Is it permissible for a young man or woman, if they are certain that the other party is not suitable for marriage, to refuse? And if they are forced, is the marriage valid?

The questioner : Some guardians of sons and daughters do not pay much attention to seeking the best in religion and character when marrying off their sons and daughters. Rather, they make their sole concern wealth and status. This causes many problems after the marriage. Is it permissible for a young man or woman, if they are certain that the other party is not suitable, to refuse the marriage? And if they are forced, is the marriage valid?

The Shaykh : What should be done in marriage is to choose the one who has religion over others, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): And based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged marrying the one who has religion and commanded that the one with good character and religion be married This indicates that religion should be considered from both sides: from the side of the wife and from the side of the husband. This is what should be considered due to the command of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and because the one who has religion, if he is pleased with the woman, will treat her with excellence, and if he is not pleased with her, he will part with her in a good manner. Unlike the one who does not have religion, who will burden his wife greatly, and perhaps he will not divorce her but will harm her. And the reverse is the same: the one who has religion will be a protection for her husband and a safeguard and preservation, as Allah the Exalted said: And the one who does not have religion will burden him, and perhaps she will corrupt his religious affairs, and perhaps she will corrupt his children as well, because she is the first school regarding the upbringing of children.
Therefore, the rational believer considers in marriage the one who has religion and character, so that this may be closer to happiness and to a good marital life.
As for considering wealth, status, and honor, although they are certainly considered and sought, as the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: But they are far below religion, by a great margin. Perhaps a person will marry a woman who is more complete than him in lineage, genealogy, and honor, and she will be a burden on him, looking down on him and believing that she is the noble one, not he. In that case, he will be greatly burdened with her. And the reverse is the same: the husband may have lineage, genealogy, honor, and status, and the wife will be burdened with him, and her people will be burdened. It is as if this man who married their daughter is a master over them and a king over them for some reason he sees for himself in terms of honor and status.
The important point is that we say: considering religion from both sides is what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) guided to, and it is what should be the basis for refusal or acceptance.