Abstract

“No _ination _ican _iever _ibe _iworthy _iof _iits _iexistence _ithat _icannot _itake _iits _iwomen _ialong _iwith _ithe _imen.” Mohammad _iAli _iJinnah, _iFounder _iof _iPakistan” (Russell & Catharine, 2007).The _ilegal _istatus _iof _iMuslim _iwomen, _iespecially _iin _ifamily _irelations, _ihas _ibeen _ithe _isubject _iof iconsiderable _iinternational _iacademic _iand _imedia _iinterest. _iThe _iright _ito _imarital _ifreedom _iis _ia iconstitutional _iright _iin _iPakistan _iand _idemonstrates _ithat _iin _ia _icountry _iin _iwhich _iwomen’s _irights _iare inotoriously _iand _ibrutally _iviolated, _ifemale _idivorce _irights _istand _ias _ia _iray _iof _ilight _iamidst _ithe i“darkness” _iof _ithe _igeneral _ilegal _istatus _iof _iPakistani _iwomen. _iContrary _ito _ithe _iconventional _iwisdom iconstruing _iIslamic _ilaw _ias _iopposed _ito _iwomen’s _irights, _ithe _iconstitutionalization _iof _iIslam _iin iPakistan _ihas _iproven _ito _ibe _ia _ipotent _itool _iin _ithe _iservice _iof _iwomen’s _iinterests.

Key Words

MFLO, Traditionalist, Modernist, Divorce, Ijtihad, Commission, Child Custody, Islamic Law (Fiqh, Shariah), Contemporary Laws.

Introduction

In _irecent _iyears, _ithere _ihas _ibeen _ian _iever-increasing _ifascination _iwith _ihuman _irights _iin _ithe _iMuslim iworld, _iparticularly _ithe _isubordinate _istatus _iof _iwomen _iin _iIslamic _ilaw _iand _iculture.2 _iWesterners _iin igeneral _iand _ifeminists _iin _iparticular _ihave _idreaded _ithe _ipossibility _ithat _ithe _iIslamic _irevival _isweeping ithe _iMuslim _iworld _iwill _iturn _iback _ithe _iclock _ion _iwomen’s _ilegal _iand _isocial _irights. _iThe _iWest’s igrowing _iunease _iwith _iviolations _iof _iwomen’s _irights _iin _iMuslim _icountries _ihas _imad _ithis _iissue _ia _itop ipriority _ifor _inations _iand _iadvocates _ialike.4 _iThe _iIslamic _iRepublic _iof _iPakistan, _ithe _isecond _ilargest ination _iin _ithe _iworld _iwith _ia _iMuslim _imajority, _irepresents _ia _ipromising _icase _istudy _idue _ito _iits _iunique iconstitutional _isystem _ienshrining _iIslamic _ilaw _ialongside _iWestern _iguarantees _iof _igender _iequality ( Reading, n.d). The _iMuslim _ifamily _ilaw _iprovisions _ithat _iwere _ienacted _iunder _ithe _iBritish _iadministration _iwere _istill iin _ieffect _iafter _ithe _icountry _igot _iindependence _iin _i1947. _iFamily _ilaw _iin _iPakistan _idid _inot _ichange _iat iall _ibetween _i1947 _iand _i1954. _iThe _iMFLO _iwas _iadopted _iin _i1961, _ito _ithe _ivehement _idisapproval _iof ireligious _iauthorities. _iThe _irepugnancy _iclause _iwas _iincorporated _ifirst _iinto _ithe _i1956 _iConstitution. iIn _ilater _iConstitutions _iand _iamendments, _ithe _irepugnancy _iprovision _ihas _ibeen _ikept _iand _imade istronger.

The _iarticle _iin _ihand _idescribes _ithe _icritical _ireview _iof _iMuslim _iFamily _iLaws _iOrdinance _i1961 _iwith ireference _ito _iPakistan. _iThe _imain _ipurpose _ibehind _ithis _icritique _iis _ito _imake _ia _icomparison _ibetween iMuslim _iFamily _iLaws _iand iPakistani _iMuslim _iFamily _iLaw iOrdinance _i1961 _iand _ito _ifind _iout _ithe isimilarities _iand _ithe _icontrasts _ibetween _ithem. _iMany _iof _iMuslim _ischolars _iare _iof _ithe _iview _ithat iPakistani _iMFLO _i(Muslim _iFamily _iLaws _iOrdinance) _iis _inot _iin _iaccordance _iwith _ithe _iMuslim _iLaws. 

Succession

In _ithe _ievent _iof _ideath _iof _iany _ison _ior _idaughter _iof _ithe _ipropositus _ibefore _ithe _iopening _iof _isuccession, ithe _ichildren _iof _isuch _ison _ior _idaughter, _iif _iany, _iliving _iat _ithe _itime _ithe _isuccession _iopens, _ishall _iper istripes, _ireceive _ia _ishare _iequivalent _ito _ithe _ishare _iwhich _isuch _ison _ior _idaughter, _ias _ithe _icase _imay _ibe, iwould _ihave _ireceived _iif _ialive. 

Islamic Concept of Succession

Direct _isuccession _iout _iof _igrandfather’s _iheritage _iis _iprovided _ifor _iinheritance _ito _ian _iorphan. _iThis iclause _iis _irepugnant _ito _ithe _iinjunctions _iof _ithe _iIslam _ias _idirect _iinheritance _iis _inot _iprovided. _iFederal iShariat _icourt _iasked _ithe _ithen _ipresident _iRafiq _iTarar _ito _iamend _ithe _isaid _iclause. _iPrior _ito _ithe _iMuslim ifamily _ilaw _iordinance _igrand _ichildren _ihad _ino _ishares _iin _ithe _iproperty _ileft _iby _ithe _igrandfather. _iBut inow _ithe _isec _i4 _iof _ithe _iordinance _icreating _ian _ientitlement _ito _isuccession _iin _ifavour _iof _ithe _ichildren _iof ipredeceased _ison _ior _idaughter.

Heirs _ireferred _ito _ias _iprimary _iheirs _iare _ialways _ientitled _ito _ia _ishare _iof _ithe _iinheritance, _ithey _iare _inever itotally _iexcluded. _iThese _iprimary _iheirs _iconsist _iof _ithe _ispouse _irelict, _iboth _iparents, _ithe _ison _iand _ithe idaughter. _iAll _iremaining _iheirs _ican _ibe _itotally _iexcluded _iby _ithe _ipresence _iof _iother _iheirs. _iBut _iunder icertain _icircumstances, _iother _iheirs _ican _ialso _iinherit _ias _iresiduary, _inamely _ithe _ifather, _ipaternal igrandfather, _idaughter, _iagnatic _igranddaughter, _ifull _isister, _iconsanguine _isister _iand _imother (Hussain, 2010). _iThose iwho _iinherit _iare _iusually _iconfined _ito _ithree _igroups:

a.        Quota-heirs _i(dhawu _ial-far???), _iusually _iinclude _idaughters, _iparents, _igrandparents, _ihusband iand _iwife/ _iwives, _ibrothers _iand _isisters, _iand _iothers. _iThis _igroup _iusually _itakes _ia _idesignated ishare _ior _iquota _iof _ithe _iestates.

b.        Members _iof _ithe _i?a?aba _i(residuaries), _iusually _ia _icombination _iof _imale _i(and _isometimes ifemale) _irelatives _ithat _iinherit _ias _iresiduaries _iafter _ithe _ishares _iof _ithe _iQuota-heirs _iis idistributed (Schacht, 1991).

c.         In _icase _ia _iperson _ileaves _ino _idirect _irelatives _iand _ithere _iis _ino _i?u?aba, _ihis _iproperty _iescheats _ito ithe _istate _itreasury, _iBaytul _iMal.

"And _ifor _ihis _iparents _ifor _ieach _iof _ithem _ithere _iis _ione-sixth _iof _ithe _iinheritance _iif _ihe _ihas _ia _ichild, _ibut _iif ihe _idoes _inot _ihave _ia _ichild _iand _ithe _iparents _iare _ithe _iheirs _ithen _ifor _ithe _imother _ione-third" _i(AnNisa:11).

The _iArabic _iword _i"walad" _ihas _ibeen _ivariously _itranslated _ias _ichild, _ison, _ichildren _iand _ioffspring _iby itranslators. _iHowever, _ithere _iis _iuniversal _iagreement _iamongst _ithe _iSunni _iMuslim _ijurists _ithat i"walad" _ihere _irefers _ito _iany _ichild _ior _iagnatic _igrandchild _i(grandchild _ithrough _ison).

If _ithere _iis _ia _ichild _ior _iagnatic _igrandchild _iamongst _ithe _iheirs _ithen _ieach _iof _ithe _iparents _iinherits _ionesixth. _iIn _ithe _iabsence _iof _ia _ichild _ior _iagnatic _igrandchild _ithe _imother _iinherits _ione-third, _ithe _ishare _iof ithe _ifather _iis _inot _imentioned _iunder _ithese _icircumstances. _iThe _ifather _iin _ifact _iinherits _ias _ia _iresiduary i(a _iresiduary _iheir _igets _iwhatever _iremains _iof _ithe _iinheritance _iafter _ithe _iQuranic _isharers _ihave _ibeen iallocated _itheir _ishares, _iresiduary _iheirs _iare _igenerally _imale _iagnates) _iunder _ithese _icircumstances.

To _ithese _itwo _iQuranic _iheirs, _ithe _imother _iand _ithe _ifather, _ithe _imaternal _igrandmother _iand _ipaternal igrandfather _ihave _ibeen _iadded _iby _ianalogy. _iThe _imaternal _igrandmother _isubstitutes _ithe _imother _iin ithe _ilatter's _iabsence (Butt, 2007). 

Registration of Marriage

Every _imarriage _isolemnized _iunder _iMuslim _iLaw _ishall _ibe _iregistered. _iFor _ithe _ipurpose _iof iregistration, _ithe _iUnion _iCouncil _ishall _igrant _ilicenses _ito _ione _ior _imore _ipersons, _ito _ibe _icalled _iNikah iRegistrars, _ibut _iin _ino _icase _ishall _imore _ithan _ion _iNikah _iRegistrar _ibe _ilicensed _ifor _iany _ione _iWard. 

Islamic Law and Registration of Marriage

Under _iclassical _iIslamic _ilaw, _ithe _ivalidity _iof _ia _imarriage _icontract _idoes _inot _iin _iany _iway _idepend _ion ithe _iperformance _iof _iany _irecorded _iceremony _ior _idocumentation: _imutual _iconsent, _icapacity _ito _ienter iinto _ithe _icontract, _iand _iwitnesses _ion _ithe _ioccasion _ibeing _ithe _ionly _irequisites _inecessary _ito _imake _ithe icontract _ivalid _iand _ibinding. _iClearly _iwhen _idealing _iwith _imarriages _icelebrated _iabroad, _iand _iin _ithe iabsence _iof _iany _idocumentation, _iproof _iof _imarriage _ican _ibe _idifficult, _iparticularly _iwhen _iseeking _ito iprove _ithat _ithere _iwas _isuch _ia _imarriage. _iIt _ihas _ibeen _iargued _iunder _iIslamic _ilaw, _iin _ithe _iabsence _iof ianything _iin _iwriting _ito _iprove _ithe _imarriage, _ior _ia _iQazi's _ievidence _iof _ithe _imarriage _ibeing _icelebrated ior _iwitnesses _iwho _ican _igive _irelevant _ievidence _iof _ithe _imarriage, _ia _imarriage _ican _ibe _iproven _iby ipresumption. _iFor _iinstance, _iwhere _ithe _iparties _ihave _ilived _itogether _ifor _ia _ilong _itime _ias _ihusband _iand iwife _ior _iwhere _ieither _iparty _ihas _iacknowledged _ithe _imarriage _iand _ithat _iis _inot _idisputed _iby _ithe _iother iparty, _ia _ivalid _imarriage _imay _ibe _ipresumed _iunless _ithere _iis _ia _ilegal _idispute _iagainst _ithe _ialliance.

However, _iwhere _ithere _iis _ino _ilegal _ipresumption _iof _ithe _iexistence _iof _imarriage, _iif _iit _iwere ichallenged, _iit _iwould _ihave _ito _ibe _iproven _iby _isatisfactory _ievidence _iin _ithe _inormal _iway _iand _iany iwritten _idocumentation _iin _ithese _icircumstances _iwould _iprove _iinvaluable. _iIn _iPakistan _ithe _iMuslim iFamily _iLaw _iOrdinance _i1961, _iArt _i5(1) _istates: _i'every _imarriage _isolemnised _iunder _iMuslim _ilaw ishall _ibe _iregistered _iin _iaccordance _iwith _ithe _iprovisions _iof _ithis _iOrdinance'. _iIn _iIndia, _ihowever, _ino ilaw _ior _ienactment _irequires _icompulsory _iregistration _iof _ia _iMuslim _imarriage _iwith _iany _igovernment iofficial. _iHaving _isaid _ithat, _iin _ithe _istates _iof _iAssam, _iBengal, _iBihar, _iand _iOrissa _ilocal _ienactments iprovide _ifacilities _ifor _i'voluntary' _iregistration _iof _iMuslim _imarriages, _ione _imust _iremember _ithat, iwhen _iall _ielse _ifails, _ithe _iQazis _imaintain _ia _iregister _iin _iwhich _idetails _iof _imarriages _ithey _ihave iattended _iare _irecorded. _iThe _irecord _iof _ieach _imarriage _iso _iprepared _iis _isigned _iby _ithe _iparties _ior _itheir iguardians _ior _irepresentatives, _ithe _iwitnesses, _iand _ithe _iQazi _ihimself. _iCopies _iof _ithis _idocument icommonly _icalled _i'Nikahnama' _iare _iissued _iby _ithe _iQazi _ito _ithe _iparties (Al_Kholy, n.d).

The _iMuslim _iFamily _iLaws _iOrdinance _i(MFLO) _i1961 _iintroduced _ireforms _iregarding _iregistration _iof imarriages, _iand _iin _idefault _iof _isuch _iregistration, _ipenalties _iof _ifine _iand _iimprisonment _ihave _ibeen iprescribed. _iNevertheless, _iMuslim _imarriages _iare _istill _ilegal _iand _ivalid _iif _ithey _iare _iperformed iaccording _ito _ithe _irequisites _iof _iIslam (Mutahhari, 1980).

Polygamy

Every _imarriage _isolemnized _iunder _iMuslim _iLaw _ishall _ibe _iregistered _iand _ihusband _ishould _iseek ipermission _ifrom _ithe _iwives _ibefore _isecond _imarriage. _iOn _ireceipt _iof _ithe _iapplication, _iChairman ishall _iask _ithe _iapplicant _iand _ihis _iexisting _iwife _ior _iwives _ieach _ito _inominate _ia _irepresentative, _iand _ithe iArbitration _iCouncil _iif _isatisfied _ithat _ithe _iproposed _imarriage _iis _inecessary _iand _ijust, _igrant, _ithe ipermission _iapplied _ifor _imarriage. 

Islamic Concept of Polygamy

The _iMuslim _iscripture, _ithe _iQuran, _iis _ithe _ionly _iknown _iworld _iscripture _ito _iexplicitly _ilimit _ipolygamy iand _iplace _istrict _irestrictions _iupon _iits _ipractice: “marry iwomen _iof _iyour ichoice, _itwo _ior ithree _ior _ifour; ibut iif _iyou _ifear _ithat _iyou _ishall _inot _ibe iable ito _ideal _ijustly _iwith _ithem, _ithen _ionly _ione.” _i(Quran _i4:3)

The _iQuran _ilimited _ithe _imaximum _inumber _iof _iwives _ito _ifour. _iIn _ithe _iearly _idays _iof _iIslam, _ithose _iwho ihad _imore _ithan _ifour _iwives _iat _ithe _itime _iof _iembracing _iIslam _iwere _irequired _ito _idivorce _ithe _iextra iwives. _iIslam _ifurther _ireformed _ithe _iinstitution _iof _ipolygamy _iby _irequiring _iequal _itreatment _ito _iall iwives. _iThe _iMuslim _iis _inot _ipermitted _ito _idifferentiate _ibetween _ihis _iwives _iin _iregards _ito _isustenance iand _iexpenditures, _itime, _iand _iother _iobligations _iof _ihusbands. _iIslam _idoes _inot _iallow _ia _iman _ito _imarry ianother _iwoman _iif _ihe _iwill _inot _ibe _ifair _iin _ihis _itreatment. _iProphet _iMuhammad _iforbade idiscrimination _ibetween _ithe _iwives _ior _ibetween _itheir _ichildren. _iAlso, _imarriage _iand _ipolygamy _iin iIslam _iis _ia _imatter _iof _imutual _iconsent. _iNo _ione _ican _iforce _ia _iwoman _ito _imarry _ia _imarried _iman. _iIslam isimply _ipermits _ipolygamy; _iit _ineither _iforces _inor _irequires _iit. _iBesides, _ia _iwoman _imay _istipulate _ithat iher _ihusband _imust _inot _imarry _iany _iother _iwoman _ias _ia _isecond _iwife _iin _iher _iprenuptial _icontract. _iThe ipoint _ithat _iis _ioften _imisunderstood _iin _ithe _iWest _iis _ithat _iwomen _iin _iother _icultures _i- _iespecially iAfrican _iand _iIslamic _i- _ido _inot _inecessarily _ilook _iat _ipolygamy _ias _ia _isign _iof _iwomen’s _idegradation. iConsequently, _ito _iequate _ipolygamy _iwith _idegrading _iwomen _iis _ian _iethnocentric _ijudgment _iof _iother isocieties.

Even _ithough _iwe _isee _ithe _iclear _ipermissibility _iof _ipolygamy _iin _iIslam, _iits _iactual _ipractice _iis _iquite _irare iin _imany _iMuslim _isocieties. _iSome _iresearchers _iestimate _ino _imore _ithan _i2% _iof _ithe _imarried _imales ipractice _ipolygamy (Chaudhry, n.d). _iMost _iMuslim _imen _ifeel _ithey _icannot _iafford _ithe _iexpense _iof _imaintaining _imore ithan _ione _ifamily. _iEven _ithose _iwho _iare _ifinancially _icapable _iof _ilooking _iafter _iadditional _ifamilies _iare ioften _ireluctant _idue _ito _ithe _ipsychological _iburdens _iof _ihandling _imore _ithan _ione _iwife. _iOne _ican _isafely isay _ithat _ithe _inumber _iof _ipolygamous _imarriages _iin _ithe _iMuslim _iworld _iis _imuch _iless _ithan _ithe _inumber iof _iextramarital _iaffairs _iin _ithe _iWest. _iIn _iother _iwords, _icontrary _ito _iprevalent _inotion, _imen _iin _ithe iMuslim _iworld _itoday _iare _imore _istrictly _imonogamous _ithan _imen _iin _ithe _iWestern _iworld. 

Seeking Permission from the First Wife in Islam

Polygamy _iis _iwithin _ithe _iinjunctions _iof _iIslam. _iSeeking _iof _ipermission _iby _ithe _ihusband _ifrom _ithe iarbitration _icouncil _ibefore _imarrying _ianother _iwoman _iis _icriticized. Allah _isays: “then _imarry _i(other) _iwomen _iof _iyour _ichoice, _itwo _ior _ithree, _ior _ifour.” _i(Quran _i4:3) _i

It _iis _iwell _iknown _ithat _iwomen _iare _iby _inature _ijealous _iand _ireluctant _ito _ishare _itheir _ihusband _iwith iother _iwomen. _iWomen _iare _inot _ito _ibe _icondemned _ifor _ithis _ijealousy, _ifor _iit _iexisted _iin _ithe _ibest _iof irighteous _iwomen, _ithe _iwives _iof _ithe _iCompanions, _iand _ieven _iin _ithe _iMothers _iof _ithe _iBelievers. _iBut iwomen _ishould _inot _ilet _ijealousy _imake _ithem _iobject _ito _ithat _iwhich _iAllah _ihas _ipermitted, _iand _ithey ishould _inot _itry _ito _iprevent _iit; _ia _iwife _ishould _iallow _iher _ihusband _ito _imarry _ianother _iwoman _ifor _ithis _iis ia _ikind _iof _icooperating _iin _irighteousness _iand _ipiety.

The _ifirst _iwife’s _iconsent _iis _inot _ia _iprerequisite _ifor _ia _iman _ito _itake _ianother _iwife. _iThe _iStanding iCommittee _ifor _iIssuing _iFatwas _iwas _iasked _iabout _ithis _iand _ireplied _ias _ifollows:

“It _iis _inot _iobligatory _ifor _ithe _ihusband, _iif _ihe _iwants _ito _itake _ia _isecond _iwife, _ito _ihave _ithe _iconsent _iof _ihis ifirst _iwife, _ibut _iit _iis _igood _imanners _iand _ikindness _ito _ideal _iwith _iher _iin _isuch _ia _imanner _ithat _iwill iminimize _ithe _ihurt _ifeelings _isuch _ithing _imight _iproduce. _iSo _iit’s _iincumbent _ion _ithe _ihusband _ito _ibe ikind _ito _ihis _iwife, _idiscuss _ithe _imatter _iwith _iher _iin _ia _igentle _iand _ipleasant _imanner, _iand _ithis _ishould _ibe icoupled _iwith _ispending _iwhatever _imoney _imay _ibe _inecessary _iin _iorder _ito _igain _iher _iacceptance _iof _ithe isituation.”

MFLO _ihas ialso iintroduced isome _ireforms iin _ithe _ilaw _irelating _ito _ipolygamy. _iNow, ia _ihusband imust isubmit _ian _iapplication _iand _ipay _ia _iprescribed _ifee _ito _ithe _ilocal _iunion _icouncil _iin _iorder _ito _iobtain ipermission _ifor _icontracting _ia _ipolygamous _imarriage. _iThereafter, _ithe _ichairman _iof _ithe _iunion icouncil _iforms _ian _iarbitration _icouncil _iwith _irepresentatives _iof _iboth _ihusband _iand _iwife/wives _iin iorder _ito _idetermine _ithe _inecessity _iof _ithe _iproposed _imarriage. _iThe _iapplication _imust _istate _iwhether ithe _ihusband _ihas _iobtained _iconsent _iof _ithe _iexisting _iwife _ior _iwives. _iContracting _ia _ipolygamous imarriage _iwithout _iprior _iconsent _iis _isubject _ito _ipenalties _iof _ifine _iand _ior _iimprisonment _iand _ithe ihusband _ibecomes _ibound _ito _imake _iimmediate _ipayment _iof _idowry _ito _ithe _iexisting _iwife _ior _iwives. iNonetheless, _iif _ithe _ihusband _ihas _inot _iobtained _iconsent _iof _ithe _iexisting _iwife _ior _iwives _ithe isubsequent _imarriage _iremains _ivalid.

Talaq

Any _iman _iwho _iwishes _ito _idivorce _ihis _iwife _ishall, _ias _isoon _ias _imay _ibe _iafter _ithe _ipronouncement _iof iTalaq _iin _iany _iform _iwhatsoever, _igive _ithe _ichairman _ia _inotice _iin _iwriting _iof _ihis _ihaving _idone _iso, _iand ishall _isupply _ia _icopy _ithereof _ito _ithe _iwife. _iA _iperson _ifail _ito _ido _iso _ishall _ibe _ipunishable _iwith _isimple iimprisonment _ifor _ia _iterm _iwhich _imay _iextend _ito _ione _iyear, _ior _iwith _ifine _iwhich _imay _iextend _ito _ifive ithousand _irupees, _ior _iwith _iboth. _iIf _ithe _iTalaq, _iis _inot _irevoked _iexpressly _ior _iotherwise, _iit _ishall _inot _ibe ieffective _iuntil _ithe _iexpiration _iof _ininety _idays _ifrom _iday _ion _iwhich _inotice _iis _idelivered _ito _ithe iChairman. _iIf _ithe _iwife _ibe _ipregnant _iat _ithe _itime _iTalaq _iis _ipronounced, _iTalaq _ishall _inot _ibe _ieffective iuntil _ithe _iperiod _iof _i90 _idays _ior _ithe _ipregnancy, _iwhichever _ilater, _iends. 

Islamic Law of Talaq and its Effectiveness

Divorce _iis _ioperative _ifrom _ithe _iannouncement. _iHence _ipending _iit _ifor _i90 _idays _iis _irepugnant _ito iIslamic _iteachings. _iUnder _iMFLO _ilimited _ireforms _ihave _ialso _ibeen _iintroduced _iin _irelation _ito _iTalaq. iUnder _iMFLO _ia _idivorcing _ihusband _ishall, _ias _isoon _ias _ipossible _iafter _iTalaq _ihas _ibeen _ipronounced, iin _iwhatever _iform, _igive _ia _inotice _iin _iwriting _ito _ithe _ichairman _iof _ithe _iUnion _iCouncil. _iThe _ichairman imust _ithen _isupply _ia _icopy _iof _ithe _inotice _iof _iTalaq _ito _ithe _iwife. _iNon-compliance _iis _ipunishable _iby iimprisonment _iand/or _ia _ifine. _iWithin _ithirty _idays _iof _ireceipt _iof _ithe _inotice _iof _iTalaq, _ithe _ichairman imust _iconstitute _ian _iArbitration _iCouncil _iin _iorder _ito _itake _isteps _ito _ibring _iabout _ireconciliation ibetween _ithe _ihusband _iand _ithe _iwife. _iIf _iand _iwhen _isuch _iattempts _ito _inegotiate _ireconciliation _ifail, _ia iTalaq _ithat _iis _inot _irevoked _iin _ithe _imeantime, _ieither _iexpressly _ior _iimplicitly _itakes _ieffect _iafter _ithe iexpiry _iof _ininety _idays _ifrom _ithe _iday _ion _iwhich _ithe _inotice _iof _irepudiation _iwas _ifirst _idelivered _ito _ithe ichairman (Glenn, 2007). _iIf, _ihowever, _ithe _iwife _iis _ipregnant _iat _ithe _itime _iof _ithe _ipronouncement _iof _iTalaq, _ithe _iTalaq idoes _inot _itake _ieffect _iuntil _ininety _idays _ihave _ielapsed _ior _ithe _iend _iof _ithe _ipregnancy, _iwhichever _iis ilater. _iFailure _ito _inotify, _iin _ithe _iabove _istated _imanner, _iinvalidated _iTalaq _iuntil _ithe _ilate _i1970s _iand iearly _i1980s, _ibut _iintroduction _iof _ithe _iZina _iOrdinance _iallowed _iscope _ifor _iabuse _ias _irepudiated _iwives iwere _ileft _iopen _ito _icharges _iof _iZina _iif _itheir _ihusbands _ihad _inot _ifollowed _ithe _iMFLO's _inotification iprocedure. _iSince _iearly _i1980s, _ithe _ipractice _iof _ithe _iCourts _iin _iPakistan _iis _ithat _ithey _ivalidate _ia _iTalaq idespite _ia _ifailure _ito _inotify _ias _iprovided _iunder _ithe _iMFLO.

As _ifar _ias _ithe _iIslamic _iconcept _iof _ieffectiveness _iof _ithe _iTalaq _iis _iconcerned, _iTalaq _iis _ieffective _ifrom ithe _itime _iof _iutterance _iof _ithe _iword _iTalaq _iby _ithe _ihusband. _iRegistration _iis _ionly _isubjected _ito _ithe icountry _ilaw _iand _iit _ihas _inothing _ito _ido _iwith _iIslamic _ilaw _iof _iTalaq. 

Dissolution of Marriage otherwise than by Talaq

Where _ithe iright ito _idivorce ihas ibeen _iduly idelegated ito ithe iwife _iand _ishe _iwishes ito _iexercise ithat iright, _ior _iwhere _iany _iof _ithe _iparties _ito _ia _imarriage _iwishes _ito _idissolves _ithe _imarriage _iotherwise _ithan iby _iTalaq _ithe _iprovisions _iof _isection _i7 _ishall, _imutatis _imutandis _iand _iso _ifar _ias _iapplicable, _iapply. 

Islamic Concept of Dissolution of Marriage otherwise than by Talaq

We _ihave _iso _ifar _idealt _iwith _ithe _inatural _iright _iof _idivorce _iwhich _ibelongs _iexclusively _ito _ithe _ihusband. iBut _ihe _ican _iconfer _ithe _ipower _iof _idivorce _ion _ithe _iwife. _iThis _idelegation _iof _ipower _ican _ieither _ibe igeneral _ior _ilimited _ito _icertain _ispecified _icircumstances. _iTo _imake _iit _iirrevocable _iit _iis _iincluded _iin _ithe imarriage _icontract _ias _ia _ibinding _iclause, _iaccording _ito _iwhich _ithe _iwife _iis _iempowered _ito _idissolve _ithe imarriage _iin _ithe _ispecified _icircumstances _ialready _iagreed _iupon.

It _ihas _ibeen _icustomary _isince _ithe _iolden _idays _ithat _ithe _iwomen, _iwho _ifeel, _iin _iany _iway, _iapprehensive iof _ithe _iconduct _iof _itheir _ihusbands, _iinsist _ion _ithe _iinclusion _iof _isuch _ia _iclause _iin _ithe _imarriage _icontract iand _iexercise _ithe _ipower _idelegated _ito _ithem, _iif _inecessary. _iThus, _iaccording _ito _ithe _iIslamic _ilaw, ithough _iwoman _idoes _inot _ihave _ithe _inatural _iright _iof _idivorce, _ishe _ican _ihave _ithe _icontractual _iright _iof ithe _idissolution _iof _imarriage. _iHence, _iit _iis _inot _icorrect _ito _isay _ithat _ithe _iright _iof _idivorce _iis _iunilateral iand _iIslam _ihas _igiven _iit _ionly _ito _iman (Marriage Commission Report, 1959).

Maintenance

a.        If _iany _ihusband _ifails _ito _imaintain _ihis _iwife _iadequately, _ior _iwhere _ithere _iare _imore _iwives _ithan ione, _ifails _ito _imaintain _ithem _iequitably, _ithe _iwife, _ior _iall _ior _iany _iof _ithe _iwives, _imay _iin iaddition _ito _iseeking _iany _iother _ilegal _iremedy _iavailable _iapply _ito _ithe _iChairman _iwho _ishall iconstitute _ian _iArbitration _iCouncil _ito _idetermine _ithe _imatter, _iand _ithe _iArbitration _iCouncil imay _iissue _ia _icertificate _ispecifying _ithe _iamount _iwhich _ishall _ibe _ipaid _ias _imaintenance _iby _ithe ihusband.

b.        A _ihusband _ior _iwife _imay, _iin _ithe _iprescribed _imanner, _iwithin _ithe _iprescribed _iperiod, _iand _ion ipayment _iof _ithe _iprescribed _ifee, _iprefer _ian _iapplication _ifor _irevision _iof _ithe _icertificate, _ito _ithe iCollector _iconcerned _iand _ihis _idecision _ishall _ibe _ifinal _iand _ishall _inot _ibe _icalled _iin _iquestion _iin iany _iCourt (Butt, 2007).

c.         Any _iamount _ipayable _iunder _iSub-section _i(1) _ior, _i(2) _iif, _inot _ipaid _iin _ithe _idue _itime, _ishall _ibe irecoverable _ias _iarrears _iof _iland _irevenue. _iPUNJAB _iAMENDMENT _iIn _isub-section _i(2), _ithe ifull-stop _ioccurring _iat _ithe _iend _ishall _ibe _ireplaced _iby _ia _icolon _iand _ithereafter _ithe _ifollowing iproviso _ishall _ibe _iadded, _inamely: _iProvided _ithat _ithe _iCommissioner _iof _ia _iDivision _imay, _ion ian _iapplication _imade _iin _ithis _ibehalf _iand _ifor _ireasons _ito _ibe _irecorded, _itransfer _ian _iapplication ifor _irevision _iof _ithe _icertificate _ifrom _ia _iCollector _ito _iany _iother _iCollector, _ior _ito _ia _iDirector, iLocal _iGovernment, _ior _ito _ian _iAdditional _iCommissioner _iin _ihis _iDivision. 

Islamic Concept of Maintenance

Islamic _iconcept _iof _imaintenance _iis _igiven _ibelow: 

Injunctions of the Qur'an

Injunctions _iof _ithe _iHoly _iQur'an _iregarding _ithe _irights _iof _iwoman _iin _irespect _iof _imaintenance iare _icontained _iin _ithe _ifollowing _iverses: _i-

a.        The _imothers _ishall _igive _isuck _ito _itheir _ioffspring _ifor _itwo _iwhole _iyears, _iif _ithe _ifather _idesires, ito _icomplete _ithe _iterm. _iBut _ihe _ishall _ibear _ithe _icost _iof _itheir _ifood _iand _iclothing _ion _iequitable iterms _i(Quran _i2:233).

b.        There _iis _ino _iblame _ion _iyou _iif _iye _idivorce _iwomen _ibefore _iconsummation _ior _ithe _ifixation _iof itheir _idower; _ibut _ibestow _ion _ithem _i(a _isuitable _igift) _ithe _iwealthy _iaccording _ito _ihis _imeans, _iand ithe ipoor iaccording ito _ihis _imeans,- ia _igift _iof _ia _ireasonable _iamount _iis _idue ifrom _ithose iwho iwish _ito _ido _ithe _iright _ithings _i(Quran _i2:236).

c.         For _idivorced _iwomen _imaintenance _i(should _ibe _iprovided) _ion _ia _ireasonable _i(scale). _iThis _iis _ia iduty _ion _ithe _irighteous _i(Quran _i2:241).

d.        Men _iare _ithe _iprotectors _iand _imaintainers _iof _iwomen, _ibecause _iAllah _ihas _igiven _ithe _ione _imore i(strength) _ithan _ithe _iother, _iand _ibecause _ithey _isupport _ithem _ifrom _itheir _imeans _i(Quran _i4:34).

e.        O _iProphet! _iWhen _iire _ido _idivorce _iwomen, _idivorce _ithem _iat _itheir _iprescribed _iperiods, _iand icount _i(accurately) _itheir _iprescribed _iperiods: _iAnd _ifear _iAllah _iyour _iLord: _iand _iturn _ithem _inot iout _iof _itheir _ihouses, _inor _ishall _ithey _i(themselves) _ileave, _iexcept _iin _icase _ithey _iare _iguilty _iof isome _iopen _ilewdness. _iThose _iare _ilimits _iset _iby _iAllah: _iand _iany _iwho _itransgresses _ithe _ilimits iof _iAllah, _idoes _iverily _iwrong _ihis _i(own) _isoul: _iThou _iknowest _inot _iif _iperchance _iAllah _iwill ibring _iabout _ithereafter _isome _inew _isituation _i(Quran _i65:1).

f.         Let _ithe _iwomen _ilive _i(In _i`Iddat,) _iin _ithe _isame _istyle _ias _iye _ilive, _iaccording _ito _iyour _imeans; iannoy _ithem _inot, _iso _ias _ito _irestrict _ithem. _iAnd _iif _ithey _icarry _i(life _iin _itheir _iwombs), _ithen ispend _i(your. _isubstance) _ion _ithem _iuntil _ithey _ideliver _itheir _iburden: _iand _iif _ithey. _iSuckle _iyour i(offspring), _igive _ithem _itheir _irecompense; _iand _itake _imutual _icounsel _itogether, _iaccording _ito iwhat _iis _ijust _iand _ireasonable. _iAnd _iif _iye _ifind _iyourselves _iin _idifficulties, _ilet _ianother _iwoman isuckle _i(the _ichild) _ion _ithe _i(father's) _ibehalf _i(Quran _i65:6).

g.        Let _ithe _iman _iof _imeans _ispend _iaccording _ito _ihis _imeans: _iand _ithe _iman _iwhose _iresources _iare irestricted, _ilet _ihim _ispend _iaccording _ito _iwhat _iAllah _ihas _igiven _ihim. _iAllah _iputs _ino _iburden _ion iany _iperson _ibeyond _iwhat _ihe _ihas _igiven _ihim. _iAfter _ia _idifficulty, _iAllah _iwill _isoon _igrant _irelief i(Quran _i65:7). 

Ahadith of the Prophet (PBUH)

The _iTraditions _iof _ithe _iHoly _iProphet _iabout _ithe _irights _iof _iwoman _ifor _imaintenance _iare:

a.        Jaber-b-Abdullah _ireported _ithat _ithe _iMessenger _iof _iAllah _isaid: _iFear _iAllah _iregarding iwomen. _iVerily _iyou _ihave _imarried _ithem _iwith _itrust _iof _iAllah _iand _imade _itheir _iprivate _iparts ilawful _iwith _ithe _iword _iof _iAllah.... _iThey _ihave _igot _irights _iover _iyou _iin _irespect _iof _itheir _ifood iand _iclothing _iaccording _ito _imeans _i(Bukhari _iand _iMuslim). _i

b.        Jaber-b-Abdullah _ireported: _iThe _iApostle _iof _iAllah _iaddressed _ithe _ipeople _iat _iArafat _iduring ihis _ifarewell _ipilgrimage.... _iFear _iAllah _iabout _iwomen, _ibecause _iyou _ihave _itaken _ithem _iwith ithe _itrust _iof _iAllah _iand _imade _itheir _iprivate _iparts _ilawful _iwith _ithe _iword _iof _iAllah. _iYou _ihave igot _irights _iover _ithem _ithat _ithey _ishall _inot _ientertain _ianybody _ion _iyour _ibed _iwhich _iyou _idislike. iIf _ithey _ido _ithat, _iscourge _ithem _iwithout _ibeing _ioppressive. _iAnd _ithey _ihave _igot _irights _iover iyou _ithat _iyou _ishall _iclothe _ithem _iand _ifeed _ithem _iin _ia _ijust _imanner _i(Muslim).

c.         Hakim- _ib-Muawiyah _ifrom _ihis _ifather _ireported: _iI _iasked: _iO _iMessenger _iof _iAllah! _iWhat iright _ihas _ithe _iwife _iof _ione _iamong _ius _igot _iover _ihim? _iHe _isaid: _iIt _iis _ithat _iyou _ishall _igive _iher ifood _iwhen _iyou _ihave _itaken _iyour _ifood, _ithat _iyou _ishall _iclothe _iher _iwhen _iyou _ihave _iclothed iyourself _i... _i(Ahmad, _iibn _ie _iMaja).

d.        Abu _iHurairah _ireported _ithat _ithe _iMessenger _iof _iAllah _isaid:(As _ifor) _ia _idinar _iyou _ihave _ispent iin _ithe _iway _iof _iAllah, _iand _ia _idinar _iyou _ihave _ispent _iin _iemancipating _ia _islave _iand _ia _idinar _iyou ihave _igiven _ito _ia _ipoor _iman _iin _icharity, _iand _ia _idinar _iyou _ihave _ispent _ifor _iyour _ifamily, _ithe igreatest _iof _ithem _iin _ireward _iis _ithat _iwhich _iyou _ihave _ispent _ifor _iyour _ifamily _i(Muslim).

e.        Ayesha _ireported _ithat _iHind, _idaughter _iof _iUtbah, _iasked: _iO _iMessenger _iof _iAllah! _iAbu iSufiyan _iis _ia _imiserly _ifellow. _iHe _idoes _inot _igive _iwhat _imay _ibe _isufficient _ifor _ime _iand _imy ichildren, _iunless _iI _itake iit _ifrom _ihim _iwithout ihis iknowledge. _iHe _isaid: _iTake _iwhat _isuffice iyou _iand _iyour _ichildren _iaccording _ito _imeans _i(Bukhari _iand _iMuslim).

Rights In The Light of Qur'an and Hadith

Principles _iregarding _iwoman's _iright _iof _imaintenance _ias _ienunciated _iby _ithe _iQur'an _iand _iSunnah _iare:

i.          According _ito _isome _iwell-known _iTraditions _ireported _iin _iauthentic _ibooks _iof _iHadith, _ithe iProphet _i(may _iAllah's _ipeace _ibe _iupon _ihim) _irequired _ihis _ifollowers _ito _iaccord _itheir _iwives ithe _ibest _ipossible _itreatment. _iHe _iimpressed _iupon _ithe _imen _ithe _irights _iof _iwomen _iregarding ithe _ifood, _iclothing _iand _ilodging. _iEven _iin _ihis _ifamous _iFarewell _iAddress _iat _iArafat, _ithe iApostle _iof _iAllah _idid _inot _iforget _ito _iexhort _ithe _ibelievers _ito _ifulfil _itheir _iobligations _iregarding ithe _iproper _imaintenance _iof _itheir _iwomen. _iThe _iQur'an _isays: