67/42. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 5136 — Consulting a Woman Before Marriage
The father or the guardian cannot give a virgin or matron in marriage without her consent
Hadith About Consent in Marriage
Sahih Bukhari : 5136
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 5136
حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاذُ بْنُ فَضَالَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ، عَنْ يَحْيَى، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، حَدَّثَهُمْ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لاَ تُنْكَحُ الأَيِّمُ حَتَّى تُسْتَأْمَرَ وَلاَ تُنْكَحُ الْبِكْرُ حَتَّى تُسْتَأْذَنَ ". قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَكَيْفَ إِذْنُهَا قَالَ " أَنْ تَسْكُتَ ".
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "A matron should not be given in marriage except after consulting her; and a virgin should not be given in marriage except after her permission." The people asked, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! How can we know her permission?" He said, "Her silence (indicates her permission).
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 5136In-book reference : Book 67, Hadith 72USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 62, Hadith 67
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 5136
This hadith is a key text for marriage consent in Islam. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that a matron should not be given in marriage until she is consulted, and a virgin should not be given in marriage until her permission is sought. When people asked how her permission is known, he said her silence indicates her permission. The report uses two different words: consultation for the matron and permission for the virgin. It also answers a practical question about shyness and silence. The core message from the text is that a woman's view is part of the marriage process and should not be ignored.
What we learn from this hadith
- A matron should be consulted before being given in marriage.
- A virgin's permission should be sought before marriage.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم explained that her silence can indicate permission.
- The report makes a woman's response part of the marriage process.
