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Violence Against Women and Harmful Traditional Practices Are Divergences From Islamic Teachings Abubakr Amosa Ladi Ibraheem
Violence Against Women and Harmful Traditional Practices Are Divergences From Islamic Teachings Abubakr Amosa Ladi Ibraheem
DIVERGENCES FROM
ISLAMIC TEACHINGS
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ISBN: 978 – 978 – 936 – 958 – 4
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AKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to commend Sheik Abubakr Ali for writing foreword to the
book. For your cordiality, trust and whole-hearted support, please, accept my deep
appreciation.
I owe an enormous scholarly debt to Hajia Mairo Bello Garko, the
Director/Project Coordinator of Adolescent Health and Information Project (AHIP),
her sensitivity to my underlying messages, her consideration to detail, her talent to
translate ideas into clear prose, her determined dynamism are greatly appreciated.
The editors, men with pedigree of uncommon integrity and humility, Mall.
Isiaq Tata Alada and Dr Haleem Abdur Rahman, sincerely deserve my considerable
appreciation. Thanks for bearing with me and dealing so patiently with my numerous
enquiries during the process of editing this book.
I am forever indebted to my parents, siblings, cousins, nephews, nieces and
other family member for their understanding, endless patience and encouragement
when it was most required.
I would like to gratefully acknowledge the enthusiastic understanding of my
Ummu Mutmainnah. She has been extremely patient and provided constant support
– thanks a million.
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I appreciate the sage advice and guidance of all the staff of AHIP. The
wonderful organization is comprised of individuals with wonderful talent all of whom
are dedicated to sharing their knowledge with others. You are wonderful guys.
No one walks alone on the journey of life, it is necessary and pleasant task
to thank the legions of people who have assisted, encouraged, participated in the
preparation of this book. It is in the best tradition to say Jazakumullahu khayran.
IV
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FOREWORD
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and a violation of human rights. This can also be linked to lack
of access to education and opportunities. The most important
reasons for perpetrating violence against women that the author
highlighted are the deviation from the provision of Islam; using
culture as a yardstick for engaging with the women folks and
committing harmful traditional practices. This has given rise to
a lot of harmful consequences and, misinterpreting the religious
provisions is also a serious problem.
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The author articulated the position of Islam on early
marriage, gender equality, processes of divorcing a spouse and
female circumcision. The write brought out many arguments for
the laid down traditions of Islam. Drawing inference from an
argument he provided showed circumcision is compulsory for
men but not for women. Ibn Qudamah (May Allah blesses him)
said: “Circumcision is obligatory for men, but for female, it is not
obligatory for them. This is the opinion of many scholars. Imam
Ahmad said: for men it is more strictly required, but for women
it is less strictly required” Al Mugni 1/70. The author also
concluded that early marriage is not compulsory, in Islam, but
it is allowed and recommended as soon as it is possible by the
age of puberty.
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The author meticulously deserves tributes for delicately,
but deliciously weaving through such fundamental issues.
Indeed, it’s when we don’t write, teach, preach and practice the
teachings of Islam that the moral decadence will not be stopped,
may Allah forbid. I pray to Allah Almighty to bless this book,
accept it as an act of Ibadah and reward the author abundantly.
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Table of Contents
Acknowledgement
Foreword
Introduction 11
1. Origin of Man 16
2. Position of Women in Ancient Societies and Other Religions 22
3. Position of Women in Islam 27
4. Women in The Contemporary World 48
5. Violence Against Women: 55
(a) Rape 59
(b) Sexual Harassment 70
(c) Domestic Violence 72
(d) Human Trafficking 76
(e) Forced Prostitution 81
(f) Kidnapping 83
(g) Abduction of Women/Girls to Baby Factories 85
(h) Incest 87
(i) Female Infanticide 89
(j) Indiscriminate Divorce. 92
6. Harmful Traditional Practices 102
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(a) Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). 104
* Islam; Female Circumcision 108
(b) Male Child Preference. 113
(c) Widowhood Rites. 114
(d) Wife Inheritance. 115
(e) Nutritional Taboos. 116
(f) ‘Sara’ (Sadaqah) Marriage. 117
7. Early Marriage in Islam 120
8. Gender Equality 131
9. Consequences of Violence Against Women and Harmful Traditional
Practices 142
*Effects of Violence against Women and Harmful Traditional Practices on
Children 147
10. Ways to Curb Violence Against Women and Harmful Traditional
Practices 148
11. Bibliography 160
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INTRODUCTION
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In the name of Allaah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful
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“O those who believe! Fear Allaah and say what is
correct (always). He will direct you to do righteous
good and He will forgive you your sins. And whoever
obeys Allaah and His messenger that is a great
achievement” (Q33:70-71).
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misinterpret the difference and use it as a tool to
oppress women.
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ORIGIN OF A MAN
16 | P a g e
Allaah (SubhanahuWata’aala) created man in
several stages from conception till death through a
gradual process. Adam, the first man, was created from
clay and Hawah, his wife, was created from him.
1
Q4:1
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offspring of Adam) as a nutfah (mixed drops of the
male and female sexual discharge) and lodge it in a
safe lodging (womb of the woman). Then We made
the nutfah into a clot (a piece of thick coagulated
blood), then We made the clot into a little lump of
flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh
bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh and then
We brought it forth as another creation. So blessed
be Allaah, The Best of creators”2
2
Q23:12-14
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whom We will to remain in the wombs for an appointed
term, then We bring you out as infants…”3
3
Q22:5
4
Muslim Hadith No 2643
19 | P a g e
During fertilization, sex of the baby is determined and
it has been proven that male components determine the
sex of the baby because the semen from the male
contains sperms that carry the X chromosome and
others that carry Y chromosome while female egg/ovum
carries only X chromosomes. If Y chromosome from the
male fuses with X chromosome from the female, a boy
is formed. If X chromosome from the male fuses with X
chromosome from the female, a girl is formed. It has
been scientifically proven that the Y spermatozoa is
weaker, in terms of life span than the X spermatozoa
which forms female zygote and that more baby girls
survive the first six months of life than baby boys,
apart from this, gestation period and other processes
are the same.
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POSITION OF WOMEN IN
22 | P a g e
Before discussing position of women in Islam,
there is need to appraise how women were being treated
in pre-Islamic cultures and religions.
5
“In that part of the middle – East called the Fertile Crescent hunter gatherers began
planting gardens. By 7000 BCE there was farming which required permanent settlement.
By 4500BCE people archaeologists call Ubaidians were living in towns near where the
Tigris and Euphrates rivers emptied into Persian Gulf… This was Mesopotamia (Greek for
“between two rivers”). It was around 4000BCE that people called Sumerians moved into
Mesopotamia….at least twelve cities arose among the Sumerians. Among them were Ur,
Uruk, Kish and Lagash. The Sumerians – Macro History
www.macrohistory.com/h1/ch01.htm
6
The Sumerians are responsible for the first known set written laws. These laws are known
as the “code” of Ur Nammu - Sumerian Society] www.sarissa.org/sumer/sumer_s.php
23 | P a g e
provision in their law where the wife of a Sumerian man
followed another man and slept with him, “it is only the
woman who should be put to death, while the man is
allowed to go free”. Also, when a husband died, the wife
(widow) comes under the control of her former
husband’s father or brother or if she had a grown-up
son she was put under his control.
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In religions, other than Islam, the matrimonial
union of man and woman has been considered
incompatible and had been regarded as derogatory to
man. In another religion, woman has no right to call for
the dissolution of her marriage no matter how badly she
is been treated by her husband. And the widow is
expected to burn herself on a pyre (large pile of wood
for burning) of her husband. Woman in another religion
has been described as; “The origin of devil”, “The
mother of all evils”, “The gate way of hell”, “A scorpion
ever ready to sting”, “Sentinel of hell”, “Daughter of
falsehood”, “Lance of the demon” and “The enemy of
peace”.
26 | P a g e
POSITION OF WOMEN IN ISLAM
27 | P a g e
Islam views the religion of all Prophets (peace of
Allaah be upon them) as one for the truth is one. Islam
is not a sect or an ethnic religion; it was the religion
preached by all the earlier Prophets (peace of Allaah be
upon them), it was the truth taught by all the
inspirational books. In essence it amounts to a
consciousness of the will and plan of Allaah and a joyful
submission to that will and plan; Prophets preached
Islam, before Prophet Muhammad, after them darkness
engulfed the world. But the light of Islam shines and
reclaims the lost people from the midst of Arabia with
fresh holy revelation to humankind emancipating women
and encouraging the upholding of the highest level of
respect for women.
7
Annemarie Schimmel (1992) Islam: An Introduction, p65
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states that; Muhammad, in the historical context of his
time, can be seen as a figure who promoted women’s
rights and improved things considerably. Watt explains
“At the time Islam began the conditions of women were
terrible – they were considered a sign of weakness, they
were buried alive they had no right to own property,
were supposed to be the property of the man, and if the
man died everything went to his sons. Muhammad,
however, by instituting rights of property ownership,
inheritance, marriage, education and divorce, gave
women certain basic safeguards”8
8
Maan, Mc Intosh (1999), Women_in_Arab_societies
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AS A CHILD AND AN ADOLESCENT
9
Q16:58-59
10
Q81: 8-9
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of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has forbidden for
you… to bury your daughters alive ………..”11
11
Bukhari Hadith No 2408 and Muslim Hadith No 593
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over which are appointed angels stern (and)
severe, who disobey not the commands they
receive from Allaah, but do that which they
are commanded”12
12
Q66:6
13
Bukhari Hadith No 7138 and Muslim Hadith No 1829
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avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety,
and fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Well-
acquainted with what you do”14
14
Q5:8
15
Bukhari Hadith No 2587 and Muslim Hadith No 1624
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others (like male over female) is an act of
injustice and is forbidden in Islam.
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Yet is each individual in pledge for his deeds”16 The
Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: “Upon death, man’s deeds will stop except for
three deeds, namely: a continuous charitable fund,
endowment or goodwill; knowledge left for people to
benefit from; and pious righteous and God-fearing
children who continuously prays to Allaah, the Almighty,
for the soul of his parents”.17
16
Q52:21
17
Muslim Hadith No 1632
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on the day of judgment about her two daughters they
would act as a screen for her from the fires of Hell”.18
AS A WIFE
18
Muslim Hadith No 2629
19
Q30:21
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(husband) are a garment for them”.20 What a beautiful
adjective that Allaah (Subhanahu Wata’aala) use to
qualify relationship between men and women, He called
them garment and, what garment does to the body? It
includes:
20
Q2:187
21
Hakim Hadith No 2681 and Tabarani Hadith No 972
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The Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: “Marriage is my way and whoever keeps away
from my way is not from me”.22
22
Bukhari Hadith No 5063 and Muslim Hadith No 1401
23
Muslim Hadith No 1467
24
Muslim Hadith No 1218
25
Tirmidhi Hadith No 3892
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wife), if he be displeased with a conduct in her, let him
be pleased with a conduct that is good in her”.26
26
Muslim Hadith No 1469
27
Tirmidhi Hadith 1162
28
Muslim Hadith No 1218
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abuse. Thus, Islam designates the full observance of a
modest dress code and also raises the ideal of wifehood
which is not allowed in certain religions and encourage
husbands to fear Allaah regarding their wive rights that
has been acknowledged by Allaah Almighty in His book
saying: “and for women are rights over men similar to
those of men over women but men have a degree over
them. Allaah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.”29
AS A MOTHER
29
Q2:228
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somebody like you and me. Islam describes parental love
as a divine love and enjoined Muslims to show respect,
be dutiful and kind to our parents (Father and Mother)
even if they are unbelievers.
30
Q46:15
31
Q17:23
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parents. His mother bore him in weakness and
hardship upon weakness and hardship and his weaning
is in two years – give thanks to Me and to your
parents – unto Me is the final destination”32
32
Q31:14
33
Bukhari Hadith No 527 and Muslim Hadith No 85
34
Bukhari Hadith No 5971 and Muslim Hadith No 2548
42 | P a g e
Mu’awiyyah, the son of Jahimah reported that
Jahimah came to the Prophet and said: “Messenger of
Allaah! I want to join the fighting (in the path of Allaah)
and I have come to seek your advice. He said: “Do you
have mother?” he replied: “Yes” Prophet said:” Then
remain in your mother’s service because paradise is
under her feet”.35
35
Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah
36
Bukhari Hadith No 7138 and Muslim Hadith No 1829
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emotional support and not to be merely a child producing
machine as it was before the advent of Islam.
37
Q33:35
38
Q16:97
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From the above verses, there is a clear-cut
evidence that a woman is not different from a man in
terms of religious obligation and both will definitely be
rewarded. Therefore, women have religious rights and
responsibilities as men.
39
Q4:4
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each if the deceased left children; if no children and
the parents are the (only) heirs, the mother has a
third; if the deceased left brothers or (sisters), the
mother has a sixth. (The distribution in all cases is)
after the payment of legacies he may have
bequeathed or debts. You know not which of them,
whether your parents or your children, are nearest
to you in benefit, (these fixed shares) are ordained
by Allaah and Allaah is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise.40
Therefore, a woman’s right to own properties and to
inheritance must be protected and they must be
treated with kindness.
40
Q4:11
47 | P a g e
WOMEN IN
48 | P a g e
Despite the fact that Islam emancipate women
and encourages the upholding of the highest level of
respect for a woman and the presence of international
and national legislations41 to reduce or eradicate
41
- The Universal Declaration Of Human Rights (1948)
- The African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (1981)
- The Convention on the Elimination of All forms Of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
(1981).
- Nairobi Forward Looking Strategies (1985)
- In 1993 the UN General Assembly passed the declaration on the Elimination of Violence
Against Women, UN Resolution 48/104 (444)
- At both the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo
and the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, women’s organization from
around the world advocated ending gender violence as a high priority (479). The Cairo
Programme of Action recognized that gender violence is an obstacle to women’s
reproductive and sexual health and rights, and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for
Action devoted an entire section to the issue of violence against women.
- In March 1994 The Commission on Human Rights appointed the first special Rapporteur on
Violence against women.
- In March 1994 the Organization of American states (OAS) negotiated the Inter-American
convention to prevent, Punish and Eradicate Violence against Women. As of 1998, 27 Latin
American Countries had ratified the convention (82).
- In May 1996 the 49 th World Health Assembly adopted a resolution (WHA 49.25) declaring
violence a public health priority (479). WHO is sponsoring, together with the center for
Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical
Medicine, a multi-country study on women’s health and domestic violence.
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violence against women, women in the contemporary
world still suffer untold hardship. In fact, many women
are being treated worse than animal. However, a growing
number of abuses and reports of women and girls around
the world are hereby examined:
- In September 1998 the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) brought together 400
experts from 37 countries to discuss the causes and costs of domestic violence, and
policies and programs to address it. The IDB currently funds research and demonstration
projects on violence against women in six Latin American countries.
- In 1998 UNIFEM launched regional campaigns in Africa, Asia/Pacific and Latin America
designed to draw attention to the issue of violence against women globally (502). UNIFEM
also manages The Trust Fund in support of Actions to Eliminate Violence Against Women,
an initiative that has disbursed US $3.3million to 71 projects around the world since 1996
(503).
- In 1999 The United Nations Population Fund declared violence against women “a public
health priority” (445). – Population Reports (pg 5)
- National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP)]
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were 15 years old or younger, and 18 to 32% of them
were girls of 10, or even younger.”42
“You may also not know that one out of every five
women is likely to be raped during her life time…. You
may also be unaware of the fact that 30% of suicides
and 60% of homicides of women are associated with
domestic violence.”44
42
Dr Tomris Turmen, Family and Reproductive Health, World Health Organization,
Switzerland. WHO/FIGO Pre-congress Workshop on Violence against Women (pg. 9).
43
Dr Tomris Turmen, Family and Reproductive Health, World Health Organization,
Switzerland. WHO/FIGO Pre-congress Workshop on Violence against Women (pg. 9).
44
Dr Tomris Turmen, Family and Reproductive Health, World Health Organization,
Switzerland. WHO/FIGO Pre-congress Workshop on Violence against Women (pg. 8).
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“…at an antenatal clinic in the outskirts of Cape
Town, South Africa, 32% of 191 teenage Mothers,
whose average age was 16, reported that their first
intercourse had been forced. Some 72% reported
having had sex against their will at some point, and 11%
said they had been raped. Seventy-eight percent said
they would be beaten if they refused sex, 39% feared
being laughed at, and 6% said they would lose their
friends.”45
45
Population Report, 1999. (pg10)
46
Population Report, 1999. (pg10)
52 | P a g e
and compassion, many Muslim women in the United
States and Canada are no exception.
47
Domestic Violence: The Problem Pervading Nigeria, Article/14 March, 2012. 11:45 by Leonie
Taylor. http://thinkafricapress.com/nigeria/domestic-violence-problem-pervading
48
Domestic Violence: The Problem Pervading Nigeria, Article/14 March, 2012. 11:45 by Leonie
Taylor. http://thinkafricapress.com/nigeria/domestic-violence-problem-pervading
53 | P a g e
CLEEN Foundation an NGO which promote public
safety, security and justice, in a nationwide survey
undertaken in 2005 found out that only 18.1% - less than
one in five of some 10,000 respondents who had been
raped had reported to the police. Also, CLEEN
Foundation’s figures shows that in 1999 there were
2,241 cases of rape and indecent assault. In 2000, 1,500
cases were reported; in 2001, 2,284; in 2002, 2,084; in
2003, 2,250; in 2004, 1,626, and in 2005, 1,835 cases
were all reported”49 And Tribune has reported in 2012
that “Cases of rape rise to 84% in Nigeria.”50
49
Between Rape and Women’s Sexuality Rights in Nigeria. Gamji,
www.gamji.com/article6000/NEWS7520.htm
50
Tribune: Friday, 30 November 2012.
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VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
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Violence means using or threatening force caused
by a person (or people) against others which result in
pain, injury degradation and humiliation. Violence is
defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as
“the intentional use of physical force or actual coercion
against a person, or against a group or community that
either results in or has a high likelihood resulting in
injury, death, psychological harm, mal-development or
deprivation.”51 Violence is of different categories,
however, when it is directly against a woman or a girl
simply because she was born female; it is called Gender
Based Violence (GBV). According to Beijing Declaration
and Platform for Action, it defines violence against
women as “any act of GBV that result in or is likely to
result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or
suffering to women (and Girls), including threats of such
acts coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty,
whether occurring in public and private life”.52
51
WHO/Liverpool JMU Centre for Public Health, “Violence Prevention: The evidence, 2010.
52
Between Rape and Women’s Sexuality Rights in Nigeria. Gamji,
www.gamji.com/article6000/NEWS7520.htm
56 | P a g e
Violence against women is a worldwide
phenomenon. This illicit act is as old as human history
and is still present in every society, that around the
world at least one woman in every three has been
beaten, coerced in to sex, or otherwise abused in her
life time as it was internationally reported by Population
Report 1999.
53
Q53:45
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All-Knower and is Able to do all things” 54 This is the
evidence that it is forbidden for those that believe in
Allaah to direct harmful behavior at a girl or a woman
because of her sex. And the essence of believing in
Allaah is to serve Allaah and do good to our fellow-
creatures.
1. Rape
2. Sexual Harassment
3. Domestic Violence
4. Human Trafficking
5. Forced Prostitution
6. Kidnapping
54
Q42:49-50
58 | P a g e
7. Abduction of Women/Girls to Baby Factories
8. Incest
9. Female Infanticide
RAPE
59 | P a g e
or in the case of a married woman by impersonating her
husband, is guilty of an offence which is called rape.55
1. Date Rape
2. Acquaintance Rape
3. Stranger Rape
4. Statutory Rape
5. Marital Rape
55
Criminal Code Act (under S357).
60 | P a g e
Acquaintance Rape refers to the type of rape that is
committed by someone known to the victim, but there is
no potential for romantic involvement between them.
61 | P a g e
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There
is to be no harm done or reciprocation of harm."56
56
Ibn Majah, Hadith 32 of An-Nawawi collection
62 | P a g e
of the next generation. So often, it is also used to
deliberately infect women with HIV or render women
from the embattled community incapable of bearing
children.
57
OsunDefender - 2 Brothers Kidnap, Rape A Minor in Osun
On Nov 6, 2013 By folashade adaradohun,. “An Osogbo Chief Magistrate’s Court on
Wednesday ordered the remand of two brothers, Feyisola Olatunji (25) and Olabode Olatunji
(28) for charges of abducting and raping a 14-year-old girl.”
THE PUNCH - Boy, 14, rapes nine-year-old girl to death
October 30, 2013 by Eniola Akinkuotu. “According to police authorities, the deceased was
raped over five times, by a 14-year-old student, Onyi Adimabua, in the Ikorodu area of the
state.”
GISTMANIA - Police sack 2 officers, demote Inspector over rape in Kano, From Desmond
Mgboh, Kano.Thursday, December 23, 2010
“The Kano State Police Command has sacked two serving police constables, Yusuf Ibrahim
and Salim Mahmoud, from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
This followed their alleged complicity in the abduction and rape of a 16-year-old girl. The
State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Mohammad Tambari Yabo, disclosed that another
officer, Inspector Mohammed Dantalle, was demoted to the rank of a sergeant, following
63 | P a g e
the scandal, even as he stated that the case had been dispatched to the Director of Public
Prosecution (DPP) in the state Ministry of Justice for advice.”
Daily Post - Gang Rape at Shehu Shagari College of Education Sokoto
By Amiru Adamu on April 30, 2012.
“Some male students of the shehu shagari college of education sokoto, went on rampage
last night and attacked female students and their male visitors at the school premises.
Reports from eye witnesses suggests that about ten female students were gang raped by
the male students,who also destroyed more than 5 cars parked within the school
premises.”
Naij.com - 4 Friends Gang-Rape Woman In Lagos.
29 April, 2013 By News.naij.com “A 24-year old woman (name withheld) has allegedly been
raped by four friends in Olodi Apapa, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria. The incident happened
at 170, Muyibi Street, Olodi Apapa. One of the suspects, 28-year old Suleman Abubakar, has
been arrested and charged before Apapa Magistrate’s court, Lagos with rape.Three of his
friends and accomplices are still on the run.”
Naij.com - I Raped Only 6 Children - Kano Bank Driver Confesses.
1 August, 2013 News.naij.com “A 50-year-old driver in one of the new generation banks,
arrested for allegedly raping a 10-year-old girl, Zainab, who feigned ignorance of the
implication of his offence, has told the police at the Kano State Police Command, Bompai
police division, that he has successfully had carnal knowledge of five other minors in the
past.”
Enownow - Immigration Officer Rapes Girl In Kano
2008/12/03 enownow. “An officer in the department of immigration, at the Immigration
Training School in kano has been accused of raping a young girl. The man in question is
said to have specifically targeted newly elected students in the school or women who have
recently been posted to the immigration office. Individuals with knowledge of the man have
stated that it is known that whenever he has his eye on a lady he will always make sure he
has his way with her.
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A number of cases have been alleged, including a woman who sustained spinal cord injuries
during an assault. However, despite her subsequent death, it is claimed that the man's
position has allowed him to go unpunished. However, his latest rape was that of the
daughter of a colleague, crossing a boundary that appears to have been a step too far, and
resulting in public outrage over the incidents.”
The Nigerian Voice - Man arrested for allegedly raping 5-yr-old girl in Jigawa
12 August, 2013 By The Citizen. “The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in
Jigawa state has arrested a man, 34, for allegedly raping a five-year-old girl in Hadejia
local government area.”
The Herald - Police arraign man for rape
October 21, 2013 By Tayo Ayanda. “Police in Ilorin has arraigned an 18-year-old man, Olaiya
Lateef of No. 2, Asa-Dam Road, Ilorin, before an Ilorin Magistrate Court for allegedly raping
a married woman. The accused was said to have entered into the room of the victim while
she was fast asleep and forcefully had sexual intercourse with her.”
GBOOZA - Police nab 80-yr-old for raping 4-yr-old in Kano
Posted by News Updates on November 24, 2011 at 2:17am in Nigeria Crime News “THE Kano
State police command has arrested one Shu’abiu Jibrin (80), for allegedly raping a four-
year-old girl, just as the command also paraded a 65-year-old man, Ado Shehu, for
allegedly raping another four-year-old girl.”
Channels Television - SSS parade students over alleged rape, cult activities in Kwara
Posted by: Channels Television Posted date: July 31, 2012. “The Kwara State Directorate of
the State Security Service (DSS) paraded seven students of tertiary institutions in Ilorin,
the state capital over alleged abduction and rape. Other offences allegedly committed by
the suspects include possession of fake currency notes. The suspects are Abdulrasak
Abubakar, Musa Sikirullahi; Kamaldeen Isiaka; Olanrewaju Lawal; Ibrahim Olanrewaju, Tunde
Yusuf and Abdularaham Jimoh”
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Naija Mayor - Three men gang rape 15 year old girl in Lagos
Posted on Nov 2, 2013. “Three men have allegedly gang-raped a 15-year old girl at the
Ikorodu area of Lagos, as the police are alleged to be threatening the victim’s parents to
settle the matter out of court. The state government had earlier blamed the police for
frustrating rape cases by threatening victims and their families to withdraw their cases.
Two of the men have been arraigned at one of the newly established Family Courts in Ikeja
for allegedly raping the girl.
The suspects are being tried by the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender, OPD, while
the third suspect is still at large. It was learnt that the victim was lured to No 23, Fola
Mustapha Street, in Ajegunle area of Ikorodu by her classmate (name withheld), a 16-year
old girl, on the pretext that she wanted to return a text book which she had earlier
borrowed from the victim. The victim was deceived by her friend who had already arranged
with the three suspected rapists to have sex with her forcefully. The three suspects; Yusuf
Mohammed, Rasheed Oyedepo and Tunde were alleged to have inflicted bodily injury on the
girl (name withheld). It was gathered that the raped girl’s friend deliberately delayed her
classmate for hours and enabled the heinous crime by putting on the generator set, on the
pretext that she needed to charge her phone. According to the OPD , the victim wanted to
take her leave in annoyance when it was getting too late for the her to return home, but
her friend told her to wait for a while before taking her to a new room where she was
raped in turns by the gang.”
Channels Television - Police Nabs Man For Raping 4 year old To Death
on March 2, 2013. “The Imo state police command has arrested a 30-year old man, Mr.
Onyebuchi Ejinkonye who allegedly raped a 4-year old girl to death Omuna Oru East Local
Government Area of Imo state.” – www.channelstv.com/home/2013/03/02/police-nabs-
man-for-rapin-120k
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Few cases are reported, considering the fact that most
rape cases are not reported for shame and fear of
further victimizations.
58
Q28:77
59
Bukhari Hadith No 6013 and Muslim Hadith No 2319
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There is no blame attached to the victim but
women/girls should endeavor to take precautions laid
down by Islam which includes:
60
Q33:59
61
Bukhari Hadith No 2444
69 | P a g e
Prosecution under Criminal Code Cap
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
62
Criminal Code Cap 358.
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him)”.63 Although, sexual harassment, in Nigeria, has no
legal protection except that extreme forms of sexual
harassment may result to assault, the perpetrator
should know that, certainly, psychological exploitation
of another person’s liberty and dignity for one’s own
gratification will definitely lower the respect given to
the perpetrator. And perpetrators should also
remember the day that ungodly people will be unable to
speak or offer any defense and their own hands and feet
speak against them. Allaah (Subhanahu Wata’aala) says:
“This day we shall seal up their mouths, and their
hands will speak to Us and their legs will bear witness
to what they used to earn”.64
63
Q17:37
64
Q36:65
65
See Rape above
71 | P a g e
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
- Suspicions of infidelity.
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- Disclosing family secrets.
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husband and the wife), appoint two arbitrators, one
from his family and the other from her’s. If they
both wish for peace, Allaah will cause their
reconciliation. Indeed, Allaah is Ever All knower,
Well-Acquainted with all things.”66 And the four steps
mentioned above should be taken in that order; not step
3 before step 1;
1. Verbal admonition.
66
Q4:34-35
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permitted for him upon her. If the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
never resorted to this measure and he
encouraged us to forgive our servant’s faults
seventy times talk less of our own wife, then
it should be on the last resort to beat wife and
not merely on unnecessary things. {Once
Muhammad was asked, "O Apostle of God!" How
many times are we to forgive our servant's
faults?" He was silent. Again the questioner
asked, and Muhammad gave no answer. But when
the man asked a third time, he said, "Forgive
your servants seventy times a day."67
67
Silsilatus-Saheehah Albani 1/800
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people…..”68 And that damage done to personality may
not be easily overcome as reflected in one battered
woman’s remark: “The body mends soon enough. Only the
scars remain…but the damage inflicted upon the soul
takes much longer to heal. And each time I re-live these
moments, they start bleeding all over again. The broken
spirit has taken longest to mend: The damage to the
personality may be the most difficult to overcome.”69
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
68
Q2:83
69
Richters, J. (1994) Women, Culture and Violence: a development, health and human rights
issue. Leiden, the Netherlands: Women and Autonomy Centre (VENA).
76 | P a g e
use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction,
of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a
position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of
payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person
having control over another person, for the purpose of
exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum,
the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other
forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services,
slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the
removal of organs;
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(d) “Child” shall mean any person under eighteen
years of age.70
70
United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and The Protocols
thereto
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Plateau, Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, Sokoto, Kastina, Zamfara,
Jigawa, Gombe, Bauchi and Taraba states”.71
71
Human trafficking in Nigeria and its implications for food security, Ofuoku, A.U.Department
of Agricultural Economics and Extension Delta State University, Asaba Campus,Asaba, Delta
State, Nigeria.ofuoku@yahoo.com
72
Supporting Victims of Witchcraft Abuse and Street Children in Nigeria – Stepping Stones,
2007 www.humantraficking.org/publications/593 - 14k
73
Q5:2
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be upon him) said: “You are not a real believer until you
love for your brother what you love for yourself”.74
There is no human being that will like such to happen to
his or her own children, so let stop promoting
immorality.
74
Bukhari Hadith No 13 and Muslim Hadith No 45
75
Refworld | 2011 Trafficking in Persons Report - Nigeria
http://www.refworld.org/docid/4e12ee58c.html UNHCR/REF WORLD – Trafficking in
persons Report – Nigeria 27 June, 2011.
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enacted the 2003 Trafficking in persons
(prohibition) Law Enforcement Act (“NAPTIP
Act”), Nigeria’s first federal counter
trafficking law. The NAPTIP Act complies
with the Article 5 of the Palermo Protocol
that it criminalized human trafficking and
provides for severe penalties, ranging from
two years to life imprisonment.76
FORCED PROSTITUTION
76
Room for Improvement: Nigeria's Approach to Trafficking | impowr.org
www.impowr.org/.../room-improvement-Nigeria’s-approach-trafficking
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“And come near to the unlawful sexual intercourse.
Verily, it is a ‘fahihah’ (anything that transgresses
its limits (a great sin) and evil way (that leads one to
Hell unless Allaah forgives him)”77. Also He (Subhanahu
Wata’aala) says: “….seek not mischief in the land.
Verily, Allaah likes not the ‘mufsidun’ (those who
commit great crimes and sins, oppressions, tyrants,
mischief makers, corruptors, rapes etc).”78
77
Q17:37
78
Q28:77
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with penalties prescribed for other serious
crimes, such as rape.79
KIDNAPPING
79
Refworld | 2011 Trafficking in Persons Report - Nigeria
http://www.refworld.org/docid/4e12ee58c.html UNHCR/REF WORLD – Trafficking in
persons Report – Nigeria 27 June, 2011.
80
Daily Times, New law gives life jail term to kidnappers – Daily Times, Article/October 20,
2011 4:30am/By BENNIE IFERI. www.dailytimes.com.ng/articles/new.law
83 | P a g e
Allaah (Subhanahu Wata’aala) says: “…No mother should
be treated unfairly on account of her child or father
on account of his child….”81.
81
Q2:233
84 | P a g e
Is guilty of a felony, and is liable
to imprisonment for ten years.82
82
Criminal Code Cap (364) (Note: New law gives life jail term to kidnappers – Daily Times,
Article/October 20, 2011 4:30am/By BENNIE IFERI.
www.dailytimes.com.ng/articles/new.law
83
Police uncover ‘baby factory in Rivers’ “On interrogation, the husband and wife
confessed to the offence of trafficking in new babies and further admitted that the three
pregnant women found in their houses were procured to deliver babies that would be sold
as soon as they were delivered of their babies.” – Vanguard News Paper July 3, 2012. By
Jimitota Onoyume
Police uncover a baby factory in Akwa Ibom. Doctor pays pregnant girls N70, 000. Sells
their babies to ritualists: “Police in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, have uncovered a mysterious
factory where young girls are made to conceive, give birth and the babies later sold to
85 | P a g e
Abduction of women/girls, having sexual
intercourse/raping them, and accelerating the death of
their babies, by selling them to ritualists, some of the
captives might have died in the process; this is a great
crime and sin, it is dehumanizing and disgusting. Islam
condemns all such acts and, it is mischief in the land.
Allaah (Subhanahu Wata’aala) says: “Verily, Allaah
likes not the ‘mufsidun’ (those who commit great
crimes and sins, oppressors, tyrants, mischief –
makers, corrupts). If at all a perpetrator escape being
brought to justice here, definitely, he/she cannot and
will not escape the punishment in the World of Justice
(Hereafter).
suspected ritualists and other members of the public in Uruan Local Government Area of
the state” Tribune Friday, 3 April 2012 by Udeme Utip, Uyo.
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Abduction – is liable to imprisonment for
seven years.84
INCEST
84
Criminal Code Cap (361)
85
Criminal Code Cap (358)
86
Criminal Code Cap (311)
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daughters, under your guardianship, born of your
wives, to who you have gone in – but there is no sin
on you if you have not gone into them (to marry their
daughters), - the wives of your sons who (spring)
from your own loins, and two sisters in wedlock at
the same time except for what is already passed.
Verily, Allaah is Off – Forgiving, Most Merciful.”87
87
Q4:23
88
Abu Dawud Hadith No 495, Tirmidhi Hadith No 407 and As-Saheehah by Albani Hadith No
6689
88 | P a g e
FEMALE INFANTICIDE
89
An 18 years-old mother of one, Adeola Joseph, was yesterday sentenced to six years
imprisonment with hard labor for burying her child alive. …Adeola Joseph was said to have
buried her only child, Fatiat Nafiu, at her residence located at ijetu area of the state capital
alive, but the child was rescued by a Good Samaritan.” Woman Jailed 6 Years for Burying
Her 2-yr-old Baby Alive
...leadership.ng/.../woman_jailed_6_years_burying_her_2yrold_baby_aliv, Thu,
21/02/2013-12:52am. By Safiu Ayanbimpe and Josuah Dada.
89 | P a g e
Allaah (Subhanahu Wata’aala) said: “And when
the news of the birth of a female child is brought to
any of them, his face becomes dark, and he is filled
with grief! He hides himself from the people because
of the evil of that whereof he has been informed
shall he keep her with dishonor or bury her in the
earth. Certainly, evil is their decision”.90
90
Q16:58-59
91
Q81: 8-9
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all things”92. So, it is ungrateful of any human being to
kill his or her bestowed child (female or male) while
Allaah renders some barren.
92
Q42:49-50
93
Criminal Code Cap (327A).
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Any person who commits the offence of
manslaughter is liable to imprisonment for
life.94
INDISCRIMINATE DIVORCE
94
Criminal Code Cap (325)
92 | P a g e
In Islam, ‘Talaq’ and ‘Khul’ ‘, after putting in to
consideration the injunctions of Allaah, are allowed
going by the verses of Quran and authentic narrations
of The Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of
Allaah be upon him) which includes:
95
Q65:71
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Allaah, then there is no sin, on either of them if she
gives back (the ‘mahr’ or a part of it) for her ‘Al-
Khul’ (divorce). These are the limits ordained by
Allaah, so do not transgress them. And whoever
transgresses the limits ordained by Allaah. These are
the limits of Allaah, He makes plain for the people
who have knowledge.”96
96
Q2:229
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the ‘Iddah’ (prescribed period) which Allaah fixed for
the women meant to be divorced.”97
97
Bukhari Hadith No 5251 and Muslim Hadith No 1471
98
Bukari Hadith No 5276 and Abu Dawud Hadith No 2229
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married in the middle ages, and found that at least a
third of all women in the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt and
Syria married more than once, with many marrying three
or more times. According to Al-Sakhawi as many as
three out of ten marriages in 15th century Cairo ended
in divorce.” Rapoport, Yoseef (2005) Marriage, Money
and Divorce in Medieval Islamic Society. Cambridge
University p5-6. “In the early 20th century, some
villages in western Java and the Malay Penisula had
divorce rates as high as 70%”99 A mass wedding
ceremony for divorcees, widows and young unmarried
girls aims to encourage marriage in northern Nigeria.
“Divorce rates in northern Nigeria are among the
highest in West Africa. Although there are no definitive
figures, it's believed that one in three marriages fail
within three years.” 100
99
Rapoport, Yoseef (2005) Marriage, Money and Divorce in Medieval Islamic Society.
Cambridge University p5-6
100
ALJAZEERA - Nigeria's Kano shakes off divorce capital tag, blogs.aljazeera.com, By
Mohammed Adow. Last modified: 16 Jul 2012 11:08.
96 | P a g e
An annual study in the UK by management
consultants Grant Thornton, estimates the main
proximate causes of divorce based on surveys of
matrimonial lawyers. The main causes in 2004 were:
- Workaholics – 6%
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contested. 53% of divorces were of marriage that had
10 to 15 years, with 40% ending after 5 to 10years. The
first 5 years are relatively divorce free, and if marriage
survives more than 20years it is unlikely to end in
divorce.
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courts.”101 But the paper viewed concomitant effects of
divorce as socially negative, not economically positive.
For example, divorce renders children vulnerable to vice
and they can end up on the street. “Most children you
find roaming the streets hawking are largely products
of broken homes.” Society is put at risk, if children are
not cared for, the paper noted.
101
Africa in Transition - Are Rising African Divorce Rates a Social Good?By Gust Blogger
for John Campbell, September 16, 2013
99 | P a g e
- Family disapproval before marriage.
- Cultural reasons.
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HARMFUL TRADITIONAL
PRACTICES
102 | P a g e
What is tradition?
102
Thomas A. Green (1997). Folkore: an encyclopedia of beliefs, customs, tales, music and
art. ABC-CLIO. Pp800 – Retrieve 5 February 2011.
103 | P a g e
teachings and principles were condemned. Forms of
traditional practices that are unislamic include:
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surfaces together etc. The extent of the extreme
cutting determines its implications and its implication
include:
- Septicemias
- Keloid formation.
- Painful menstruation.
- Perinea tearing.
- Urinary retention.
105 | P a g e
Ekweledding Ihsanoglu, Secretary General of the
Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), said
Tuesday, December 4, 2012, that: “Female genital
mutilation is a violation of human rights of girls and
women”103 According to the WHO, an estimated 100 to
140million girls and women worldwide are currently living
with the consequences of FGM. In Africa, the WHO
estimates that three million girls are at risk”104 UN
Women’s Executive Director Michelle Bachelet said:
105
“No religion condones the female genital mutilation.”
103
Trust law reported - Al-Haqq, December 2012/2013 (pg. 9).
104
Al-Haqq, December 2012/2013 (pg. 9).
105
Al-Haqq, December 2012/2013 (pg. 9).
What is female genital mutilation? | Amnesty International
www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/ACT77/006/1997
106 | P a g e
by Muslims, Coptic Christians, Members of indigenous
106
groups, Protestants and Catholic, to name a few.”
106
Female Genital Cutting (FGC): An introduction, Marianne Sarkis.2
107 | P a g e
partial removal of the clitoris. This is also called
female circumcision.
108 | P a g e
General Cutting) predates Islam and is not practiced by
the majority of Muslims, but has acquired a religious
dimension.” Islam, in its concepts, condemns all
categories of genital cutting except category ‘A’
(female circumcision that is comparable to male
circumcision), only when it is performed by trained
health care providers and in sterile conditions.
107
Sahih (Abu Dawud Hadith No 5271 and Albany in SilsilatuSaheehah Hadith No 722)
108
Tirmidhi Hadith No 109
109
Al Mugni 1/70.
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“….the sunnah is not to remove all of it, but only a
part.”110111
110
Al-Mawsu’ah al-fiqhiyyah, 19/28
111
According to the United Nation Population Fund, “this form is comparable to the male
circumcision” Frequently Asked Questions on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
www.unfpa.org/gender/practices2.htm#4
In this matter, it is to follow the interests of the female if the clitoris is large, then part
should be removed, otherwise it should be left alone. The size of the clitoris will vary from
woman to woman, and there may be difference between those from hot climates and those
from cold climates. www.islamqa.info/en
112
“Studies conducted by the National Baseline Survey of Positive and Harmful Traditional
Practices Affecting Nigeria, show that the highest rates of FGM were found in:
- Osun State with 98.7 percent
- Oyo state with 96.8 percent
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Yet, what is expected of every Muslim is to
evaluate the practice using Quran, Hadith and go against
any practice that is not Islamically allowed (Category B,
C and D), but where the practice is permissible
(Category A above), it is not expected of a Muslim
oppose it. Most Muslims advocating against female
circumcision are beguiled by the confusing term Female
Genital Mutilation. Their misplaced agitation saddens
the heart even now that researchers of western
countries are advocating for Clitoridotomy stating that
it increases sexual pleasure and gives other
advantages.113
115
Bukhari Hadith No 6006 and Muslim Hadith No 2982
114 | P a g e
Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of
Allaah be upon him), the prophet with exemplary
qualities, he leads by example; most of his wives were
widows and even encourages his followers to marry
widows. He always ready to help them and let the
Muslims know the reward (as in the aforementioned).
However, Islam is against harmful traditional practices
and enjoins us to take good care of widows.
WIFE INHERITANCE
116
Q4:19
115 | P a g e
NUTRITIONAL TABOOS
117
Q42:21
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what they expect to happen. When Allaah (Subhanahu
Wata’aala) is narrating response of Prophet Ibraheem
(Peace be upon him) to his people when he rejected their
unislamic practices, He (Subhanahu Wata’aala) says:
“And how should I fear those whom you associate
with Allaah (though they can neither benefit nor
harm), while you fear not that you have joined in
worship with Allaah things for which He has not sent
down to you any authority. (So) which of the two
parties has more right to be in security? If you but
know. It is those believe (in the oneness of Allaah
and worship none but him ‘Zulm’ (wrong i.e. by
worshiping others besides Allaah), for them (only)
there is security and they are the guided.”118. May
we be among those who are rightly guided!
118
Q7:81-82
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to be will not be aware of or be in attendance but not
knowing that the bride is coming to him. Later in the
night or by the dawn of the subsequent day, the head of
the family will pray for them (Brides) and present them
to other family heads in (or outside) the community and
those heads of the family will now offer them to their
family members immediately. Obviously, this kind of
marriage will generate a lot of problems. Consequently,
causing brides to feel contempt when they face denial
by those offered to.
119
Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: ‘If one of you proposes marriage to a woman, if he can look at her to see that
which will encourage him to go ahead and marry her, then let him do so.’ I proposed
118 | P a g e
The practice of Sara marriage was as a result of
misconception or misinterpretation of the term Sadaqah
Jaariyah in a hadith as explained by Scholars. The
Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: “When a man dies, his good deeds come to an end
except three: Sadaqah Jaariyah (ongoing charity),
beneficial knowledge and a righteous son who will pray
for him.”120 Sadaqah is charity, correct! But Jaariyah
here means “ongoing” not “woman or lady”. But some
marriage to a young woman, and I used to hide where I could see her, until I saw that which
encouraged me to go ahead and marry her, so I did so.’” According to another report he
said, ‘a young woman of Bani Salamah. I used to hide from her, until I saw that which
encouraged me to go ahead and marry her, so I did so.” (Saheeh Abi Dawood, no. 1832,
1834)
From Abu Hurayrah: “I was with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
when a man came and told him that he had married a woman of the Ansaar. The Messenger
of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to him, ‘Have you seen her?’ He
said, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Go and look at her, for there is something in the eyes of the Ansaar.”
(Reported by Muslim, no. 1424; and by al-Daaraqutni, 3/253 (34))
From al-Mugheerah ibn Shu’bah: “I proposed marriage to a woman, and the Messenger of
Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Have you seen her?’ I said, ‘No.’
He said, ‘Look at her, because it is more fitting that love and compatibility be established
between you.’” According to another report: “So he did that, and he married her and
mentioned that they got along.” (Reported by al-Daaraqutni, 3/252 (31, 32); Ibn Maajah,
1/574)
120
Muslim, 3084.
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misunderstood it to mean “giving out woman in marriage
as charity”. Hence, give out daughters in marriage to
who they like charity even if it is against the wish of
their daughter. This has resulted to grave harms like
committing suicide, murder… physical, psychological,
socio-economic problems. This is divergent to Islamic
teachings; hence, it is considered as a harmful
traditional practice.
120 | P a g e
EARLY MARRIAGE
IN ISLAM
121 | P a g e
Early marriage is the marriage between
adolescents (between the ages of 10 – 19) or a marriage
between two people of which one of the partners is an
adolescent. An adolescent who has reached the age
puberty and he/she is physically and mentally mature is
allowed in Islam to marry provided the conditions of
marriage are fulfilled. So, there is no fixed age, in
Islam, at which a girl is considered ready to be married.
Jurists opined that marriage of minors should be based
on achieving clear and real interests thereby. If
marriage of a young girl will serve some very real
interest for her, then her guardian may arrange a
marriage for her, but if no real interest will be served
for her by that, then he does not have the right to
arrange a marriage when she is still a minor, until she
can choose for herself and give consent.
121
Bukhari Hadith No 5133 and Muslim Hadith No 1422
122
Gerald Segal, The Jew and the Christian Missionary, ktv Publishing House, 1981, pg28.
123
The Young Marriage of Aishah by Abu Iman Abdur Rahman R. Squires - Islamic Awareness
www.islamic-awareness.org › Polemics
123 | P a g e
hormones triggers the development of secondary sexual
characteristics and the achievement of reproductive
capacity. The process of puberty generally begins, on
the average, between 8 and 14 years for males and
females.124
124
The Training Manual for Adolescent and Youth Friendly Health Service Providers (2002).
Yaba, Lagos. Action Health Incorporated pg 20.
www.actionhealthinc.org/publications/docs/vol11_3.
www.comminit.com/africa/node/183546
124 | P a g e
four in the temperate zone; The average age varies
widely and it may be accepted as established that the
nearer the equator, the earlier the average age for
menstruation125 Therefore, marriage soon after
puberty has been the cultural norms of generation
before Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of
Allaah be upon him) and it is the best, because it is the
major way to overcome moral corruption. Other studies,
however, show that women possess stronger sexual
desire and that this should be satisfied at an early age.
And there are grave risks associated with delayed
marriage because it is like putting pressure on them to
fornicate.
125
English-translation of Sahih Muslim, volume 2, International Islamic Publishing House,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia page 715 The Young Marriage of Aishah by Abu Iman Abdur Rahman
R. Squires - Islamic Awareness www.islamic-awareness.org › Polemics
125 | P a g e
pregnancies are unintended and unwanted”126. More
than one million teenage boys and girls acquire a
sexually transmitted disease in Nigeria every year. In
1998 alone, 60% of all AIDS cases reported in Nigeria
were among young people aged 12 – 24 years”127. By the
time they turn age 20, more than three quarters of
Nigerian girls and boys have had sexual intercourse.128
Two out of every five secondary school girls
interviewed in a study, admitted to at least one
previous pregnancy. In fact, unsafe induced abortion
has been described as a school girls’ problem in
Nigeria”129
126
1998 State of the World Population Report. Meeting The Sexual And Reproductive Health
Needs Of Young People in Nigeria: A Guide for Action (1998)
127
National AIDS and STD Control Programme.
128
Puline Makinwa–Adebusoye, in Sexual Behaviour, Reproductive Knowledge and
Contraceptive Use Among Young Urban Nigerians.
129
Nigerian Family Health Fact Sheet.
126 | P a g e
virgins?! And the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: “Mary the virgin amongst
women for their wombs are the most fertile, their
mouths the freshest and they are the most satisfied
with little provision”130 and according to another
tradition “….less cunning”. However, it is the
responsibility of the father to ensure that his
daughter marries as soon as possible in order not to fall
into fornication when not married early, whoever fails
will account before Allaah on the day of Judgement.
The Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: “Allaah (Subhanahu Wata’aala) will be asking
every head of family to account for the task he has
been entrusted with, whether he has carried it out
properly or neglected it; and he will be asked to account
for his family.” 131
130
Ibn Maajah 1861
131
An Nisaai in Ishrat An Nisaa, 293 and by ibn Hibban on the authority of Anas. Tradition
mentioned in Sahih Aljami’ (1775), As Silsilah As-Sahihah 1636.
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Contrary to what people believe in early marriage:
1. It is culturally normal
2. It is religiously allowed
128 | P a g e
Muhammad (May Allaah be pleased with her) and
‘Aliy bn Abi Talib’s (May Allaah be pleased with him)
relationship is a good example.
130 | P a g e
GENDER EQUALITY
131 | P a g e
Here and now, voicing protection of
woman’s rights by stakeholders is the talk of
today. Islam acknowledged protection of woman’s
rights and strictly condemn violation of woman’s
rights and violence against women. However,
under the cover of protecting woman’s rights
some un-Islamic ideologies have been introduced
(i.e. Male and Female are equal) by double-dealers,
beware! The urgency of now is to cast-off the
claim that male and female are equal,
subsequently be treated equally.
132
Q 4:34
133
Q2:282
134
Q4:11
136 | P a g e
believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all
over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves
completely except the eyes or one eye to
see the way). That will be better, that
they should be known (as free
respectable women) so as not to be
annoyed. And Allaah is Ever
135
Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”. The
‘awrah of a man is the area from the navel
to the knees. It was said to ‘Abd-Allaah ibn
Ja’far ibn Abi Taalib, “Tell us what you
heard from the Messenger of Allaah (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and
what you saw of him, and do not tell us
about anyone else, even if he was
trustworthy.” He said, “I heard the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) say, ‘The area
between the navel and the knee is
‘awrah.’” 136
135
Q33:59
136
Al-Haakim in al-Mustadrak (6418); classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh
al-Jaami’, 5583.
137 | P a g e
5. A man can marry four women, but a woman
can only have one husband at a time. 137
6. Prayer in the mosque is obligatory for men,
but not for women; a woman’s prayer in her
house is more beloved to Allaah. It is
obligatory for a man to pray in the mosque
in congregation, as it says in the hadeeth
of Ibn Umm Maktoom – who was a blind
man. He said, “O Messenger of Allaah, I do
not have a guide to lead me to the mosque,”
and he asked the Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
to grant him a concession allowing him to
pray in his house, and he allowed him that,
but when he turned away he called him back
and asked, “Can you hear the call to
prayer?” He said, “Yes.” He said, “Then
answer it.” Narrated by Muslim in
his Saheeh, 635. But it was narrated from
‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood that the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: “A woman’s prayer in her room is
better than her prayer in her courtyard,
137
Q4:3
138 | P a g e
and her prayer in her cabinet is better than
her prayer in her room.”138
7. Woman may wear silk and gold, but man
must not wear them. The scholars are
agreed that it is permissible for women to
wear and use pure silk, and that it is haraam
for men to do so, because of the hadeeth
of ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib (may Allaah be pleased
with him), who said that the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) took a
piece of silk in his right hand and a piece of
gold in his left, held them aloft and said:
“These are haraam for the males of my
ummah and permitted for the females.”139
Abu Moosa (may Allaah be pleased with
him) reported that the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Gold
and silk have been permitted for the
females of my ummah and forbidden for
the males.” Indeed, a stern warning has
been narrated concerning this matter, as
was reported in the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar
138
Abu Dawood, 570; al-Tirmidhi, 1173. This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-
Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb, 1/136).
139
Ibn Maajah, 2/1189
139 | P a g e
(may Allaah be pleased with them both),
who reported that the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Silk
is only worn in this world by the one who will
have no share of the pleasure of the
Hereafter.”140 Anas (may Allaah be pleased
with him) reported that the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Whoever wears silk in this world will not
wear it in the Hereafter.”141
140
al-Bukhaari (5853) and Muslim (2069)
141
Reported by al-Bukhaari, 5832
142
Q 3:36
143
Q67:14
140 | P a g e
recognizes what befit each sex (male and female)
and clearly stated their roles for the progress of
humanity. No single verse enjoins equality, but
rather enjoin justice.144 Paralleling MALE and
FEMALE is like paralleling APPLE and PINEAPPLE.
Male and female are humans and apple and
pineapple are fruits, but they are not the same!
Or maternity leave is 12 weeks, can paternity
leave be 12 weeks? No!!!!!!!!!! But why? Because of
gender differences, those weeks befit woman not
man.
144
Q4:58, Q16:90
141 | P a g e
that is where the problem begins, from broken
home to broken society, from there broken… may
Allaah forbid! This is a flash point for rightly
guided minds.
142 | P a g e
CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLENCE
AGAINST WOMEN AND HARMFUL
TRADITIONAL PRACTICES
143 | P a g e
These includes:
1. AIDS
2. Wound infection
5. Gastrointestinal disorders
144 | P a g e
13. Miscarriages
20. Prostitution
22. Divorce
145 | P a g e
27. Low self esteem
29. Suicide
30. Homicide
1. Behavioral problems
5. Lack of security
6. Learning problems
147 | P a g e
WAYS TO CURB VIOLENCE AGAINST
WOMEN AND HARMFUL
TRADITIONAL PRACTICES
148 | P a g e
To address the need to curb violence
against women and harmful traditional
practices, these are the roles for; individuals,
parents/guardian, educational administrators
and teachers, health care service providers,
religious leaders/scholars and governments to
play.
Individuals:
149 | P a g e
- Girls/Women need to be travelling in
company of their ‘Mahram’ (husband,
father, brother, son…).
145
Ahmad 8/307/8398 and Abu Dawud 4/261/4833.
150 | P a g e
in perpetuating the transgression. We need
to stop this act and report cases of such
when necessary.
Parents/Guardians
151 | P a g e
- Choice of neighbors needs to precede the
choice of house, location and its design. If
one’s neighbor is morally corrupt then one’s
family members are prone to risk. Allaah
(SubhanahuWata’aala) says: “And incline not
toward those who do wrong, lest the fire
should touch you, and you have no
protectors other than Allaah, nor would
you then be helped.146
146
Q11:113
152 | P a g e
degree to be wasted”. (Women, today,
because of so called “better job offers”
leave home around 7:00am and come back
around 8:00pm while the husband is also on
official assignment, if their children abuse
themselves who is to be blamed? Parents!
With the increase in the number of child
abuses in the contemporary world, if the
primary duties assigned to women by Allaah
are to take care of children and home, that
they can have better family atmosphere,
that their children will become pleasure to
their eyes and they will be free of the
consequences of here and hereafter, is it
not yet time for women/mothers to accept
what Allaah assigned to them?! Allaah
(Subhanahu Wata’aala) says: “Has not the
time come for the hearts of those who
believe (in Oneness of Allaah – Islamic
Monotheism) to be affected by Allaah’s
Reminder (this Quran), and that which
has been revealed of the truth, lest they
153 | P a g e
become as those who received the
Scripture [the Taurat (Torah) and the
Injeel (Gospel)] before (i.e. Jews and
Christians), and the term was prolonged
for them and so their hearts were
hardened? And many of them were
‘Fasiqun’ (rebellious, disobedient to
147
Allaah).
147
Q57:16
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When and where do they go to?
155 | P a g e
them with essential moral and religious
teachings.
156 | P a g e
teachers/lecturers need to lead by
example.
- Respect confidentiality.
Religious Leaders/Scholars
157 | P a g e
- Educate people on the difference between
Islamic Female Circumcision and Female
Genital Mutilation/Cutting.
Governments
158 | P a g e
- Impose law restricting night parties.
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BIBLIOGRAPHIES
160 | P a g e
- Abdul-Hamid, Sidiqqi (ND), English –
translation of Sahih Muslim, Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia, International Islamic Publishing
House.
161 | P a g e
- Ambali, M.A. (2003), The practice of
Muslim Family Law in Nigeria, 2nd Edition,
Tanza Publishing Company Limited.
162 | P a g e
relationship between Islam & Cultural
Diversity, Minna Niger, IET.
163 | P a g e
Chicago, University of Chicago Press. Error!
Hyperlink reference not valid.
164 | P a g e
- Muhammad Salah Almunajid (2006), Forty
Solutions To Your Marriage Problems,
London, Alfirdaous ltd. www.al-
firdaous.com
165 | P a g e
- Rapoport, Yossef (2005): Marriage, Money
and Divorce in Medieval Islamic Society,
Cambridge University.
166 | P a g e
- Schimmel, Annemarie (1992), Islam: An
Introduction, State University of New
York Press.
167 | P a g e
and Obstetrics and the World Health
Organization.
www.actionhealthinc.org/../guides.htm ,
www.comminit.com/africa/node/183546
- Divorce. www.enwikipedia.org/wiki/Divorce
168 | P a g e
- Domestic Violence the Problem Pervading
Nigeria/Article 14 march 2012 11:45AM By
Leonie Taylor.
www.thinkafricapress.com/nigeria/domesti
c
170 | P a g e
- The Sumerians,
www.fsmitha.com/hi/chol.htm
171 | P a g e
- THE PUNCH - Boy, 14, rapes nine-year-old
girl to death
- October 30, 2013 by Eniola Akinkuotu.
172 | P a g e
- Naij.com - I Raped Only 6 Children - Kano
Bank Driver Confesses. 1 August, 2013
News.naij.com
- Enownow - Immigration Officer Rapes Girl
In Kano 2008/12/03 enownow.
www.enownow.com2008-12-03
- The Nigerian Voice - Man arrested for
allegedly raping 5-yr-old girl in Jigawa. 12
August, 2013 By The Citizen.
www.thenigerianvoice.com
- The Herald - Police arraign man for rape
173 | P a g e
Posted by: Channels Television Posted date:
July 31, 2012.
on March 2, 2013.
www.channelstv.com/home/2013/03/02/p
olice-nabs-man-for-rapin-120k
- www.ahlalhdeeth.com
174 | P a g e
- En.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human-trafficking -
United Nations Convention Against Transnational
Organized Crime and The Protocols thereto
Note: Part of the quoted verses of the Quran and hadith were
translated from original sources by the writer.
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