One Who Raises Children Is Not a Guardian in Nikah

Question

A girl has been raised from the beginning by another person, while her guardian (wali) is alive. Who, according to the Shari‘a, is now the girl’s guardian?

Answer

A person does not become a guardian merely by raising someone; the guardian is the one whom the Shari‘a has appointed as guardian. [ar]ولو كان الصغير والصغيرة في حجر رجل يعولهما كالملتقط ونحوه فإنه لا يملك تزويجهما.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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