Why did prophet Muhammed allow husbands to BEAT their wives?

Question

There is a verse in Quran [4:34] that says that if you fear (JUST fear) that your wife will not obey you then you can advise her, don't share her bed and BEAT her.

I have asked many Muslim scholars about this verse and they said that the beating should be very lightly. However, I found many Muslim books refer to a prophetic statement told by prophet Muhammed about a woman who complained to prophet Muhammed that her husband SLAPPED her on her face leaving visible marks on her face. Once the woman told her story, prophet Muhammed said that the husband should be punished, but God revealed to him the above verse [4:34] verse at that moment so that prophet Muhammed TURNED the woman back and told her that he can not punish her husband because that was god's will!

How come god allow wives to be BEATEN although that was not common practice until Islam came?

http://quran.al-islam.com/tafseer/dispta...

http://www.al-eman.com/Islamlib/viewchp.asp?BID=248&CID=106

Answer 1

I believe it is part of the overall subjugation of women in the religion, consistent with other parts of the Koran that belittles their women believers, while also reflecting the Arab culture of that day, which is still very much true today. Any explaining away of the text to mean "light beating" has no Koranic basis. And to even endorse this as acceptable is most bewildering! Disciplining one's own children should not be equated with chastising one's own spouse. And why should men be allowed to beat their wives in the Koran and not wives beating the husbands? Husbands are also prone to doing wrong things against their wives too, so how come the Koran does not give similar privileges to women? UNLESS the Koran deems the woman to be of inferior status than men?

Answer 2

It is true that the Quran does state this. I had to read it a couple of times to confirm but yes this is what it states. However the prophets life is the example of how the Quran should be followed. There was once an incident where the prophet confirmed of a man striking his wife with what would be the equivalent of a toothbrush today. (He further commanded that the strike should be from a wrist action to prevent a full swing of the arm). The purpose of this is not to inflict physical pain but to send a message. It is better described in these sites:

Answer 3

A man can and should beat his wife if she doesn't obey him. But that is only as a last resort and if she continues with her bad deeds. The first way is to talk with the wife. The second way is for the husband to not share his bed with his wife. The third way is to beat his wife.
The beating can not leave any marks or bruises and can only be a light tap on the feet or anywhere that the body is covered.

Answer 4

who said God allowed it?, muhammad was the one who said it.

the same reason women have to wear all those clothes, and the only part of their skin that can be visible is their face.

because muslims think men are better, other times part of the quran says to never hit a woman.

same reason it's ok for them to run into a cafe and blow themselves up and woman and children.

same reason we helped iraq fight off iran, and then iraq turns on us, they actually used guns we gave them to fight the iranians, on us.

from an american perspective they appear to have low morals comapared to westen world nations.

*Note: this is not a rant, just some examples

Answer 5

[4.34] 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 lightly; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great.

It says if you fear your wife is LEAVING you, not disobeying.
Also, it says to admonish them first, then to sleep in a different bed. Not to mention that it says right there "lightly".

Also, do you have anything written in English?

Answer 6

[4:34] The men are made responsible for the women, ** and GOD has endowed them with certain qualities, and made them the bread earners. The righteous women will cheerfully accept this arrangement, since it is GOD's commandment, and honor their husbands during their absence. If you experience rebellion from the women, you shall first talk to them, then (you may use negative incentives like) deserting them in bed, then you may (as a last alternative) beat them. If they obey you, you are not permitted to transgress against them. GOD is Most High, Supreme

Well if you carefully read this verse you would find that this is for those women who get disloyal and cheat on thei husbands .......and still after talking to her and making her understand that she is wrong......light beating is allowed....just give me an answer.....if you are a male and your wife cheast on you what would you do? would you enjoy her disloyality and would buck her up for such 'nice' exibition? and would you like to shower roses on her? Well if you would.then......
anyways.....In islam we beleive in fair relationship and there should be no filthy mixing in it ....we have few boundaries and no one is allowed to cross those boundaries...this is our believe and this is how "human" should act .......becaus i think there should be some difference between humen and animals who have no discrimination of relationship ....NO?
I m a woman and i agree with this totally.........When a kid gets wrong, his father or guardian slap him to bring him back to 'good' not because he hates him but he loves him and want him to be on right path always.....so if a woman adapt a wrong attitude it is a duty of her husband to prevent her from doing this......because still islam force on keeping the realtion intact for the sake of children and family so for that if a husban gives a slap to his wife......its not a big deal!


And Btw this kind of punishment is also mentioned in other religions...and they also allow beating till submission of women...this punishment is nothing in front of those !but i don't have those verses for the time being....would show you some other time !

"How come god allow wives to be BEATEN although that was not common practice until Islam came?"

untill Islam?? so you mean women were treated very beautifuly before this??

If within the city a man comes upon a maiden who is betrothed, and has relations with her, you shall bring them both out of the gate of the city and there stone them to death: the girl because she did not cry out for help though she was in the city, and the man because he violated his neighbors wife(Deuteronomy 22:23-24 )

Mush before islam came !
edit..
hc8719 !Sir /Ma'am........ christains nuns also wear same type of dress infact more covered than muslim woman.does it make her oppressed??
Would you please tell me where in Quran /hadith it is stated that blowing up yourself is reward and is an islamic act?the fact is that such suicidal bombers would burn in hell and thats a promise of Allah!
US helped Iraq for their war in Iran....I agree.but do you know that it was US who 'ordered' Iraq to attack Kuwait and to fight with Iran? just for making iraq and iran weaker and getting an excuse that iraq has MDW and the courtesy to that war is that US is sitting in Iraq and now planning for Iran .....Would you like me to state the whole story? this is same kind of help that US had given to Osama agaisnt Russia during its russian invasion and now Russia is no where.....Btw you peoples are very smart i must agree !

Answer 7

to that chick above me but sorry there is no way in hell i would beat my wife and what kind of crap is that? i bet shed sing a different tune if her husband ( if she had one i dont know ) gave her a right cross i mean dont hit women period the only men that do are wimps that would get their asses whipped by men and dont say its not true ive seen the men who hit their wives and girlfriends and they are weak men who wouldnt last 2 minutes against a man