the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, made silence an indication of consent because virgins are generally modest and do not openly state their feelings in such a matter. This is subject to the circumstances of every time and place. In our present time, they seek out a husband even before they are proposed to. If one of them is asked, “Would you accept so-and-so?” she says, “I accept him; he is a good man. He is the only one I want,” and she is not at all bashful.

Likewise, the prospective husband for whom her permission is sought must be identified in a manner that makes him known: it should be said that he is a young man, middle-aged, or elderly; that his characteristics are such-and-such, his occupation such-and-such, and his financial circumstances such-and-such. But merely saying, “We want to marry you off,” is not permissible, for she may imagine that this husband possesses certain qualities when the reality is otherwise.