Answer
(Fatwa: 402/402/M=1432)
Religiousness should be given first priority in choosing a proposal.
لقوله عليه السلام: فاظفر بذات الدين .
And the children should follow the choice of their parents. It is mentioned in hadith that the pleasure of Allah lies in the pleasure of father and the anger of Allah lies in the anger of father. According to some imams, the nikah of a girl who marries without the consent and permission of her wali (guardian) is invalid. If the parents are not known to have bad decisions and their consent is based on lawful grounds, their opinion should be accepted; because it guaranties goodness and safety. Parents too should ask their children’s consent and choice while finalizing the proposal of nikah.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband