-----Original Message-----
From: Mohammad Farooq <farooqm@trxinc.com>
To: nabic-l@globalfront.com <nabic-l@globalfront.com>
Date: Thursday, June 03, 1999 11:48 PM
Subject: Re: The Hostage Islam


Assalamu alaikum.

As I have mentioned in one of my earlier postings, I would not further engage in  discussion with Br. R. on the issue of wife-beating.

As far as those who don't want to fit the Qur'an and the Sunnah to their own twisted opinion or thinking, rather want to make a conscientious effort to understand Islam, the following information might be useful. If you like, please save these information for future as NABIC-L does not have any archive yet.

Another important Qur'anic verse that helps understand the verse 4:34 that has been the subject of discussion.

"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 to them, except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary, LIVE WITH THEM ON A FOOTING OF KINDNESS AND EQUITY; if you take a dislike to them it may be that you dislike a thing, and God brings about through it a great deal of good." [4/an-Nisaa/19]

First understand this verse, its spirit and the kind of personality the Qur'an desires through this verse. More importantly, understand the word in the Qur'an for harshness (ta'dulu). The dictionary meaning of it (The Hans-Wehr Arabic-English Dictionary): to be muscular. The implication is: don't try to establish your masculinity or display your muscular strength or be a macho or show machismo (an exaggerated sense of masculinity stressing attributes such as courage, virility, aggressiveness, and domination of women). Once you understand this aspect of the above verse, combine it with the Qur'anic command to be ON FOOTING OF KINDNESS AND EQUITY, and then (even without any other related verses in the Qur'an) you would understand the verse 4:34 in a different light.

If still somebody does not understand it or someone wants to twist the meaning of it, in addition to other relevant verses, the teacher appointed by Allah, the Prophet (s), in no unclear term, has the following to say:

"... DO NOT STRIKE HER ON THE FACE..." [Sunan Abu Dawood, #2137]

"Give them (wives) food what you have for yourself, and clothe them by which you clothe yourself, and DO NOT BEAT THEM, and do not revile them." [Sunan Abu Dawood, #2139]

Is there anything to twist?
Anything unambiguous?
Are we looking for a reason or excuse to beat up our wives?
This is "blind thought process?"
Showing lack of "free thinking?"

"And our duty is only to proclaim the clear message." [36/Ya-Sin/17]

Fi amanillah.

Mohammad Omar Farooq