Domestic Violence in Islam

Domestic Violence (DV) is a prevalent issue in society today. Statistics in Trinidad and Tobago [Newsday 2023] indicate:

• 30% of all women in intimate relationships have experienced physical or sexual abuse from their partners, and
• 1 in 5 women (20%) having experienced abuse by non-partners within their lifetimes.

Statistics reflect that DV is not restricted or limited to any specific group in society – it includes persons of different races, ages, localities, economic classes and educational backgrounds. While primarily perpetuated by males to females, DV is not restricted to a specific gender – abuse is also meted out by women to men. That being said, that 50% of women experience abuse in their lifetimes is significant, startling and unacceptable.

The effects of DV go far beyond the individuals involved, and impact other members of families, extended relationships, the neighborhood, the workplace, security and health sectors. It damages affected individuals’ morale; their confidence levels; their behaviors and physical capabilities; decision making and cognitive functions; faith and trust in others and in Allah; can even result in irreversible physical, psychological and emotional damage; and in murder or suicide.

In this paper, we explore the issue, its symptoms, causes, solutions and stakeholders, in order to help advance the eradication of this prevailing problem in our society.