Understanding Islam — Page 151
149 It is narrated by Mu‘ ā wiyah al-Qushayri, “I went to the Messenger of Allah sa and asked him, ‘What do you instruct us in regards to our wives?’ He replied, “Provide them with the food that you have for yourself, and provide them the clothing which you have for yourself, and do not beat them, and do not make them miserable. 24 At another occasion, he said, “ Do not beat Allah’s handmaidens ” and condemned those men who chastise their wives even lightly. 25 These narrations show how the fundamental teaching in Islam is kind treatment of wives and to never chastise them in any way. The permissibility of chastisement is only there in the rarest and most extreme of cases, and as a last resort to save the marriage from breakdown. This is further demonstrated by the following words of Prophet Muhammad sa : Adopt righteousness in regards to women, because you have taken them from Allah through a contract (of marriage), and you have established intimate relationships with them with the permission of Allah. It