The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) announced on Sunday that it had passed a resolution deeming the recent Supreme Court ruling on the maintenance of Muslim divorcee women as contrary to Islamic law (Shariah). The board empowered its president to take all necessary actions to ensure the reversal of this decision.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court ruled that a Muslim woman, even if divorced through the invalid practice of “triple talaq,” could seek maintenance from her husband under Section 125 of the CrPC. This “religion-neutral” provision applies to all married women, irrespective of their personal laws.
During a meeting in Delhi, the AIMPLB working committee highlighted that the Holy Prophet had expressed that divorce is one of the most disliked deeds in the sight of Allah and that every effort should be made to preserve the marriage. However, they acknowledged that divorce could be a solution when married life becomes untenable.
READ MORE: Convicted Terrorist Renounces Islamic State, Still Held in Isolation
The board stated that the ruling would create more problems for women who have successfully left painful relationships. They argued that it defies logic to hold a man responsible for maintaining his ex-wife when the marriage no longer exists.
The board authorized its president, Hazrat Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, to explore all possible measures—legal, constitutional, and democratic—to overturn the Supreme Court’s decision. AIMPLB spokesperson Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas indicated that the board would also engage with the central government and opposition parties regarding this matter.
In addition to the alimony issue, the AIMPLB passed five other resolutions, including opposition to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The board’s legal team has prepared a petition to be filed in the Uttarakhand High Court later this month.
The board’s statement following the recent Lok Sabha elections suggested that the results reflect widespread discontent with an agenda based on hatred and malice. They criticized the government for failing to provide security to marginalized Muslims and lower-caste citizens, warning that continued disregard for the rule of law could lead to anarchy. Ilyas noted the lack of opposition response or support for the families of victims.
Another resolution emphasized the need to enforce the Places of Worship Act. The board expressed concern over lower courts entertaining new disputes related to the Gyanvapi Masjid and Shahi Eidgah in Mathura, despite the Supreme Court’s assertion in the Babri judgment that the Act has closed such matters. They urged the Supreme Court to resolve these disputes.
Regarding the Palestine issue, the board reiterated India’s historical support for Palestinian rights and called for an end to military aid and joint exercises with Israel.
Finally, the board demanded that the central and state governments vacate “illegally encroached” Waqf properties.
