. Al-Shafi'i said: He looks at (16) the face and the hands. The basis for the permissibility of looking at what usually appears is that when the Prophet - peace and blessings of Allah be upon him - permitted looking at her without her knowledge, it was known that he permitted looking at everything that usually appears, since it is not possible to isolate the face for looking while other parts are associated with it in terms of visibility. Also, because it usually appears, looking at it is permitted just like the face, and because she is a woman whom he has been permitted to look at by the command of the Lawgiver, so it is permitted to look at that much of her, just like unmarriageable kin (mahram). Sa'id (17) narrated from Sufyan, from Amr ibn Dinar, from Abu Ja'far, who said: Umar ibn al-Khattab proposed to the daughter of Ali, and he mentioned her youth to him. They said to him: "You have only been rejected." He returned to him, so he said: "We will send her to you so you may look (18) at her." He was pleased with her, [and he uncovered her leg] (19). She said: "Send [me] away, for were you not the Commander of the Faithful, I would have slapped (20) your eye."

Section: It is permissible for a man to look at his unmarriageable kin (mahram) concerning what usually appears, such as the neck, head, hands, feet, and the like. It is not permitted for him to look at what is usually covered (21), such as the chest, back, and similar areas. Al-Athram said: I asked Abu Abd Allah about a man looking at the hair of his father's wife or his son's wife.