Marriage in Islam is consent between two people for a lifetime relation that entails a bond and connection between man and woman. Islam a peaceful religion permits a person to select his/her spouse with freedom of choice as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) entire biography is a beacon, guidance for the ignorant ones to shred illegal, un-Islamic customs that violates Shariah.

Tradition of “Haq Bakhshish” in which a woman is forced to marry the Holy Quran is a custom that has paved path in the rural areas of Sindh and some areas of Punjab. A deviant practice under the guise of one’s life to marry Quran is vehemently despicable and ludicrous ritual practiced in the pursuit of Islam. Islam does not allow a man to have might authority to dump a woman in name of religion. This shameful and eye-opening practice since long, has frowned upon by all religious scholars and much of mainstream Islam but is still observed in secret.

Islam is the only religion that has imparted liberation for women in freedom of choices, civil or social rights. Woman are permissible to marry a man of her choice even can deviate from marriage if the man is not of her choice. Once a woman when came to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the same regard, he asked her to annul the marriage as Hadith narrates it as:

“A woman came to the Prophet and complained that her father had married her to his nephew without asking her consent first. She stated that the purpose of that marriage was that her father wanted his reputation enhanced through that marriage. The Prophet invalidated that marriage. When he had done, and the woman was free again, she said to the Prophet: “Now I am free. I willingly consent to this marriage. I only wanted it to be known that men have no say over women in their marriages.” [Ibn E Majah]

Rituals of Fuedals have Ruined lives of Women

The feudal lords of Sindh and Punjab consider their sisters, daughters and wives a salve hence their lives are obliterated. The custom is practiced for financial reasons rather Islamic in which the woman of their tribe is asked to marry Quran in order to grab the part of land they supposedly own by Shariah laws. Countries have touched the skies and the feudal Lords are still in the era of Jahilia when people used to bury their daughters as a sign of curse. Question looms that why no one reports or takes action against it if this is so highly shameful and terrifying? Reason is political! These Lords are the vote banks to the politicians and taking step against them by tampering their actions is to lose votes that eventually will dragger their position and seats in parliament.

Practice of the Syeds

The direct descendents of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) of honorable blood are Syeds. When they find no match deem suitable for their daughters and sisters then they ask them to marry Quran to barricade the inclusion of any foreign blood and person to their family. It is vividly eminent from the teachings of Quran that Allah has allocated no distinction in Islam pertaining to pure or impure bloods. Allah says that He divided people into Nations for recognition rather to bless someone of mighty ranks because the level of distinction in front of Him is none but piety.

“O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.” [Quran 49:13]

Haq Bakhshish ceremony

Haq Bakhshis is a horrific ritual in which women are made pawn for men ego satisfaction and to prevent redistribution of land, a ritual that deserves no rational explanation. Woman is asked to take bath later she is dressed in red sequined clothes draping in an enveloping dark chadar. The Quran bride ties Saheefa on her navel or arm and is not permissible to approach any male afterwards. Even in some areas, she is considered “Holy Mother” whose prayers go unanswered because of special blessings of Allah upon her which is sheer foolishness.

Islam is against sinful acts

Islam holds such marriages void and allow the woman to marry anyone of her choice. This is nothing but utter barbarism in name of Islam as after comprehensible commandments in the sacred scriptures it is appalling that such awful rituals still exist among Muslims that flogged females like herd. The dilemma is that ironically all the educated male of the clan are the practitioners and know deep down that this is horrific to ruin the life of a living soul. Had it not against Islamic laws the male prior marriage wont plea apology from their female members.

Aforementioned  jaw struck customs are alien to religion Islam because such heinous practices have no significance nor are acceptable in sight of Allah Almighty. Such are the practices that give an obvious reason to West for prevailing negative image regarding Islam entitling it with the epithet of Prejudice religion for Females. Had Islam was in favor of these pathetic rituals it would have not banned burying females alive in the period of utter darkness. These are all major sins which has heavy penalty in Islam and not forgivable in sight of Allah the Exalted Rab of Universe.

“If you avoid the major sins which you are forbidden, We will remove from you your lesser sins and admit you to a noble entrance [into Paradise].” [Quran 4:31]

Man is the keeper and protector of household, is responsible for all such events, and will be answerable at the Day of Resurrection.

“O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded. [Quran 66:6]

Such incidents however are reported less in current time but still they do exist and no religion including Islam permit the oppression and subjugation of women in name of Islam. The liberated women should help the women of rural areas to eradicate these condemnable practices along the blood-sucking leeches who have protected themselves under political chauvinists.