The beating of women is given divine sanction in Islam, both in the Qur’an and in Muhammad’s example (and Muhammad’s example is normative for Muslims, as per Qur’an 33:21):
“Good women are obedient….As for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and send them to beds apart and beat them.” — Qur’an 4:34
Muhammad “struck me on the chest which caused me pain, and then said: Did you think that Allah and His Apostle would deal unjustly with you?” — Aisha (Sahih Muslim 2127)
But women striking back? It’s unheard of — a real man-bites-dog story. And so these women face imprisonment or heavy fines.
“Four women accused of beating up husbands,” Saudi Gazette, April 21:
RIYADH — The National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) is currently considering cases against four women accused of beating their husbands, Al-Hayat newspaper reported on Monday quoting the society’s chairman Mufleh Al-Qahtani.
He said the four women could face penalties under abuse protection laws including imprisonment or heavy fines.
Al-Qahtani told a workshop that was discussing abuse laws in Riyadh on Sunday that a husband would be committing a crime if he beats his wife.
“It is left to the discretion of the judge to decide the punishment against the husband depending on where he has hit his wife,” he said.
Al-Qahtani said he considered slapping a woman on her face to be a graver crime than hitting her on the back or the buttocks. Abdullah Al-Youssef, undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs, said the SR50,000 fine imposed on a husband who beats his wife will go to the Ministry of Finance and not to the victim as compensation.
“The wife may go to the court to obtain further justice against her abusive husband,” he said.
The undersecretary said an abusive husband or wife may face imprisonment of up to a year or a fine of up to SR50,000. However, it was reported at the weekend that the ministry had said it would not fine abusive husbands and that the courts were responsible for handing out sentences for such offenses.
duh_swami says
It’s really difficult for a woman to divorce or get away from an abusive husband, but an abused hubby can get away from it by three little words, talaq, talaq, talaq. What kind of dumb Mahoundian marries a woman capable of kicking his rear in the first place? ‘I didn’t know she was that strong’, is a lame excuse.
Always On Watch says
I wonder if Saudi Muslimatoon will learn about Lorena Bobbitt?
jcd0101 says
OUCH..
thats gotta hurt..
Don Davenport says
I hope the women in this article’s accompanying photo don’t get flogged for displaying full-finger nudity in public.
Guy Macher says
You go girl!
duh_swami says
Muslimahs could use two things to better their lives. Karate lessons and assertiveness classes.
Kepha says
They could also convert to Christ.
georgina says
Oh go the whole length and ‘revert’ to atheism.
Jay Boo says
Ninja Warriors
Alarmed Pig Farmer says
The globo-socialists (aka Democrats) here play the race card to great effect, very publicly and without stop.
If we were smart enough to resist takeover, if, we would play the sex card very publicly nonstop in all the media. Could crack the seemingly uncrackable nut.
(ps, oh, I’m sorry and apologize: I shoulda typed “gender card” and not “sex card” which is sexist.)
Mirren10 says
Hmmm. The biter bit, eh ?
Ishkabibul says
The worm has -turned -if onl they would do ths more often -it would be worth whatever happened later -especially the religious police that flog them in the street-if they all turned and attacked him -wouldn’t he get a shock -put the boot in and all-might make them think twice before they start whacking into them again-it would be so degrading to have someone whpping you in the street as I have seen one doing -go girls.
bill says
SR50,000 fine imposed on a husband who beats his wife will go to the Ministry of Finance and not to the victim as compensation.
As the govt. of SA is basically the Royals and most ministers are one of the 5000 princes, that means the fine will go into the coffers of the Royal family.
gravenimage says
Backlash in Saudi Arabia: Four women accused of beating up husbands
…………………………
This should not surprise. In some cases this might have been a woman fighting back against wife-beating; in some cases a man who married a child bride who now faces elder abuse.
The fact is that in Islam the weak are *always* targeted.
While I am in no way condoning *any* spousal abuse, though, I do wonder what will happen to these women.
Despite the claims in the story above, wife beating is winked at in Saudi Arabia and *rarely* has any consequences for the abuses.
But these women? I’m sure no one will be winking at their actions—even if they were in self-defense.
laoch says
I wonder if western feminist will say any thing . Some how I thank not. Seen as they have no problem with Saudi Arabia husbands abusing there wives . Or any other Muslim dominated country for that mater .
Champ says
They look like they’re trick ‘r treating in broad daylight …
Those spooky muslims ..boo!