Woman’s right to refuse marriage to someone

Al-hamdu lillah (praise be to Allah). This situation about
which this sister is asking is a common one and occurs
often as a result of a clash of desires between parents
and their daughter. It could be for a benefit or interest
the mother or father sees and the young woman doesnt,
and each regards the issue from a different perspective
or with a particular consideration. And perhaps the
opinion of the parents is the appropriate and correct one
as a result of their prior trials and longer experience in
life, and perhaps the woman sometimes looks to the
appearance of the groom more than anything else,
whereas the parents may look to other considerations,
such as his family status, or his long-term career or
employment. Of course none of this means that the
womans opinion isnt sometimes more correct and
preferable, particularly when the opinion of the parents
stems from a benefit they may realize if the marriage is
accomplished, and they do not actually make the
priority their daughter who is the most important thing in
this issue. And while being vigilant in advising you of the
importance of obeying ones parents and struggling with
oneself to realize their wishes and desires and giving
their opinion the priority, the point must clearly be made
that the following two hadeeth from the Prophet

(peace be upon him) must be abided by and carried out,
as within them are the complete answer to your question
and questions from others in similar situations:

The first hadeeth:

If he whose character and deen (practice of religion)
pleases you, approaches you in marriage, then marry
him, for if you dont, their will be fitna in the land and
vast corruption. (Tirmidhi and others, see Sunan
Tirmidhi #1085 and it is hassan (reliable) as per Sahih
ul-Jaami #270). (fitna here can be understood to
refer to the temptation for fornication, enmity and the
cutting off of relations among the people and relatives,
and the spreading of hatred)

The second:

Buraida (may Allah be pleased with him) said that a
young woman came to the Prophet
(peace be
upon him) and said, My father married me to his
brothers son (i.e. her cousin) in order to raise his
standing among the people, so the Prophet

(peace be upon him) put the matter in her hands (i.e.
asserted that the validity of the marriage is conditioned
on her approval and negated by her refusal). So she
said, I authorize and endorse what he has done but I
wanted women to know that fathers cannot force their
will in these matters.

And it was narrated by NisaaI via Abdullah ibn
Buraida via Aaisha that a young woman came to her
and said, My father married me to his brothers son in
order to raise his standing among the people and I am
unwilling (to agree to it), so she said, Sit until the
Prophet
(peace be upon him) comes. So the
Prophet
(peace be upon him) came and she
informed him of the situation, so he sent for her father
and invited him (over) and asserted that the matter is in
the brides hands. So she said, Oh Prophet of Allah I
have authorized and endorsed what my father has done,
but I wanted to know if women had a say in the matter
or not. (Sunan al-NisaaI, Kitaab al-Nikaah min
Sunanihi and it is sahih).

I ask Allah for you success and guidance to that in
which there is blessings for you and your family, and
may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our
Prophet Muhammad
.