I am a Canadian ex-Muslim. In Part 1 and Part 2 of this series of articles, I addressed the harsh realities of Islamic apostasy and the permissibility of rape and pedophilia in Islamic theology. In this segment, I will address the permissibility of wife-beating in Islamic theology and law.
Sadly, there are numerous passages contained within Islam’s most revered and authoritative texts (the Qur’an, hadiths and sira) that establish wife-beating to be permissible for Muslim men.
In the above mentioned texts, the Qur’an in particular, Muslim men are instructed to beat their wives should they become disobedient. Disturbingly, Chapter 4, Verse 34 of the Qur’an teaches that Muslim men can beat those of their wives from whom they merely “fear disobedience.”
Qur’an 4:34: Men are in charge of women by what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in absence what Allah would have them guard. But those from whom you fear arrogance – advise them; forsake them in bed; and strike them. But if they obey you, seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted and Grand.
In the verse above, the Qur’an proclaims that men are superior to women, implies that women who are not “devoutly obedient” are unrighteous, and that if a Muslim husband merely “fears arrogance” from his wives, he is to first admonish them, and then lastly beat them if they do not comply.
Sadly, as mentioned above, the permissibility for Muslim men to beat their disobedient wives is also found in Muhammad, the prophet of Islam’s, Sunnah (the sayings and doings of Muhammad contained within the hadith and sira) as well as Islamic Sharia law.
The Sahih Bukhari hadith below depicts the prophet of Islam failing to admonish one of his men folk followers for beating his wife to the point where dark bruises appeared on her skin. Because of Muhammad’s supreme authoritative role in Islam, his failure to forbid wife-beating in effect gives tactical approval of this inhumane practice. Furthermore, after the women in the hadith below pleaded with Muhammad to have her husband desist from beating her, Muhammad not only failed to forbid the practice, but ordered the women to return to her husband and acquiesce to his sexual demands.
Sahih Bukhari: Volume 7, Book 72, Number 715:
Narrated ‘Ikrima:
Rifa’a divorced his wife whereupon ‘AbdurRahman bin Az-Zubair Al-Qurazi married her. ‘Aisha said that the lady (came), wearing a green veil (and complained to her (Aisha) of her husband and showed her a green spot on her skin caused by beating). It was the habit of ladies to support each other, so when Allah’s Apostle came, ‘Aisha said, “I have not seen any woman suffering as much as the believing women. Look! Her skin is greener than her clothes!” When ‘AbdurRahman heard that his wife had gone to the Prophet, he came with his two sons from another wife. She said, “By Allah! I have done no wrong to him but he is impotent and is as useless to me as this,” holding and showing the fringe of her garment, ‘Abdur-Rahman said, “By Allah, O Allah’s Apostle! She has told a lie! I am very strong and can satisfy her but she is disobedient and wants to go back to Rifa’a.” Allah’s Apostle said, to her, “If that is your intention, then know that it is unlawful for you to remarry Rifa’a unless Abdur-Rahman has had sexual intercourse with you.” Then the Prophet saw two boys with ‘Abdur-Rahman and asked (him), “Are these your sons?” On that ‘AbdurRahman said, “Yes.” The Prophet said, “You claim what you claim (i.e.. that he is impotent)? But by Allah, these boys resemble him as a crow resembles a crow.”
The hadith below depicts the prophet of Islam hitting his child bride and favourite wife, Aisha, “striking her on the chest and causing her pain.” Because the Qur’an teaches (Verse 33, Chapter 21) that Muhammad has left an “excellent example of conduct” for Muslims’ to follow, wife-beating is considered to be normative behavior for Muslim believers. In other words, the inhumane crime of wife-beating has unfortunately become sanctified in Islamic theology, and hence mandated in Islamic law.
Sahih Muslim: Book 004, Number 2172:
Muhammad b. Qais said (to the people): Should I not narrate to you (a hadith of the Holy Prophet) on my authority and on the authority of my mother? We thought that he meant the mother who had given him birth. He (Muhammad b. Qais) then reported that it was ‘A’isha who had narrated this: Should I not narrate to you about myself and about the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him)? We said: Yes. She said: When it was my turn for Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) to spend the night with me, he turned his side, put on his mantle and took off his shoes and placed them near his feet, and spread the corner of his shawl on his bed and then lay down till he thought that I had gone to sleep. He took hold of his mantle slowly and put on the shoes slowly, and opened the door and went out and then closed it lightly. I covered my head, put on my veil and tightened my waist wrapper, and then went out following his steps till he reached Baqi’. He stood there and he stood for a long time. He then lifted his hands three times, and then returned and I also returned. He hastened his steps and I also hastened my steps. He ran and I too ran. He came (to the house) and I also came (to the house). I, however, preceded him and I entered (the house), and as I lay down in the bed, he (the Holy Prophet) entered the (house), and said: Why is it, O ‘A’isha, that you are out of breath? I said: There is nothing. He said: Tell me or the Subtle and the Aware would inform me. I said: Messenger of Allah, may my father and mother be ransom for you, and then I told him (the whole story). He said: Was it the darkness (of your shadow) that I saw in front of me? I said: Yes. He 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? She said: Whatsoever the people conceal, Allah will know it. He said: Gabriel came to me when you saw me. He called me and he concealed it from you. I responded to his call, but I too concealed it from you (for he did not come to you), as you were not fully dressed. I thought that you had gone to sleep, and I did not like to awaken you, fearing that you may be frightened. He (Gabriel) said: Your Lord has commanded you to go to the inhabitants of Baqi’ (to those lying in the graves) and beg pardon for them. I said: Messenger of Allah, how should I pray for them (How should I beg forgiveness for them)? He said: Say, Peace be upon the inhabitants of this city (graveyard) from among the Believers and the Muslims, and may Allah have mercy on those who have gone ahead of us, and those who come later on, and we shall, God willing, join you.
Kufar1 says
I’ve been waiting for this article and the accompanying picture. As customary, I’ll say “nice bag”. Have to say it looks like a Punisher mask or even Cthuhu, kinda comical. There’s another one that use similar bag style but I forgot. I’ll dig up and contribute later.
Mr. Spencer (pbuh) thanks for letting me enjoy your site. Mr. Smith (pbuh) thanks for posting the article. Everyone (pbuh or her) else, I wish you a good day
mortimer says
Dear K-1,
Your pseudonym is a contradiction: 1 is a single occurrence of something. ‘Kufar’ or ‘kufaar’ is the PLURAL of ‘kafir’ translated into English as ‘dis-believers’. So a singular example of 1 ‘kafirs’ is illogical and a contradiction in terms.
Kufar1 says
Thank you mortimer (pbuh). Your command of islamic word etymology is precise. You should be proud. I am proud too because I (pbuh) understand Islam well. It is a religion that designed to solve problems that are not there, and often creating more problems in the process. The preferred problem solving approach islam is chop, chop, maim, maim.
I appreciate your feedback mortimer (pbuh). Though, what about a possible interpretation of my handle to mean “the many kufar are the best of the people?”.
The Greek says
If you understand “islam well” then why do you call it a religion. WHY WHY WHY – that is because you do not understand islam…
PLAGARESIM – Pure and Simple …
Mari For says
Kufar or Kafirs, is not important to me, neither the fact that you refer to Islam as a religion but you should have written «religion/ideology ». You are very brave to have run away from that ideology which only seeks to control you with horrible ideas about others who are not Muslims as well as so many falsehoods about the origins of Islam. Good luck in keeping safe.
Kufar1 says
The Greek (pbuh) thank you for correcting me. I hereforth refer Islam as a cult.
Julea Bacall says
Maybe he means he is THE number One of all. Like the biggest or the best.
j_not_a says
What’s truly grotesque is those black-shrouded ghouls in the photo. Those revolting-looking freaks don’t belong in any western country in that sinister getup. When I see one in my presence, I don’t hesitate to tell them so. And what’s really interesting is that when one replies to me they do in a perfectly western english voice. So they are not poor, repressed, barely off the boat “refugees” or “immigrants”. They are wearing that getup purely of their own accord.
Vlad says
Oh you unbelievers.
Those women are required to wear those black garbs from head to toe, so that no-one can accuse their husbands of beating them. If the women would wear normal western clothing, they would need to say that they run into a door, that’s why they sport a very nice black/green/blue shiner.
See their is a reason for wearing this m o o s l i m e garb after all.
mortimer says
Yes, j-not, the ghosts or ninjas in black shrouds that mark the FUNERAL of freedom that these women must endure for life.
The Islamic veil is NOT a symbol of PIETY or WORSHIP, but a symbol of MALE DOMINANCE and MALE CONTROL.
The purpose of the veil is ISOLATE WOMEN so that men can control them.
Giacomo Latta says
Please do not mock the Muslim Women’s Rights Movement. They used to have to wear tents and were forever bumping into and falling over things, thus exposing their under side. Now, thanks to 1400 years of progression in Islam, they are allowed to see where they are going. Can’t you see by how happy they are?
J D S says
Any and all of the atrocities acts permitted, nay, allowed, authorized in Islam, is an abomination to GOD and no matter what Muslims say or do…nothing can change that. God will not be mocked! and their allah is mocking God.
mortimer says
Thank you, Saleem Smith, for this important testimony. Westerners are (as you know) preposterously and ridiculously unaware of the hideous AMORALITY of Islam, particularly Islam’s insulting treatment of women.
If Muslim women were exposed to the complete list of outrageous, insulting misogynistic hadiths and commentaries that are CLASSICAL, CANONICAL ISLAM, they would be totally repulsed and most of them would leave Islam.
gravenimage says
Mortimer, most Muslim women understand that their being beaten is perfectly Islamic.
j_not_a says
Tbey accept being beaten and accept wearing the sinister looking black shrouds too, all the better to hide the bruises and welts. Broken bones don’t heal too well either because of a lack of vitamin D from not getting any sunshine.
mortimer says
GI, I believe they accept the beatings merely because they know they will be HONOR-KILLED if they protest or try to stop them!
Western women’s shelters are full of BEATEN MUSLIM WOMEN.
gravenimage says
True, Mortimer. I mean that most of them know that the Qur’an condones their being beaten.
Mari For says
As usual, great reply.
gravenimage says
The Grotesque Immorality of Mainstream Islamic Ethics (Part 3)
………………..
Yes–wife beating is canonical Islam. *Ugh*.
DHazard says
“But those from whom you fear arrogance – advise them; forsake them in bed; and strike them. But if they obey you, seek no means against them.”
Redacted by Uthman:
“But if, after striking them, they continue in their errant ways then throw acid in their faces, lash them, throw them from a high place, cut off a hand and foot, chop off their heads, then stone their detached heads, for surely Allah is supremely merciful and something else that doesn’t have anything to do with the topic.
Michael Copeland says
Thank you, Saleem, for your courage.
Keep up the good work.
gravenimage says
Hear, hear!
Kufar1 says
The female psychology seems to be that’s stemmed from resignation. This is because physically women are weaker than men. Since the early ages if the female succeeded in dominating a male, then other males would challenge and eventually defeat her. This is like being a champion boxer and at some point, get defeated. We need to promote women empowerment and gun ownership. There’s a lot we can do to empower girls but we also speak directly to grown women. If we don’t, they’d gladly don “the bag”.
gravenimage says
The idea that all women are poised to submit to Islam is *quite* mistaken.
There are a lot of female Anti-Jihadists here–I am one of them. And what about brave women like Pamela Geller, Brigitte Gabriel, and Ayaan Hirsi Ali?
Carolyne says
I submit to nothing.
Johm says
They actually look like a bunch of crows ! How unbecoming of them !
WPM says
Put them in a bag like you would cover a dirty magazine with ,make them ashamed of themselves, beat them ,take away their identity, expect them to raise the children in this box of hate of a religion. Not a word of disagreement from female SJW ,they are too busy worry about the 6 different bathrooms for those in the West who are confused about what sex they are.
Carolyne says
There are some extra-strong contractor’s black bags which would be very durable for wearing in public. This would save the husband’s money so he could buy more sex slaves.
Also being banished from the smelly old goat’s bed would not be a punishment but a reward.
Kufar1 says
Thank you Carolyne (pbuh) ‘h’ here stands for her. I sincerely want to confer a sense of happiness when women join the fight for freedom and liberty against Islam. It is against freedom of expression when women are forced to don the bag. It is extremely muggy underneath because it traps heat. It contributes to vitamin D deficiency and early osteoporosis. I hope a lot more women would speak out against Islamic sexual terrorism against them. Everyone has a right to self ownership, dignity, and respect. I encourage maximum speech against Islamic evil ideology and women ownership of firearms. I recommend a CZP10C. There are flaws reported against it but I think it’s a decent weapon.
I want to draw everyone’s attention to the recurrent event each year at May 20th. We will rejoice and celebrate Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in happy faces to please him.
gravenimage says
Yes–I always observe Everybody Draw Muhammad Day.
granddaddy says
Get a load of that picture. Yikes!
Matthieu Baudin says
Looking forward to more contributions from you Saleem.
Wife beating is sordid and shameful and you have provided some insight as to why there are such frequent voices justifying it from within Islamic circles.