What is the legal standing of a proposal when the woman shows implicit indication of satisfaction or acceptance?
Chapter on What is Prohibited to Marry and Combining Between Them and Other Matters
Al-Mughni
Book of Marriage
Primary text
If the woman provides an implicit indication of satisfaction and acceptance, such as saying, 'You are satisfactory to me, and there is no turning away from you,' the situation is treated the same as an explicit acceptance (the first category). It is not permissible for another man to propose to her. This reflects the apparent stance of Al-Khiraqi and Ahmad, who stated that once some inclination exists between the parties, no one else is permitted to propose. Inclination can be inferred sometimes through indirect language and other times through explicit declaration.
Supporting text
Al-Qadi suggests that the apparent view of Ahmad permits proposing in such cases, aligning with the later opinion of Al-Shafi'i, citing the case of Fatima where the Prophet (peace be upon him) proposed to her despite others having proposed. However, the evidence supports the general prohibition based on the comprehensive nature of the Prophet's statement: 'No one among you should propose on the proposal of his brother.' The narrative of Fatima does not prove permissibility because she indicated she had not inclined toward either of the first two suitors, seeking the Prophet's counsel, which counts as a rejection of them.