The Council of Islamic Ideology’s (CCI) research section has been working on updating the nikhanama (marriage) and talaqnama (divorce) documents, in order to bring them in line with today’s requirements.

The nikahnama and talaqnama that is in use today was first drafted in the 1960s. It has become obsolete and cumbersome, owing to certain clauses that don’t take into account emerging issues.

This was stated by Dr Qibla Ayaz, Chairman CCI, while speaking to a local media publication recently. He is of the view that there is an urgent need to protect the rights of women, and therefore, the newly drafted nikahmana and talaqnama plan to address this.

Clear Language

The new draft nikahnama will also include a provision for the bride to dissolve the marriage.

This provision was also found in the previous nikahnama as well, however, its wording was vague and unclear at best. Many women were deprived of their rights by vested interests this way.

CCI Chairman signaled his intention to work with other stakeholders and make this provision more clearer. He said that some restrictions will be included in the new marriage contract so that nikahkhawn can’t delete it without the permission of the bride-to-be.

Changes to Divorce Papers

Further changes are also being made in these documents, specifically the talaqnama (divorce papers). According to the CCI Chariman, just last month, the consultative body decided that men who indulge in the practice of ‘triple talaq’ be punished.

Triple talaq, it should be mentioned, refers to the practice where a man hurriedly divorces his wife after uttering the word ‘Talaq’ three times in succession. The practice has been outlawed in India recently, and the CCI is hoping to go over some useful points made by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board regarding it.

The CCI’s research section will be amending the new draft of talaqnama, a process that may take a week as per Dr Qibla.