All India Muslim Personal Law Board

Description

AIMPLB is a private body working to protect Muslim personal laws, liaise with and influence the Government of India and guide the general public about crucial issues. The board has a working committee of 51 ulama representing various schools of thought. In addition to this, it also has a general body of 201 persons of ulama as well as laymen, including about 25 women.

However, some of the Shia Muslims and Muslim feminists have formed their own separate boards, the All India Shia Personal Law Board and the All India Muslim Women's Personal Law Board, respectively but have failed to win any significant support from the Muslims or the government.

Executive committee

Khalid Saifullah Rahmani was elected as the fifth President of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) during an executive meeting held on 3–4 June 2023 in Mhow, Indore. He succeeded Rabey Hasani Nadwi, who had held the position for 21 years until his demise in April 2023.

Following his election, Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi was appointed as the new General Secretary of the Board, replacing Rahmani.

The current Vice Presidents of the Board include Syed Sadatullah Husaini, Arshad Madani, Obaidullah Khan Azmi, and Mohammed Ali Mohsin Taqvi.

Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani was appointed as one of the secretaries of the Board in June 2023, and he resigned from the position in November 2024.

Other secretaries of the Board include Umrain Mahfooz Rahmani, Bilal Abdul Hai Hasani Nadwi, and Yaseen Ali Usmani. Mohammad Riaz Umar serves as the treasurer of the Board.

Executive members of the Board include prominent figures such as K. Ali Kutty Musliyar, Muhammad Sufyan Qasmi, Rahmatullah Mir Qasmi, Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali, Asaduddin Owaisi, Syed Shah Mohammed Quadri, and Yusuf Hatim Muchhala. Female executive members include Moonesa Bushra Abdi, Atiya Siddiqua, A.S. Fathima Muzaffer, and Nighat Praveen Khan.

Associated scholars

• Sayyid Minatullah Rahmani (co-founder, former General Secretary)
• Mujahidul Islam Qasmi (co-founder, former President)
• Wali Rahmani (former General Secretary)
• Jalaluddin Umri (former Vice President)
• Muhammad Salim Qasmi (former Vice President)
• Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi (General Secretary)

Criticism

The AIMPLB focuses primarily to defend the Sharia laws from any law or legislation that they consider infringes on it. In this role initially it has objected to any change in the Divorce Laws for Muslim women. In this regard it has even published a book – Nikah-O-Talaq (Marriage and Divorce). However, from time to time it has been hinted by the board that it might reconsider its position. It has also objected to gay rights and supports upholding the 1861 Indian law that bans sexual intercourse between persons of the same sex.

The Board has also objected to the Right of Children for Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 as they believe it will infringe on the Madrasa System of Education. It has also supported child marriage and opposes the Child Marriage Restraint Act. It supports marriage age as 15 but says we do not promote it but people should have choice. It has also objected to the Supreme Court of India Judgement on Babri Mosque. For this, it is also willing to threaten political action. The Board was in the headlines for its opposition to the live video conference of author Salman Rushdie to the Jaipur Literature Festival in January 2012. After government considered making yoga compulsory in schools They argued that "there is a serious threat to our religion. There is a sinister design to impose 'Brahmin dharma' through yoga, Surya Namaskara and Vedic culture. They all are against Islamic beliefs. We need to awaken our community for launching a protest on a large scale."

Model Nikahnama

AIMPLB drafted a model 'nikahnama' in 2003 laying down specific guidelines and conditions on which a marriage can be annulled by both husband and wife in large sections of Sunni Muslims in Uttar Pradesh.

Legacy

Muhammad Qasim Zaman, a professor at Princeton University, described this organisation as the most influential in matters related to Islamic law in India.

References

References

1. "Compendium Of Islamic Laws".
2. (12 June 2006). "All India Muslim Women's Personal Law Board on Muslim Women's Reservation". The Milli Gazette.
3. (4 June 2023). "Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani elected fifth president of All India Muslim Personal Law Board". The Print.
4. (4 June 2023). "Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani elected fifth president of All India Muslim Personal Law Board". ANI.
5. "Maulana Arshad Madani".
6. (6 April 2025). "Personal Law Board VP Maulana Obaidullah Khan Azmi asserts Centre will have to withdraw Waqf Amendment Law". The Times of India.
7. (2 April 2025). "Waqf Bill won't benefit Muslims, says senior AIMPLB official". The Hindu.
8. Sahay, Sanjay. (2024-10-04). "Cong to make Waqf bill key poll issue...". The Times of India.
9. (25 November 2024). "آل انڈیا مسلم پرسنل لا بورڈ کے سکریٹری کا استعفیٰ". Hindustan Samachar.
10. "Executive Members".
11. "Aims and Objects".
12. (18 July 2007). "Sharia courts should be first option: AIMPLB". [[The Times of India]].
13. (25 October 2006). "All Muslims are equal: AIMPLB". [[The Times of India]].
14. Jyoti Thottam. (2 July 2009). "All India's Historic Ruling on Gay Rights".
15. (2 July 2009). "All India Muslim Personal Law Board moves SC over legalising homosexuality".
16. Gardiner Harris (11 December 2013) [https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/12/world/asia/court-restores-indias-ban-on-gay-sex.html?hp Court Restores India's Ban on Gay Sex] ''[[The New York Times]]''. Retrieved 11 December 2013
17. TNN. "Bill to address minorities' RTE concerns in next session: Sibal". [[The Times of India]].
18. Haviland, Charles. (5 September 2002). "Battle over India's marriage age". BBC News.
19. (30 September 2010). "Not satisfied with Ayodhya verdict; will move SC: AIMPLB". Zee News.
20. (29 January 2012). "AIMPLB set to corner Congress in UP polls". DNA India.
21. (24 January 2012). "Salman Rushdie has hurt religious sentiments in his book: AIMPLB member". IBNLive.
22. [http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/aimplb-calls-conclave-to-push-its-fight-against-vedic-culture-brahmin-dharma/ India Express: "AIMPLB calls conclave to push its fight against ‘Vedic culture, Brahmin dharma’" by Mohd Faisal Fareed] 13 August 2015
23. (2016-09-09). "Shia board moots model 'nikahnama', denounces 'triple talaq' in one sitting". Hindustan Times.
24. (Sep 10, 2016). "No Triple Talaq Without Both Husband And Wife's Consent: Shia Law Board".
25. Zaman, Muhammad Qasim. (2007). "Ashraf Alī Thanawi: Islam In Modern South Asia". [[Oneworld Publications]].