Couples to take oath before tying knot
After getting approval from Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, the provincial government has forwarded a summary to the cabinet committee for inclusion of oath of Khatm-e-Nabuwwat (Finality of the Prophethood) in the marriage certificate form, The Express Tribune learnt on Tuesday.
Earlier in October, the Punjab Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution demanding inclusion of the oath of Khatm-e-Nabuwwat (seal of the prophets) in the marriage certificate form to discourage marriages between Muslims and non-Muslims (Qadianis) by trick. The resolution was jointly presented by the provincial assembly members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q).
Speaking to The Express Tribune, PML-Q MPA Khadija Umar highlighted that there were many complaints that people hide their faith at the time of marriage. After several years of marriage, the families come to know that one of the spouses was following Ahmedi belief which creates a lot of problems for the families and children.
She highlighted that office of the Punjab Assembly speaker had also received several complaints about this issue too after which it was felt necessary to include a box for belief on the finality of the Prophethood in the marriage certificate form.
Though she could not mention the number of complaints she underlined that it was not about a number of complaints but a basic requirement of Muslim belief, in response to a media query.
She underlined that the resolution had been passed and the process to make legislation was underway. Once the law was passed every bride and groom had to take an oath of the finality of Prophethood, she maintained.
The text of the resolution read that the Punjab Assembly demands that in order to clarify the difference between Muslims and non-Muslims, Qadianis under NADRA and the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961 in the form of an affidavit in the passport form. The proposed marriage certificate form under Rule No 8 and 10 of the established rules should include the column of the oath of end of prophethood.
Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi had also highlighted in an assembly session that a number of cases had been reported in which the grooms had turned out of the non-Muslim faith after marriages.
“In order to prevent such incidents, it is imperative that the oath of the finality of Prophethood should be included in the marriage certificate form. It would eliminate all doubts about the faith of both parties before marriage.
On December 14, the Lahore High Court (LHC) dismissed the post-arrest bail application of an accused belonging to the Ahmadiyya minority community who had allegedly tricked a Muslim woman into marriage by disguising himself as Muslim.
LHC’s judge Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi had dismissed the post-arrest bail of accused Shehzad Ashraf on June 22, 2021, under allegations of fraudulently contracting marriage with a Muslim girl, sharing her objectionable photographs and video clips containing disrespectful remarks against the complainant.
The documents reflect the petitioner’s religion as “Qadiani” which prima facie supports the allegation against him with regard to the offence punishable under Section 493-A of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
Published in The Express Tribune, December 29th, 2021.