To Lisa

Submitted by S (United States), Dec 5, 2007 at 22:56

Let me refer you to the Quar'an Surah 4-34 and you can decide for yourself about the physical abuse. Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spent (to support them) from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient (to Allah and to their husbands), and guard in the husband's absence what Allah orders them to guard (e.g. their chastity, their husband's property).

As to those women on whose part you see ill-conducted, 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). Abuse comes in many forms and whenever a woman is described as being a man's property, that's enough abuse.

Several weeks ago an Imam from Saudi Arabia actually gave instructions on how Muslim Men should beat their wives. Just remember that women are lumped in the same group with camels (if the camel won't move, beat him but not too badly because he has a job to do). The reason your friend told you that Muslim Men aren't supposed to beat their women is because his modus operandi is telling women what he thinks they want to hear. If you want to hear the truth about Muslim Men, ask a Muslim woman.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".