Take A Stand: Introducing Muslim Men Against Domestic Abuse
Please visit our website www.mmada.org, sign our pledge, and spread the word far and wide. Also, please join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=79932444656.
Muslim Men Against Domestic Abuse (MMADA) is an organization dedicated to domestic tranquility. By joining our group, you make a commitment never to engage in, support, or remain silent about the physical, psychological, and emotional abuse of Muslim and non-Muslim women and children.
We aim to provide educational resources and serve as a tool for advocacy and counseling. Recognizing that domestic abuse is merely a symptom of much larger social, institutional, and individual pathologies, we seek to identify and eradicate its root causes. We do so with the belief that our religion calls us to stand for justice and reject all forms of oppression.
Despite our focus on women and children, we recognize that the victims of domestic abuse include men, and that this is a phenomenon that should not be ignored or overlooked. And though we are an organization comprised of men, we reject the notion that men are the exclusive arbiters of morality.
We pray that our intention in establishing this organization is not to please any particular audience, but rather to work toward the betterment of society for the sake of God alone.
Allahu Akbar.
JazakuAllahkhairun.
Alhamdulillah, an excellent effort.
subhanAllah. definitely needed.
I don't know whether this is within the scope of MMADA, but as someone whose dealt with situations such as these before, perhaps a few suggestions that may increase benefit:
– Provide information about local and national resources for those wishing to deal with abuse (this does not mean just how to leave such a situation, which is often difficult to do; but emotional tips, spiritual ones, ways to get psychological help, etc.) This should not be limited to Muslim resources only; in southern California, for example, there are shelters working with Muslim organizations to accommodate Muslims who reside with them, in order to provide them with proper food, a place to pray, etc. There are also a lot of mainstream organizations that do good.
– Give the Islamic backing for what exactly is forbidden in Islam with regards to abuse. I would recommend a statement drafted by, and signed by, a wide range of scholars. It would be amazing to see our scholars sign a pledge to help the victims of abuse when dealing with such situations, rather than counseling the victim to have patience or ignoring it all together.
– The angle of child abuse: there is relatively little available on what Islam says about children who are abused (believe me, I have done the research; perhaps I am not looking in the right places). This is a lot more widespread then we would like to accept, and it is important for those children to not constantly hear that they should be obedient to their parents, when their parents are constantly abusing them (emotionally, verbally, physically). It has always been difficult to approach such situations because I never know what to say to such victims.
may Allah reward you on a much-needed effort!
Do you know who's part of this organization? It's kinda shady that they don't have any names on there.
Yes, there are a group of people, one of who is my former Islamic Studies professor.
This is a great organization and I'm glad to see brothers come together and start such an organization.
Ironically enough, I am launching my non-profit organization for DV as well (this one is not limited to just Muslim brothers). Please check it out and support any way you can at http://www.i-appreciate.org.
Keep up the great work and most importantly please make dua'a for us.
MashaAllah very nice initiative. May Allah grant barakah in the efforts. That's how the gheerah of Muslim men toward women should be like!
Asalamu Alaykum,
Jazak'Allah khayr.
What I believe and hope would help insha'Allah, and Allah Knows Best, is a clear, simple, succinct, and well-established scholarly analysis of why domestic abuse is forbidden in Islam.
I do not feel that the name of this organization goes far enough and could unintentionally serve as a misnomer, despite it's intentions. Take for example and organization called Muslim Men Against Alcohol Abuse. Well, of course, they are supposed to be, Alcohol is forbidden in Islam. The same goes with oppression and abuse in Islam – inclusive of which is domestic abuse – and that nees to be made very clear upfront, and Allah knows Best.
I am willing to help out and even write on this topic, and have the shuyookh go over it insha'Allah. Imam Suhaib has my contact if you do not already through this website.
Barak'Allah feek.
Cool. They might want to QA their site. 😀
They should work with major Muslim organizations to establish themselves.
it's commonplace to refer to someone who has experienced trauma and abuse to be called “Survivor” instead of “Victim”
Assalaamu 'alaykum wa jazakumAllahu khayran.
I'm actually one of the administrators of Muslim Men Against Domestic Abuse. Thanks so much for your suggestions and support. We thus far have decided not to list our names on our webpage, but if people are concerned about this, we may have to reconsider. As for the name of the organization, we just added this to our “Clarifications” section:
Consider an organization like “Mothers Against Drunk Driving” (MADD). Though there are countless mothers opposed to drunk driving (and drinking in the first place), members of MADD are attempting to take a stand. In other words, the term “Against” implies “Taking A Stand Against.” The same is true of our organization. And, needless to say, there are many who do not regard domestic abuse as immoral.
Thanks again for your suggestions. Please make du'a for us!
Assalaamu alaykum and jazakum Allahu khayran for your support.
Regarding the name of the organization, consider an organization like “Mothers Against Drunk Driving” (MADD). Though there are countless mothers opposed to drunk driving (and drinking in the first place), members of MADD are attempting to take a stand. In other words, the term “Against” implies “Taking A Stand Against.” The same is true of Muslim Men Against Domestic Abuse. And, needless to say, there are many who do not regard domestic abuse as immoral.
Please pray for us. And if you would like to help, please let us know!
Assalaamu alaykum wa jazakumAllahu khayran.
In terms of the name of the organization, this comes from the MMADA webpage:
Is not the name of your organization a misnomer since Islam forbids domestic abuse in the first place?
Response: Consider an organization like “Mothers Against Drunk Driving” (MADD). Though there are countless mothers opposed to drunk driving (and drinking in the first place), members of MADD are attempting to take a stand. In other words, the term “Against” implies “Taking A Stand Against.” The same is true of our organization. And, needless to say, there are many who do not regard domestic abuse as immoral
jazak'Allah khayran for your efforts, i really support your positive efforts, and may Allah support your efforts, and may Allah bless and accept from you.
i highly recommend a definitive, brief, and scholarly statement with proof signed by a leader or a few leaders in the community – like shuyookh for example – so that any doubt can be removed. what really may be needed and Allahu Allam, is someone visible in the community taking a visible stance, so that the community follows suit insha'Allah.
it's very simple, when one of the wives of the Prophet SAW told him to shave his head at hudaybiyyah, he did, and then the rest of the sahabah followed suit.
our sisters, mothers, daughters, and helpers in faith deserve that much.
and like i mentioned before, i would be willing to try and help with that insha'Allah and even consult with shuyookh to discuss this topic, insha'Allah.