BEAT THEM?!?!? Question on the correct meaning
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Your opinions brothers and sisters.
We are all familiar with 434...the controversial BEAT THEM verse. I have an opinion on this and would like to know what you think. Now keep in mind English is my first language so I could be wrong.
A translations
"admonish them ; then leave them alone in bed; then beat them; and if thereupon they pay you heed, do not seek to harm them." -ASAD
I want to make an observation. Notice how Asad said "and if thereupon". The "and" is very common in translations with "Beat them" to separate the two parts (sometimes "then" or "but" is used)
However in the Arabic there is no "and" or "but" that I can see. (I know "and" is "wa" which is not in there.)
waidriboohunna (insert "and" here) fa-in ataAAnakumfala tabghoo AAalayhinna sabeelan inna Allaha kanaAAaliyyan kabeeran (please correct me if I am incorrect)
Also as far as I know there are no "periods" or "commas" in Arabic. (please verify)
So could this be read in Arabic as one sentence which would say, "then beat them if thereupon they pay you heed". Which would mean you would beat them if they listened to you?!?!? Maybe daraba here is not meant as "beat them" Instead something like. "High-five them if thereupon they pay you heed"
I actually think Ahmed Ali's is the closest with "then leave them alone in bed (without molesting them) and go to bed with them (when they are willing). If they open out to you, do not seek an excuse for blaming them."
However I feel it would be more appropriate if it was translated as "then leave them alone in bed and return to them (waidriboohunna) if they open out to you" One sentence which flows nicely and makes sense.
Please everyone if I am incorrect let me know, any mistakes are my own.
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I tend to think that this idribuhunna is not some specific action but rather a general description of the situation that should be reached after the bed separation. Something like "ok, that is wher we are, what is your take, what should we do?" Define the situation and define both spouses position and take it form there. Normally daraba comes with setting something clear, making something definite. I do not feel that it is opting for a particular action, but rather that and action or settlement must be reached. The whole matrimonial dealings in the Qur'an go in that direction avoiding rotting situations or protracted conflicts, avoid keeping anybody hanging in the void, keeping somebody engaged without prvinding any satisfaction to him or her...
Salaam
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peace
using lanes Dictionary;
434,
...............As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty , give good advice/ remind of the results of affairs and cut ye them off from loving intercourse and let them transcend/make the transition; but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance) For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).
peace
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peace ayyub,
The word is "fa-in" meaning "then/so if". But you are right on one point, that it could be read as one continuous/simultaneous action, albeit the evidence is to the contrary.
In my view, Ahmed Ali's translation is possible, but not probable. I have written an article on 434 which is currently being checked over. I'm not sure how long this process will take however.
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waidriboohunna (insert "and" here) fa-in ataAAnakumfala tabghoo AAalayhinna sabeelan inna Allaha kanaAAaliyyan kabeeran (please correct me if I am incorrect)
Waw is there before the imperative verb.
http//haqeeqat.org.pk/English%20Tafsir%20e%20Haqeeqat/00.Arabic%20Text/004.%20An%20Nisa/temp%2014%20%204.34b.gif
and distance/shift them away from yourselves inside the bed rooms
http//haqeeqat.org.pk/English%20Tafsir%20e%20Haqeeqat/00.Arabic%20Text/004.%20An%20Nisa/temp%2014%20%204.34n.gif
and you people make them surfaced/evident/move them out from the bed rooms .http//haqeeqat.org.pk/English%20Tafsir%20e%20Haqeeqat/00.Arabic%20Text/004.%20An%20Nisa/004.%20An%20Nisa%2001..htm
