Is it permissible for a guardian who is lower in rank than the primary guardian to solemnize the marriage contract while the primary guardian is present, due to social reasons?

Guardianship (wilayah) in marriage is a grave matter, serving to protect the woman's rights and interests. Islamic law has established an order for this guardianship: first, the father; then, his executor (wasi); then, the paternal grandfather; then, the son and his sons; then, the full brother, then the half-brother (from the father's side); then, their sons; then, the full paternal uncle, then the half-paternal uncle (from the father's side); then, their sons; then, the closest male agnate by kinship; then, the emancipator (mawla al-mun'im); then, his closest male agnate by kinship; and finally, the ruler (sultan).

This order must be observed. It is impermissible for a more distant guardian to precede a closer one, except for a legitimate Shar'i excuse, such as his unjust refusal (adhl), his lack of eligibility (due to minority, فسق (open transgression), or religious divergence), or his prolonged absence. For a person who is not eligible is as good as non-existent.

If people need someone more distant to conduct the marriage, and the closer guardian agrees to this, then the closer guardian may delegate that distant person, or anyone else suitable to conduct the marriage, even if that person originally has no guardianship rights whatsoever.

Therefore, if the rightful guardian relinquishes his guardianship to someone lower in rank than him or designates him, then the marriage contract is permissible and valid.