Q: Can a Muslim girl above 18 years of age marry on her own to a practicing Muslim without any wali or without informing her parents. Will such a nikaah without any wali be valid?
A: It is extremely important for a girl to consult her parents in the issue of nikaah. It is totally un-Islamic and not in keeping with shame and modesty that a girl independently looks for her own suitor. The Islamic teaching is that a girl should consult her parents and allow them to decide in the matters of nikaah. Generally parents have more experience and understanding in the matters of nikaah compared to children and hence through them deciding there will be less chances of problems occurring later on.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)