Is it permissible for a girl to marry without the permission of her guardian (father) if the guardian rejects a young man of good religion and character merely because of his nationality, and wants to marry the girl to someone she does not approve of, and prevents her from studying on the pretext of meeting the young man, knowing that her health is deteriorating and her father refuses to treat her?

A father is not permitted to prevent his daughter from marrying a suitable man of good character and religious commitment, based on the Prophet’s noble saying: “If there comes to you one whose religious commitment and character you approve, then marry him; otherwise, there will be tribulation on earth and widespread corruption.” The father should be persuaded. If he refuses to marry her to a suitable man, the judge can perform the marriage, or the Islamic centers or the Muslim community can act in place of the judge, while still emphasizing the obligation to honor the father and advise him first.