The document discusses a case where a husband claimed to have given talaq (divorce) to his wife under Muslim law. The court analyzed whether the talaq was valid under Muslim law. It found that for talaq to be valid, there must be an attempt at reconciliation by family members and reasonable cause. As the husband did not provide proof or attempt reconciliation, the talaq was invalid and he was ordered to pay maintenance to his wife.
The document discusses a case where a husband claimed to have given talaq (divorce) to his wife under Muslim law. The court analyzed whether the talaq was valid under Muslim law. It found that for talaq to be valid, there must be an attempt at reconciliation by family members and reasonable cause. As the husband did not provide proof or attempt reconciliation, the talaq was invalid and he was ordered to pay maintenance to his wife.
The document discusses a case where a husband claimed to have given talaq (divorce) to his wife under Muslim law. The court analyzed whether the talaq was valid under Muslim law. It found that for talaq to be valid, there must be an attempt at reconciliation by family members and reasonable cause. As the husband did not provide proof or attempt reconciliation, the talaq was invalid and he was ordered to pay maintenance to his wife.
The document discusses a case where a husband claimed to have given talaq (divorce) to his wife under Muslim law. The court analyzed whether the talaq was valid under Muslim law. It found that for talaq to be valid, there must be an attempt at reconciliation by family members and reasonable cause. As the husband did not provide proof or attempt reconciliation, the talaq was invalid and he was ordered to pay maintenance to his wife.
Criminal Revision No. 199 of 1977 Decided On: 31.03.1978 Appellants: Sri. Jiauddin Ahmed Vs. Respondent: Mrs. Anwara Begum Hon'ble Judges/Coram: Baharul Islam, J. Counsels: For Appellant/Petitioner/Plaintiff: K.N. Saikia and A.C. Bargohain, Advs. For Respondents/Defendant: N.C. Das, Adv. Case Note: Criminal - Maintenance - Section 125 of Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (Cr.P.C.) - First class Magistrate passed order of granting maintenance in favor of opposite party under Section 125 of Code - Hence, this Application - Whether, there had been a valid talaq of wife by Petitioner under Muslim Law - Held, talaq must be for reasonable cause and be preceded by attempts at reconciliation between husband and wife by two arbiters-one from wife's family other from husband's - If attempts fail, talaq could be effected - An attempt at reconciliation by two relations-one each of parties, was an essential condition precedent to 'talaq' - It was observed that Petitioner merely alleged in his written statement before Magistrate that he bad pronounced talaq to opposite party, but he did not examine himself, nor he had adduced any evidence worth name to prove talaq - There was no proof of talaq or its registration - Registration of marriage and divorce under Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935 was voluntary and unilateral - Thus, mere registration of divorce (or remarriage) even if proved, would not render valid divorce which was otherwise invalid under Muslim Law - Application dismissed. Ratio Decidendi"Husband shall be bound to pay maintenance to wife, if she has no independent source of income." JUDGMENT Baharul Islam, J. 1 . This is an application in revision made by the Petitioner, who is the husband, against the order passed by a first class Magistrate at Tinsukia in favor of the opposite party, Mrs. Anwara Begum, granting her maintenance allowance at the rate of Rs. 300/- per month under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 (hereinafter called 'the Code'). 2. The material facts may be briefly stated thus:
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The Petitioner is a Senior Executive of the A.O.C. Refinery at Digboi. Mrs. Anwara Begum was married to him at Marguerite in the year 1973. Both the parties are Musalmans and governed by Muslim Personal Law. The opposite party in her petition under Section 125 of the Code alleged that she lived with her husband for about 9 months during which time the marriage had been consummated. Thereafter the Petitioner began to torture her and even used to beat her. Ultimately the Petitioner prove her away whereupon she has been living with her father, who is a day laborer. She has alleged that the Petitioner draws a salary of Rs. 3,500/- per month but in spite of that he has been neglecting her. So she prayed for grant of maintenance allowance at the rate of Rs. 500/- per month. 3. The Petitioner filed a written statement. He admitted the marriage. He has alleged that there was incompatibility in the temperament between him and the wife. He has defied that he treated his wife with cruelty. He has alleged that the wife was allowed to go to her parents' house with the hope that she might change, but as she did not change, he had no alternative but to divorce her by pronouncing 'Talak' on 10.10.76 and the same was registered at Kazi's office on 12.10.76 at Dibrugarh. He has further averred that the wife was paid all sums payable under the Ma named an Law on the day of divorce". 4. Before the Magistrate the wife examined herself and P.W. 2, the Head clerk of the Accounts Department, A.O.C. at Digboi to prove the Petitioner's income, and P.Ws 3 and 4 to prove currently. The Petitioner did not examine himself but examined one Murtaza as his witness to prove registration of the talaq. 5 . The learned Magistrate, on a consideration of the materials before him, has, arrived at the following findings of fact; (i) that the husband has sufficient means to maintain his wife; (ii) that he has neglected to maintain her; (iii) that the wife is unable to maintain herself ; (iv) that the 'wife' has not re-married; with the result he has passed the impugned order granting maintenance allowance at the rate of Rs. 300/- per month as stated earlier. Relying on 36 C.W.N. 305, he held that the Petitioner orally pronounced talk in the absence of the wife and it was a valid divorce but be granted maintenance as the definition of 'wife' in Clause (b) of the Explanation to Section 125(1) of the Code 'includes a woman divorced by her husband and his not remarried". 6. The first point that falls for consideration is whether there has been a - valid talaq of the wife by the Petitioner under the Muslim Law. 'Talaq' is an Arabic word meaning divorce. It carries the literal significance of 'freeing' or 'the undoing of a knot'. Talaq means divorce of a woman by her husband. Before the advent of Prophet Muhammad the condition of women in the world particularly in Arabia, was very miserable. For all practical purposes worn en were the properties or chattel, as it were, of men. A man could marry any number of wives and could divorce any of them at any time at his whims or caprice, Islam realized that for peace and happiness of a family and for protection and beneficial upbringing of children, divorce was undesirable. The Holy Quran put strong restrictions on the divorce of women by their husbands. Though marriage under the Muslim Law is only a civil contract, yet the rights and responsibilities consequent upon it are of such importance to the welfare of humanity, that a high degree of sanctity is attached to it. But in spite of the sacredness of the character of the marriage-tie, Islam recognizes the necessity, in
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exceptional circumstances, of keeping the way open for its dissolution. 7. There has been a good deal of misconception of the institution of 'talaq' under the Muslim Law. Both from the Holy Quran and the Hadis it appears that, though divorce was permitted, yet the right could be exercised only under exceptional circumstances. The Holy prophet is reported to have said: "Never did Allah allow anything more hateful to Him than divorce". According to a report of Ibn 'Umar' he said; "With Allah the most detestable of all things permitted it divorce" (See the Religion of Islam by Maulana Muhammad All at page 671). In his commentary on The Holy Quran, Maulana Mohammad Ali has said: Divorce is one of the institutions in Islam regarding; which much misconception prevails, so much so that even the Islamic Law, as administered in the Courts, is not free from these misconceptions. (Quoted by Prof. M.R. Zafer in his paper Unilateral Divorce in Muslim Personal Laws published in Islamic Law in Modern India, by the Indian Law Institute). The learned author has observed: Some Muslim jurists and scholars point out that from the very beginning of the recognition of the principle of unilateral divorce, forces had been at work which has restricted and limited its free and unnecessary use. As observed by Abdur Rahim: If the exercise of a particular right is likely to lead to abuses, the law would guard against such a contingency by imposing conditions and limitations. There are certain limitations imposed by the law upon the right of the husband to dissolve the marriage. There is a large and influential body of Muslim jurists who regard talaq emanating from the husband as really prohibited except for necessity and only with the sanction of a judge administering the Muslim Law. 8. The learned Magistrate relied on the following observations of the Privy Council in the case of Rashid Ahmed v. Mst. Anisa Khatun reported in MANU/WB/0005/1932 : 36 C.W.N. 505: It is not necessary that the wife should be present when the talaq is pronounced. We are not concerned with this aspect of the matter. What we are concerned with is whether there was otherwise a valid talaq under the Muslim law. In the case of Ahmed Kasim Molla v. Khatun Bibi reported in ILR Cal 833 Justice Costello held: Upon that point, there are a number of authorities and I have carefully considered this point as dealt with in the very early authorities to see whether I am in agreement with the more recent decisions of the Courts. I regret that I have to come to the conclusion that as the Law stands at present, any Mahomedan may divorce his wife at his mere whim and caprice.
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Following Macnaghten who held that "there is no occasion for any particular cause for divorce, and more whim is sufficient"; and justice Batchelor in the case of Sarabat v. Rabiabai ILR 30 Bom 537 he held: it is good in law, though bad in theology. The learned Judge quoted the following from Ameer Ali's Treatise on Mahomedan Law: The Prophet pronounced talk to be most detestable thing before the Almighty God of all permitted things. If talk is given without any reason it is stupidity and ingratitude to God. He has also quoted from Ameer Ali's Treatise on Mahomedan Law the following passage: The author of the Multeka (Ibrahim Halebi) is more concise. He says-'The law gives to the man primary the power of dissolving the marriage, if the wife, by her indocility or her bad character, renders the married life unhappy; but in the absence of serious reasons, no Musalman can justify a divorce either in the eyes of the religion or the law. If he abandons his wife or put her away from simple caprice, he draws upon himself the divine anger, for 'the curse of God', said the Prophet,"' rests on him who repudiates his wife capriciously. Costello, J. in his learned judgment has also referred to the case of Asha Bibi v. Kadir Ibrahim Rowther ILR Mad. 22 where Munro and Abdur Rabim, JJ. held: No doubt an arbitrary or unreasonable exercise of the right to dissolve the marriage is strongly condemned in the Koran and in the reported sayings of the Prophet (Hadith) and is treated as a spiritual offence. But the impropriety of the husband's conduct would in no way affect the legal validity of a divorce duly effected by the husband. It may be noticed that the learned Judges, Munro and Amir Ali, in my respectful opinion, advisedly used the expression "Divorce duly effected" in the judgment. No divorce is duly effected if it is in violation of the injunction of the Quran. Costello, J. has also referred to a decision of Privy Council reported in ILR Rule 5, Rangoon 18, in which it has been held: According to that law, (that is Muslim Law), a husband can effect a divorce whenever he desires. But the Privy Council has not said that the divorce need not be duly affected, or no procedure enjoined by the Quran need be followed. The learned Judge, however, preferred Macnaghten and Batchelor, J. (in (ILR 30 Bom. 537) to Amir Ali and Munro and Abdur Rahim, JJ.) 9. It is, therefore, necessary to refer to the relevant verses of the Holy Quran which is the primary source of the Muslim Law, on the relationship between the husband and wife and divorce of the wife by the husband. The Holy Quran ordains: (English translation from A. Yusuf Ali's The Holy Quran):
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128. If a wife fears cruelty or desertion on her husband's part, There is no blame on them If they arrange An amicable settlement Between themselves; And such settlement is best; Even though men's souls Are swayed by greed. But if ye do good And practice self-restraint, God is well-acquainted With all that ye do. 129. Ye are never able to be fair and-just as between women, Even if it is Your ardent desire: But turn not away (From a woman) altogether, So as to leave her (as it were) Hanging (in the air). If we came to a friendly Understanding, and practice Self-restraint, God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful, 130. But if they disagree (And must part), God Will provide abundance For all from His All-reaching bounty: For God is He That caret for all And is wise. (Sura IV, Verses 128 to 130) The Holy Quran has further ordained: 229. A divorce is only Permissible twice: after that, The parties should either hold Together or equitable terms, or separate with kindness. It is not lawful for you, (Men), to take back any of your gifts (from your wives), Except when both parties Fear that they would be Unable to keep the limits Ordained by God. If ye (Judges) do indeed Fear, that they would be Unable to keep the limits Ordained by God, There is no blame on either of them if she gives something for her freedom, these are the limits Ordained by God: So do not transgress them. If any do transgress the limits ordained by God. Such persons wrong (Themselves as well as others). 230. So if a husband Divorces his wife (irrevocably), he cannot, after that, Re-marry her until after she has married another husband and He has divorced her, In that case there is No blame on either of them if they re- unite, provided they feel that they can keep the limits Ordained by God. Such are the limits Ordained by God, Which He makes plain to those who under it and. 231. When ye divorce Women, and they fulfill The term of their ('Iddat'), Either take them back On equitable terms Or set them free With Kindness; But do not take them back To injure them, (or) to take Undue advantage; If any one does that, He wrongs his own soul. Do not treat God's Signs As a jest, But solemnly rehearse God's favors on you, And the fact that He Sent down to you The Book And Wisdom, For your instruction. And fear God, And know that God Is well acquainted With all things. 232. When ye divorce Women, and they fulfill The term of their ('Iddat'), Do not prevent them From marrying Their (former) husbands, If they mutually agree on equitable terms. This instruction is for all amongst you, Who believe in God And the Last Day. That is (the course Making for) most virtue And purity amongst you. And God knows, And ye know not. (Sura II, Verses 229-232). 1 0 . The learned Commentator, Abdullah Yusuf Ali, commenting on the subject of 'talaq' has observed:
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Islam tried to maintain the married state as far as possible, especially where children are concerned, but it is against the restriction of the liberty of men and women in such vitally important matters as love and family life. It will check hasty action as far as possible and leave the door to reconciliation open at many stages. Even after divorce a suggestion of reconciliation is made, subject to certain precautions against though' less action, A period of waiting (Iddat) For three monthly courses is prescribed, in order to see if the marriage conditionally dissolved is likely to result in issue. But this is not necessary where the divorced woman is a virgin. It is definitely declared that women and men shall have similar rights against each other. Yusuf Ali has further observed: Where divorce for mutual incompatibility is allowed, there is danger that the parties might act hastily, then repent, and again wish to separate. To prevent such capricious action repeatedly, a limit is prescribed. Two divorces (with a reconciliation between) are allowed. After that the parties must united make up their minds, either to dissolve their union permanently, or to live honorable lives together in mutual love and forbearance to 'hold together on equitable terms, 'neither party worrying the other nor grumbling nor evading the duties and responsibilities of marriage. Yusuf Ali proceeds: All the prohibitions and limits prescribed here are in the interests of good and honorable lives for both sides, and in the interests of a clean and honorable social life, without public or private scandals.... *** Two divorces followed by re-union are permissible the third time the divorce becomes irrevocable, until the woman aperies some other man and he divorces her. This is to set an almost impossible condition. The lesson is: if a man loves a woman he should not allow a sudden gust of temper or anger to induce him to take hasty action.... If the man takes back his wife after two divorces, he must do so only on equitable terms, i.e. he must not put pressure on the woman to prejudice her rights in any way, and they must live in clean and honorable lives, respecting each other's personalities.... The learned Commentator further observes: The termination of a marriage bond is a most serious matter for family and social life. An every lawful device is approved which can equitably bring back those who have lived together, provided only there is mutual love and they can live on honorable terms with each other. If these conditions are fulfilled, it is no right for outsiders to prevent or hinder re-union. They may be swayed by property or other considerations. 11. The Holy Quran has ordained a condition precedent to divorce in Sura IV verse 35: If ye fear a breach Between them twain, Appoint two arbiters. One from his
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family, And the other from hers; If they wish for peace; God will cause Their reconciliation: For God hath full knowledge, And is acquainted With all things Thus runs the commentary of Yusuf AH on the above verse: This is: An excellent plan for settling family disputes, without too much publicity or mud-throwing, or resort to the chicaneries of the law. The Latin countries recognize this plan in their legal system. It is a pity that Muslims do not resort to it universally, as they should. The arbiters from each family would know the idiosyncrasies of both parties, and would be able, with God's help, effect a real reconciliation. Maulana Mohammad Ali has commented on the above verse thus: This verse lays down the procedure to be adopted when a case for divorce arises. It is not for the husband to put away his wife; it is the business of the judge to decide the case. Nor should the divorce case be made too public. The Judge is required to appoint two arbitrators, one belonging to the wife's family and the other to the husband's. These two arbitrators will find out the facts but their objective must be to effect a reconciliation between the parties. If all hopes of reconciliation fail, a divorce is allowed. But the final decision rests with the judge who is legally entitled, to pronounce a divorce. Cases were decided in accordance with the directions contained in this verse in the early days of Islam. The same learned author commenting on the above verse (IV: 35) in his the Religion of Islam has observed: From what has been said above, it is clear that not only must there be a good cause for good cause for divorce, but that all means to effect reconciliation must have been exhausted before resort is had to this extreme measure. The impression that a Muslim husband may put away his wife at his mere caprice, is a grave distortion of the Islamic institution of divorce. (emphasis added) Fyzee denounces talaq as "absurd and unjust", Abdur Rabim says: I may remark that the interpretation of the law of divorce by the jurists, specially of the Hanafi School, is one flagrant instance where because of literal adherence to mere words and a certain tendency towards subtleties they have reached a result in direct antagonism to the admitted policy of the law on the subject. 12. Mohammad Ali has observed: Divorce is thus discouraged: If you hate them (i.e. your wives) it may be that you dislike a thing while Allah has placed abundant good in it." Remedies are also suggested to avoid divorce so long as possible:
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And if you fear a breach between the two (i.e., the husband and the wife), then appoint a judge from his people and a judge from her people; if they both desire agreement, Allah will effect harmony between them. It was due to such teachings of the Holy Quran that the Holy Prophet declared divorce to be the most hateful of all things permitted... The mentality of the Muslim is to face the difficulties of the married life along with its comforts and to avoid disturbing the disruption of the family relations as long as possible, turning to divorce only as a last resort." The learned author has further observed: The principle of divorce spoken of in the Holy Quran and which in fact includes to a greater or less extent all causes, is the decision no longer to live together as husband and wife. In fact, marriage itself is nothing but an agreement to live together as husband and wife and when either of the parties finds him or herself unable to agree to such a life, divorce must follow. It is not, of course, meant that every disagreement between them would lead to divorce; it is only the disagreement to live any more as husband and wife.... He then refers to the condition laid down in Sura IV verse 35. The learned author proceeds: The 'shiqaq' or breach of the marriage agreement may also arise from the conduct of either party; for instance, if either of them misconducts himself or herself, or either of them is consistently cruel to the other, or, as may sometimes happen there is incompatibility of temperament to such an extent that they cannot live together in marital agreement. The 'shiqaq' in these case is more express but still it will depend upon the parties whether they can pull on or not. Divorce must always fellow when one of the parties finds it impossible to continue the marriage agreement and is compelled to break it off. At first sight it may look like giving too much latitude to the parties to allow them to end the marriage contract thus, even if there is no reason except incompatibility of temperament, but this much is certain that if there is such disagreement that the husband and the wife cannot pull together, it is better for themselves, for their offspring and for society in general that they should be separated than that they should be compelled to live together. No home is worth the name wherein instead of peace there is wrangling; and marriage is meaningless if there is no spark of love left between the husband and the wife. It is an error to suppose that such latitude tends to destroy the stability of marriage, because marriage is entered into as a permanent and sacred relation based on love between a man and a woman, and divorce is only a remedy when marriage fails to fulfill its object. With regard to the husband's right of pronouncing divorce the learned author has found: Though the Holy Quran speaks of the divorce being pronounced by the husband yet a limitation is placed upon the exercise of this right. He then refers to the procedure laid down in Sura IV Verse 35 quoted above, and
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says: It will be seen that in all disputes between the husband and the wife, which it is feared will lead to a breach, two judges are to he appointed from the respective people of the two parties, These judges are required first to try to reconcile the parties to each other, failing which divorce is to be effected. Therefore, though it is "the husband who pronounces the divorce, he is as much bound by the decision of the judges, as, is the wife. This shows that the husband cannot repudiate the marriage at will. The case must first be referred to two judges and their decision is binding... The Holy Prophet is reported to have interfered and disallowed a divorce, pronounced by a husband, restoring the marital relations (Bu. 68: 2). It was no doubt matter of procedure, but it shows that the authority constituted by law has the right to interfere in matters of divorce. The learned author has further observed: Divorce may be given orally, or in writing, but it mutt take place in the presence of witnesses. 13. A perusal of the Quranic verses quoted above and the commentaries thereon by well-recognized Scholars of great eminence like Mahammad Ali and Yusuf All and the pronouncements of great jurists like Ameer Ali and Fyzee completely rule out the observation of Macnaghten that "there is no occasion for any particular cause for divorce, and mere whim is sufficient", and the observation of Batchelor, J. (ILR 30 Bom. 537) that "the whimsical and capricious divorce by the husband is good in law, though bad in theology". These observations have been based on the concept that women wore chattel belonging to men, which the Holy Quran does not brook, Costello, J. in 59 Calcutta 833 has not, with respect, laid down the correct law of talaq. In my view the correct law of talaq as ordained by the Holy Quran is that talaq must be for a reasonable cause and be preceded by attempts at reconciliation between the husband and the wife by two arbiters-one from the wife's family the other from the husband's. If the attempts fail, talaq may be effected. 14. The modern trend of thinking is to put restrictions on the caprice and whim of the husband to give talaq to his wife at any time without giving any reason whatsoever. This trend is in accordance with the Quranic injunction noticed above, namely, that normally there should be avoidance of divorce, and if the relationship between the husband and the wife becomes strained, two persons-one from each of the parties should be chosen as arbiters who will attempt to effect reconciliation between the husband and the wife; and if that is not possible the talaq may be effected. In other words, an attempt at reconciliation by two relations-one each of the parties, is an essential condition precedent to 'talaq'. 15. The view I have taken gets strong support from a judgment of Krishna Ayer, J. (now of the Supreme Court) in the case of A. Yusuf Rawther v. Sowramma reported in MANU/KE/0059/1971 : AIR 1971 Ker 261 The learned Judge has observed: The interpretation of a legislation, obviously intended to protect a weaker section of the community, like women, must be informed by the social perspective and purpose and, within its grammatical flexibility, must further the beneficent object. And so we must appreciate the Islamic ethos and the general sociological background which inspired the enactment of the law before locating the precise connotation of the words used in the statute....
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Since infallibility is not an attribute of the judiciary, the view has been ventured by Muslim jurists that the Indo-Anglian judicial exposition of the Islamic law of divorce has not exactly been just to the Holy Prophet or the Holy Book. Marginal distortions are inevitable when the Judicial Committee in Downing Street has to interpret Manu and Muhammad of India and Arbia. The soul of culture-law is largely the formalized and enforceable expression of a community's culture norms cannot be fully understood by alien minds. The view that the Muslim husband enjoys an arbitrary, unilateral power to inflict instant divorce does not accord with Islamic injunctions... Indeed a deeper study of the subject discloses a surprisingly rational, realistic and modern law of divorce.... The learned Judge proceeds: It is a popular fallacy that a Muslim male enjoys under the Quranic law, unbridled authority to liquidate the marriage. The whole Quran expressly forbids a man to seek pretexts for divorcing his wife, so long as she remains faithful and obedient to him, "If they (namely woman) obey you then do not seek a way against them" (Quran IV: 34). Commentators on the Quran have rightly observed and this tallies with the law now administered in some Muslim countries like Iraq-that the husband must satisfy the Court about the reasons for divorce. However, Muslim law, as applied in India, has taken a course contrary to the spirit of what the Prophet or what the Holy Quran laid down and the same misconception vitiates the law dealing with the wife's right to divorce. Quoting Dr. Galwash the learned Judge has observed: Marriage being regarded as a civil contract and as such not indissoluble, the Islamic law naturally recognizes the right in both the parties, to dissolve the contract under certain given circumstances, Divorce, then, is a natural corollary to the conception of marriage as a contract.... It is clear, then, that Islam discourages divorce in principle, and permits it only when it has become altogether impossible for the parties to live together in peace and harmony. It avoids, therefore, greater evil by choosing the lesser one, and 6pens a way for the parties to seek agreeable companions and, thus, to accommodate themselves more comfortably in their new homes. Further quoting Dr. Galwash the learned Judge says: ...divorce is permissible in Islam only in cases of extreme emergency. 16. In the instant case the Petitioner merely alleged in his "written statement before the Magistrate that he bad pronounced talaq to the opposite party; but he did not examine himself, nor has he adduced any evidence worth the name to prove talaq'. There is no proof of talaq, or its registration. Registration of marriage and divorce under the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935 is voluntary, and unilateral. Mere registration of divorce (or raarriaga) even if proved, will not render valid divorce which is otherwise invalid under Muslim Law. 17. Relying on some decisions (MANU/UP/0079/1939 : AIR 1939 All 592, 1975 Crl. L.J. 1884 and 1977 Crl. L.J. 43) Mr. Saikia appearing for the Petitioner submits that if
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the husband fails to prove 'talaq' before the wife's petition under Section 125 of the Code, talaq will be valid and take effect from the date of his mention of talaq made in his written statement, saying that he has divorced her. With respect I am unable to subscribe to the above view, as this view appears to be contrary to Quranic injunction on the subject referred to above. 18. The last submission of Mr. Saikia that as the Petitioner has paid all dues at the time of the talaq, the wife is not entitled to maintenance under Section 125 read with Sub-section (3) of Section 127 of the Code, has no basis, firstly because except the mere allegation, there is no proof of such payment; secondly because, as the Petitioner baa failed to prove 'talaq', the question of his payment of all dues 'at the time of talaq' does not arise. 19. In the result this application fails and is rejected. The Rule is discharged.