A two-day orientation course on Family Laws in Islam recently concluded at Sharī‘ah Academy. The event brought together scholars, legal experts, and students for an engaging and insightful exchange of ideas. The course was designed to offer participants a clear understanding of the foundational principles of the Islamic family system, as well as its contemporary legal applications, particularly in the context of Pakistan and the broader Islamic world. Throughout the course, participants had the opportunity to interact with experts in the field, sharing their thoughts and engaging in meaningful conversations during the open forum sessions.
The course commenced with opening remarks by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akram, Director General, Sharī‘ah Academy. He highlighted the pivotal role of the family in Islam, emphasizing that the true value of Islamic teachings and family laws can only be fully appreciated when viewed in light of their broader objectives.
Prof. Dr. Tahir Mansoori, former Vice President, International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), delivered a comprehensive presentation on the ongoing reforms in family laws across the Muslim world. He focused on how these reforms aim to align traditional legal frameworks with emerging human rights norms, while also emphasizing the need for greater uniformity across diverse legal systems. To illustrate the varying approaches, Dr. Mansoori examined the family laws of countries such as Turkey, Morocco, Iran, and Pakistan, highlighting both their unique developments and shared challenges.
Dr. Shamsul Haq, Assistant Professor, Sharī‘ah Academy, discussed the issue of stipulations in marriage contracts, with a particular focus on their judicial interpretation in Pakistan. He highlighted several legal challenges faced by the courts in applying and enforcing these contractual provisions.
On the second day, in the first session the focus shifted to child custody issues. Dr. Saqib Jawad, a Civil Judge in Islamabad, explored the relevant legal provisions and the complexities faced by courts in adjudicating child custody cases. Following this, Dr. Usman Nawaz, Assistant Professor, Department of Law IIUI, provided a detailed analysis of divorce law, with particular emphasis on Section 7 of the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961. Dr. Shagufta Umar contributed further by offering insights into the concepts of khula and the dissolution of marriage in Islamic law, examining how these principles are interpreted and applied by courts in Pakistan.
In the final session, Dr. Moti ur Rehman, Senior Adviser at Federal Shariat Court, presented an overview of landmark decisions delivered by the Federal Shariat Court on matters related to family law.
The course concluded with the distribution of certificates to the participants. Coordinated by Hafiz Ahmad Waqas, the program was attended by 42 participants.