He—may Allah Most High have mercy on him—was asked about the hadith of Abū Hurayrah—may Allah be pleased with him—who said: The Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“A previously married woman must not be married until her consent is sought, nor a virgin until her permission is sought.” They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, how does she give permission?” He replied, “By remaining silent.”

Reported by al-Bukhārī and Muslim.

And about the report from Ibn ʿAbbās—may Allah be pleased with him—that the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“A previously married woman has more right to decide for herself than her guardian, while a virgin must be asked for her permission, and her silence is her permission.”

Another version reads:

“A virgin’s father must ask her permission concerning her marriage, and her silence is her assent.”

Reported by Muslim in his Sahīh.

And about the report from ʿĀ’ishah—may Allah be pleased with her—who said:

“I asked the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—whether a girl whose family arranges her marriage should be consulted. The Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—answered, ‘Yes, her consent must be sought.’” ʿĀ’ishah said: “I said to him, ‘But she is shy.’ The Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—replied, ‘Her remaining silent is her permission.’”

And about the report from Khansā’ bint Khidām that her father married her off when she was a girl, but she disliked it. She went to the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and he annulled the marriage her father had arranged. Reported by al-Bukhārī.

He answered:

No one should marry a woman off without her permission, as the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—commanded. If she objects, she must not be compelled to marry. The exception is a minor who is a virgin: her father may marry her off without her permission. As for an adult woman who has previously been married, it is not permissible to marry her off without her permission