• Main News
  • About Us
  • Contact
Premium Times Opinion
Monday, January 25, 2021
  • Home
  • Democracy and Governance
    • Bámidélé Upfront
    • Jibrin Ibrahim
    • Okey Ndibe
  • Economy
    • Ifeanyi Uddin
  • Issues of the Day
    • Adeolu Ademoyo
    • Aribisala on Tuesday
    • Dele Agekameh
    • Pius Adesanmi
  • Politics
    • Ebeneezer Obadare
    • Femi Fani-Kayode
    • Garba Shehu
    • Hannatu Musawa
    • Zainab Suleiman Okino
  • Guest Columns
  • Faith
    • Article of Faith
    • Sunday Ogidigbo
    • Friday Sermon
    • Elevated Sight
  • Home
  • Democracy and Governance
    • Bámidélé Upfront
    • Jibrin Ibrahim
    • Okey Ndibe
  • Economy
    • Ifeanyi Uddin
  • Issues of the Day
    • Adeolu Ademoyo
    • Aribisala on Tuesday
    • Dele Agekameh
    • Pius Adesanmi
  • Politics
    • Ebeneezer Obadare
    • Femi Fani-Kayode
    • Garba Shehu
    • Hannatu Musawa
    • Zainab Suleiman Okino
  • Guest Columns
  • Faith
    • Article of Faith
    • Sunday Ogidigbo
    • Friday Sermon
    • Elevated Sight
No Result
View All Result
Premium Times Opinion
Home Columns

Fighting The Heinous Crime Of Rape In Society, By Murtadha Gusau

by Premium Times
June 12, 2020
8 min read
0

…although Islamic law and the legal systems of most countries around the world today outline clear punishments for rape, ignorance, corruption, patronage, and an overall bias against women, the poor, and certain minority groups, often taint their execution. This is why punitive actions are not enough. We must create a culture where rape is never allowed to flourish.


In The Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all creation. May Allah extol the mention of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) in the highest company of Angels and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his family, his Companions and all those who follow him exactly till the Day of Judgement.

Dear brothers and sisters, The many reports of gang rape of our young girls and women in Nigerian cities stunned the country and the world. While rape is hardly uncommon in the region (South has the highest number of sex crimes among Nigeria’s major cities, with a rape reported on average every twenty-four-hours, according to police figures), it was the viciousness and ferociousness of the attack that stunned the people and the world.

Respected brothers and sisters, wallahi it is a cause that demands justice, and justice in Islam is for all. Like the rights of the poor, orphans, neighbours and less privilege, it does not matter whether a person is Muslim or not. We have a duty to fulfill. This is why Muslims should be equally vocal and active on this rape issue in Nigeria and the world.

My beloved people, rape is a form of attack that is universal. It has been used to subdue and humiliate, from the battlefields of Syria, Afghanistan, Palestine etc to the jail cells of Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq and other places, and IDP camps in Nigeria and other places. But it is primarily women and children who are its targets. As one of the greatest and most destructive forms of evil one human being commits against another, it is imperative that Muslims actively challenge and fight it. It is our duty as believers in Allah, Who clearly orders us:

“O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you swerve, and if you distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.” [Qur’an, 4:135]

Dear brothers and sisters, although Islamic law and the legal systems of most countries around the world today outline clear punishments for rape, ignorance, corruption, patronage, and an overall bias against women, the poor, and certain minority groups, often taint their execution. This is why punitive actions are not enough. We must create a culture where rape is never allowed to flourish.

The ideas below focus on changing not just mindsets, but behaviours as well. These aim to not only guide and empower the vulnerable, but also, those who are in positions of power, whether that is parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, principals, Imams, women groups executive members of Islamic institutions, and others:

1. Constantly Remind Men of their Personal Accountability to Allah In Matters of Modesty. Allah Almighty says:

“Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.” [Qur’an, 24:30]

Interestingly, this verse is right before the verse ordering women to do the same. Allah addresses men first when expecting modest behaviour, then women. Many Muslims have for long done the opposite. We have placed so much emphasis on women not becoming a source of sexual temptation that we have forgotten the core message of every human being’s individual accountability before Allah, whether that is in matters of modesty, money, or anything else.

Imams in their Khutbahs (sermons), Islamic full-time and weekend schools in their curriculums, Muslim parents and women groups must emphasise this and emulate it for young Muslim men starting age nine and above. Considering the amount of exposure to sexual material children have nowadays through television and the internet, it may even require a discussion about lowering their gaze and behaving modestly sooner than that.

2. Offer Proper Guidance On Sexual Behaviour

Talking about sexual issues remains difficult for most parents, even as the world becomes more open about it in songs, movies, television shows, online, and other venues. But shyness is not a virtue when it comes to the safety and well-being of a child or woman. The key is to give age-appropriate information. That can start the moment a child leaves home to stay with anyone but his or her parents, or earlier. It should begin with a brief explanation of what is appropriate and inappropriate touching. Rapists and pedophiles who prey on children use their ignorance of sexual issues to their advantage. Empower your child to fight back by making clear what behaviour is acceptable and what is not. It is also critical to reassure a child that you will not become angry if they tell you someone touched them inappropriately. You will instead be proud of them for their courage, which is why they should inform you right away if it happens.

3. Curb Opportunities For Rape and Sexual Assault To Happen

While rape can and does happen on the street, it is most often likely to happen via someone a woman or child knows. The reliable Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that six in ten rape or sexual assault victims said that they were assaulted by an intimate partner, relative, friend or acquaintance. A study of sexual victimisation of college women showed that nine out of ten victims knew the person who sexually victimised them.

“Stranger danger” is easily talked about and avoided. Women and children must be cautious while outside. But dangers within the family and circle of friends and acquaintances cannot be ignored either. That means never leaving a child alone for long with any relative, particularly male, be it an uncle, grandparent, nephew, cousin, or anyone else, as painful as that might be to accept. Popping your head in the room from time to time during a family gathering, for example, to check on where your kids are and what they are doing sends a subtle but clear message: you are on the lookout. For rapists, this automatically puts them on guard, since they operate based on secrecy and trust in their authority, as well as their close relationship with you or your child.

This same approach should be used for authority figures outside of the family, particularly teachers, principals, coaches, or leaders of any activity your child participates in.

4. Teach Women and Children the Art of Disagreeing Islamically

Early on, women and children are taught to defer to and respect authority, be it that of parents, a husband, a teacher, an Imam or a scholar. But looking at the life of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), we see that deference to authority is neither blind, nor passive. The Prophet’s wives sometimes argued with him, even as they respected his authority. Even Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, known as a fiery leader, once explained to a man who had gone to complain about his wife why he, the leader of the Muslims, tolerated his own wife’s occasional anger or disagreement. And speaking of Umar, it was a woman who publicly challenged his authority in the Mosque when he was Khalifah over the issue of Mahr/Sadaq (dowry). Even the Imam should be corrected if he errs in Qur’anic recitation during prayer. So in Islam, we don’t recognise a situation whereby a public figure or anybody being neglected in society doing wrong and nobody talk.

The point is, obedience and respect in Islam does not translate into tolerating abuse of authority, be it physical, verbal, or sexual abuse. You can say a firm “NO” to someone in authority if they are doing something wrong. You can also disagree and discuss without becoming disrespectful. We must model this and emphasise it in our own families.

5. Before Hiring Any Authority Figure, Check the Sex Offender Registry and Do A Thorough Background Check

This is especially important when it comes to those who work closely with children. In Nigeria, as I know, the Department of Justice’s National Sex Offender Public Website features lists of registered sex offenders in every state. Make sure to check these before hiring or signing up anyone, be it an Imam, a volunteer weekend school teacher, or anyone else. This can and should be done discreetly, and there is no need to inform anyone that they are being looked up. It should simply be a normal part of background checking.

Don’t let a desperate need for volunteers or staff be an excuse to forego this absolutely critical step before hiring someone or offering them a volunteer position.

6. Do Not Tolerate “Rape Talk”

Joking, mocking, or nonchalantly dismissing rape must never be tolerated in conversations. This is something to especially look out for when it comes to young men in high school and college. If a teenage boy in an Islamic school, for example, flippantly talks about raping or forcing himself on a girl or woman, be it a fellow student or the sultry celebrity of the day, call him out on it. Take him aside and calmly explain that what he said is clearly Haram (prohibited) and condemned by Allah Almighty and the Prophet (Peace be upon him).

7. Challenge Media Portrayals of Rape and Violence Against Women

Whether it’s a slap across the face or a shove against a wall, write and speak out against neutral or positive portrayals of violence against women and children in programmes on television or in films, magazines, billboards, and other social media. The idea behind this is that violent coercion, of which rape is one of, is acceptable. Tolerating “lesser” forms of violence builds up to the acceptance for sexual coercion.

8. Regularly Educate Men and Women About Healthy Gender Relations

Read the Sirah (Biography/History) and study how the Companions of the Prophet (Peace be upon him), men and women, interacted in a way that is respectful, positive, and healthy. The assumption that every male-female conversation or interaction would lead to sexual temptation was not there. They truly embodied the brother- and sisterhood of faith by being modest in their behaviour, but capable of communicating with each other effectively. This is a Sunnah that has been ignored for far too long and must be urgently revived.

When Muslims learn Islamically appropriate gender interaction, men and women are more likely to see each other as brothers and sisters in faith, versus through the sole lens of sexual attraction.

9. Support Or Start Rape Crisis Organisations Or Programmes

Donating money is one way, but volunteering time for this task is critical. This is especially important for Imams and Muslim leaders, men and women. This will offer much – needed training on how to handle rape in the community. It will also help the Muslim community to see that it is an urgent issue that needs attention and focus, just as domestic violence and other crises do.

10. Always Report Rape

As painful and embarrassing as this may be, it is our duty to report to police any incident of rape. Rape is not about family or community shame, but individual and collective pain. And its victim must get the support he or she needs immediately to survive this life-altering crisis. Secrecy and silence are a rapist’s best friends. Reporting takes tremendous courage but it is absolutely essential to curbing it. It can become the first step to healing for a rape victim, knowing that s/he is supported and will not have to carry an ugly “secret” to maintain some false sense of community or family “honour.” Rape is not a victim’s fault, it is the rapist’s. And reporting it is the first way to show that.

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad, and upon his family, his Companions and his true followers.

Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene’s Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com or +2348038289761.

This Jumu’ah Khutbah (Friday Sermon) was prepared for delivery today, Friday, Shawwal 20, 1441 A. H. (June 12, 2020).

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Print
  • More
  • Pocket
  • Share on Tumblr

Related

Previous Post

Of George Floyd: Engaging the Depravity of Bigotry and Othering, By Adewale Ajadi

Next Post

Five Years of APC and the Journey Ahead, By Waziri Bulama

Related Posts

Rethinking Heroism and the Nigerian Civil Service, By Festus Adedayo
Columns

Sunday Igboho and the Spirit of Ogbori Elemoso, By Festus Adedayo

January 24, 2021
Why Lai Mohammed Must Be Fired Immediately, By Femi Aribisala
Article of Faith

Free Will Does Not Exist (2), By Femi Aribisala

January 24, 2021
Religion As Africa’s Trojan Horse, By Osmund Agbo
Columns

Chief John Nnia Nwodo: Ijele Ndigbo Takes A Bow, By Osmund Agbo

January 23, 2021
People Deserve The Coach They Hire, By Owei Lakemfa
Columns

Biden and the Kicks of A Dying Horse, By Owei Lakemfa

January 23, 2021
The Characteristics of A Just Leader, By Murtadha Gusau
Columns

Let’s Invoke Allah With the Good Deeds We Have Performed (At-Tawassul)!, By Murtadha Gusau

January 22, 2021
Who Is Fuelling the Killing Fields?, By Jibrin Ibrahim
Columns

Expelling Pastoralists From Forests That Kill, By Jibrin Ibrahim

January 22, 2021
Next Post
Five Years of APC and the Journey Ahead, By Waziri Bulama

Five Years of APC and the Journey Ahead, By Waziri Bulama

Religion As Africa’s Trojan Horse, By Osmund Agbo

Crass Individualism: The Coup Against the Nigeria of Our Dream, By Osmund Agbo

Editorial

  • EDITORIAL: Unearthing the Cogent Lessons In the NESG-CBN Economic Policy Imbroglio

    EDITORIAL: Unearthing the Cogent Lessons In the NESG-CBN Economic Policy Imbroglio

  • EDITORIAL: COVID-19: Calling On Nigeria’s Billionaires and Religious Leaders To Step Up

    EDITORIAL: COVID-19: Calling On Nigeria’s Billionaires and Religious Leaders To Step Up

  • EDITORIAL: Bichi Must Go; Buhari Must Halt Slide Into Despotism

    EDITORIAL: Bichi Must Go; Buhari Must Halt Slide Into Despotism

  • EDITORIAL: The Flaws In Governor Emefiele’s Five-Year Plan For Central Bank of Nigeria

    EDITORIAL: The Flaws In Governor Emefiele’s Five-Year Plan For Central Bank of Nigeria

  • EDITORIAL: President Buhari Must Release Sowore Now!

    EDITORIAL: President Buhari Must Release Sowore Now!

Subscribe to our Opinion articles via email

Enter your email address to get notifications of new opinion articles as they are published.

Join 526,505 other subscribers

Most Popular

  • Sunday Igboho and the Spirit of Ogbori Elemoso, By Festus Adedayo
    Sunday Igboho and the Spirit of Ogbori Elemoso, By Festus Adedayo
  • Restructuring In Nigeria: Why? How? When?, By Attahiru M. Jega
    Restructuring In Nigeria: Why? How? When?, By Attahiru M. Jega
  • Of Toyin Falola, African Scholars and the Western Academy, By Mohammed Dahiru Aminu
    Of Toyin Falola, African Scholars and the Western Academy, By Mohammed Dahiru Aminu
  • Trump and the Limits of A ‘Failed Experiment!’, By Femi Mimiko
    Trump and the Limits of A ‘Failed Experiment!’, By Femi Mimiko
  • Time To Have More Gumis In Society: When Action Speaks Louder Than Words, By Umar Yakubu
    Time To Have More Gumis In Society: When Action Speaks Louder Than Words, By Umar Yakubu
  • Free Will Does Not Exist (2), By Femi Aribisala
    Free Will Does Not Exist (2), By Femi Aribisala
  • Democratisation of Insecurity, By Wole Olaoye
    Democratisation of Insecurity, By Wole Olaoye

Like us on Facebook

Like us on Facebook

Podcasts

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

  • Main News
  • About Us
  • Contact

© 2021 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Democracy and Governance
    • Bámidélé Upfront
    • Jibrin Ibrahim
    • Okey Ndibe
  • Economy
    • Ifeanyi Uddin
  • Issues of the Day
    • Adeolu Ademoyo
    • Aribisala on Tuesday
    • Dele Agekameh
    • Pius Adesanmi
  • Politics
    • Ebeneezer Obadare
    • Femi Fani-Kayode
    • Garba Shehu
    • Hannatu Musawa
    • Zainab Suleiman Okino
  • Guest Columns
  • Faith
    • Article of Faith
    • Sunday Ogidigbo
    • Friday Sermon
    • Elevated Sight

© 2021 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.