Marriage guardian sequence under Federal Decree-Law 41 of 2024 clarified

Article 21 of Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024 on the Personal Status Law establishes a statutory sequence for appointing marriage guardians in Muslim marriages. The sequence begins with the father, followed by a person specified by the father in a will, the paternal grandfather, the son, the full brother, and other paternal relatives in descending order. Article 23 requires the guardian to be a sane adult male of legal age. When multiple guardians hold equal rank, the woman's appointment takes priority; if she does not appoint one, any guardian of equal rank may act. If the correct guardian cannot attend or be notified, the court may transfer authority to the next guardian upon application. Article 21(4) mandates that the marriage contract must contain proof of the woman's consent; the guardian's role does not replace this requirement. A lower-ranked relative should not replace an available qualified higher-ranked guardian without legal basis. Courts may appoint a judge as guardian when no qualified guardian exists, or may undertake the marriage if an unjustified refusal occurs.