Al-Qur'an Surah Al-Baqarah Verse 235

Mufti Taqi Usmani

There is no sin on you if you hint as a proposal to the women, or conceal it in your hearts. Allah knows that you will make mention of them. But do not make a promise to them secretly, except that you speak in a recognized manner. Nor resolve upon a contract of marriage until the prescribed time is reached. Be assured that Allah knows what is in your hearts. So, fear Him and be assured that Allah is most Forgiving, Forbearing.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

There is no blame on you for subtly showing interest in ˹divorced or widowed˺ women[[ During their waiting periods.]] or for hiding ˹the intention˺ in your hearts. Allah knows that you are considering them ˹for marriage˺. But do not make a secret commitment with them—you can only show interest in them appropriately. Do not commit to the bond of marriage until the waiting period expires. Know that Allah is aware of what is in your hearts, so beware of Him. And know that Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Forbearing.

Ruwwad Translation Center

There is no sin on you if you hint a proposal of marriage or keep it concealed in your hearts. Allah knows that you will make mention of them, but do not make a secret promise with them, except that you may say something appropriate. Do not resolve a marriage contract until the prescribed time is reached. And know that Allah knows what is in your hearts, so be cautious of Him and know that Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Forbearing.

A. J. Arberry

There is no fault in you touching the proposal to women you offer, or hide in your hearts; God knows that you will be mindful of them; but do not make troth with them secretly without you speak honourable words. And do not resolve on the knot of marriage until the book has reached its term; and know that God knows what is in your hearts, so be fearful of Him; and know that God is All-forgiving, All-clement.

Abdul Haleem

You will not be blamed whether you give a hint that you wish to marry these women, or keep it to yourselves- God knows that you intend to propose to them. Do not make a secret arrangement with them; speak to them honourably and do not confirm the marriage tie until the prescribed period reaches its end. Remember that God knows what is in your souls, so be mindful of Him. Remember that God is most forgiving and forbearing.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And no blame is on you in that ye speak indirectly of your troth unto the said women or conceal it in, your souls! Allah knoweth that ye will anon make mention of these women: but make no promises unto them in secret, except ye speak a reputable saying. And even resolve not on wedding-knot until the prescribed term hath attained its end; and know that Allah knoweth that which is in your souls, wherefore beware of Him, and know that Allah is Forgiving, Forbearing

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

There is no blame on you if ye make an offer of betrothal or hold it in your hearts. Allah knows that ye cherish them in your hearts; But do not make a secret contract with them except in terms Honourable, nor resolve on the tie of marriage till the term prescribed is fulfilled. And know that Allah Knoweth what is in your hearts, and take heed of Him; and know that Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Forbearing.

Abul Ala Maududi

It is no offence if you make indirect proposal of marriage to widows during their waiting term or keep it concealed in your hearts: for Allah knows that you will naturally think of them. But be careful not to make any secret engagement. If you have to do anything, do it in an honourable way. And you should not settle anything finally about the marriage until the waiting term expires. Understand it well that Allah even knows what is hidden in your hearts; so fear Him. Also know that Allah is Lenient and Forgiving.

Ahmed Ali

There is no harm in proposing in secret to (any of) these women, or keeping the intention to yourself: God is aware that you will keep them in mind. Yet do not make a promise in secret, unless you speak in a manner that is proper; and do not resolve upon marriage till the fixed term of waiting is over. Remember that God knows what is in your hearts; so be fearful of Him, and remember that God is forgiving and forbearing.

Ahmed Raza Khan

And there is no sin on you if you propose marriage to women while they are hidden from your view, or hide it in your hearts; Allah knows that you will now remember them, but do not make secret pacts with women except by decent words recognised by Islamic law; and do not consummate the marriage until the written command reaches its completion; know well that Allah knows what is in your hearts, therefore fear Him; and know well that Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Forbearing.

Ali Quli Qarai

There is no sin upon you in what you may hint in proposing to [recently widowed] women, or what you may secretly cherish within your hearts. Allah knows that you will be thinking of them, but do not make troth with them secretly, unless you say honourable words, and do not resolve on a marriage tie until the prescribed term is complete. Know that Allah knows what is in your hearts, so beware of Him; and know that Allah is all-forgiving, all-forbearing.

Ali Ünal

There is no blame on you that (during this waiting period) you indicate a marriage proposal to such women or keep it hidden in yourselves. God knows that you will think of them (with such proposals in mind), but do not make any secret engagement with them, except that you speak it properly in decent words. Do not resolve on the marriage tie until the ordained term has come to its end. Know that God knows what is in your hearts, so be careful about Him; and know that God is All-Forgiving, All-Clement, (Who shows no haste in punishing).

Amatul Rahman Omar

There is no blame on you respecting that which you speak indirectly, regarding a proposal of marriage, to these (widowed) women (within their period of waiting), or whether you keep it (the proposal) hidden in your minds. Allâh knows that you will think of them, (in this connection) yet make no agreement (or promises) with them secretly, except that you say a decent word. And confirm not the marriage tie until the prescribed period of waiting reaches its end. And know that Allâh knows what is in your minds, therefore beware of Him and know that Allâh is indeed a Great Protector (against faults), Highly Forbearing.

English Literal

And no offense/guilt/sin (is) on you, in what you displayed/exhibited with it, from the women (in) request for marriage/engagement or you concealed/hid in yourselves, God knew that you will mention/remember them (F), and but do not make appointments with them (F) secretly, except that to say a good opinion and belief , and do not decide/determine the marriage knot/contract (consummate the marriage) until The Book reaches its known time/term (takes effect), and know that God knows what is in yourselves, so be warned/cautious of Him , and know that God (is) forgiving clement .

Faridul Haque

And there is no sin on you if you propose marriage to women while they are hidden from your view, or hide it in your hearts; Allah knows that you will now remember them, but do not make secret pacts with women except by decent words recognised by Islamic law; and do not consummate the marriage until the written command reaches its completion; know well that Allah knows what is in your hearts, therefore fear Him; and know well that Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Forbearing.

Hamid S. Aziz

Nor is there any crime in you if you make them an offer of marriage, or that you keep it secret in your minds. Allah knows that you will remember them; but do not make a secret contract with them except in honourable terms (or use a recognised form of words and procedures); and resolve not on the marriage tie until the prescribed times are fulfiled. Know that Allah is Forgiving and Clement.

Hilali & Khan

And there is no sin on you if you make a hint of betrothal or conceal it in yourself, Allah knows that you will remember them, but do not make a promise of contract with them in secret except that you speak an honourable saying according to the Islamic law (e.g. you can say to her, "If one finds a wife like you, he will be happy"). And do not consummate the marriage until the term prescribed is fulfilled. And know that Allah knows what is in your minds, so fear Him. And know that Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

And there is no blame on you respecting that which you speak indirectly in the asking of (such) women in marriage or keep (the proposal) concealed within your minds. Allah knows that you will have them in your minds, but given them not a promise in secret unless you speak in a lawful manner. And confirm not the marriage tie until the prescribed period reaches its end. And know that Allah knows what is in your minds, so beware of Him; and know that Allah is Forgiving, Forbearing.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And there is no blame on you respecting that which you speak indirectly in the asking of (such) women in marriage or keep (the proposal) concealed within your minds; Allah knows that you will mention them, but do not give them a promise in secret unless you speak in a lawful manner, and do not confirm the marriage tie until the writing is fulfilled, and know that Allah knows what is in your minds, therefore beware of Him, and know that Allah is Forgiving, Forbearing.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

There is no sin for you in that which ye proclaim or hide in your minds concerning your troth with women. Allah knoweth that ye will remember them. But plight not your troth with women except by uttering a recognised form of words. And do not consummate the marriage until (the term) prescribed is run. Know that Allah knoweth what is in your minds, so beware of Him; and know that Allah is Forgiving, Clement.

Muhammad Sarwar

It is not a sin if you make an indirect marriage proposal or have such an intention in your hearts. God knows that you will cherish their memories in your hearts. Do not have secret dates unless you behave lawfully. Do not decide for a marriage before the appointed time is over. Know that God knows what is in your hearts. Have fear of Him and know that He is All-forgiving and All-merciful.

Qaribullah & Darwish

No guilt shall be on you in the indication of an engagement to women or what you suppress in yourself. Allah knows that you will remember them; but do not promise them secretly unless you speak kind words (only of indication). And do not resolve on the knot of marriage until the writing has reached its term. And know that Allah knows what is in your hearts, so be cautious of Him. And know that Allah is the Forgiver, the Clement.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

And there is no sin on you if you make a hint of betrothal or conceal it in yourself, Allah knows that you will remember them, but do not make a promise (of contract) with them in secret except that you speak an honorable saying. And do not be determined on the marriage bond until the term prescribed is fulfilled. And know that Allah knows what is in your minds, so fear Him. And know that Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing.

Wahiduddin Khan

It shall be no offence for you to hint at a proposal of marriage [to divorced or widowed women] or to cherish them in your hearts. God knows that you will bear them in mind. But do not enter into any secret arrangement with them, beyond conveying some indication to them of your inclination. Do not proceed with tying the marriage-knot before the end of their waiting period. Know that God has knowledge of all your thoughts. Therefore, take heed and bear in mind that God is forgiving and forbearing.

Talal Itani

You commit no error by announcing your engagement to women, or by keeping it to yourselves. God knows that you will be thinking about them. But do not meet them secretly, unless you have something proper to say. And do not confirm the marriage tie until the writing is fulfilled. And know that God knows what is in your souls, so beware of Him. And know that God is Forgiving and Forbearing.

Tafsir jalalayn

You would not be at fault regarding the proposal, with the intention of marriage, you present, offer, or hide in your hearts, during the waiting period, to women, whose spouses have died; such as men saying, `How beautiful you are!', or, `Who could find one like you?', or `How many a man must desire you!'. God knows that you will be mindful of them, in proposing to them impatiently, and so He has permitted you to make such offers; but do not make arrangements, of marriage, with them secretly, unless you speak honourable words, such as are acknowledged by the Law, in other words, such as proposals, that which is permitted to you. And do not resolve on the knot, the consummation, of marriage until that which is written, the period prescribed, has reached its term, and has been completed; and know that God knows what is in your souls, of resolve or otherwise; so be fearful of Him, that He should chastise you if you have made such resolve; and know that God is Forgiving, toward him who is fearful of Him, Forbearing, in delaying the chastisement of the one deserving it.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

Mentioning Marriage indirectly during the Iddah

Allah said;

وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِيمَا عَرَّضْتُم بِهِ مِنْ خِطْبَةِ النِّسَاء
And there is no sin on you if you make a hint of betrothal,

وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ
(And there is no sin on you) meaning,
to indirectly mention marriage to the widow during the term of Iddah for her deceased husband.

Ath-Thawri, Shu`bah and Jarir stated that Ibn Abbas said;
وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِيمَا عَرَّضْتُم بِهِ مِنْ خِطْبَةِ النِّسَاء
(And there is no sin on you if you make a hint of betrothal),

"means saying, `I want to marry and I am looking for a woman whose qualities are such and such,' thus talking to her in general terms in a way that is better."
In another narration (by Ibn Abbas),

"Saying, `I wish that Allah endows me with a wife,' but he should not make a direct marriage proposal."

Al-Bukhari reported that Ibn Abbas said that the Ayah;
وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِيمَا عَرَّضْتُم بِهِ مِنْ خِطْبَةِ النِّسَاء
(And there is no sin on you if you make a hint of betrothal) means,

"The man could say, `I wish to marry,' `I desire a wife,' or, `I wish I could find a good wife'."

Mujahid, Tawus, Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Ibrahim An-Nakhai, Ash-Sha`bi, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Az-Zuhri, Yazid bin Qusayt, Muqatil bin Hayyan and Al-Qasim bin Muhammad and several others among the Salaf and the Imams said that;
one is allowed to mention marriage indirectly to the woman whose husband died.
It is also allowed to indirectly mention marriage to a woman who had gone through final, irrevocable divorce. The Prophet ordered Fatimah bint Qays to remain in the house of Ibn Umm Maktum for Iddah when her husband Abu `Amr bin Hafs divorced her for the third time. He said to her;

فَإِذَا حَلَلْتِ فَأذِنِينِي

Inform me when your Iddah term ends.
When she finished the Iddah, Usamah bin Zayd, the Prophet's freed slave asked to marry her, and the Prophet married her to him.
As for the divorced wife (not irrevocably divorced), there is no disagreement that it is not allowed for other than her husband to mention marriage proposals to her directly or indirectly (before the Iddah finishes).

Allah knows best.

Allah said;

أَوْ أَكْنَنتُمْ فِي أَنفُسِكُمْ
or conceal it in yourself,

meaning, if you hide the intention of seeking marriage with them.

Similarly, Allah said;

وَرَبُّكَ يَعْلَمُ مَا تُكِنُّ صُدُورُهُمْ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ
And your Lord knows what their breasts conceal, and what they reveal. (28;69)

and,

وَأَنَاْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَأ أَخْفَيْتُمْ وَمَأ أَعْلَنتُمْ
while I am All-Aware of what you conceal and what you reveal. (60;1)
So, Allah said here;

عَلِمَ اللّهُ أَنَّكُمْ سَتَذْكُرُونَهُنَّ

Allah knows that you will remember them,

meaning, in your hearts, so He made it easy for you.

Allah then said;

وَلَـكِن لاَّ تُوَاعِدُوهُنَّ سِرًّا
but do not make a promise (of contract) with them in secret.
Ali bin Abu Talhah reported that Ibn Abbas said that the Ayah means,
do not say to her, "I am in love (with you)," or,

"Promise me you will not marry someone else (after the Iddah finishes),"
and so forth.

Sa`id bin Jubayr, Ash-Sha`bi, Ikrimah, Abu Ad-Duha, Ad-Dahhak, Az-Zuhri, Mujahid and Ath-Thawri said that,
it (meaning of the Ayah) means taking the woman's promise not to marry someone else.

Afterwards, Allah said;

إِلاَّ أَن تَقُولُواْ قَوْلاً مَّعْرُوفًا
except that you speak an honorable saying.
Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, As-Suddi, Ath-Thawri and Ibn Zayd said that;
the Ayah means to indirectly refer to marriage, such as saying, "I desire someone like you."

Muhammad bin Sirin said;
I asked Ubaydah about the meaning of Allah's statement;
إِلاإَّ أَن تَقُولُواْ قَوْلاإً مَّعْرُوفًا
(...except that you speak an honorable saying),
He said, "He says to her Wali, `Do not give her away (in marriage) until you inform me first'."

This statement was narrated by Ibn Abu Hatim.

Allah then said;

وَلَا تَعْزِمُواْ عُقْدَةَ النِّكَاحِ حَتَّىَ يَبْلُغَ الْكِتَابُ أَجَلَهُ
And do not be determined on the marriage bond until the term prescribed is fulfilled.

meaning, do not make marriage contracts before the Iddah finishes.
Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, Ash-Sha`bi, Qatadah, Ar-Rabi bin Anas, Abu Malik, Zayd bin Aslam, Muqatil bin Hayyan, Az-Zuhri, Ata Al-Khurasani, As-Suddi, Ath-Thawri and Ad-Dahhak said that;
حَتَّىَ يَبْلُغَ الْكِتَابُ أَجَلَهُ
(until the term prescribed is fulfilled) means,
`Do not consummate the marriage before the Iddah term finishes.'
The scholars agree that marriage contracts during the Iddah are invalid.

Allah then said;

وَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي أَنفُسِكُمْ فَاحْذَرُوهُ
And know that Allah knows what is in your minds, so fear Him.

warning the men against the ideas they conceal in their hearts about women, directing them to think good about them rather than the evil, and Allah would not let them despair of His mercy, as He said;

وَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللّهَ غَفُورٌ حَلِيمٌ


And know that Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing