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Fatwa CenterHaving witnesses for an engagement
Question
Eselamu aleykum my dear brothers and sisters! My questions is: 1.Do I need withnes for Hitbe(proposal) 2.Is it halal to kill snake if I see her near me? 3.Can I shave hair from my back?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
It is not an obligation to have witnesses for an engagement. An engagement is not a marriage contract and it does not lead to something which requires having witnesses. It is only the marriage contract which requires two witnesses in order to be valid as clarified in Fatwa 83629.
As regards killing a snake, then this is permissible as the Prophet 
said: "Kill the snakes…" [Al-Bukhari] However, the Prophet forbade us from killing the snakes which are in one's home unless one warns it three times as it is probable that the snake is from jinn. [Al-Bukhari]
The scholars 
said: 'One should say to the snake: 'I will harm you if you return to us' or the like. Then if the snake returns or does not leave the house, then one should kill it.' Nonetheless, other scholars said that all the snakes should be killed even those which are found at home without warning them –as the narration mentioned is specifically regarding the homes of Madeenah.
With regard to the ruling of shaving the hair in one's back, then this is permissible because no prohibition is mentioned about shaving it. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 87794.
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