New Muslim women and the wali: who gives her in marriage?

Who acts as her wali?

• A Muslim male relative if there is one (a Muslim brother or uncle).
• If there is none: the imam, Islamic centre officer or qadi, on the principle that the authority is the wali of one without a wali (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi).
• The Hanafi school permits an adult woman to conduct her own contract; she may follow that view if she adheres to that school.

The wali should be a Muslim, sane, adult man.

Your non-Muslim family

Kindness to parents stays obligatory even if they are not Muslim. Having them at the wedding is permissible and kind if nothing forbidden takes place.

This guide is for learning, not a fatwa. Where scholars differ we show the positions of the schools; for your own situation ask a trusted scholar or Islamic centre in your country.

Frequently asked questions