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Fatwa CenterHis marriage arrangement to a Christian woman is not agreeable to her father
Question
I am a Muslim man living in the United States. I am engaged to a Christian woman. Her parents approve of a civil marriage. Her parents however do not approve of an Islamic marriage; they do not approve of any ceremony performed by a Muslim judge; and they do not want to be part of it.
I have asked the brothers at the local Islamic Center whether would be willing to perform the marriage under these conditions. One of the brothers argued that this would not be correct because of the following reasons. The bride and her father being both Christians, her father is her "Wali" and he does not approve of the marriage. To overrule the "Wali" would be possible but only if a judge or other competent person decided that his objections to the marriage are not valid. The brother has advised me to respect the wishes of the father and not go ahead with the marriage. Please give me the Islamic standpoint about this particular situation, if possible.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
Basically, a Muslim should try his best to marry a religious Muslim woman to protect his religion and his future children.
What the brother told you that you are not allowed to marry except the presence of the guardian of the bride is correct. So, the marriage without the consent of her guardian is not allowed as we mentioned in details in our Fatwa: 83373.
As for the other matter that the family of the girl does not approve the Islamic marriage but they approve a civil marriage, we have mentioned the ruling of a civil marriage and the conditions of a valid marriage in our Fatwa: 89727.
If the conditions are met then the marriage becomes valid.
Allaah Knows best.
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