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Imam al-Shafi'i· الإمام الشافعيClassical Scholar

الأم

al-Umm 5/22

Al-Shafi'i ruled categorically that no marriage contract is valid without the wali of the woman, citing "Any woman who marries herself without the permission of her wali, her marriage is invalid, invalid, invalid" (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi — sahih). He held this against the Hanafi position that allowed a woman of age to contract her own marriage.

Key Takeaway

A marriage contracted by a woman without her wali's permission is null and void.

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