- Pakistan’s Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has recommended making triple talaq (instant divorce) a criminal offense to protect women and children and discourage the practice, following the example of other Muslim-majority countries.
- The CII also proposed increasing the punishment for dowry law violations and revising marriage expense limits to reflect current economic conditions, tying them to the value of gold.
- The CII is addressing religious concerns over the country’s first human milk bank by calling for a conference with health experts and Islamic scholars to balance medical benefits with Islamic teachings on “milk kinship.”
The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has proposed significant reforms to various social and legal practices in the country, with a focus on upholding Islamic values while addressing contemporary social challenges.
One of the central issues addressed by the CII is the controversial practice of triple talaq, or instant divorce, which allows a husband to divorce his wife by simply uttering the word “talaq” three times in succession, often without any room for reconciliation.
Although widely practiced for decades, triple talaq is neither mentioned in Islamic law nor in the Quran. Islamic scholars argue that the proper process of divorce, as outlined in the Quran, is a gradual procedure meant to allow time for reflection and potential reconciliation between spouses.
Despite this, the practice continues to be a common method of divorce in many Muslim communities, often leading to severe consequences for women and children.
CII Chairperson Dr. Qibla Ayaz has highlighted the growing impact of triple talaq on families, urging the government to criminalize the practice to protect vulnerable family members.
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He emphasized that the Council’s objective is to prevent the breakdown of families and provide legal protections for women and children who are often left destitute due to instant divorce. Dr. Ayaz further called on the government to launch an awareness campaign to educate the public on the negative social effects of the practice.
The CII’s recommendation to criminalize triple talaq follows the lead of several other Muslim-majority countries, such as Egypt, Bangladesh, and the United Arab Emirates, which have already outlawed the practice.
The proposed legislation, however, faces hurdles as it requires further consultations with lawmakers and Islamic scholars to define an appropriate punishment. Dr. Ayaz expressed hope that a consensus could be reached soon to provide legal clarity on the matter.
In addition to addressing the issue of triple talaq, the CII has recommended amendments to the Dowry and Bridal Gift Act, calling for an increase in the punishment for violations from six months to one year of imprisonment.
The act currently regulates the expenses of marriage, including dowry, which has long been a source of financial burden on families. The CII has proposed revising the maximum limit on dowry and marriage expenses to make them more realistic, aligning with the current economic conditions by tying them to the value of gold.
Furthermore, the CII has turned its attention to the country’s first human milk bank, an initiative aimed at supporting neonatal health.
This project, which began at the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology (SICHN) in Karachi, sparked considerable debate within religious circles due to concerns over “milk kinship” – the idea that a bond equivalent to that of a biological parent is formed when a woman breastfeeds a child who is not her own. Islamic teachings warn that this could create future complications, especially regarding marriage between milk siblings if such relationships are not properly documented.
In response to these concerns, the CII has called for a conference to gather input from health experts, Islamic scholars, and other stakeholders on how to proceed with human milk banks in a way that is both medically beneficial and compliant with Islamic principles.
Although the milk bank’s operations have been suspended, experts emphasize its importance in reducing infant mortality, especially for premature and medically fragile babies. The upcoming conference is expected to help bridge the gap between medical necessity and religious beliefs.
The CII’s efforts to balance Islamic principles with modern societal needs are reflective of its broader role as an advisory body. Although its recommendations are non-binding, the Council plays a crucial part in shaping legislation in areas such as family law, marriage, divorce, and maternal health.
With the upcoming proposals and conferences, the CII aims to address ongoing social issues while safeguarding Islamic traditions.
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