Those who misuse triple talaq will face social boycott, says AIMPLB

It, however, asserted its “full constitutional right” to implement Muslim personal law in the country.

April 16, 2017 09:16 pm | Updated April 17, 2017 01:15 pm IST - LUCKNOW

"Misusing ‘triple talaq’ is a sin," Secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board and convener of Babri Masjid Action Committee Zafaryab Jilani said.

"Misusing ‘triple talaq’ is a sin," Secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board and convener of Babri Masjid Action Committee Zafaryab Jilani said.

Men who misuse triple talaq and use it arbitrarily without any valid reason will be subjected to social boycott, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board has warned (AIMPLB).

“Whoever gives triple talaq without valid Shariat reasons will be boycotted by society... so that such cases do not arise in future,” the governing body of Muslim personal law in the country concluded after a two-day executive meeting at the Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulam, a key Islamic seminary in Lucknow, on Sunday.

The AIMPLB, however, asserted its “full constitutional right” to implement Muslim personal law in the country.

‘Meant to shield women’

"It is our responsibility to implement it and the best way is to ensure that is following its guidelines. Islamic Sharia gives equal status to men and women. The truth is that talaq was kept to protect women from danger," Mohammaed Rabey Hasan Nadwi, AIMPLB president, said.

The Board also announced that it would follow the Supreme Court decision in the Babri Masjid case.

Releasing an eight-point code of conduct for divorce, the Board encouraged Muslim couples to try and resolve differences on their own, and if that fails, adopt the "reconciliation and arbitration" method though involvement of family elders, before settling for a divorce. If after the waiting period ( iddat ), reconciliation happens, the two can, through mutual consent, restore the relationship with a fresh marriage, says one of the guidelines.

Mr. Hasan said there was a lot of “misconception” about Muslim personal law and norms for divorce due to “lack of correct of information.”

Elaborating on the threat of social boycott, Kamal Farooqui, senior executive board member, said it would involve restricting the offender's entry into public functions and community programmes. Though it would have no legal standing, the AIMPLB feels the fear of social isolation would serve as a deterrent for men misusing triple talaq.

 “Man is a social animal. Social boycott has worked welll in Mewat [Haryana] where 20-25 years ago a panchayat issued orders that a man uttering talaq thrice would be socially boycotted and denied resources. Since then, hardly any such cases were reported there," Mr. Farooqui told The Hindu .

The AIMPLB appealed to imams and ulemas to spread the code of conduct through mosques during Friday prayers.

“If some people misuse it, the need is not to change the law but to correct such people,” Mr. Nadwi said.

Helpline for women

The Board promised to make more use of social media to spread its word and counter all myths related to Sharia and Islam.

 A Muslim women’s wing and helpline would be promoted. The Board made an appeal to various Muslim organisations to help divorced and destitute women, and widows to get their rights under the Sharia. The Board advised Muslims to avoid extravagant marriages and instead use the money to educate their children along with children from poor families.

The AIMPLB has opposed public interest litigation petitions against triple talaq in the Supreme Court, and regularly asserted that it did not encourage government interference. A five-judge Constitution Bench of the court will start hearing the petitions from May 11.

Asma Jahna, in charge of the Board’s women's wing, said they had held seminars across the country over the last six months and it was found that Muslim women in large numbers rejected any change to Sharia laws.

Among those who attended the AIMPLB meet were Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Sadiq, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahli, Zafaryab Jilani, Maulana Sajjad Nomani and Mohammad Wali Rehmani.

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