Everything about An-nisa 34 totally explained
» This is a sub-article of an-Nisa
Verse 34 of
an-Nisa is related to the issue of marital relations in
Islam. This verse is frequently interpreted as giving women complete control over their own income and property, while obliging men to be responsible for maintaining their female relatives. A small minority of Muslims interprets the verse as meaning men have an everlasting superiority over women, and thus the authority to beat women with few regulations. This interpretation, however, is neither mainstream nor supported by any prominent Muslim religious leader.}}
Role of men and women
The Qur'an states that men are the guardians of women, and thus responsible for earning livelihood for the family and female relatives. Women, however, are given complete control over their own income and property. The Qur'an recommends that wives be obedient and adaptable to their husbands. Wives should also keep the secrets of their husbands and protect their honor and integrity. Islamic scholars consider this important in running a smooth family system.
Iranian
feminists have concentrated on one particular verse of the Qur’an, part of which reads `Men are the protectors of and maintainers of women because God has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means’. Feminist theologians in Iran argue that as the only distinction made between Muslims in the Qur’an is that between the pious and the impious, the word taken to mean `protectors and providers’ in the verse above is more appropriately interpreted as initiator in affairs’.
Nushûz
The term "
nushûz" (نُشُوز) is translated as "disloyalty and ill-conduct" by Yusuf Ali, "rebellion" by
Pickthall and "desertion" by
Shakir. Other scholars have drawn on hadiths to interpret the meaning of the word.
says:
Muhammad Asad notes that Muhammad stipulated in
The Farewell Sermon that "beating should be resorted to only if the wife 'has become guilty, in an obvious manner, of immoral conduct'.
Response to nushûz
In response to
nushûz, admonishment, leaving wives in their beds and
idribihunna are permitted. Islamic scholars agree such actions can not be undertaken for any reason other than those mentioned in the
Qur'an (see
nushûz). Muslim scholars also hold that this response is only permitted only if the husband has fulfilled his obligations, both those required of him by the Quran and those in stipulated in the marriage contract.
Admonishing and separation in bed
The first response to
nushuz is
wā'z (‘وَعَظ’), meaning to first admonish or scold the wife of her behaviour.
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); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance). Surely, God is Ever Most High, Most Great."
iḍribūhunna
The word
iḍribūhunna comes from the root
daraba (Arabic: ضرب). The word has been used many times in the Quran to mean: to hit, to travel the earth, to set up, to condemn and to give examples. Thus scholars interpret
iḍribūhunna differently. Whereas many interpret it to mean "to strike lightly", others hold that the term means "to separate"., the Arabic root word "
daraba" being taken from the prosaic example "the stud-camel
covered the she-camel" .
Muslim scholars who permit hitting, emphasize that it must not be harsh, but rather light. Muslim men are never to hit their spouse's face, nor to leave hit them in such a way as would leave marks on their body. Scholars suggest that the response administered should be in proportion to the fault committed. Traditionally the idea of beating was "with a toothbrush" or "with a folded handkerchief."
Many jurists interpret
iḍribūhunna as "more or less symbolic." Others, however, argue that a mere symbolic administration would be pointless and rather should be an "energetic demonstration" of the love of the husband. But it's agreed that the demonstration shouldn't seriously hurt the wife. Furthermore, the Qur'an commands husbands to be kind to their wives.
Furthermore, the woman isn't required to accept her husband's punishment, and the wife can divorce anytime. The wife can also take the husband to court, should he abuse her. If the case is decided in her favor, she's the right to retaliate against her husband. However, other transmitters of hadith have stated the Prophet (saws) saying: "Never beat God's handmaidens" in reference to believing women.
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