Sheikh al-Azhar Ahmad Thayyib: Perpetrators of Violence Against Women Are Unreasonable

Sheikh al-Azhar Ahmad Thayyib: Perpetrators of Violence Against Women Are Unreasonable

Violence against women often occurs, Komnas Perempuan records it in fantastic numbers. Komnas Perempuan's annual record (catahu) 2022 noted that there were 338,496 cases of gender-based violence against women whose complaints were directly submitted to Komnas Perempuan, through service agencies and Badilog. The perpetrators of violence are generally the closest people to the victim.

Violence occurs a lot, when in fact these actions have been criticized everywhere, including from religion. Let's quote the statement of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar which forbids violence against women based on gender.

Syekhul Azhar Ahmad Thayyib stated that the perpetrators of violence against women were narrow-minded, clearly stupid, not virtuous, and of course this act was unlawful according to the Shari'ah. This was conveyed through the editorial of Shautul Azhar edition of Rajab 1443 H. Sheikh condemned violent behavior.

Statement of the Grand Imam of Al Azhar on Violence against Women

Sheikh Azhar Ahmad Thayyib's statement is based on the Prophet's hadith which says:

إنَّمَا النِّسَاءُ شَقَائِقُ الرِّجَالِ

It means, "Indeed, women are men's partners, who should not be subjected to violence, especially gender-based and we must protect their rights." Partner means that women just like men have rights and obligations.

In practice, women should also be allowed and supported for social and economic activities. Women who occupy certain social positions are given their rights, their income is not differentiated just because they are women. Women have the right to get a good position at work because of their skills, and to be given the same opportunities as men and not be hindered just because they are women.

The Prophet did not set an example of violence against women

Syekh Azhar Ahmad Thayyib juga mengemukakan bahwa Nabi tidak pernah mencontohkan kekerasan, baik kepada istrinya, khadim, bahkan kepada orang yang berbuat buruk kepadanya sekalipun, kecuali dalam kondisi tertentu, misalnya perang. Tauladan ini terdokumentasi dalam hadis Nabi:

ما ضَرَبَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلَّمَ شيئًا قَطُّ بيَدِهِ، وَلَا امْرَأَةً، وَلَا خَادِمًا؛ إلَّا أَنْ يُجَاهِدَ في سَبيلِ اللهِ، وَما نِيلَ منه شَيءٌ قَطُّ، فَيَنْتَقِمَ مِن صَاحِبِهِ؛ إلَّا أَنْ يُنْتَهَكَ شَيءٌ مِن مَحَارِمِ اللهِ، فَيَنْتَقِمَ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ.

Dari Aisyah ra, berkata: Bahwa Rasulullah Saw tidak pernah memukul siapapun dengan tangannya, baik istrinya maupun pembantunya, kecuali pada perang di jalan Allah. Nabi Saw juga ketika diperlakukan sahabatnya secara buruk tidak pernah membalas, kecuali jika ada pelanggaran atas larangan-larangan Allah, maka ia akan membalas atas nama Allah Swt. (Shahih Muslim)

Mempraktikkan kekerasan sama sekali bukan tanda orang kuat. Orang kuat bukanlah yang paling keras melakukan kekerasan, orang kuat adalah yang mampu mengontrol amarahnya seperti yang telah Nabi ajarkan pada hadis di bawah ini;

عَنْ أبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ، أنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قالَ: «لَيْسَ الشَّدِيدُ بِالصُّرَعَةِ، إنَّما الشَّدِيدُ الَّذِي يَمْلِكُ نَفْسَهُ عِنْدَ الغَضَبِ»

The article, “A strong person is not one who is good at wrestling, but one who can control himself when he is angry.” (Muttafaqun Alaih)

Thus, we need to broadcast this beautiful view of the Islamic treasures again to the surface. That if all forms of gender-based violence continue to take place, let alone in the name of religion, then we should question, what religion is the basis?

The prophet who should be praised and worshiped by the people, turned out to be gentle, to anyone, whether to his wife, family, or friends, even to those who behaved badly with him. The Prophet always glorified the people around him. So, let's imitate the noble character of the Prophet.