Global Muslim Women's Shura Council: six principle objectives

Colorful Women in Hijabs
by Lail a Shawa (starsonadarknight)

Part Two: review of the teachings of Islam regarding domestic violence.

The Global Muslim Women's Shura Council condemns domestic violence as an absolute violation of the teachings of Islam.

The Holy Qur'an clearly advocates against domestic violence, promoting harmony and affection between husband and wife. 

The Maqasid al--Shari’ah

According to scholarly consensus, the six “principle objectives” (maqasid) of the Shari’ah demand the protection and promotion of religion (din), life (nafs), mind (‘aql), family (nasl), dignity (‘ird), and wealth (mal) in society. Inflicting injury on one’s spouse is a violation of at least four of these fundamental principles –the objectives of Life, Mind, Dignity, and Family – which the Shari’ah aims to protect and which undergird Islamic law.

The Protection of Life: Under Shari’ah, the objective of Life upholds the sanctity of human life according to the dignity God bestowed on humankind, and it protects against bodily harm of any kind. Domestic violence endangers lives of countless women every day.

The Protection of Mind:  Domestic violence harms the minds of all parties in the household, including the partner who is subjected to violence and the partner who commits the aggression. Growing up in a violent household damages children’s psyche, making them prone  to depression, psychosis, and violence. The

Protection of Dignity: The objective of Dignity maintains the worthiness and nobility of each human being, which he or she is given by God. This edict protects against slander, the breach of privacy, everyday fear, and disrespect; it also promotes basic human freedoms. All forms of domestic violence breach this principle.

The Protection of Family: Finally, domestic violence violates the objective of Family, which makes the family a safe refuge for all of its members. Domestic violence also harms the family by precluding a loving and trusting relationship between the husband and wife. Violence may lead to divorce.

The Global Muslim Women's Shura Council is an inclusive council of Muslim women scholars, activists, and specialists.  The Shura Council endeavors to connect Islamic principles to society's most pressing issues and develop holistic strategies for creating positive social change. In the following statement, the Shura Council condemns domestic violence as an absolute violation of the teachings of Islam. For more information about the Global Muslim Women's Shura Council, please visit: www.wisemuslimwomen.org/about~shuracouncil

The above text is solely quoted from

·        “Domestic Violence: A Violation of Islam,” The Global Muslim Women's Shura Council (two page handout).  The American Society for Muslim Advancement, New York (NY).

·        “Domestic Violence: A Violation of Islam,” The Global Muslim Women's Shura Council (six page digest).  The American Society for Muslim Advancement, New York (NY), 2012.

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MUSLIM ADVANCEMENT

475 Riverside Drive, Suite 248, New York, NY 101 15

For more information, please visit:

WWW.ASMASOCIETY.ORG

WWW.WISEMUSLlMWOMEN.ORG/ABOUT/SHURACOUNClL

Part One: 

Global Muslim Women's Shura Council Condemns Domestic Violence

Appeared on October 7, 2013