SC’s interim waqf order ‘partial victory’: Clerics | Lucknow News
Lucknow: The Supreme Court’s interim verdict on the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 has drawn widespread attention and cautious optimism from Muslim leaders, who see it as a step toward protecting religious rights and ensuring justice for the community.Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli, a senior member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Chairman of the Islamic Centre of India, hailed the decision as “reassuring.” Speaking from Lucknow, he emphasized that while the court did not impose a complete stay on the Act, it suspended several contentious provisions, which he described as a “partial victory” for the community.Among the key provisions stayed by the Supreme Court are: Section 3 and 4, which had introduced restrictive conditions for dedicating property as waqf.The five-year practising Muslim clause, which required individuals to prove they had been practicing Islam for five years before donating property as waqf.Authority granted to district collectors to unilaterally determine whether a property qualifies as waqf — a move the court deemed unconstitutional and a violation of the separation of powers.The court also clarified that Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Waqf Boards should preferably be Muslims, though it stopped short of mandating it. Maulana Khalid Rasheed welcomed this clarification but called for further clarity on the inclusion of non-Muslim members in Waqf Boards, reiterating that waqf is a religious matter and should be managed solely by Muslims.He stressed that waqf properties — including mosques, dargahs, graveyards, and madrasas — are governed by Islamic Shariah, and only Muslims possess the religious knowledge required for their management. He expressed confidence that the final verdict would deliver complete justice and relief to the Muslim community.Meanwhile, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, also welcomed the Supreme Court’s ruling. He said the decision aligns with expectations and would help reclaim waqf lands from illegal encroachments and misuse. Razvi emphasized that the income from waqf properties should be used for the welfare of poor and vulnerable Muslims — including orphans, widows, and those in need of education and healthcare.He called on the government to swiftly implement the law in its revised form, ensuring that waqf assets are used for their intended charitable and religious purposes. Razvi also warned against political misinformation, urging the community not to be misled by fearmongering and to focus on the long-term benefits of the reforms.The Supreme Court’s interim order has not only provided legal relief but also reignited discussions on the autonomy and sanctity of waqf institutions in India. As the final hearing approaches, community leaders remain hopeful that constitutional values and religious freedoms will be upheld.
