Woman’s right to refuse marriage to someone
Question

                I have a question for my friend. She is 17 years old and 
they just moved here from their home country and her 
guardians and mom want her to marry her cousin who 
lived in their same house back home but this girl really 
refuses to marry him because she dislikes for some 
reason and she is begging and crying in front of her 
mother not to make her marry him. This girl is saying 
she will not be happy with him 
My question is does any girl have the RIGHT to say no 
for her marriage if she does not like the man? This girl is 
Islamic and going to school and she doesn't know 
anybody to talk to but she really doesnt want to marry 
him and her mother is utterly pressuring her by telling 
her she will die and she will be destroyed if she doesnt 
marry this guy and her mother is telling her that nobody 
will marry her because she is not beautiful and rich.
Sorry it was long question but please reply me as soon 
as possible.
Praise be to Allah.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 
 .