Honour Killing in Historical Context and Islamic Law

Abstract

The practice of honour killing is a multilayered phenomenon with regard to causes emanating through macro as well as micro level parameters; making it a complex form of disorder in a society, and hence considered one of major social and cultural crimes which human societies fall victim to. It cuts through far past and influences various historical stages devastating moral values in the name of honour. It is recorded as well established phenomenon since Babylon civilization existed and codes of Hammurabi laid down in 1780 BC reflected intense prosecutions for guilty persons who brought shame towards a family or honorable sectors of a society. It continued its effect under similar assumptions through the ages of Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Americans, and stereotype European societies. Later on, it continued its effect to Arabian Peninsula and Middle Eastern states whereby the Islamic ideology was affected due to blaming strategies of Islamic critics. The state of Pakistan felt its vulnerability being susceptible to deteriorating outcomes of honour killing and stepped forward to introduce enlightened legislation to safeguard depressive conditions of women one after another in terms of social, economic, political and educational rights. Pakistan abides by its signatory commitments and thereby follows contents of The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) to promote equality of women in every sector of life. The curse of honour killing residing in the Muslim world is sought to be existed since preIslamic era. The Quran has ordained strict disapproval of honour killing with greater emphasis and thus Islam protects sanctity of women in an extraordinary manner. The opponents of Islam avail all possible chances to throw blame of such heinous crime on Islam, but their intentions are found malicious and vicious.