Is it permissible for a widow to secretly marry a man whom she accepts and whose wife and children also accept her, in order to protect herself from sin, fearing the oppression of her deceased husband's family, and so that her children may receive their inheritance?

If what is meant by a secret marriage is a marriage without a guardian (wali), then it is impermissible according to the majority of scholars who stipulate the guardian as a condition for the validity of the marriage, and the order of guardians must be observed. However, if the marriage takes place with a guardian and two witnesses, while keeping the matter secret from some family members, then it is permissible according to many scholars, though it is disliked to keep it secret or to conspire to conceal it.