Is Muhammad Responsible for Honor Killings?

In Europe, whenever a daughter is killed for allegedly having an “unholy” relationship with another man or, to a lesser extent, a son is slaughtered for allegedly being gay in a Muslim family, it is immediately Islam that is held responsible, although not always explicitly stated. Is there any truth in this, and is Mohammad, the founder of Islam, to blame?

Join us in exploring the historical backdrop of honor killings, their association with patriarchal societies, the impact of Islam on these practices, and the universal challenge they pose to global human rights standards. For simplicity, we will focus on female victims today.

Understanding Mohammad

Before discussing honor killings, it’s crucial to note that Muhammad was not only a religious figure but also a political leader. In that role, he unified Arab tribes and established laws, regulations, and guidance. The fact that Islam, as a religion, was not inherently controversial to Arab societies during its inception proves that it primarily focuses on regulating their existing way of life. Nevertheless, contemporary critics often target Muhammad for Arabs’ ancient customs and traditions, of which Mohammed himself was a product.

In her book A Short History of Islam, which I urge you to read if you haven’t already, Karen Armstrong says Muhammad had never envisioned the spread of Islam beyond the Arab peninsula. His primary concern was addressing the problems and concerns of his own people united under him.

Honor Killing in Pre-Islamic Arabia

Honor killings, a practice that shocks the modern conscience, are a grim reminder of the world’s still prevalent patriarchal structures. This phenomenon, where individuals, predominantly women, are murdered by their family members for allegedly bringing dishonor upon them, has roots that stretch deep into human history, predating many of the world’s major religions, including Islam. The origins of honor killings can be traced back to various cultures and regions, notably parts of pre-Islamic Arabia.

In pre-Islamic Arabia, tribes were the main social groups, each with unique honor-related customs. Honor was closely tied to a tribe’s image, influenced by its members’ conduct, particularly women’s. Women’s actions, especially regarding sexuality, directly impacted their family’s honor, exposing them to harsh consequences for perceived dishonorable acts like adultery, premarital relations, or even if they were sexually assaulted, with mere accusations sometimes leading to punishment. Honor killings became an extreme action to remove the stain on a family’s honor to restore their status in the tribe, highlighting the strong patriarchal norms that placed family honor above personal life and rights, often sacrificing women’s independence and welfare.

Honor Killing in Islamic Arabia

The advent of Islam in the 7th century introduced profound changes to Arabian society, including attempts to reform practices related to honor and justice. Islam brought with it teachings that emphasized principles such as justice, mercy, and the sanctity of human life. The Quran and Hadiths (sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad) guide a wide array of social, moral, and legal issues, advocating for the protection of individual rights and dignity. Islamic law, or Sharia, established more structured and equitable legal frameworks, which included rights for women and children that were revolutionary at the time. For instance, Islam condemned the pre-Islamic Arabian practice of female infanticide and granted women rights to inheritance and divorce.

Thanks to the shortcomings of reforms, the practice of honor killings, deeply embedded in cultural norms, has proven resilient in some communities.

That being said, we must distinguish between cultural practices and religious teachings in this context. Islam, like many world religions, does not endorse honor killings; however, neither does it condone them, providing room for manipulations of cultural norms despite the lack of direct religious mandate. The persistence of honor killings in certain regions is a testament to the complex interplay between tradition, culture, and religion, where cultural practices sometimes overshadow religious principles.

Honor Killing Worldwide

It’d be unfair to single out Arab culture when it comes to honor killings, which are not confined to any single religion, region, or culture. They occur globally, but mainly in the Middle East, South Asia, and North Africa. Communities that practice Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity, and other religions are not immune to such crimes. This universality suggests that the root causes of honor killings lie in patriarchal societal structures and attitudes towards women and family honor rather than in the teachings of any particular faith.

The global challenge posed by honor killings necessitates a structured response. Legal reforms, while essential, are only part of the solution. Many countries have enacted laws explicitly targeting honor killings, imposing severe penalties on perpetrators. However, legal enforcement is often hampered by societal attitudes that may sympathize with the motives behind these crimes. Thus, efforts to eradicate honor killings must also address the underlying social and cultural norms that perpetuate them. This involves educational campaigns aimed at changing attitudes towards women and honor, empowering women through education and economic opportunities, and promoting gender equality as a fundamental human right.

Moreover, religious leaders and communities have a critical role to play in combating honor killings. By unequivocally condemning these practices and clarifying religious teachings on justice, mercy, and the sanctity of life, they can challenge the misuse of religion to justify violence. Interfaith dialogues and collaborations can also be powerful tools in addressing honor killings as a shared human rights issue rather than a problem specific to any one religion or culture.

In a Nutshell

Honor killings are a tragic result of deeply ingrained patriarchal values that still exist in many societies. Their historical roots in pre-Islamic Arabia and persistence in various cultures worldwide underscore the complex relationship between tradition, culture, and religion. While Mohammed sought to reform some notable injustices of pre-Islamic Arabian society toward women, he kept silent on cultural practices like honor killings, which have proven resilient.

Addressing this challenge requires understanding the roots of honor killings and distancing honor killing as a concept from Islam or any other religion. By confronting the patriarchal norms that underlie honor killings and improving education, it has to be possible to move towards a world where honor does not come at the cost of women’s lives; failure is not an option.