“Wife Beating in Islamic Perspective”

The question in this post is: “Does Islam allow wife beating? Some husbands are violent and they say that the Qur'an allows them to beat their wives. Is there any logical explanation given regarding men being allowed to beat their wives, as stated in surat An-Nisa', verse 34?” The reply, given by Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi (former president of the Islamic Society of North America) and Dr. Jamal Badawi (professor at Saint Mary’s Univerisyt in Halifax), is that this verse is often gravely misconceived by people, who focus only on its surface meaning and take it to allow wife beating. Dr. Siddiqi states that this verse neither permits violence nor condones it. It is a guide for ways to handle delicate family situation with care and wisdom. The word "beating" is used in the verse, but it does not mean "physical abuse". Dr. Badawi states that if the problem relates to the wife's behavior, the husband may exhort her and appeal for reason. In most cases, this measure is likely to be sufficient. In cases where the problem persists, the husband may express his displeasure in another peaceful manner, by sleeping in a separate bed from hers. There are cases, however, in which a wife persists in bad habits and showing contempt of her husband and disregard for her marital obligations. Instead of divorce, the husband may resort to another measure that may save the marriage, at least in some cases. Such a measure is more accurately described as a gentle tap on the body, but never on the face, making it more of a symbolic measure than a punitive one.