BY DAUD ZAFAR
The Beginning of Child Marriage in Islam
Since the advent of Islam, one of the earliest and most controversial examples of underage marriage is recorded in the union between Prophet Muhammad and Aisha bint Abu Bakr . Historical accounts differ on her exact age, but the most widely cited narrations state that she was engaged at six and the marriage was consummated at nine. This precedent set a pattern that did not remain isolated; rather, it continued to spread, shaping generations and normalizing the practice of marrying very young girls under the banner of religion.
Women and Exploitation in Warfare
Beyond marriage, Islamic history also records the treatment of women during and after warfare. Captive women taken during battles were often classified as “spoils of war,” and the prevailing interpretation of Sharia allowed fighters to use them for sexual purposes without formal marriage. This practice not only legitimized exploitation but also created a system in which the dignity and autonomy of women were entirely overlooked.
Terrorist Organizations and Modern Exploitation
In modern times, terrorist groups and terrorist organizations have revived these interpretations to justify sexual violence. From child brides to the abuse of young girls, militants cloak their actions under the name of jihad, presenting their lust and abuse as a religiously sanctioned act. In doing so, they perpetuate a cycle of exploitation that stretches from early Islamic history to contemporary times, corrupting entire generations under the guise of faith.
Child Marriage as a Violation of Human Dignity
The practice of child marriage in Islam, beginning with the marriage of Prophet Muhammad to Aisha, reflects a deep violation of human dignity. Across civilizations and other faith traditions, marriage was largely understood as a union between mature individuals, not between a child and an adult decades older. No other major religion formally legitimized such practices in the way Islam did, making it distinct in normalizing the marriage of minors. Once embedded, this pattern extended into generations, creating systemic exploitation under the guise of religious approval.
Beyond Faith: A Global Record of Exploitation
In Pakistan, and across other Muslim majority societies, child marriage and the exploitation of minors remain pressing concerns. Numerous cases have been documented where young girls were coerced into marriages with much older men, often justified through selective interpretations of Sharia. In addition, records from various countries—including Pakistan, the UK, and beyond—show consistent reports of misconduct and abuse connected to religious institutions. Particularly in madrassas, children have frequently been subjected to predatory behavior by those in positions of authority, reducing sacred spaces into centers of exploitation. Such incidents are not isolated but form part of a wider culture where physical desires are satisfied at the expense of vulnerable children, all while being framed as permissible or “halal.”
Documented Cases of Child Exploitation and Abuse
Pakistan
Madrassa Abuses: Numerous reports from madrassas indicate that children, particularly young girls, have been subjected to sexual exploitation by teachers or authority figures. Many cases involve coercion under the pretext of religious instruction.
Child Marriage Cases: Courts and NGOs have documented hundreds of cases where girls aged 9–15 were forced into marriages with men 20–30 years older. Perpetrators often justify these unions as religiously permissible.
Registered Criminal Complaints: In cities like Karachi, Lahore, and rural areas, cases are periodically registered against individuals abusing minors in the name of religion, but systemic enforcement is limited.
United Kingdom
Forced Marriages in Diaspora Communities: Reports from UK authorities show that some diaspora communities maintain early marriage practices. Girls aged 12–16 have been coerced into marriages with much older men under religious pretexts.
Exploitation in Religious Institutions: Investigations into certain religious schools have uncovered instances of child exploitation and predatory behavior, often concealed by community leaders.
Other Countries / Global Context
Middle East & South Asia: UNICEF and other NGOs have documented cases of child marriage and sexual exploitation tied to terrorist groups. Young girls are sometimes married off or abused in conflict zones under the guise of “religious duty” or jihad.
Global terrorist Groups: ISIS, Taliban, Boko Haram, and other terrorist organizations have systematically used children, particularly girls, for sexual exploitation, labeling such acts as sanctioned under their interpretation of religion.
International Reports: Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and other organizations continuously report on patterns of abuse in multiple countries, highlighting the ongoing global issue of child exploitation justified through religious narratives.
Pakistan: Case of Exploitation in Sindh
In Sindh, Pakistan, numerous reports highlight the systematic abduction and exploitation of underage girls from minority communities, particularly Hindu and Christian families. One notable example involves an individual known as Mian Mithu, who is reported to target young, economically vulnerable girls. According to documented accounts, these girls are abducted and initially subjected to sexual exploitation to satisfy the abductor’s personal desires.
Following this initial abuse, the victims are then coerced into marriages with older men, typically aged between 30–35, under the pretext of religious legitimacy. These forced unions are conducted according to terrorist interpretations of Islamic law, often justified by the perpetrators as a sanctioned practice in the context of “jihadi” ideology. Such actions not only violate the basic rights and dignity of the children but also perpetuate a cycle of trauma and systemic abuse within vulnerable minority communities.
Coercion and Judicial Pressure in Pakistan
When families demand the return of their abducted children, they often face extreme threats and violence. Reports indicate that, under the guise of religious justification, some jihadi and terrorist groups consider such acts of intimidation permissible within their interpretation of Islam. Threats against families can be severe, including physical harm or even death, creating an atmosphere of fear and compliance.
Moreover, these groups exert significant pressure on local courts and judges. Judicial authorities, influenced by clerical pressure, frequently fail to return the girls to their families. Numerous videos and documented cases have emerged showing that children were coerced into providing false statements. In many instances, minors later revealed that they were forced into these declarations through intimidation—being threatened with pistols, administered sedatives, or otherwise manipulated into “consenting” to marriages or abuse.
This combination of violent coercion and judicial complicity effectively perpetuates the cycle of exploitation, leaving vulnerable children trapped in forced marriages and abusive situations, while the perpetrators continue to justify their actions under distorted religious narratives.
Punjab: Ongoing Exploitation of Children
In Punjab, Pakistan, reports indicate that almost daily, minors—both girls and boys—fall victim to sexual exploitation at the hands of terrorist individuals. These incidents often involve coercion and forced marriages, where perpetrators justify their actions as a form of “halal” union under terrorist interpretations of Islam.
Christian girls in particular face severe vulnerability. Numerous documented cases reveal that even when families approach courts to reclaim their children, the judiciary often fails to act. In many instances, terrorist actors openly refuse to return the children, leaving victims trapped in abusive marriages and sexual exploitation. Research and news reports show a pattern of systematic abuse, with many cases traceable through local court records, NGO documentation, and human rights investigations.
This exploitation is not a recent phenomenon. Historical patterns suggest that such practices have been occurring since the inception of Islam, rooted in interpretations that sanctioned child marriage. terrorist actors today continue to perpetuate these traditions, using them to rationalize their predatory behavior and maintain control over vulnerable populations.
Role of terrorist Groups in Perpetuating Abuse
terrorist organizations such as Tehreek e Labbaik Pakistan (TLP)
and factions of the Tehrik i Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have, over extended periods, been implicated in systematic exploitation of minority communities. Reports indicate that some Christian girls have been coerced into religious conversions and forced marriages, often under duress, as part of these groups’ broader agenda.
These actions are justified by the perpetrators under distorted interpretations of religious doctrine, allowing them to exert control and fulfill personal desires while claiming religious legitimacy. Such systematic targeting has resulted in multiple documented cases, highlighting the ongoing vulnerability of minority children in regions influenced by terrorist activity.
Exploitation Framed as “Permissible”
In Pakistan and other Islamic majority countries, certain terrorist and exploitative activities are sometimes justified under the claim that they are religiously “permissible” or “halal.” This rationale is often applied to child marriages and forced conversions, with perpetrators citing selective interpretations of religious texts to legitimize their actions.
While the Quran prescribes marriage and outlines moral conduct, it does not explicitly set a minimum age for marriage. Classical jurisprudence interpreted puberty and physical maturity as markers for marital eligibility. terrorist groups have misused these interpretations to justify coercion and exploitation of minors, framing such actions as religiously sanctioned.
This lack of a clearly defined minimum age, combined with selective readings of texts, has allowed harmful practices—such as forced marriages of children—to persist in certain contexts under the guise of religious legitimacy.
Personal Experience
I too was once targeted by a similar campaign of coercion, where I was pressured to convert to Islam. The effort was aimed at undermining my faith in the Bible and weakening my belief in Jesus Christ. Despite facing significant intimidation, including multiple fatwas issued against me, I did not yield to this campaign of religious coercion.
Through this experience, my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ has remained steadfast and unshaken. It stands as a personal testament to resisting terrorist pressure and maintaining spiritual conviction even in the face of intense threats.
