The Muslim clerics and the AIMPLB have been twisting the narrative of triple talaq to mislead a large section of the Muslims. Even the AIMPLB’s stance to issue an advisory is a ploy to hoodwink
Mokarram Khan
There has been an uproar on Triple Talaq for quite some time. A group of Muslim women approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek ban on it. The moment government intervened in this matter by filing an affidavit in the court in favour of petitioners, All- India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and the Muslim clerics started agitating.
They held public meetings, conferences etc. in different cities to express resentment. The issue caught fire rapidly and gave rise to a spate of debates. The PM has repeatedly stated that he would ensure justice to his Muslim sisters. It has divided the Muslims in two groups. One is women and their guardians aggrieved of triple talaq and other is of Muslims justifying triple talaq. Definitely, the latter does not enjoy majority. As such the PM has succeeded in dividing the Muslims. Now AIMPLB seems to have lost grip over its campaign.
However, amidst uproar from all corners, main issue still remains untouched or overlooked by every faction. Rights of the Muslim women have been fully described in holy Quran (orders of Almighty God) and Hadis (words of beloved Prophet). The procedure laid down for triple talaq has also been described. It is a lengthy process which carries enough scope for recanalisation before complete termination of marriage. Talaq is most disliked by Almighty God. Unfortunately, many Muslims do not bother to follow the teachings of beloved Prophet. This impertinence is the main reason behind plight of the community. People are making mockery of religion by pronouncing talaq through sms, Facebook, Twitter etc. even in the state of intoxication, anger or fun without assigning any reason.
The Muslim clerics pass verdict that talaq is valid. It looks like telling new recipes of talaq because clerics never say that such type of talaqs are grave sin and men concerned are liable for punishment. It gives a wrong impression that women are only slaves and can be thrown after use without assigning any reason. This state of affairs maligns image of Islam. One of the grounds to terminate marital relations is adultery but at least two witnesses of strictly religious nature are must for it. Some clerics say that women can be divorced on disobedience. Disobedience means non-compliance of an order but the order must fall under the duties assigned. As per Islam, cooking, washing and other domestic works, looking after parents-in-law, sisters in law, brothers-in-law even breast-feeding children are not duties of a wife. Ironically, reasons behind most of the divorce cases remain failure to please parents, sisters, brothers of husband. Secondly, the process described takes several months and it is advised that all possible efforts be made to save the marriage but it is especially the Indian Muslims who do not follow the entire procedure and finish the relations within seconds.
Now when Narendra Modi is adamant to stop it despite strong resentment, they are also saying, they would stop practice of triple talaq by boycotting such Muslims.
Under the circumstances, only remedy left is coercion because reckless Muslims are not afraid of God but are scared of police and jail. If a dozen of Muslims all over the country are sent to jail for pronouncing triple talaq without valid reasons and without following Islamic procedure, whole community will be automatically set right.
(The writer is a Journalist and a Political Analyst)
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