Assalamu Alaikum - Beware of traps targeting Muslim women
Assalamu Alaikum. I want to talk about something personal and painful. A close relative of mine fell into a trap and her life has been ruined - I can’t change what happened, but I hope sharing this helps others. There are people, often non‑Muslim men motivated by hatred toward Islam, who pretend to love Muslim women to take advantage of them. In some places this has been organized - they woo a hijabi or niqabi, gain her trust, then coerce her into sexual acts, secretly record or photograph her (sometimes leaving her partially clothed with her hijab on), and use those images to blackmail her or publish them online. They brag about it to friends, call it “conquest,” and treat Muslim women like trophies. It’s a deliberate attack on our dignity and faith, and it destroys lives and families. In some cases women were pressured to leave Islam or were cut off from family because of the shame and fear the abusers created. This isn’t only happening in one country - I’ve seen similar things reported from different regions, including Western countries. Far‑right and Islamophobic men often drive this behavior, but it can come from others too. They use photos, edits, and now AI to make things even worse. Don’t assume it’s only an online joke or a harmless fetish - it’s exploitation and a form of hatred. Brothers: you have a responsibility to protect your sisters, wives, daughters, and female relatives. We will be asked about how we safeguarded our families from harm. Sisters: please be careful about people who seem overly sweet or flattering right away. Trust your instincts, talk to family, and don’t isolate yourself with someone you don’t truly know. We shouldn’t shame victims - we must support them and help them get to safety. Share this warning with the Muslim women you know. If any of you have a public voice, please raise awareness so more sisters are warned. If you suspect someone is being targeted, intervene safely and involve trusted family or community leaders. If someone is being blackmailed or abused, help them get legal help and counseling - and remind them they are not to blame. I’m saying all this because I’ve seen the damage firsthand. Please take it seriously and look out for one another. May Allah protect our sisters and guide us to safeguard our community. Jazakum Allahu khairan.