Sheikh `AbdelKhaliqHassan Ash-Shareef, an Egypt-based renowned scholar and da`iyah, says: Marriage by compulsion is not permissible. When one marries it should be according to his own free will and choice. Thus, there is no harm in disobeying one’s parents in this matter as it is not considered to be an impermissible disobedience. Additionally, there is no specific Sunnah narrated in recommending marriage from inside one’s family or from outside. The Muslim ought to marry a pious woman whom he feels will be a good match for him regardless of if she is a relative or not.