---
title: "Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act 1986"
description: "The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 regulates maintenance for divorced Muslim women, impacting legal rights and UPSC exam discussions."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/muslim-women-protection-of-rights-on-divorce-act-1986"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 is an Indian statute regulating maintenance entitlements of divorced Muslim women, enacted to override the Shah Bano judgment.
- Did the 1986 Act actually deny divorced Muslim women maintenance beyond the iddat period?
- Can a divorced Muslim woman still invoke Section 125 CrPC despite this Act?
- How does this Act differ from the 2019 triple talaq law?
- Who bears maintenance liability if the husband cannot pay after the iddat period?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 is an Indian statute regulating maintenance entitlements of divorced Muslim women, enacted to override the Shah Bano judgment.

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In 2024 the Supreme Court of India, in Mohd. Abdul Samad v. State of Telangana, held that the 1986 Act does not bar a divorced Muslim woman from claiming maintenance under Section 125 CrPC.

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