'Talaq' to be part of curriculum in madrasas of UP

In an apparent bid to remove doubts and confusion on the issue of 'talaq' (divorce), the prestigious Dargah Ala Hazrat (a famous spiritual centre for Sufi Sunni Muslims) has decided to include it in the curriculum of the madrasas (Islamic Schools) affiliated to it.

According to sources in the dargah, talaq will become part of the syllabus in madrasas from the next academic session.

A senior cleric of an Islamic seminary associated with the dargah in Bareilly said there was a "lot of confusion" among Muslims on the issue of talaq.

"A majority of Muslims do not know about the real position of talaq in the Sharia (Islamic Law)," he said.

"We often witness problems as a result of lack of knowledge about talaq. Wrong way of giving talaq often invites criticism from the media ," the cleric added.

He said the students of the madrasas will be taught about the ways in which talaq can be given in accordance with the Sharia law.

"The parents of the students will also be apprised of the true Islamic meaning of talaq," he added.

The cleric also asked religious scholars and clergy to include the issue of talaq in their sermons. 

The decision comes close on the heels of the Supreme Court judgement declaring the practice of 'triple talaq' (giving divorce by pronouncing the word talaq three times in one go) "unconstitutional".

Both the Ala Hazrat and Darul Uloom had asked the Centre not to make any law with regard to talaq. The Ala Hazrat had made it clear that the apex court's judgement was not in line with provisions of the Sharia law.