Top 10 Controversial Verses in the Qur'an

[Union]

WikiIslam team consider the following ten verses as the most controversial verses from the whole Qur'an and in turns these become very popular among WkiIslam's adherents who have negative feelings about Islam . I really failed to fathom why did they really think so a but there is nothing wrong to just take a time to investigate them . Hence here is my own takes for them and I would like others as well to share their views , any views , no propblem . This topic can be found in the following link and also pasted for the lazy people who do not like to jump around ( I am one of them ) :

Top 10 Controversial Verses in the Qur'an - WikiIslam
10. "Beat Them"[edit]
This verse advises men to beat their wives if they don't obey them:

"Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great."
Qur'an 4:34


Qur'an 5:38orders cutting of hands of a thief.
See related: Wife Beating in Islam and Beat your Wives or "Separate from Them"? (Qur'an 4:34)

9. "Cut off their hands"[edit]
This verse orders an irreversible punishment for thieves, taking away their chance to rehabilitate, improve as human beings and become a productive member of society later on. As an example, Terrence Barkley was arrested on his 16th birthday for stealing cars, but that resulted in him getting out of gangs and into college to study criminal justice at the University of Central Missouri.[1] If Terrence's hands and feet had been cut off according to Islamic laws, none of this would have been possible.

As for the thief, both male and female, cut off their hands. It is the reward of their own deeds, an exemplary punishment from Allah. Allah is Mighty, Wise."
Qur'an 5:38
Sura 5:33 orders the cutting off of the hands and feet of those who wage war against Allah and his Messenger.

The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter;
Qur'an 5:33
See related: Amputation. For other punishments in Islam, see: Punishments

8. A man may marry four wives[edit]
This verse allows a man to marry up to four wives:

If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, Marry women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.
Qur'an 4:3
Polygamy is highly controversial and not socially accepted in most parts of the modern world. See related: Polygamy



7. A man can marry a girl who hasn't reached puberty[edit]
This highly controversial Qur'anic verse prescribes the waiting period of a female who has not yet reached puberty thereby permitting men to have sex with girls who have not reached puberty:

"Such of your women as have passed the age of monthly courses, for them the prescribed period, if ye have any doubts, is three months, and for those who have no courses (it is the same): for those who carry (life within their wombs), their period is until they deliver their burdens: and for those who fear Allah, He will make their path easy."
Qur'an 65:4
Read the detailed analysis of this verse in our article: Pedophilia in the Qur'an



6. A man can have sex with prisoners of war[edit]
This verse allows men to have sex with women who are prisoners of war:

"O Prophet! We have made lawful to thee thy wives to whom thou hast paid their dowers; and those whom thy right hand possesses out of the prisoners of war whom Allah has assigned to thee; and daughters of thy paternal uncles and aunts, and daughters of thy maternal uncles and aunts, who migrated (from Makka) with thee; and any believing woman who dedicates her soul to the Prophet if the Prophet wishes to wed her;- this only for thee, and not for the Believers (at large); We know what We have appointed for them as to their wives and the captives whom their right hands possess;- in order that there should be no difficulty for thee. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
Qur'an 33:50
See related: Rape in Islam



Qur'an 2:65mentions that Jews who broke the Sabbath were turned into Apes.


5. Turned into Apes[edit]
People who broke the Sabbath were turned into apes:

"And you know well the story of those among you who broke Sabbath. We said to them: "Be apes—despised and hated by all. Thus We made their end a warning to the people of their time and succeeding generation, and an admonition for God-fearing people."
Qur'an 2:65
See related: Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Islamic Silliness and Islamic Antisemitism



4. A man may marry the wife of his adopted son[edit]
Muhammad married Zaynab, the wife of his adopted son. This verse suggests that the adopter may marry the wife of his adopted son and vice-versa:

"Allah has not made for any man two hearts within him; nor has He made your wives whose backs you liken to the backs of your mothers as your mothers, nor has He made those whom you assert to be your sons your real sons; these are the words of your mouths; and Allah speaks the truth and He guides to the way."
Qur'an 33:4
See related: Concerns with Islam: Adoption



2:282 and Qur'an4:11 declare that a woman is only half the worth of a man in terms of witness and inheritance.


3. A woman's witness testimony is half of that of a man's[edit]
This verse says the witness testimony of one man is equivalent to the witness testimony of two women:

"O you who believe! when you deal with each other in contracting a debt for a fixed time, then write it down; and let a scribe write it down between you with fairness; and the scribe should not refuse to write as Allah has taught him, so he should write; and let him who owes the debt dictate, and he should be careful of (his duty to) Allah, his Lord, and not diminish anything from it; but if he who owes the debt is unsound in understanding, or weak, or (if) he is not able to dictate himself, let his guardian dictate with fairness; and call in to witness from among your men two witnesses; but if there are not two men, then one man and two women from among those whom you choose to be witnesses, so that if one of the two errs, the second of the two may remind the other; and the witnesses should not refuse when they are summoned; and be not averse to writing it (whether it is) small or large, with the time of its falling due; this is more equitable in the sight of Allah and assures greater accuracy in testimony, and the nearest (way) that you may not entertain doubts (afterwards), except when it is ready merchandise which you give and take among yourselves from hand to hand, then there is no blame on you in not writing it down; and have witnesses when you barter with one another, and let no harm be done to the scribe or to the witness; and if you do (it) then surely it will be a transgression in you, and be careful of (your duty) to Allah, Allah teaches you, and Allah knows all things."
Qur'an 2:282
Related to this verse is Muhammad saying that women are deficient in intelligence



2. A woman inherits half of what a man inherits[edit]
This verse says that a woman inherits half of what a man inherits:

"Allah enjoins you concerning your children: The male shall have the equal of the portion of two females; then if they are more than two females, they shall have two-thirds of what the deceased has left, and if there is one, she shall have the half; and as for his parents, each of them shall have the sixth of what he has left if he has a child, but if he has no child and (only) his two parents inherit him, then his mother shall have the third; but if he has brothers, then his mother shall have the sixth after (the payment of) a bequest he may have bequeathed or a debt; your parents and your children, you know not which of them is the nearer to you in usefulness; this is an ordinance from Allah: Surely Allah is Knowing, Wise."
Qur'an 4:11


Qur'an 9:29This is just one of many verses found in the Qur'an which encourages Islamic terrorism.


1. Fight non-Muslims[edit]
This widely known verse orders Muslims to fight non-Muslims simply because they do not believe in the same God that Muslims do:

"Fight those who do not believe in Allah, nor in the latter day, nor do they prohibit what Allah and His Messenger have prohibited, nor follow the religion of truth, out of those who have been given the Book, until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection."
Qur'an 9:29
This is just one of the verses in the Qur'an which encourages Islamic terrorism. This verse, together with verse 9:5 (the "Verse of the Sword"), hasabrogated 122 peaceful verses.[2] See related: Terrorism

 

[leibowde84]

I am just waiting for someone to ignorantly claim you are against Islam. I am excited to hear an explanation for these verses in today's world, though.

 

[Deidre]

I don't imagine God to be a misogynist. Unfortunately, men have painted him as such, and that's a shame.

 

[Union]

1. Fight Non-Muslims :

Verse 9.29 is not an isolated verse on its own rather a continuation and related topic that discussed in the earlier verses . The chapter started with the enforcement of peace treaty between Muslims and non-Muslims and was instructed to respect the treaty by all means . ( 9.1 ,9.4,9.5 ,9.7 etc.) .

Now come to the verse 9.12 and 9.13 , where fighting was imposed with non-Muslims only on the following cases ,if happen simultaneously :

01. If non-Muslims break the peace treaty .
02. If non-Muslims attack the Muslims at the first place .
03. If non-Muslims evict the Muslims from their home place .
05. If non-Muslims defame the Muslims' religion .

In addition , it is prescribed to fight their leaders and not the innocent people who have no clue for above listed offenses :

[009:012] But if they violate their oaths after their covenant, and taunt you for your Faith,- fight ye the chiefs of Unfaith: for their oaths are nothing to them: that thus they may be restrained

The proceeding verses thus went on discussing about the in and out of the war with non-Muslims and finally reached to the verse 9.29 , which was taken out of context by the WikiIslam team .

Verse 9.29 doesn't prescribe fighting with non-Muslims only because of differing in faith rather because of so many other factors that mentioned in verse 9.12 and 9.13 as listed above .

 

[Kirran]

Now come to the verse 9.12 and 9.13 , where fighting was imposed with non-Muslims only on the following cases ,if happen simultaneously :

01. If non-Muslims break the peace treaty .
02. If non-Muslims attack the Muslims at the first place .
03. If non-Muslims evict the Muslims from their home place .
05. If non-Muslims defame the Muslims' religion .

Might 05 justify attacking non-Muslims who insult Islam? Or do I misunderstand?

A great thread, I'm sure it will be very educational.

 

[Union]

1. Fight Non-Muslims : ( Cont..)

There is a grammatical catch in the Arabic word 'Qatilu' ( Fight) in verse 9:29 . I will try to make it as simple as much possible for the non-Arabic readers so that they can understand this grammatical issue without difficulties . The verse in Arabic is as follows :

‏9:29 قاتلوا الذين لايؤمنون بالله ولاباليوم الاخر ولايحرمون ماحرم الله ورسوله ولايدينون دين الحق من الذين اوتوا الكتاب حتى يعطوا الجزية عن يد وهم صاغرون

The bold face Arabic word is Qatilu , which means to fight/to battle/to kill etc. This is a verb in its Form III . Form III pattern of Arabic verbs is فاعل (faa3ala) . It's simple description is as follows :

Form III(فاعل/يفاعِلُ) usually indicated participation, i.e. the action is done by more than one participant, e.g. (شارك) shared; (راسل) corresponded and (قاتل) fought.

شاركت أختي في بيت صغير. , meaning “I shared a small house with my sister.”


Therefore 'fight' in verse 9.29 requires someone to be fought with and hence the action is mutual . If the verb 'fight' could have been in Form I , it requires no object counterpart and hence the action would be regarded offensive and not mutual .

 

[Union]

Might 05 justify attacking non-Muslims who insult Islam? Or do I misunderstand?

A great thread, I'm sure it will be very educational.

Hi Kirran . I do appreciate that you eager to know the Islam . It is inspiring indeed .

Point 05 is going hand in hand with other reasons mentioned in the list for causing an ultimate battle . Taking it isolate doesn't give anybody any justification to fight with the doer .

Verse 4.46 is talking about the Jews who defame the Muslims' religion and not attacking Muslim physically , it just incurs GOD's anger , not instructing Muslim to fight back .

 

[Union]

1. Fight Non-Muslims : ( Cont..)

A sincere reader of Qur'an will surely come across with so many verses from the beginning of the Qur'an pertaining the principle of ultimate battle as suggested by Almighty ALLAH before reaching to the verse 9.29 . The principles stipulated in Qur'an are scattered all over the pages and to get a complete idea of the matter of interest a reader of Qur'an should take all those elements in the same page to conclude its cause and effect . We bring just few verses to pursue basic principle of fighting in Qur'an on which fight in 9:29 should be executed also :

2:190: “Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loveth not transgressors. And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have Turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith.”

2:193 : “You may also fight them to eliminate oppression, and to worship GOD freely. If they refrain, you shall not aggress; aggression is permitted only against the aggressors.”

 

[Union]

2. A woman inherits half of what a man inherits :

[004:011] Allah chargeth you concerning (the provision for) your children: to the male the equivalent of the portion of two females, and if there be women more than two, then theirs is two-thirds of the inheritance, and if there be one (only) then the half. And to each of his parents a sixth of the inheritance, if he have a son; and if he have no son and his parents are his heirs, then to his mother appertaineth the third; and if he have brethren, then to his mother appertaineth the sixth, after any legacy he may have bequeathed, or debt (hath been paid). Your parents and your children: Ye know not which of them is nearer unto you in usefulness. It is an injunction from Allah. Lo! Allah is Knower, Wise.

Looking into the verses deeply , several important facts will become vivid to the reader , which eventually will take him/her to right understanding of the issue in question .


01. The portion says ‘to the male, a portion equal to that of two females’ , commonly understood as a general principle while such is not the case . It doesn’t say twice of females but of two females. Hence this is a case when the deceased left two daughters and ‘n’ number of son(s) (n=1,2,3,4….) where sons are inheriting the same of two daughters .

02. The verse continues to establish another case , if there is only one daughter along with ‘n’ number of son(s) , then her share is 1/2 of what the deceased left . Then the rest ½ will be distributed among the sons .

03. The next case is given there when the deceased had more than two daughters with ‘n’ number of son(s) . In this case the daughters will get 2/3 of the properties left behind and the rest (1-2/3)=1/3 will be distributed among the sons .

In fact , the whole inheritance distribution as shown above generated from the verse revolves around the female inheritors and not around the male children. The amount of inheritances of sons are determined as per the number of the daughters , e.g. , 1 or 2 or more than 2 (3,4,5…..) .

04. Proceeding to the verse, when taking parents into the scenario as inheritors, the verses clearly says that the father and mother of the deceased both will receive 1/6 of the total inheritance left , if there is a child to the deceased . If the general rule of distribution follows the rule of male always get twice of female , how mother and father are getting the same amount ?

Case Study :

Let us set up a very simple example with U$100.00 left by the deceased. This is how it should be distributed among the daughters (D)and sons (S) he left behind :


01. 1D and 3S : <…. if only one (daughter), her share is half ….>

D= 100 x 1/2 = 50.00 US$
S = 50/3=16.67 US$


02. 2D and 3S : < …to the male, a portion equal to that of two females …>

2D=3S
Hence , 2D+3S=100.00 US$
=> 2D+2D = 100.00 US$ [Since , 3S=2D]
=> D=100/4=25.00 US$

Therefore , three sons will get ,

3S=2x25=50.00 US$
=> S=50.00/3=16.67 US$

03. 3D and 3S :<…. if there be women more than two, then theirs is two-thirds of the inheritance …>

3D= 100 x 2/3 = 66.67 US$
=> D = 22.22 US$

And 3S = 100.00-66.67 = 33.33 US$
So , S= 11.11 US$ .

From the above simple analysis we can see in wonder that female are getting more shares from their deceased father than their counter-part brothers. It directly uprooted the popular misconception that women are always inheriting half of what men get .

 

[Union]

3. A woman's witness testimony is half of that of a man's :

" O ye who believe! WHEN YE DEAL WITH EACH OTHER, IN TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING FUTURE OBLIGATIONS IN A FIXED PERIOD OF TIME, reduce them to writing Let a scribe write down faithfully as between the parties: let not the scribe refuse to write: as God Has taught him, so let him write. Let him who incurs the liability dictate, but let him fear His Lord God, and not diminish aught of what he owes. If they party liable is mentally deficient, or weak, or unable Himself to dictate, Let his guardian dictate faithfully, and get two witnesses, out of your own men, AND IF THERE ARE NOT TWO MEN, THEN A MAN AND TWO WOMEN, SUCH AS YE CHOOSE, FOR WITNESSES, SO THAT IF ONE OF THEM ERRS, THE OTHER CAN REMIND HER. THE WITNESSES SHOULD NOT REFUSE WHEN THEY ARE CALLED ON (For evidence). DISDAIN NOT TO REDUCE TO WRITING (YOUR CONTRACT) FOR A FUTURE PERIOD, whether it be small or big: it is juster in the sight of God, More suitable as evidence, and more convenient to prevent doubts among yourselves but IF IT BE A TRANSACTION WHICH YE CARRY OUT ON THE SPOT AMONG YOURSELVES, THERE IS NO BLAME ON YOU IF YE REDUCE IT NOT TO WRITING. BUT TAKE WITNESS WHENEVER YE MAKE A COMMERCIAL CONTRACT; and let neither scribe nor witness suffer harm. If ye do (such harm), it would be wickedness in you. So fear God; For it is Good that teaches you. And God is well acquainted with all things. If ye are on a journey, and cannot find a scribe, a pledge with possession (may serve the purpose). And if one of you deposits a thing on trust with another, let the trustee (faithfully) discharge his trust, and let him Fear his Lord conceal not evidence; for whoever conceals it, - his heart is tainted with sin. And God knoweth all that ye do."
The starting of the verse predicted this financial issue for being a lengthy period case , possibly for few days or for few years or some decades . Keep this key note in mind . Now the question why there should be two women needed as witnesses in place of one man . Here is the answer :

01. Social factors :

(i) This is to guard against the real possibility that one witness may marry the other witness, and thus cause her to be biased. It is a recognized fact that women are more emotionally vulnerable than men.

(ii) From the very ancient age till now it is commonly found that women are moving with husbands . For example if the husband transferred from one city to another or from one country to another , wife accompanied him . Very a few case can be found in vice-verse . As the issue of 2:282 is time consuming , it is possible for one of the woman that she will go away with her family somewhere else . Therefore the other will be the standby .

(iii) Read this portion of verse :

‘THE WITNESSES SHOULD NOT REFUSE WHEN THEY ARE CALLED ON (For evidence).’

It would be difficult for women to travel a long road or a hazardous way to attain for declaring her testimony when needed urgently . Hence if one woman failed to present at time of call , another woman can submit her verdict .

 

[Union]

3. A woman's witness testimony is half of that of a man's : (Cont...)

02. Biological factors :
As women, we are aware of the cyclical psychological strains that a woman has to encounter every month. The symptoms during early pregnancy, ante-natal and post-natal depressions, the phenomenon of menopause, the physiological and psychological problems due to infertility and last but not least the psychological problems faced after miscarriage.It is under these situations that women can experience extraordinary psychological strains giving rise to depression, lack of concentration, slow-mindedness and short term memory loss. Let us examine these episodes in a bit more detail and with medical references from the scientific world. PMT is an umbrella term for more than 140 different symptoms and there is a lot of evidence that it causes a lot of unhappiness in many women, and consequently, to their families.(i) "Forty percent of women suffer from pre-menstrual syndrome in some form and one in if our women have their lives severely disrupted by it….” [Psychiatry in Practice, April 1993, p.14](ii) "Many studies have reported an increased likelihood of various negative affects during the pre-menstrual period. In this affective category are many emotional designations including irritability, depression, tension, anxiety, sadness, insecurity, lethargy, loneliness, tearfulness, fatigue, restlessness and changes of mood. …… [Psychological Medicine, Monograph Supplement 4, 1983, Cambridge University Press, p.6](iii) "In an experiment 'Cox' found that 16 percent of a sample of 263 pregnant women were suffering from clinically significant psychiatric problems. Eight percent had a depressive neurosis and 1.9 percent had phobic neurosis. This study showed that the proportion of pregnant women with psychiatric problems was greater than that found in the control group but the difference only tended towards significance." [Psychiatry in Practice, October-November, 1986, p.6](iv) "The third category of puerperal psychiatric problems is post-natal depression. It is generally agreed that between10 to 15 percent of women become clinically depressed after childbirth. …..” [Psychiatry in Practice, May, 1987, p.18]


(v) On the phenomenon of menopause in an article in Newsweek International, May 25th 1992, Dr. Jennifer al-Knopf, Director of the Sex and Marital Therapy Programme of North-western University writes:

" ... Women never know what their body is doing to them ... some reporting debilitating symptoms from hot flashes to night sweat, sleeplessness, irritability, mood swings, short term memory loss, migraine, headaches, urinary inconsistency and weight gain.”(vi) A woman's hormones affect specific parts of the brain called the reward pathway, researchers said on Monday in a finding that could offer insight into treating drug abuse and mood disorders. "This demonstrates for the first time that female ... hormones affect the reward system in very specific ways during particular parts of the cycle," said Dr. Karen Berman of the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, who worked on the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
[January 30, 2007 , Health News - Medical, Mental and Dental Treatment - Beauty, Nutrition and Fitness - CNN.com](viii) Women who are obese throughout their life are more likely to lose brain tissue, researchers have found. Almost 50% of the women were found to have lost temporal lobe tissue. The average BMI in that group was higher than that in the unaffected group throughout the study. The research team say the results are consistent with their previous findings showing that being overweight was a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.
[Tuesday, 23 November, 2004 , BBC News - Health]

For further information check this link of American medical Association [Women's Health Issues]http://www.ama-assn.org/special/womh/womh.htm American Medical Association American Medical Association - Physicians, Medical Students & Patients (AMA)American Psychological Association [Women's Health] Psychology Help Center American Psychological Association American Psychological Association (APA)
It is in light of the above findings of psychologist, psychiatrists and researchers that the saying of Allâh, the Exalted:

And get two witnesses of your own men, and if there are not two men then a man and two women such as you choose for witnesses - SO THAT IF ONE OF THEM ERRS, THE OTHER CAN REMIND HER ...[Baqarah 2:182]

The other segment of the verse is noticeable here :“……BUT IF IT BE A TRANSACTION WHICH YE CARRY OUT ON THE SPOT AMONG YOURSELVES, THERE IS NO BLAME ON YOU IF YE REDUCE IT NOT TO WRITING. BUT TAKE WITNESS WHENEVER YE MAKE A COMMERCIAL CONTRACT;”The financial transaction mentioned here is on spot and instantaneous, hence there is no hassle of prolonged time, hazardous journey, urgent attendance on call or physical labor . The witnesses appointed here could be man or woman , could be in any number . There is no restriction given here . This fact also support the issue that two women witnesses was appointed in the previous type of financial transaction which time-consuming and could be pains-taking for the witnesses just to decrease the burden for the women-witnesses , both social and physical as discussed before , not to make them inferior .

 

[Union]

3. A woman's witness testimony is half of that of a man's : (Cont...).

Is ' 02 females witnesses equal to 01 male witness ' a general principle in Qur'an ?

No not . The case of verse 2.282 is only case where it is mentioned that there should two females if one male is not available to act as witnesses. Again this verse is talking about 'financial transactions' only , not for every transaction . There are hundreds types of transactions ,agreements and deeds exist where witnesses are always needed . Qur'an didn't restrict them to be of that requirements as been found in 2.282 . More over we have already discussed in the previous two posts the justification and rationalism in favor of such method of testimony was ordained . Now we will discuss the other verses of the Quran where this testimony issue was involved .

01. There are no less than three verses in the Qur&#8217;an which speak about witnesses without specifying man or woman.

a) While making a will of inheritance, two just persons are required as witnesses. In Surah Maidah chapter 5 verse 106, t;Oh you who believe! When death approaches any of you, (take) witnesses among yourself when making bequests; two just persons of your own (brotherhood) or others from outside if you are journeying through the earth and the chance of death befalls you.; [Al-Quran 5:106]

b) Two persons endued with justice in case of talaq. "And take for witness two persons from among you, endued with justice, and establish the evidence (as) before ;. [Al-Quran 65:2]

c) Four witnesses are required in case of charge against chaste women "And those who launch a charge against chaste women, and produce not four witnesses (to support their allegatios) flog them with eighty stripes; and reject their evidence even after: for such men are wicked transgressors" [Al-Quran 24:4]

Hence any number of man and/or woman can be involved in those cases mentioned above as a witness . They could be all men or all women or even could be any combination of men and women . If '02 women testimonies are always equal to that of 01 man' could be a general rule , then in the above mentioned three cases Almighty GOD couldn't be silent about the gender of the witnesses .

02. The following set of verses clearly states that testimony from one woman equates the testimony from one man :

[024:006] And (as for) those who accuse their wives and have no witnesses except themselves, the evidence of one of these (should be taken) four times, bearing Allah to witness that he is most surely of the truthful ones.
[024:007] And the fifth (time) that the curse of Allah be on him if he is one of the liars.
[024:008] And it shall avert the chastisement from her if she testify four times, bearing Allah to witness that he is most surely one of the liars;
[024:009] And the fifth (time) that the wrath of Allah be on her if he is one of the truthful.

Conclusion : Quranic evidences as found above proved it self that there is no general principle of 02 females are equal to 01 male when the testimony is concerned in Qur'an . Hence the case for 2.282 should be taken locally and subjected solely to the context of the situation and nature of transaction as been presented in the verse .

 

[Union]

4. A man may marry the wife of his adopted son :

That is true , Qur'an says so . If adopted son's wife gets divorce or becomes widow , the step father for the husband may can marry her .

33.37 "After a term of married life with her husband, We permitted you to marry her so that it may hence be legitimate and morally blameless for a believer to marry the wife of his adopted son provided that wife has already been divorced. That is God's commandment which must be fulfilled."

 

[Union]

5. Turned into Apes :

Have this discussion just few days back .

[002:065] And surely, you have known the end of those amongst you, who transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath. So WE said to them, `Be ye apes, despised.'

[005:060] Say, `Shall I inform you of those whose reward with ALLAH is worst than that ? They are those whom ALLAH has cursed and on whom HIS wrath has fallen and of whom HE has made apes and pigs and slave of evil. These indeed are in a worse plight, and further astray from the right path.

[007:166] And when they insolently rebelled against that which they had been forbidden, WE said to them, `Be ye apes despised.'

Now the argument is whether these verses are figurative or literal . Keeping all the ahadith and commentaries of the Qur’an aside for the moment and only taking the book of reference itself into consideration , we can find that these verses are figurative and not literal . The following simple observations lead us to this fact :

01. Verse 5.60 says “… HE has made apes and pig and slave/worshiper of evil/tyrants…” , here ‘Slaves of evil’ is figurative , then why not those preceding words ‘apes’ and ‘pig’ ?

02. The proceeding verse 7.167 is telling us that those ‘apes’ in verse 7.166 had their subsequent generations came forth among human nations and some of them were righteous people and some were evil . If ‘ape’ is literal in verse 7.166 , then how their generations were human ?

03. Not far way from verse 7.167 , the following verses are giving us some insights about the issue on hand :

[007:177] Despicable is the parable of the people who reject Our revelations, and thereby wrong themselves.

[007:178] Rightly guided is the one whom Allah guides. While those whom Allah misleads are in fact the real losers.

[007:179] In fact, We have doomed to hell many of the jinn and the humans. They have a brain, but with it they fail to think. They have eyes but they do not use them to see (the truth). They have ears but they fail to hear (the truth) with them. They are (just) like cattle; in fact they are worse. Such are the heedless ones!

The above verses confirm us that Almighty GOD sometimes furnishes some examples/similtude which is despicable to mention to the people who disobeyed HIS instructions as they are as heedless as cattle or beast . It supports ‘apes’ and ‘pigs’ etc. are to be among of those despicable examples , as their spiritual down-fall was bad .

On the top of it , we can find in almost all dictionaries that ‘ape’ and ‘pig’ are used to express a bad person :


ape definition, meaning - what is ape in the British English Dictionary & Thesaurus - Cambridge Dictionaries Online

ape
to copy something or someone badly and unsuccessfully:He called the newbuilding unoriginal and said that itmerely aped the classical traditions

pignoun[C](ANIMAL)
A1(USalsohog)alargepink,brown, orblackfarmanimalwithshortlegsand acurvedtail,keptforitsmeat:Themeatproducedfrom a pig is calledpork,bacon, orham.a pigfarm

pignoun[C](UNPLEASANT PERSON/THING)
›informal a person who is unpleasant and difficult to deal with:He was an absolute pig to her.He's arealpig of a man.

ape definitions and thesaurus | Macmillan Dictionary

ape
alargemonkeywithoutatailthatcanstandnearlystraightandwalkontwofeet.Chimpanzeesandgorillasareapes.

INFORMALaninsultingwordforamanwhoisrudeorstupid

Pigs
ananimalwithnofurandacurlytailkeptbyfarmersforitsmeat.Afemalepigiscalledasowandayoungpigiscalledapiglet.Themeatfromapigiscalledpork.

Synonyms and related words

Animals kept for their meat or milk:boar,broiler,cattle,chicken,chook,cow,fowl,Friesian,guernsey,guinea fowl...More

2. 2

aninsultingwordforsomeonewhobehavesinanunpleasantway

You greedy pig–you’ve eaten up all the food.

He’sjustanignorantpig.


ape - WordReference.com Dictionary of English


ape/eɪp/n., v.,aped, ap•ing.n.[countable]Mammalsa manlike animal similar to monkeys, with long arms, a broad chest, and no tail.an imitator;mimic.Informal Termsa large, clumsy person.v.[~ + object]to imitate;mimic:tried to ape the mannerisms of the hostess.idiom

Idiomsgo ape,Slang. to become violently emotional or angry:My parents will go ape if I stay out that late.Idiomsgo ape over,[~ + object]to be extremely enthusiastic about:goes ape over rock stars.

pig1/pɪg/n., v.,pigged, pig•ging.
n.Animal Husbandry[countable]a short, fat mammal with hooves;
a young swine of either sex, esp. one kept on a farm and weighing less than 120 lb. (54 kg).[countable]any swine.[uncountable]the flesh of this animal;
pork.[countable]one who eats too much, is greedy, or is very sloppy.Slang Terms[countable][Slang](disparaging). a police officer.

ape - definition of ape in English from the Oxford dictionary

NOUN
1Alargeprimatethatlacksa tail,includingthegorilla,chimpanzees,orangutan, andgibbons.

· FamiliesPongidaeandHylobatidae

Anunintelligentorclumsyperson.

EXAMPLE SENTENCES

3archaicAninferiorimitatorormimic:cunningis but the ape ofwisdom

Pig

NOUN
1Anomnivorousdomesticatedhoofedmammalwithsparsebristlyhair and a flatsnoutfor rooting in thesoil,keptfor itsmeat.

informal A greedy,dirty, or unpleasant person:

 

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6. A man can have sex with prisoners of war :

Verse 33:50 has nothing to do with sex rather it is discussing about the marriage rules . Hence Ma Malakat Ayminikum ( Whom your right hand possesses) should be get married before establishing sexual relation with them .

[33:49] O you who believe, if you married (NAKATUM) believing women, then divorced them before having intercourse with them, they do not owe you any waiting interim (before marrying another man). You shall compensate them equitably, and let them go amicably.

[33:50] O prophet, We have made lawful for you the wives to whom you have given their dowries , and MA MALAKAT YAMINUKA , as granted to you by God, and the daughters of your father's brothers, and the daughters of your father's sisters, and the daughters of your mother's brothers, and the daughters of your mother's sisters who have emigrated with you. Also, the believing woman who had decreed herself to the prophet, the prophet may MARRY (NIKHAHA) her if he wishes, as a privilege given only to you and not to the believers. We have already decreed their rights in regard to their spouses and MA MALAKAT YAMINUKA. This is to spare you any hardship. God is Forgiver, Merciful.
[33:51 ] You may postpone whom you will of them, and you may receive whom you will. And whomsoever you seek of those whom you have set aside then there is no sin upon you. Such is best that they may be comforted and not grieve, and may all be pleased with what you give them. God knows what is in your hearts. God is Knowledgeable, Compassionate.
[33:52]No women are lawful to you beyond this, nor that you change them for other wives, even though you may be attracted by their beauty, except MA MALAKAT YAMINUKA. And God is watchful over all things.


The topic of the above verses is MARRIAGE AND NOT SEX as quite vivid from the verse 33:49 . Verse 33:50 is simply explaining Prophet Muhammad (p) on what types of women are lawful for him to marry (check the red letter word NIKHAHA in the same verse which instructing the prophet to marry ) . This verse is especially dedicated for the prophet and the rule of marriage described here is not applicable for the other believers. The verse is telling us that there are two groups of women he could marry. The first group that he needed to pay dowries and second group that he needed not to pay dowries. The second group is our object of concern who as described in verse 33:50 are :


01. MA MALAKAT YAMINUKA (female slaves or captives)

02. DAUGHTERS OF PROPHET’S FATHER’S BROTHERS

03. DAUGHTERS OF PROPHET’S FATHER’S SISTERS

04. DAUGHTERS OF PROPHET’S MOTHER’S BROTHERS

05. DAUGHTERS OF PROPHET’S MOTHER’S SISTERS

06. BELIEVING WOMEN WHO OFFERED HERSELF TO PROPHET FOR WEDLOCK.


The list mentioned above is listed in the verse 33:50 in a continuous manner to level them in the same platform for commitment of marriage without dowry (Verse 60:10-12 are in relation with this fact). Interesting to notice here that those people who are in favor of having sex with female slaves from this verse , doing a cherry pick and titled slaves or captives (No. 01 in the list) as the objects of pre-marriage sex while they leave other women of the list out this malicious act of sex . This incoherence in their understanding not only against logic, rationality but also violating Almighty ALLAH’s instructions in the verse.

Verse 33:52 is warning prophet not to marry or not to change wives beyond the limit as prescribed in verse 33:50 but prophet might marry the captives of the war (Ma Malakat Aynikum in the verse ) so that they might have shelter and status in the society .

None of the verses support the illicit idea of sex with female slaves rather those noble verses propagating noble instructions to marry the helpless captives of the war to raise their rank in the society and thus to save them from the hardships and pains that they are going through .

 

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7. A man can marry a girl who hasn't reached puberty :

[065:004] Such of your women as have passed the age of monthly courses, for them the prescribed period, if ye have any doubts, is three months, and for those who have no courses (it is the same): for those who carry (life within their wombs), their period is until they deliver their burdens: and for those who fear God, He will make their path easy.
‏65:4 واللائي يئسن من المحيض من نسائكم ان ارتبتم فعدتهن ثلاثة اشهر واللائي لم يحضن واولات الاحمال اجلهن ان يضعن حملهن ومن يتق الله يجعل له من امره يسرا

The main argument they relied on the negative past particle 'Lam' , which means 'did not' . So according to them when the verse says 'they didn't menstruate' they assume these brides didn't menstruate from their birth , hence they are prepubescent girls .

So , if any statement be made like ' Mrs.Muhammad 'lam' (did not) eat food ' , to them Mrs. Muhammad had been starving from the day one of her birth and never eat anything for last 06-09 years.

Whatsoever , not in only Arabic but in any other language there is a difference between 'did not' and 'never' . If somehow that verse used 'never' , 'not at all' , then their argument may hold water .

On the top of the matter the preceding verses quite clearly explained this issue . 'Lam' <not> is the past negative particle which can point a start period anytime of the past life , not necessarily from the date of birth .

Remember the title of the chapter is 'Divorce' (Al-Talaq) and the period of this observation of menstruation of those 03 categories of women also start from the time of divorce , as stated in verse 65.01 . Read along :

[065:001] O Prophet! When ye do divorce women, divorce them at their prescribed periods, and count (accurately), their prescribed periods: And fear God your Lord: and turn them not out of their houses, nor shall they (themselves) leave, except in case they are guilty of some open lewdness, those are limits set by God: and any who transgresses the limits of God, does verily wrong his (own) soul: thou knowest not if perchance God will bring about thereafter some new situation.

[065:002] Thus when they fulfil their term appointed, either take them back on equitable terms or part with them on equitable terms; and take for witness two persons from among you, endued with justice, and establish the evidence (as) before God. Such is the admonition given to him who believes in God and the Last Day. And for those who fear God, He (ever) prepares a way out,

[065:003] And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in God, sufficient is (God) for him. For God will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has God appointed a due proportion.

[065:004] Such of your women as have passed the age of monthly courses, for them the prescribed period, if ye have any doubts, is three months, and for those who have no courses (it is the same): for those who carry (life within their wombs), their period is until they deliver their burdens: and for those who fear God, He will make their path easy.

Hence verse 65.04 is not talking about the infant rather a woman who didn't menstruate from the time of divorce asstipulated in verse 65.01 . It is always the other 20 days apart from 10 days of normal period of menstruation.

 

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8. A man may marry four wives :

That is true but conditional . Maximum four marriages are allowed only under one condition , if it benefits the orphans . In any other circumstances it is not allowed .

[004:001] O ye people ! fear your Lord who created you from a single soul and of its kind created its mate, and from them twain spread many men and women; and fear ALLAH, in Whose name you appeal to one another, and fear him particularly respecting ties of kinship. Verily ALLAH watches over you.

[004:002] And give to the orphans their property and exchange not the bad for the good, and devour not their property by mixing it with your own. Surely, it is a great sin.
[004:003] And if you fear that you will not be just in dealing with the orphans, then marry of other women as may be agreeable to you, two, or three, or four; and if you fear you will not be able to do justice, then marry only one or marry what your right hand possess. Thus it is more likely that you will not do injustice.

 

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9. "Cut off their hands" :

The verse in question will be given then a discussion will be presented. It should be noted that like all punishments relating to members of a society, they are only enforceable if such a society is governed by the laws of The Quran. In such a society, it is a requirement for believers to provide for those in need [2:177, 2:215, 2:219, 5:89, 59:7].

The male thief, and the female thief, you shall mark, cut, or cut-off their hands/means as a recompense for what they earned, and to serve as a deterrent from God. God is Noble, Wise. Whoever repents after his wrongdoing and makes amends, then God will relent on him. Truly, God is Forgiving, Merciful. [5:38-39]

The above verses are commonly translated to mean physical cutting off the thief's hand or hands, however whilst this understanding is a theoretical possibility, when all the information is reviewed it is only one of several possibilities, hence the above translation. Firstly, it should be noted that the verse makes clear whoever commits theft but repents after and makes amends, then this is acceptable to God, thus no punishment can be administered in this case. This of course would only apply to those who do this before they have to be tried and found guilty. To prove this, see the verse below in which being punished is contrasted to relenting:

There are some who await God's decree whether He will punish them or relent on them. God is All Knower, All Wise. [9:106]

And how repenting and making amends shows a true repentance, thus reinforces the notion that a true/sincere repentance is accepted:

And whoever repents and takes corrective action, certainly he turns toward God with true repentance. [25:71]

The Arabic word translated as "cut" in 5:38 is "iqtaa" and occurs 14 other times in the same verb form (QaTaA) in The Quran, and with the exception of 59:5 and possibly 69:46 all other occurrences mean the non-physical or metaphorical action of "cutting off relationship" or "ending" [2:27, 3:127, 6:45, 7:72, 8:7, 9:121, 13:25, 15:66, 22:15, 27:32, 29:29, 56:33].

The derivatives that are read in the 2nd verb form (QaTTaA) occur 17 times. This form, which expresses intensity or frequency of the action, is used both to mean physical cutting off [5:33, 7:124, 20:71, 26:49, 13:31] and metaphorical cutting off [2:166, 6:94, 7:160, 7:167, 9:110, 47:15, 47:22, 21:93, 22:19, 23:53] as well as physically cutting/marking [12:31, 12:50]. It is interesting to note that even though 12:31 uses the more intensive verb form and both "cut" and "hands" together, it does not mean "cut off". The less intensive form is used in 5:38.

Secondly, the Arabic word for "hands" (aydi) is often used in The Quran in a metaphorical/metonymical manner [some examples are 2:195, 2:237, 3:3, 3:73, 5:64, 6:93, 8:70, 9:29, 23:88, 28:47, 30:36, 38:45, 48:10, 48:24, 111:1], and often has a meaning of power/means. It should also be noted that this word is in the Arabic plural meaning 3 or more hands, whilst only two people are referenced: the male and the female thief. Some have commented that this plural usage causes problems for the common interpretation of hand cutting.

Thus, it is possible to understand the punishment for thieves in three alternative ways, (1) cutting off their hands, or (2) cutting or marking their hands, or (3) cutting their means to steal, or cutting their hands from committing the crime. It is up to the society to choose one of these meanings or a combination of them depending on the severity of the crime and their ability to enforce the penalty.

It should be said however that the only working example given in The Quran of theft and its punishment is in the story of Joseph, in which option 3 is done by detaining the one guilty of theft, so that they can work to repay/compensate for the theft.

They said, "By God, you know we did not come to cause corruption in the land, and we are no thieves!"
He said, "What shall be its recompense, if you are not truthful?"
They said, "Its recompense is that he who has it in his bag, then he is its recompense. Like that do we recompense the wrongdoers."
[12:73-75]

Furthermore, 12:79 makes it clear that Joseph (described in 6:84 as one of the guided and a good doer) was acting in accordance with God's law in detaining only the one guilty of theft:

Joseph said: “God forbid that we would detain anyone except he whom we found our belongings with. Indeed, we would then be wrong doers.” [12:79]

Thus, one possible meaning of 5:38 is to apply it in the manner provided by Joseph's example.

One other potential problem is created if 5:38 means to physically cut off the hand or hands of the thief, when we consider what were to happen if a person had no hands or had been punished before hence had no more hands to cut/mark or cut off.
Also, when lashes are given as punishment for proven adultery, The Quran states not to let pity/compassion prevent you from carrying out such a punishment [24:2], but it says no such thing for the alleged hand cutting-off verse, when many consider this punishment to be worse. This adds to the possibility that it should not be taken to mean this.

Lastly, whatever interpretation is chosen, it is important to keep in mind the recurring theme of equivalence in The Quran, thus the punishment should be proportionate to the crime:

And those who, when gross injustice befalls them, they seek justice. The recompense for a crime shall be its equivalence, but whoever forgives and makes right, then his reward is upon God. He does not like the wrongdoers. [42:40]

To conclude, when all the above information is taken into account, it is clear that to physically cut off the hand or hands of the thief is not the only possible understanding and taking into account the law of equivalence would perhaps only be reserved for significant theft which led to harming others, hence harming the perpetrator. If a Muslim in authority, like Joseph was, were to apply the punishment for theft like Joseph did, then they would be following the example of one of the guided and a good doer, as stated by The Quran.

Source : Misconception: Islam and The Quran orders hands to be cut off for theft

 

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9. "Cut off their hands" : (Cont...)
So far, two punishments for theft were proposed as an understanding of aya 5:38.

5:38, "The male thief, and the female thief, you shall "eqta’u" (in Arabic) their "aydiyahuma" as a punishment for their crime, and to serve as a deterrent from GOD. GOD is Almighty, Wise."

Meaning of both Arabic words above will be given soon, Gw.

The first understanding says that 5:38 means to cut off the thief's hand. First, the Arabic "aydiyahuma" is the plural of "yad" (hand) used in dual form. Should we then cut off both hands of a thief?

Second, what will benefit the one who lost his/her stolen goods in case s/he would not recovered them? And what would happen if someone were accused mistakenly or maliciously of theft and his/her hands were cut off? What if someone does not have hands and uses only his brain to plan thefts for his/her accomplices? This is not a fiction; it happened.

The second understanding that was proposed for aya 5:38 is to only mark the thief's hand. This understanding runs against the same problems as the first one. First, we should then not only mark one hand for each thief but both hands. Second and besides the same above problems, we have a specific one to this case. With all esthetic surgery advances, someone could manage to steal millions and spend a few thousands to offer himself/herself an esthetic

Surgery to hide his/her hands’ markings. Criminals nowadays do go thru

Facial surgery in order to hide from justice.

Furthermore, Ayat 12:31 and 12:50 are used to convey this meaning of marking the hands to 5:38. However, 12:31 and 12:50 do not use the exact wording as 5:38. They use the Arabic variation "qatta'a" of "qata'a" used in 5:38. Even though if someone agrees that both have the same meaning, the same word "qatta'a" is used in 5:33, 7:124, 20:71, 26:49 as to mean cut off or amputate. Therefore why should someone use 12:31 and 12:50 to convey the meaning "to mark" and not 5:33, 7:124, 20:71, 26:49 to convey the meaning "to cut off/amputate"?

The third meaning and the closest to Quran’s spirit is this. Give the chance to the thieves to come forward, acknowledge their crime, and give back what they have stolen to the victim. They might even get a reward. If they do not come forward, prove should be found who are the thieves. Then thieves should work to pay the fees involved for the whole thing. What was stolen, if found, should be restituted to their owners. Otherwise, thieves should work for them until what they have stolen is repaid. This is exactly what is applied to thieves in some Muslim rural areas. Here you are three reasons why this understanding is the closest to Quran’s spirit.

First, the Arabic word "yad" (used in dual plural in 5:38) or hand is used in Quran in its literal and figurative meanings. For instance, 27:12 uses it in its literal meaning while 5:64 uses it in its figurative one to refer to wealth and how to spend it. Another example for the figurative meaning is 38:45. It uses

"yad" in plural form. It conveys the meaning of power and possession of resources.

38:45, "Remember also our servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They were resourceful ("ulu al-aydee"), and possessed vision/They possessed power and vision ."

"yad" is also used to infer someone's actions and doings (2:195, 22:10). It is used too to mean possession of a responsibility or a contract (2:237).

Therefore, "eqta’u aydiyahuma" in the above aya 5:38 might mean to cut off from the thieves’ resources and power.

Second, let's consider the case of murder in Quran which is a worse crime than stealing. There are two earthly punishments. 4:92 deals with a believer's accidental killing. Neither capital punishment nor jail are involved. 2:178 deals with the second case when someone meant the killing. This aya gives the option of sparing the murderer's life. In both cases, there is ransom involved if possible. It is the case maybe because when someone is killed, a source of income is cut from their family and therefore should be compensated. In either case, punishment does not tall the cutting or marking of hands if it was the case in 5:38.

Last but not least, sura 12 gives us a good example about how to punish the theft.

12:70, "When he provided them with their provisions, he placed the drinking cup in his brother's bag, then an announcer announced: "The owners of this caravan are thieves."'

12:71, "They said, as they came towards them, "What did you lose?"'

12:72, "They said, "We lost the king's cup. Anyone who returns it will receive an extra camel-load; I personally guarantee this."'

12:73, "They said, "By GOD, you know full well that we did not come here to commit evil, nor are we thieves."'

12:74, "They said, "What is the punishment for the thief, if you are liars?"'

12:75, "They said, "The punishment, if it is found in his bag, is that the thief belongs to you. We thus punish the guilty."'

12:76, "He then started by inspecting their containers, before getting to his brother's container, and he extracted it out of his brother's container. We thus perfected the scheme for Joseph; he could not have kept his brother if he applied the king's law. But that was the will of GOD. We exalt whomever we choose to higher ranks. Above every knowledgeable one, there is one who is even more knowledgeable."

12:77, "They said, "If he stole, so did a brother of his in the past." Joseph concealed his feelings in himself, and did not give them any clue. He said (to himself), "You are really bad. GOD is fully aware of your accusations."'

12:78, "They said, "O you noble one, he has a father who is elderly; would you take one of us in his place? We see that you are a kind man."'

12:79, "He said, "GOD forbid that we should take other than the one in whose possession we found our goods. Otherwise, we would be unjust."'

The way I understand the above ayat is this is God's law for theft in application. Joseph and his brothers were submitters and children of Jacob and Abraham's great great-children. They were applying God’s law then. It is very clear from the above ayat that they were not following the king’s law but rather God’s law.

First the presumed thieves were given the chance to come forward, acknowledge their wrongdoing, and then give back what they have stolen and they might even get a reward.

If they refuse to do so, they must be proven as thieves. Then, what was stolen, if found, should be restituted to their owners. Thieves should work to repay the fees involved in the whole process. They should also work to repay what was stolen in case they do not give it or the whole of it back.

These ayat give us also an example of someone who was set up for theft for a good reason of course. But, what would happen to someone who was set up maliciously and has to face marking or cutting of his or her both hands?

Had Joseph known that God's punishment for theft is marking or cutting hands (which his brothers would have apply), he would not scheme that way in order to keep his brother with him.

Someone would argue that was God's theft law for previous communities and we are not bound to it. Well, when God wants to change something, He specifies it (2:187). Furthermore, Quran specifies when some laws do apply only for some communities (16:118) and therefore we are not bound to apply them.

The cutting or marking hands as a punishment of thieves run into contradictions within Quran. However, meaning of "cutting hands" in 5:38 as cutting from the thieves’ resources and power, the case of murder’s punishment in Quran, and the example of God’s law in application in 12:70-79 are the three arguments, put forward in this article, to propose the third and closest to Quran’s spirit punishment for theft. It goes as follow. Chance should be given to the thieves to come forward, acknowledge their crime, and give back what they have stolen to the victim. They might even get a reward. If they do not come forward, prove should be found who are the thieves. Then thieves should then work to pay the fees involved for the whole thing. What was stolen, if found, should be restituted to their owners. Otherwise, thieves should work for them until what they have stolen is repaid.

"..Our Lord, shower us with Your mercy, and bless our affairs with Your guidance." 18:10

Source : Punishment for Theft in The Quran

 

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10. "Beat Them" :

The socking reply to WikiIslam is there no 'wife-beating' in Qur'an , hence Qur'an didn't give any chance to husband to choose tooth-brush(Mishak) or baseball bat to beat his wife .

The vesrse in question is 4.34 and the key Arabic word is 'Duroob' .

[004:034] Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because God has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what God would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) idriboo them ; but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For God is Most High, great (above you all).

The right meaning of 'adraboo' is leave/forsake which has a strong support from the Qur'an itself . The same chapter used the same root in verse 94 and verse 101:

[004:094] O ye who believe! When ye go abroad in the cause of God, investigate carefully, and say not to any one who offers you a salutation: "Thou art none of a believer!" Coveting the perishable goods of this life: with God are profits and spoils abundant. Even thus were ye yourselves before, till God conferred on you His favours: Therefore carefully investigate. For God is well aware of all that ye do.

[004:101] And when ye go forth in the land, it is no sin for you to curtail (your) worship if ye fear that those who disbelieve may attack you. In truth the disbelievers are an open enemy to you.

Here the root DRB is used for go forth/leave etc. Here ALLAH , the Exalted is talking about to go for / leave the home stead to the path of ALLAH . Hence , Daroboo in chapter 4 , whether in verse 34 or 94 or 101 , means really to leave/forsake/go forth/depart etc. not to beat or strike .

Again verse 19-21 of the same chapter prescribed not to be harsh/violent with the wives at all and if the husband really decided to for shake/divorce the wife , he should do it amicably . Here are those verses :

[004:019] O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may Take away part of the dower ye have given them,-except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and God brings about through it a great deal of good.

[004:020] But if ye decide to take one wife in place of another, even if ye had given the latter a whole treasure for dower, Take not the least bit of it back: Would ye take it by slander and manifest wrong?

[004:021] And how could ye take it when ye have gone in unto each other, and they have Taken from you a solemn covenant?

The following verse defined cruelty or harshness of a husaband ( beating wife must be one of the example of this kind) as a shortcoming and hence not a decree of GOD , whatsoever the situation it might be .

[004:128] If a wife fears cruelty or desertion on her husband's part, there is no blame on them if they arrange an amicable settlement between themselves; and such settlement is best; even though men's souls are swayed by greed. But if ye do good and practise self-restraint, God is well-acquainted with all that ye do.