Al-Azhar Scholar: A Woman Marrying Herself Without a Guardian Is Islamically Invalid
An Al-Azhar professor explains that a woman’s marriage without a guardian is invalid in Islam, citing Quranic and prophetic evidence and emphasizing the moral and social consequences.
Dr. Atiya Lashine, Professor of Islamic Jurisprudence at Al-Azhar University and a member of the Fatwa Committee, clarified that a woman who marries herself without the consent or presence of her guardian is not validly married under Islamic law. He stressed that such an act violates Sharia principles and reflects recklessness in decision-making.
Through a statement on his official page, Dr. Lashine explained that Islam regards marriage as a sacred contract based on mutual consent, responsibility, and clear legal conditions that protect the dignity of women and ensure family stability. One of the essential pillars of a valid marriage, he emphasized, is the presence and approval of the guardian — regardless of whether the woman is a virgin or previously married.
Citing the Quranic verse {Do not prevent them from remarrying their husbands if they agree among themselves in a lawful manner}, he explained that this verse affirms the guardian’s authority in marriage. He also referred to the Prophet’s hadith: “Any woman who marries herself without her guardian’s consent, her marriage is invalid, invalid, invalid.”
Dr. Lashine further noted that the requirement of a guardian is not an insult to women but a safeguard against emotional impulsiveness or manipulation. He pointed out that Islam views men and women as complementary partners, not competitors, with distinct roles designed by divine wisdom to preserve balance in society.
He added that the Prophet ﷺ said: “A woman may not marry another woman, nor may she marry herself, for the one who does so is a fornicator.” This hadith, he explained, makes it clear that a woman cannot validly officiate her own marriage.
The professor mentioned that several companions — including Umar ibn al-Khattab, Ali ibn Abi Talib, Ibn Mas’ud, and Aisha (may Allah be pleased with them) — agreed on the invalidity of such marriages, a position also adopted by major Islamic schools of thought such as the Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali schools.
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Lashine warned that secret or unauthorized marriages often end in failure and social chaos. He advised women to adhere to Islamic teachings and involve their guardians to ensure their marriages are lawful, stable, and blessed.
Discover the best supplications from the Sunnah to relieve worry and sadness, and powerful duas that bring comfort, inner peace, and relief from distress.
Learn the rulings on doubt during Tawaf, how to perform Hajj rituals and their types, and the permissibility of fasting some days of Dhul-Hijjah.
Learn the meaning of Hajj Mabroor, its signs of acceptance, and the three types of Hajj—Ifraad, Qiraan, and Tamattu—explained by Islamic scholars.
Discover the best supplications for the last third of the night for sustenance, blessing, and relief, along with powerful prayers for answered needs and increased provision.
