In America, some people marry Muslim women from outside America, and this woman comes without her guardian, claiming that he has agreed. We are strict in this matter and follow procedures that enable us to verify his consent.

The questioner : Well, regarding marriage as well, there are sometimes cases that come to us where a man wants to marry a woman who is from a Muslim country, meaning from outside America, and she is in a situation where she has no guardian, and she claims that her guardian has agreed. We are very hesitant to contract such marriages due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) So sometimes we ask, for example, they say, for instance, that we can call the father on the phone, and he tells you that he has given permission for so-and-so. We say, how do we know that this is really your father and not someone else? So sometimes we are considered stubborn, or they say that we are being stubborn, so we ask, and this is a habit, a habit of being stubborn, we ask for a certified letter from the embassy from the father stating that he acknowledges or agrees to the marriage of this woman. Do you see any other or easier means than this? Sometimes they say we are in a hurry and cannot wait a month or less or more for this letter to arrive, and other such matters?

The Shaykh : No, I do not see it. It is obligatory to verify, especially in this time when all kinds of tricks are committed to make lawful what Allah the Mighty and Majestic has forbidden. So the means you mentioned last is necessary.

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.