Islamabad:
Islam gives each woman the right to accept or reject a proposal for marriage without fear or coercion. The Pakistan Constitution reinforces this right under its guarantees of personal freedom and choice. However, throughout the country, the refusal of a woman is often perceived not as autonomy, but a challenge, a perceived insult to which some men respond with cruelty, violence or even murder.
These views were expressed by religious academics, activists and experts while condemning violence against women as non -Islamic.
On June 2, 2025, Sana Yousaf was shot twice in the chest by Umar Hayat, a man whose repeated proposals had rejected.
In another recent case in Rawalpindi, Sidra Bibi, 18, was allegedly murdered by order of a local jirga after marrying a man of his choice.
In statements to the application, Maulana Hafiz Muhammad Yasir Attari, a respected Islamic scholar, declared: “According to Shariah, a woman has the total right to accept or reject a marriage proposal.”
When asked how to look for his permission, the prophet replied: “That she remains silent.” This Hadiz clearly establishes that a woman’s consent is essential. No guardian (Wali), family or tribal council has the authority to cancel his will.
“Rejection is not a sin,” added Mauula Yasir. “It is not ingratitude or rebellion. Islam honors personal preferences and emotional compatibility. Saying ‘not’ is its Islamic right: crowded, protected and sacred.”
Contenting violence in the name of honor, he said: “Violence, murders for honor, burning and suffocation are not very Islamic, unfair and condemned. Forgiveness by the family does not legitimizes murder under Shariah. The State must deal with such acts as murder and terrorism and process them accordingly.”
In his July 2025 statement, the Council of Pakistan Ulema declared that “Islam strictly prohibits honor murders. A woman has the total right to marry the man of her choice, and no violence or coercion is allowed.”
Dr. Sobia Khateeb, a clinical psychologist and psychosexual therapist, highlighted the emotional dynamics behind such violence.
“The violence driven by rejection reflects emotional immaturity and fragile masculinity. Children are not taught how to manage rejection; they equate virility with control,” he said.
She emphasized that legal reforms alone are insufficient. “We need to raise children with emotional intelligence and trauma attention,” he urged.
Rabbiya, Turkman, journalist and attached editor of Risala Today, said the media bias when covering gender violence.
“When powerful people are involved, the main media are silent. Gender violence is not informed. Fortunately, social networks intervene to develop public pressure and preserve historical records,” he said.
Muhammad Sanaullah Khan, educator of the University of Numl Islamabad, emphasized the transforming role of the classrooms. “Educators must create safe spaces to discuss these issues. Through gender equality, consent education and empathy, we can challenge deeply rooted stereotypes,” he said.
Bushra Iqbal Hussain, CEO of Mahffooz Bachpan, criticized the law enforcement agencies. “The police often assume that the girl did something wrong. Threats, acid attacks and characters are still. Girls live in fear, not only for themselves, but for their families,” he said.
Hina Mushtaq, a Comsats Islamabad student, reflected on the generational struggle. “If we talk, it depends on our environment. Fear of judgment Silence to many of us. But the campuses that promote equality help students raise the voices,” he said.
This is not just a legal crisis, it is cultural. These tragedies expose a toxic mixture of patriarchal law, legal lagoons and silence of those in power. Laws mean little without application. Honor means nothing when it costs lives.
