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04 / 07 / 2026
A Woman Marrying Herself Without a Guardian with a Dowry of Equivalent Value
A girl from one of the Chinese villages ran away from home with a young man from another village, married him, and he paid her a dowry close to the equivalent value. They established a religious marriage in the presence of witnesses and obtained an official marriage certificate from the government, then returned home. However, the father completely rejected the marriage and wanted to annul it forcibly. Is he allowed to do that?
Answer
I say, and with God's success: If it is customary in their country for a girl to contract without a guardian, it is permissible on the condition that it does not lead to temptation. If it is not customary, she must renew the contract with a guardian, who is the father. And God knows best.
