What is the ruling on forcing a woman to marry?

Question : May Allah reward you. What is the ruling on a marriage that is carried out by the coercion of the parents? Is it valid or not?

Answer : A marriage to which a woman is forced is not valid, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade that and said: "Do not marry off a virgin until her permission is sought, nor a widow until her consent is sought." Therefore, it is not permissible to marry a woman to a man she does not approve of, even if it is assumed that the woman refuses to marry. However, if she only refuses the one she approves of and the time has passed, it is not permissible for her father or her brothers to marry her off until she consents.