To show or not to show.
notice to men ★
“This sister has chosen modesty by keeping her photo private. Respect her choice, and if you’re truly interested, get to know her through her values and goals.”
STAR RATING - put stars on everyone who hides a face. 3 to 5 star from field superimposed on hidden photos
The key question here is that in the 'actual process' of seeking a marriage partner, can a female show her face to a potential suitor?
In your day to day life you have a choice whether to completely cover up or show your face in public. Yes, you dress modestly when you go out, but islamically should you show your face to a complete stranger when looking for a partner?
In our humble opinion yes, in Islam a girl is allowed to show her face to a potential suitor 'during the marriage process'. This is based on authentic Islamic teachings and supported by scholars across the major schools of thought, especially Hanafi, Maliki, and Shafi’i.
One important hadith used in this matter is:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“When one of you proposes to a woman, if he is able to look at what will induce him to marry her, he should do so.”
— (Abu Dawood, 2082; also reported by Ahmad and others; graded Hasan)
This shows that seeing the woman, including her face, is permissible and even encouraged, as it helps with making a decision that leads to a stable marriage.
The following hadith is highly relevant too:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“A woman is married for four things: her wealth, her lineage, her beauty, and her religion. So marry the one with religion, may your hands be rubbed with dust [i.e., may you prosper].”
— (Bukhari & Muslim)
This hadith acknowledges that beauty is a valid reason someone might choose a spouse — though the Prophet ﷺ clearly prioritizes religious commitment (deen).
So for someone to consider a woman's beauty (i.e., her face) in the process is natural and allowed. The Prophet ﷺ did not forbid looking; rather, he regulated it with modesty and intention.
According to the majority of scholars, especially from the Hanafi, Maliki, and Shafi’i schools, it is even permissible for a suitor to see the face and hands of the woman he is considering for marriage.
We acknowledge that the school of thought you follow may differ and we respect your choice of hiding your photos. But being completely hidden may prolong the time it takes for you to find a marriage partner.
Whether you wish to show your face or not is your choice. Our options of 'show', 'thumbnail' and 'hide' give you that control.
However, we recomend the 'THUMBNAIL' option and this is why:
- Being completely hidden may put you in a disadvantage. If potential suitors cannot see you, they have little incentive to contact you. Even someone perfect for you, may simply pass you by. So give them a reason to be interested in you. Give them at least a subtle and visual hint of yourself to spark their interest. A thumbnail image will do exactly this.
- Being completely visible with multiple large photos may attract the wrong types. On common match making sites the majority simply swipe through images without regard to the real person behind each photo. Everyone casually flicks through, looking for the next pretty face. There is little dignity in this. For you or for them. We are not a match making site and we want your future partner to focus on YOU as a person and not as an object to glare at, or to compare with hundreds of others. Thumbnails remove this incentive, especially for men you do not know.
- Haya حياء is incredibly important, especially to our sisters, their parents and guardians. Thumbnails give a potential suitor just a hint of you and whilst respecting your worth and dignity. Small enough not to give anyone an incentive to flick though. And just visible enough to give a real potential suitor a reason to be ineterested enough to contact you.
- Natuarlly, when you feel comfortable with someone who is interested in you, you can easily reveal more, specifically for their eyes, by switching from thumbnails to full size images. You can choose exaclty who sees you and for how long. This puts you total control.