Is it permissible for a Muslim mosque Imam to be appointed as a proxy for the marriage contract (nikah) of a Christian (Kitabiyyah) girl whose guardian resides in another country? And must her guardian know the identity and status of the Muslim proxy to accept his deputization? And what is the legitimate wording that the guardian’s proxy should use when proposing (ijab)?

It is not permissible for the guardian of a Christian or Jewish woman to appoint a Muslim to marry her off. Rather, he himself should undertake her marriage, or he should appoint a Christian or Jewish person of his own faith in the country where she resides. As for the marriage formula, it suffices for the agent to say to the husband: "I marry you to so-and-so, daughter of so-and-so." The agent must be identified, and the agent must know his principal.