Muslims Forum For Peace

BENGALURU: A 55-year-old merchant (Mefuz), who is also the father of a Muslim cleric has been arrested on charges of raping a six-year-old girl inside a mosque in Karnataka's Chikkaballapura district.

The Islamic point of view on such a horrifying and tragic incident—rape, especially of a child, and inside a mosque—is one of complete condemnation, with severe moral, legal, and spiritual consequences.

1. Rape in Islam: A Major Crime (Fahisha)

Rape is absolutely forbidden (haram) in Islam and is considered one of the most heinous acts.

It is a violation of another person’s body, dignity, and soul.

Surah An-Nur (24:2) prescribes severe punishment for fornication or adultery; scholars extend this to rape with harsher implications, as it involves violence and coercion.

“Indeed, those who like that immorality should be spread [or done] among the believers will have a painful punishment…” — Qur’an 24:19

2. Punishment According to Islamic Law

Under Islamic criminal law (Hudood and Tazir), the rapist may face:

Death penalty, or

Flogging + exile, or

Life imprisonment

The punishment is especially severe when:

The victim is a minor (child),

The act is done in a sacred place, like a mosque, and

The perpetrator is in a position of trust or religious authority.

3. Sin of Defiling the Mosque

A mosque is a sacred place meant for prayer, peace, and spiritual purification.

Committing any immoral act, let alone rape, inside a mosque is a grave violation.

The Qur’an (9:17) says:
"It is not for those who associate others with Allah to maintain the mosques of Allah while witnessing against themselves with disbelief..."

Such an act turns the person into an enemy of not just people, but of God's sanctity itself.

4. Betrayal of Trust and Religious Hypocrisy

If the accused is related to a religious leader, it does not shield him from blame—in fact, it adds to the severity, as it involves hypocrisy (nifaq) and betrayal of community trust.

Islam does not spare criminals, regardless of title, status, or lineage.

“By Allah, if Fatimah the daughter of Muhammad stole, I would cut off her hand.” — Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Bukhari & Muslim)

Conclusion: Islam Strongly Condemns Such Acts

This incident is not a reflection of Islam, but a crime against it.

The accused, if proven guilty, deserves severe punishment in this world and faces the wrath of Allah in the Hereafter.

Muslims are commanded to stand for justice, even if it is against their own people.