Fatwa's Insights - Kinship

THE 68TH MEETING OF THE PERLIS STATE FATWA COMMITTEE / 2024

5 - 6 JUN 2024 / 27 - 28 ZULKAEDAH 1445H

GUARDIAN FOR THE MARRIAGE OF A WIDOW

A widow who wishes to contract a marriage must obtain the consent of her blood‑relation guardian (walī nasab). If the nasab guardian is absent or refuses, a widow may still proceed with her marriage by utilising a judicial guardian (walī ḥākim) if she can prove that her prospective spouse is compatible (sekufu/kafā'ah). This is based on the ḥadīth:

الثَّيِّبُ أَحَقُّ بِنَفْسِهَا مِنْ وَلِيِّهَا

Meaning: "A widow has more right over herself than her guardian." (Muslim)

Thus, if the religious authorities find acceptable evidence indicating the refusal of a widow's nasab guardian, then the marriage may proceed using a judicial guardian.

ATTENDANCE AND APPROVAL BY:

1. Sahibus Samahah Professor Dato' Arif Perkasa Dr Mohd Asri Bin Zainul Abidin;

2. Sahibul Fadhilah Ustaz Tajul Urus bin Abdul Halim;

3. Sahibul Fadhilah Professor Dr. Muhamad Rozaimi bin Ramle;

4. Sahibul Fadhilah Professor Dr. Basri bin Ibrahim;

5. Sahibul Fadhilah Dr. Hj Zaharuddin bin Hj Abdul Rahman;

6. Sahibul Fadhilah Professor Dr. Azman Bin Mohd Noor;

7. Sahibul Fadhilah Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Akram bin Dato' Dahaman @ Dahlan;

8. Sahibul Fadhilah Dr. Ahmad Sufian bin Che Abdullah;

9. Sahibul Fadhilah Associate Professor Dr Ahmad Wifaq Bin Mokhtar;

10. Sahibul Fadhilah Ustaz Syed Abu Bakar bin Syed Kamal Bharin;

11. Sahibul Fadhilah Dr. Muhammad Lukman bin Mat Sin;

12. Sahibul Fadhilah K.H Dr Zaitun bin Rasmin;

13. Sahibul Fadhilah Ustaz Aidil bin Abdul Rahman;

14. Al-Fadhil Ustaz Muhammad Khidhir bin Abdul Ghani – Secretary.

RESOLVED at the Meeting of the Majlis Agama Islam dan Adat Istiadat Melayu Perlis Bil. 5/2024 on 13 September 2024.