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In plain terms
Wali
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A wali, in marriage, is the guardian — typically a father or other close male relative. Some schools of Islamic law make his role in contracting a woman's marriage a condition of its validity. The same word means 'guardian' or 'protector' more broadly.
Related terms
Nikah
Nikah is the Islamic marriage contract: an agreement between a man and a woman. It has specific conditions, such as a guardian's role, witnesses, and a mahr. Fatwas on disputed…
Mahram
A mahram is a close relative a person cannot marry — a parent, sibling, or child, by blood, marriage, or nursing. The term matters in fatwas on travel, hajj, and mixing between…