Council of Islamic Ideology Rules Court Decision on Second Marriage Annulment as Un-Islamic

The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has declared that a court ruling granting a first wife the right to dissolve her marriage if her husband remarries without permission is not in accordance with Islamic principles.
During its 241st session, chaired by Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi, the council asserted that such a ruling contradicts Sharia law and is therefore invalid within Islamic jurisprudence.
The CII also addressed several critical issues, including organ transplantation, the utilization of Zakat funds, and legal considerations surrounding transgender rights in Pakistan.
Key Decisions from the Meeting
Rejection of Court Ruling on Second Marriage: The council emphasized that Sharia law does not empower a first wife to annul her marriage if her husband remarries without her consent. It affirmed that any court decision supporting this notion is inconsistent with Islamic teachings.
Conditional Approval for Human Organ Transplants: The council permitted kidney and liver transplants, provided that the donor’s life is not jeopardized. This decision followed a briefing from four experts at the Sindh Institute of Child and Neonatology, who responded to 33 questions posed by council members.
Decision on Transgender Rights Bill: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government’s bill on transgender rights was rejected, as it contained provisions previously deemed un-Islamic by the Federal Shariat Court and the CII.
Permissibility of Zakat Funds in Islamic Banks: The council approved the placement of Zakat funds in Islamic banks for administrative purposes, while stipulating that the government would bear responsibility for any potential losses.
Campaign Against Electricity Theft: Religious scholars and intellectuals were urged to actively denounce electricity theft, which was characterized as an ethical and economic transgression that must be curbed.
Thalassaemia Testing in Marriage Contracts: The council recommended that thalassaemia and infectious disease testing be offered as an optional component of marriage contracts, leaving the final decision to the couple’s discretion.
Use of Arabic Terminology in Islamic Contexts: The council advised the use of original Arabic terms for Islamic concepts, such as Salah (prayer), Ayah (verse), and Masjid (mosque), rather than their English translations.
Pension Fund for New Government Employees: The council ruled that newly hired employees can be mandated to join the contributory pension fund, whereas existing employees cannot be compelled to do so. It also suggested that the fund be kept separate from interest-based banking systems.
Postponement of Decision on Human Milk Bank:
The council deferred its final decision regarding the establishment of a human milk bank until its next meeting.
Furthermore, special prayers were offered during the meeting for the mother of Army Chief General Asim Munir.