1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hammad from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the meaning of the words of Allah, "... but you must not secretly date (make secret appointment with) such women (during their waiting period) unless you speak to them in a lawful manner.’ (2:235) He (the Imam) said, ’He is a man who speaks to the woman before she completes her waiting period saying, “I invite you for a date in the house of so and so” and to propose marriage to her and His word, “Unless you speak to them in a lawful way” is a reference to “proposing marriage”, “. . . but you must not decide for marriage until the appointed waiting period is complete...” (2:235)’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

2. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu Nasr from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘. . . but you must not secretly date such women (during their waiting period) unless you speak to them in a lawful manner and you must not decide to form terms of marriage until the appointed time is complete.’ (2:235). He (the Imam) said, ‘The word “secret” means his saying, “The place of your date is the house of so and so”, then calls her to that place then asks her not to decide to get married with someone else before him when waiting period is complete.’ I then asked about, ‘Except if you speak in a lawful manner.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is seeking lawful matters without determination for marriage until the appointed time of waiting period is complete.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Ali ibn abu Hamzah who has said the following: “I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘. . . but you must not secretly date such women (during their waiting period).’ (2:235). He (the Imam) said, ‘It is his saying, “The place for your date (with me) is the house of the family of so and so where he asks her for rafath (sexual intercourse) and performs it, and Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, “Unless you speak in a lawful manner.” Speaking in a lawful manner is proposing for marriage the way it should be in a lawful manner which is, “You must not decide forming the terms of marriage until the appointed time of waiting period is complete.’””

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

4. Humayd ibn Ziyad from al-Hassan ibn Muhammad from more than one person from Aban from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn abu ‘Abd Allah who has said the following: “About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘. . . unless you speak in a lawful manner;’ (2:235) he (the Imam) said, ‘He meets her and says, “I am interested in you, I respect women, so you must not decide about yourself (to marry someone else) before me.” In “secret” dating he does not meet her as he had promised.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.