Last Change:

04/24/2025

Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939

Year: 1939

Type: Domestic law

Rights Category: Housing, land & property

Link to external source: https://pakistancode.gov.pk/pdffiles/administratorfb32d6015ae887e6d6b85018961842ea.pdf#viewer.action=download
Description

An Act to consolidate and clarify the provisions of Muslim law relating to suits for dissolution  of marriage by women married under Muslim law and to remove doubts as to the effect of the  renunciation of Islam by a married Muslim woman on her marriage tie. 

Selected provisions
Section 2 - Grounds for decree for dissolution of marriage.

A woman married under Muslim Law shall be entitled to obtain a decree for the dissolution of her marriage on any one or more of the following grounds, namely:-
(viii) that the husband treats her with cruelty, that is to say,-
(a) habitually assaults her or makes her life miserable by cruelty of conduct even if such conduct does not amount to physical ill-treatment, or
(b) associates with women of evil repute or leads an infamous life, or
(c) attempts to force her to lead an immoral life, or
(d) disposes of her property or prevents her exercising her legal rights over it, or
(e) obstructs her in the observance of her religious profession or practice, or
(f) if he has more wives than one, does not treat her equitably in accordance with the injunctions of the Quran;

Section 5 - Rights to dower not to be affected.

Nothing contained in this Act shall affect any right which a married woman may have under Muslim law to her dower or any part thereof on the dissolution of her marriage.