Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, has expressed his disapproval about the new trend of estranged husbands forcibly demanding the return of marriage gifts from their in-laws.
The Mufti’s comment was prompted by statements made by Sheikh Erias Kigozi, the Kadhi of Wakiso Muslim District, during the wedding ceremony of Ms. Firdausi Mulajje, the daughter of Sheikh Muhammad Mulajje, who serves as the Chaplain in Charge of Prisons and Inmates at Uganda Muslim Supreme Council-UMSC, and Mr. Jamir Musoga Gavamukulya, the son of elder Gavamukulya Abdu-Majid, from Sonde, Namugongo at Nagamba Village in Busukuma, Wakiso District on September 3rd, 2023.
In his sermon, Sheikh Kigozi highlighted the prevalent issue of broken marriages that occur shortly after elaborate wedding celebrations. He expressed concern over the practice of husbands entering their in-laws’ homes, using offensive language, and demanding the return of gifts presented during their wives’ weddings.
“Your Eminence, the most distressing episode is witnessing husbands entering in-law homes, hurling insults, and demanding the return of gifts they gave during their wives’ weddings,” Sheikh Kigozi lamented. He pointed out that this behavior is not only embarrassing but also disrespectful to both families.
In response, Mufti Mubaje emphasized that such conduct is both defamatory and impermissible, according to the Holy Quran Chapter Nisaa-the Women, verses 20-21. He questioned the logic behind demanding the return of gifts after the intimate bonds shared between spouses. “How can someone claim such gifts after experiencing the closest of connections, including deep emotional ties? Is this even logically viable?” Mufti Mubaje questioned, eliciting applause from the audience, particularly the women.
Mufti Mubaje attributed this to inadequate upbringing and an inability to fulfill household responsibilities. He referred to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, who advised exercising sound judgment when selecting sons-in-law. He highlighted the irony that more emphasis is often placed on material gains rather than the religious compatibility of prospective in-laws.
This mindset frequently leads to situations where husbands demand the return of gifts when their marriages face challenges, Mufti Mubaje explained. The gathering responded positively to Mufti’s words, particularly a plea from a concerned woman who implored him to address the issue of husbands abandoning their families, leaving behind struggling children without basic necessities like food.
Mufti Mubaje empathetically urged those facing such difficulties to seek assistance from the UMSC Sharia Department. Mufti Mubaje underscored the importance of instilling Islamic values in children to raise responsible and conscientious citizens.
Mufti Addresses Troubling Trend of Husbands Demanding Return of Marriage Gifts
