2. Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 235
وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ ف۪يمَا عَرَّضْتُمْ بِه۪ مِنْ خِطْبَةِ النِّسَٓاءِ اَوْ اَكْنَنْتُمْ ف۪ٓي اَنْفُسِكُمْۜ عَلِمَ اللّٰهُ اَنَّكُمْ سَتَذْكُرُونَهُنَّ وَلٰكِنْ لَا تُوَاعِدُوهُنَّ سِراًّ اِلَّٓا اَنْ تَقُولُوا قَوْلاً مَعْرُوفاًۜ وَلَا تَعْزِمُوا عُقْدَةَ النِّكَاحِ حَتّٰى يَبْلُغَ الْكِتَابُ اَجَلَهُۜ وَاعْلَمُٓوا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا ف۪ٓي اَنْفُسِكُمْ فَاحْذَرُوهُۚ وَاعْلَمُٓوا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُورٌ حَل۪يمٌ۟
Wala junaha AAalaykum feemaAAarradtum bihi min khitbati annisa-iaw aknantum fee anfusikum AAalima Allahu annakum satathkuroonahunnawalakin la tuwaAAidoohunna sirran illaan taqooloo qawlan maAAroofan wala taAAzimoo AAuqdata annikahihatta yablugha alkitabu ajalahu waAAlamooanna Allaha yaAAlamu ma fee anfusikum fahtharoohuwaAAlamoo anna Allaha ghafoorun haleem
Nor is there anything wrong in any allusion to marriage you make to a woman, nor for any you keep to yourself. Allah knows that you will say things to them. But do not make secret arrangements with them, rather only speak with correctness and courtesy. Do not finally decide on the marriage contract until the prescribed period has come to its end. Know that Allah knows what is in your selves, so beware of Him! And know that Allah is Ever-Forgiving, All-Forbearing.
- Progressive Muslims
And there is no sin upon you if you openly propose marriage to these women, or you keep it between yourselves. God knows that you will be thinking of them, but do not meet them secretly, unless you have something righteous to say. And do not consummate the marriage until the required interim is reached in the Scripture. And know that God knows what is in your souls, so be aware of Him, and know that God is Forgiving, Compassionate.
- Shabbir Ahmed
You do nothing wrong in announcing your engagement to women or keep it to yourselves. Allah knows that the community will think about getting them married. But, never make a secret pledge or contract with them. Speak with them honorably and in recognized words. Do not tie the wedding knot nor sign the martial contract until the waiting period has ended. Know that Allah understands human psyche, and that which is in your hearts. Take heed of Him and know that Allah is Forgiving, Clement. He does not wish to impose hardship on you. His Laws protect your society from harm by absolving your imperfections. (Allah, the Clement never gets enraged and His Rule is the Rule of Law).
- Sam Gerrans
And you do no wrong in what you intimate to women of proposal, or hide within yourselves; God knows that you will remember them. But make not nor take an oath with them secretly save that you speak a fitting word. And do not decide upon the knot of marriage until the writ reaches its term. And know that God knows what is within your souls, so fear Him. And know that God is forgiving and clement.
- The Monotheist Group
And there is no sin upon you if you openly propose marriage to the women, or you keep it between yourselves. God knows that you will be thinking about them, but do not meet them secretly, unless you have something righteous to say. And do not finalize the marriage contract until the book interim is reached. And know that God knows what is in your souls, so be aware of Him, and know that God is Forgiving, Compassionate.
- Edip-Layth
There is no blame upon you if you openly propose marriage to these women, or you keep it between yourselves. God knows that you will be thinking of them, but do not meet them secretly, unless you have something righteous to say. Do not consummate the marriage until the required interim is reached in the book. Know that God knows what is in your minds, so be conscientious of Him, and know that God is Forgiving, Compassionate.
- Aisha Bewley
Nor is there anything wrong in any allusion to marriage you make to a woman, nor for any you keep to yourself. Allah knows that you will say things to them. But do not make secret arrangements with them, rather only speak with correctness and courtesy. Do not finally decide on the marriage contract until the prescribed period has come to its end. Know that Allah knows what is in your selves, so beware of Him! And know that Allah is Ever-Forgiving, All-Forbearing.
- Rashad Khalifa
You commit no sin by announcing your engagement to the women, or keeping it secret. GOD knows that you will think about them. Do not meet them secretly, unless you have something righteous to discuss. Do not consummate the marriage until their interim is fulfilled. You should know that GOD knows your innermost thoughts, and observe Him. You should know that GOD is Forgiver, Clement.
- Mohamed Ahmed - Samira
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.
- Sahih International
There is no blame upon you for that to which you [indirectly] allude concerning a proposal to women or for what you conceal within yourselves. Allah knows that you will have them in mind. But do not promise them secretly except for saying a proper saying. And do not determine to undertake a marriage contract until the decreed period reaches its end. And know that Allah knows what is within yourselves, so beware of Him. And know that Allah is Forgiving and Forbearing.
- Muhammad Asad
But you will incur no sin if you give a hint of [an intended] marriage-offer to [any of] these women, or if you conceive such an intention without making it obvious: [for] God knows that you intend to ask them in marriage. Do not, however, plight your troth with them in secret, but speak only in a decent manner; and do not proceed with tying the marriage-knot ere the ordained [term of waiting] has come to its end. And know that God knows what is in your minds, and therefore remain conscious of Him; and know, too, that God is much-forgiving, forbearing.
- Marmaduke 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.
- Abdel Khalek Himmat
You men incur no consequence if, at this time, you ethically and indirectly advance your marriage offer for consideration, or if you only entertain the idea or cling to hope. Allah knows well that attraction to women is natural to you and that you think about them. But do not secretly propose to them during this determined period, but you may hold honourable conversation with them. Nor can you enter into a marriage contract until the determined period has been fulfilled. You ought to realise that Allah knows what is hidden in your innermost being, therefore, beware of Him and be cautious and realise that He is Ghafurun and Halimun (Indulgent and Forbearing).
- Bijan Moeinian
While a widowed woman is passing through her waiting period, you may indirectly [not directly] propose to her or wait till she is over her waiting period of sorrow as God knows the innermost thoughts of yours. However, do not make any secret engagement. Whatever you intend to do, do it in an honorable manner. In any case, the formal proposal or marriage engagement must be done after the waiting period. Know that God knows even the most hidden thoughts of yours; so fear Him. Also bear in mind that God is lenient and the Most Forgiving.
- Al-Hilali & Khan
And there is no sin on you if you make a hint of betrothal or conceal it in yourself, Allâh 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 Islâmic law.[1] And do not consummate the marriage until the term prescribed is fulfilled. And know that Allâh knows what is in your minds, so fear Him. And know that Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most 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.
- Mustafa Khattab
There is no blame on you for subtly showing interest in ˹divorced or widowed˺ women[1] 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Arthur John 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.
- E. Henry Palmer
Nor is there any crime in you for that ye make them an offer of marriage, or that ye keep it secret, in your minds. God knows that ye will remember them; but do not propose to them in secret, unless ye speak a reasonable speech; and resolve not on marriage tie until the Book shall reach its time; but know that God knows what is in your souls; so beware! and know that God is forgiving and clement.
- 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.
- Mahmoud Ghali
And there is no fault in you concerning whatever offer of betrothal you intimate to women, or nestle in yourselves. Allah knows that you will remember them. But do not make any promise with them secretly, excepting that you say some beneficent saying. And do not resolve on the knot (i.e., the bond) of marriage until the term (Literally: book) has been reached; its term; and know that Allah knows whatever is in yourselves, so be wary of Him. And know that Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Ever-Forbearing.
- George Sale
And it shall be no crime in you, whether ye make public overtures of marriage unto such women, within the said four months and ten days, or whether ye conceal such your designs in your minds: God knoweth that ye will remember them. But make no promise unto them privately, unless ye speak honourable words; and resolve not on the knot of marriage, until the prescribed time be accomplished; and know that God knoweth that which is in your minds, therefore beware of him, and know that God is gracious and merciful.
- Syed Vickar Ahamed
And there is no blame on you if you make an offer (a hint) of marriage or hold it in your hearts. Allah knows that you admire them in your hearts: But do not make a secret contract with them except in honorable terms, and do not decide on the tie of marriage till the term prescribed is fulfilled. And know that Allah knows what is in your hearts, and so be fearful of Allah; And know that Allah is Often Forgiving (Ghafoor), Most Forbearing (Haleem).
- 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.
- 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.