UP: Madrassas to teach 'correct talaq ways', to include processes of talaq-e-sunnat in curriculum

Madrassas run by the Barelvi sect across the country have decided to educate students about the correct Islamic processes of giving talaq, after the Supreme Court's last week order banning talaq-e-biddat, which allowed Muslim men to divorce their wives instantly by uttering talaq thrice.

The Islamic schools will include in their curriculum the processes of talaq-e-sunnat that is — unlike instant talaq — is revocable. Head of Darul Ifta of Manzar-e-Islam of the world famous Dargah-e-Ala Hazrat in Bareilly, Mufti Kafeel Hashmi, said that the Holy Quran and Hadith have laid down certain processes for pronouncing triple talaq. But, unfortunately, in the absence of proper knowledge, it was being grossly misused in the form of instant talaq or talaq-e-biddat, he said.

"To remove these doubts among Muslim students, the Barelvi sect has decided to include talaq in the curriculum of madrassas run by it all over the country," said Mufti Hashmi. Dargah-e-Ala Hazrat runs around 150 madrassas in Bareilly and 15,000 across the country.

Maulana Shahabuddin of Dargah-e-Ala Hazrat said that the new curriculum would be introduced in the current academic session.

First in about 500 madrassas in Western Uttar Pradesh, and then in 2,500 in entire Uttar Pradesh.

The new curriculum is being drafted as per mandatory Islamic provisions. A circular will soon be issued to all Barelvi madrassas across the country. A helpline number would also be put in place to clear any doubts. Students will also educate Muslim population it their areas. All madrassas will also be directed to discuss the issue with parents and educate them as well.

Mufti Hashmi is of the view that if students are taught at madrassas about talaq, no controversy would ever arise as Muslims would strictly follow Islamic guidelines.

The Supreme Court, in a historic decision on August 22, called talaq-e-biddat "manifestly arbitrary" and declared it illegal. The Mufti said that there was no need for any court to interfere in religious laws but since triple talaq was not being followed correctly by a few Muslims, the apex court had to intervene. "We have to set our house in order first to thwart any attempt from any corner to interfere in our religious matters," he said.

SC IMPACT

• All 15,000 Barelvi sect madrassas will include talaq in their curriculum
   
• New curriculum being drafted; a circular to be issued soon by sect