Does the Quran Say to Hit Women? | Interpretation of Surah An-Nisa Verse 34
8:57 Verse 34 of Surah An-Nisa has always been one of the most challenging topics regarding women's rights and dignity in Islam. Relying on common translations, critics accuse Islam of promoting domestic violence, and traditional interpretations often confirm this perception. But does the God of the Quran command the physical punishment of a wife in instances of marital discord? In this video, taking an unbiased, structural, and etymological look at Surah An-Nisa, we place verse 34 alongside verse 128 (the husband's ill-conduct/Nushuz) to discover the true and moral meaning of the word "Daraba" based on the oldest and most authoritative Arabic dictionary (Kitab al-Ayn) — a meaning that is worlds apart from "hitting"!
Topics covered in this video:
Review of criticisms leveled against Surah An-Nisa Verse 34 regarding women's dignity
Exploring the concept of "Nushuz" (marital discord) and the protective, supportive duty (Qawwam) of men
A detailed comparison of the Quranic view on a wife's discord (Verse 34) and a husband's discord (Verse 128)
Etymology of the word "Daraba" in the Quran and Arabic language based on Farahidi's "Al-Ayn" dictionary
Proving the meaning of "gradual turning away / emotional and financial disregard" instead of physical violence
Timestamps:
Social Media and ways to contact us:
YouTube Channel: : https://www.youtube.com/@kalam-hamidhossaini
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kalam_hamidhosseini
Telegram: https://t.me/hamidhossaini
By subscribing to the channel and activating the bell icon, give us energy to produce logical content and respond to religious doubts. Be sure to comment your thoughts for us.
Chapters
- 0:00 Introduction and problem statement (Surah An-Nisa Verse 34 and the challenge of women's rights)
- 0:39 The three stages of dealing with a wife's Nushuz in the traditional view (admonition, leaving the bed, striking)
- 1:20 The necessity of a structural and unbiased look at all the verses of Surah An-Nisa
- 2:14 The Quran's emphasis on women's financial and human rights (Analysis of Verses 32 and 34)
- 3:13 Comparing the wife's Nushuz and the husband's Nushuz (Difference between Verse 34 and Verse 128 of Surah An-Nisa)
- 4:47 Why the interpretation of "hitting" contradicts the purpose of the verse (preserving the family)
- 6:03 The main message of the verses: Continuing the man's support for the woman and preventing breakdown
- 7:15 The word "Daraba" in the "Al-Ayn" dictionary and its various uses in the Quran
- 8:35 Conclusion: The meaning of "gradual turning away and disregard" instead of physical punishment