Understanding Islam — Page 141
139 to, have an extra marital relationship, the husband is allowed to lightly chastise her. Thus, it is not that husbands are allowed to “beat” wives at the slightest disagreement with their husbands, or a show of disregard for marriage itself. They have to take other means and a steps-based approach. Furthermore, Lane’s lexicon discusses the word nush ū z and gives the following meanings: 1. To rise and stand up in opposition 2. To contend and fight with someone 3. To cause someone to vomit with fright 4. To hate someone 5. To act injuriously against another 6. To desert someone 7. An evil companion It is clear then that the word nush ū z covers a variety of types of behaviours, from simply altercating with someone, all the way to hating them, deserting them and plotting against their well-being. As such, we can understand if a wife adopts a behaviour that