My Resolution on Wife-Beating
Assalamu alaikum.
As I have stated earlier, I will not engage in further discussion with Br. R. on the issue of wife-beating, simply because I would be repeating myself.
Earlier I wrote:
>In Islam, there is no wife-beating. Period.
I also wrote:According to (for example) the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, to beat is:
- to strike REPEATEDLY
- to hit repeatedly so as TO INFLICT PAIN
- to strike directly against FORCEFULLY and REPEATEDLY
- to flap or thrash at VIGOROUSLYI repeat below in light of what I have written before:
If this is what beating is, then based on other verses in the Qur'an, in light of Prophet's (p) life, his authentic and undisputed statement in hadith, and a clear consensus among the religious experts, there is NO beating in Islam.
If one understands the meaning of "beating" as explicitly defined above, taking into account 4:19 from the Qur'an, then no Mufassir, no Islamic experts or jurists have understood and explained 4:34's beating as permissible. No, not Maulana Maudoodi in Tafhimul Qur'an, not Ibn Kathir in his Tafsir or Sayyid Qutb in Fi Zilalil Qur'an have recognized the provision of "beating" in 4:34 as a provision that involves any kind of forceful/vigorous/repeated heating/striking that would cause pain, injury or marks. In all three of the cited references, go ahead and read for yourself; none of them have recognized any "beating" that cause "pain, injury, marks." It is in that sense, there is NO beating in Islam.
For the last 27 years of my humble and limited effort to study and understand Islam, I have found definitive guidance from the Qur'an and the Sunnah for anyone who fears Allah and cares about the life hereafter NOT to BEAT one's wife (I have already provided definition of what beating actually means). For those who want to follow the guidance of the Qur'an and the Sunnah, it is definitive.
For those who want to seek support and evidence for their vile and cowardly unislamic acts and for those who want to establish the support and evidence for it, it just makes the already powerful and (un)holy alliance against the poor wives that much more stronger. For poor wives and non-authorities like me the forecast is gloomy.
Yet, for now, this is my resolution as a Muslim. (What is yours?)
1. I will respect the wisdom, scholarship and contribution of others, but I accept the Qur'an and the Sunnah as my only authority. I urge others to do the same.
2. I will love my wife and NEVER, NEVER, NEVER - even if she is disobedient - will I BEAT her. I will urge others as believers and human beings to do the same.
3. I will not dignify those who try to attribute "beating" (an act that cause pain, injury or mark) of wife to Islam/Shariah/Qur'an by participating in such discussion. I also urge others to do the same.
4. I will actively, vigorously, and unyieldingly bring to others' attention that "beating" (an act that cause pain, injury or mark) is against the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and the life of the Prophet (s). I urge others to do the same.
5. I invite others to join hand in setting examples, in educating others, and in building social pressure toward any domestic violence or abuse. I urge others to do the same.
6. I will work for a society, under the legal system of which, any act of beating (causing pain, injury or mark) would be justly and vigorously prosecuted. I urge others to do the same.
7. I will join hands with muslims and non-muslims to prevent such abuse. I urge others to do the same.
That leaves those who won't quit beating and those who won't quit the beating of the drum of the beaters. For them the following reminders:
"...And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: 'we believe in the Book: THE WHOLE OF IT is from our Lord ..." [3/Ale Imran/7]
*** No verse should be taken in isolation from the rest of the Qur'an. ***
"God commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that you may receive admonition." [19/an-Nahl/90]
The Prophet Muhammad (p) said: "God will definitely enforce the settlement of all the dues to those entitled to receive them on the Day of Judgment, even the wrong done to a hornless goat by a horned goat will be addressed." [Riyadus Saleheen, #204]
*** Oops! I just realized that this hadith is about goats. Wives are not goats. Therefore, it won't apply to wives - horned or hornless. Yes, I can see the logic, evidence, subjectivity and free-thinking! ***
The Prophet (p) said: "A Muslim is a person from whose tongue (words) and hands other Muslims are safe." [Riyadus Saleheen, #211]
*** Oops! This hadith says that from "hands" other Muslims are safe, but not legs.
Therefore, kicking, as good or as bad, is okay. Yes, I can see the logic, evidence and free-thinking. ***
I apologize to NABIC-L subscribers for repeating myself in this posting. But, if you are convinced about the definitive guidance of Islam regarding not beating your wife, then instead of arguing about it on NABIC-L, you have other important things to do. Such as love your wife little bit more and make the resolution stated above (or something similar to it) your own resolution.
Fi amanillah.
Mohammad Omar Farooq