Latest news with #RaghibHussainNaeemi
Express Tribune
28-05-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
CII takes exception to child marriage bill
Listen to article The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has rejected a bill that bans marriage under the age of 18 in Islamabad, describing it as un-Islamic. The council has also declared the Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2025, presented by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government, in conflict with Shariah. A meeting of the CII was held on Tuesday chaired by Dr Raghib Hussain Naeemi. According to the statement issued after the meeting, the council discussed the bill presented by MNA Sharmila Faruqi of the PPP and passed by the National Assembly on May 17. The bill was introduced with the object to curb, discourage and eventually eradicate the concept and phenomenon of child marriages. It said no Nikah registrar shall register a marriage where one or both the contracting parties are below the age of 18 years. It stated that whoever contravened with or failed to comply with sub-section (1) and (2) of the bill shall be liable to be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which shall not be more than one year and with fine amounting to Rs100,000, or both, unless he proved that he had reason to believe that the marriage was not a child marriage. The bill sought further punishment for male adults above 18 years of age marrying a child. "Whoever, being a male above eighteen years of age, contracts a child marriage shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment which may extend to three years but shall not be less than two years and shall be liable to fine," it said. The CII noted that the clauses defining marriage under the age of 18 as sexual assault and prescribing punishments do not align with Islamic injunctions. The statement clarified that the bill to prohibit child marriage was not referred to the CII for review before legislation. The council also found the Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2025 submitted by the K-P government to be in contradiction with Shariah. The CII emphasized that thalassemia testing before marriage should be optional, not mandatory, adding that, according to Islamic teachings, marriage should be kept free from unnecessary complications. The council also expressed concern over the irresponsible reporting of court decisions. It clarified that forcing the bride's family to provide dowry items is contrary to Islamic teachings. The statement also said that women should have the right to choose whether to keep the domicile of their husband's area or that of their parents after marriage. It ruled that after the completion of iddat — the mandatory waiting period — the husband is not financially responsible for the divorced wife. In Islamic Shariah, iddat is also observed in the event of the husband's death. The CII also proposed amendments to Clause 7 of the Muslim Family Laws (Amendment) Bill 2025, which was referred to it by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and formed a committee to draft a new version of the law. The meeting also considered questions received from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), as well as issues related to mudarabah (Islamic finance), housing schemes, and investment matters.
Express Tribune
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
CII urges stand against Israeli aggression
Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Chairman Dr Raghib Hussain Naeemi on Tuesday strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza, highlighting the catastrophic humanitarian crisis that has unfolded over the past 18 months. Dr Naeemi said despite a ceasefire agreement reached two and a half months ago, Israel has resumed and intensified its bombardment of Gaza. "This brutal campaign has resulted in the martyrdom of over 60,000 innocent Palestinians, with hundreds of thousands more injured or disabled," he said.
Arab News
11-04-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Pakistani religious scholars say Islam permits organ donation after death
KARACHI: A group of prominent Pakistani religious scholars and medical professionals have declared organ donation after death permissible in Islam, a leading medical college said on Thursday, amid an effort to tackle low donation numbers due to religious concerns on the matter. While many Muslims consider organ donation permissible, there are varying interpretations and opinions among scholars and individuals. Some believe that the human body is sacred and should not be harmed, even in death, which can lead them to oppose organ donation. Others interpret verses in the Qur'an and Hadith that emphasize the value of saving lives, leading them to support organ donation as a compassionate act. Pakistan faces a significant shortage of organ donors. The demand for organs far exceeds the availability, leading to long waiting times and increased mortality rates for patients in need of transplants. Apart from cultural and religious beliefs and lack of awareness and education, the shortage is also fueled by Pakistan lacking the infrastructure and resources to effectively support deceased organ donation programs. While organ donations, particularly from family members, are more common in Pakistan, the country lacks a proper system for deceased organ donation. 'Donating organs after death, with proper consent and ethical compliance, is not only allowed but also considered an act of sadaqah jariyah (ongoing charity) in Islamic teachings,' Dow University of Health Sciences said in a joint declaration following an event on the ethical and religious dimensions of brain death and organ transplantation in Islam. All the scholars agreed to raise awareness among Muslims about the 'permissibility and spiritual reward' of organ donation, it added. The statement quoted Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), Allama Raghib Hussain Naeemi, as saying organ donation could only take place with 'prior consent or family approval' after brain death was confirmed. Another scholar Mufti Ramzan Sialvi said organ donation was only permissible if the dignity of the deceased was preserved. Doctors estimate around 50,000 lives could be saved annually in Pakistan through organ donation, the statement added, calling for widespread awareness to promote the practice. By aligning medical ethics with Islamic teachings, experts hope to encourage more Pakistanis to register as donors and help address the country's critical shortage of transplant organs.
Express Tribune
27-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Zakat deduction on bank accounts for Ramadan 2025 announced
Listen to article The Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety has announced the Zakat Nisab for the year 2025, specifying the deduction threshold for bank accounts. The new regulations state that Zakat will be deducted from accounts with a balance of Rs179,689 or more on the first day of Ramadan, which falls on March 1 or 2, 2025. The ministry has informed banks that Zakat will be applicable on saving accounts, and similar types of accounts, while current accounts will remain exempt. Accounts with a balance lower than Rs179,689 on the first day of Ramadan will not be subject to Zakat deduction. This decision aligns with the Zakat and Ushr Ordinance of 1980, which sets the guidelines for the collection and distribution of Zakat in Pakistan. Earlier, the Chairman of the Islamic Ideological Council, Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi, has announced the guidelines for paying Fitrana (almsgiving) and Roza Fidya (compensation for missed fasting) for the current year. According to the council's recommendations, a minimum of Rs220 per person should be paid as Fitrana based on wheat, while those opting for other forms of food products like dates, raisins, or dried apricots will be required to pay varying amounts. Specifically, Fitrana for dates is calculated at Rs1,650 for raisins at Rs2,500 and for dried apricots at Rs5,000. Dr. Naeemi emphasised that Fitrana and Fidya should be paid in accordance with one's financial ability. He reiterated that Fitrana is an obligatory charity for all Muslims—both male and female, free and enslaved—and must be given before the end of Ramadan. The announcement also provided detailed calculations for those opting to pay based on different food items. For example, the amount for 30 days of Fidya (compensation for missed fasting) is Rs6,600 for wheat, Rs13,500 for barley, Rs49,500 for dates, Rs75,000 for raisins, and Rs150,000 rupees for dried apricots. Dr. Naeemi also highlighted the Kaffara (penalty) for deliberately breaking a fast, which involves either fasting for 60 consecutive days or feeding 60 needy individuals two meals each. Additionally, individuals using subsidised government wheat flour can pay as little as Rs160 for their Fitrana and Fidya contributions.
Express Tribune
20-02-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
CII prescribes Sadqa-e-Fitr, Fidya rates
The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Chairman Dr Raghib Hussain Naeemi on Thursday announced the current year's prescribed rates for Sadqa-e-Fitr and Fidya to be paid by the people with means to the underprivileged individuals. Sadqa-e-Fitr is obligatory for every Muslim, slave or free, male or female, young or old, who possesses the means, Dr Naeemi said. He announced that the minimum amount for Sadqa-e-Fitr and Fidya per person was Rs220 this year. According to the announcement the rates could vary based on different commodities.
