Making an Offer of Marriage over Another Man's Offer
When is it forbidden to make an offer of marriage over another man's offer, and is the contract valid if it goes through?
It is forbidden to make an offer over another's once the woman or her guardian has inclined to the first man and accepted him; if there was no acceptance, or the first was turned down, it is permitted. And if the contract is made despite the prohibition, it holds, though the man has sinned.
It is forbidden to make an offer over another's once the woman has inclined to the first man, even if no dower has been fixed, unless the first withdraws or gives leave. And if the contract is made, it is annulled before consummation by an irrevocable divorce, but not after it.
It is forbidden to make an offer over another's once the first man has had an explicit acceptance — on the strength of his saying ﷺ: “Let none of you make an offer over his brother's offer.” If the answer was only a hint, or she kept silent, or the first was turned down, it is not forbidden. And the contract holds if made, though the man has sinned.
It is forbidden to make an offer over the offer of one's Muslim brother once the first man has had an explicit acceptance, or an inclination to him is found; if the first gives leave, withdraws, is turned down, or his position is unknown, it is permitted. And if the contract is made, it holds, though the man has sinned.