Speaking during his weekly Tafsir session at Kaduna’s Sultan Bello Mosque, Gumi addressed the topic ‘How Wives in Islam Can Divorce Cruel Husbands Without Compensation.’ Citing Al-Mukhtasar Al-Khalil, a foundational Maliki jurisprudence text, he stressed that Islam prohibits marital oppression and permits either spouse to end a union when mutual respect erodes.
Gumi lamented societal double standards that allow men to dissolve marriages easily while imposing unfair barriers on women seeking divorce due to abuse, neglect, or humiliation.
“A husband can end a marriage with words, yet a woman seeking freedom from abuse is often forced to pay compensation. This is injustice—Islam condemns oppression,” he stated, referencing Qur’anic verses (4:35, 4:19, 4:130) that sanction separation when harmony is irreparable and mandate equitable treatment.
Condemning rising domestic violence, Gumi criticized husbands who inflict physical or emotional torture but refuse divorce unless compensated (khul’). “When a husband humiliates or beats his wife, he forfeits compensation rights. Judges must dissolve such marriages immediately—no woman should be trapped in misery,” he asserted.
He called on Qadis (Islamic judges) to rule courageously and fairly, ensuring abused wives aren’t compelled to “buy freedom” from tormentors. “The justice system must stand for righteousness. A judge should be a woman’s ally, freeing her from oppression without delay,” he added, quoting Qur’an 4:130: “If they separate, Allah will enrich both from His abundance.”
Gumi, speaking in Hausa, reiterated that Islamic marriage thrives on kindness, mercy, and mutual respect—and absent these, either spouse has the divine right to part with dignity.