There is no position that this is so.

There is no position that this is so. What we are referring to is what is allowed so that a woman will face less difficulty and not what is safer and more secure. Clearly this is safer?2 There is another tradition, "A look is an arrow of satan"3 This, of course, refers to a look of lust. Or "Every thing has its adulterous form and the adultery of the eyes is to look,"4 referring to a look of lust and one which holds the fear of deviating.

THE EXCEPTION OF A SUITOR In the traditions we have many which relates to the time when one is a suitor for marriage at which time it is permitted to look. "Wasa'il", vol.3, p.9. It is possible that someone presents an intellectual reason which nullifies this deduction by saying, for instance, what difference is there between the hair and face that one is obligatory to cover one and not the other. Thus, we reason by practice and someone else presents and intellectual reason.

It is sufficient for the person who is referring to practice, even if it be through presenting a possibility, that they invalidate it there is a difference. If it were practical, Islam would have clarified it, but it did not want people to fall into difficulty. "Wasa'il", vol.3, p.24. "Kafi", vol.5, p.539; and "Wasa'il", vol.3, p.24. Does this not mean, then, that it is not permitted if one is not a suitor? Not only is it permitted but it has been stressed that it is better if one looks.

For instance, they said a man wanted to marry a daughter of one of the companions who was a resident of Madinah. The Holy Prophet said to him, "Go and look and then marry. There is something in the eyes of the companions.1 The Holy Prophet told him to look first because the companions were from just one or two tribes and most of them had some kind of an eye defect. He told him to look first and then marry so that later he would not be disappointed.

Mugharyar ibn Shu'bay said, "I had sought to marry. The Holy Prophet said to me, "Have you seen her?" I said, "No. I have not". He said, "Go and see her because it will give strength to your marriage."2 Imam Ja'far, peace be upon him, said, "If one of you sought a woman for marriage, it is better if you see that woman, if your look is one of a suitor."3 When a tradition says that it is permissible as a suitor, then does this mean it is not permitted when one is not a suitor?

If 'looking' as a suitor means that only the face and hands can be seen and nothing more, then it is limited that it is not at all lustful.