'Lightly Hitting Is OK': London Mosque Under Investigation After Sermons Urge Men To 'Discipline' Wives And Condone Executing Gay People

A London mosque is facing regulatory scrutiny after sermons published on its YouTube channel allegedly promoted physical discipline of wives and endorsed the execution of people for homosexual acts.

The Hackney Islamic Community Centre, also known as Masjid Daar Al-Hadeeth, has been referred to the Charity Commission after the National Secular Society (NSS) raised concerns about three sermons published online in 2023. The Charity Commission has confirmed that it has opened a regulatory compliance case to assess the concerns.

Sermon Told Men to 'Lightly Hit' Disobedient Wives

One of the sermons was delivered by Islamic teacher Yasin Munye, who was discussing what he described as major sins.

According to the reported transcript, Munye said disobedience could include a wife refusing sexual advances without what he considered a valid excuse, leaving the house without her husband's permission and failing to obey her husband.

He then said husbands should 'discipline them physically' by 'lightly hitting them to show them who is in charge'. Munye also reportedly said that a husband with multiple wives could abandon a wife who remained disobedient and stay with another wife until she became obedient.

The comments have drawn particular criticism because they appear to endorse physical violence within marriage and suggest that women should not refuse their husbands' demands for sex.

Another Speaker Criticised Women for Calling Police

A separate sermon featured mosque scholar Abu Sa'ad Muhammad discussing the responsibilities of wives towards their husbands.

According to reports, Muhammad said women should remain kind to their husbands even when they were mistreated. He also criticised what he described as the reality in Britain, where women could call the police after being assaulted by their husbands.

He reportedly referred to women knowing that if a husband slapped them, they could call the police.

The remarks have added to concerns raised by the NSS about whether the charity's published religious material could contribute to violence or discrimination against women.

Sermon Also Discussed Executing Gay People

Munye's sermon also reportedly addressed homosexuality. He described sexual activity between men as 'one of the most evil acts' and a 'crime', before stating that the punishment under his interpretation of Sharia law was death.

He reportedly went on to discuss different methods of execution described by scholars, including execution by sword and throwing people from tall buildings followed by stoning.

These statements represent the speaker's reported interpretation of religious law and are not a statement of UK law. Homosexuality is not a criminal offence in the UK, and no religious teaching overrides British criminal law.

Charity Commission Opens Compliance Case

The NSS reported the Hackney Islamic Community Centre to the Charity Commission, arguing that the sermons raised serious concerns about the organisation's charitable status.

Megan Manson, the NSS's head of campaigns, said the centre had hosted lectures that promoted violence against women, suggested women could not refuse their husbands sex and condoned the death penalty for gay men and people accused of witchcraft.

The Charity Commission confirmed that concerns had been raised about alleged sermons and social-media content linked to the centre. A spokesperson said the regulator had opened a regulatory compliance case to assess the material and determine what, if any, further action should follow.

Importantly, the opening of a compliance case does not mean the Charity Commission has already established wrongdoing.

Mosque Sermons Were Published in 2023

The sermons at the centre of the controversy were published on the charity's YouTube account in 2023, when the organisation was known as Masjid Imam an-Nawawi.

The videos were subsequently removed after the NSS complaint, according to reports. The organisation's published accounts show it received £191,097 in income in the year to March 2025, including almost £155,000 in direct donations.

The centre has been approached for comment over the allegations.

For now, the Charity Commission's investigation will determine whether the sermons and the organisation's handling of the material breached the regulator's expectations for charities. The case has nevertheless reignited debate about the limits of religious expression when teachings appear to endorse violence, discrimination or punishment against particular groups.