Abu Burdah bin Abu Musa narrates from his father (Sayyiduna Abu Musa Ash'ari, may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The consent of a virgin girl regarding herself will be sought; if she remains silent, then she has given permission, and if she refuses, then she will not be forced."

The same narration is also transmitted with another chain from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in a similar manner. (Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him, says:) The meaning of this narration is: Before marrying off a virgin girl, her consent will be sought so that she may choose the person she wishes to marry, and if she remains silent, it will mean that she has given permission for her marriage.

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates this statement of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "A widow has more right regarding herself than her guardian, and the permission of a virgin girl should be sought regarding herself, and her silence is her permission." (Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him, says:) The statement of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), "A widow has more right regarding herself," means: She has more right over herself than her guardian; she may marry whomever she wishes. She will say: I am pleased to marry so-and-so, and I am not pleased to marry so-and-so. This does not mean that the matter of conducting the marriage contract will be entrusted to her and not to her guardians.