• H.E the Mufti, Religious Affairs
• By: UMSC Admin

His Eminence Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, has broken his silence on the decision of estranged husbands to storm the homes of their in-laws to demand a refund of their marriage gifts. The Mufti was prompted to speak about this issue following a statement by Sheikh Erias Kigozi, the Kadhi of Wakiso Muslim District at the wedding ceremony of Ms. Firdausi Mulajje, the daughter of Sheikh Muhammad Mulajje, the Chaplain in charge of Prisons and inmates and Mr. Jamir Musoga Gavamukulya, the son of an elder Gavamukulya Abdu-Majid, from Sonde, Namugongo, in Wakiso.

The joyful event took place at Sheikh Mulajje’s family home at Nagamba Village, Busukuma in Wakiso District on September 3rd, 2023. In his speech, Sheikh Kigozi highlighted the media’s coverage of broken marriages that occur shortly after elaborate weddings. He expressed concern over the trend of husbands visiting their in-laws’ homes to demand a return of marriage gifts. ” Your Eminence, the most embarrassing episode, is seeing husbands storming in-law’s homes while hurling insults and demanding for the return of the gifts they brought during the weddings of their wives,” Sheikh Kigozi remarked. He noted that this is habit is not only embarrassing but also demeaning to both families.
In his response, Mufti Mubaje noted that it is both slanderous and impermissible according to the Holy Quranic Chapter Nisaa-the Women, verses 20-21 for a man to demand marriage gifts once the marriage fails. “Honestly, how can someone demand for such gifts when they have had close intimacies including passion for each other. Is it measurable, or is it also possible to return the passion too? Mufti asked drawing applause from the guests especially women.
He attributed the problem to poor upbringing and the inability to shoulder household responsibilities. Mufti Mubaje also referred to Prophet Muhammad’s teachings, where he encouraged good judgment when selecting sons-in-law. “Instead of taking closer scrutiny of the religious perspective of the would be sons in-laws, majority of family members rather get excited for riches and other material gains. It is one of the major reasons why such people storm your homes demanding for the return of the gifts they gave after they failed to cope up with your daughters,” Sheikh Mubaje pointed out.
Drawing another round of applause among the guests as a lady was heard loudly pleading with Mufti for intervention on husbands who have abandoned homes leading to untold sufferings of children due to lack home basics such as food. ” Oh. I have heard. So, come and present your plight to the UMSC Sharia-department for handling,” he advised.
Mufti Mubaje urged Muslims to instill Islamic values in children to raise up as responsible and God conscientious citizens. He also expressed his connection to Sheikh Mulajje’s family through one elderly aunt, who cared for him during his time as a student at Bugembe Islamic Institute. He recalled how this connection led him to find his first wife, who unfortunately passed away, and how the bride of the day, Firdausi Mulajje, was a former student at Noor Islamic Institute, which he founded in the 1980s. The wedding ceremony was attended by notable guests, including UMSC National Management Committee members, Sheikh Hussein Rajab Kakooza, a member of Majlis Shura Committee among other prominent Sheikhs, Imams, and local leaders. The event highlighted the importance of addressing social challenges and nurturing strong family foundations within the context of Islamic teachings.