while she was six years old to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, there is the clearest refutation of those who object to the marriage of a young girl to an older man, who paint the matter in dark colours and brand it a monstrosity. Such censure can arise only from ignorance—or from deliberate ill-will.
- As for the adult virgin, she is not to be married off without her permission, and her permission is indicated by her silence. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Do not give a virgin in marriage until her consent has been sought.” They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, and how is her consent?” He replied, “By her remaining silent.” (1) Hence her approval is indispensable, even if the one arranging the marriage is her own father, according to the sounder of the two scholarly opinions.
The noted scholar Ibn al-Qayyim said in al-Hādī (5/96): “This is the view held by the majority of the early generations, by Abū Ḥanīfah, and in one of the two narrations from Aḥmad. It is the view by which we worship Allah and acknowledge none other, for it accords with the ruling, command, and prohibition of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.” End quote.
- A previously married woman may likewise be married only with her permission, but her permission must be verbal, whereas the virgin’s permission is her silence.
Al-Mughnī (6/493) states: “With regard to the previously married woman, we know of no disagreement among the scholars that her permission must be verbal, because the tongue conveys what is in the heart and is the measure in every situation where permission is required.” End quote.