Deoband Fatwas: Dream Scenario to Nightmare

Manoj Joshi
Sunday, 06-May-2012

 

FROM URGING Muslims not to celebrate birthdays to asking men to avoid working in banks and financial institutions, the diktats from the Darul Uloom at Deoband have often evoked a mixture of mirth and anger.
Supposed to help Muslims, these decrees would often have a regressive effect on their lives.
But a recent ruling by the Darul Uloom has given hope that times are changing and its effect could be far- reaching.
In a revolutionary fatwa which could go a long way at strengthening the institution of Islamic wedding, the Darul Uloom at Deoband, in a departure from the Shariah, has said that a second marriage would be a bad idea if the first wife was alive.
Darul Ifta, the fatwa department of India’s foremost Islamic seminary, passed the decree following an online question posed by a married man with two children.
“According to the Shariah, it is lawful to keep two wives at the same time. But it is generally not acceptable in Indian custom. Here in India, it is like inviting hundreds of problems.
Moreover, the husband generally cannot do justice and cannot maintain equality between the two wives. Hence, it is better to have only one wife as the Quran has said. You should discard the idea of a second marriage, otherwise you will feel sorry,” the Darul Ifta said.
This is in contrast to the fatwa it had issued in 2011, when it noted: “ If you can maintain equality between two wives and give them equal rights, then you can go in for a second marriage.” Speaking about the latest diktat, Maulana Mufti Arshad Faruqi, chairman of the fatwa department said: “ It is absolutely unacceptable that someone gets married for the second or third time without any valid reason. The Shariah better give a Muslim the right to keep four wives, but in that case it becomes his responsibility to provide equal rights and a decent life to all four. If he fails in doing so, his marriage cannot be justified.” Dr Naeem Hamid, a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), supported the fatwa.
“Polygamy was permitted in the past because of various social and economic reasons.
Often girls from poor families would stay unmarried because of financial constraint. So, rich men were allowed to marry up to four times. But times have changed. Now Muslims are conscious about their economic condition and act accordingly,” Hamid said.
“The Darul Uloom used to support polygamy in the past.
But now they are concerned about uplifting the community.
Obviously, they will discourage such a thing,” he said.
FROM URGING Muslims not to celebrate birthdays to asking men to avoid working in banks and financial institutions, the diktats from the Darul Uloom at Deoband have often evoked a mixture of mirth and anger.
Supposed to help Muslims, these decrees would often have a regressive effect on their lives.
But a recent ruling by the Darul Uloom has given hope that times are changing and its effect could be far- reaching.
In a revolutionary fatwa which could go a long way at strengthening the institution of Islamic wedding, the Darul Uloom at Deoband, in a departure from the Shariah, has said that a second marriage would be a bad idea if the first wife was alive.
Darul Ifta, the fatwa department of India’s foremost Islamic seminary, passed the decree following an online question posed by a married man with two children.
“According to the Shariah, it is lawful to keep two wives at the same time. But it is generally not acceptable in Indian custom. Here in India, it is like inviting hundreds of problems.
Moreover, the husband generally cannot do justice and cannot maintain equality between the two wives. Hence, it is better to have only one wife as the Quran has said. You should discard the idea of a second marriage, otherwise you will feel sorry,” the Darul Ifta said.
This is in contrast to the fatwa it had issued in 2011, when it noted: “If you can maintain equality between two wives and give them equal rights, then you can go in for a second marriage.” Speaking about the latest diktat, Maulana Mufti Arshad Faruqui, chairman of the fatwa department said: “ It is absolutely unacceptable that someone gets married for the second or third time without any valid reason. The Shariah

Manoj Joshi is the Comment Editor of Mail Today

 

    

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