Lucknow: A day after Sunni cleric and All India Muslim Personal Law Board member Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli announced launching of a campaign on ‘rights of women in Islamic law’, Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Sadiq said on Thursday the better idea would be to give women the right to divorce.
“Many countries have already abolished triple talaq. In my opinion, the better idea is to give women the right to divorce her husband. Also, men should be made aware of the problems they can face in case of a divorce,” Sadiq told Times of India.
The cleric said Islam has always shown the path of equality for women, and added, “Islam is a pro-women religion. It is easy to get married as per Islamic law, but it is far more difficult to get a divorce in it.
At present, women have the right to take divorce, not give it. Giving them the right to give divorce would take its principle of equality further.”
On the role of government in triple talaq, the cleric said, “Islam is a complete religion in itself. Government interference in the sharia is not welcome. Also, matters related to sharia are better understood by religious leaders and not politicians.”
He, however, said that efforts should be made to understand the reasons for ban in these countries by talking to their ulema.
Maulana Sadiq said triple talaq is a matter related to the Sunnis, while Shias have always opposed it.”Triple Talaq is a problem relating to Sunni brethren. Shias have always opposed it.”
Explaining further, he said, “the difference of opinion persists because our sources of Sharia are different. While we believe in the rules and regulations fixed by Rasool’s family members, Sunnis follow his companions.”