In order to unpack the entire aggression against women in Islam we have to locate it in its proper historical-cultural unfolding, namely: (a) the lingering pre-Islamic violation of women; (b) an attempt to insert a mental image of a male patriarchal god onto Islam (an act of shirk) – instead of accepting the new revelation of God as Light; and (c) misunderstood struggle against polytheism, where the most prominent gods were female; and finally, (d) the struggle for power and control of the new religion between the male companions and family of the Prophet (PBUH) and the female companions and family (particularly Fatima and Aisha), wherein the males won the battle. All of that is complicated, but we do plan on working through those issues for our readers.Only that the reader of the Qur’an must always do two things: place it in its historical context; and attempt to view it from various spiritual stations.
"As to those women on whose part you fear disloyalty and ill-conduct: First, admonish them; second, refuse to share their beds, and finally, beat them lightly."
Surah 4:34 has various meanings, depending on the station of the soul the reader is on.
"The Spirit (Ruh) is the protector and maintainer of the Soul (Naf)...As to the Soul which is prone to disobedience and ill-conduct: First, apply reason (logos) to yourself [in other words, be mentally grounded in the law, ethics, etc.]; second, follow the path of abstinence (including fasting); and finally scourge yourself with ordeals [in order to gain mastery over your flesh]. But if you fear that your soul and spirit are irreconcilable, then call counselors to assist you, individuals of wisdom drawn from both those versed in the law and those of the emotions (e.g. poetry, art, music, etc)."
