"In fifteen centuries, Islam has never sanctioned any form of family violence. How then did this scourge become widespread in the Muslim community? As in other religions, Islamic law that forbids such practices has been systematically decontextualized by patriarchal scholars whose dogma dismisses the socially inclusive, inalienable rights bestowed upon women by Islam. To remain relevant to the human experience, legal rulings must adapt to changing social norms while upholding the core Qur'anic values of mercy and justice. To eradicate family violence, it is time for Muslim scholars to stop blindly following literalist interpretations of Islamic texts and strive for novel interpretations that are based on classical methodologies. This is not thinking outside the box; rather, it is extending the boundaries of the box in which Muslims think. This fatwa is an effort to generate sustainable social change among Muslims and to help others better understand and address Islam's prohibition of domestic violence"--P. [4] of cover.