CII drafting new comprehensive nikahnama

Says new document presents clearer provision for wives to dissolve marriages

ISLAMABAD: The research section of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has chalked out preliminary draft of a new comprehensive nikahnama (marriage contract) and talaqnama (divorce paper) that seek to ensure the due rights of women.

“The existing nikahnama drafted in 60s has become obsolete. Now time and trends are changing. A need was felt for drafting a new nikahnama and talaqnama which include certain clauses for addressing emerging issues,” said CII Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz while talking to The Express Tribune.

He said the new draft nikahnama also includes a provision for the bride to dissolve the marriage.  “This provision does exist in the present nikahnama, but it is not clear and most nikahkhwans delete this provision and deprive a woman of her due rights,” he said.

The CII chief said the CII members along with other stakeholders will try to make this provision more obvious and shall suggest some restriction on it so that nikahkhawn are not able to delete it without the consent of the bride-to-be.

“Last month the CII also announced drafting a comprehensive talaqnama containing punishment for a man who gives ‘triple talaq’,” he said, adding that both the drafted documents need to be improved further.

“Therefore I have sent them back to the research wing for adding new points. This process might take another week,” he added. He said some useful points were also found in the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and the research section is advised to take into account the relevant points.

Fatwa on electricity theft

Talking about the Senate Standing Committee on Energy’s recommendation regarding seeking the help of prayer leaders to curb electricity theft across the country, he said ulemas belonging to various schools of thought have already declared that power theft is forbidden in Islam.

A sub-committee on power earlier prepared a plan for curbing the electricity theft. The plan recommends that mosques that announce a fatwa against the use of stolen electricity be given 400 free units of electricity each month.