Triple Talaq Verdict: ‘There is hope now, many will get courage to fight’

For Habiba, the eight years of her marriage with Haroon was seeped in agony. “I have suffered mental and physical abuse from my in-laws. My mother-in-law left no stone unturned to make my life a living hell by provoking my husband to chastise me. It had totally shaken my confidence,” says the mother of a seven-year-old boy. According to Habiba, her brother and sister supported her decision to file a case against triple talaq.

Terming her legal battle as a “fight for dignity,” Habiba, who is also a painter, says: “I am doing this for my son, Hamza”. Her husband, who sells chicken, has allegedly not allowed her to meet her son. “If he (Haroon) promises to keep me well, I will also return to him. For us Muslim women, living alone is not an option yet… I do have fleeting thoughts about standing on my own feet, but my community members and family tell me that women in our community cannot live alone,” says Habiba who has warded off suggestions from her family and friends to marry an ‘older man’ and forget her past life, including her son. “How can I forget my son? People have been bringing in proposals to marry older men, who are fathers to grown-up children; in some cases they have adult children. They tell me that these are the only men from whom I will now get marriage proposals. But, I am only 28,” she adds.

According to Habiba’s advocate, the Supreme Court verdict will have a direct impact on her case. “The next hearing in her case is slated for September 14, where we will cite the apex court’s judgment. It will certainly help us in restoring Habiba’s marriage to Haroon. We will also urge the court to take an undertaking from him about keeping her well and unharmed,” said advocate Neeraj Jain. According to him, Habiba’s case against triple talaq is a rare one “as most of them turn to maulvis to settle their marital disputes”.

As Habiba leaves court, she signs off saying: “I know Allah is with me.”