بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ فِيمَا عَرَّضۡتُم بِهِۦ مِنۡ خِطۡبَةِ ٱلنِّسَآءِ أَوۡ أَڪۡنَنتُمۡ فِىٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ‌ۚ عَلِمَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّكُمۡ سَتَذۡكُرُونَهُنَّ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تُوَاعِدُوهُنَّ سِرًّا إِلَّآ أَن تَقُولُواْ قَوۡلاً۬ مَّعۡرُوفً۬ا‌ۚ وَلَا تَعۡزِمُواْ عُقۡدَةَ ٱلنِّڪَاحِ حَتَّىٰ يَبۡلُغَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبُ أَجَلَهُ ۥ‌ۚ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعۡلَمُ مَا فِىٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ فَٱحۡذَرُوهُ‌ۚ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ حَلِيمٌ۬

“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. (235)”

Ruling: When a widow is in her iddah, it is not permissible to marry her, propose to her directly, or promise to marry her. However, one may have the intention in his heart that once she finishes her iddah he will marry her. Rather, he is allowed to hint towards his intent in marrying her by saying things like “I’m looking for a wife”, or “I heard really good things about you.” But a direct proposal cannot be made. (Tafsir Uthmani V1 pg 249)

Ruling: Any nikaah conducted in the waiting period will be invalid. (Radd Al Muhtaar V3 pg 131)

Ruling: When in iddah, it is waajib to stay away from things of beautification like, beautiful clothing, colourful ones, all types and colours of silk, all types of jewelry, perfume, oil in hair, creams, make up, kohl (antimony) etc. unless for medical purposes. Styling her hair is also prohibited as is combing it with a fine teethed comb. She is however allowed to fix it, so she is not dishevelled. It is also prohibited for a woman to directly propose for a marriage. (Maarif Al Quran V1 pg 609, Radd Al Muhtaar V3 pg 530)