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The [[Qur'an]] in verse 4:34 clearly lays down the steps to be taken by a husband dealing with a wife from whom he fears nushūz, a word commonly interpreted to mean disobedience, rebelliousness or disloyalty though the meaning is unclear (see {{Quran|4|128}}, which gives instructions to women who fear nushūzan from their husbands): first he is to admonish her verbally, then he is refuse to sleep with her, and finally if she continues in her rebellion he is to beat her. This three-part plan forms the core of Islamic norms of authority in the marriage. In hadiths, the prophet Muhammad reiterated this instruction at his farewell sermon (with the caveat that the beating is without severity), is recorded variously as forbidding, limiting and condoning such actions. Some of his prominent companions are also recorded as slapping or beating wives or female slaves and instructing others to do so. As a core principle of Islamic law, the condoning of wife-beating lives on today in the [[fatwa|fataawa]] of modern Islamic scholars, and [[Islamic Law]] does not recognize the beating of wives by their husbands as a crime unless | The [[Qur'an]] in verse 4:34 clearly lays down the steps to be taken by a husband dealing with a wife from whom he fears nushūz, a word commonly interpreted to mean disobedience, rebelliousness or disloyalty though the meaning is unclear (see {{Quran|4|128}}, which gives instructions to women who fear nushūzan from their husbands): first he is to admonish her verbally, then he is refuse to sleep with her, and finally if she continues in her rebellion he is to beat her. This three-part plan forms the core of Islamic norms of authority in the marriage. In hadiths, the prophet Muhammad reiterated this instruction at his farewell sermon (with the caveat that the beating is without severity), is recorded variously as forbidding, limiting and condoning such actions. Some of his prominent companions are also recorded as slapping or beating wives or female slaves and instructing others to do so. As a core principle of Islamic law, the condoning of wife-beating lives on today in the [[fatwa|fataawa]] of modern Islamic scholars, and [[Islamic Law]] does not recognize the beating of wives by their husbands as a crime unless bodily injury results to the wife. Reformists and modernists dispute the meaning of certain words or highlight a hadith stating that Muhammad himself never struck a woman and narrations claiming that the instruction in his farewell sermon referred to tapping wives with a siwak (toothbrush stick). | ||
{{Main|Wife Beating in Islamic Law|Wife Beating in the Qur'an}} | {{Main|Wife Beating in Islamic Law|Wife Beating in the Qur'an}} | ||
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'''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.}} | '''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.}} | ||
===Prophet Ayyub (Job) was | ===Prophet Ayyub (Job) was told to beat his wife with grass to fulfil his oath=== | ||
{{Quran|38|44}} states that the prophet Job (''Ayyub'') was commanded by Allah to beat his wife using a bundle of grass, twigs, or rushes (''dighthan''<ref>dad-ghayn-tha [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume5/00000078.pdf Lane's Lexicon] Book I page 1793</ref>). | {{Quran|38|44}} states that the prophet Job (''Ayyub'') was commanded by Allah to beat his wife using a bundle of grass, twigs, or rushes (''dighthan''<ref>dad-ghayn-tha [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume5/00000078.pdf Lane's Lexicon] Book I page 1793</ref>). According to tradition, this was because he had made an oath to beat her before realising his anger was unjustified. | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|38|44}}|[We said], "And take in your hand a bunch [of grass] '''and strike with it''' and do not break your oath." Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah].}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|38|44}}|[We said], "And take in your hand a bunch [of grass] '''and strike with it''' and do not break your oath." Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah].}} | ||
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====Muhammad struck his child-bride on the chest which caused her pain==== | ====Muhammad struck his child-bride on the chest which caused her pain==== | ||
See [[Wife Beating in Islamic Law]] | See [[Wife Beating in Islamic Law]] on how the most popular English hadith website has tampered with their source translation, replacing the accurately translated words highlighted below with their own softer and unjustifiable translation ("a nudge on the chest which I felt"). | ||
{{Quote|{{Muslim| | {{Quote|{{Muslim||974b|reference}}|... He (Muhammad b. Qais) then reported that it was 'A'isha who had narrated this: Should I not narrate to you about myself and about the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him)? We said: Yes. She said: When it was my turn for Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) to spend the night with me, he turned his side, put on his mantle and took off his shoes and placed them near his feet, and spread the corner of his shawl on his bed and then lay down till he thought that I had gone to sleep. He took hold of his mantle slowly and put on the shoes slowly, and opened the door and went out and then closed it lightly. I covered my head, put on my veil and tightened my waist wrapper, and then went out following his steps till he reached Baqi'. He stood there and he stood for a long time. He then lifted his hands three times, and then returned and I also returned. He hastened his steps and I also hastened my steps. He ran and I too ran. He came (to the house) and I also came (to the house). I, however, preceded him and I entered (the house), and as I lay down in the bed, he (the Holy Prophet) entered the (house), and said: Why is it, O 'A'isha, that you are out of breath? I said: There is nothing. He said: Tell me or the Subtle and the Aware would inform me. I said: Messenger of Allah, may my father and mother be ransom for you, and then I told him (the whole story). He said: Was it the darkness (of your shadow) that I saw in front of me? I said: Yes. '''He struck me on the chest which caused me pain''', and then said: Did you think that Allah and His Apostle would deal unjustly with you?..."}} | ||
====Muhammad's farewell sermon instructed Muslims to beat their wives but not severely==== | ====Muhammad's farewell sermon instructed Muslims to beat their wives but not severely==== | ||
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him willingly, so do not wrong yourselves. O God, have I not conveyed the message?" It was reported [to me] that the people said, "O God, yes," and the Messenger of God said, "O God, bear witness."}} | him willingly, so do not wrong yourselves. O God, have I not conveyed the message?" It was reported [to me] that the people said, "O God, yes," and the Messenger of God said, "O God, bear witness."}} | ||
{{Quote|1= | {{Quote|1={{AbuDawud||1905|darussalam}}|2=Fear Allaah regarding women for you have got them under Allah’s security and have the right to intercourse with them by Allaah’s word. It is a duty from you on them not to allow anyone whom you dislike to lie on your beds but if they do beat them, but not severely.}} | ||
{{Quote|{{Ibn Majah||3|9|1851}}|Then he said: 'I enjoin good treatment of women, for they are prisoners with you, and you have no right to treat them otherwise, unless they commit clear indecency. If they do that, then forsake them in their beds and hit them, but without causing injury or leaving a mark.}} | {{Quote|{{Ibn Majah||3|9|1851}}|Then he said: 'I enjoin good treatment of women, for they are prisoners with you, and you have no right to treat them otherwise, unless they commit clear indecency. If they do that, then forsake them in their beds and hit them, but without causing injury or leaving a mark.}} | ||
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{{Quote|1=[https://tafsir.app/tabari/4/34 al-Tabari 4:34]|2=I said to Ibn ‘Abbaas, what is a non-severe beating? He said, Hitting with a siwaak and the like.}} | {{Quote|1=[https://tafsir.app/tabari/4/34 al-Tabari 4:34]|2=I said to Ibn ‘Abbaas, what is a non-severe beating? He said, Hitting with a siwaak and the like.}} | ||
==== | ====Wives should not be beaten like slaves or camels==== | ||
{{Quote|{{Bukhari| | {{Quote|{{Bukhari|||5204|darussalam}}|Narrated 'Abdullah bin Zam'a: | ||
The Prophet said, "None of you should flog his wife as he flogs a slave and then have sexual intercourse with her in the last part of the day."}} | The Prophet said, "None of you should flog his wife as he flogs a slave and then have sexual intercourse with her in the last part of the day."}} | ||
{{Quote|{{Bukhari| | {{Quote|{{Bukhari|||6042|darussalam}}|Narrated 'Abdullah bin Zam'a: The Prophet forbade laughing at a person who passes wind, and said, "How does anyone of you beat his wife as he beats the stallion camel and then he may embrace (sleep with) her?" And Hisham said, "As he beats his slave"|See Also {{Bukhari|||6042|darussalam}}}} | ||
====Muhammad provided tacit approval of severe beatings, ignored the abuse of women==== | ====Muhammad provided tacit approval of severe beatings, ignored the abuse of women==== | ||
Note that Muhammad is not concerned with the suffering of the believing women. Instead, he rebukes her for her words against her husband, thereby providing seeming approval of the practice of wife beating. | Note that Muhammad is not concerned with the suffering of the believing women. Instead, he rebukes her for her words against her husband, thereby providing seeming approval of the practice of wife beating. | ||
{{Quote|{{Bukhari| | {{Quote|{{Bukhari|||5825|darussalam}}|Narrated 'Ikrima: Rifa'a divorced his wife whereupon 'AbdurRahman bin Az-Zubair Al-Qurazi married her. '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. Look! Her skin is greener than her clothes!"''' When 'AbdurRahman heard that his wife had gone to the Prophet, he came with his two sons from another wife. She said, "By Allah! I have done no wrong to him but he is impotent and is as useless to me as this," holding and showing the fringe of her garment, 'Abdur-Rahman said, "By Allah, O Allah's Apostle! She has told a lie! I am very strong and can satisfy her but she is disobedient and wants to go back to Rifa'a." Allah's Apostle said, to her, "If that is your intention, then know that it is unlawful for you to remarry Rifa'a unless Abdur-Rahman has had sexual intercourse with you." Then the Prophet saw two boys with 'Abdur-Rahman and asked (him), "Are these your sons?" On that 'AbdurRahman said, "Yes." The Prophet said, "You claim what you claim (i.e.. that he is impotent)? But by Allah, these boys resemble him as a crow resembles a crow,"}} | ||
====Muhammad allowed husbands to beat their wives==== | ====Muhammad allowed husbands to beat their wives==== | ||
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{{Quote|Mishkat Al-Masabih: Volume 2, page 692|Iyas b. Abdullah reported God's messenger as saying, "Do not beat God's handmaidens;" but when `Umar came to God's messenger and said, "The women have become emboldened towards their husbands," '''he gave licence to beat them.''' Then many women went round God's messenger's family complaining of their husbands, and he said, "Many women have gone around complaining of their husbands. Those are not the best among you." Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, and Darimi transmitted it.}} | {{Quote|Mishkat Al-Masabih: Volume 2, page 692|Iyas b. Abdullah reported God's messenger as saying, "Do not beat God's handmaidens;" but when `Umar came to God's messenger and said, "The women have become emboldened towards their husbands," '''he gave licence to beat them.''' Then many women went round God's messenger's family complaining of their husbands, and he said, "Many women have gone around complaining of their husbands. Those are not the best among you." Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, and Darimi transmitted it.}} | ||
{{Quote| {{ | {{Quote| {{Abu Dawud||2146|darussalam}}|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.}} | ||
{{Quote|{{Ibn Majah|9|3|9|1985}}|It was narrated that Iyas bin 'Abdullah bin Abu Dhubab said: | {{Quote|{{Ibn Majah|9|3|9|1985}}|It was narrated that Iyas bin 'Abdullah bin Abu Dhubab said: | ||
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====Muhammad said Men Should Not to be Asked Why they Beat their Wives==== | ====Muhammad said Men Should Not to be Asked Why they Beat their Wives==== | ||
While a similar hadith is graded da'if (weak) ({{Abu Dawud| | While a similar hadith is graded da'if (weak) by al-Albani ({{Abu Dawud||2147|darussalam}} "The Prophet (ﷺ) said: A man will not be asked as to why he beat his wife. "), a hadith graded ''hasan'' (the 2nd highest level of authenticity according to traditional scholars of hadith, below ''sahih'') by Dar-us-Salam, though da'if (weak) by al-Albani,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20250306231801/https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:1986 Grading information on sunnah.com (archive)] before it was removed</ref> | ||
has Umar quoting Muhammad saying that a man should not be asked why he beats his wife. | |||
{{Quote|{{Ibn Majah|9|3|9|1986}}|It was narrated that Ash'ath bin Qais said: | {{Quote|{{Ibn Majah|9|3|9|1986}}|It was narrated that Ash'ath bin Qais said: | ||
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====Muhammad warns a woman not to marry a man who is harsh with women==== | ====Muhammad warns a woman not to marry a man who is harsh with women==== | ||
{{Quote|{{Muslim| | {{Quote|{{Muslim||1480q|reference}}|Fatima bint Qais (Allah be pleased with her) reported: | ||
My husband Abu 'Amr b. Hafs b. al-Mughira sent 'Ayyish b. Abu Rabi'a to me with a divorce, and he also sent through him five si's of dates and five si's of barley. I said: Is there no maintenance allowance for me but only this, and I cannot even spend my 'Idda period in your house? He said: No. She said: I dressed myself and came to Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him). He said: How many pronouncements of divorce have been made for you? I said: Three. He said what he ('Ayyish b. Abu Rabi'a) had stated was true. There is no maintenance allowance for you. Spend 'Idda period in the house of your cousin, Ibn Umm Maktum. He is blind and you can put off your garment in his presence. And when you have spent your Idda period, you inform me. She said: Mu'awiya and Abu'l-Jahm (Allah be pleased with them) were among those who had given me the proposal of marriage. Thereupon Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) said: Mu'awiya is destitute and in poor condition and Abu'l-Jahm is very harsh with women (or he beats women, or like that), you should take Usama b. Zaid (as your husband).}} | My husband Abu 'Amr b. Hafs b. al-Mughira sent 'Ayyish b. Abu Rabi'a to me with a divorce, and he also sent through him five si's of dates and five si's of barley. I said: Is there no maintenance allowance for me but only this, and I cannot even spend my 'Idda period in your house? He said: No. She said: I dressed myself and came to Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him). He said: How many pronouncements of divorce have been made for you? I said: Three. He said what he ('Ayyish b. Abu Rabi'a) had stated was true. There is no maintenance allowance for you. Spend 'Idda period in the house of your cousin, Ibn Umm Maktum. He is blind and you can put off your garment in his presence. And when you have spent your Idda period, you inform me. She said: Mu'awiya and Abu'l-Jahm (Allah be pleased with them) were among those who had given me the proposal of marriage. Thereupon Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) said: Mu'awiya is destitute and in poor condition and Abu'l-Jahm is very harsh with women (or he beats women, or like that), you should take Usama b. Zaid (as your husband).}} | ||
====Muhammad himself never struck a woman==== | |||
{{Quote|1={{Abu Dawud||4786|darussalam}}|2=`A’isha said: the Messenger of Allah (saws) never struck a servant or a woman.}} | |||
====Muhammad instructs do not strike your wife on her face==== | ====Muhammad instructs do not strike your wife on her face==== | ||
{{Quote|1= | {{Quote|1={{Abu Dawud||2142|darussalam}}|2=Narrated Mu'awiyah al-Qushayri: Mu'awiyah asked: Messenger of Allah, what is the right of the wife of one of us over him? He replied: That you should give her food when you eat, clothe her when you clothe yourself, do not strike her on the face, do not revile her or separate yourself from her except in the house. | ||
Abu Dawud said: The meaning of "do not revile her" is, as you say: "May Allah revile you".}} | Abu Dawud said: The meaning of "do not revile her" is, as you say: "May Allah revile you".}} | ||
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Another version reads more generally: | Another version reads more generally: | ||
{{Quote|1= | {{Quote|1={{Abu Dawud||2144|darussalam}}|2=Narrated Mu'awiyah al-Qushayri: | ||
I went to the Messenger 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}} | I went to the Messenger 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}} | ||
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====Abu Bakr and Umar slapped Aisha and Hafsa in front of Muhammad==== | ====Abu Bakr and Umar slapped Aisha and Hafsa in front of Muhammad==== | ||
{{Quote|{{Muslim| | {{Quote|{{Muslim||1478|reference}}|Jabir b. 'Abdullah (Allah be pleased with them) reported: Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) came and sought permission to see Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him). He found people sitting at his door and none amongst them had been granted permission, but it was granted to Abu Bakr and he went in. Then came 'Umar and he sought permission and it was granted to him, and he found Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) sitting sad and silent with his wives around him. He (Hadrat ''''Umar) said: I would say something which would make the Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) laugh, so he said: Messenger of Allah, I wish you had seen (the treatment meted out to) the daughter of Khadija when you asked me some money, and I got up and slapped her on her neck. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) laughed''' and said: They are around me as you see, asking for extra money. '''Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) then got up went to 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) and slapped her on the neck, and 'Umar stood up before Hafsa and slapped her''' saying: You ask Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) which he does not possess. They said: By Allah, we do not ask Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) for anything he does not possess. Then he withdrew from them for a month or for twenty-nine days. Then this verse was revealed to him:" Prophet: Say to thy wives... for a mighty reward" (xxxiii. 28). He then went first to 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) and said: I want to propound something to you, 'A'isha, but wish no hasty reply before you consult your parents. She said: Messenger of Allah, what is that? He (the Holy Prophet) recited to her the verse, whereupon she said: Is it about you that I should consult my parents, Messenger of Allah? Nay, I choose Allah, His Messenger, and the Last Abode; but I ask you not to tell any of your wives what I have said He replied: Not one of them will ask me without my informing her. God did not send me to be harsh, or cause harm, but He has sent me to teach and make things easy.}} | ||
====Abu Bakr struck Aisha violently on the chest with his fist==== | ====Abu Bakr struck Aisha violently on the chest with his fist==== | ||
{{Quote|{{Bukhari| | {{Quote|{{Bukhari|||6845|darussalam}}|Narrated Aisha:Abu Bakr came to towards me and '''struck me violently with his fist''' and said, "You have detained the people because of your necklace." But I remained motionless as if I was dead lest I should awake Allah's Apostle although that hit was very painful.}} | ||
{{Quote|{{Bukhari| | {{Quote|{{Bukhari|||4608|darussalam}}|Narrated Aisha: A necklace of mine was lost at Al-Baida' and we were on our way to Medina. The Prophet made his camel kneel down and dismounted and laid his head on my lap and slept. '''Abu Bakr came to me and hit me violently on the chest''' and said, "You have detained the people because of a necklace." I kept as motionless as a dead person because of the position of Allah's Apostle ; (on my lap) although Abu Bakr had hurt me (with the slap). Then the Prophet woke up and it was the time for the morning (prayer). Water was sought, but in vain; so the following Verse was revealed:-- "O you who believe! When you intend to offer prayer.." (5.6) Usaid bin Hudair said, "Allah has blessed the people for your sake, O the family of Abu Bakr. You are but a blessing for them."}} | ||
{{Quote|{{Bukhari| | {{Quote|{{Bukhari|||334|darussalam}}|Narrated 'Aisha: (the wife of the Prophet) We set out with Allahs Apostle on one of his journeys till we reached Al-Baida' or Dhatul-Jaish, a necklace of mine was broken (and lost). Allah's Apostle stayed there to search for it, and so did the people along with him. There was no water at that place, so the people went to Abu- Bakr As-Siddiq and said, "Don't you see what 'Aisha has done? She has made Allah's Apostle and the people stay where there is no water and they have no water with them." Abu Bakr came while Allah's Apostle was sleeping with his head on my thigh, He said, to me: "You have detained Allah's Apostle and the people where there is no water and they have no water with them. <BR><BR>So he admonished me and said what Allah wished him to say '''and hit me on my flank with his hand'''. Nothing prevented me from moving (because of pain) but the position of Allah's Apostle on my thigh. Allah's Apostle got up when dawn broke and there was no water. So Allah revealed the Divine Verses of Tayammum. So they all performed Tayammum. Usaid bin Hudair said, "O the family of Abu Bakr! This is not the first blessing of yours." Then the camel on which I was riding was caused to move from its place and the necklace was found beneath it.}} | ||
====Umar beat his wife in the middle of the night==== | ====Umar beat his wife in the middle of the night==== | ||