What is the ruling regarding a woman whose husband was forced to sign her divorce papers in court three times under duress, and then the court ruled that the divorce did not take place, while her family refuses to acknowledge that?

The majority of scholars, including Malik, Al-Shafi'i, and Ahmad, hold the view that a divorce pronounced under duress is not valid. They base their opinion on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Indeed, Allah has pardoned for my Ummah their mistakes, their forgetfulness, and what they are forced to do," and his saying: "There is no divorce in ighlaq (compulsion or mental distress)." Thus, if the threat involved harming the husband or his family, the divorce is not valid, and the marital bond remains intact.

As for parents preventing their qualified female relative from marrying a suitable man, this is impermissible. However, a girl marrying without her family's permission may create ongoing problems. It is not possible to offer advice regarding the continuation or dissolution of this marriage without knowing more details. The questioner must evaluate her options: either to continue the marriage and lose her family, or to lose her husband after years. This evaluation depends on the nature of her relationship with her family, the possibility of restoring affection with them after the problem ends, her future marriage prospects, the reason for the family's strict refusal, and whether this refusal is specific to this husband or a recurring pattern. She should continue trying to convince her family and involve wise members of the family, and increase her supplications.