Religious scholars condemn Iddat conviction as ‘un-Islamic, politically motivated’

Religious scholars and muftis from various schools of thought have collectively denounced the convictions of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Iddat case, calling the court's decision contrary to Islamic principles and a malicious conspiracy.

In a video statement released on Thursday, former federal minister for religious affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri, Majlis Wahdat al-Muslimeen Pakistan President Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jafari, and Sunni Ittehad Council Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza expressed their unanimous view that the Iddat case lacks any basis in religious, sharia, or legal jurisprudence. They collectively believe that the case against Khan and his wife is politically motivated.

Qadri emphasised that scholars from all sects unanimously agree that only the woman’s testimony is deemed credible in matters of Iddat. "Those involved in the decision should seek forgiveness from Allah Almighty and the victims," he stated. He called on the judiciary and the government to prevent such conspiracies, describing them as deliberate attempts to undermine family and marital life.

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He urged religious scholars and legal experts to address this issue impartially and help prevent such conspiracies.

Allama Raja Nasir noted that in Pakistan, political differences often escalate into enmity, leading to the crossing of legal, moral, and religious boundaries. He criticised the law for prosecuting a woman over her period of Iddat and for producing witnesses in such a case.

"Even if we opposed Imran Khan, we would still stand for what is right, as this issue pertains to religion and Islam," Nasir said. He warned against promoting destruction, indecency, and shamelessness, condemning those in power for lacking modesty and morals.