The Emir of Kano State in northern Nigeria, Muhammadu Sanusi II, stated that he advised his daughters to ensure they respond if their husbands strike them.
This statement was made during the National Dialogue Conference on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention from an Islamic perspective, which was themed: ‘Islamic teachings and community collaboration for ending Gender-Based Violence.’ The event was organized by the Centre for Islamic Civilization and Interfaith Dialogue (CICID) at Bayero University Kano (BUK), in partnership with the Development Research and Projects Centre (DRPC), with support from the Ford Foundation.
He highlighted that 45 percent of cases in nine Sharia Courts in Kano over a five-year period were related to domestic violence and wife beating.
He remarked, “One could interpret that verse to suggest that as a husband, I have the right to lightly strike my wife. No one would contest that, provided all conditions are met. However, in a society where these conditions are often ignored, individuals in anger do not pause to seek a chewing stick or a handkerchief.
“They simply resort to slapping, punching, and kicking. I recently completed a doctoral thesis on family law, conducting research across nine Sharia courts in Kano. Approximately 51 percent of the cases over five years pertained to maintenance issues, while 26 percent involved harm. Notably, 45 percent of those cases were related to domestic violence and wife beating.”
We have encountered women with broken limbs, women who have had their teeth knocked out, and women who have suffered from relentless beatings with sticks. There are instances where a husband and his other wives have physically assaulted one of the wives.
There have been situations where Khadis were compelled to bring their sons to trial for criminal assault due to the severity of the violence inflicted on their wives. This type of abuse is unfortunately prevalent.
“Abusing your wife, daughter, or any woman is strictly forbidden. It constitutes a crime. Even the use of a handkerchief or a chewing stick in this context is unacceptable. It is haram. Allah commands that all haram practices must be eradicated. Gender-based violence is a form of harm that must be eliminated”.
“It is simply illogical. I have expressed this before, and while I have faced criticism for it, I will continue to speak out. When my daughters marry, I tell them that if their husband strikes them and they come to me without having retaliated, I will discipline them myself. I did not raise my daughters to endure such treatment. If a husband cannot respect her, he should return her to me, but he must not lay a hand on her”.
