📜 Akad nikah · #9
My father lives abroad. Who acts as wali?
A father can delegate (tawkil) his authority as wali to another person, such as the marriage officiant or an imam, and this is the simplest way.
A wali's delegation (wakalah) can be made in writing through an official form certified by the religious affairs office or an embassy. If the father cannot be contacted and is more than two marhalah away, the Shafi'i school transfers the right to the wali hakim, not to a wali ab'ad such as a grandfather or brother. Make sure the wakalah documents are complete, as the registrar will check them. Refer to The marriage wali and your district religious affairs office.
A wali's delegation (wakalah) can be made in writing through an official form certified by the religious affairs office or an embassy. If the father cannot be contacted and is more than two marhalah away, the Shafi'i school transfers the right to the wali hakim, not to a wali ab'ad such as a grandfather or brother. Make sure the wakalah documents are complete, as the registrar will check them. Refer to The marriage wali and your district religious affairs office.
Difference between schools. The Hanafi and Hanbali schools transfer the right to the wali ab'ad (the next guardian in line) if the nearest wali (wali aqrab) is far away, not directly to the wali hakim.
Sources
Sunan Abu Dawud 2083 (sahih)