Wife Beating In Islam: Discrepancies in information in two articles.

(1/1)

Dr. Farzana:
Assalaamu a'laikum wa Rahmatullah.

It was wonderful to find the website 'Answering Christianity'. In these days, when Islam is being questioned and attacked everywhere, these websites are working as our 'light houses'.

I read brother Osama Abdallah's article: 'Wife beating is not allowed in Islam in any case!'
http://www.islamawareness.net/Wife/beating1.html

In that article, he presented very logically that, why the most appropriate translation of the word 'idribuhunna' (root word 'daraba') in 4:34, will be 'to desert' or 'to part'. To support the logic, you provided examples of other verses from Qur'an, where the words with the same root 'daraba' has used.

.. I have also read the article: 'Answering misconceptions and false claims about some Hadith regarding Women' -by brother Karim.
http://www.answering-christianity.com/karim/mistranslations_of_hadiths.htm

It is also a very informative and helpful article, since it has tried to give answers for most of the commonly held misconceptions about women in Islam.
But I found that, he has also interpreted the word 'idribuhunna' in the verse 4:34, as to HIT LIGHTLY as the last step of 'Nushuz' from the wife's part.

Brother Karim hasn't mentioned anything about the other logical meaning: 'to desert' or 'to part'.

.. Now a days, we regularly face a complain from the critics that, the Muslims are not in concordance regarding many issues in Islam. They complain that, Muslims use different logics regarding an issue.
I feel that, we should come to common platforms, where we can get logical and common answers regarding the questionable issues in Islam.

Even if there are some differences in the opinions between different scholars, I think, the scholars should at least mention the other logical interpretations and explanations, besides their own logics, (specially when they are posting their articles in a same blog).
It will help the readers to understand that, there might be some discrepancy in logics between the scholars regarding an issue, but the logics are not opposite to each other. The scholars are informed about the other logical views of other scholars. ...

(For example, in one of brother Osama's article regarding the age of marriage of Ayisha (R), he logically showed that, she wasn't a child during her marriage. And he also gave there the link of another article where you have shown that, there are many evidences which tell us that she was not less than 16 years old during her marriage. It helped the readers to think about the different opinions regarding the age of Ayisha (R) during her marriage.)

It is confusing for the readers when they find two different interpretations about same issue, in two different articles in a same blog.
So I would like to request you to think regarding this discrepancies.

May Allah bless the Muslim Ummah and every peace-loving human being in the world.

QuranSearchCom:
Wa Alaikum As'salam Wa Rahmatu Allah Wa Barakatuh respected sister Dr. Farzana,

Welcome to the blog, sister. May Allah Almighty use it to further increase your faith in Islam. Ameen. The same insha'Allah to every reader. Ameen.

In regards to the link that you gave sister, the updated version is always on my site, and it is located at:

www.answering-christianity.com/beating.htm

As to our mother Aisha, even if we take that she was 9 when the Prophet took her virginity through their marriage, it still would not be problematic at all. Girls had always married at young ages throughout man's history and even till today. I have proven however from the Glorious Quran that the child (male or female) must be ready:

1- Physically.
2- Mentally.
3- Emotionally.

The Noble Verse that talks about the children "reaching the age of marriage" حتى اذا بلغوا النكاح is elaborated on in great details using several other Noble Verses at:

www.answering-christianity.com/minimum_age_for_marriage.htm

I hope this helps, insha'Allah.

Take care,
Osama Abdallah

Dr. Farzana:
Jazakallahu khairan, brother!

Yes, this is why, your points become stronger. You are showing that, there might have different opinions and logic regarding Ayisha (Ra:)'s age, but they are not opposite to each other, and not contradictory to the teachings of Islam and science.

Regarding the 'wife beating' issue, we need to know all the logical views by different scholars. So, when in one article, the 'beating lightly' translation is mentioned, it should also be mentioned that, there is another logical interpretation of the term 'daraba' - which is 'to part' or 'to separate'. ..

Thank you all again, for your valuable effort, to make a platform to discuss about many concerns and questions regarding Islam, and to get insightful answers.

swer:

--- Quote from: Dr. Farzana on October 25, 2017, 05:48:00 PM ---Jazakallahu khairan, brother!

Yes, this is why, your points become stronger. You are showing that, there might have different opinions and logic regarding Ayisha (Ra:)'s age, but they are not opposite to each other, and not contradictory to the teachings of Islam and science.

Regarding the 'wife beating' issue, we need to know all the logical views by different scholars. So, when in one article, the 'beating lightly' translation is mentioned, it should also be mentioned that, there is another logical interpretation of the term 'daraba' - which is 'to part' or 'to separate'. ..

Thank you all again, for your valuable effort, to make a platform to discuss about many concerns and questions regarding Islam, and to get insightful answers.

--- End quote ---
this is very interesting information. Thank you

aliisse:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful!

Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient (to Allah and to their husbands), and guard in the husband's absence what Allah orders them to guard (e.g. their chastity, their husband's property). As to those women on whose part you see ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly, if it is useful); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance). Surely, Allah is Ever Most High, Most Great.(4:34)
The word nushooz, can mean “to beat” or “to separate”. To know which meaning this word implies in this verse, let's look at the prophet (peace be upon him) and his action when he was disobeyed by his wives. In the Hafsa and Aisha scandal he was disobeyed by his wives. He left them and separated himself from them, and didn’t beat them.

Hafsa and Aisha

Let's delve into the action of the prophet (peace be upon him) when his two wives disobeyed. He separated himself from them.
"By Allah we will play a trick on him. . ." (sahih bukhari, Book #63, Hadith #193) (sahih bukhari, Book #86, Hadith #102) (sahih muslim, Book #009, Hadith #3496) (sahih muslim,Book #009, Hadith #3497) (sahih bukhari, Book #78, Hadith #682) (sahih bukhari Book #63, Hadith #192) (sahih bukhari, Book #60, Hadith #434)

The response of the prophet

"No, but I have taken an oath that I would not go to them for one month." The Prophet stayed there for twenty-nine days, and then came down and went to his wives. (sahih bukhari, Book #43, Hadith #649) (66.4) (sahih bukkhari Book #62, Hadith #119) (sahih bukhari, Book #43, Hadith #648) (sahih bukhari, Book #60, Hadith #438) (sahih bukhari, Book #8, Hadith #395) (Sahih Bukhari, Book #3, Hadith #89)

Aisha scandal

The prophet (peace be upon him) in the Aisha scandal told her to repent instead of beating her.

"Now then O 'Aisha! If you have committed a bad deed or you have wronged (yourself), then repent to Allah as Allah accepts the repentance from his slaves." . . . I said, "By Allah, I will not do it and will not thank him nor thank either of you, but I will thank Allah Who has revealed my innocence . . . (sahih bukhari, Book #60, Hadith #281)

list of the disobedience of the wives of the prophet.

1. Men would get the upper hand over their wives and once the Muslims moved to Medina they lost that power, the prophet smiled. (sahih bukhari, Book #43, Hadith #648)
2. Prophet would get angry with his wives. (sahih bukhari, Book #43, Hadith #648)
3. telling the secret of the prophet. 66:2
4. Playing a trick upon the prophet. (sahih bukhari, Book #63, Hadith #193)
5. Almost divorcing his wives. (Sahih Bukhari, Book #3, Hadith #89) (sahih bukhari, Book #8, Hadith #395)
6. Prophet stayed away from his wives for a month. (sahih bukhari, Book #43, Hadith #649)
7. When adultery was slandered against Aisha the prophet order her to repent instead of being violent against her. (sahih bukhari, Book #60, Hadith #281)
8. His wives would talk back to him. (sahih bukhari, Book #43, Hadith #648)
9. Sometimes his wives wouldn’t speak to his for days. (sahih bukhari, Book #43, Hadith #648)

As we can see the prophet (may peace be upon him) separated himself from his wives. He didn’t beat them. If the command is that the husband should beat his wives during disobedience, then why did the prophet (may peace be upon him) not beat his wives. However, as is one of the meanings of the word “nushooz” to be “separate” he upheld such meaning.

Being good to wives/women

1. 2:221 Slave believing women are better than disbelieving women. In respect to marriage
2. 2:222 Keep away from women during their menses. This is to honor women during such period.
3. 2:226 taking oath not to have sexual relations with their wives must wait for four months. This shows that you can’t make such oath against your wife.
4. 2:228 Take back after divorce if husband and wife intend reconciliation.
5. 2:228 Wives have rights over their husbands.
6. 2:229 Take back after two pronouncement in a reasonable manner.
7. 2:230 if wife marries and afterwards want to reunite with former husband there is no impediment both can marry; however, this is lawful for so long as they both think they will keep the limits of Allah
8. 2:230 keep the limits of Allah
9. 2:231 after two pronouncement the husband can take her back or release her in a reasonable terms
10. 2:231 do not take them back to hurt her, whoever does that, he has wronged himself.
11. 2:232 if the husband wants to take her then he must keep the commandment of Allah.
12. 2:233 if the mother want to suckle her child the father should pay, on reasonable manner
13. there is no sin on you if they (the wives) dispose of themselves in a just and honourable manner (i.e. they can marry). And Allah is Well- Acquainted with what you do. ) Chapter #2, Verse #234)
14. 2:236 divorcing women the man hasn’t touched, rich according to his means and the poor according to his means: on reasonable terms
15. Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet had a Had (a camel driver) called Anjasha, and he had a nice voice. The Prophet said to him, "(Drive) slowly, O Anjasha! Do not break the glass vessels!" And Qatada said, "(By vessels') he meant the weak women." (sahih bukhari, Book #73, Hadith #230) (sahih bukhari, Book #73, Hadith #170) (sahih bukhari, Book #73, Hadith #182) (sahih bukhari, Book #73, Hadith #221) (sahih bukhari, Book #73, Hadith #228) (sahih bukhari, Book #73, Hadith #229) (sahih muslim, Book #030, Hadith #5743) (sahih muslim, Book #030, Hadith #5745) (sahih muslim, Book #030, Hadith #5746) (sahih bukhari,Book #030, Hadith #5747)
16. 'Umar ibn al-Ahwas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard the Messenger of Allaah SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say during his Farewell Pilgrimage:"Verily, you have rights over your women, and your women have rights over you. As for your rights over your women, they are that they should not allow anyone to sit on your beds whom you dislike (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 1163, and Ibn Maajah, 1851).
17. It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of As-Saum (the fasts). They are Libas (سورة البقرة, Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #187)
18. Those among you who make their wives unlawful to them by (Zihar الظهار) (i.e. by saying to them "You are like my mother's back,") they cannot be their mothers . . . they utter an ill word and a lie. And verily, Allah is Oft-Pardoning, Oft-Forgiving. (Chapter #58, Verse #2
19. And those who make unlawful to them their wives by Zihar and wish to free themselves from what they uttered, (the penalty) in that case is the freeing of a slave before they touch each other. (Chapter #58, Verse #3)
20. And give unto orphans their property and do not exchange (your) bad things for (their) good ones; and devour not their substance (by adding it) to your substance. Surely, this is a great sin. (4:2)
21. And if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphan-girls then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one or (the slaves) that your right hands possess. That is nearer to prevent you from doing injustice.( 4:3)
22. MUSLIM man must give their women mahr: once against looking after the interest of the Muslim women And give to the women (whom you marry) their Mahr (obligatory bridal-money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage) with a good heart; but if they, of their own good pleasure, remit any part of it to you, take it, and enjoy it without fear of any harm (as Allah has made it lawful). (4:4)
23. Wife get part of the inheritance; (4:11-12)
24. O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will; and you should not treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the Mahr you have given them, unless they commit open illegal sexual intercourse; and live with them honourably. (4:19)
25. Narrated 'Aisha: I said, "O Allah's Apostle! A virgin feels shy." He said, "Her consent is (expressed by) her silence." (sahih bukhari, Book #62, Hadith #68)(sahiih bukhari, Book #62, Hadith #67) (sahih bukhari, Book #62, Hadith #68) (sahih bukhari, Book #85, Hadith #79) (sahih bukhari, Book #86, Hadith #101)
26. And whoever of you have not the means wherewith to wed free, believing women, they may wed believing girls from among those (slaves) whom your right hands possess, . . and give them their Mahr according to what is reasonable. (4:25)
27. Mercy between husband wife. 30:21

Beat

Narrated Umar ibn al-Khattab: The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: A man will not be asked as to why he beat his wife. (sunan abu dawud, Book #11, Hadith #2142)

Narrated 'Ikrima: Aisha said that the lady (came), wearing a green veil (and complained to her (Aisha) of her husband and showed her a green spot on her skin caused by beating). It was the habit of ladies to support each other, so when Allah's Apostle came, 'Aisha said, "I have not seen any woman suffering as much as the believing women. (sahih bukhari, Book #72, Hadith #715)

don’t beat

Narrated Abdullah ibn AbuDhubab: Iyas ibn Abdullah ibn AbuDhubab reported the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) as saying: Do not beat Allah's handmaidens, but when Umar came to the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) and said: Women have become emboldened towards their husbands, he (the Prophet) gave permission to beat them. Then many women came round the family of the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) complaining against their husbands. So the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) said: Many women have gone round Muhammad's family complaining against their husbands. They are not the best among you. (sunan abu dawud, Book #11, Hadith #2141)

Narrated Mu'awiyah ibn Haydah: I said: Apostle of Allah, how should we approach our wives and how should we leave them? He replied: Approach your tilth when or how you will, give her (your wife) food when you take food, clothe when you clothe yourself, do not revile her face, and do not beat her. (sunan abu dawud, Book #11, Hadith #2138)

Narrated Mu'awiyah al-Qushayri: I went to the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) and asked him: What do you say (command) about our wives? He replied: Give them food what you have for yourself, and clothe them by which you clothe yourself, and do not beat them, and do not revile them. (sunan abu dawud, Book #11, Hadith #2139)

Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin: Habibah daughter of Sahl was the wife of Thabit ibn Qays Shimmas He beat her . . .Take them and separate yourself from her. (sunan abu dawud, Book #12, Hadith #2220) (sahih muslim, Book #015, Hadith #4078) (sahih muslim, Book #015, Hadith #4086) (sahih muslim, Book #015, Hadith #4089)

So far as Abu Jahm is concerned, he is a great beater of women . . .(sahih muslim, Book #009, Hadith #3526)

In Islam, a master can’t slap or hit his slave (sahih muslim, Book #015, Hadith #4086)(sahih muslim, Book #015, Hadith #4089) (sahih muslim, Book #015, Hadith #4083) (sahih muslim, Book #015, Hadith #4084). If one can’t hit his slave then how can he hit his beloved wife. Moreover, there is a hadith in sahih muslim (Book #015, Hadith #4088), a master would have been punished in the hereafter by hitting his slave. So, he would go to hell by hitting his slave, then imagine hitting the wife God said to be a mercy between the two of you (30:21). There are two hadiths in sunan abu dawud (Book #11, Hadith #2139) and (Book #11, Hadith #2138), that clearly enshrines that a husband cannot beat his wife! Period! For those who uphold the word “nushooz” to mean “beating” then how can anyone circumvent the above-mentioned hadiths.

Allah knows best!

Navigation

[0] Message Index

Go to full version