The new season of Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti’s highly anticipated Made in Heaven, which was released on Amazon Prime Video, plunges deep into the intricate tapestry of relationships and societal norms to weave a captivating narrative.
My attention was captured by episode six, Warrior Princesses. The central storyline of the episode revolves around Shehnaz (Dia Mirza) and her husband Wasim (Parvin Dabas), who is preparing for his second marriage. Destined for the role, Mirza embodies Shehnaz with remarkable aptitude — a woman of grace and poise, shattered by the actions of her husband who, within the Islamic prerogative, takes a younger, blonde-haired Albanian wife. Despite her facade of composure, Shehnaz’s strength is relentlessly eroded by the weight of humiliation and the stark changes in her life. As the series progresses, her facade begins to crumble, revealing the raw emotions beneath.
The story reflects the shattered world we live in. It evokes unsettling parallels with real life. The narrative delves into the ‘justifications’ that Muslims allegedly employ to normalise or downplay polygamy — citing Sharia law and statistics that seemingly minimise its prevalence. Shehnaz’s poignant struggle to communicate her pain to her mother-in-law is met with the same defence. Nagma, played by Anita Kanwal, invokes Islamic law to claim that polygamy is legal.
Growing up as a Muslim woman, I never regarded myself as inferior due to my gender. So I find such reasoning deeply perplexing. Is it truly justifiable to embrace the allowance within Sharia, historically controlled by men, to replace one’s wife simply because it aligns with men’s entitlement? Yet, when women raise their voice about the rights bestowed upon them by Sharia, like share in ancestral property though not equal to men, why is there reluctance among men to grant women even that unequal share? Why does the dowry practice persist, despite it being incongruent with Islamic values? Equally pertinent is the question of criminal justice — why haven’t Indian Muslim men collectively advocated for the reinstatement of punishments in accordance with Sharia principles?
Also read: Triple talaq to hijab—How Hindutva reversed gains made by Muslim women’s movements
Iceberg of legal hardships
Sharia only seems to make sense to Muslim society when it upholds male superiority and grants them privileges that perpetuate injustice against women. Shehnaz passionately questions the relevance of such a mindset in today’s world. With heart-rending eloquence, she draws striking parallels between once-legal injustices like slavery and polygamy, and the evolving ideals of the present, bravely challenging established norms.
Despite her protests, Nagma remains indifferent of Wasim’s choice, suggesting divorce as a possible remedy. Shehnaz is acutely aware that divorce would bring up the challenge of seeking custody of their young sons, adding another layer of intensity to the already complex emotional landscape. Tragically, this circumstance is often exploited as a means of manipulation when Muslim women contemplate divorce. Refusing the rightful meher, a provision sanctioned by Sharia, is also used as a manipulation tactic.
But when men exploit Sharia to their advantage, society tends to maintain a hypocritical silence.
The Made in Heaven episode delves into the surface of the immense iceberg of legal hardships that Muslim women endure. I am heartened that the show has taken the first step in acknowledging the pain, trauma, and inequity suffered by Muslim women, some of whose stories are already known to us.
One is that of Shah Bano. In 1975, the 62-year-old woman and her five children were abandoned by her husband, Mohammed Ahmed Khan—an affluent and celebrated advocate—after 14 years of marriage. Three years prior, he had taken a younger woman as his second wife. She went to court for maintenance and won. In a 2011 interview with Hindustan Times, Shah Bano’s son, Jameel, gave an account of his mother’s grievous mistreatment. He paints a vivid picture of the profound financial hardships and soul-crushing shame that his mother was subjected to during this tumultuous period. “My mother was wronged, gravely wronged,” he said.
Also read: It’s not just Muslims who have multiple wives in India. But practice has declined across faiths
Spark of change
An observation that struck me profoundly is the series’ genuine avoidance of contrived comparisons between disparate societies. It becomes evident that Muslim society is grappling with the arduous task of recognising its imperfections, addressing injustices, and engaging in legal battles, all while other societies contend with challenges at a more societal level. The series casts a wide net, addressing various societies and their issues, all the while maintaining a sincere and candid approach without false equivalence.
Also, the dialogue spoken by Shehnaz as she commits to the pursuit of justice — “I am not only Muslim, I am a citizen of this country” — carries a deeply moving impact. This powerful declaration imparts a profound message — that faith is a deeply personal journey. It encourages them to view the world beyond the narrow confines of religion. It beautifully underscores the idea that everyone possesses the inherent right to actively participate in the nation’s life, embracing not only their religious identity but also the rich tapestry of other identities that make them who they are.
Finally, my grievances with the global liberal community, intellectuals, and artists have centred around their shortcomings in advocating for Muslim women, and addressing inequality, injustice, discrimination, harmful cultural practices and regressive mindset within the Muslim community. Despite 76 years of freedom in this ostensibly secular nation, it remains perplexing why Muslim women continue to be ensnared by the grip of patriarchy. Are we neglected daughters of India?
However, this particular episode appears to signify shifting attitudes.
A flicker of relief washes over me as I witness Muslim society finally finding its place. It arrives much belatedly and in minuscule measure, but it is undeniably a start. It signifies a spark of change we can hold onto, even though our journey ahead remains extensive and challenging.
Amana Begam Ansari is a columnist and TV news panelist. She runs a weekly YouTube show called ‘India This Week by Amana and Khalid’. She tweets @Amana_Ansari. Views are personal.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)