marrying their husbands.” This was revealed about Maʿqil ibn Yasar, who prevented his sister from going back to her husband.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “No marriage is valid without a guardian.” He also said, “Any woman who marries without her guardian’s consent—her marriage is void.” He further said, “A previously married woman (al-aym) has more right over herself than her guardian.”
ʿUmar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) declared, “A woman may only be married with the permission of her guardian, the prudent men of her family, or the ruler.” Abu Bakr al-Ṣiddīq married his daughter ʿĀʾishah—while she was a young girl of six or seven—to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).
Guardianship (wilāyah) in marriage is of two kinds: general and specific.
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General guardianship: Free Muslims may act as guardians for one another in marriage by virtue of their faith, as Allah says, “The believing men and believing women are allies of one another” (Q 9:71).
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Specific guardianship: the guardianship of blood-ties and kinship, in accordance with Allah’s words, “Those related by blood are nearer to one another” (Q 33:6).
No one shares guardianship over a virgin while her father is alive, and no one may pre-empt him regarding any of his virgin daughters. His refusal of one or even two suitors is not deemed wrongful obstruction, nor is he to be suspected concerning his daughter unless clear injustice appears. His decisions are binding upon her unless it becomes evident that he is causing her manifest harm—most commonly physical harm or exposing her to a real fear of falling into sexual hardship.
A man may marry off his minor daughter—whether virgin or previously married—before she reaches menarche, without her permission; the same applies