Abu Huraira (Allaah be pleased with him) reported Allaah's Messenger (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) as having said: A woman without a husband (or divorced or a widow) must not be married until she is consulted, and a virgin must not be married until her permission is sought. They asked the Prophet of Allaah (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam): How her (virgin's) consent can be solicited? He (the Prophet) said: That she keeps silence.