The Ruling on a Woman’s Marriage Without a Guardian

Question:
Is it permissible for a woman, O Shaykh Salih, to marry without a guardian and to marry herself?

Answer:
No, she does not have that right. There is no valid marriage contract except with a guardian and two just witnesses, as stated in the hadith: Her guardian is the Imam. Her guardian is the guardian of the Imam of the Muslims, or his deputy, the judge, who is the Imam’s deputy. If she has no guardian to marry her off, the judge marries her off, and she does not marry herself. Yes.