Right? wrong

 

 

Men are fighting – for women – for their marraige rights, so to say. The All India Muslim Shia Law Board (AIMSLB) has prepared a model Nikahnama (marriage contract) aimed at empowering women. This has become the latest bone of contention among various law boards of the community. Maulana Mohammad Athar, President of AIMSLB, claims the Nikahnama will give more rights to Muslim women. Shia leaders and scholars don't agree.

Standing against him is the internationally renowned Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawad who refuses to acknowledge this nikahanama, as it was “not discussed with them”. Women finally came into the picture with All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board (AIMWPLB) claiming they were not consulted regarding the new Nikahnama. “There is nothing new in this Nikahnama. Islam already has all these provisions but maulvis corrupted them. Now what do they want to prove is beyond me”, says Praveen Abdi, Secretary General, AIMWPLB.

However, divorce is not the real issue for Muslim women in India. Abdi argues, “What is the use of a model Nikahnama if women don’t know about it. The real issue is educating them about their social and economic rights.”

Muslim scholars don't see the model Nikahnama as anything more than a part of the ongoing tussle between different Muslim organisations. Rift between different sections of Mulsim society is widening. Earlier there was only one Muslim personal law board – now there are five. Last year in January, Maulana Tauqir Raza Khan split the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and created a separate Personal Law Board for the Barelvi Muslim sect.

Then Maulana Mirza Mohammad Athar came up with a personal law board for Shia Muslims in India. Then there were Muslim women who felt neglected and founded their own AIMWPLB. It was followed by another board by Shia women. Now all these boards are coming up with their own interpretations of Shariat and Quran.

Prof I. M. Khan from the Department of Islamic Studies, Jamia Milia Islamia says, “These law boards have to create space for themselves. So they are picking up different issues." He asks, “Why aren’t knowledgeable people in these law boards talking about more important issues like image of Muslims?”

So far, nothing substantial has ever been done by these Muslim leaders except issuing fatwas and fighting among themselves. Abdi suggests, “Since Muslim women are coming forward for their rights, it is better for the Maulvis to accept their contention”. If that can be done, the Muslim boards shall be contributing towards changing the face of the modern world in the true sense. It’s time for Muslim leaders to concentrate on real issues than indulging in personal aggrandisement.