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.

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.

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).

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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 _iconcept _iof _imaintenance _iis _igiven _ibelow:

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).

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).

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:

"Lodge _ithem _iwhere _iye _idwell, _iaccording _ito _iyour _iwealth, _iand _iharass' _ithem _inot _iso ias _ito _istraighten _ilife _ifor _ithem" _i(Quran _i65:6). _i The _iQur'an _imakes _ithe _imen _iQawwam _i(caretaker) _iof _iwomen _iand _iplaces _ithe _iresponsibility _iof iearning _ilivelihood _iof _ithe _ifamily _iprimarily _ion _ithe _ishoulders _iof _imen _iwhen _iit _isays: "... _iand _ibecause _ithey _isupport _ithem _ifrom _itheir _imeans" _i(Quran _i4:34).

ii. Duty _iof _iproviding _imaintenance _ito _ithe _iwomen _iis _iso _iimportant _ithat _ithe _iQur'an _imakes _ieven ithe _idivorced _iwomen _ientitled _ito _iit _iduring _ithe _iperiod _iof _iIddah _iwhen _ithe _ihusband _iwould iprovide _iher _ifood, _iclothing _iand _ilodging _iand _icannot _iexpel _iher _ifrom _ihis _ihouse _i(Quran _i65:16). _iIf _ishe _iis _iexpecting, _ithe _ihusband _iis _ibound _ito _imaintain _iher _itill _idelivery _iand _iin _icase _ishe isuckles _ithe _ichild _ishe _iwould _ibe _ientitled _ito _ireceive _ithe _idue _ipayment _ifor _ithis _iservice i(Quran _i65:6). _iAgain _ithe _iQur'an _isays:

"The _iduty _iof _ifeeding _iand _iclothing _inursing _imothers _iin _iseemly _imanner _iis _iupon _ithe ifather _iof _ithe _ichild" _i(Quran _i2:233). _i

In _icase _ithe _ifather _iof _ithe _ichild _iis _idead, _ithe _iobligation _iof _iproviding _imaintenance _ito _ithe _inursing imother _iwould _ibe _ion _ithe _iheir _iof _ithe _ideceased, _ias _ithe _iQur'an _isays:

"And _ion _ithe _i(father's) _iheir _iis _iincumbent _ithe _ilike _iof _ithat _i(which _iwas _iincumbent _ion ithe _ifather)" _i(Quran _i2:233).

iii. The _iQur'an _imakes _iit _ia _iduty _ifor _ithe _ipious _iand _iGod-fearing _ipersons _ito _imake _isome iprovision _ieven _ifor _ithose _iwomen _iwho _ihave _ibeen _idivorced _iby _ithem _i(Quran _i2:241) iMuhammad _iAsad _iexplains _ithis _iverse _i(Quran _i2:233) _iof _ithe _iHoly _iQur'an _iin _ithese _iwords: _i

"This _iobviously _irelates _ito _iwomen _iwho _iare _idivorced _iwithout _iany _ilegal _ifault _ion itheir _ipart. _iThe _iamount _iof _ialimony _i-payable _iunless _iand _iuntil _ithey _iremarry _i- _ihas ibeen _ileft _iunspecified _isince _iit _imust _idepend _ion _ithe _ihusband's _ifinancial icircumstances _iand _ion _ispecial _iconditions _iof _ithe _itime."

iv. No _iscale _ior _istandard _ihas _ibeen _ifixed _ifor _imaintenance _iby _ithe _iQur'an _ior _iby _ithe _iSunnah.

iHowever _ia _ilot _iof _iguidance _ihas _ibeen _iprovided _ito _idetermine _iit _iin _ithe _igiven _icircumstances. iThe _iQur'an _isays: _i"No _ione _ishould _ibe _icharged _ibeyond _ione's _icapacity" _i(Quran _i2:233). _iAt ianother _iplace, _ithe _iQur'an _idirects: _i"Provide _ifor _ithem; _ithe _irich _iaccording _ito _ihis _imeans _iand ithe _istraitened _iaccording _ito _ihis _imeans, _ia _ifair _iprovision" _i(Quran _i2:236).

The _isame _iprinciple _ihas _ibeen _ifurther _ielaborated _iwhen _ithe _iQur'an _isays:

" _iLet _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" i(Quran _i65:7).

These _iare _isome _iof _ithe _iverses _iwhich _ihighlight _ithe _iguiding _iprinciples _iregarding _ithe _idetermination iof _ithe _iquantum _iof _imaintenance. _iThe _irich _iaccording _ito _ihis _imeans _iand _ithe _ipoor _iaccording _ito _ihis imeans _iand _inobody _ito _ibe _icharged _ibeyond _ihis _icapacity _i- _ithis _iis _ithe _igolden _irule.

Islamic _ilaw _iand _iFiqh _iregarding _imaintenance _iof _ithe _iwomen _ilay _idown _ithe _ifollowing _iprinciples: _i-

a. The _imeaning _iof _i"Nafqah", _iwhich _iis _ithe _iArabic _iequivalent _iof _i"maintenance", _iis _iwhat _ia iperson _ispends _ion _ihis _ifamily. _iMaintenance _iincludes _ifood, _iclothing _iand _ilodging.

b. The _ihusband _iis _ibound _ito _imaintain _ihis _iwife. _iHer _iright _ito _ireceive _imaintenance _iis _iabsolute ieven _iif _ishe _iis _ivery _irich _iand _iowns _ia _ilot _iof _iproperty.

c. If _ithe _ihusband _ineglects _ior _irefuses _ito _imaintain _ihis _iwife _iwithout _iany _ilawful _icause, _ithe _iwife imay _isue _ihim _ifor _imaintenance. _iThe _iMuslim _iFamily _iLaws _iOrdinance, _i1961 _ipermits _ithe iwife _ito _iapply _ito _ithe _ichairman _iwho _iwill _iconstitute _ian _iArbitration _iCouncil _ito _idetermine ithe _imatter. _iShe _ican _ialso _iapply _ifor _ian _iorder _iof _imaintenance _iunder _isection _i488 _iof _iCode _iof iCriminal _iProcedure, _i1908.

d. After _idivorce, _ithe _iwoman _iis _ientitled _ito _imaintenance _ifrom _iher _ihusband _iduring _ithe _iperiod iof _iIddah. _iHowever, _ia _iwidow _iis _inot _ientitled _ito _imaintenance _iduring _ithe _iperiod _iof _iIddah. _iIf ithe _idivorcee _iis _ipregnant _ishe _iis _ientitled _ito _imaintenance _itill _idelivery _iand _iif _ishe _isuckles _ithe ichild, _iher _ientitlement _iwould _ibe _iup _ito _ithe _iexpiry _iof _isuckling _iperiod. _iIn _icase _ithe _icustody iof _ithe _ichildren _iis _iwith _iher, _ithe _ihusband _iwould _ibe _ibound _ito _iprovide _imaintenance _ifor _ithe ichildren (Chaudhry, n.d).

e. About _ithe _iscale _iof _imaintenance, _ithere _ihas _ialways _ibeen _idifference _iof _iopinion _iamong _ithe ijurists. _iHanafi _iLaw _iprescribes _ithat _ithe _imaintenance _ishould _ibe _idetermined _iwith _ireference ito _ithe _isocial _iposition _iof _iboth _ithe _ispouses, _ihusband _iand _iwife. _iBut _ithe _iShafis _isay _ithat _ithe iposition _iof _ithe _ihusband _ialone _ishould _ibe _iconsidered. _iAccording _ito _iHedaya, _iwhen _ione _iof ithem _i- _ithe _ihusband _iand _ithe _iwife _i- _iis _irich _iand _iother _ipoor, _ia _iproper _imean _ishould _ibe iadopted _ibetween _ithe _itwo. _iIf _iboth _ithe _iparties _iare _irich, _imaintenance _ishould _ibe _iprovided _iat ithe _ihigh _iscale, _ibut _iif _iboth _iare _ipoor, _ihusband _imay _iprovide _iaccordingly. _iScale _iof imaintenance, _iaccording _ito _ithe _iShia _iLaw, _ishould _ibe _idetermined _iwith _ireference _ito _ithe irequirements _iof _ithe _iwife _iregarding _icondiments, _ifood, _iclothing, _iresidence, _iservants _iand iarticles _ifor _iadornment _isubject _ito _ithe _icustom _iof _iher _iequals _iamong _iher _iown _ipeople _iliving iin _ithe _isame _itown

Where _ino _idetails _iabout _ithe _imode _iof _ipayment _iof _idower _iare _ispecified _iin _ithe _iNikahnama _ior _ithe imarriage _icontract, _ithe _ientire _iamount _iof _ithe _idower _ishall _ibe _ipresumed _ito _ibe _ipayable _ion _idemand.

The _iform _iof _ithe _idower _idescribed _iabove _iin _iconnection _iwith _ithe _ififth _istage _iis _inot _ian _iinvention _iof ithe _iQur'an. _iAll _ithat _ithe _iQur'an _idid _iwas _ito _irestore _iit _ito _iits _inatural _iand _ipristine _iform. _iThe _iQur'an iin _iits _iincomparably _ielegant _istyle _isays: _i

"Give _ito _ithe _iwomen _ia _ifree _igift _iof _itheir _imarriage _iportions" _i(Quran _i4:4). _i

This _imeans _ithat _ithe _idower _ibelongs _ito _iwomen _iexclusively _iand _iit _iis _ia _igift _ito _ibe _ipaid _idirectly _ito ithem. _iIt _ihas _inothing _ito _ido _iwith _itheir _ifathers _ior _ibrothers.

In _ithis _ishort _isentence _ithe _iHoly _iQur'an _ihas _ireferred _ito _ithree _ibasic _ipoints:

Firstly _iit _ihas _iused _ifor _imarriage _iportion _ior _ithe _idower _ithe _iword, _isaduqatehinna _imeaning itruthfulness _iand _isincerity _iand _inot _ithe _iword _imehr. _iThus, _ithe _idower _iis _ia _isymbol _iof _ithe _icordiality iof _ithe _iman _ipaying _iit. _iThis _ipoint ihas _ibeen _iexpressly imentioned _iby ia _inumber _iof ithe _icommentators iof _ithe _iHoly _iQur'an, _isuch _ias _iZamakhshari, _ithe _iauthor _iof _ithe _iwell-known _icommentary, _ithe iKashshaf _isimilarly, _ithe _ifamous _iphilologist, _iRaghib _iIsfahani _isays _iin _ihis _ilexicon _iof _ithe _iQur'an ithat _ithe _idower _ihas _ibeen _icalled _isaduqah _ibecause _iit _iis _ia _isymbol _iof _ithe _isincerity _iof _ifaith.

Secondly, _iit _iis _iclear _ifrom _ithe _iabove _iverse _iof _ithe _iQur'an _ithat _ithe _idower _iis _ito _ibe _ipaid _idirectly _ito ithe _iwoman, _iand _iher _iparents _ihave _ino _iclaim _ito _iit. _iIt _iis _inot _ia _icompensation _ifor _ithe _iefforts _imade _iby ithem _ito _ibring _iup _itheir _idaughter. _i

Thirdly, _iit _iis _iclear _ithat _ithe _idower _iis _inothing _iexcept _ia _ipresent _iand _ia _igift _i(Mutahhari, _i1980).

The _isection _i12 _iprovides _ian _ieffect _ionly _ito _ithe _iopinion _iof _iShiati _ifaction. _iAs _iI _ihave _istudied _ithe iopinion _iof _iAbu _iHanifa, _ihe _isays _ithat _iin _isuch _icase, _ithe _iprompt _iportion _iof _ithe _idower _ishould _ibe idecided, _iwhile _itaking _iin _iconsideration _ithree _ithings _i(1) _icustom _i(2) _istatus _iof _ithe _ihusband _i(3) iamount _iof _ithe _idower _ifixed.

So _ithe _iprovisions _iof _isection _i12 _idon't _ihave _ithe _imerit _iof _ibalance.

i. The _iGovernment _imay _imake _irules _ito _icarry _iinto _ieffect _ithe _ipurposes _iof _ithis _iOrdinance.

ii. In _imaking _irules _iunder _ithis _isection, _isuch _iGovernment _imay _iprovide _ithat _ia _ibreach _iof _iany _iof ithe _irules _ishall _ibe _ipunishable _iwith _isimple _iimprisonment _iwhich _imay _iextend _ito _ione _imonth, ior _iwith _ifine _iwhich _imay _iextent _ito _itwo _ihundred _irupees, _ior _iwith _iboth.

iii. Rules _imade _iunder _ithis _isection _ishall _ibe _ipublished _iin _ithe _iofficial _iGazette _iand _ishall ithereupon _ihave _ieffect _ias _iif _ienacted _iin _ithis _iOrdinance (Tanzilur, 1991).

There _iare _itwo _isources _iof _iSharia _i(understood _ias _ithe _idivine _ilaw): _ithe _iQur'an _iand _iSunnah. iAccording _ito _iMuslims, _ithe _iQur'an _iis _ithe _iunalterable _iword _iof _iGod. _iMuch _iof _ithe _iQur'an _iexhorts iMuslims _ito _igeneral _imoral _ivalues; _ionly _i80 _iverses _iof _ithe _iQur'an _icontain _ilegal _iprescriptions. _iThe iSunnah _iis _ithe _ilife _iand _iexample _iof _ithe _iIslamic _iprophet _iMuhammad. _iThe _iSunnah's _iimportance _ias ia _isource _iof _iSharia, _iis _iconfirmed _iby _iseveral _iverses _iof _ithe _iQur'an _i(e.g. _iQuran _i33:21). _iThe _iSunnah iis _iprimarily _icontained _iin _ithe _ihadith _ior _ireports _iof _iMuhammad's _isayings, _ihis _iactions, _ihis _itacit iapproval _iof _iactions _iand _ihis _idemeanor. _iWhile _ithere _iis _ionly _ione _iQur'an, _ithere _iare _imany icompilations _iof _ihadith, _iwith _ithe _imost _iauthentic _iones _iforming _iduring _ithe _isahih _iperiod _i(850 _ito i915 _iCE). _iThe _isix _iacclaimed _iSunni _icollections _iwere _icompiled _iby _i(in _iorder _iof _idecreasing iimportance) _iMuhammad _ial-Bukhari, _iMuslim _iibn _ial-Hajjaj, _iAbu _iDawood, _iTirmidhi, _iAl-Nasa'i, iIbn _iMaja. _iThe _icollections _iby _ial-Bukhari _iand _iMuslim, _iregarded _ithe _imost _iauthentic, _icontain _iabout i7,000 _iand _i12,000 _ihadiths _irespectively _i(although _ithe _imajority _iof _ientries _iare _irepetitions). _iThe ihadiths _ihave _ibeen _ievaluated _ion _iauthenticity, _iusually _iby _idetermining _ithe _ireliability _iof _ithe inarrators _ithat _itransmitted _ithem. _iFor _iShias, _ithe _iSunnah _imay _ialso _iinclude _ianecdotes _iThe _iTwelve iImams.

The _iprocess _iof _iinterpreting _ithe _itwo _iprimary _isources _iof _iIslamic _ilaw _iis _icalled _ifiqh _i(literally imeaning _i"intelligence") _ior _iIslamic _ijurisprudence. _iWhile _ithe _iabove _itwo _isources _iare _iregarded _ias iinfallible, _ithe _ifiqh _istandards _imay _ichange _iin _idifferent _icontexts. _iFiqh _icovers _iall _iaspects _iof _ilaw, iincluding _ireligious, _icivil, _ipolitical, _iconstitutional _iand _iprocedural _ilaw. _iFiqh _idepends _ion _i4 isources:

i. Interpretations _iof _ithe _iQur'an

ii. Interpretations _iof _ithe _iSunnah

iii. Ijma, _iconsensus _iamongst _ischolars _i("collective _ireasoning")

iv. Qiyas/Ijtihad _ianalogical _ideduction _i("individual _ireasoning")

As _ian _iIslamic _irule _iif _ithe _irules _ithat _iare _iin _iaccordance _iwith _ithe _iQuran _iand _iSunnah _ithey _iwill _ibe iwelcomed _iand _iall _ithe _iother _iwill _ibe _irejected.

In _ithe _iChild _iMarriage _iRestraint _iAct, _i1929 _i–Minimum _iage _ifor _imarriage _iboth _ifor _iboys _iand _igirls

i. in _isection _i2,--(a) _iin _iclause _i(a), _ifor _ithe _iword _i“fourteen” _ithe _iword _i“sixteen” _ishall _ibe isubstituted; ii. in _iSection _i4, _ifor _ithe _iwords _i“eighteen” _ithe _iword _i“twenty-one” _ishall _ibe _isubstituted.

The _iChild _iMarriage _iRestraint _iAct _i1929 _ihas _imade _iunder-age _imarriages _ia _ipenal _ioffence. _iUnder ithe _iAct _ithe _iminimum _iage _iof _imarriage _ifor _ia _imale _iis _i18 _iyears _iwhereas _ithe _iminimum _iage _iof imarriage _ifor _ia _ifemale _iis _i16 _iyears. _iDespite _ithe _ifact _ithat _iunder-age _imarriages _iare _iliable _ito ipunishment, _isuch _iunions _iare _inot _irendered _iinvalid.

Woman _ihas _ithe _iright _ito _iaccept _ior _ireject _imarriage _iproposals. _iHer _iconsent _iis _ia _iprerequisite _ito _ithe ivalidity _iof _ithe _imarital _icontract, _iaccording _ito _ithe _iProphet’s _iteaching. _iIt _ifollows _ithat _iif _ian i"arranged _imarriage" _imeans _ithe _imarrying _iof _ia _ifemale _iwithout _iher _iconsent, _ithen _isuch _ia _imarriage imay _ibe _iannulled _iif _ithe _ifemale _iso _iwishes:

Ibn _iAbbas _ireported _ithat _ia _igirl _icame _ito _ithe _iMessenger _iof _iAllah, _iand _ishe _ireported _ithat _iher _ifather ihad _iforced _iher _ito _imarry _iwithout _iher _iconsent. _iThe _iMessenger _iof _iGod _igave _iher _ithe _ichoice... i(Between _iaccepting _ithe _imarriage _ior _iinvalidating _iit). _i(Musnad _iAhmad) _iAnother _iversion _iof _ithe ireport _istates _ithat _i“the _igirl _isaid: _i‘Actually, _iI _iaccept _ithis _imarriage, _ibut _iI _iwanted _ito _ilet _iwomen iknow _ithat _iparents _ihave _ino _iright _ito _iforce _ia _ihusband _ion _ithem” _i(Ibn _ie _iMaja).

Council _iof _iIslamic _iIdeology _iassists _ithe _istate _iin _icarrying _iout _iits _imandate _ias _istated _iin _ithe iconstitution _iof _iPakistan.

The _iconstitution _iof _iPakistan _istates _ithat _i‘all _iexisting _ilaws _ishall _ibe _ibrought _iin _iconformity _iwith _ithe iinjunctions _iof _iIslam _ias _ilaid _idown _iin _iHoly _iQuran _iand _iSunnah. _iThere _iare _iSharia _icourts, _iincluding ian _iapex _ibody _icalled _ithe _iFederal _iSharia _iCourt, _ito _iadjudicate _ion _iIslamic _imatters _iand _ienforce _ithe iSharia _ilaw (Balchin, 1994).

Eight _iyears _iafter _ithe _ibirth _iof _iPakistan _ion _iAugust _i4, _i1956 _ithe _igovernment _iof _iPakistan _iannounced ithe _iformation _iof _ia _iCommission _ion _iMarriage _iand _iFamily _iLaws. _iThe _iquestion _iof _icustody _iof _ithe ichild _iwas _iraised _iin _ithe _iquestioner _idrafted _iby _ithe _iMarriage _iand _iFamily _iLaws _iCommission.

The _iquestion _iwas _ithat, _i

‘At _ipresent _ithe _imother _iis _ientitled _ito _ithe _icustody _iof _iher _iminor _ichild _ionly _iup _ito _icertain _iage _ii.e. _ithe imale _ichild _iup _ito _iseven _iyears _iand _ifemale _ichild _itill _ishe _iattains _ipuberty. _iThese _ilimits _ihave _ino iauthority _ieither _iin _iQuran _ior _iHadith _ibut _ihave _ibeen _ifixed _ias _ia _iresult _iof _iopinions _iof _isome _iMuslim iJurists. _iDo _iyou _iconsider _iit _iadmissible _ito _ipropose _isome _imodifications?’ In _ianswer _ito _ithis _iquestion _iCommission _istated _iin _iits _ireport _ithat; _i‘In _ithe _iopinion _iof _ithe _iCommission _iit _iis _iadmissible _ito _ipropose _ichanges _iin _imatter _iof _icustody _iof iminor _ichildren _ias _ithe _iQuran _iand _iSunnah _ihave _inot _ifixed _iany _iage _ilimit _iand _isome _iof _igreat

iMujtahid _iImams _ihave iexpressed _ithe _iview _ithat _ithe imatters _iof _iage ilimit _iin _ithis irespect _iis _ian _iopen iquestion.’Maulana _iAmin _iAhsan _iIslahi _i(1904-1997) _icommenting _ion _ithe _ireply _iof _ithe _iCommission _isaid that, _i ‘It _iis _icorrect _ithat _ithere _iis _ino _iexplicit _iimplication _iof _iQuran _iand _iSunnah _iwhich _iprescribe _ithe _iage ilimit. _iBut _iit _idoes _inot _imean _ithat _ilegists _ihave _ifixed _ithe _ilimit _ijust _iout _iof _ifancy _iand _ihad _ino _isound ireasons _ifor _ithese _ideductions…… _ia _icareful _istudy _iof _ithe _iverdicts _iof _iHoly _iProphet _i(pbuh) _iin _ithe icases _ithat _iwere _ibrought _ibefore _ihim _ireveals _ithat _ia _ivery _ibasic _iconsideration _ihas _ibeen _ithe _iwelfare iand _iwellbeing, _ieducation _iand _itraining, _iprotection _iand _iinterests _iof _ithe _iminor. _iIf _ithey _icould _ibe iachieved _iwell _iwhen _ithe _ichildren _iare _iunder _ithe _icustody _iof _ithe _imother, _ithis _iwas _idone _iand _iwhen ithe case _iwas _iotherwise _ithey _iwere _igiven _iunder _ithe _icustody _iof _ithe _ifather……’

Five _iyears _ilater _iin _iMarch _i1961 _imany _iof _ithe _irecommendations _iof _ithe _iCommission _ion _iMarriage iand _iFamily _iLaws _iwere _iembodied _iin _iMuslim _iFamily _iLaws _iOrdinance _iof _i1961 _ibut _iit _iremained isilent _ion _ithe _iissue _iof _icustody _iof _iminors. _iAll _iPakistan _iWomen’s _iAssociation _i(APWA) _icontinued ito _iagitate _iand _ifinally _iproposed _ia _ireform _ion _ichild _icustody _ias _ian _iamendment _ito _ithe _iMFLO _i1961. iIt _iproposed _ithat, _i

‘Family _iLaws _iOrdinance _iis _isilent _ion _ithe _iissue _iof _icustody _iof _iminors. _iThe _ilaw _ishould _iprovide _ithat iwhilst _ideciding _iabout _ithe _icustody _iof _ithe _ichildren _iof _ibroken _ihomes _ithe _icourt _ishould _ikeep _iin _iview inot _ionly _ithe _iwelfare _iof _ithe _iminors _ibut _ialso _iwishes _iof _isuch _ichildren.’

Maulana _iMaududi _i(1903-1979) _ian _ieminent _iPakistani _ireligious _ischolar _istates;

‘The _iright _ithing _iin _ithis _iregard _iis _ithat _ithe _iinterest _iof _ithe _ichild _ishould _ibe _ikept _iabove _ieverything ielse. _iIn _ievery _iparticular _icase _ipreference _ishould _ibe _igiven _ieither _ito _ithe _ifather _ior _imother _iafter igiving _ifull _iconsideration _ito _ithe _iprospects _iof _ieducation _iand _itraining _iin _itheir _irespective icustodies.…… _ialso _iunder _iwhom _iso _iever’s _icustody _ithey _imight _ibe _ino _irestrictions _ishould _ibe iplaced _ion _ichildren _imeeting _ithe _iother _iparty.’

Justice _iTanzil _iur _iRehman _istates;

In _igranting _ithe _iright _iof _iupbringing, _ithe _ichild’s _isecurity _iand _ibetterment _ishould _ibe _ikept _iin _imind, iand _ias _ilong _ias _ithere _iis _ino _ima’ani _i(hindrance/hurdle) _ithe _imother’s _icustody _iwill _ibe _ipreferred. _iIn icertain _isituations, _ichild _ihas _ito _ibe _igiven _ithe _ioption _ito _ichoose _ibetween _ithe _itwo. _iSometimes _isuch icircumstances _imay _iarise _iin _iwhich _iit _iwould _ibe _iappropriate _ito _igive _ithe _ichild _ito _imaternal igrandmother _ior _imaternal _iuncle _ieven _iin _ithe _ipresence _iof _ithe _iparents. _iIf _iit _iis _inot _iappropriate _ito ihand _iover _ithe _ichild _ito _ithe _imother _idue _ito _iher _ireligion _ior _iprofession _ithen _ithe _icourt _iwill _idecide by _iitself _ito _iwhom _ithe _icustody _imay _ibe _igranted.’(MLD, 1994)

A _igeneral _iview _iwhich _iprevails _iin _iPakistani _isociety _iis _ithat _iin _icases _iof _imarital _ibreakup, _idivorce _ior idissolution _iof _imarriage _ichild _icustody _iis _igiven _ito _ifather _iwhen _ithe _ichild _iis _iseven _iyears _iof _iage _i(as istated _iin _iHanafi _ifiqh) iand _ithat _ithis _iis _isupported iby _iIslamic _ilaw _ias _iwell _ias iPakistani _ilaw. _iIn ireality _iMuslim _iFamily _iLaws _iOrdinance _iof _i1961 _iof _iPakistan _iis _isilent _ion _ithe _iissue _iof _ichild icustody _itherefore _ithere _iis _ia _ineed _ito _isee _ithe _itrend _iof _icourts _iin _iPakistan _iwhile _ideciding _ichild icustody _icases.

Cassandra _iBalchin _iafter _ia _icareful _istudy _iof _ithe _itrends _iof _icourts _iin _iPakistan _iwith _irespect _ito ifamily _ilaws _istates _ithat, _i

‘Studies _iof _iPakistani _icase _ilaw _ishows _ithat _icourts _ihave _ipreferred _ia _icase _iby _icase _iconsideration _iof ithe _ifact _irather _ithan _irigidly _iapplying _ithe _iprinciples _iof _iestablished _iMuslim _iJurisprudence. _iIn _ione iof _ithe _icases _ia _iminor _ihaving _iattained _iage _iof _i17 _iyears _ihad _ibeen _iliving _iwith _ihis _imother _isince _ihis ibirth. _iMinor _iwho _iwas _ipresent _iin _icourt _istated _ithat _ihe _iwas _ia _istudent _iof _ia _icollege _iand _iwas _ibeing iwell _ilooked _iafter _iby _ihis _imother. _iKeeping _iin _iview _iage _iof _ithe _iminor _ihis _idesire _icould _inot _ibe iignored. _iOrder _iof _ithe _icourt _ibelow _idismissing _ifather’s _iapplication _iof _icustody _iof _iminor _iand imother’s _icustody _ibeing _ivalid _iand _iproper _iwas _iaffirmed _iin _ithese _icircumstances.

Welfare _iof _ithe _iminors _iis _ithe _iguiding _ifactor _iin _ithe _imatter _iof _ideciding _ithe _icustody _iand _ipersonal ilaw _iis _isubordinate _ito _isuch _iconsideration. _iFather _ialthough _ia _inatural _iguardian _iyet _ihis _iright _iwas ialso _isubordinate _ito _ithe _iwelfare _iof _ithe _iminor. _iOverriding, _ifundamental _iand _iparamount iconsideration _iis _ialways _ithe _iwelfare _iof _iminors, _irather _iis _ithe _isole _icriteria _iwhich _imust _iprevail. Cassandra _iBalchin _iadds _ithat _ian _ianalysis _iof _ireported _icase _ilaw _iof _iPakistan, _iin _ithe _iarea _iof _icustody iand _iguardianship _ireveals _ithat _ithere _iare _ifour _ibasic _iinfluencing _ifactors.

1. Firstly _ilike _iall _iother _iindividuals _iand _iinstitutions, _ithe _ijudiciary _icannot _iremain _iabove isocietal _inorms _iand _ipolitical _ipressures.

2. Secondly _ia _icombination _iof _iMuslim _ipersonal _ilaw _iand _ia _ivariety _iof _istatutory _ilaw _iis _iapplied iby _icourts _iin _iadjudicating _isuch _icases.

3. Third _ifactor _iis _ithe _icolonial _iimpact _iin _istatutory _ilaws _ias _iwell _ias _iin _imolding _ithe _igeneral itrends _iof _ithe _icourts _iin _ipre- _ipartitioned _iIndia.

4. Fourthly _ithe _iRoman _iconcept _iof _iJustice, _iEquity _iand _igood _iconscience _ias _iit _iwas _iintroduced iby _ithe _ithen _iIndian _ijudiciary.

Cassandra _iBalchin _ihas _imade _ino _ireference _ito _ithe _ireligious _inorms, _iProphetic _itraditions _iand icustody _icases _idecided _iby _ithe _icompanions _iof _ithe _iProphet _iand _ithose _idecided _iby _ithe _iMuslim ijurists _iof _i4th _iand _i5th _icenturies, _inor _ihas _ishe _imade _iany _ireference _ito _ithe _iimpact _iof _ithese _iprecedents ion _ithe _itrends _iof _iPakistani _icourts _itoday. _iInfluencing _ifactors _ion _ithe _itrends _iof _iPakistani _icourts iaccording _ito _iBalchin _iare _ithe _isocietal _inorms, _ipolitical _ipressures, _ipersonal _ilaws, _icolonial _iimpact iand _iRoman _iconcept _iof _ijustice, _iequity _iand _igood _iconscience. Cassandra _iBalchin _ifurther _istates _ithat, _i‘Courts _iin _iPakistan _ihave _isucceeded _iin _imaking _iinroads _iinto _iestablished _iMuslim _iJurisprudence iand _ihave _iat _itimes _iover _iridden _iexpress _iprovisions _iof _ilaw.’(PLD 1994) _i

We _ihave _iseen _iabove _ithat _ithe _ibroad _iprinciple _iof _i‘the _iwelfare _iof _ithe _iminor _iis _iof _iparamount iconsideration’ _iwas _iupheld _iby _iclassical _iMuslim _ijurists _iand _icourts _iin _iPakistan _itoday _ihave ireverted _itowards _ithis _iprinciple. _iNot _ionly _ithis, _ia _icareful _istudy _iof _ithe _iverdicts _iof _iProphet iMohammad _i(pbuh) _iin icases _ibrought _ibefore _ihim ireveal _ithat _ithe ivery _ibasic iconsideration _ihas ibeen _ithe _iwelfare _iand _iwellbeing, _ieducation _iand _itraining _iand _iprotection _iand _iinterest _iof _ithe ichildren.

To _iconclude _iit _ican _ibe _istated _ithat _ithere _iare _imany _icontroversies _isurrounding _ithe _iinterpretations _iof ivarious _iissues _iin _iMuslim _iFamily _iLaws _iOrdinance _i1961. _iInstability _iis _ianother _iaspect _iof _iMLFO. iIt _icould _ibe _iamended _iany _itime; _iit _iis _inot _ithought _ito _ibe _iin _iaccordance _iof _iinjunction _iof _iIslam. _iThe istudy _ishows _ithat _isections _i4, _i5, _i6, _i7, _i9, _iand _i10 _iof _ithe _iordinance _iare _icontradictory _ito _iIslam. _iThe iMuslim _iFamily _iLaw _iOrdinance _iof _i1961, _ianother _icompromise, _ionly _ipartially _iadopted _ithe irecommendations _imade _iin _ithe _iReport _iof _i1956. _iNowadays, _ijudicial _iapplication _iof _ithe _iOrdinance ito _ispecific _iplaintiffs _iis _ia _itype _iof _icompromise _isince _irigid _iadherence _ito _ithe _icode _ifrequently _iresults iin _ia _imore _iflexible _icase-by-case _idetermination _iof _ihow _istrictly _ito _ifollow _ithe _icode. _iUniform _ilaw ican _ibe _idrafted _ifor _ideciding _icustody _icases _ifor _iMuslim _idominated _iregions _iwhich _icater _ifor _ithe iprogressive _ilaws _iof _ithe _imodern _iworld _iand _ispirit _iof _iSharia. _iIt _iis _isuggested _ithat _iwhen _icustody _iof ichildren _iis _igranted _ito _ithe _idivorced _iwomen, _ishe _ishould _ialso _ibe _ivested _iwith _iguardian _iship _irights iwith _irespect _ito _itravel, _ieducation _iand _ifinancial _imatters _iof _ithe _ichild. _iThe _iprimary _iobjective _iwhile ideciding _icustody _ishould _ibe _ipreservation _iof _ireligion _iand _iwelfare _iof _ithe _iminor. _iVisitation _irights iof _iboth _iparents _ishould _ibe _irespected _iand _ichild _ibe _iallowed _iaccess _ito _iboth _iparents. _iIt _ishould _ibe _ia irebuttable _ipresumption _ithat _imother _ishould _iretain _ichild _icustody _itill _ithe _ichild _iis _iin _ihis _igrowing iyears _iand _iis _iattending _ipre-school. _iThis _iage _iis _inormally _i6 _iyears. _iMother’s _iremarriage _iand ireligion _ishould _ibe _itaken _iinto _iconsideration _iafter _ithis _iage _iand _ifathers _ishould _inot _icontest _icustody iin _ithese _idelicate _iyears _iof _ichild’s _ilife.