Sura 4:34
In its full context and in it's original arabic wording we find the following rather troubling:
- it is a command, not a mere provision.
- There is no mention of beating being a "last resort" after other means fail. Instead it is equally plausible that the text means to employ all 3 means at the same time.
- The precursor to employing such action, is if the husband "fears rebelliousness" or in other english translations, "fears disobedience" - this is not the same as ACTUAL disobedience. It's merely the perceptions of the husband. If he THINKS that his wife may act disobediently in future, he is commanded to take action to discipline her by the methods listed.
- There is no mention of "not causing pain".
Now, granted that there may be more to this than simply what it says at face value. I am sure many attempts have been made to explain this verse in a particular context and perspective to make it sound less inhumane and more sensible. But according to the Quran and the Tafsir of Al-Tabari, it is clear in meaning for its readers and doesn't need any further explanation. It's words CAN be taken at face value. (Sura's 3:7, 11:1, 6:114, 16:89, 41:3).
But when Islamic leaders who have credibility come out making public statements like this, it doesn't help. it makes it difficult for the unbiased outsider looking in to interpret it any differently. Attempts to make this passage sound less simply come across as dubious.
We can grant that the way that many Muslims today respond to this teaching is not as barbaric. We can grant that they choose to accept and apply only a more sensible interpretation of this passage. But you have to admit that for the outsider looking in who is only taking the Quran text to mean what it says, it is perfectly understandable that they would be outraged when they come across this part of the Quran, and when islamic leaders make public statements like the one above.
"daraba" can also mean "to go away"
"go away" meaning? To separate with them permanently? Or to leave the house? Is there a tradition of anyone in 7th century arabia (who understood the arabic better than anyone could today) who took it to mean that? For "daraba" to be read as "go away" wouldn't fit the literary context as the list of actions would be 1. advise them. 2. be sleep separately. 3. go away from them?
Razi's commentary, "At-Tafsir al-Kabir," on 4:34
"A women complained to Muhammad that her husband slapped her on the face, (which was still marked by the slap). At first the prophet said to her: "Get even with him", but then added: "Wait until I think about it". Later on, Allah supposedly revealed 4:34 to Muhammad, after which the prophet said: "We wanted one thing but Allah wanted another, and what Allah wanted is best."[
So what we have is a non-consensus amongst scholars as to what this verse meant when it was revealed. So we on the fence are tasked with figuring out which scholar is right and who's not. To simply take a more "non-fundamentalist" scholar's word as more authoritative because it sounds better to us is just wishful thinking. We are saying "we believe this to be true because we prefer it to be true".
Reason why "non-fundamentalists" are likely to be *wrong*: The hadith traditions corroborate the more "fundamentalist" reading that wife-beating is at least "permissible", if not instructed - references below.
(1) Sahih Bukhari, vol. 7, # 715 - A woman was beaten by her husband because of marriage discord. The women did not commit any illegal sexual act. She was beaten and bruised because her husband said she was "disobedient" and he thought she wanted to go back to her former husband.
Aisha said, "I have not seen any woman suffering as much as the believing women. Look! Her skin is greener than her clothes!
The woman was badly bruised. Her skin was green. Aisha acknowledged that the Muslim women were suffering (from being beaten) more than the non-Muslim women. Muslims today proclaim that Islam gave women rights but Aisha, the "mother of the believers" said otherwise! She said that the Pagan women were treated better!
Muhammad did not rebuke the man for beating his wife. In fact, he reproached the women for saying Rahman was impotent. Even though she was hurt Muhammad accepted her bruises and beating because to Muhammad it was not abuse. In Muhammad’s eyes she deserved the beating.
(2)Sunan Abu Dawud 709 #2141 - #2142
Iyas Dhubab reported the apostle of Allah as saying: "Do not beat Allah's handmaidens", but when Umar came to the apostle of Allah 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 complaining against their husbands. So the apostle of Allah said, "Many women have gone round Muhammad's family complaining against their husbands. They are not the best among you".Umar reported the prophet as saying: "A man will not be asked as to why he beat his wife"
(3) Sahih Muslim Sahih Muslim #2127:
…When it was my turn for Allah's Messenger 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 'Aisha, 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?…
(4) Sahih Muslim #2127:
…When it was my turn for Allah's Messenger 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 'Aisha, 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?…
(5) Jabir b. 'Abdullah reported: Abu Bakr came and sought permission to see Allah's Messenger. 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 sitting sad and silent with his wives around him. He (Hadrat 'Umar) said: I would say something which would make the Holy Prophet laugh, so he said: Messenger of Allah, I wish you had seen (the treatment meted out to) the daughter of Kharija when she asked me some money, and I got up and slapped her on her neck. Allah's Messenger laughed and said: They are around me as you see, asking for extra money. Abu Bakr then got up went to 'Aisha and slapped her on the neck, and 'Umar stood up before Hafsa and slapped her saying: You ask Allah's Messenger which he does not possess. They said: By Allah, we do not ask Allah's Messenger for anything he does not possess." (Hadith, Sahih Muslim, Book 009, #3506, Muhammad doesn't slap his wives, but laughed at hearing about his friend Umar slapping his wife when they asked for more money. Muhammad's wife was slapped by her father upon hearing she too had been asking for more money.)
