Pakistan

Saying 'divorce' consecutively should be punishable, rules CII

Council of Islamic Ideology chairman Maulana Sherani says divorce must be finalised over a period of time

Web Desk January 21, 2015

quot saying the word talaq thrice consecutively is against the sunnah quot said islamic idelogy council s chairman maulana muhammad khan sherani

"Saying the word talaq thrice consecutively is against the Sunnah," said Islamic Idelogy Council’s chairman Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani.

The Council of Islamic Ideology recommended on Wednesday punishment for individuals who say 'divorce' three times consecutively in a bid to finalise the finality of their marriage.

Citing increasing divorce rates, Islamic Idelogy Council’s chairman Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani said repeating the word talaq (divorce) ‘thrice’ is unlawful and rather a spouse should say the words over a period of time.

"Saying the word talaq thrice consecutively is against the Sunnah," the chairman said.

Islam requires the divorcee to pronounce 'talaq' thrice for it to be legalised. However, the council has upheld it should not be said consecutively.

Maualana Sherani said people get divorced without any hesitation nowadays and much more care should be taken while ending such a 'sacred' relationship.

Islam takes distinction over other religions when it comes to women’s rights, going as far as allowing a woman to seek divorce from her husband if he fails to fulfill his obligations. However, despite laws concerning litigation over matrimonial disputes Pakistani women, face great humiliation and hardships when it comes to safeguarding their rights.

Further, last year several rights activists condemned a report of the CII declaring the law requiring consent from first (second or third) wife for another marriage un-Islamic. The CII had said that Sharia did not bind a husband to seek permission from any of his wives before contracting another marriage.

Aurat Foundation manager Mumtaz Mughal said, “The CII is acting as a supra-state body it has nullified the little constitutional and legal gains working classes, women and non-Muslims had made so far. It nullified land reforms of the 1970s, it dismissed tests as evidence of criminal violence against women and now it is attacking the civil rights of women in Pakistan.”