The third: it is permissible by indirect allusion but not by explicit proposal.

It is forbidden for anyone other than her husband to propose to a revocably divorced wife, whether explicitly or by indirect allusion, because she is still his wife. No one may propose to another man’s wife, either explicitly or by indirect allusion. The same applies to a woman irrevocably separated from her husband by three divorces.

It is permissible, both explicitly and by indirect allusion, for a husband who has irrevocably separated his wife by something other than three divorces—whether through a divorce in exchange for compensation or through annulment—to propose to her.

An explicit proposal, but not an indirect allusion, is forbidden when proposing to a woman irrevocably separated from her husband by someone other than her husband, and to a woman observing the waiting period following her husband’s death.

Is an explicit proposal or an indirect allusion permissible when proposing to a woman in the state of consecration for Hajj or Umrah?

It is not permissible, because a marriage contract may not be concluded with her.

Thus, the principle is: whoever may not be contracted in marriage may not be proposed to explicitly. As for an indirect allusion, it is subject to further detail.

The author—may Allah have mercy on him—said, explaining the meaning of an indirect allusion:

“An indirect allusion is to say: ‘I am indeed interested in someone like you,’” ..............

His statement, “An indirect allusion is: ‘I am indeed interested in someone like you,’” means that if he says such words, she understands that he wants her. The important point is that he must not state it explicitly. The evidence for this is Allah’s saying:

“There is no blame upon you for what you indirectly allude to in proposing to women”—that is, women observing the waiting period after their husbands’ deaths—“or for what you conceal within yourselves. Allah knows that you will think of them. But do not make secret promises to them, except that you speak a proper word.” [al-Baqarah 2:235]

Thus, Allah, Exalted is He, permitted indirect allusion in proposing to a woman observing the waiting period following her husband’s death.

An explicit proposal is what he defined, since it is clear; for example, he says: “I want you to marry me.”