Prof. Dr. Munir M. Hasan

A few days ago, one of my friends sent me a video of a Pakistani TV program which was shown some time ago. After watching it, I thought I should say something in this regard.

The program was regarding a woman who was divorced by her husband. As narrated by her, she was divorced on a trivial matter. She was an educated woman with a Master degree from a university. The only conflict with her husband was that she wanted to do a job while her husband was not allowing her to do so. At the time of divorce she had two minor children.

After the divorce they realized that this separation was affecting their children adversely. Later, in the interest of their children, they compromised each other and re-married after a few years. And this was the point which the producer of the TV program thought worth showing to the public as a sin committed by her because this re-marriage was solemnized without following the Qur’anic order of “Halala”.

In the TV program some “experts” including the religious scholars gave their considered opinions in this matter. The religious scholars declared the re-marriage as illegal and advised her to get separated immediately. And for an easy solution for her to re-join her previous husband legally, they offered their services.

When I saw this program I thought: was it the only occasion in our social life in the whole Muslim population where this couple had disregarded the orders of Qur’an and committed a sin, and was considered fit to be shown on TV?

The order of Halala is certainly an order given in Qur’an. But, I asked myself, is it the only order given in Qur’an? Is it the only sin which on committing, it becomes necessary to show it on TV? In fact Qur’an gives many other orders which are binding (Fard) for each and every Muslim to follow and violation of such orders are surely sins. Just to quote a few:

Qur’an orders all Muslims to speak the truth and not to tell a lie. Is it being followed by the Muslims? Qur’an orders not to drink alcoholic drinks. Is it being followed by the Muslims? Qur’an orders to keep your promise. Is it being followed by the Muslims? Qur’an orders not to bribe the officials in order to get undue benefits. Is it being followed by the Muslims? Qur’an orders its followers not to steal and snatch the property of others. Is it being followed by the Muslims? Qur’an orders to give away your wealth to the poor and needy. Is it being followed by the Muslims? And so on. Is it not fit for the TV presenters to call all the violators of the Qur’anic orders, one by one, personally, on TV and get the expert advice from the religious scholars in these matters as well? I am sure it will not be done. It will not be done because in such cases there is no charm for the TV presenters, and no room for the religious scholars to offer their services.

The story shown on TV is particularly looks strange in view of the fact that in almost all the cities of Pakistan there are official and unofficial brothels operating in large numbers and no religious scholar or religious party takes any notice of it.