Objections by non-Muslims against the Quran and their refutation
Non-Muslims, especially Christian circles, often cite
of the Holy Quran and object that Islam gives a man the right to raise his hand against a woman and beat her. The purpose of this article is to clarify and refute this objection.
The text of the verse and its correct meaning
In the Holy Quran, in
, Allah the Exalted says:
اَلرِّجَالُ قَوّٰمُوۡنَ عَلَی النِّسَآءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ اللّٰہُ بَعۡضَہُمۡ عَلٰی بَعۡضٍ وَّ بِمَاۤ اَنۡفَقُوۡا مِنۡ اَمۡوَالِہِمۡ…
Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given some of them preference over others, and because men spend from their wealth.
It is necessary to examine the verse in its context
According to Islamic teachings, the correct interpretation of any verse is made by keeping in view its context and other Islamic injunctions.
Some important points
The scope of marital relations in Islam:
Islam has confined the marital relations of men and women to the bounds of marriage and has declared any illegitimate relationship forbidden.
On what conditions is hitting permitted?
The permission to “hit” mentioned in the verse is not general; it is conditional and is given as the very last step, when all other corrective measures have failed.
The meaning of nushuz (rebellion):
Nushuz means that a woman takes up such rebellion as disturbs the order of the family, such as disobedience, immorality, or other conduct that has negative effects on the husband or the family.
Gradual stages of correction
The stages that Islam has given for the correction of a woman are as follows:
❀ Advice: First of all, an attempt should be made to explain to the woman gently.
❀ Separation: If advice is not effective, the bed may be separated temporarily.
❀ Light hitting: If separation also fails, then as a last measure, light hitting is permitted, but this hitting must be so light that it leaves no wound or mark on the body.
The guidance of the Prophet ﷺ:
Hadrat Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said in the sermon of the Farewell Pilgrimage:
“Fear Allah regarding women… If they commit clear immorality, then hit them with a beating that leaves no mark on the body.”
Hitting on the face is prohibited:
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Do not hit on the face and do not revile them.”
The rights of the wife and the responsibilities of the husband
Islam also places on the husband the responsibility of looking after the wife’s food, drink, housing and other needs. If the husband does not fulfil his responsibility, the wife can approach the court and may seek khula.
The situation of violence against women in the West
The rate of violence against women in Western society proves the propaganda against Islam to be false.
◈ According to a UN Women report, in countries such as Australia, Canada and the United States, between 40 and 70 percent of women were killed by their close partner.
◈ In the United States, between 2003 and 2005, half of the women murdered were killed by their husband or partner.
Violence contrary to Islamic teachings and its harms
❀ Islam has not permitted hitting a wife over trivial matters such as too little salt in the food or harsh words with the mother-in-law.
❀ The purpose of hitting is correction, not the satisfaction of anger.
❀ Even light hitting is prohibited when used continually or permanently.
❀ If the husband himself is not performing his responsibilities, he has no right to raise his hand against his wife.
Summary
Permission to raise the hand against a woman exists only in a state of extreme rebellion and after all other corrective measures have failed.
This hitting should be such that it leaves no mark on the body and causes no physical harm.
Its purpose is not to cause the woman pain but to keep the household order correct.
If the husband does not fulfil his responsibilities or if there is rebellion on his part, the wife has been given the right to seek khula.
Those who spread Western propaganda present the meaning of this verse out of its context, whereas the reality is that Islam guarantees the protection of women and the stability of the family system.
