DENIED BY ALLAH - CHAPTER - 1 - HALALA A LAWFUL CRIME?

Aug 25, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven

The chapter presents a tense all-woman discussion led by Zakia, focusing on Shariat laws alongside the Indian Constitution, before a reluctant participant, Sakina, is drawn into a private conversation. Sakina reveals repeated divorce (talaq) and the social constraints surrounding remarriage, especially in the context of halala. Her account describes an early marriage, ongoing substance abuse by her husband, and the cascading legal and ritual conditions that trap women in cycles of separation and re-marriage.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time17 min

AccessFree to download

CHAPTER - 1 - HALALA A LAWFUL CRIME?

Women’s gathering and Zakia’s guidance

Sakina’s silence and Zakia’s private questioning

Sakina’s marriage, divorce, and halala implications

DENIED BY ALLAH CHAPTER - 1 HALALA A LAWFUL CRIME? She was sitting curled up in a corner and had been quiet throughout. Zakia felt that she was desperate to say something. In a gathering of women it was impossible to maintain silence. All of them had something to say and wanted to say it at once. There was an audible hum of their constant chatter with sudden highs at which Zakia had to scold them like school children a couple of times. “Please wait for your turn. Don‟t just begin speaking; raise your hand and wait for me to ask you to speak. How do you expect me to understand what you are saying if all ofyou speak together?” Zakia would then look pointedly at her. She would smile and look away, usually downwards. Was there some awful shame that she was hiding? Zakia thought to herself. Flanked by women on both sides, she was being nudged and poked to speak up. “Why don‟t you ask her? What was the point in coming all this way if you don‟t have the gutsto speak?” They cajoled and persuaded, but she remained silent. Three hours had passed. Zakia glanced pointedly at her wristwatch and began to collect her papers, pen and diary to indicate that the meeting to discuss the Shariat laws and the Indian Constitution was over. The women also got up and began to collect their security guards—a variety of hijabs, abayas, burqas—hanging from doors, hooks and nails, and began to wear them. Zakia was moving towards the veranda where tea had been laid out when someone called from behind, “Baji!” Zakia swallowed her irritation and turned with a half-smile fixed on her face. This was a general occurrence; one or two of the audience wouldalways maintain a silence throughout the meeting, and then when everybody began to disperse would expect a private discussion. Zakia knew that it could not be avoided since some women were reticent about speaking openly even in an all-woman gathering. It was understandable; after all, women had only just found their voices. “Baji, I wanted to ask you something. You spoke for more than three hours on Shariat versus the Indian Constitution but you did not say a word about „Halala‟.” She spoke all of this in a rush and then stuttered to a stop as if she had said something obscenethat should not be mentioned amongst respectable people. Zakia stopped and looked at her face for a full minute. How many times had she thought that this portion of the Surah-e-Nisa, the chapter on women and property inthe Quran , should be discussed. But her work was to compare the Shariat laws and theprovisions of the Indian Constitution, and try as she might, so far she had not been able to dig out an even remotely linked Act in the Constitution. “What is your name?” “Sakina.” “Tell me what do you wish to know about Halala.” She kept quiet. Zakia prodded her, “Your husband has divorced you?” “Yes.” “And now he regrets it and wants to marry you again?” “For the fifth time!” she mumbled. Someone had placed a cup of tea in Zakia‟s hand. Shocked at Sakina‟s revelation, shealmost dropped it. Taking a grip on herself, Zakia reached for her hand and moved to a corner. But she didn‟t have to ask any question to begin a dialogue. Sakina seemed to have been waiting for this privacy. Haltingly, stammering, the story of her life flowed out of her like a burst ulcer getting rid of rotting, foul smelling fluid. “Baji, I was fourteen when the nikah with my husband Abdul Rashid was solemnised. My husband was eleven years older to me. He was fond of alcohol and was a frequent abuser of opium. Everyone, including my own parents, was aware of his addiction butthen beggars cannot be choosers, and my parents, with five daughters, were literally beggars. On the whole, I was happy to be married. The family was well-to-do and there was only my brother-inlaw, five years younger to me, besides my husband‟s parents. Everyone also believed that he would give up his bad habits once the wife was there to take care of thin

FAQs

Why does Sakina stay silent during the public discussion?

She remains quiet despite pressure from others and Zakia, then later asks for private time to address halala after the meeting ends.

What triggers Sakina’s first talaq?

Six years into the marriage, her husband returns drunk, demands food, and after events involving the meal he shouts and divorces her through three pronouncements of talaq.

What complication does Zakia identify regarding divorce and remarriage?

The narrative raises that divorce under intoxication is not considered valid, and it also highlights the rigid waiting periods and conditions required before remarriage can occur, leading toward halala.

Aug 25, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven