An-Nisa, 34

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This is a sub-article of an-Nisa.

Verse 34 of an-Nisa is one of the more controversial verses, since some interpret it as a husband does have the right to strike his wife given some conditions.

Contents

[edit] Verse

This verse suggests the treatment of women when a man fears desertion, often cited by Critics of Islam regarding Rights and obligations of spouses in Islam.

[edit] Related hadiths

[edit] Exegis

The Qur'an states that men are the guardians of women(he is responsible for earning livelihood for his family and the woman is responsible to educate the children),because God has given the one more preference than the other . This statement is generally presented to show that man is the head of a family unit.[2] The Qur'an asks wives to be obedient and adaptable to their husbands. Wives should also keep the secrets of their husbands and protect their honor and integrity. Islamic scholars consider this important in running a smooth family system.[3]

If a wife adopts a rebellious behaviour or defies the authority of husband, a husband should urge his wife to mend her ways. The word used by the Qur’an is wā'z (‘وَعَظ’) which means that she can be admonished and also scolded to some extent in this regard. If she continues this behaviour then intimate marital relations with her should be suspended. And even if she doesn't mend her way, she should be punished physically. This punishment should obviously be similar to the one a teacher gives to a student or that a father gives to his children. The Qur’an says that if the wife mends her ways, a husband should not look for revenge and vengeance, and then asks husbands that they should not misuse their authority as God is the most authoritative.[3]

Most commentators have accepted that idribûhunna means "beat", but have imposed strict limits of the severity of the beating allowed, and have indicated that it is better not to beat than to beat (as indicated in the above Hadiths). Furthermore, if the beating leaves bruises, the husband can be sued according to Islamic law.

Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, a 20th century Sunni Islamic scholar writes:

The medieval jurist ash-Shafi'i, founder of one of the main schools of fiqh, commented on this verse that "hitting is permitted, but not hitting is preferable". Likewise:

Ibn Kathir, a 14th century Sunni Shafi'i Islamic scholar writes:

Muhammad Asad, a 20th century Sunni Islamic scholar writes:

Ahmad Shafaat, a 21th century Sunni Islamic scholar says:

Yusuf al-Qaradawi, a 21th century Sunni Islamic scholar, head of the European Council for Fatwa and Research, says that:

The Qur'an asks the believers that if they are fearful of breaking the limits in keeping the family intact, they should seek arbitration. Some Muslims present this verse to argue that the Qur'an favors arbitration over beatings. As the Qur'an states:

John Esposito, a 21th century non-Muslim Islamic scholar writes that Quranic passages that talk about rights of women and counsel that they be treated justly and equitably, regulations were enacted such as the “house of obedience”, which has been misused by husbands.[9]

Some, specially Qur'an aloners, interpret the verse to mean that the third step in fact instructs the huband to leave the wife, not strike [10].

[edit] References

  1. ^ Jamal Badawi, The status of women in Islam
  2. ^ Amin Ahsan Islahi, Tadabbur-i-Qur'an, 2nd ed., vol. 2, (Lahore: Faran Foundation, 1986), p. 278
  3. ^ a b Javed Ahmed Ghamidi, Mizan, Chapter:The Social Law of Islam
  4. ^ Tafheem Al-Qur'an
  5. ^ Tafsir Al-Qur'an Al-Azim
  6. ^ The Message of the Quran, Dar al-Andalus, Gilbralter, 1980, footnote in his translation of the Koran
  7. ^ Ahmad ShafaatTafseer of Surah an-Nisa, Ayah 34, (1984, Revised 2000)
  8. ^ Yusuf al-Qaradawi The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam, 1984.
  9. ^ John Esposito, ‘‘Islam: The Straight Path, p.99, 3rd Edition. Oxford University Press, 2005
  10. ^ http://www.free-minds.org/women/beating.htm