Can a first cousin through rada'a (nursing) be a guardian for a divorced woman who has no brothers, her father has passed away, and her maternal uncles and sisters live outside the country, knowing that their marriage will be in secret? Is the presence of a marriage officiant a condition for the validity of the marriage, and what are the conditions for the validity of the marriage?

For a marriage to be valid, the presence of a guardian (wali) and witnesses is required, but an authorized marriage official (ma’dhoun) is not. The paternal uncle of this woman is her guardian. His guardianship is not forfeited by the existence of animosity. If he refuses and there is no other guardian, then the matter should be referred to the Sharia judge to solemnize her marriage, based on the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "The ruler is the guardian of whoever has no guardian." Her maternal uncles cannot be guardians, because guardianship belongs to the male agnatic relatives (asabat) from the father's side. Marrying with two witnesses is not considered a secret marriage. It is advisable to strive for reconciliation with the uncle and not to perpetuate the animosity.