Short answer
Forcing an adult into marriage is haram. In the Hanafi school, a nikah arranged for an adult woman or man without their consent does not take effect unless they accept it, and lapses if they refuse. But an acceptance spoken under threat still counts in this school, so anyone being pressured should get help from a mufti or Islamic council at once. If you are in danger, call the emergency services.
The consent of an adult, sane man or woman is required. A nikah arranged without it is suspended (mawquf) on their approval and lapses if they reject it. If the person was made to say the acceptance under duress (ikrah), the Hanafi school holds that the nikah takes effect, so the way out is through a qadi or Islamic council looking at the facts. Forcing someone is a serious sin in every case.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- A father or paternal grandfather may marry off a virgin daughter, even an adult, without her consent if strict conditions are met, though asking her is sunnah. An acceptance spoken under duress is not valid.
- Maliki
- A father may marry off his virgin daughter without her consent, while a previously married woman must consent.
- Hanbali
- A father may marry off his virgin daughter, even an adult, without her permission, though asking her is recommended. An acceptance spoken under duress is not valid.
Explanation
The Prophet ﷺ said that a previously married woman has more right over herself than her wali, and that a virgin's permission must be sought. When Khansa bint Khidham's father married her to a man she did not want, the Prophet ﷺ cancelled the marriage. Allah also forbids taking women "by compulsion" (4:19). In the Hanafi school this applies fully to every adult man and woman.
Arranged is not forced. Parents suggesting a match, introducing families and giving advice is good and sunnah. See arranged marriages. It becomes forced when the person's "no" is ignored, or when threats, emotional blackmail, taking away passports or violence are used to get a "yes".
If you are being pressured:
- Say clearly, to your parents and to the imam, that you do not consent. An imam should not conduct a nikah when he knows a party is unwilling.
- Tell a trusted relative, teacher or imam, and keep a record of messages.
- In the US, UK, Canada and many other countries forced marriage is against the law, and there are helplines that can protect you.
- If you are in danger, call the emergency services (911 in the US and Canada, 999 in the UK and the UAE).
If the nikah has already happened, do not assume it is void or valid. The answer depends on who spoke the acceptance, whether you were told and refused, and what threats were made. Take it to a mufti or an Islamic council, who can dissolve the marriage where needed. See marrying without parents' permission.
Ask a mufti about your own case. This answer explains the general ruling. When the details of your situation matter, as they do here, ask a qualified mufti and give them the full facts. Where to ask a scholar.
The evidence
Quran, Surah An-Nisaa 4:19
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا يَحِلُّ لَكُمْ أَن تَرِثُوا۟ ٱلنِّسَآءَ كَرْهًۭا ۖ وَلَا تَعْضُلُوهُنَّ لِتَذْهَبُوا۟ بِبَعْضِ مَآ ءَاتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ إِلَّآ أَن يَأْتِينَ بِفَٰحِشَةٍۢ مُّبَيِّنَةٍۢ ۚ وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ فَإِن كَرِهْتُمُوهُنَّ فَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَيَجْعَلَ ٱللَّهُ فِيهِ خَيْرًۭا كَثِيرًۭا ﴿١٩﴾
O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit women by compulsion. And do not make difficulties for them in order to take [back] part of what you gave them unless they commit a clear immorality. And live with them in kindness. For if you dislike them - perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah makes therein much good.
Women may not be taken or held by force.
Sahih Muslim 1421
Sahih... الأيم أحق بنفسها من وليها والبكر تستأذن في نفسها ...
"A previously married woman has more right over herself than her guardian, and a virgin is asked for her permission about herself."
A woman's consent is required for her marriage.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5136
Sahih... لا تنكح الأيم حتى تستأمر ولا تنكح البكر حتى تستأذن ...
"A previously married woman is not married off until she is consulted, and a virgin is not married off until her permission is sought."
No one may be married without consent.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Nikah, Bab fi al-Awliya' wa al-Akfa'. An adult woman cannot be married off without her consent; a nikah done for her is suspended on her approval.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Ikrah. Nikah and talaq spoken under duress take effect in the Hanafi school.
- Minhaj al-Talibin (Nawawi), Kitab al-Nikah, on the father's power to marry off a virgin. The Shafi'i rule of ijbar and its conditions.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.