Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

You must meet with the person who proposed for you in marriage and frankly ask him on your worries and request your family to ask about his personality at his work and neighbourhood.

 

If you think he is rigid and strict to the extent that he is not compatible to your personality, there is nothing wrong to apologize for not considering his proposal.

 

If you think he is committed to religious duties and what you heard are just rumours or exaggerations about him and his family, you can then accept his proposal.

 

The criterion by which you can measure his personality is to check his commitment to the basic pillars of Islam and his moral behaviour specially on how to deal with you and your family.

 

Allah knows best.