Is it permissible to contract an urfi marriage with a Filipina who has recently converted to Islam, knowing that her family are Christians? If so, who would be her guardian (wali) and can she appoint one of the two witnesses (to the marriage contract) as her agent, in preparation for a subsequent official marriage?

If a woman does not have a Muslim guardian to marry her off, the Muslim judge marries her off. If there is no judge, she appoints a just Muslim man [to act as her guardian]. An 'urfi (customary) marriage is valid if it fulfills the conditions of marriage, such as a guardian or his representative, and two just witnesses. The lack of documentation does not affect the validity of the contract. In Gulf countries, there are Sharia (definition) judges, so it is not permissible for a woman to appoint a Muslim man to marry her off if a judge is available. Nor is it permissible for her representative to be one of the two witnesses to the contract. Documentation is important to guarantee rights and resolve disputes.