It is not permissible for the father or anyone else to force his ward to marry
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Question: Is it permissible for a father to force his daughter to marry a man she does not want?
Answer: It is not permissible for the father or anyone other than the father to force his ward to marry a man she does not want; rather, her permission is necessary. This is based on the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih al-Bukhari 6970 They said: O Messenger of Allah, how is her permission? He said: , and in another wording, he said: , and in the third wording: .
Therefore, it is obligatory for the father to seek her permission if she is nine years old or older, and likewise her guardians must not marry her off except with her permission. This is the obligation of everyone. Whoever marries her off without her permission, the marriage is invalid; because one of the conditions of the marriage contract is the consent of both spouses. If he marries her off without her consent and coerces her with severe threats or beating, the marriage is invalid, except for the father in the case of a girl under nine. If he marries her off while she is a young girl under nine, there is no harm according to the correct view; because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) married 'A'ishah without her permission while she was under nine, as came in the authentic hadith. However, if she reaches nine years of age or older, he must not marry her off except with her permission, even if he is her father.
And it is upon the groom, if he knows that she does not want him, not to proceed with that, even if the father is lenient with him. It is obligatory for him to fear Allah and not to proceed with a woman who does not want him. Even if her father claims that he did not force her, it is obligatory for him to be cautious of what Allah has forbidden for him; because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded seeking permission.
We advise the prospective bride to fear Allah and to agree if her father sees fit to marry her off, provided the suitor is good in his religion and his morals, even if the one marrying her off is not her father. This is because of the great good and many benefits in marriage, and because celibacy carries danger. Therefore, what we advise all girls is to agree whenever a suitable match comes, and not to make excuses based on studying, teaching, or anything else. And success is from Allah.
Answer: It is not permissible for the father or anyone other than the father to force his ward to marry a man she does not want; rather, her permission is necessary. This is based on the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him):
A lady slave should not be given in marriage until she is consulted, and a virgin should not be given in marriage until her permission is granted.
لا تُنكح الأيم حتى تستأمر، ولا تُنكح البكر حتى تستأذنThat she remains silent.
أن تسكتTheir permission is their silence.
إذنها صماتهاAnd a virgin is to be consulted by her father, and her permission is her silence
والبكر يستأذنها أبوها، وإذنها سكوتهاTherefore, it is obligatory for the father to seek her permission if she is nine years old or older, and likewise her guardians must not marry her off except with her permission. This is the obligation of everyone. Whoever marries her off without her permission, the marriage is invalid; because one of the conditions of the marriage contract is the consent of both spouses. If he marries her off without her consent and coerces her with severe threats or beating, the marriage is invalid, except for the father in the case of a girl under nine. If he marries her off while she is a young girl under nine, there is no harm according to the correct view; because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) married 'A'ishah without her permission while she was under nine, as came in the authentic hadith. However, if she reaches nine years of age or older, he must not marry her off except with her permission, even if he is her father.
And it is upon the groom, if he knows that she does not want him, not to proceed with that, even if the father is lenient with him. It is obligatory for him to fear Allah and not to proceed with a woman who does not want him. Even if her father claims that he did not force her, it is obligatory for him to be cautious of what Allah has forbidden for him; because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded seeking permission.
We advise the prospective bride to fear Allah and to agree if her father sees fit to marry her off, provided the suitor is good in his religion and his morals, even if the one marrying her off is not her father. This is because of the great good and many benefits in marriage, and because celibacy carries danger. Therefore, what we advise all girls is to agree whenever a suitable match comes, and not to make excuses based on studying, teaching, or anything else. And success is from Allah.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.