"And there is no sin on you if you make a hint of betrothal or conceal it in yourself..."

Sahih al-Bukhari · Book 67 · Hadith 5124

وَقَالَ لِي طَلْقٌ حَدَّثَنَا زَائِدَةُ، عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ، عَنْ مُجَاهِدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، ‏{‏فِيمَا عَرَّضْتُمْ‏}‏ يَقُولُ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ التَّزْوِيجَ، وَلَوَدِدْتُ أَنَّهُ تَيَسَّرَ لِي امْرَأَةٌ صَالِحَةٌ‏.‏ وَقَالَ الْقَاسِمُ يَقُولُ إِنَّكِ عَلَىَّ كَرِيمَةٌ، وَإِنِّي فِيكِ لَرَاغِبٌ، وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَسَائِقٌ إِلَيْكِ خَيْرًا‏.‏ أَوْ نَحْوَ هَذَا‏.‏…

Ibn `Abbas said: "Hint your intention of marrying' is made by saying (to the widow) for example: "I want to marry, and I wish that Allah will make a righteous lady available for me.' " Al-Qasim said: One may say to the…