Tara-Raqibul nikah un-Islamic, null and void: Seminary head

“If anyone marries by changing the name, there is no nikah as it can be solemnised only between two practising Muslims. If in the Ranchi case they changed names to get married, then it is illegal,” Nadwi said.

Nadwi was responding to media queries after an open house session of All India Muslim Personal Law Board’s (AIMPLB) wing Tehfeem-e-Shariah at Aishbagh Eidgah in Lucknow on Sunday.

He also ruled out any protection from shariah to a man in Muzaffarnagar who had allegedly raped his daughter-in-law making her pregnant. “It is rape and should be punished as per the law. There is no protection from shariah,” he said. He, however, said that shariah was against the abortion of the child. “Even medically also, abortion had been denied to her, we now need to ponder about the upbringing of the child,” he added.

The open house was convened by AIMPLB on three subjects — adoption, polygamy and marriage (nikah) laws. Scores of advocates and several non-Muslims attended the programme.

On the issue of adoption, executive committee member of AIMPLB Zafaryab Jilani categorically said that Muslims can adopt a child but there is difference in providing natural rights. “In fact, AIMPLB was formed in 1972 when government had introduced a bill regarding child adoption. It is not permissible under shariah,” he said.

Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli added that adopted child can lead to several issues in a Muslim family. “There are set rules for following purdah from male members. Then there are guidelines for marriages and property rights. An adopted child may be brought up by a Muslim family but cannot be given the natural rights,” he said. He further said that Islam does not promote polygamy. “It is done under special circumstances and with certain conditions,” he added.