Bride must say ‘yes’ herself for marriage, courts told

RIYADH: Minister of Justice Walid Al-Samaani has ordered all courts and prospective grooms (mazoon) that before marriage, the prospective groom should get the agreement of the woman according to Shariah and should hear it himself as she utters her approval.
He said no one can do this on her behalf, to ensure that the law is abided by and all rights are protected.
The minister, in his order, said that the matter was related to responsibility and duty as well as protection of rights.
He said that the Article 14, about mazoon, says that it is the duty of the mazoon to organize marriage and fulfill all its requirements and conditions.
He also has to register all the details in the records with the signature of both parties.
The minister said that it was mandatory to hear the agreement of the woman who has to utter it before marriage. This should be done in all cases, even if the woman is divorced, or even if her father is the guardian.
This was important to protect her rights and fulfill the requirement of Shariah which makes it a condition that there should be agreement of the woman and her approval during marriage, as per the regulations.