firedragon
Veteran Member
It is common knowledge that Islam allows women to be beaten. Most traditional translators have interpreted this verse 4:34 to propagate the same. Some even go to the length of quoting a hadith that says beat her with a toothbrush. Picture a man beating a woman with a toothbrush. Traditionally, women were thought to have lesser intellect and the men had a much superior position in societies but the world has seen too many state leaders, authors, philosophers and intellectual women to consider them to be beaten with a toothbrush. These are all translators who were born way after Islamic practices have been established based on evolution of Hadith and other interpolations where the translators approach the Quran with preconceived notions, thus measuring the yardstick with the cloth.
The verse in concern and its analysis based on the Quran.
Let me furnish the Yusuf Ali translation that lets the respect of a woman down by enforcing a man’s right to beat her.
Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah 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 Allah 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) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all). - Quran 4:34
The word used here for beat is “Idribuhun”. This word has many meanings as Arabic usually is and the meaning changes depending on the context of what you are saying. Take a simple example of the English word beat.
e.g. I beat him and broke his nose
I beat him in the 100 meter race by .2 seconds
You could see the difference in the meaning of the same word when you take the word in context. Now, let’s explore the Arabic word “Idribuhunna” derived from the root “Daraba”.
The Quran is one book and understanding must be based on the context of the Quran. Islam establishes harmony and tranquility in the man and woman relationship. By showing Quranic evidence I will prove that it is very easy to understand that this verse simply tells you to “separate” and not to “beat”.
Other verses that have the same word “Idribuhunna”
The Quran has used this word in many other verses and the word has many meanings. It has been translated as give, move, cover, separate and to strike (as in strike their feet on the ground) over 40 times in the Quran as far as my research has found.
"So we sealed (Fadarabna – Same root word Daraba) their ears in the cave for many years" – Quran 18:11
When it comes to so many verses the word is never translatable as “Beat” but the egoistic, ignorant, male supremacy in the Muslim men who translated the verse, in combination with illogical and extremely questionable idea of measuring the yardstick with the and they want to translate the verse as Beat. There are two words used in this that need relooking at.
The word Idribuhunna simply means “Separate” or "leave" and Nushuz means disloyalty (e.g. extra marital affairs, unruly family bonds)
1. The men are to support the women with what God has bestowed upon them over one another and for what they spend of their money.
2. The upright females are dutiful; keeping private the personal matters for what God keeps watch over.
3. As for those females from whom you fear desertion (Nushuz),
a. then you shall advise them,
b. and abandon them in the bedchamber,
c. and leave (Idribuhunna) them.
4. If they respond to you, then do not seek a way over them; God is Most High, Great. – Quran 4:34
Analysis of 4:34
1. It is the man’s responsibility or duty to provide for the woman. That is not to say that women cannot seek employment or that she must stay at home but that it is the man’s responsibility and he must take it upon himself. The Quran preaches equity.
2. Women are to be bound by the duty of protecting the privacy and chastity of a man woman relationship. It is the man’s prerogative to expect the woman to be loyal as much as she expects from him. Is that not obvious?
3. If the woman desserts you or is being disloyal,
a. you must try advising them,
b. If that doesn’t work you must stop your sexual activities with her
c. Then separate from her.
4. If the woman responds to this process by changing her ways, then don’t let her down because God knows best.
Of course we can expect the usual arguments. Whitewashing accusation, quoting other translations and calling for authority and genetic fallacy etc. They are logical fallacies and generally those who do that have not made the analysis. It's quite normal.
This is the more logical and obvious interpretation of this verse. But if you are bizarre in mind and come from a women beating society or with a preconceived notion, you could interpret it as hit the woman. But from the Quranic point of view and context, you cannot hit your wife. Quran establishes the nature of the relationship between a man and a woman in the following verse.
"Among His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves, in order to have tranquillity and contentment with each other. He places in your heart love and care towards your spouses. In this, there are signs for people who think." (30:21)
Other renditions of the word just too common in the Quran will show any explorer that in this case it simply means leave. Of course, many will adamantly argue because another tool goes down the drain.
These verses says travel, leave. Simple.
2:273, 4:101, 3:156, 38:44, 73:20
Peace.
The verse in concern and its analysis based on the Quran.
Let me furnish the Yusuf Ali translation that lets the respect of a woman down by enforcing a man’s right to beat her.
Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah 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 Allah 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) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all). - Quran 4:34
The word used here for beat is “Idribuhun”. This word has many meanings as Arabic usually is and the meaning changes depending on the context of what you are saying. Take a simple example of the English word beat.
e.g. I beat him and broke his nose
I beat him in the 100 meter race by .2 seconds
You could see the difference in the meaning of the same word when you take the word in context. Now, let’s explore the Arabic word “Idribuhunna” derived from the root “Daraba”.
The Quran is one book and understanding must be based on the context of the Quran. Islam establishes harmony and tranquility in the man and woman relationship. By showing Quranic evidence I will prove that it is very easy to understand that this verse simply tells you to “separate” and not to “beat”.
Other verses that have the same word “Idribuhunna”
The Quran has used this word in many other verses and the word has many meanings. It has been translated as give, move, cover, separate and to strike (as in strike their feet on the ground) over 40 times in the Quran as far as my research has found.
"So we sealed (Fadarabna – Same root word Daraba) their ears in the cave for many years" – Quran 18:11
When it comes to so many verses the word is never translatable as “Beat” but the egoistic, ignorant, male supremacy in the Muslim men who translated the verse, in combination with illogical and extremely questionable idea of measuring the yardstick with the and they want to translate the verse as Beat. There are two words used in this that need relooking at.
The word Idribuhunna simply means “Separate” or "leave" and Nushuz means disloyalty (e.g. extra marital affairs, unruly family bonds)
1. The men are to support the women with what God has bestowed upon them over one another and for what they spend of their money.
2. The upright females are dutiful; keeping private the personal matters for what God keeps watch over.
3. As for those females from whom you fear desertion (Nushuz),
a. then you shall advise them,
b. and abandon them in the bedchamber,
c. and leave (Idribuhunna) them.
4. If they respond to you, then do not seek a way over them; God is Most High, Great. – Quran 4:34
Analysis of 4:34
1. It is the man’s responsibility or duty to provide for the woman. That is not to say that women cannot seek employment or that she must stay at home but that it is the man’s responsibility and he must take it upon himself. The Quran preaches equity.
2. Women are to be bound by the duty of protecting the privacy and chastity of a man woman relationship. It is the man’s prerogative to expect the woman to be loyal as much as she expects from him. Is that not obvious?
3. If the woman desserts you or is being disloyal,
a. you must try advising them,
b. If that doesn’t work you must stop your sexual activities with her
c. Then separate from her.
4. If the woman responds to this process by changing her ways, then don’t let her down because God knows best.
Of course we can expect the usual arguments. Whitewashing accusation, quoting other translations and calling for authority and genetic fallacy etc. They are logical fallacies and generally those who do that have not made the analysis. It's quite normal.
This is the more logical and obvious interpretation of this verse. But if you are bizarre in mind and come from a women beating society or with a preconceived notion, you could interpret it as hit the woman. But from the Quranic point of view and context, you cannot hit your wife. Quran establishes the nature of the relationship between a man and a woman in the following verse.
"Among His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves, in order to have tranquillity and contentment with each other. He places in your heart love and care towards your spouses. In this, there are signs for people who think." (30:21)
Other renditions of the word just too common in the Quran will show any explorer that in this case it simply means leave. Of course, many will adamantly argue because another tool goes down the drain.
These verses says travel, leave. Simple.
2:273, 4:101, 3:156, 38:44, 73:20
Peace.
