UNIT-I: Foundations, Marriage, and Dower

Central Theme: The transition from pre-Islamic customs to a structured contractual legal system.

• Sources of Law: Primary (Quran, Sunnah, Ijma, Qiyas) ➔ Secondary (Customs, Precedent, Legislation).
• Schools of Jurisprudence: Sunni (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi, Hanbali) ➔ Shia (Ithna Ashari, Ismaili, Zaidya).
• Conversion: Bona fide belief ➔ Governed by Shariat ➔ Cannot be used to commit fraud/bigamy (Sarla Mudgal case).
• Marriage (Nikah): Civil Contract ➔ Essentials (Capacity, Single-meeting Ijab-o-Qubul, Free Consent, Witnesses).
• Classification of Marriage: Sahih (Valid & enforceable) ➔ Batil (Void & illegal from start) ➔ Fasid (Irregular & remediable).
• Dower (Mahr): Respect for wife/Unsecured Debt ➔ Specified (Prompt/Deferred) ➔ Proper/Customary.
• Modern Legislation: 2019 Act ➔ Triple Talaq criminalized ➔ Cognizable offense (3 years imprisonment).

UNIT-II: Divorce and Maintenance

Central Theme: The mechanisms for marital dissolution and the statutory battle for financial security.

• Divorce by Husband (Talaq): Approved (Ahsan, Hasan) ➔ Disapproved/Void (Talaq-e-Biddat) ➔ Constructive (Ila, Zihar).
• Divorce by Wife / Mutual: Delegated (Talaq-e-Tafweez) ➔ Redemption (Khula) ➔ Mutual Freeing (Mubarat).
• Judicial Divorce (1939 Act): Missing 4 yrs ➔ Maintenance failure 2 yrs ➔ Cruelty ➔ Option of Puberty (Khyar-ul-Bulugh).
• Post-Divorce Consequences: Iddat observation ➔ Deferred Mahr becomes payable ➔ Mutual inheritance ceases.

• Maintenance Principles: Husband’s absolute duty to wife ➔ Father’s duty to children ➔ Shared liability in Shia law.
• Maintenance Statutes Conflict: Sec 125 CrPC/BNSS (Secular/Lifetime) ➔ 1986 Act (Limited to Iddat) ➔ Danial Latifi reconciliation (Fair provision for life paid within Iddat).

UNIT-III: Parentage, Guardianship, Gifts, and Wills

Central Theme: The structure of the family unit and the rules governing voluntary property transfers.

• Parentage: Maternity (Established by birth) ➔ Paternity (Established by valid/irregular marriage only).
• Acknowledgment (Iqrar): Unknown paternity ➔ Presumption of legitimacy ➔ Cannot legitimize offspring of Zina.
• Guardianship (Wilayat): Natural (Father) ➔ Testamentary (By Will) ➔ Court-Appointed ➔ Marriage (Jabr).
• Custody (Hizanat): Mother’s primary right ➔ Sunni (Age 7/Puberty) ➔ Shia (Weaning/Age 7) ➔ Lost upon marrying a stranger.
• Gifts (Hiba): Inter Vivos ➔ Essentials (Declaration, Acceptance, Delivery of Possession) ➔ 100% property allowed.
• Kinds of Gifts: Pure Hiba ➔ Hiba-bil-Iwaz (With return/Sale-like) ➔ Hiba-ba-Shart-ul-Iwaz (Stipulated return).
• Wills (Wasiyat): Testamentary ➔ Limit (1/3rd of estate) ➔ Sunni (Heir consent after death) ➔ Shia (Heir consent before/after).

UNIT-IV: Waqf and Succession

Central Theme: The permanent dedication of property to the Almighty and the rigid mathematical distribution of an estate.

• Waqf Definition: Permanent dedication ➔ Vesting in the Almighty ➔ Irrevocable.
• Kinds of Waqf: Public (fi-sabilillah) ➔ Private/Family (alal-aulad).
• Waqf Administration (1995 Act): State Waqf Board ➔ Waqf Tribunals (Exclusive jurisdiction) ➔ Bar on Civil Courts.
• Mutawalli: Manager (Not owner/trustee) ➔ Duties (Protect, Lease with limits) ➔ Removal (By Board for misappropriation).
• Estate Administration (4 Steps): 1. Funeral Expenses ➔ 2. Debts (Including Mahr) ➔ 3. Legacies (Up to 1/3) ➔ 4. Distribution.
• Succession Rules: Tenants-in-Common ➔ Proportionate liability for debts ➔ Sunni (Per Capita) vs. Shia (Per Stirpes).

UNIT-V: Secular and Christian Laws

Central Theme: Territorial jurisdiction, secular exits from personal law, and the linear Christian succession model.

• Special Marriage Act, 1954: Secular exit ➔ Monogamy/Age limits ➔ Automatic HUF severance ➔ ISA 1925 applies.
• Domicile: Jurisdiction basis ➔ Factum (Residence) + Animus Manendi (Intent to stay) ➔ Origin vs. Choice.
• Indian Divorce Act, 1869 (Christian): 2001 Amendment removes gender bias ➔ Grounds (Adultery, Cruelty, Desertion) ➔ Mutual Consent.
• Christian Intestate Succession (ISA 1925): Linear/Blood-based ➔ No coparcenary.
• Widow’s Share: 1/3rd (If descendants exist) ➔ 1/2 (If only kindred exist) ➔ 100% (If no descendants or kindred).

Descendants’ Share: Remaining 2/3rd ➔ Divided Per Capita (Same degree) or Per Stirpes (By branch).