The Quran Does Not Condone Domestic Violence

Abstract

I have always heard cases where man actually abuses their wives, something which I could never understand. Why do two people come together and end with one party hurting the other? Why do these women so frequently get abused?

Domestic violence has traditionally been defined as violence in the home, or between family members. In the Middle East, there are many strong examples of domestic violence. The bulk of the populations in the Middle East are mainly Muslims. Does the Quran condole domestic violence?

Having done some research myself, I have come to understand that it is not that under Islam, women are denied equal rights, but because of some traditional tendencies that have made life more difficult for them than it should be. I personally feel that it is been due to a loss of a true Islamic perspective that women's rights have suffered. Because of the culture of the Middle Eastern nations, the majority of the women here have a very low status. The idea of male dominance is very prominent in these countries because of their strong beliefs and culture. Many of these nations feel that the woman's place is in the home caring for the children and taking care of the chores within the home.

What rights do they have? What help can they get? Some of these includes greater involvement of the government in these countries in outlawing such acts, greater encouragement of victims to speak up and the establishing of sheltered homes and help lines, etc.

The Quran does not condone violence.

And those who say of their wives:" You are like our mother's back", then retract what they said, have to free a slave before touching each other. That is what you are admonished, and Allah is fully aware of what you do.

As for him who does not have the means, he should fast two consecutive months, before they can touch each other; and he who cannot should feed sixty poor persons. That is prescribed that you may believe in Allah and His Apostle and these are the bounds of Allah. The unbelievers shall have a very painful punishment. (Sura 58: 2-4)

(The Quran, A modern English version, Pg 355)

Muslims are known to be very peaceful people, however there are still many cases of domestic violence occurring in Muslim countries. The reason for this is because many social and legal customs have tolerated and sometimes encouraged physical acts of violence against women. So, does the Quran condone domestic violence? Domestic violence has quite recently been looked upon an international problem that bypasses educational, cultural, social, and ethnic limits. Domestic violence affects millions of women from all educational and socioeconomic classes around the world. There are many different forms of domestic abuse, including verbal, pushing, threats, grabbing, restraining, choking, kicking, slapping, weapons, rape, and many other ways.

The Quran is the sacred text of Islam, considered by Muslims to contain the revelations of God to Muhammad. Muslims are supposed to live in accordance with God's laws. By doing so, they strive to obtain nearness to God and victory over temporary trials and temptations in this world. All aspects of their practice including prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage are intended to help meet this goal.

"Within the partnership, the man is the senior partner. The Quran says that he has a rank or degree (darajah) over his wife: 'Women have rights over them (like those of men) of an honorable kind, but men have darajah over them' in another verse, it is said that men are qawwumun over women "men are standing over women"

This term is very ambiguous and it has had a lot of interpretation. Islam says that although men and women have the same rights and the same duties in terms of human relationship and in the family, the men have a rank over them. That rank is really a matter of chairmanship in the family. Under Muslim law, a man is obliged to maintain his wife in all aspect - clothe her, feed her, house her. That's his responsibility, regardless of how wealthy she herself is. And because he has that obligation, that is why he becomes the chairman of the family. Even though so, the Prophet said that woman is the queen of the house, but because the man will always be dominant, they are more aggressive and dominant."

(What Muslims Believe, The Authority Of Men by John Bowker, page 123)

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From the findings of the Quran, it is obvious that it does not condone domestic violence. In fact, the Quran admonishes those men who oppress or ill-treat women:

O believers, it is not lawful for you to inherit women [of deceased kinsmen] against their will; nor restrain them in order to take away part of what you have given them, unless they commit flagrant adultery. Associate with them kindly; and if you feel aversion towards them, it may well be that you will be averse to something, from which Allah brings out a lot of good. (Sura 4:19)

(The Quran, A modern English version, PG 53)

According to the Quran on Abuses, insults and defamations, abuse is not encouraged.

The Quran says,

Do not curse those [deities] whom they call upon besides Allah, lest they wrongfully curse Allah without knowledge (6:108)

O believers, let not one people scoff at another people, least they do better than

they; nor women at other women, least they be better than they. Do not slander yourselves and do not revile each other with false names. Wretched is the name of ungodliness, after belief! He who does not repent, such are the wrongdoers, indeed. (Sura 49:11)

(The Quran, A modern English version, PG 330)

Any insult, scorning or defamation is an offence punishable with ta'zir. It is also stated that man should not raise his voice at others.

O believers do not raise your voices above the Prophet's voice and do not be loud in speaking to him, as speaking loudly to one another, least your works come to grief while you are unaware. (Sura 49:2)

(The Quran, the English version, PG 330)

The following cases from the books read are examples that depict the real-life scenarios that are happening in the Middle East countries. Through them, it