Ahmad Kasim Molla vs Khatun Bibi on 14 August, 1931
The first question, which we have to decide is whether the absence of the wife makes the pronouncement of the talak void and inefficacious. In our opinion it does not. The point is dealt with in the book of Mr. Ameer Ali in Section 3, Ch. 12, where he says: 'It is not necessary for the husband himself to pronounce talak in the presence of the wife, but it is necessary that it should come to her knowledge.' The matter is also dealt with in Wilson's Digest at p. 164, but not so decisively. It also seems to be the opinion expressed in Nawab Abdur Rahman's Institutes of Mussalman Law. The matter has twice, as far as we are aware, been dealt with by the Courts; in the first place, in the case of Furzund Hossein v. Janu Bibee [1878] 4 Cal 588 and, secondly in the case of Sarabai v. Rabiabai [1905] 80 Bom 537. In the second of these cases a distinct opinion is expressed that it is not necessary for the wife to be present, when the talak is pronounced although this is an obiter inasmuch as that case dealt with a written instrument of divorce.