His parents are strictly against our marriage
Salam everyone! I hope y'all are doing well.
I'm in a very difficult position. I'm 24F and the man I like is 23M. He showed interest in me for marriage back in college, around 3 years ago. We both like each other a lot. We never touched each other, however we used to chat for hours. We never called or met in a wrong setting ever. I spoke to my parents shortly after he proposed to me, they said they'll meet the family and then proceed.
He told his father, who didn't mind at all. And decided to talk to his wife (aka mother of the guy). Somehow she gets to know and got furious at his son. His parents have had a very toxic relationship, and often things are on the brink of ending (still the same situation, 2/3 divorce). After almost 2 years, they decided to visit us. Though they liked everything else, his parents said it's impossible to marry here because we're from a different sect (they're sunni and call us wahabi). His mother started taunting him a lot. His father too eventually. He doesn't earn anything yet, and says he cannot marry without his parents permission and says we both must move on with our lives- but I know he is extremely guilty and says he wasted my time which he continuously apologises for. He is the most sincere guy I've met, and I know he likes me the same way. I can't imagine living without him. We both blocked each other long ago but I can't stop thinking about him.
He's the eldest son of the family so has that responsibility too. He says I'll be unhappy in his home (as his parents and even extended family wouldn't accept us).
I believe if he takes a stand for me, we can overcome anything. We have great understanding of each other (and great compatibility). No one understands me like he does, and vice versa. For the background, he's a really strong man mentally and emotionally (also very religious) but I know how much this hurts him too. He has done Hifz, is a really responsible and respectful man. My parents like him too and have no problem with the marriage at all.
On the other hand, he asked his parents a lot of times again and again, but they refuse to accept. Also, he's the first man whom I talked to so casually, and for him I'm the first woman. We're not someone to openly mix with the opposite gender, it was the first time for both of us. Also, his parents once fought due to me or us, hence I don't push him to try for us either.
Please tell what to do, I cannot imagine my life without him. Please pray for us too.