Friday 10 June 2011

Does Islam allow wife beating?

Does Islam allow wife beating?

Respected scholars! Does Islam allow wife beating? Some husbands
are violent and they say that the Qur'an allows them to beat their
wives. Is there any logical explanation given regarding men being
allowed to beat their wives, as stated in surat An-Nisa', verse
34?

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings
be upon His Messenger.

Dear questioner, we would like to thank you for the great confidence
you place in us, and we implore Allah Almighty to help us serve
His cause and render our work for His Sake.

The verse you mention has been greatly misconceived by many people
who focus merely on its surface meaning, taking it to allow wife
beating. When the setting is not taken into account, it isolates
the words in a way that distorts or falsifies the original meaning.
Before dealing with the issue of wife-battering in the perspective
of Islam, we should keep in mind that the original Arabic wording
of the Qur'an is the only authentic source of meaning. If one relies
on the translation alone, one is likely to misunderstand it.

Commenting on this issue, Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, former President
of the Islamic Society of North America, states:

"According to the Qur'an the relationship between the husband
and wife should be based on mutual love and kindness. Allah says:
"And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates
from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquility with them,
and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that
are Signs for those who reflect." (Ar-Rum: 21)

The Qur'an urges husbands to treat their wives with kindness. [In
the event of a family dispute, the Qur'an exhorts the husband to
treat his wife kindly and not to overlook her positive aspects].
Allah Almighty says: “Live with them on a footing of kindness
and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike
a thing, and Allah brings about through it a great deal of good.”
(An-Nisa’: 19)

It is important that a wife recognizes the authority of her husband
in the house. He is the head of the household, and she is supposed
to listen to him. But the husband should also use his authority
with respect and kindness towards his wife. If there arises any
disagreement or dispute among them, then it should be resolved in
a peaceful manner. Spouses should seek the counsel of their elders
and other respectable family members and friends to batch up the
rift and solve the differences.

However, in some cases a husband may use some light disciplinary
action in order to correct the moral infraction of his wife, but
this is only applicable in extreme cases and it should be resorted
to if one is sure it would improve the situation. However, if there
is a fear that it might worsen the relationship or may wreak havoc
on him or the family, then he should avoid it completely.

The Qur'an is very clear on this issue. Almighty Allah says: "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 to
guard. As to those women on whose part you 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 and
Great (above you all). If you fear a breach between them twain,
appoint (two) arbiters, one from his family and the other from hers.
If they wish for peace, Allah will cause their reconciliation; for
Allah has full knowledge and is acquainted with all things."
(An-Nisa': 34-35)

It is important to read the section fully. One should not take
part of the verse and use it to justify one's own misconduct. This
verse neither permits violence nor condones it. It guides us to
ways to handle delicate family situation with care and wisdom. The
word "beating" is used in the verse, but it does not mean
"physical abuse". The Prophet (peace and blessings be
upon him) explained it "dharban ghayra mubarrih" which
means "a light tap that leaves no mark". He further said
that face must be avoided. Some other scholars are of the view that
it is no more than a light touch by siwak, or toothbrush.

Generally, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to
discourage his followers from taking even this measure. He never
hit any female, and he used to say that the best of men are those
who do not hit their wives. In one hadith he expressed his extreme
repulsion from this behavior and said, "How does anyone of
you beat his wife as he beats the stallion camel and then embrace
(sleep with) her?” (Al-Bukhari, English Translation, vol.
8, Hadith 68, pp. 42-43)

It is also important to note that even this "light strike"
mentioned in the verse is not to be used to correct some minor problem,
but it is permissible to resort to only in a situation of some serious
moral misconduct when admonishing the wife fails, and avoiding from
sleeping with her would not help. If this disciplinary action can
correct a situation and save the marriage, then one should use it."

Dr. Jamal Badawi, professor at Saint Mary's University in Halifax,
Nova Scotia, Canada, and a cross-appointed faculty member in the
Departments of Religious Studies and Management, adds:

"If the problem relates to the wife's behavior, the husband
may exhort her and appeal for reason. In most cases, this measure
is likely to be sufficient. In cases where the problem persists,
the husband may express his displeasure in another peaceful manner,
by sleeping in a separate bed from hers. There are cases, however,
in which a wife persists in bad habits and showing contempt of her
husband and disregard for her marital obligations. Instead of divorce,
the husband may resort to another measure that may save the marriage,
at least in some cases. Such a measure is more accurately described
as a gentle tap on the body, but never on the face, making it more
of a symbolic measure than a punitive one.

Even here, that maximum measure is limited by the following:

a. It must be seen as a rare exception to the
repeated exhortation of mutual respect, kindness and good treatment.
Based on the Qur'an and Hadith, this measure may be used in the
cases of lewdness on the part of the wife or extreme refraction
and rejection of the husband's reasonable requests on a consistent
basis (nushuz). Even then, other measures, such as exhortation,
should be tried first.

b. As defined by Hadith, it is not permissible
to strike anyone's face, cause any bodily harm or even be harsh.
What the Hadith qualifies as "dharban ghayra mubarrih",
or light striking, was interpreted by early jurists as a (symbolic)
use of siwak! They further qualified permissible "striking"
as that which leaves no mark on the body. It is interesting that
this latter fourteen-centuries-old qualifier is the criterion used
in contemporary American law to separate a light and harmless tap
or strike from "abuse" in the legal sense. This makes
it clear that even this extreme, last resort, and "lesser of
the two evils" measure that may save a marriage does not meet
the definitions of "physical abuse," "family violence,
" or "wife battering" in the 20th century law in
liberal democracies, where such extremes are so commonplace that
they are seen as national concerns.

c. The permissibility of such symbolic expression
of the seriousness of continued refraction does not imply its desirability.
In several hadiths, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
discouraged this measure. Here are some of his sayings in this regard:

"Do not beat the female servants of Allah";

"Some (women) visited my family complaining about their husbands
(beating them). These (husbands) are not the best of you."

In another hadith the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
is reported to have said: “How does anyone of you beat his
wife as he beats the stallion camel and then he may embrace (sleep
with) her?”

d. True following of the Sunnah is to follow the
example of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) who never
resorted to that measure, regardless of the circumstances.

e. Islamic teachings are universal in nature.
They respond to the needs and circumstances of diverse times, cultures
and circumstances. Some measures may work in some cases and cultures
or with certain persons but may not be effective in others. By definition,
a "permissible" act is neither required, encouraged or
forbidden. In fact it may be to spell out the extent of permissibility,
such as in the issue at hand, rather than leaving it unrestricted
or unqualified, or ignoring it all together. In the absence of strict
qualifiers, persons may interpret the matter in their own way, which
can lead to excesses and real abuse.

f. Any excess, cruelty, family violence, or abuse
committed by any "Muslim" can never be traced, honestly,
to any revelatory text (Qur'an or Hadith). Such excesses and violations
are to be blamed on the person(s) himself, as it shows that they
are paying lip service to Islamic teachings and injunctions and
failing to follow the true Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings
be upon him)."



You can also read: Islamic Guidance on Treating Wives Read also:
Islam & Wife Beating (Special Folder)

Allah Almighty knows best.

 

 

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