Islamabad: The Council for Islamic Ideology (CII) on Wednesday ruled that a man divorcing his wife thrice at one time is non-Islamic, adding that this should be made an offence punishable by law.
Citing increasing divorce rates, Islamic Idelogy Council’s chairman Maulana Mohammad 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.
Maulana Sherani said people get divorced without any hesitation nowadays and much more care should be taken while ending such a ‘sacred’ relationship.
He maintained that while declaring a divorce three consecutive times has been strongly disliked by Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), it is not a crime per se.
Maulana Sherani declared that the nature of punishment for the pronouncement of three divorces should be left to respective courts where particular cases are handled.
Sherani further recommended formation of rules and regulations to eliminate sectarianism after thorough investigation of the issue.
Speaking on behalf of the CCI, Maulana Sherani proposed that female judges should be obligated to cover or wear niqab (face veil). He added that the veil should be worn according to principles of Sharia.
The council rejected a bill regarding juvenile punishments, declaring punishments for minors un-Islamic and inappropriate. It has advised the government to reassess and draft a new bill in this regard.
The council which had been holding sessions for the past two days has proposed for August 14 to be rendered a public holiday owing to the day’s paramount national substance.
During his address, Maulana Sherani presented the council members’ consensus that ‘Black Days’ or days of mourning should not be observed in Pakistan regardless of adversity faced by the nation.
Denouncing instances of sectarian violence rife in the country, CCI proposed in the final session of its meeting that a Code of Conduct be formulated by the government to curb sectarian hostility.
The members of the council also discussed measures to promote interfaith harmony among the Pakistani people.
Ruling on women’s eligibility to be a judge, Maulana Sherani said that a woman has to be at least 40-year-old to become a judge and that too if she maintains full ‘Islamic veil’.
