Wa `alaykum As-Salamu waRahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

 

If a Muslim girl does not accept a man proposing to her in marriage, such a marriage is not valid. It was narrated from Ibn Buraidah that his father said: “A girl came to the Prophet and said: ‘My father married me to his brother’s son so that he might raise his status thereby.’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) gave her the choice, and she said: ‘I approve of what my father did, but I wanted women to know that their fathers have no right to do that.’” (Ibn Majah). It is an authentic hadith.

 

Islam granted a husband the right to dissolve marriage by issuing divorce. Prior to divorce, he must take all possible measures to reconcile any troubles ensuing between him and his wife by referring to arbitration.

 

He is further prohibited to divorce her during her menses. On the other side, a woman can ask for divorce through khul` by returning him dowry. She can also put the condition at the contract of marriage to have the right to divorce herself.

 

This is permissible in Islam. In this case, a husband empowers her to take this decision on his behalf.

 

Moreover, it is highly recommended that a husband seeks witnesses for his divorce, but if it occurs without having witnesses, it becomes valid.

 

The reason Islam did not require witnesses for divorce because in most cases it happens between a man and his wife and in most cases the two spouses do not like to reveal secrets of their lives in front of outsiders.

 

Misusing or manipulating a right which Allah has given to man is a major sin in Islam and man will be held accountable before Allah on the Day of Judgment.

 

Allah knows best.