Wife Beating in Islamic Law: Difference between revisions

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 ===Wife-Beating in the Qur'an===
-Domestic violence is a societal problem in  many countries, but in the Muslim world it is divinely ordained and justified by the Qur'an.
+Domestic violence is a societal problem in  many countries. Verses in the Qur'an can be misinterpreted to justify this act. Notably, Surah 4:34.
-{{Quote|{{Quran|4|34}}|Men have authority over women because God has made the one superior to the other, and because they spend their wealth to maintain them. Good women are obedient. They guard their unseen parts because God has guarded them. As for those whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and send them to beds apart and '''beat them'''. Then if they obey you, take no further action against them. Surely God is most high.}}
 [[Surah]] 4:34 seems to establish men as having authority over their wives and the women are to be obedient to their husbands. If the wife disobeys the husband, the husband has the right admonish them, send them to beds apart and beat them.
-To have a better understanding of Surah 4:34 other translations will be quoted.
+To have a better understanding of Surah 4:34 Yusuf Ali's translation will be quoted:
-{{Quote|{{Quran|4|34}}|'''Yusuf Ali:''' Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) '''beat them''' (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).
+{{Quote|{{Quran|4|34}}|'''Yusuf Ali:''' Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) '''beat them''' (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).}}
-'''Pickthall:''' Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women).  So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and '''scourge them'''. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High, Exalted, Great.
+This verse is interpreted by some Muslims as giving women complete control over their own income and property, while obliging men to be responsible for maintaining their female relatives.[1] Muslim scholars say that the word "beating" is used in the verse, but it does not mean "physical abuse". They hold the view that it is no more than a light touch by siwak, or toothbrush.[2][3][4][5] Some Muslims, such as Islamic feminist groups, argue that Muslim men use the text as an excuse for domestic violence.[6] However, some have translated "beat" as "separate", as Arabic in its nature is a multi-meaning language, and as such no word has a fixed sole meaning.
-'''Shakir:''' Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and '''beat them'''; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great. )}}
+The Arabic word used above for "beat" is "idribuhunna", which is derived from "daraba" which means "beat". Arabic words that are derived from the word "daraba" do not necessarily mean "hit".  The word "idribuhunna" for instance, could very well mean to "leave" them.  It is exactly like telling someone to "beat it" or "drop it" in English.
-All three translations agree with each other and establish the Qur'an promotes wife-beating. The Qur'an states two methods must be used to make the wife become obedient and if they do not work, then wife-beating is permitted. It also states men have authority over women, and women are to be obedient, thus establishing an authoritarian structure with the husband as head of the wife. In fact the Qur'an states Allah created men to be maintainers of women and men are superior to women, therefore Allah did not create men and women as equals.
+For example, the word "daraba" was used in Verse 14:24 "Seest thou not how Allah sets (daraba) forth a parable? -- A goodly Word Like a goodly tree, Whose root is firmly fixed, And its branches (reach) To the heavens".  "daraba" here meant "give an example".
-The Qur'an also states the prophet Job (Ayyub) was permitted to beat his wife in Surah 38:41-44:
+Furthermore, a common expression in arabic "daraba laka mathal", which means means "give you an example".
-{{Quote|{{Quran-range|38|41|44}}|And remember Our servant Ayyub, when he called upon his Lord: The Shaitan has afflicted me with toil and torment. Urge with your foot; here is a cool washing-place and a drink. And We gave him his family and the like of them with them, as a mercy from Us, and as a reminder to those possessed of understanding. And '''take in your hand a green branch and beat her with It''' and do not break your oath; surely We found him patient; most excellent the servant! Surely he was frequent m returning (to Allah).}}
+Another example to conclusively illustrate the point is shown in Verse 4:94:
+"O ye who believe! When ye go abroad (darabtum) In the cause of Allah, Investigate carefully, And say not to anyone Who offers you a salutation: 'Thou art none of a Believer!' Coveting the perishable good Of this life: with Allah Are profits and spoils abundant.  Even thus were ye yourselves Before, till Allah conferred On you His favours: therefore Carefully investigate.  For Allah is well aware Of all that ye do."
+In the above verse, darabtum means to go abroad.
 ===Wife-Beating in the Hadiths===