Understanding Islam — Page 150
ARE WOMEN VIOLENTLY OPPRESSED IN ISLAM? 148 The word used for such a physical action is i ḍ rib ū hunna. Translating this word as “beating” or “striking”, both of which in English carry the connotation of injury and harm, is to misrepresent the teachings of the Holy Quran. It should be noted that according to current legislation in the United States and United Kingdom, “physical abuse” is defined in a manner very similar to how Prophet Muhammad sa of Islam defined it 1400 years ago: “an intentional act that causes injury or trauma to another person, through bodily contact”. Islamic teachings are vehemently opposed to any such “physical abuse” perpetrated by any man against his wife. Serious action should be taken against such people who abuse their wives with violence and try to justify their actions in light of the verse under discussion. A study of the narrations of Prophet Muhammad sa makes it clear that physical abuse is forbidden in Islam, and has nothing to do with what is allowed in this verse. For instance, he makes a categorical statement against physical abuse in the following narration: