Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961 MCQs

1. Question 1 of 50

   Under Section 3(1), does the Ordinance's provisions have effect notwithstanding any law, custom, or usage?

   A No, custom always takes precedence over the Ordinance B Only where the parties have not agreed otherwise in the nikah nama C Yes D Only in urban areas, not rural ones
2. Question 2 of 50

   Under Section 5(3), if a marriage is not solemnized by the Nikah Registrar himself, what must the person who solemnized it do?

   A Nothing further is required B Report it to the Nikah Registrar for the purpose of registration C Obtain a separate certificate from the Union Council before the marriage is valid D Register it personally with the Family Court instead
3. Question 3 of 50

   Under Section 7(1), what must a man do as soon as may be after pronouncing talaq upon his wife, in any form whatsoever?

   A Give the Chairman written notice of having done so, and supply a copy to the wife B Register the talaq with a civil court within 24 hours C Obtain the Arbitration Council's prior approval before the pronouncement is valid D Nothing further is legally required beyond the pronouncement itself
4. Question 4 of 50

   Under Section 7(2), what is the penalty for failing to give the Chairman notice of a talaq as required by Section 7(1)?

   A There is no penalty; the requirement is merely directory B Simple imprisonment up to three years, with no fine option C Simple imprisonment up to one year, or a fine up to five thousand rupees, or both D A fine only, not exceeding Rs.500
5. Question 5 of 50

   What constitutional development led to this Ordinance being specifically adapted for the Punjab in 2015?

   A The expiry of the original Ordinance's federal mandate B The 18th Amendment's devolution of this subject from the Federal Government to the provinces C A referendum held specifically in Punjab D A Supreme Court ruling striking down the original federal version
6. Question 6 of 50

   Under Section 5(2), who grants licences to persons to act as 'Nikah Registrars'?

   A The Union Council B The Council of Islamic Ideology C The Provincial Government directly D The Family Court
7. Question 7 of 50

   What Islamic law inheritance principle does Section 4 of the Ordinance modify, by introducing representative (per stirpes) succession for pre-deceased children's descendants?

   A The rule on obligatory bequests (wasiyyat) B The rule on testamentary capacity C The classical rule that a pre-deceased child's branch is generally excluded where the propositus is survived by other children of the same degree D The rule on the minimum share for a surviving spouse
8. Question 8 of 50

   Under Section 9(3), how is an unpaid amount payable under a maintenance certificate recoverable?

   A It cannot be enforced at all if the husband simply refuses to pay B As arrears of land revenue C Only through criminal prosecution for contempt D Only through a fresh civil suit for recovery of debt
9. Question 9 of 50

   Under Section 6(2), to whom must an application for permission to contract another marriage be submitted?

   A The Family Court directly B The Chairman C The Provincial Government D The Council of Islamic Ideology
10. Question 10 of 50

    Under Section 7(3), when does a talaq (unless earlier revoked) generally become effective?

    A Upon expiration of thirty days from the pronouncement B Only once a civil court formally confirms the talaq C Upon the expiration of ninety days from the day the notice under Section 7(1) is delivered to the Chairman D Immediately upon pronouncement, regardless of notice
11. Question 11 of 50

    A man wishes to contract a second marriage and genuinely believes his first wife has consented, but never obtains the Arbitration Council's written permission before the second nikah. Under Section 6, what are the consequences?

    A He must immediately pay the entire dower (prompt and deferred) due to his existing wife, and is liable to imprisonment up to one year and a fine up to Rs.500,000 upon conviction B No consequence arises provided the first wife later ratifies the marriage informally C The second marriage is automatically void and of no legal effect D He is liable only to a civil suit for damages by the first wife, with no criminal liability
12. Question 12 of 50

    Under Section 6(2), what must an application for permission to remarry state?

    A The reasons for the proposed marriage, and whether the consent of the existing wife or wives has been obtained B Only the name of the proposed new spouse C Only the date of the proposed marriage D Only the applicant's financial status
13. Question 13 of 50

    Under Section 6(3), on what basis may the Arbitration Council grant permission for the proposed additional marriage?

    A If satisfied that the proposed marriage is necessary and just B Only if the applicant can demonstrate sufficient income for multiple households C Only if all existing wives explicitly consent in writing D Automatically, upon receipt of a complete application
14. Question 14 of 50

    Under Section 2(a), what happens if a party fails to nominate a representative to the Arbitration Council within the prescribed time?

    A The Chairman must nominate a representative on that party's behalf B The matter is automatically referred to a civil court instead C The body formed without such representative shall be the Arbitration Council D The proceedings are automatically dismissed
15. Question 15 of 50

    Under Section 11(1), who may make rules to carry the purposes of the Ordinance into effect?

    A Only the Chairman of each Union Council, individually B Only the Council of Islamic Ideology C The Federal Government (for Cantonment areas) and the Provincial Government (for other areas) D Only the Federal Government, in every area without exception
16. Question 16 of 50

    Under Section 7(6), may a wife whose marriage was terminated by talaq remarry the same husband without an intervening marriage to a third person?

    A Only with the Arbitration Council's specific written permission each time B No, an intervening marriage is always required regardless of how many times talaq has occurred C Yes, unless that termination is the third time talaq has become effective between them D Yes, without any limit on how many times this may occur
17. Question 17 of 50

    Under Section 2(a), what does 'Arbitration Council' mean?

    A The Family Court sitting in an advisory capacity B A body consisting exclusively of religious scholars C A permanent panel of retired judges D A body consisting of the Chairman and a representative of each of the parties to a matter under the Ordinance
18. Question 18 of 50

    Under Section 2(b), what happens if the Chairman is a non-Muslim, or is himself a party wishing to apply to the Arbitration Council, or is unable to act due to illness?

    A The Provincial Government appoints a special Chairman for that single case B The Arbitration Council shall select one of its Muslim members as Chairman C The matter is automatically transferred to a Family Court D The application is dismissed until a new Chairman is appointed
19. Question 19 of 50

    Under Section 9's proviso (added by the Punjab Amendment Act, 1975), who may transfer a revision application for a maintenance certificate from one Collector to another?

    A Only the original Arbitration Council itself B Only the Chief Secretary of the Province C No such transfer is possible under the Ordinance D The Commissioner of a Division, on application and for recorded reasons
20. Question 20 of 50

    Under Section 6(5)(a), what must a man who contracts another marriage WITHOUT the Arbitration Council's permission immediately do regarding the existing wife or wives?

    A Divorce the existing wife or wives within 90 days B Pay only half the deferred dower C Pay immediately the entire amount of dower, whether prompt or deferred, due to them D Nothing; there is no automatic financial consequence
21. Question 21 of 50

    Under Section 2(c) (as adapted for Punjab), what does 'Government' mean?

    A The Council of Islamic Ideology B The Government of the district concerned C The Federal Government of Pakistan D The Government of the Punjab
22. Question 22 of 50

    Under Section 2(b), who generally serves as 'Chairman' for the purposes of the Ordinance?

    A The senior-most Nikah Registrar in the area B The Deputy Commissioner of the district C A judge of the Family Court D The Chairman of a Union Council, Union Administration, or Municipal Committee, or an officer authorised by the Government
23. Question 23 of 50

    Under Section 6(5)(b) (as amended for Punjab in 2015), what is the criminal penalty for contracting another marriage without the Arbitration Council's permission?

    A A fine only, not exceeding Rs.50,000 B Simple imprisonment up to one year and a fine of five hundred thousand rupees, upon conviction on complaint C Simple imprisonment up to three months, with no fine D Automatic annulment of the unauthorised marriage, with no separate penalty
24. Question 24 of 50

    Under Section 10, what is presumed regarding dower where the nikah nama or marriage contract specifies no details about the mode of payment?

    A The entire amount of dower is presumed to be payable on demand B The matter must be referred to the Arbitration Council to determine the mode of payment C No dower is payable at all in the absence of specified details D Half the dower is presumed prompt and half deferred, automatically
25. Question 25 of 50

    What was the original subject-matter of Sections 12 and 13 of the Ordinance, both of which are now omitted?

    A Provisions establishing Family Courts and appellate procedure, respectively B Provisions on registration of divorce and khula, respectively C Amendments to the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 and the Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939, respectively D Provisions on inheritance and wills, respectively
26. Question 26 of 50

    Under Section 6(1), may a man, during the subsistence of an existing marriage, contract another marriage without the Arbitration Council's previous written permission?

    A Yes, freely, without any restriction B Yes, provided the existing wife is simply informed afterward C Yes, provided the new marriage is not registered D No, except with such permission
27. Question 27 of 50

    Under Section 5(1), must every marriage solemnized under Muslim Law be registered?

    A Only second or subsequent marriages require registration B No, registration is entirely optional C Only marriages solemnized in urban areas require registration D Yes, in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance
28. Question 28 of 50

    Under Section 9(1A) (added by the 2015 Punjab Amendment), if a father fails to maintain his child, who may apply to the Chairman for a maintenance certificate on the child's behalf?

    A Only the Union Council directly, without any application by a family member B Only the child himself, upon attaining majority C The mother or grandmother of the child D Only a court-appointed guardian ad litem
29. Question 29 of 50

    Under Section 8, when the right to divorce has been delegated to the wife (talaq-e-tafweez) and she wishes to exercise it, how does Section 7's procedure apply?

    A Mutatis mutandis and so far as applicable, in the same manner as an ordinary talaq by the husband B A completely separate procedure, found only in the CPC, applies instead C The wife must first obtain the husband's fresh written consent before Section 7 applies D Section 7 does not apply at all to delegated divorce
30. Question 30 of 50

    A wife's husband fails to maintain her, and she wants both maintenance and to pursue the matter through the ordinary courts as well. Under Section 9(1), must she choose only one avenue?

    A No — she may apply to the Chairman for an Arbitration Council determination in addition to seeking any other legal remedy available to her B Yes, applying to the Arbitration Council under Section 9 bars her from any other legal remedy C Yes, but only if she withdraws any pending civil suit first D No such choice exists; Section 9 is her exclusive remedy for maintenance
31. Question 31 of 50

    Under Section 4, what happens where a son or daughter of the propositus dies before the succession opens, leaving children of his or her own?

    A Those grandchildren are entirely excluded from inheritance B Those grandchildren inherit only if all other heirs consent C Those children shall, per stirpes, receive a share equivalent to what their deceased parent would have received had they been alive D The deceased son or daughter's share is distributed equally among all surviving heirs, bypassing the grandchildren
32. Question 32 of 50

    Under Section 7(4), what must the Chairman do within thirty days of receiving notice of a talaq?

    A Constitute an Arbitration Council to attempt reconciliation between the parties B Refer the matter directly to the Family Court for adjudication C Notify the local police station of the pronouncement D Immediately confirm the talaq as final and effective
33. Question 33 of 50

    Under Section 7(5), what happens to the effectiveness of a talaq if the wife is pregnant at the time it is pronounced?

    A It does not become effective until the ninety-day period, or the pregnancy, whichever is later, ends B The talaq is automatically void if the wife is pregnant C The ninety-day period is halved for a pregnant wife D The talaq becomes effective immediately regardless of the pregnancy
34. Question 34 of 50

    Under Section 1(2), to whom does the Ordinance apply?

    A Only Muslim citizens who have registered under the Ordinance B Only Muslim citizens residing within Punjab C All citizens of Pakistan, regardless of religion D All Muslim citizens of Pakistan, wherever they may be
35. Question 35 of 50

    Under Section 9(1), what may a wife do if her husband fails to maintain her adequately (or fails to maintain multiple wives equitably)?

    A Nothing beyond filing an ordinary civil suit for maintenance B She may only seek relief through the Family Court, never the Arbitration Council C She must first obtain her husband's consent to any maintenance proceeding D Apply to the Chairman, who shall constitute an Arbitration Council to determine the matter, in addition to seeking any other legal remedy available
36. Question 36 of 50

    Under Section 9(2), to whom may a husband or wife apply for revision of a maintenance certificate?

    A The High Court directly B The Family Court, by way of a fresh independent suit C The Council of Islamic Ideology D The Collector concerned, whose decision shall be final and shall not be called in question in any court
37. Question 37 of 50

    Under Section 5(6), may any person inspect the marriage registration record preserved by the Union Council, or obtain a copy of an entry, on payment of the prescribed fee?

    A Only the parties to the marriage themselves may inspect the record B No, such records are strictly confidential and inaccessible to the public C Only a court order can authorise inspection D Yes
38. Question 38 of 50

    Under Section 5(4)(ii) (as amended for Punjab in 2015), what is the penalty for failing to report a marriage (solemnized by someone other than the Nikah Registrar) for registration?

    A A fine only, not exceeding Rs.5,000 B Permanent disqualification from ever solemnizing a marriage again C Simple imprisonment up to three months and a fine of one hundred thousand rupees D Simple imprisonment up to one month and a fine of twenty-five thousand rupees
39. Question 39 of 50

    Under Section 4, is the share received by grandchildren under this provision fixed by the Ordinance itself, or determined by reference to what their parent would have received?

    A It is left entirely to the discretion of the other heirs B It is determined by a Family Court on a case-by-case basis C It is a fixed statutory percentage regardless of the parent's hypothetical share D It is equivalent to the share their deceased parent would have received had that parent survived to the opening of succession
40. Question 40 of 50

    Under Section 11(2), what is the maximum penalty that rules made under Section 11 may prescribe for a breach of those rules?

    A Simple imprisonment up to one month, or a fine up to two hundred rupees, or both B A fine only, with no possibility of imprisonment C Rules made under Section 11 cannot prescribe any penalty at all D Simple imprisonment up to one year, or a fine up to five hundred thousand rupees
41. Question 41 of 50

    Under Section 6(3), whom does the Chairman ask to nominate a representative upon receiving an application for permission to remarry?

    A Only the existing wife or wives B Both the applicant and his existing wife or wives C A representative from the Union Council alone D Only the applicant himself
42. Question 42 of 50

    On what date was the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961 originally promulgated?

    A 1st January 1962 B 15th July 1961 C 2nd March 1961 D 14th August 1961
43. Question 43 of 50

    Under Section 6(4), what may a party do if dissatisfied with the Arbitration Council's decision on a polygamy application?

    A Appeal directly to the High Court B Nothing; the Arbitration Council's decision is entirely unreviewable C Apply for a fresh hearing before a different Arbitration Council D Prefer an application for revision to the Collector concerned, whose decision shall be final
44. Question 44 of 50

    Under Section 1(2) (as adapted for Punjab), to what territory does the Ordinance now extend?

    A The whole of Pakistan B Only areas under cantonment administration C Only Lahore District D The whole of the Punjab
45. Question 45 of 50

    A husband pronounces talaq on his wife but never gives the Chairman written notice. Under Section 7, is the talaq nonetheless legally effective after 90 days have passed from the pronouncement itself?

    A Yes, but only if the wife independently confirms the pronouncement to the Chairman herself B No — the 90-day effectiveness period runs from delivery of notice to the Chairman, not from the pronouncement; without notice, the effectiveness clock under Section 7(3) does not properly begin, quite apart from the separate criminal penalty for failing to notify C Yes, the talaq becomes effective 90 days after pronouncement regardless of notice D The talaq is automatically void from the moment of pronouncement if no notice is given
46. Question 46 of 50

    Under Section 8, does Section 7's procedure also apply where any party wishes to dissolve the marriage otherwise than by talaq (e.g. by khula)?

    A No, khula and similar dissolutions are entirely outside the Ordinance's scope B Yes, mutatis mutandis and so far as applicable C Only if the husband consents to the khula in writing first D Only if a civil court has already ordered the dissolution
47. Question 47 of 50

    Under Section 9(1), what may the Arbitration Council issue after determining a maintenance matter?

    A A certificate specifying the amount to be paid as maintenance by the husband B A binding criminal conviction against the husband C A certificate that has effect only for one year, requiring annual renewal D An order permanently dissolving the marriage
48. Question 48 of 50

    Under Section 3(2), do the Arbitration Act 1940, the CPC 1908, or other ordinary court-procedure laws apply to an Arbitration Council?

    A Yes, but only for maintenance proceedings, not polygamy applications B No, it is declared that they do not apply to any Arbitration Council C Yes, but only the Arbitration Act 1940 applies, not the CPC D Yes, an Arbitration Council must follow the CPC in full
49. Question 49 of 50

    Under Section 11(3), when do rules made under this section take effect?

    A Only after the Council of Islamic Ideology's approval B Upon publication in the official Gazette, as if enacted in the Ordinance itself C Only after ratification by the Provincial Assembly D Immediately upon being signed by the relevant Minister, without publication
50. Question 50 of 50

    Under Section 5(4)(i) (as amended for Punjab in 2015), what is the penalty for a Nikah Registrar or solemnizer who fails to accurately fill all columns of the nikah nama form?

    A Cancellation of the Nikah Registrar's licence, with no fine B Simple imprisonment up to one month and a fine of twenty-five thousand rupees C Simple imprisonment up to one year and a fine of five hundred thousand rupees D A fine only, not exceeding Rs.1,000

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