Omar Abdullah and Nidhi Razdan's wedding unlawful under Sharia: Jamaat chief

Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi declared Omar Abdullah and Nidhi Razdan's marriage unlawful under his interpretation of Sharia. The remarks have brought religious beliefs, personal freedom and the union's legal validity into focus.

In Short

• Omar Abdullah married journalist Nidhi Razdan over the weekend
• Jamaat chief Razvi said both partners must be Muslim for valid Islamic marriage
• He criticised Abdullah for not ensuring Razdan's conversion

Two days after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced his marriage to journalist Nidhi Razdan, a religious controversy has emerged, with All India Muslim Jamaat president Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi declaring the union unlawful under Islamic principles.

Razvi said the marriage could not be considered valid under Islamic principles because both individuals must be Muslim for a marriage to be recognised as lawful under Sharia. He said that while Abdullah is Muslim, Razdan is not, making their marriage impermissible from an Islamic perspective.

Speaking on the matter, the cleric said Abdullah should have ensured that Razdan embraced Islam before their nikah.

He maintained that had she converted to Islam and the two married according to Islamic customs and traditions, the marriage could have been considered permissible under Sharia.

WHY CLERIC DECLARED THE MARRIAGE UNLAWFUL

Explaining his position, Razvi said Islam lays down specific rules and conditions governing marriage, with both the man and the woman required to be Muslim.

"If either one of them is not Muslim, the marriage cannot be considered lawful," he said, reiterating his objection to the marriage.

He further argued that Abdullah should have ensured Rajdan converted to Islam before proceeding with the marriage. Since this condition was not fulfilled, the cleric described their union as 'najaayaz' (unlawful) under Islamic principles.

RELIGIOUS RULING AND LEGAL VALIDITY

Razvi's remarks brought religious beliefs and personal freedom into focus following the couple's marriage announcement. However, his declaration reflects his interpretation of Islamic religious principles.

The legal validity of a marriage in India is determined under the applicable laws and cannot be decided solely on the basis of a religious fatwa.

- Ends