October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the United States, and for good reason: The statistics are staggering as well over half of all females’ deaths in America come at the hands of their partners. In fact, about 24 women every minute become victims of domestic violence. 1 Home, meant to be a place of peace and comfort, is often a place of pain and conflict. Many factors play a role, making certain communities more susceptible than others. But no matter the reason for this violence, it can be argued that a belief in a higher power, in accountability and consequences, and in the basic tenants of good character would eliminate this issue plaguing our nation.
Facts and Underlying Reasons
Everyday stressors like finances play a big role leading up to domestic violence. Often, this stress is taken out on the most vulnerable in the home, usually women and children. Many reports show “the lower the income, the higher the prevalence of domestic violence.” (Poverty, Domestic Violence, and the Covid19 Pandemic, 2020)
Further exacerbating the problem is the general lack of resources available to victims in low socioeconomic communities, paired with a lower response time and less presence of law enforcement against the culprits. This perfect storm perpetuates the problem on several levels, and even if the victim reports the crime, they may face insufficient law enforcement support and an unfavorable support system once they leave the abuser, further preventing victims from taking action.
The community’s racial makeup and socio-economic status may influence police response times, with underserved neighborhoods experiencing delays of up to 40 percent2. For protection, victims often seek restraining orders, with close to 2 million issued in the U.S. in 20083 – and likely higher today – 92 percent of which were for domestic violence. What’s more, data shows women of very low socioeconomic status experience little to no decline in reported violence after a restraining order, suggesting they are at an overall higher risk of re-victimization than those in other communities.4
As children, many transgressors were reared in violent homes and continue the pattern into adulthood, with studies showing at least 33 percent of victims becomes abusers.5 Unresolved trauma is often the root of the behavior and the cycle it creates, and so therapy and a lifestyle change must be implemented if change is to be expected. Drug and alcohol use also often fuels violent behavior and are factors in 60 percent of domestic violence incidents. 6 To cope, those involved may further self-medicate with even more drugs and alcohol and may require addiction specialists and other resources to stop the violence.
Islam’s Stand
With its strict prohibition on alcohol and drugs, our religion cuts the problem’s root before it can develop. Muslims must be in control of our senses at all times. Our five daily prayers are scattered throughout the day, must be made on time, and we must be of sound mind and body and clean properly to perform them correctly. This isn’t possible if our faculties are diminished. A sincere connection to Allah (SWT) and awareness of His presence (tawakul) at all times is only possible with a clear thought process. “O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.” (Quran 5:90)
Because we are held accountable for every thought, action, word, and movement, Muslims should strive to be on their best behavior if we want to please Allah. “So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.” (Quran 99:7-8)
Accountability is also critical if Muslims are to support the weak, oppressed, and abused as we are called to do. The Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “There are three persons whose supplications are never rejected: The just leader, the fasting person when he breaks his fast, and the oppressed when he supplicates and whose supplication is raised above the clouds and the gates of heaven are opened for it, and (to whom) Allah will say: ‘By My Glory! I shall assist you, even if it is after a while.'” [At-Tirmithi]
This not only pertains to the oppressor, but also if the oppressed made dua against those who watched in silence without helping.
Muslims also are called to refrain from violence – whether done while impaired or consciously with that intention – and especially against someone much weaker than themselves. Although there are strict guidelines during which violence is allowed, such as self-defense, indiscriminate violence is prohibited. “The Muslim is the one from whose hand and tongue Muslims are safe; and the believer is the one with whom people feel secure with regards to their blood and properties.” [Reported by al-Nasa’I (4995) al-Termidhi (2627) and others on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)]
Islam also places guidelines on another cause of violent episodes – anger. The Prophet (peace be upon him) offered a practical tip for calming anger: “If one of you gets angry while standing, let him sit down. If the anger goes away, then good; if not, then lie down.” (Sunan Abi Dawood) Following this guidance can result in rewards and blessings from Allah (SWT), who encourages man to be patient and kind to women and children.
Sadly, we all likely know someone who is a victim of domestic violence. Even more tragic is the fact that the U.S. had to designate a month allocated to bringing awareness to this epidemic in hopes of curbing it. As subscribers to a religion that shuns this and any type of abuse, encourages stopping oppression, and mentions future punishments for the perpetrators, the responsibility lies even heavier on us to do so.
- Domestic Violence Statistics in the U.S 2025 | Facts About Domestic Violence – The Global Statistics
- (Jannik Linder, Gitnux, April 29, 2025)
- Restraining Orders Issued and in Effect in the U.S. | Communicating with Prisoners
- Do Protection Orders Protect? | Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
- https://scienceoxygen.com/what-percentage-of-abuse-victims-become-abusers/
- Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence: National Statistics
