The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Triple talaq

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 15, 2004

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Triple talaq

Sir, — This has reference to your editorial "Triple talaq" and the article "Triple talaq: bad in law and theology" (July 13) by Mr. A. Faizur Rahman. I fully agree with the views expressed in both the articles that triple talaq as practised in India today is totally unIslamic.

It should be understood that the Islamic Shariat intends complete justice for all and hence a law that promotes cruelty instead of justice, and hardship instead of leniency, cannot be called a law of the Shariat. The law that allows triple talaq is one such law and most certainly needs to be abolished. Even scholars of the eminence of Ibn Abbas, Ibn Ishaq, Tawus, Akramah, Ibn Taymiyah and Ibn Qayyim consider this form of talaq to be against the express injunctions of the Qu'ran.

Therefore, it is incumbent upon the All India Muslim Personal Law Board to reform the unIslamic aspects of the Muslim personal law and bring it in conformity with the Qu'ran and the authentic teachings of the Prophet.

Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali,
Prince of Arcot,
Amir Mahal, Chennai

* * *

Sir, — Your editorial on triple talaq and the attitude of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board is affected by gender bias that is ingrained in Indian thinking. Hindu practices had been no better and in fact women were treated as chattel. It was Prophet Mohammed who recognised their right of inheritance that no other religion did at his time. While other religions were deceiving themselves that marriages were made in heaven, the Muslim personal law was more pragmatic in treating marriage as a contract between the spouses.

S. Charuhasan,
Chennai

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