By Julian Osamoto
The Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) and Islamic scholars have raised concern over the persistent misinterpretation of Islamic teachings used to justify violence and discrimination against women in Nigeria.
Speaking during the presentation of a research-based publication in Abuja, on women’s rights in Islam, WRAPA Secretary-General, Saudatu Mahdi, said many women still struggle to access justice due to poverty, prolonged court processes, and limited awareness of their rights.
She explained that some women abandon legal cases because of repeated adjournments and the high cost of litigation.
According to her, WRAPA established community-based arbitration centres known as HAKAMIN Councils across several states to reduce dependence on formal courts and improve access to justice for women.
Mahdi said the project, which began in seven North-West states including Kano, Kaduna, Katsina and Sokoto, focused on issues such as child custody, divorce, consent in marriage, economic empowerment and women’s ability to seek redress when their rights are violated.
She stressed that the initiative was not limited to Northern Nigeria but aimed at promoting women’s rights within Islamic teachings across the country.
Also speaking, Taufiq Hussaini director centre for islamic civilisation and interfaith dialogue, bayero university, Kano, said the publication emerged from years of research involving Islamic scholars, Qadis, Imams and academics.
He noted that the research examined misconceptions surrounding Qur’anic verses often cited to deny women access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities.
According to him, the findings were converted into guided Friday sermons to help Imams address violence against women and family issues from an Islamic perspective.
Hussaini said Islam does not support violence against women or the denial of their fundamental rights.
He explained that cultural practices and male dominance in some communities are often wrongly portrayed as Islamic teachings.
On the controversial issue of wife-beating, Hussaini said Islamic teachings prescribe dialogue and reconciliation first, while any physical action mentioned in classical texts was symbolic, non-harmful and not intended to cause injury.
“Islam does not endorse abuse, injuries or violence against women,” he said.
The scholar also highlighted examples of women’s contributions to commerce and education in Islamic history, citing Khadijah and Fatima al-Fihriya as evidence that Islam supports women’s participation in economic and intellectual life.
In a separate interview, Khalid Abubakar Ali the Imam of the National Mosque, described the book as an important tool for addressing family and societal challenges.
He said the sermons contained in the publication would help improve relationships between husbands, wives and children while promoting better moral values within society.
Ali urged Imams and Muslim families across Nigeria to embrace the teachings in the book, saying the responsibility of building a peaceful and morally upright society rests on everyone.
