Darul Uloom, panchayat at loggershead over divorce issue

MUZAFFARNAGAR, (UP): Leading Islamic seminary Darul Uloom of Deoband has issued a 'fatwa' against a community panchayat order imposing a fine on a man who had divorced his wife and said the latter has no authority to decide such cases.

However, the panchayat on Sunday decided to revolt against the fatwa and not withdraw the order creating tension in the area.

The panchayat, which had convened on June 30 to decide the fate of Anjum who was divorced by her husband Mubin three months ago, had slapped a fine of Rs two lakh on the husband and asked people to end their relationship with him and his family if he defies the order.

Mubin, however, refused to pay the fine and moved the Darul Uloom which issued the fatwa saying the panchayat did not have the authority to decide such cases. As per the Shariyat law, the decision was illegal, it said.

According to Shariyat law, a divorced woman can only ask for 'Mehar' (alimony) and maintenance during the 'Iddat' (four-month period after the divorce during which the woman cannot remarry) from the husband and a fine on the husband over and above this was not legal.

The panchayat, however, decided not to withdraw its order, sources said.