Violence against women is a common problem in our country and the number of women and girls killed in the name of ‘honour’ in 2011 alone is 2,341, according to figures compiled from reports by the Aurat Foundation. The reported cases of violence against women so far during 2012 are 2,713 as per a research conducted by the Awaz Foundation Center for Development. Mufti Abdul Razzaque Naqshbandi, Naib, Tanzim-ul-Ihsan Karachi, while expressing concern over the rising cases of domestic violence in society, implored people to recall that the Holy Quran enjoins good treatment of women and condemns Muslims who are abusive to women. In a statement here Friday, Mufti Abdul Razzaque stated: “Islam has enjoined upon men to treat their women fairly”. Advocating better treatment of women, Mufti stated: “The Holy Quran urges husbands to treat their wives kindly. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) himself was extremely considerate and benevolent towards his wives.”
He further said: “While referring to the above Quranic reference the Holy Prophet had said that no man should be cruel to his wife, commit any act of violence against them or fight with them. Disagreements and small disputes should be settled peacefully and with love between couples. Prudence, logic and good judgment should be used instead of violence to make them understand something.”
“We, as a society, can achieve salvation if we begin to act upon the commandments of the Quran and Sunnah,” he concluded.
It may be emphasised that gender-based violence, with females and adolescent girls being the prime victims is a growing societal cancer which needs to be addressed most critically.
Besides physical and emotional violence, depriving women of their fundamental human rights of freedom and choice about their reproductive health also falls under the realm of gender based violence, according to human rights activists. Islam strictly forbids violence against women and at many places in the Holy Quran strict consequences have been attributed to such disrespects.