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"Men are overseers over women, by reason of that wherewith Allah hath made one of them excel over another, and by reason of that which they expend of their substance. Wherefore righteous women are obedient, and are watchers in husbands absence by the aid and protection of Allah. And those wives whose refractoriness ye fear, exhort them, and avoid them in beds, '''and beat them'''; but if they obey you, seek not a way against them; verily Allah is ever Lofty, Grand." }}The word "wadribuuhunna" means "beat them (i.e. the wives of men)," yet modern Islamic [[Dawah|du'aah]], embarrassed about this obvious command for men to beat their wives in the Qur'an, have claimed rather that this verb means to "separate from them" or to "strike them out (sic)." All the verses that contain ''daraba'' against a human are understood to mean "beat" or "strike" that human, by their context, and this is agreed upon by these obscure "modern" translations. The only reason to translate the verb "daraba" to mean "separate from them" is to obfuscate the meaning of the verse for modern readers who view the injunction for men to beat their wives as barbaric, inhumane, incompatible with modern human rights. The attempts to translate this word in this way | "Men are overseers over women, by reason of that wherewith Allah hath made one of them excel over another, and by reason of that which they expend of their substance. Wherefore righteous women are obedient, and are watchers in husbands absence by the aid and protection of Allah. And those wives whose refractoriness ye fear, exhort them, and avoid them in beds, '''and beat them'''; but if they obey you, seek not a way against them; verily Allah is ever Lofty, Grand." }}The word "wadribuuhunna" means "beat them (i.e. the wives of men)," yet some modern Islamic [[Dawah|du'aah]] and proponents of progressive Islam, embarrassed about this obvious command for men to beat their wives in the Qur'an, have claimed rather that this verb means to "separate from them" or to "strike them out (sic)." All the verses in the [[Qur'an]] that contain ''daraba'' against a human (as a direct object) are understood to mean "beat" or "strike" that human, by their context, and this is agreed upon by these obscure "modern" translations. The only reason to translate the verb "daraba" to mean "separate from them" is to obfuscate the meaning of the verse for modern readers who view the injunction for men to beat their wives as barbaric, inhumane, incompatible with modern human rights. The attempts to translate this word in this way are novel, done only for audiences in majority non-Muslim countries, and fly in the face of over a thousand years of Islamic commentary and exegesis. | ||
==Modern Claims== | ==Modern Claims== | ||
An argument has been presented on some ( | An argument has been presented on some Islamic websites ( exclusively geared towards western audiences) and by some Muslims and apologists which claim to have "modern" translations of the [[Qur'an]]<ref>Such as [http://free-minds.org Free-Minds.org] and [http://progressive-muslims.org Progressive-Muslims.org]</ref>, which claims that the Arabic verb "ضرب" "daraba" means something other than to "strike" "beat" or "hit." Alternatives offered include "separate from them" or somewhat nonsensically for a native English speaker "strike them out." The people making these claims are generally seeking to "reform" [[Islam]], but this translation flies in the face of over a thousand years of understanding of the Arabic language, by Muslims and non-Muslims alike. These apologetic arguments are clearly directed people of a westernized/liberal background with little to no knowledge of Arabic, as any Muslim who has an adequate command of the [[Arabic]] language or any non-Muslim Arab, or any non-Arabic speaking Muslim familiar with the [[hadith]] and [[tafsir]] text [[Wife Beating in Islamic Law#Islamic_Scriptures_and_Wife-Beating|related to this issue]], will find the claim being presented to be ridiculous and prima facia untenable. Despite this, the obviously incorrect translation of this verb can be found in prominent cases such as that of Laleh Bakhtiar, an American Muslim apologist. She went so far as to incorporate this incorrect translation into her translation of the Qur'an, a translation which the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) refused to sell in their bookstore for its inaccuracy. | ||
==Agreed-Upon Translations== | ==Agreed-Upon Translations== | ||
Almost all Qur'anic professional translators in English have translated the term as "beat them". | Almost all Qur'anic professional translators in English have translated the term as "beat them". | ||
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{{quote ||"...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." <ref>[http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/k/koran/koran-idx?type=DIV0&byte=114839 Quran 4:34 - Zayid]</ref> }} | {{quote ||"...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." <ref>[http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/k/koran/koran-idx?type=DIV0&byte=114839 Quran 4:34 - Zayid]</ref> }} | ||
'''Muhammad Asad:''' | '''Muhammad Asad:''' | ||
{{quote ||"...And as for those woolen whose ill-will" you have reason to fear, admonish them [first]; then leave them alone in bed; then '''beat them''' and if thereupon..." <ref name="ia4-34"/> }} | {{quote ||"...And as for those woolen whose ill-will" you have reason to fear, admonish them [first]; then leave them alone in bed; then '''beat them''' and if thereupon..." <ref name="ia4-34"/> }}'''Sahih International:'''{{quote ||"...but those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them...." }} | ||
==Qur'anic Meanings== | ==Qur'anic Meanings== | ||
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===Ten Meanings for "Hit"=== | ===Ten Meanings for "Hit"=== | ||
Ten of these metaphorical/derived meanings are as follows (note that the nouns in the brackets are the objects to be hit): | |||
# | #Set out (''Road'') | ||
#Click (''Mouse'') | #Click (''Mouse'') | ||
#Drink (''Bottle'') | #Drink (''Bottle'') | ||
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===Examples:=== | ===Examples:=== | ||
#When an English speaker "hits the road," [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= | #When an English speaker "hits the road," [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY4jondX6tg as in this famous song], it means he "departed" or "set out." It surely doesn't mean he got a hammer and hit the road with it. The base meaning of "hit" remains untouched when not used with "the road." | ||
#When an English speaker says they will "hit the Mouse," they mean to say they will "click on the mouse." The base meaning of "hit" remains untouched when not used with "the mouse." | #When an English speaker says they will "hit the Mouse," they mean to say they will "click on the mouse." The base meaning of "hit" remains untouched when not used with "the mouse." | ||
#When an English speaker says they'll "hit the bottle," what they really mean is, they'll "drink the bottle" or "drink alcohol heavily." The base meaning of "hit" remains untouched when not used with "the bottle." | #When an English speaker says they'll "hit the bottle," what they really mean is, they'll "drink the bottle" or "drink alcohol heavily." The base meaning of "hit" remains untouched when not used with "the bottle." | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''daraboo ضَرَبُوا۟'' is derived from ''daraba'', meaning " | ''daraboo ضَرَبُوا۟'' is derived from ''daraba ضرب'', meaning "hit" 'beat" or "strike." ''Fee في'' literally means "in". ''Al-Ardi'' ٱلْأَرْضِ means "the land" or "the earth." Thus, the whole statement ''daraboo fee al-ardi'' ضَرَبُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ translates literally as "hit in the land", with a meaning of something like "hit the road" that is "'''to travel'''", a clearly figurative extension of the main meaning of the verb, "hit." | ||
"Hit" here gives this meaning only when it is against "land"; it is a well-known expression in Arabic. | "Hit" here gives this meaning only when it is against "land"; it is a well-known expression in Arabic. | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''darabtum fee al-ardi ضَرَبْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ'' literally meaning " | ''darabtum fee al-ardi ضَرَبْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ'' literally meaning "you (plural) hit in the land" again meaning here "'''to travel'''" or to move across the land. | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''yadriboona fee al-ardi'' يَضْرِبُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ literally meaning " | ''yadriboona fee al-ardi'' يَضْرِبُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ literally meaning "they hit in the land" again meaning here "'''to travel'''" or to move across the land. | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''darban fee al-ardi'' ضَرْبًا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ literally " | ''darban fee al-ardi'' ضَرْبًا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ literally "a hit in the land" again meaning "'''moving about in the land'''." | ||
===Meaning number 2: To set up or place=== | ===Meaning number 2: To set up or place=== | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''faduriba baynahum bisoorin'' فَضُرِبَ بَيْنَهُم بِسُورٍ literally " | ''faduriba baynahum bisoorin'' فَضُرِبَ بَيْنَهُم بِسُورٍ literally "a wall was struck between them" which is understood as "'''a wall was placed between them'''." | ||
===Meaning number 3: To give examples=== | ===Meaning number 3: To give examples=== | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''daraba Allahu mathalan ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا'' literally " | ''daraba Allahu mathalan ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا'' literally "Allah struck an example", meaning "'''he gave an example.'''" | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''Waidrib lahum mathala'' وَٱضْرِبْ لَهُم مَّثَلَ literally "'''and struck for them an example.'''" | ''Waidrib lahum mathala'' وَٱضْرِبْ لَهُم مَّثَلَ literally "'''and struck for them an example'''" meaning "'''and he gave an example.'''" | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''wayadribu Allahu al-amthala وَيَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْأَمْثَٰلَ'' literally meaning "'''And Allah hits the examples.'''" | ''wayadribu Allahu al-amthala وَيَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْأَمْثَٰلَ'' literally meaning "'''And Allah hits the examples'''" with the meaning that "'''he Allah provides the examples.'''" | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''Daraba lakum mathalan'' ضَرَبَ لَكُم مَّثَلًا literally meaning "'''struck an example for you.'''" | ''Daraba lakum mathalan'' ضَرَبَ لَكُم مَّثَلًا literally meaning "'''struck an example for you'''" meaning and "'''and he set forth for you all an example.'''" | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''darabna liInnasi fee hatha alqur-ani min kulli mathalin وَلَقَدْ ضَرَبْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِى هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ'' literally meaning "'''We have struck in this Quran for every example for the people.'''" | ''darabna liInnasi fee hatha alqur-ani min kulli mathalin وَلَقَدْ ضَرَبْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِى هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ'' literally meaning "'''We have struck in this Quran for every example for the people'''" meaning "'''we have given an example for the people in this Qur'an.'''" | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''Walaqad darabna liInnasi fee hatha alqur-ani min kulli mathalin وَلَقَدْ ضَرَبْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِى هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ'' literally meaning "'''And we have struck in this Quran from every example for the people | ''Walaqad darabna liInnasi fee hatha alqur-ani min kulli mathalin وَلَقَدْ ضَرَبْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِى هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ'' literally meaning "'''And we have struck in this Quran from every example for the people'''" | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''Daraba Allahu mathalan'' literally meaning "'''Allah | ''Daraba Allahu mathalan ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا'' literally meaning "'''Allah stuck an example'''" | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''bima daraba liIrrahmani mathalan'' literally meaning "'''in the examples | ''bima daraba liIrrahmani mathalan'' بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ مَثَلًا literally meaning "'''in the examples struck by the Merciful'''" with a meaning of "in the examples given by the merciful." | ||
'''Verse:''' 43.58 '''Object:''' Example | '''Verse:''' 43.58 '''Object:''' Example | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''ma daraboohu laka'' ۚ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ literally "'''what they have struck it for you | ''ma daraboohu laka'' ۚ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ literally "'''what they have struck it for you'''" The thing that is struck here is, from its previous verse {{Quran|43|57}}, is an example; the meaning is thus " | ||
'''Verse:''' 59.21 '''Object:''' Example | '''Verse:''' 59.21 '''Object:''' Example | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''watilka al-amthalu nadribuha liInnasi'' literally meaning "'''and these are the examples that we | ''watilka al-amthalu nadribuha liInnasi'' وَتِلْكَ ٱلْأَمْثَٰلُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ literally meaning "'''and these are the examples that we struck for the people'''" | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''Daraba Allahu mathalan'' literally meaning "'''Allah has | ''Daraba Allahu mathalan ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا'' literally meaning "'''Allah has strikes an example'''" and with a meaning | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''Wadaraba Allahu mathalan'' literally meaning "'''And Allah has | ''Wadaraba Allahu mathalan وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا'' literally meaning "'''And Allah has strikes an example'''" meaning "'''and Allah has given an example.'''" | ||
===Meaning number 4: To take away, to ignore=== | ===Meaning number 4: To take away, to ignore=== | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''Afanadribu | ''Afanadribu 'ankumu aIththikra'' أَفَنَضْرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّكْرَ literally meaning "'''shall we strike the remembrance from you'''" meaning "shall we forget to remind you." Again, this is a known expression. | ||
===Meaning number 5: To condemn=== | ===Meaning number 5: To condemn=== | ||
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}} | }} | ||
This verse mentions the verb ''daraba'' twice. In the first occurrence, it says ''walyadribna bikhumurihinna AAala juyoobihinna وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ ۖ'' literally meaning "'''and they should strike their veils over their bosoms'''," meaning they should place their veils over their bosoms or cover their bosoms. | This verse mentions the verb ''daraba ضرب'' twice. In the first occurrence, it says ''walyadribna bikhumurihinna AAala juyoobihinna وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ ۖ'' literally meaning "'''and they should strike their veils over their bosoms'''," meaning they should place their veils over their bosoms or cover their bosoms. | ||
In the second occurrence, ''wala yadribna bi-arjulihinna وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ'' literally means "'''they should not hit their feet''';" and here "hit" is meant literally as "hit" or "strike." | In the second occurrence, ''wala yadribna bi-arjulihinna وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ'' literally means "'''they should not hit their feet''';" and here "hit" is meant literally as "hit" or "strike." | ||
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Another two instances of " | Another two instances of "daraba" here: ''yadribu Allahu alhaqqa waalbatila يَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْحَقَّ وَٱلْبَٰطِلَ ۚ'' literally meaning "'''Allah hits the truth and the vanity'''," as in "Allahs explains the truth and the vanity." | ||
<br /> | |||
====The Main Meaning: To Strike or Beat==== | |||
The main meaing of "daraba" is to hit or strike, including with a sword where the meaning should be rendered in English as "cut", "chop", or "chop off." | |||
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''idrib | ''idrib bi'asaka alhajara ٱضْرِب بِّعَصَاكَ ٱلْحَجَرَ'' literally meaning "'''hit the rock.'''" | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''idriboohu bibaAAdiha'' literally means "'''beat him with part of her.'''" The one to be beaten is the dead man [a whole human], which is the equivalent of the wife [a whole human] who is to be beaten as instructed in verse 4:34. The only possible meaning here for '' | ''idriboohu bibaAAdiha ٱضْرِبُوهُ بِبَعْضِهَا'' literally means "'''beat him with part of her.'''" The one to be beaten is the dead man [a whole human], which is the equivalent of the wife [a whole human] who is to be beaten as instructed in verse 4:34. The only possible meaning here for ''daraba'' is "strike" or "beat." The mysterious translation of "separate from them" that was used instead of "beat" in 4:34 cannot be applied here, as the cow and the man were '''definitely not connected''' in any way to be "separated." This verse confirms for us, that when you are told to "''daraba"'' a man, it means to strike or beat them. Thus, it is logical to conclude that ''daraba'' against a woman will also mean to "strike" or "beat" them, not "separate". | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''idrib | ''idrib bi'asaka alhajara ٱضْرِب بِّعَصَاكَ ٱلْحَجَرَ'' literally meaning "'''hit the rock.'''" | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''faidriboo fawqa al- | ''faidriboo fawqa al-a'naqi waidriboo minhum kulla bananin فَٱضْرِبُوا۟ فَوْقَ ٱلْأَعْنَاقِ وَٱضْرِبُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ كُلَّ بَنَانٍ'' literally meaning "'''hit over the necks and hit from them all their fingers.'''" The first "hit" means "beat" and the second means "cut-off." Both objects here are not whole bodies, but only parts (necks and fingers). | ||
'''Verse:''' 20.77 '''Object:''' Road | '''Verse:''' 20.77 '''Object:''' Road | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''faid'rib lahum -tareeqan'' literally meaning "'''so | ''faid'rib lahum -tareeqan'' فَٱضْرِبْ لَهُمْ طَرِيقًا literally meaning "'''so strike a road for them."''' The usage is somewhat eccentric here for an English speaker, but the idea is that a strike or hit will carve out a path for Moses through the sea. | ||
'''Verse:''' 24.31 '''Object:''' Feet and Veil | '''Verse:''' 24.31 '''Object:''' Feet and Veil | ||
This verse is a repeat and has already been discussed under the section | This verse is a repeat and has already been discussed under the section below - ''To cover''. | ||
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}} | }} | ||
'' | ''an udrib bi'asaka albahra أَنِ ٱضْرِب بِّعَصَاكَ ٱلْبَحْرَ'' literally meaning "'''to hit with your stick the sea.'''" | ||
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}} | }} | ||
This is a great example. Here, ''darban bialyameeni'' literally means "'''hit them [people] with the right [hand].'''" According to this verse, when verb ''daraban'' is applied to humans, it means "beat" or "strike." It cannot be translated as "separate them from your right hand," as that is utterly ridiculous. The Islamic | This is a great example. Here, ''darban bialyameeni ضَرْبًۢا بِٱلْيَمِينِ'' literally means "'''hit them [people] with the right [hand].'''" According to this verse, when verb ''daraban'' ''ضَرْبًۢا'' is applied to humans, it means "beat" or "strike." It cannot be translated as "separate them from your right hand," as that is utterly ridiculous. The Islamic sites in question, also agrees that ''daraban'' here means "strike." | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''fadarba aIrriqabi'' literally meaning "'''the hit of the necks.'''" as in "beaten on their necks | ''fadarba aIrriqabi'' فَضَرْبَ ٱلرِّقَابِ literally meaning "'''the hit of the necks.'''" as in "beaten on their necks." | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''yadriboona wujoohahum'' literally meaning "'''hit their faces,'''" | ''yadriboona wujoohahum يَضْرِبُونَ وُجُوهَهُمْ'' literally meaning "'''hit their faces,'''" or "beat their faces." | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''yadriboona wujoohahum'' literally meaning "'''hit their faces.'''" | ''yadriboona wujoohahum ضْرِبُونَ وُجُوهَهُمْ'' literally meaning "'''hit their faces.'''" | ||
==Comparing the Two Terms== | ==Comparing the Two Terms== | ||
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Qur'an 4:34 says Idriboohunna<ref>The use of "Idriboohunna" in verse 4:34 has been confirmed by [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.justislam.co.uk/product.php?products_id=198|2=2011-08-13}} Errors in English Translations of the Quran] (From the Introduction of Quran: a Reformist Translation, Brainbow Press) which itself is attempting to use the "leave them" apologetic that is refuted on this page.</ref> <font size="4">أضربوهن</font> not Adribu 'Anhunna <font size="4">اضربوا عنهن</font>. There is no way to confuse one for the other. | Qur'an 4:34 says Idriboohunna<ref>The use of "Idriboohunna" in verse 4:34 has been confirmed by [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.justislam.co.uk/product.php?products_id=198|2=2011-08-13}} Errors in English Translations of the Quran] (From the Introduction of Quran: a Reformist Translation, Brainbow Press) which itself is attempting to use the "leave them" apologetic that is refuted on this page.</ref> <font size="4">أضربوهن</font> not Adribu 'Anhunna <font size="4">اضربوا عنهن</font>. There is no way to confuse one for the other. | ||
==See Also== | |||
*[https://medium.com/@hassanradwan51/does-the-quran-advise-domestic-violence-spoiler-yes-f1cb3f9054e4 Does the Qur’an Sanction Domestic Violence?] - ''Hassan Radwan'' | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||