Rape

Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse or other forms of sexual penetration carried out against a person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority, or against a person who is incapable of giving valid consent, such as one who is unconscious, incapacitated, has an intellectual disability or is below the legal age of consent.

196486

Rape . Shirk . India . Salam alaikum . Sin

Can you elaborate on why rape is not considered as sinful as Shirk in Islam? This question often arises from non-Muslims in India, and a detailed explanation would be helpful.

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answer updated 8 months ago

Major sins are the most dangerous sins which lead to hellfire. We have many authentic narrations listing these major sins. Wasa’il al-Shia, volume 15, pages 313 to 331.

Rape is one of the major sins as it is a crime on innocent person which is more dangerous than destruction the Ka’ba (according to authentic Hadeeth), beside it includes another major sin of fornication. Rape is a complex major sin, that is why its punishment is very severe in Islam which is killing him.

Shirk is also one of the major sins as Allah (SWT) Says in Quran (Verily, Shirk is a very big injustice)(Sura Luqman; verse 13).

Wassalam.

192804

Rape . Children . God (Allah)

Why didn't Allah intervene in the recent case of a 6-year-old child who was raped? If Allah helps us when we ask, why was this child, who is too young to seek help, not offered protection or assistance?

Allah, The Exalted, Has Ordered in justice and fairness and prevented injustice and wrong. Allah (SWT) Helps those who do good and never Helps in wrong. Those who commit crimes do that with out any help from Allah but because if their criminal intentions and acts. Allah (SWT) Does not stop criminals but He never Helps them. Many prophets including Prophet Yahya (AS) and Infallible Imams were killed by the criminals. Allah (SWT) Will definitely punish the criminals but He Does not Stop them. Life is an exam for all people and the exam needs freedom to do good or bad then results will be according to what we intentionally did. It is wrong to think that Allah (SWT) should stop criminals from committing crimes. Such thinking is against the freedom of people to choose and opt to do good or bad then face the results of their deeds. Imam Hussain (AS) and his children and companions were killed in Karbala and Allah (SWT) never Stopped the criminals. They will definitely face the results of their crimes and victims will be granted great reward for their sufferings.

Wassalam.

152957

Rape . Marriage

How can I navigate the situation where a Muslim guy I met in college, with whom I have a good relationship, is hesitant to marry me solely because I am a victim of rape? What steps can I take to address this issue?

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answer updated 2 years ago

I am sorry to hear about your situation.

I wanted to add that it would not be a good thing if, after the marriage, the man holds onto this idea and becomes obsessed with it or brings it up in every argument or uses it as an excuse for other behaviour. You have already suffered and don't need someone to make you continue to suffer for the rest of your life. Plus, you deserve someone who will appreciate you for all you are, not someone who is having hesitations! Perhaps he will mature later in life, since, when we judge people unfairly, life has a way of teaching us lessons.

Meanwhile, there are other fish in the sea!

Rape . Marriage

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 2 years ago

Bismihi ta'ala

It is sad to hear what happened to you, and through your Iman and reliance on Allah ta'ala, you will become stronger and stronger, not allowing the evil incident to define who you are.

If this man cannot accept you for that, and you are upfront and genuine about everything, even if there might be lapses of emotional distraught or something that affects you due to the trauma, but yet he is still hesitant, then he is no good for you at all.

You should not see yourself of less value, nor should you accept someone who sees you as "broken", or anything negative of that sort.

Limit your interaction with this person, and focus more on yourself, and your relationship with Almighty God, who will facilitate the best of things for you and your future, in shaa Allah.

With prayers for your success.

144263

Punishment . Rape

If a Muslim girl is raped, how can she prove it? And what is the Islamic punishment for the rapist?

Victim of rape is never blamed for being a victim of rape unless she had some role in causing the crime e.g. deliberately going to dangerous places or exposing her body to outsiders etc. Proving the crime of rape is similar to proving any other crime.

Rape crime is a major sin in Islam which leads the rapist to hell fire.
Wassalam.

136327

Sexual . Marriage . Rape

I want to marry a girl who has been raped in the past but due to her trauma she is not sure if she can provide me with my sexual needs. Am I allowed to have consensual sexual intercourse with her before marrying her permanently?

In addition to what has already been said, one thing to consider is that when a man or woman is put in a situation where they feel their sexual performance is being tested, it sometimes does not go well, because they feel self-conscious and under pressure to perform, and consequently are too stressed or awkward to engage with the situation.

This is rather different from a situation where two people commit to a marriage, commit to working through any sexual difficulties on either side (including any long-term medical, psychological, or psychiatric interventions), and focus on enjoying their relationship with each other in a holistic manner with an attitude of love and support, which is a less threatening sort of situation, and one that is more likely to nurture a long-term good relationship.

Wishing you both the best!

Sexual . Marriage . Rape

Bismihi ta'ala

If you wish to marry someone, and you know they have experienced an unfortunate traumatic event, then you must be equipped with dealing with whatever situation or issue that arises.

It would not be fair for you, or for her, that you are deprived of your sexual needs, and also unfair that you have some kind of "trial" with her before committing to marriage.

If your question is a fiqhi question, should you and her meet the requirements of having a legitimate temporary marriage contract, then it would be valid for you to do so, but it would not solve the main issue for the future.

Most important is understanding how to deal and interact with someone who has gone through a trauma and how it could affect the marital relationship, and whether or not both of you are able to handle it.

This young lady you want to marry deserves to be treated right and fair, and not pressured into anything, and her situation must be observed. God forbid, you do not want to aggravate her trauma or make her issues worse.

I would advice seeking guidance in getting professional counselling, for both of you, prior to making any decision, as long as you are genuine in wanting to marry her and will patiently assist her, not further harming her or making her life any more difficult.

With prayers for your success

137237

Woman . Abortion . Rape . Infant

Can a woman who has been raped abort her baby? Under what situations is abortion permissible?

Bismihi ta'ala

In general, Islam prohibits abortion, and this is the primary law, considering abortion unlawful and a form of murder, where blood-money must be paid and a kaffarah.

In brief, there are certain circumstances where abortion becomes allowed. In the case of a rape incident, with the victim falling pregnant, before the fourth month (entering of the soul into the fetus), she is allowed to abort the fetus if there is extreme difficulty upon her to keep the baby. This means her mental state as the mother is unstable, her family and social status will be ruined, and she will not be able to bear the extremely damaging consequences of all of this. In this case, she is permitted to have an abortion.

As for after the fourth month, there are different opinions on this, and she must refer to her Marja' taqleed for the fatwa.

And Allah knows best.

118461

Rape . Punishment . Sexual

Does Islam recognise marital rape? If yes, then how is it defined and what punishment is applicable for it?

Hassanain Govani, Hassanain Govani is based in Sweden and has an MA in History of Religion from Uppsala University and an MA in Islamic Studies from the Islamic College of London, and has also studied Arabic in... Answer updated 3 years ago

Salaamun Alaykum

I do not belive the exact phrase "marital rape" occurs in Islamic sources. That, however, does not mean that Islam condones rape within a marital context.

The Quranic command is for husband and wife to live with each other honourably and kindly. A number of ahadith further put emphasis on this. Husbands are ordered to treat their wives with fairness, kindness and patience. They are not to harm them.

As for sexual intercourse, husbands are further ordered to take care of their wives' needs and the husband is not to proceed with the actual coitus until the wife is ready.

Again, we remind ourselves that husbands are not allowed to mistreat and/or harm their wives.

Hence, although the terminology "marital rape" does not occur in the sources (as far as I know), I believe one must conclude that the act as such is not allowed.

In need of your prayers

118459

Woman . Pregnancy . Rape

If a woman gets pregnant after being raped can she give birth to the child? Is the child considered legitimate as no man may marry her after that?

1. Abortion is forbidden. A child is a human with a right to life regardless of how it is conceived. However, some scholars allow abortion in this situation if keeping the child is psychologically or personally traumatic. It is certainly not a requirement to abort the child.

2. "No man may marry her after that" - who said that? Yes, some people have some backwards ideas about virginity or purity or marrying a woman with kids, but these ideas are from people, not Islam. If the woman wishes to marry, inshallah she will find the right husband. Maybe she would not want to be married to someone who thinks in a wrong way.

Allah is merciful and just. It would not be merciful or just for Allah to punish the victim in this situation by forcing more consequences on her after the first trauma.

100450

Rape . Marriage

Is it allowed to marry a rape victim?

Yes of course. It is not only permissible, but it can be a very noble act to help a rape victim to build her life and get her out of the sufferings which were imposed on her with out any fault from her. Those who help others will be helped and blessed by Allah (SWT).

Wassalam.

67271

Woman . Justice . Rape

Is it true that Islam requires a raped woman to provide four witnesses in order to get justice?

Not true.

Raped woman gets justice immediately after the criminal is arrested and evidence is established against him.

Wassalam.