wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuHu,

In Kifayat al-Akhyar p. 426 (Kifayat al-Akhyar is a commentary on Abu Shuja’s Ghayat al-Ikhtisar), an opinion is stated that if there are no awliya for a woman, and also no Sultan, then there is an opinion that she can use tahkim and appoint an upright and learned Muslim to act as her wali. The text in Kifayat al-Akhyar is taken, almost verbatim, from Imam Nawawi’s Rawdah. There it is stated to be the preferred view. (v. 7, p. 50) In his Fatawa, Ibn Hajar al-Haytami thoroughly discussed the matter. (See: v. 4, p. 88-92)

If there are local ulama present, then she should seek their assistance. Many do not have detailed knowledge of marriage proceedings according to Islamic law. Thus, qualified ulama should be sought for advice, and that should be done case by case.

Allah knows best.

Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.