Salam Alaykum,
I am a previously divorced woman seeking guidance on my marriage situation. I was in a relationship with a Sunni Muslim man for approximately two years. From the beginning we approached everything correctly, he formally sought permission from my father and twice my father gave marriage approval before withdrawing it both times, as his condition was that the man must accept the wilayah of Imam Ali. Myself and this man have full religious understanding and alignment between us, and sect is not a barrier between us personally. During our relationship, this man made the mistake of maintaining an inappropriate hidden friendship (non physical) with a woman he was involved with years ago. This ultimately led to our separation. He has since sincerely acknowledged his mistakes, taken full responsibility, sought forgiveness, and is actively working to better himself through professional therapy and improving his faith and morality. I am now trying to determine whether I still wish to marry this man or not and I have told my father, I need time and space to assess him.
My father has now told me islamically I have no right to speak to this man, that if I marry him he will cut all ties with me and never see my face again. I understand my father’s position but I have the following questions. It is of utmost importance for me to receive answers to all three please:
1. Do I require my father’s permission to remarry?
2. Does my father have any Islamic authority to forbid this marriage or sever family ties as a consequence?
3. What are his Islamic obligations toward me in this situation?