Understanding Islam — Page 156
ARE WOMEN VIOLENTLY OPPRESSED IN ISLAM? 154 The Holy Quran gives the following advice as regards a woman who suffers in such a way: And if a woman fear nush ū z or indifference on the part of her husband, it shall be no sin on them that they be suitably reconciled to each other; and reconciliation is best. And people are prone to covetousness. If you do good and are righteous, surely Allah is aware of what you do. 31 The method of such reconciliation is elaborated as follows: And if you fear a breach between them, then appoint an arbiter from his folk and an arbiter from her folk. If they (the arbiters) desire reconciliation, Allah will effect it between them. Surely, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware. 32 What this demonstrates is that if a woman suffers from hateful, injurious, over-bearing, aggressive or abusive behaviour from her spouse, third parties should be involved. This is evidently different to the teaching given for men. Why is that?