Answering Questions Through The Holy Qur'an: According to Verse 4:34, is wife beating allowed in Islam? Is it supported by other Verses?

According to Verse 4:34, is wife beating allowed in Islam? Is it supported by other Verses?

4:34 Men are protectors of the women because Allah (has) bestowed some of them over others and because they spend from their wealth. So the righteous women are obedient, guarding in the unseen that which Allah (orders) them to guard. And those (from) whom you fear their ill-conduct, then advise them, and forsake them in bed, and set forth them (id'ribuhunna). Then if they obey you, then do not seek a way against them. Indeed, Allah is Most High, Most Great.

(The root of “id’ribu” (set forth) is “Dad-Ra-Ba”, and it means “go, make a journey, travel, set forth, leave/forsake, strike, beat, hit, etc.”. You use one word or another according to the context. In the case of Verse 4:34, translating / interpreting it as “strike / beat”, is not supported by other Verses of the Qur’an. So, the Qur’an do not support a translation or interpretation that could imply wife beating. According to the context, (“forsake them in bed” (4:34)), then “set forth them” (4:34)), suggests that, if they still have ill-conduct, you do not only forsake them in bed, but, you also leave them in general (in bed, house, etc))(Another point is that Verse 4:34 starts saying, “men are protectors of the women”, which implies that men are their protectors, not their aggressors. Similarly, the Bible says in Malachi 2:16, “the man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” says the Lord Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful”. The Qur’an confirms the Bible (5:48), in that which God revealed in the Qur’an, and is found in the Bible)(Verse 4:82 says, “If it had been from other than Allah, surely they would have found much contradiction in it.”. So, a contradictory interpretation is “other than God”. So, you cannot say that you are a protector of women, and then beating them)(Allah knows best)

4:35 And if you fear a dissension between the two of them, then send an arbitrator (hakaman) from his family and an arbitrator (wahakaman) from her family. If they both wish reconciliation, Allah will cause reconciliation between both of them. Indeed, Allah is All-Knower, All-Aware.

(The next Verse confirms that men and women are under the same conditions; it is not about one side (man) using his strength, but the dissension is between the two of them (4:35), then there is an arbitrator from both sides. And reconciliation is also between both of them (4:35))(So, interpreting the word “id'ribuhunna” in Verse 4:34 as “beating them” would be in direct contradiction with “men are protectors of the women” (4:34), but it also would be in direct contradiction with “sending an arbitrator from each one’s family” (4:35), because “arbitrator” (hakaman) means “someone exercising authority / giving judgment, judge / withholding them from acting in an evil or corrupt manner / possessing knowledge, etc.”. So, men/husbands are not judges over their women/wives. The Qur’an does not say that men are always right, and their wives are always wrong, so that men is able to punish/beat their women, as if they were judges, but, on the contrary, there are two arbitrators, from each side, “withholding them from acting in an evil or corrupt manner” and for “reconciliation” (if they both wish (4:35)), rather than punishing women’s side)(Another point is that divorce is allowed in Islam, so if a man were to beat a woman, then that woman is allowed to divorce (33:28, 2:237, 2:241, 4:35). So, in Islam, Muslim women cannot be abused o oppressed (oppression is forbidden (16:90)), on the other hand, in Christianity, women cannot divorce (Matthew 5:32); so, Christian women could be oppressed or abused by their husband)(Allah knows best)

4:128 And if a woman fears ill-conduct or desertion from her husband, then there is no sin upon both of them that they make terms of peace between themselves - a reconciliation, and reconciliation is best. And souls are swayed by greed. But if you do good and fear, then indeed, Allah is All-Aware of what you do.

(Verse 4:128 has the same context than Verse 4:34: “ill-conduct” (4:34, 4:128), and tells about “desertion”, or “reconciliation”, so it is one or the other, so it confirms that in the case of ill-conduct, it is about separating, or reconciliating, in both Verses (4:34 and 4:128). So, the Qur’an does not tell about retaining her and beating her, but you have to reconcile (stay married in good terms), or divorce (leave / separate / forsake / set forth, in a fair manner). The Verses of the Qur’an are not mutually exclusive, but complement each other)(Allah knows best)

4:129 And you will never be able to deal justly between the women even if you desired, but do not incline (with) all the inclination and leave her like the suspended one. And if you reconcile and fear - then indeed, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 4:130 And if they separate, Allah will enrich each (of them) from His abundance. And Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Wise.

(Verses 4:129-130 confirm that it is about separating, or reconciliating (“if you reconcile” (4:129); “If they separate” (4:130)). Notice that Verse 4:129 tells about not leaving her like the suspended one, so if they are not in good terms, he doesn’t beat her, but he leaves her, and ultimately they both have to reconcile or divorce)(Allah knows best)

2:231 And when you divorce women and they reach their term, then either retain them in a fair manner or release them in a fair manner (bima’rufin). And do not retain them to hurt them so that you transgress. And whoever does that, then indeed, he wrongs himself. And do not take the Verses of Allah in jest, and remember the Favors of Allah upon you and what is revealed to you of the Book and the wisdom by which He instructs you. And fear Allah and know that Allah is All-Knower of everything.

(Verse 2:231 explicitly says, “do not retain them to hurt them”. So, you either “retain them in a fair manner” (2:231), or “release them in a fair manner” (2:231), but retaining them to hurt is explicitly forbidden (2:231))(If you do not want to divorce, you retain them in a fair manner (“ma’rufin” (2:231)). The root of “ma’rufin” is “Ayn-Ra-Fa”, and it means “honorable, good, kindness, fairness, recognized, etc.”; on the other hand, if you release them, you also do it with kindness (“bima’rufin”), so you do with kindness either way)(Interpreting Verse 4:34 as “beating” is in direct contradiction with other Verses of the Qur’an, and it is in contradiction with Verse 4:34 itself; “Men are protectors of the women” (4:34))(“harming” or “beating” opposes “protecting”)(Allah knows best)

65:2 Then when they have reached their term, then retain them with kindness or part with them (fariquhunna) with kindness. And take as witnesses two just men among you and establish the testimony for Allah. That is instructed to whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day. And whoever fears Allah, He will make for him a way out,

(The root of “fariqu” (part) is “Fa-Ra-Qaf”, and it means “to separate / divide / split; fariq – who separates, etc.”. So, the Verse tells about separating with kindness, rather than beating with violence)(The words “separate” and “beat” oppose each other, so you cannot consider or apply these two words at once, nor you can apply “kindness” and “violence” at once)(Allah knows best)

4:19 O you who believe, it is not lawful for you to inherit women by force. And do not constraint them in order to take part of what you have given them unless they commit a clear immorality. And live with them in kindness (bil-ma’rufi). For if you dislike them - perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah has placed much good in it.

(The believers are commanded to live with them in kindness (4:19))(“Beating” opposes “kindness”. And Verse 4:19 even says that “if you dislike them – perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah has placed much good in it”; so some men might not know or perceive that which is good in regard to women, so the only way is treating them with kindness)(The root of “ma’rufi” (kindness) is “Ayn-Ra-Fa” and it means “become submissive / tractable / pleasant, fragrant, benefaction / goodness; ma’ruf – honorable, known, recognized, good, befitting, fairness, kindness, etc.”)(Allah knows best)

30:21 And among His Signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed love and mercy between you. Indeed, in that are surely Signs for a people who reflect.

(Love and mercy is between both of them. It implies good treatment)(Allah knows best)

24:26 Evil women are for evil men, and evil men are for evil women. And good women are for good men, and good men are for good women. Those are innocent of what they say. For them (is) forgiveness and a noble provision.

3:134 Those who spend in ease and hardship and those who restrain the anger and those who pardon people - and Allah loves the good-doers.

(According to Verse 3:134, the good-doers restrain the anger, so you cannot hit your wife)(Those who hit their wives, it is out of anger and impatience; the Qur’an also tells about being patient (2:153, 2:155, 2:249, 3:146, 8:46, 28:80, 37:102, 39:10, 47:31))(Allah knows best)

42:37 And those who avoid the greater sins and the immoralities, and when they are angry, they forgive,

33:28 O Prophet, say to your wives, "If you desire the life of the world and its adornment, then come, I will provide for you and release you with a good release.

(Wives are not forced to follow the religion, because there is no compulsion in Islam (2:256), and women can also divorce, with “a good release”)(Allah knows best)

2:237 And if you divorce them before you have touched them while already you have specified for them an obligation (dower), then (give) half of what you have specified, unless they (women) forgo it or the one in whose hands is the marriage knot forgoes it. And if you forgo, it is nearer to righteousness. And do not forget the graciousness among you. Indeed, Allah is All-Seer of what you do.

60:10 O you who believe, when the believing women come to you as emigrants, then examine them. Allah is most knowing of their faith. And if you know them to be believers, then do not return them to the disbelievers. They are not lawful for them, nor are they lawful for them. But give them what they have spent. And there is no blame upon you if you marry them when you have given them their (bridal) dues. And do not hold to marriage bonds with disbelieving women, but ask for what you have spent, and let them ask for what they have spent. That is the Judgment of Allah. He judges between you. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

2:229 Divorce is twice. Then retain in a reasonable manner or release with kindness. And it is not lawful for you to take back whatever you have given them, except if both fear that they can’t keep the limits of Allah. But if you fear that they can’t keep the limits of Allah, then there is no sin on both of them in what she ransoms concerning it. These are the limits of Allah, so do not transgress them. And whoever transgresses the limits of Allah then those - they are the wrongdoers.

(In Judaism and Christianity, in Deuteronomy 22:28-29, if a man rapes a girl, he must marry her forever and can never divorce. So, this could rather punish the victim, and the rapist would go unpunished)(Jews and Christians are the ones who wrongly oppress people, following their desires, rather than following the true/incorrupted religion)(Allah knows best)

33:59 O Prophet, say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw over themselves their outer garments. That is more suitable that they should be known and not harmed. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

(The purpose of the Verses is that women are not harmed, so that they are protected)(Allah knows best)

4:3 And if you fear that not you will be able to do justice with the orphans, then marry what seems suitable to you from the women - two, or three, or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then one or what your right hands possess. That is more appropriate that you may not oppress.

16:90 Indeed, Allah commands justice and good, and giving to relatives, and forbids immorality and bad and oppression (wal-baghyi). He admonishes you so that you may take heed.

(The root of “baghyi” (oppression) is “Ba-Ghayn-Ya”, and it means “Not right, proper or fit. Acting wrongfully, injuriously or tyrannically. Exceeding due bounds or just limits in any way, etc.”)(So, you cannot hurt, harm, cause damage, or wounds, or being offensive against women, lest you be an oppressor)(Allah knows best)

5:48 And We have revealed to you the Book in truth, confirming the Book that came before it and as a guardian over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their vain desires when the truth has come to you. For each of you We have made a law and a clear way. And if Allah had willed, He would have made you one community [and] but to test you in what He has given you; so race to good. To Allah you will all return, then He will inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.

(“Beating” and “leaving” are not the same; why using a word with these two meanings? People is tested in what God has given you (5:48). Some people interpret Verse 4:34 one way or another, but you have to race to good (5:48), and “Those who listen to the Word, then follow the best thereof, those are they whom Allah has guided, and those are men of understanding” (39:18))(And Verse 2:85 says, “So do you believe in part of the Book and disbelieve in part? Then what should be the recompense for those who do so among you, except disgrace in worldly life; and on the Day of Resurrection they will be sent back to the most severe punishment?”)(So, you cannot choose one interpretation, disregarding other Verses of the Qur’an. The Verses of the Qur’an are not mutually exclusive but complement each other, and may explain each other)(Allah knows best)

39:18 Those who listen to the Word, then follow the best thereof, those are they whom Allah has guided, and those are men of understanding.

(Also consider Verse 39:18, “Those who listen to the Word, then follow the best thereof, those are they whom Allah has guided, and those are men of understanding”)(Allah knows best)

66:10 Allah presents (daraba) an example for those who disbelieved - the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot. They were under two of Our righteous slaves, but they both betrayed them, so they did not avail both of them from Allah in anything, and it was said, "Enter the Fire with those who enter."

(There are many examples in the Qur’an in which all the meanings of a certain word could not be applied in a certain context. E.g. “daraba” in Verse 66:10 (which is the same word than the one used in Verse 4:34) can neither be translated as “beating” anyhow)(Allah knows best)

42:39 And those who, when tyranny strikes them, they defend themselves. 42:40 The recompense for an evil is an evil like it. But whoever pardons and makes reconciliation, then his reward is on Allah. Indeed, He does not like the wrongdoers.

(Muslim women may defend themselves against oppressors. So, when a husband beats women, the husband may be beaten in the the same way)(Allah knows best)

22:52 And We (did) not send a Messenger or a Prophet before you but when he recited, Satan threw in his recitation. But Allah abolishes that which Satan throws, then Allah will establish His Verses. And Allah (is) All-Knower, All-Wise. 22:53 That He may make that which Satan throws a trial for those in whose hearts is a disease, and those whose hearts are hardened. And indeed, the wrongdoers are surely in a schism far.

3:7 He is the One Who revealed to you the Book, in it are Verses which are absolutely clear - they (are) the foundation of the Book, and others are allegorical. Then as for those in whose hearts is perversity - [so] they follow what is allegorical of it, seeking discord and seeking its interpretation. And none except Allah knows its interpretation. And those who are firm in knowledge, they say, "We believe in it. All is from our Lord." And not will take heed except men of understanding.

(Verse 22:52 says that “Satan throws” in the recitation. And Verse 3:7 says, “...in it are Verses which are absolutely clear - they (are) the foundation of the Book, and others are allegorical. Then as for those in whose hearts is perversity - [so] they follow what is allegorical of it, seeking discord and seeking its interpretation...”)(The root of the word “allegorical” in Arabic is “Shiin-Ba-ha”, and it also means “ambiguous / dubious / obscure, appear like another thing, similitude, parable, etc.”)(So, the word in Verse 4:34 might “appear like another thing” (“beating” instead of “setting forth”), but such interpretation is not supported by other Verses. In addition, the way you beat someone is unspecific, while “leaving her” is clear)(Allah knows best)

Answering Questions Through The Holy Qur'an

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Thursday, April 28, 2016

According to Verse 4:34, is wife beating allowed in Islam? Is it supported by other Verses?

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