He wants to talk to a woman before he proposes marriage to her

 

I have never spoken to her, and generally do not speak to women. We sometimes exchange salams.


How do I propose to her and approach her for marriage, since I am a practising muslim, and do not talk to sisters what is the best way?


Should I go and speak to her and get to know her first, without stepping beyond the boundaries of Allah? or shall I propose straight away?


I am afraid that because she does not really know me, and that we are from different cultural backgrounds I will be rejected instantly if I propose straight away without getting to know her first.


Whilst on the other hand I fear that I am doing something Un-islamic If I talk to her and get to know her.


I am in a difficult situation what is the best thing to do?

Praise be to Allaah.
 

 

Note that it is permissible for a man to speak to a non-mahram
woman, subject to important guidelines and conditions, the purpose of which
is to prevent fitnah and sin. These conditions include : 

1-    
That it is not possible to
speak to her through one of her mahrams or through a woman who is his mahram.

2-    
That should be done without
being alone with her (khulwah).

3-    
That should not go beyond
permissible topics.

4-    
There should be no fitnah
(temptation). If his desire is stirred by talking to her or if he starts to
enjoy it, then it is haraam.

5-    
The woman should not speak in a
soft manner,

6-    
The woman should be wearing
full hijaab and be modest, or he should speak to her from behind a door. It
is better if they speak on the phone, and even better if they communicate
via letters or e-mail, for example.

7-    
That should not go beyond what
is necessary. 

If these conditions are met and there is no fear of fitnah,
then it is o.k. And Allaah knows best. 

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan said, in his answer on the ruling
about young men speaking to young women on the telephone: “It is not
permissible for young men to speak to young women because of the fitnah
involved, unless the girl is engaged to the man who is talking to her, and
they talk only about matters pertaining to their engagement; but it is
preferable and safer for him to speak to her guardian about that.” (al-Muntaqa
min Fataawa al-Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan, 3/163, 164). 

You have not proposed to this girl yet, so you have to be
very careful and avoid exposing yourself to the causes of fitnah by taking
all possible precautions to achieve your goal without approaching this
girl. 

The basis for this is two aayahs from the Book of Allaah: 

1 – “O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other
women. If you keep your duty (to Allaah), then be not soft in speech, lest
he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery)
should be moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner”

[al-Ahzaab 33:32 – interpretation of the meaning] 

2 – “And when you ask (his wives) for anything you want,
ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and for their
hearts” [al-Ahzaab 33:53 – interpretation of the meaning] 

Finally I would like to
remind you that the Muslim’s standards when choosing a wife should be the
standards encouraged by the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) when he said: “Choose the one who is
religiously-committed, may your hands be rubbed with dust [i.e., may you
prosper].” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5090; Muslim, 1466). 

And I warn you against everything that may lead you into
doing haraam things or bring you close to that, such as being alone with
her, going out with her, etc. I ask Allaah to make it easy for you to find a
woman who will help you to obey Him.