Sunan an-Nasa'i
Sunan an-Nasa'i 3260
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْفَضْلِ، عَنْ نَافِعِ بْنِ جُبَيْرِ بْنِ مُطْعِمٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " الأَيِّمُ أَحَقُّ بِنَفْسِهَا مِنْ وَلِيِّهَا وَالْبِكْرُ تُسْتَأْذَنُ فِي نَفْسِهَا وَإِذْنُهَا صُمَاتُهَا " .
Qutaybah reported to us; he said: Malik narrated to us, from Abd Allah ibn al-Fadl, from Nafi ibn Jubayr ibn Mutim, from Ibn Abbas, that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘A previously married woman has more right to decide for herself than her guardian, and a virgin’s permission must be sought regarding herself; her silence is her permission.’
Translation notes
The narration distinguishes a previously married woman, who has greater authority over her own marriage decision, from a virgin, whose permission must be sought; silence counts as permission.