I asked him about a man who said to another, "Propose marriage to so-and-so on my behalf, and whatever you negotiate regarding the dowry, guarantee, or conditions will be binding on me and accepted." However, he did not bring witnesses for this agreement. The second man went ahead, proposed marriage, and committed to the dowry and other demands they requested. When he returned, the first man denied all of it. Imam (as) said: "He must pay half of the dowry on his behalf, as it was he who neglected her right by failing to have witnesses for the agreement he made. Thus, it becomes permissible for her to marry someone else, and the first man is not allowed to take her back unless he formally divorces her. This is because Allah (swt) the Exalted says: 'Retention in kindness or release in fairness' (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:229). If he does not do so, then he is sinful before Allah (swt) the Almighty. However, the apparent ruling under Islamic law allows her to marry someone else, as Allah (swt) has made it permissible for her."