Why would anyone expect him to say anything different? The mandate to beat one’s wife is in the Qur’an:
“Men have authority over women because Allah has made the one superior to the other, and because they spend their wealth to maintain them. Good women are obedient. They guard their unseen parts because Allah has guarded them. 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)
“Keysar Trad: ‘violence is a last resort,’” by Stefanie Balogh and Sam Buckingham-Jones, The Australian, February 23, 2017:
A prominent Muslim leader has apologised for statements conceding his religion allows for a husband to beat his wife as a “last resort”, saying he was “clumsy” in a television interview.
Keysar Trad, the president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, said the verse in the Koran that condones domestic violence “plays on the psychology of the man”, who would never resort to a physical beating because gifts like flowers, chocolates or a dinner date would come first.
“I’ve studied that verse in depth and I’ve discussed it with a number of Islamic scholars,” Mr Trad told Sky News’s Andrew Bolt last night.
“What this verse is saying is playing on the psychology of the man saying ‘violence is a last resort’. The first thing you must do is counselling.”
He said while part of the phrase is often translated as “admonish”, the Arabic word is closer to “give advice” or “engage in counselling”.
“What it does is a calming effect before you even consider using your hand, before you even consider any act of violence. Have you checked box number one, which is counselling? Have you checked box two? What does counselling entail?” he said.
“Well, maybe next time you should bring her a bunch of flowers, maybe next time you should bring her a box of chocolates, maybe next time you should take her out for dinner.”
This afternoon, Mr Trad released a statement categorically condemning all violence against women.
“Acknowledging my clumsy attempt to explain a verse from the holy Qur’an, I want to categorically condemn all forms of violence, especially violence against women, I condemn and deplore it and stress my continued zeal to support women against violence,” Mr Trad said.
“I sincerely apologise if my attempt to explain the verse is understood any differently, the Qur’an is a holy book that aims to improve human relations as well as spiritual relations, the verses of the Qur’an must be read alongside other verses and Hadiths that deal with the particular topic.
“For example, the Qur’an encourages partners to live amicably (with love and compassion) or separate beautifully (2:229).” Said Mr. Trad.
“Our beloved prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings upon him said: “The most perfect believer is one who is the best in courtesy and amiable manners, and the best among you people is one who is most kind and courteous to his wife”.”
‘Where are the feminists?’
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has questioned the absence of feminist outrage in relation to Mr Trad’s incendiary comments, accusing them of hypocrisy and describing the Muslim leader as “mad’’.
Mr Dutton described Mr Trad’s views as dangerous and said he should be roundly condemned.
“Where are the feminists? Where is the ABC on this Ray?’’ Mr Dutton said to Ray Hadley on 2GB.
“I suspect they will have nothing to say about it because they’re hypocrites.’’…