Domestic Abuse and Islam

Overcoming Myths and Misconceptions

Introduction
Domestic Abuse affects all communities This includes the Muslim community. This session aims to address these issues in an open, honest way, in a safe space

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25% of all reported

crime

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Every days (Metropolitan Police research) 112 women a year a killed each year by a partner or former partner. 12 men a year are killed by their female partners.

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33% (Middlesex University study in 1993)

Later studies have shown the percentage to be higher. Experience with the Freedom Programme supports this; many women do not realise that they are being abused.

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On average a woman is assaulted

35 times before she seeks help. This number Doubles or Triples when it concerns the BAME
women.
BAME Black, Asian Minority Ethnic

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On average

their female partners per year

12 Men

are killed by

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98% (Liverpool Crown Prosecution

Service 1997)

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200 and approximately 1500

animal refuges

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Women are three times more likely to be injured while pregnant. Men on the Freedom Programme say that when they look at a pregnant woman they see, in their words, a fat and disgusting creature.

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Power and control. The rest are all

excuses given by the perpetrator for their violence

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60 seconds

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6 seconds In Suffolk the total

number of incidents in 08/09 was 6552, that is 18 per day

What is Domestic Abuse and does Islam allow it?

Different aspects of Domestic Abuse Physical Emotional Psychological Economic

Quran and Sunnah

There is clear evidence in the Quran and Sunnah against domestic abuse Islam encourages good treatment of women We are going to look at verses and narrations that support good treatment of women

But..

Quran Verse 4:34

and maintainers of women because Allah has made one excel the other, and because men are required to spend their wealth for the support and maintenance of women..

Men are the protectors, guardians

Honourable women are, therefore, devoutly obedient and guard in the husband's absence what Allah requires them to guard (their husband's property and their own honour). As for those women from whom you fear disobedience, ill conduct or rebellion (nashuz in Arabic)

first admonish them, then refuse to share your bed with them, and then, if necessary, beat them. Then if they obey you, take no further actions against them and do not make excuses to punish them. Allah is Supremely Great and is aware of your actions. Al-Quran 4:34

Quran
The believers, both male and female, are Auliya' (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another. They try to make others do good, prevent them from committing sins, perform their prayers, pay the religious tax, and obey God and His Messenger. God will have mercy on them; He is Majestic and All-wise. Quran 9:71

Quran
O Mankind! Be conscious of your Sustainer, who has created you out of one living entity, and out of it created its mate, and out of the two spread abroad a multitude of men and women. Quran 4:1

Quran
O People! Behold, We (Allah) have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, God is all-knowing, allaware. Quran 49:13

Quran

They (your wives) are your garment and you are their garment. Quran 2:187

Quran
And among His signs is this that he created for you mates from among yourselves, so that you may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between you: Verily in that are signs for those who ponder. Quran 30:21

Sunnah
"[How] could any of you beat his wife as he would beat a slave, and then lie with her in the evening?" Bukhari and Muslim Never beat God's female servants. Abu Da'ud, Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Ibn Hibban and Hakim

Sunnah
A man asked Apostle of Allah, how should we approach our wives and how should we leave them? He replied: Approach your tilth when or how you will, give her (your wife) food when you take food, clothe when you clothe yourself, do not revile her face, and do not beat her. Abu Daud

Sunnah
`A'ishah RA said, "The Messenger of Allah never struck a servant of his with his hand, nor did he ever hit a woman. He never hit anything with his hand, except for when he was fighting Jihad in the cause of Allah. Imam Ahmad

Sunnah
O Muslims! I advise you to be gentle with women, for they are created from a rib, and the most crooked portion of the rib is its upper part. If you try to straighten it, it will break and if you leave it, it will remain crooked, so I urge you to take care of the woman. Bukhari

Sunnah
The Prophet never hit a woman Ibn Majah

Sunnah
Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) used to patch his sandals, sew his garment and conduct himself at home as anyone of you does in his house. He was a human being, searching his garment for lice, milking his sheep, and doing his own chores. Tirmidhi

Sunnah
When asked what the Prophet did in the home, his wife Aisha RA replied "he used to keep himself busy serving his family and when it was time for the prayer, he would get up for prayer." Bukhari

Sunnah
I enjoin good treatment of women. Bukhari

The best of you is the one who is best to his wife, and I am the best of you to my wives. Tirmidhi

Q&A