Guardian Required

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Let no woman marry a woman to anyone or marry herself to anyone.” [Daraqutni. Chain of transmission meets the standards of Bukhari]

A woman may not conduct her own marriage. A marriage agreement is not valid without a guardian for the bride who is male, legally responsible, Muslim, upright, and of sound judgement. [Reliance of the Traveller] This is so that a person who is better able than her to judge the character, intentions and suitability of suitors, may help her to choose an appropriate match. Though this may not eliminate unsuitable matches, it will certainly reduce them.

“If a bride has no Muslim guardian and there is no Islamic magistrate to act as one, she may authorize a male Muslim who has the qualifications of an Islamic judge – or if there is none, then a male Muslim who is legally upright – to act as her guardian in marrying her to the groom.” [Mughni al-Muhtaj ila Marifa Ma’ani Alfaz al-Minhaj]