What Should You Do If the Legal Representative (Wali) Cannot Attend the Wedding Ceremony?
Praise be to Allah عزّ وجلّ, peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammed صلَّى الله عليه وسل
The legal representative (wali) is required to be present in order for the marriage to be valid according to the Maliki, Hanbali and Shafi’i schools (but not the Hanafi school).
If the wife’s legal representative (wali) cannot be present at the wedding ceremony for any number of reasons, there are two solutions.
Give an agent power of attorney (wakalah) |
The wife’s legal representative may give power of attorney to a person of his choosing either in writing (letter, email) or orally (by phone or Internet).
The power of attorney (wakalah) enables one person to give another the power to act on his behalf.
The procedure is not difficult
The request granting the other power of attorney can be worded simply, for example, “Play the role of wali on my behalf for this wedding” or “I authorize you to replace me in my role as wali for this person’s wedding” or any other phrasing.
The designated person may accept or reject this responsibility.
The power of attorney can be limited in time or subject to conditions.
The representative’s (wali’s) acceptance by telephone or Internet |
Can the legal representative be present by telephone or Internet?
Fiqh experts may be divided on this question.
The most trustworthy advice on this matter is that it is possible to conduct a wedding by telephone or Internet provided that the legal representative (wali) is identified clearly and there is no manipulation or deception of any kind.
This is the opinion of Sheikh Ibn Baz of the Standing Committee for Scholarly Research and Issuing Fatwas (Saudi Arabia).
And Allah عزّ وجلّ knows best
