Re: Strictness?
Helpp, the case you described is sadly very common amongst Pakistanis. A little throwback to Pakistani history, just to reiterate and create some context. Even though Pakistan was separated from India for the sole purpose of establishing a proper Islamic state, it still carried over all the culture and traditions native to India. The cultures and traditions were so strongly imprinted in the daily lives of Pakistanis that the Islamic Sha’riah is forgotten more and more every day, even by many of our parents. Parents are never above Islam, as Allah (subhanahu wa ta’alla) is the Author of the Holy Qur’an.
Now to answer your question.. I was just reading a hadith (Al-Bukhari) earlier tonight in fact and I came across the exact line where the Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu alahi wa’sallam) said it is strictly forbidden to marry someone off without their consent, and if they are forced, they have the Islamic right to abandon the marriage immediately. Beyond that, the Prophet Muhammad (saw) even mentioned that it is encouraged for us, as Muslims, to associate ourselves with the community, primarily the Muslim community.
As someone else mentioned, I do believe it would be best for you to get married soon. There are many, many benefits to marrying young.