The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 311
10. WOMEN. Issues relating to the treatment of women and children have been grossly misunderstood by most people, and they have consequently deviated from the straight path. It is written in the Holy Qur'ān: 221 عَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ). The current practice, however, is against this injunction. . Extreme Attitudes about Women. In this respect there are two categories of men. There are those who have given women free licence to do whatever they want. Such women pay no heed to religion and conduct themselves in an un-Islamic manner, and there is no one to question them. On the other extreme, there are those who treat women with such severity and harshness that it is hard to distinguish their women from animals. . They are treated worse than slaves and beasts. They beat them so mercilessly as if they were lifeless objects. They are treated so cruelly, that it has a become a proverb in the Punjab that a woman is like a pair of shoes which may be thrown away and replaced at will. Such attitude is extremely dangerous and contrary to Islām. . Kind Treatment of Women. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is the perfect example for us in every aspect of life. 221 Consort with them in kindness. '-Al-Nisa', 4:20 [Publisher]