Is it permissible to marry an American Muslim woman without a guardian (wali) or witnesses due to the unavailability of a mosque or Muslims in the place of residence, and her family being far away from her?

Marriage in Islam has pillars and conditions. Its pillars are offer and acceptance. Its conditions are: the identification and consent of the spouses, that the marriage contract be performed by the guardian or his agent, and the presence of two just Muslim witnesses, or the public announcement and declaration of the marriage.

Based on the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him: "There is no marriage except with a guardian," and "Any woman who marries without the permission of her guardian, her marriage is void," it is not permissible for a woman to contract her own marriage.

If a Muslim woman does not have a Muslim guardian, a Muslim judge marries her. If there is no judge, then someone who holds a respected position among Muslims, such as the imam of the mosque or Islamic center, or a famous scholar. If none of these are available, then any Muslim man.

A marriage devoid of a guardian and witnesses is invalid according to the general consensus of scholars, and whoever proceeds with it while knowing its invalidity is an adulterer and a sinner.

The advice is for the spouses to travel to the nearest country where Muslims reside, or for Muslims to come to their country if travel is not possible.