In recent news, a Muslim man was accused of beheading his wife. This case raises the question of the Muslim husband's treatment of his wife. There are all kinds of horror stories about the harsh treatment of women in Muslim countries. Most of these cases are examples of culture confused with Islam, but there is one controversial practice of some Muslims that has come under some scrutiny. That is the practice of striking their wives. These Muslims cite the Quran as the basis for this practice. So, does the Quran promote what is now known as domestic abuse?
When discussing the steps that a husband should taken when he finds that his wife is guilty of ill-conduct or disloyalty most translations of the Quran say that he can "beat her (lightly)” or something to that effect (4:34). The Arabic words used here is “adribu” (root: daraba) and it means to beat, to strike, to hit, to separate, to part. The word is used in all these different forms in the Quran. The translators of the Quran have deemed “to beat” to be the best fit for the verse in question. This is probably due to Hadiths which are used to explain the Quran, even though they have vastly different answers for this one question (one of which says do not beat women). But since the Quran is fully detailed, it explains itself (6:114). In another chapter, the Quran again speaks about this troubled marriage and it says that the couple is to separate for four months and after this separation, they can decide to return or to divorce.
2:226 For those who take an oath for abstention from their wives, a waiting for four months is ordained; if then they return, Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
2:227 But if their intention is firm for divorce, Allah heareth and knoweth all things.
Notice here that no beating is involved in this process. One does not abstain from being with his wife then come back to beat her, and then decide if he wants to reconcile or divorce. The four months is clearly a time to reflect on the marriage and to come to a rational decision. And if we look at the steps logically, it is clear that the word “adribu” should be translated as “separate from her” and not as “beat her.”
Step 1. Admonish them- the couple is still together
Step 2. Refuse to sleep together- the couple is still together
Step 3. Beat her- the couple is still together.
The problem with this translation is the verse that succeeds this one.
4:35 If ye 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 hath full knowledge, and is acquainted with all things.
This verse is directed towards a concerned person on the outside of the relationship. It is apparent that this person fears that the couple will divorce, so this third party is to try and reconcile the couple. This would only make sense if the third step was that the couple separated (for four months) and the third party felt that divorce was the inevitable result of this separation. If the man beats his wife, then there is no mention of separation. So how can they get BACK TOGETHER?
The Quran says that husband and wife are to live on equitable terms (4:19). This means if the translator was to assume that a husband can beat his wife, then a wife can beat her husband, which I am sure he will not agree with because later on in this chapter, the wife of a husband who commits disloyalty and ill-conduct, has the permission that a husband has in the same situation (4:128). Also the Quran says that a man is to treat his wife with kindness and not to treat her harshly or keep her against her will (4:19). Beating your wife to get her to do as you wish is contrary to all these principle of the Quran. Hopefully, Muslims will unite and change this translation and put an end to the idea that wife-beating is acceptable in Islam.
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