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The bright, red bridal wear only added hue to the girl’s joyful countenance. The qazi (a Muslim adjudicator), who solemnised the wedding, not only explained the nikaahnama and its clauses, but also read out the background of the groom, his occupational status as well as the monthly income. And all of this has been recorded on paper, adding to the security of the girl.
“Nikaah is the best thing to happen to a girl. I am really happy today. Abbu (father) told me that I am lucky because the nikaahnama will give all these girls over here, the power to stop the torture of talak (divorce),” Shaheen said. The nikaahnama guarantees the fact that in matters of divorce as well as the meher (guarantee money) amount, the bride will not get a raw deal.
Fourteen girls from Ahmedabad and one from Rajasthan got married under a new nikaahnama, which was read during a mass marriage organised by the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Sangathan, Gulshan Education Charitable Trust and Help Line Welfare Organisation.
The organisations supported the families of the girls for the nikaah and other expenditures. The couples were made to fill the nikaahnama, written in Gujarati, with clearly laid down rules on divorce, right to property and meher for the brides.
Noorjahan Diwan, the Gujarat Convenor of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Sangathan said: “The changes have been made keeping in mind the principles of Quran and Hadith. Quran has always given full rights to women and we are only trying to give them the rights that have been lost in the past. This is just a first step. We will subsequently introduce many new things to award more rights to Muslim women.”
The girls were given gifts like bed linen, utensils and other household items by the organisers. The meher amount was anything between Rs 1,000 and 2,500. However, Shaheen Bano from Rajasthan got a meher of Rs 1, 00, 786.
Chandmiya Shamshuddin Rangrej, Shaheen Bano's father, said, “We are trying to
secure the future of a girl with this new nikaahnama.” Idris Khan, father of Gul Mizad, another bride, said: “This is a good move. Daughters have been subjugated for a very long time. Although I would pray that she never faces a situation of talak, but this will give my daughter the right to decide the best for her.”
The nikaahnama
The groom has promised that he will not physically, mentally or emotionally torture his wife to reduce the meher amount. In case of the death of the husband, the family members will have to give the meher to the girl. In any case, the girl shall not be denied the meher.
At the time of divorce, the man does not have the right to pronounce talak thrice on his own will. The law of Islam gives rights to both men and women and so the woman’s consent will be mandatory. Only in the presence of at least one member from either family can the man and woman proceed with the divorce. Till the matter is resolved, talak cannot be given or procured. The couple is also free to go to the court.
The man cannot indulge in polygamy or bigamy until his first marriage is dissolved or he divorces his wife.
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