Understanding Islam — Page 155
153 Muslim men should emulate Prophet Muhammad of Islam sa by treating their wives in the best way, and by doing what his own wife Hazrat ‘ Ā ’ishah ra stated: The Messenger of Allah sa never beat any of his servants, or wives, and his hand never hit anything. 30 G UIDANCE FOR W OMEN WHO FACE M ARITAL A BUSE Many critics ignore the fact that the Holy Quran also gives advice to a woman whose husband is the one who behaves in a way that is nush ū z (meaning: “recalcitrant”, “over-bearing”, and “injurious”, as described earlier). The very fact that the Holy Quran acknowledges this possibility of misconduct by husbands, clearly indicates that it does not give a free license to husbands to behave towards their wives as they please, but also expects them to behave as caring and affectionate companions to their wives, not as their masters.