The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986

Abstract

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986, is a significant legal provision in India designed to address the rights and welfare of Muslim women in the context of divorce. This Act was introduced in response to the Supreme Court's judgment in the case of Shah Bano Begum v. Mohammad Ahmed Khan (1985), which highlighted the need for a specific legal framework to protect divorced Muslim women.

The Act mandates that a Muslim woman who is divorced is entitled to maintenance from her former husband for a period of up to 90 days after the divorce. This provision ensures that women receive financial support during the period immediately following the dissolution of marriage, allowing them time to re-establish their economic stability.