Islamabad:
Islam gives every woman the right to accept or reject a marriage proposal without fear or coercion. The constitution of Pakistan reinforces this right under its guarantees of personal freedom and choice. Throughout the country, a woman’s rejection is often not perceived as autonomy, but despite a perceived insult that some men respond to with cruelty, violence or even murder.
These views were expressed by religious scholars, activists and experts, while condemning violence against women as non-Islamic.
On June 2, 2025, Sana Yousaf was shot twice in the chest of Umar Hayat, a man whose repeated suggestions she had fallen.
In another recent case in Rawalpindi, 18-year-old Sidra Bibi was allegedly murdered on orders from a local Jirga after married a man of his election.
In a speech with the app, Maulana Hafiz Muhammad Yasir Attari said, a respected Islamic scholar, “According to Shaiah, a woman has full right to accept or reject a marriage proposal.”
When asked how to seek her permission, the prophet replied, “That she remains silent.” This hadith clearly notes that a woman’s consent is important. No Guardian (Wali), family member or Tribal Council has the authority to override her will.
“Rejection is not a sin,” added Maulana Yasir. “It’s not ungratefulness or rebellion. Islam honors personal preferences and emotional compatibility. To say ‘no’, her Islamic law – difficult, protected and saint.”
By condemning violence in the name of honor, he said: “Violence, honor killings, combustion and suffocation are non-Islamic, unfair and condemned. Forgiveness from the family does not legitimize murders during Sharia. The state must treat such acts as murder and terrorism and prosecute them according to.”
In his July 2025 statement, Pakistan disadvantaged the Council that “Islam strictly forbids honor killings. A woman has full right to marry the man she chooses and no violence or coercion is allowed.”
Dr. Sobia Khateeb, a clinical psychologist and psychosexual therapist, highlighted the emotional dynamic behind such violence.
“Review -driven violence reflects emotional immaturity and fragile masculinity. Boys are not taught how to handle rejection; they equate manhood with control,” she said.
She emphasized that legal reforms alone are inadequate. “We need to raise boys with emotional intelligence and trauma-informed care,” she urged.
Rabbiya A Turkman, journalist and deputy editor of Risala Today pointed out media bias by covering gender -based violence.
“When powerful people are involved, mainstream media becomes silent. Gender-based violence is under-reported. Fortunately, social media steps in to build public pressure and preserve historical items,” she noted.
Muhammad Sanaullah Khan, an educational man at Numl University Islamabad, emphasized the transformative role of the classroom. “Educators need to create safe space to discuss these issues. Through gender equality, consent education and empathy, we can challenge deeply rooted stereotypes,” he said.
Bushra Iqbal Hussain, CEO of Mahfooz Bachpan, criticized law enforcement authorities. “The police often assume that the girl did something wrong. Threats, acid attacks and character assassinations follow. Girls live in fear – not only for themselves, but for their families,” she said.
Hina Mushtaq, a student at Comats Islamabad, reflected on the generational match. “Whether we speak depends on our environment. Fear of judgment silence many of us. But campuses that promote equality help students raise their voices,” she said.
This is not just a legal crisis – it’s a cultural. These tragedies postpone a toxic mixture of patriarchal law, legal loopholes and silence from the powerful. The laws mean a little without enforcement. Honor means nothing when it costs life.
