A recent Malaysian fatwa claims (religious edict) that women are obligated to meet their husband’s sexual demands, even if they are on a camel, has left many Muslims in Malaysia and around world infuriated as they saw such calls to be encouraging rape.

The controversial fatwa is attributed to Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria as reported by Malay Mail Online in the context that once married and the dowry is paid, Muslim women, “can’t refuse unless when she’s [on her] period.”

According to the Malaysian cleric, a Muslim woman has “no right” to reject her husband’s call for sex and a man has the right to force himself on her.

“There’s no such thing as rape in marriage,” he continued.

“This is made by European people, why should we follow?” he told the Malay Mail Online.

Some commentators believe that the Malaysian cleric seems to have cherry picked religious teaching which were meant metaphorically and has neglected to mention the many verses of the Quran and Ahadeeth which call for the protection of women and treating them gently.

As such, his remarks have been met with both ridicule and shock in dozens of comments underneath the article in the Malay Mail Online.

“Useless, hopeless and rotten to the core!!” one comment said.

“NO CONSENT = RAPE. End of story,” another user wrote.

On social media, many users poked fun of the edict saying things like wondering how – if the fatwa is to believed – would it be possible for a couple to have sex on top of a camel, others questioned the mufti’s position about having sex in public.

No I will not give my husband sex on a camel. It's considered public offence to have sex in public and is illegal. — Hanie Hidayah (@haniehidayah) April 28, 2015

So we know where humping came from. Camel sex. Yohhhhh Harussani. — Tuanbae Saprais Bong (@bongkersz) April 27, 2015

Let's be practical for a minute.You really want sex on a camel? A person that desperate shouldn't be married at all. http://t.co/zvH2Hhk8Wu — Clarice (@Ricey_25) April 28, 2015

Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:45 - GMT 06:45