Chapter: It is recommended for the one who wants to marry a woman to look at her face and hands before proposing marriage to her

I was in the company of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) when there came a man and informed him that he had contracted to marry a woman of the Ansar. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Did you cast a glance at her? He said: No. He said: Go and cast a glance at her, for there is something in the eyes of the Ansar.

A man came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said: I have contracted marriage with a woman of the Ansar, whereupon Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) said: Did you cast a glance at her, for there is something in the eyes of the Ansar? He said: I did cast a glance at her, whereupon he said: For what (dower) did you marry her? He said: For four 'uqiyas. Thereupon Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) said: For four 'uqiyas; it seems as if you dig out silver from the side of this mountain (and that is why you are prepared to pay such a large amount of dower). We have nothing which we should give you. There is a possibility that we may send you to an (expedition) where you may get (booty). So he sent that man (in the expedition) which was despatched to Banu 'Abs.