In a video that has now gone viral on social media, a Muslim cleric in Canada can be seen justifying ‘marital rape’ in the context of Islam. The cleric is Shabir Ally, a Canada-based Islamic scholar and Imam.
Although the contentious video titled, ‘The Historical Roots of Female Slavery’ dates back to September 2016, it was recently shared on social media by the Twitter handle named ‘Ex-Muslims of North America.’ In the said video, Shabbir Ally discussed at length about ‘women’s right to consent in marriage’, ‘sex slavery in Islam’, and the implication of religious beliefs in ISIS.
There is no ‘consent’ in Islamic marriages, claimed Shabir Ally
In one such clip shared on Twitter, the Islamic scholar reflected on the idea of ‘feminism’. Citing the teachings in Islam, Shabir Ally said, “The woman’s main responsibility in a marriage is to fulfil the sexual needs of her husband. And for that reason the husband has the right and claim to this (referring to sexual intercourse). And she cannot refuse.” Through this claim, he demolished the concept of ‘consent’ in Islamic marriages.
Marital rape is ‘permissible’ though not ideal
Further, he cited interpreters of the Quran to suggest that even ‘marital rape’ is justified in the light of Islam. Ally stated, “Some speak of the possibility that the man can force himself onto his wife. And she cannot refuse because that is his ‘right’.” He then tried to ‘trivialise’ it by claiming that ‘marital rape’ is not an ‘ideal situation’ but then added that it is the duty of the woman to be ‘co-operative’ under all circumstances.
“When her husband calls her for that particular action, she should be ready and willing to engage,” Ally emphasised. He added that Prophet Muhammad has said that Allah watches the actions of the men when they have the ‘power over the women.’ In a shocking display of vicious indoctrination, Ally claimed, “The women are with them like slaves.”
This is Islam’s idea of feminism. pic.twitter.com/MTGXEQc4m3
— Ex-Muslims of North America (@ExmuslimsOrg) August 25, 2020
Shabir Ally explains the significance of sex slaves’ in Islam
In another snippet of the same video, the Islamic preacher talked about the Islamic view on concubines (mistresses). He said, “A Muslim man can have up to four wives at once, in addition to the four wives, he can have an unlimited number of concubines which basically refers to women with slave status.”
“A woman-owned by her master has to freely give herself to the master. The master has the right to have sexual relations with her as though she were one of his wives,” he continued. When the show host Aisha Khaja asked Ally about the role of ‘consent’, the Islamic scholar dismissed it altogether.
He said, “The understanding is that by virtue of the fact that she’s owned, she does not have the right to consent or to withhold herself from her master.” Shabir Ally emphasised, “The master has the full right over her and her consent does not play anything in this relationship.”
Dr. Shabir Ally explains to his daughter how sex slavery and rape are part of Islamic scripture. pic.twitter.com/6A5UGDlIfN
— Ex-Muslims of North America (@ExmuslimsOrg) August 26, 2020
Shabir Ally explains the rationale behind ISIS sex slaves
Towards the end of the video, Shabir Ally opined that several ‘respected’ Islamic scholars believe in the 21st century that the tradition of ‘sex slavery’ should have continued and it is a ‘divine’ right. “Theoretically, it is still applicable and they state so in clear terms. If there is a war between Muslims and non-Muslims today and the Muslims capture the non-Muslim women, then they will be made slaves. And the men will have the right to sexual congress with them.”
“Somebody like the ISIS and so on could be following this sort of ruling which is there (in Islam). Not just thinking, they are following religious (Islamic) rulings,” Ally clarified on the reason behind ISIS terrorists taking female captives as ‘sex slaves’. While condemning the action of ISIS as ‘wrong’, he implied that the Quranic revelations were right in the ‘historical context.’
While it might be difficult for many to fathom that such a regressive and disturbing mindset exists in the 21st century, the no-bars-held interview reflects that such views are shared by several Muslims even in this day and age.
