Source: Watan Serb

The case of a Saudi woman who was banned from marrying her fiancé because he once played a musical instrument caused quite the stir on Twitter earlier this week. 

This came after lawyer Abdul Rahman Al Lahim shared details of the young couple's story on Snapchat. 

"The case took place in Aneiza city and started when a woman visited me asking to sue her brothers who refused to allow her to marry a man who had proposed to her, because he once played oud (string instrument) and so wasn't considered religious," he said

"When the case went to court, a judge rejected it, agreeing with the cleric on the fact that the man wasn't fit to marry because he plays music and therefore, isn't religious enough," he added.

Even though the case was appealed, it was rejected again and again

Even though the woman's fiancé appealed the judge's decision several times, Al Lahim claimed the case was rejected time and again.

"The story ends here because the man, who deserves a chance to defend himself before a court, was never given the chance to do that," the lawyer explained. 

The case has been all over Saudi Twitter

Just hours after Al Lahim posted about the case on social media, it led to a complete meltdown on Saudi Twitter. 

Thousands have since weighed in on the matter, which continues to be debated online. 

Some were all for the judge's decision

"Whether you like it or not, music is haram (unacceptable in Islam) and that's mentioned in the holy Quran. I listen to music but I also don't deny that it's wrong to do that." 

Many were having none of that though

"So I don't get married because I play an instrument!!!"

Others highlighted the irony in this

"You can get married while you're serving time in a drug-related case but you can't marry if you play an instrument." 

"Marrying off an underage girl to an old man is permissible. The marriage of an adult woman and an instrumentalist isn't"

The case led many to raise this important point

"How many women, both adult and underage, were forced to marry... we never saw anyone object to save their lives."

People understandably couldn't even with the story

"Oh my God, the level of regression and ignorance. When will I migrate, I don't have patience to deal with this society any longer." 

Many used the case to shed light on women's rights in the kingdom

"All around the world, marriage is a choice for both a man and a woman. Except here, even if a woman is a grandma, her marriage is never her own choice. She lives her entire life deprived of her basic rights because there isn't a legal adult age for women. Half our society is stalled and no population rises without women." 

Even though 2018 is considered a good year for Saudi women, there's still a lot to be done

Even though the kingdom has made significant strides when it comes to women's rights in the country this year, it continues to be criticized for its male guardianship system

Still in effect, the system means a male guardian - usually a father, brother, or husband - has legal rights over most major aspects of a woman's life, including her freedom of movement and ability to work.

It also governs marriage, as Saudi women can't marry without the consent of their male guardians.

In April last year, a positive reform to the system was announced by King Salman who ordered government agencies to allow women to access government services without a male guardian's consent.

While the order is considered a positive step forward and a sign that could possibly signal the beginning of the system's end, it still doesn't mean complete freedom for women.