سُوْرَةُ النِّسَآءِ
Surah An-Nisaa (4) — Ayah 34
ٱلرِّجَالُ قَوَّٰمُونَ عَلَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ وَبِمَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ مِنْ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ ۚ فَٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتُ قَـٰنِتَـٰتٌ حَـٰفِظَـٰتٌ لِّلْغَيْبِ بِمَا حَفِظَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَٱلَّـٰتِى تَخَافُونَ نُشُوزَهُنَّ فَعِظُوهُنَّ وَٱهْجُرُوهُنَّ فِى ٱلْمَضَاجِعِ وَٱضْرِبُوهُنَّ ۖ فَإِنْ أَطَعْنَكُمْ فَلَا تَبْغُوا۟ عَلَيْهِنَّ سَبِيلًا ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيًّا كَبِيرًا ﴿34﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allâh has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient (to Allâh and to their husbands), and guard in the husband’s absence what Allâh orders them to guard (e.g. their chastity, their husband’s property). As to those women on whose part you see ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly, if it is useful); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance). Surely, Allâh is Ever Most High, Most Great.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
ٱلرِّجَالُ
al-rijālu
[The] men
قَوَّٰمُونَ
qawwāmūna
(are) protectors
عَلَى
ʿalā
of
ٱلنِّسَآءِ
l-nisāi
the women
بِمَا
bimā
because
فَضَّلَ
faḍḍala
(has) bestowed
ٱللَّهُ
l-lahu
Allah
بَعْضَهُمْ
baʿḍahum
some of them
عَلَىٰ
ʿalā
over
بَعْضٍۢ
baʿḍin
others
وَبِمَآ
wabimā
and because
أَنفَقُوا۟
anfaqū
they spend
مِنْ
min
from
أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ ۚ
amwālihim
their wealth
فَٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتُ
fal-ṣāliḥātu
So the righteous women
قَـٰنِتَـٰتٌ
qānitātun
(are) obedient
حَـٰفِظَـٰتٌۭ
ḥāfiẓātun
guarding
لِّلْغَيْبِ
lil'ghaybi
in the unseen
بِمَا
bimā
that which
حَفِظَ
ḥafiẓa
(orders) them to guard
ٱللَّهُ ۚ
l-lahu
(by) Allah
وَٱلَّـٰتِى
wa-allātī
And those (from) whom
تَخَافُونَ
takhāfūna
you fear
نُشُوزَهُنَّ
nushūzahunna
their ill-conduct
فَعِظُوهُنَّ
faʿiẓūhunna
then advise them
وَٱهْجُرُوهُنَّ
wa-uh'jurūhunna
and forsake them
فِى
fī
in
ٱلْمَضَاجِعِ
l-maḍājiʿi
the bed
وَٱضْرِبُوهُنَّ ۖ
wa-iḍ'ribūhunna
and [finally] strike them
فَإِنْ
fa-in
Then if
أَطَعْنَكُمْ
aṭaʿnakum
they obey you
فَلَا
falā
then (do) not
تَبْغُوا۟
tabghū
seek
عَلَيْهِنَّ
ʿalayhinna
against them
سَبِيلًا ۗ
sabīlan
a way
إِنَّ
inna
Indeed
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
كَانَ
kāna
is
عَلِيًّۭا
ʿaliyyan
Most High
كَبِيرًۭا
kabīran
Most Great
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
34. 1. In this, two reasons for the authority and guardianship of men are mentioned: one is masculine strength and intellectual ability, in which men are naturally distinguished from women. The second reason is acquired, for which Shariah has made men responsible, and due to the natural weakness of women and specific teachings that Islam has declared necessary for the protection of a woman's chastity, modesty, and sanctity, women have been kept away from economic entanglements. This explicit and definitive text of the Noble Quran is against the leadership of women, which is supported by the Sahih Bukhari hadith in which the Noble Prophet ﷺ said, "That nation will never succeed which entrusts its affairs to a woman."
34. 2. In case of disobedience, the first step to admonish a woman is advice and counsel; the second step is temporary and momentary separation, which is a great warning for an intelligent woman. If she still does not understand, then permission is given for a light beating. But this beating should not be brutal or oppressive as is the custom of ignorant people. Allah Almighty and His Messenger ﷺ have not given any man permission for such oppression. If she reforms, then do not seek a way against her, meaning do not beat, do not harass, or do not divorce her; in other words, divorce is the very last resort when no other option remains. But men also misuse this right in a very improper way and, over trivial matters, immediately give divorce, thereby ruining their own lives, the woman's, and, if there are children, theirs as well.
34. 2. In case of disobedience, the first step to admonish a woman is advice and counsel; the second step is temporary and momentary separation, which is a great warning for an intelligent woman. If she still does not understand, then permission is given for a light beating. But this beating should not be brutal or oppressive as is the custom of ignorant people. Allah Almighty and His Messenger ﷺ have not given any man permission for such oppression. If she reforms, then do not seek a way against her, meaning do not beat, do not harass, or do not divorce her; in other words, divorce is the very last resort when no other option remains. But men also misuse this right in a very improper way and, over trivial matters, immediately give divorce, thereby ruining their own lives, the woman's, and, if there are children, theirs as well.
