What should I do to marry a committed girl living in France, while I am in Canada, knowing that her father and brothers do not pray, and her youngest brother is not regular in prayer, and how can I avoid embarrassing her?
For a marriage to be valid, it must be solemnized by the woman's guardian (wali). If the woman is Muslim, it is a consensus among scholars that her guardian must also be Muslim. One who abandons prayer while denying its obligation is, by consensus, an infidel (kafir). As for the lazy worshipper who neglects prayer, the preponderant opinion is that he is also an infidel. Therefore, it is not permissible for one who abandons prayer to solemnize a marriage contract for a Muslim woman. Guardianship transfers to the closest male relatives ( 'asabat) in succession: the grandfather, then brothers, then nephews (sons of brothers), then paternal uncles, then sons of paternal uncles, and then the Sharia judge. Her brother, or anyone whose guardianship is valid, can solemnize the marriage in the presence of two just witnesses. This is the valid contract. There is no harm in performing a symbolic contract with the father to avoid problems, while also inviting him to pray.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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