Is forced marriage allowed?
It is haram for the guardian (wali) of the woman to force her to marry someone she does not want and does not like. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The virgin should not be given in marriage until her permission has been sought.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, 6968; Muslim, 1419)
The apparent meaning is that this is general and applies to every virgin and every guardian; there is no difference between a father or any other guardian. So, Al-Bukhari interpreted the hadith by saying: “Chapter: The father or other guardian should not give a virgin or previously married woman in marriage except with their consent.”
The woman’s guardian has to fear Allah with regard to his daughters and not give them in marriage to anyone except those with whom they are pleased from among men who are compatible and suitable. The guardian should only give her in marriage for her interests, not for his.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said:
“With regard to giving a woman in marriage when she is reluctant, this is contrary to the basic principles and common sense. Moreover Allah did not allow her guardian to force her into buying or renting without her permission, or to eat or drink or wear something that she does not want, so how can he force her into sleeping with and living with someone she does not want to sleep with, and living with someone she does not want to live with.
Allah wants love and compassion between the spouses, and how can that be attained when she hates him and does not like him? What kind of love and compassion can there be in that case?!” (Majmu‘ al-Fatawa, 32/25)
