Are forced marriages allowed in Islam?

Forced marriages are haram in Islam.

In Islamic law, it is strictly prohibited (haram) for a father or mother to compel their son or daughter to marry someone against their will. A marriage brought about through coercion is considered religiously invalid, particularly in the case of a daughter. The right to choose a spouse is an integral part of a person’s agency and dignity, and this is protected in the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Concerning daughters, it is impermissible to force a woman into marriage, regardless of whether she is a virgin or previously married. She holds the right to accept or decline a proposal. The Prophet ﷺ stated:

“A previously married woman should not be married until she is consulted, and a virgin should not be married until her permission is sought.” When asked how her permission is recognised, he replied: “Her silence.” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

In another narration, he clarified:

“A previously married woman has more right to herself than her guardian, and a virgin is asked for her consent, and her silence is her permission.” (Sahih Muslim)

These narrations establish the woman’s consent as a fundamental condition for the validity of a marriage.

Furthermore, in a stern warning against guardian-imposed marriages, the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Any woman who is married off without the permission of her guardian, her marriage is invalid, invalid, invalid.” (Sunan Abi Dawood)

This hadith underscores the importance of both the guardian’s role and, crucially, the woman’s consent. She has the right to object and to refuse.

Imam al-Nawawi of the Shafi‘i school commented on these narrations, stating: “This hadith clearly shows that neither the virgin nor the previously married woman may be forced into marriage. This is our view and the view of the majority.” (Sharh al-Nawawi on Sahih Muslim)

Similarly, Imam Ibn Qudamah of the Hanbali school wrote: “If a virgin adult woman is forced into marriage without her consent, the marriage is not valid.” (Al-Mughni) These scholarly positions reinforce the consistent stance across Islamic jurisprudence that forced marriages are not only invalid, but a violation of Islamic ethics.

It is equally impermissible to force a son into marriage. Islamic law grants no authority to a father to compel his adult son to marry someone he does not wish to marry. Ibn Taymiyyah wrote, “A father has no right to compel his son to marry someone he does not want, this is agreed upon by the scholars.” (Majmu‘ al-Fatawa) Similarly, the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Ifta’ in Saudi Arabia issued a ruling stating: “It is not permissible for a father to force his daughter or son to marry someone they do not want…” (Fatwa No. 6602).

Every adult is free to make their own decisions

The broader Islamic principle is that every adult is accountable for their own decisions. Allah says, “O you who believe, take care of your own selves…” (Al-Mā’idah, 5:105). This includes the right to make personal choices around marriage, family life, and child-rearing, provided these choices do not violate Islamic principles. While parental advice is valuable and honouring one’s parents is an obligation, it does not extend to controlling a child’s personal life.

Islam preserves the dignity and autonomy of every adult in marriage. Parents are to be honoured, but not at the cost of justice or emotional well-being. Marriage is a lifelong commitment, and those who are entering into it must have the freedom to choose, build, and nurture their relationship without interference that stems from pride, control, or cultural expectations. The Shari‘ah teaches a delicate balance: advise without controlling, love without suffocating, and honour without harming.

Shariah

From a legal point of view the Islamic marriage contract requires 4 conditions to be fulfilled to be valid. The very first of these is the consent of the couple – the bride and the groom. (The other three are the consent of the bride’s guardian (Wali) if she has never been married before, mahr (the groom’s wedding gift to the bride as mutually agreed by both parties) and a witness.

Sunnah

The evidence that marriages cannot be forced is clear from the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be on him).

There is an authentic narration by ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that a girl came to her and said:

‘My father married me to his brother’s son so that he might raise his own status thereby, and I was unwilling.’

She said: ‘Sit here until the Prophet (peace be on him) comes.’

Then the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) came, and I told him (what she had said). He sent word to her father, calling him, and he left the matter up to her. She said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I accept what my father did, but I wanted to know whether women have any say in the matter.’ (Nasa’i)

This shows that women have the right to agree or disagree to marry a person. In this instance, the woman agreed to her father’s choice, but by asking the Prophet (peace be on him) what her position was in this situation, it was established that marriage requires the consent of the bride and the groom.

The wife, not her father, will have to live with the husband so he cannot force her into a situation where she is uncomfortable or unhappy.

On another occasion, in an authentic hadith, it was narrated from Buraidah that a girl came to the Prophet (peace be on him) and said:

‘My father married me to his brother’s son so that he might raise his status thereby.’

The Prophet (peace be on him) gave her the choice, and she said:

‘I approve of what my father did, but I wanted women to know that their fathers have no right to do that.’ ” (Ibn Majah)

Abdullah ibn Abbas narrated that a virgin came to the Prophet (peace be on him) and mentioned that her father had married her against her will, so the Prophet (peace be on him) allowed her to exercise her choice. (Abu Dawoud)

Abuse of power and position – illegal and punishable

It is an abuse of power to force a daughter or a son to marry against her/ his wishes. The prophetic path is one of gentleness, mercy and kindness. Forcing someone to marry against her or his wishes is detrimental to the well-being of the woman and is a violation of the rights she has been granted in Islam.

Forced marriage is also against UK law and carries a prison sentence of up to 7 years.