Wife Beating in the Qur'an

[Beet]

There seems to be some controversy over this, heavily agenda-ed on all sides. Based on the translation of verse 4:34, husbands are either allowed to beat their wives who are disobedient to them, or not. The controversy surrounds a single word, "idribuhunna", and whether it necessarily has the meaning "to beat" or "to leave"/"to report". Those that seek to defend Islam as a modern religion tend to argue that it means "to leave" or "to report", whereas traditional scholars as well as critics from outside Islam, such as Christians, tend to defend the meaning of "to beat". Anyone have any particular knowledge or interest on this subject you would like to share?

[minionofmidas]

My printed German Qur'an has "punish". The six English translations on Quran.com have, respectively "strike", "beat [lightly]", "scourge", "beat [lightly]", "beat", "strike [ie hit lightly]". Also worth pointing out that most translations try to make it clear that the list (admonish, end sexual relations, strike) is meant in the sense of try the first first, then if that doesn't work the second, then if that work the third.

Meh. The Bible admonishes us to spare our rods and to spoil our children.

[Gustaf]

My printed German Qur'an has "punish". The six English translations on Quran.com have, respectively "strike", "beat [lightly]", "scourge", "beat [lightly]", "beat", "strike [ie hit lightly]". Also worth pointing out that most translations try to make it clear that the list (admonish, end sexual relations, strike) is meant in the sense of try the first first, then if that doesn't work the second, then if that work the third.

Meh. The Bible admonishes us to spare our rods and to spoil our children.

I understand how you're thinking here, but I doubt that it's what the Quran says.

What seems to matter more is whether Muslims actually interpret it as allowing wife-beating. At least that's what I would think. And far too many seem to do so.

[minionofmidas]

All of the six English translations I quote are by Muslims.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

My printed German Qur'an has "punish". The six English translations on Quran.com have, respectively "strike", "beat [lightly]", "scourge", "beat [lightly]", "beat", "strike [ie hit lightly]". Also worth pointing out that most translations try to make it clear that the list (admonish, end sexual relations, strike) is meant in the sense of try the first first, then if that doesn't work the second, then if that work the third.

Meh. The Bible admonishes us to spare our rods and to spoil our children.

I understand how you're thinking here, but I doubt that it's what the Quran says.

What seems to matter more is whether Muslims actually interpret it as allowing wife-beating. At least that's what I would think. And far too many seem to do so.

Well, considering the words "Holy" and "War" never appear together in the Quran, strange interpretations seem commonplace with it, as they do with the Bible.

[Gustaf]

All of the six English translations I quote are by Muslims.

Did you see my bolding? Or am I just not getting what you're talking about?

[minionofmidas]

All of the six English translations I quote are by Muslims.

Did you see my bolding? Or am I just not getting what you're talking about?

You bolded the fact that I forgot the word "doesn't". On which I stand guilty as charged but which I didn't deem worthy of comment.
Then you said something about Muslims, specifically, interpreting it to allow wife-beating. Which I replied to.
Or maybe I am indeed missing something. (Or maybe you meant, allowing wife beating without restrictions? That would be indeed a rather novel interpretation directly contradicted by the text.)

[Gustaf]

All of the six English translations I quote are by Muslims.

Did you see my bolding? Or am I just not getting what you're talking about?

You bolded the fact that I forgot the word "doesn't". On which I stand guilty as charged but which I didn't deem worthy of comment.
Then you said something about Muslims, specifically, interpreting it to allow wife-beating. Which I replied to.
Or maybe I am indeed missing something. (Or maybe you meant, allowing wife beating without restrictions? That would be indeed a rather novel interpretation directly contradicted by the text.)

Because you left out the word "doesn't" the meaning became "end sexual relations and if that works, beat her" which I thought was a funny idea.

The rest wasn't specifically directed at you. But I guess your reply was in agreement with me then?

[AndrewTX]

Does it mention something about making a sandwich?

[minionofmidas]

Does it mention something about making a sandwich?

Would fall under adultery, I'm sure. And thus be totally forbidden.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Does it mention something about making a sandwich?

Would fall under adultery, I'm sure. And thus be totally forbidden.

Depends on who is the meat and who is the bread since Islam does explicitly endorse polygyny, but not all forms of it.  For example, those who fantasize about twins will need to find some other religion.

[I Will Not Be Wrong]

Yikes.