English translation
5124. Ibn 'Abbās said: "Hint your intention of marrying" is made by saying (to the widow) for example: 'I want to marry, and I wish that Allāh will make a righteous lady available for me'. Al-Qāsim said: One may say to the widow: 'I hold all respect for you, and I am interested in you; Allāh will bring you much good,' or something similar. 'Aṭā said: One should hint his intention, and should not declare it openly. One may say: 'I have some need. Have good tidings. Praise is to Allāh; you are fit to remarry.' She (the widow) may say in reply: 'I am listening to what you say,' but she should not make a promise. Her guardian should not make a promise (to somebody to get her married to him) without her knowledge. But if, while still in the 'Iddat period, she makes a promise to marry somebody, and he ultimately marries her, they are not to be separated by divorce (i.e., the marriage is valid).
