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Are Muslim Men Allowed to Beat Their Wives?

This booklet was published as part of the women's groups' campaign for a Domestic Violence Act in Malaysia to include Muslims. In question and answer form, it deals with such questions:

Does Islam allow a husband to physically beat or mentally harass his wife?

What is regarded in Islam as cruelty towards a wife?

Verse All Nisa', 4:34 has been commonly used to justify wife beating. How can this verse be explained?

Can a husband beat his wife if she is nushuz?

Was Prophet Muhammad saw ever known to hit or be cruel to his wives?

Relatives and friends sometimes advise women who are being beaten by their husbands to be patient and pray for change. Do husbands usually change if women remain patient?

What should a woman do if her husband beats her or is mentally cruel to her?

Can a woman leave her husband if he is cruel to her?

Introduction

Wife battering is now increasingly recognised as a serious social problem in Malaysia affecting the well-being, physical security and health of women, children and families. More battered women are turning to friends, relatives, counsellors, women's organisations, shelters, lawyers and the Religious Department for help.

There are a number of views being expressed on what the Qur'an says about a husband beating his wife. This booklet puts forward Sisters in Islam's perspectives, based on its understanding of the Qur'an. It is hoped that the booklet will be of value for Muslim women and men who are concerned about the issue, both those directly affected by wife battering and those who are in a position to help.

Note: The term nushuz is used for both women (Al Nisa', 4:34) and men (Al Nisa', 4:128). Syed Qutb in his book The Shade of Qur'an explains nushuz as a state of disorder between married couple.

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Paperback: (July 1991) 12 pages Price: RM1 / USD0.50 (Also available in BM)

O you who believe, you are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should you treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the dower you have given them - except where they have been guilty of lewdness; On the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity... (Al Nisa', 4:19)

"Among God's signs is this, that God created for you mates (azwaj) for you from among yourselves (min anfus) that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and God has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect." (Al Rum, 30:21).

"Men are the maintainers (qawwamuna) of women, [on the basis] of what Allah has [preferred (faddala)] some of them over others and [on the basis] of what they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are devoutly obedient (to God), guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded. And (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion (nusyuz), admonish them (first), leave them alone in bed, (and last) chastise them. Then if they obey you (ta'a) seek not against them means (of annoyance)". (Al Nisa', 4:34)