Was the term "daraba" sneakily turned to "beating" by hypocrites?
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The arabic word "D-r-b" word is exactly equivalent to...
A. the english word "beat".
where "...to beat upon someone" means
I. leaving someone, abandoning someone
II. hitting someoneB. english "hit"
...which has the exact same meaning as A
When push comes to shove it's a matter of what fits the context best. I know what I see it as.
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Brother siki.
Somewhere you had said earlier, that a place should be shown where this word has been used in the meaning of separation. I had mentioned
?faduriba bainahum bisu_r?
? A partition/separation (duriba) shall be made between them with {b}) a wall? (Refer 5713)May I also invite to another point that
fa qulnadrib bi 'asa_kal hajar(a),{Refer 260}
Traditional translation is like this "Strike the rock with thy staff."
Flow of water of spring remains stopped because of a rock lying on its exit point. If the rock is pushed aside, removed to create a separation between the spring point and rock, water will gush out. Is it not more proper to translate it like this ?Push aside/away the rock/stone with your stick?.What Musa a.s actually did when Bani Israel had to cross red sea.?
adhrib lahum thariqan filbahri yabasa (Ref 2077)
Its traditional translation ?and strike a dry path for them through the sea?The true meaning of ?adhrib? could be ascertained from what had actually happened.
Fa auhaina_ ila_ mu_sa_ anidrib biasa_kal bar fanfalaqa fa ka_na kul lu firwin kat taudil azim Then We told Moses by inspiration "Separate the sea with thy stick." So it separated and each separate part became like the huge firm mass of a mountain. {And in between a dry passage was created as a sequel} (Ref 2663)
Here ?Falq? has been used. This fact of separation is also explained in different words?
Wa iz faraqna bikumul bahra {Ref 250}
Can it be denied that faraqna is to separate? If Allah says I did ?faraqna?, then why what was told to Musa a.s. should be considered different from it. Would it not be creating ?Farq? between Allah and his Rasul? A thing prohibited. -
Brother Mazhar
Greetings
lets first sort out all the side issues, and then we will thrash this Darab,(Zarb in urdu) in detail.
Dear elke
peace sis
when i used this word strike for black mail, actually i was using the definition what peace4life had written in the document explaining the "on strike " term by some union.
And oh yes ! this cooling off period is important, and had i been dishing out the instructions , i would have definitely written , " kick her out of the house HUNNA" and if she does not have a place to go, MOve your own butt out" because it certainly works, but i am more interested in finding out the correct meaning of the word " Darabuhunna" in this ayah.
peace4life,salam
word by word translation of an idiomatic phrase, from one language to another( with retension of its original meaning) , is a very rare occurrence .
peace
siki
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Salam Siki,
I did not explain strikes by unions. You can strike against anything work, food, friends, family, anything. It just means to LEAVE something or give up something with strong determination as to achieve results. (As when Allah LEAVES us examples with strong determination). It also means to SEPARATE.
Back in prophet's days, the word does not seem to mean Hit at all. Aathuhuma (hurt/punish them) is the word that I see most likely to mean Hit back then. As in
416 If two among you are guilty of lewdness, punish them both. If they repent and amend, Leave them alone; for Allah is Oft-returning, Most Merciful.
I don't see anything idiomatic about the verses (434-35). You FEAR something from the wife (she may or may not be doing something wrong) you tell her what's going on and you avoid sexual contact and you threaten her with leaving. If she responds (gives you attention and security) you seek no path against her, if she doesn't you leave and send judges to represent both parties.
There is no point of a R/ship where a man is insecure/has fear from his wife that's why action has to be taken. I don't see any steps! I don't know why they made up steps. Allah doesn't say thumma (next), He says AND.
((Next = thumma - as in 176 and 955))
But what's really interesting is this A mad is insecure... He will threaten with LEAVING!
But when a woman is insecure she is to actually try and get CLOSER to the man. Sobhan Allah (the opposite action here).If a woman senses oppression or desertion from her husband, the couple shall try to reconcile their differences, for conciliation is best for them. Selfishness is a human trait, and if you do good and lead a righteous life, GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do. (note the verse after this discourages polygamy)
These are both hypothetical situations (if you fear this...)
So what I see is this (as the underlying message)
Men have insecurity = give her less attention
Women have insecurity = give him more attention (with the help of the man - 2 way action)These, plus breaks if worse comes to worse, seem to be the strategies to solve R/Ship problems. They are designed to give positive responses from the partner. They will not work for everyone surely, because couples may have other priorities (money, greed, etc.). Couples can also have lots of other complicated issues (problems with in-laws, feeling oppression, etc.)
But to Allah belongs everything in the Heavens and Earth and no one can own anyone else (see values in 4130 - 4134).
Think deeply about these things in a practical sense and see if they give you a life of peace.
Salam peace
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Salam Siki,
I don't see anything idiomatic about the verses (434-35).
I don't see any steps! I don't know why they made up steps. Allah doesn't say thumma (next), He says AND.Dear peace4life
salam
I agree whole heartedly with your recommendations regarding rescuing a derailed marriage. I am quite certain that hitting her would most likely deteriorate the situation further, but sister i am interested in finding out the correct meaning of this word here in this ayah.
Of course there is nothing idiomatic about the verses 4-34 an 35, what i meant was that you are pasting the idiomatic meaning of English word ON STRIKE back in to Arabic , and that also the classical Arabic of Qurran, this methodology never works between any two languages.
I am quite surprised that you do not see/find any steps in 4-34 ??? which are not there in case of husbands Nashooz. Even if it is not NEXT and is And ,it does not make a difference. God is leaving it for the husband to use either, or all of these in any given situation/for a certain type of woman.
peace
siki
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Salam
I agree whole heartedly with your recommendations regarding rescuing a derailed marriage.
They're not my recommendations. They're Allah's - straight from the book! Whatever He says goes.
you are pasting the idiomatic meaning of English word ON STRIKE back in to Arabic
Pay attention to the verse If she responds then seek NO PATH (sabeela) against her. If she doesn't then obviously you do the opposite! that's why the meaning is clear in context, no matter how much people try to mess with it. You leave her temporarily with strong determination, unless she responds.
If seeking a path/way (sabeela) against her is metaphorical then you're doing that by avoiding her, avoiding sex etc. But it looks literal because Allah says SEND judges (so it looks like edhrebhunna straight away means take a temporary break away from her with determination).
Let's assume that we misunderstand Allah and think that seeking a path (sabeela) against her is metaphorical and means "be her enemy, be against her, hit her!" ... does that sound like Allah to you? is that one of His values? and most importantly, would this actually solve problems? He says that between couples there is "affection and mercy".
God is leaving it for the husband to use either, or all of these in any given situation
You want the wife to respond and give you some kind of comfort/security/respect. How can you have that if you don't do ALL that Allah said. Can you choose to leave her temporarily, but still come back every now and then for sex? what's that going to solve? can you try negotiating with her in order to achieve results but be distracted with sex?
They are not necessarily so-called STEPS. The people who made up this STEPS business did it because they wanted to prove that hitting a woman is ok as a last resort. I see that you actually do them all one by one ... most importantly see if wife responds if man tells her he's going to leave her.
By the way, the husband's Nashooz is a different story. If a woman tries to avoid sex with him or try leaving him then disasters will happen. She is thus advised to negotiate with him.
As I said before, if you understand what Allah means then His strategies should work practically to give couples a peaceful marriage. I know it is an important issue for people with marital problems. That's why I'm asking all to think deeply about how these verses would actually work for you or other couples.
The biggest misunderstandings are that the verses about Nashuz are really about men and women's insecurities, and they're hypothetical situations for "IF they FEAR" something. No crimes have actually been committed.
peace
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Sometimes there is a need for a shock-therapy by beating her lightly and she comes to her senses
Yes, that makes sense, the good old days when a irrational woman incapable of stringing together a sentence because of her heightened emotions - turns out all she needed was a good slap. In return she would thank the man whilst fluttering in his manly gaze. The good old days. P
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As stated in prior reply, there is NO (lightly) in the verse so let?s not add words to Qur?an.
Alrrijalu qawwamoona AAala alnnisai bima faddala Allahu baAAdahum AAala baAAdin wabima anfaqoo min amwalihim faalssalihatu qanitatun hafithatun lilghaybi bima hafitha Allahu waallatee takhafoona nushoozahunna faAAithoohunna waohjuroohunna fee almadajiAAi waidriboohunna fain ataAAnakum fala tabghoo AAalayhinna sabeelan inna Allaha kana AAaliyyan kabeeran
434 Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance) For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).So then which is it?
Ith yoohee rabbuka ila almalaikati annee maAAakum fathabbitoo allatheena amanoo saolqee fee quloobi allatheena kafaroo alrruAAba faidriboo fawqa alaAAnaqi waidriboo minhum kulla bananin
812 Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message) "I am with you give firmness to the Believers I will instil terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them."
Waidrib lahum mathalan ashaba alqaryati ith jaaha almursaloona
3613 Set forth to them, by way of a parable, the (story of) the Companions of the City. Behold!, there came apostles to it.Same as above word use in 1832 and 1845
The best meaning is NOT strike/beat, rather to ?set forth? and agree it?s not a step approach rather all one ?attitude? basically...
Admonish not having sex thus set forth/show them ? or simply ignore/go on a sex strike. >(
Peace LOL
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Salam,
If you must cross-reference the meaning with another similar word from the Quran (although I do see it as a ?strike / temporary break? from the marriage because that's the evident technique) then this is it
? Separate from above the neck, and separate from them all fingers. yes
Let?s go back to the prophet?s days. Where exactly is the word ?hit?? and what did it mean back then? Here it is
If two among you are guilty of lewdness, PUNISH them both. If they repent and amend, Leave them alone; for Allah is Oft-returning, Most Merciful.
Waallathani yatiyaniha minkum faathoohuma fain taba waaslaha faaAAridoo AAanhuma inna Allaha kana tawwaban raheeman
So the word for ?hit? back then is ?aathuhum?? this means to hurt someone as to inflict pain.
I don?t agree with the above translation. Aathuhuma is to inflict atha (hurt/pain) ? So the word here is to actually ?hit? NOT ?punish?. You don?t just punish them! As in ?go to your room!?
I?m sorry but some translations are just sad!
? back to the daraba
Allah uses strategies to get the man away from the woman when he has fear, so negotiate and avoid sexually and avoid her altogether (no steps). So the man is moving the opposite direction from her (perhaps she will respond, in which case ?no need to separate from her).
Stupid hypocrites! Allah doesn?t contradict Himself and say move away from women sexually and then go back towards them in order to hit them! (what a contradiction in attitude and values of Allah). It?s like going back and forth.
Can you just imagine how a man without sex would bash his wife? Ooof! The tension, the rage, the frustration ? anyway?
When a woman has fear she is to do the complete opposite negotiate with him (get close to him & work together). Otherwise, he might go find something else outside and she?ll lose him.
Doesn?t matter how much they mess with the language, you can still dig out the meaning from the context (verse 435 shows that there's been a temporary separation).
Salam. sun
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Salaam Rida,
Nicely done bravo
You should PM Layth and submit your article for publication in the articles section of this website.
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Stupid hypocrites! Allah doesn?t contradict Himself and say move away from women sexually and then go back towards them in order to hit them! (what a contradiction in attitude and values of Allah). It?s like going back and forth.
NO COMMENTS ON REMARKS , AS WELL AS THE LOGIC IT SELF
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Salam,
If you must cross-reference the meaning with another similar word from the Quran (although I do see it as a ?strike / temporary break? from the marriage because that's the evident technique) then this is it
? Separate from above the neck, and separate from them all fingers. yes
'(
8-12 "Progressive Muslims"
God inspired the Angels "I am with you so keep firm those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who have rejected; so strike above thenecks, and strike from them every one standing."
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Allah uses strategies to get the man away from the woman when he has fear,(1) so negotiate and(2) avoid sexually and (3)?avoid her altogether (no steps). So the man is moving the opposite direction from her (perhaps she will respond, in which case ?no need to separate from her).
??? ALLAH USES STRATEGIES ..he asks him to negotiate,
and then avoids her sexually and then
altogether ,and then asks him to call for arbitrators
(no steps) ) -
Salam Siki,
Firstly, I do not have to explain to you the difference between the word AND and the words THUMMA (NEXT) or Min baAd Thlek (after that). You can see them in the Quran.
STEPS? You can tell your wife what your problem is and avoid sex and threaten to leave her all in one day. I am not going to stick words like (NEXT) and (Lightly) in verses, because Allah doesn't need anyone to elaborate on HIS words. Nor am I going to make up things like (as a last resort) ...
I am being objective and trying to tell you what I've read. You don't like it by all means do what you want in your own marriage and GOOD LUCK TO YOU!
OTHERWISE, COME UP WITH A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE QURAN AND HOW IT CAN GIVE PEOPLE A LIFE OF PEACE! BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT ALLAH GAVE IT TO US FOR!
AS FOR THE OTHER THINGS YOU'VE COMMENTED ON ... TOO LONG FOR ME TO TELL YOU ABOUT HERE SO DOWNLOAD THE ATTACHED ARTICLE BELOW.
sun
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I like Edip yuksel's understanding on this
"Does the Quran Permit Men to Beat Their Wives?
A famous (and controversial) passage in the Quran has brought about a great deal of misunderstanding about Islam. In Pickthal's translation, we are told that God offers the following advice to Muslim husbands about their wives
Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for their support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then, if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High Exalted, Great.
In M.H. Shakir's translation, we read
(A)nd (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them..
And here is the popular Yusuf Ali translation of the entire (much-disputed) verse
Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance) For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).
Here is our translation of the same passage, with appropriate sidebar references to disputed passages
! Disputed passage
The traditional rendering is you may beat them.
Men take care of women ? since God has endowed some with qualities that differ in degree, and since men spend from their financial resources. The righteous women are obedient (to God), and during the absence (of their husbands), they honor them according to God's commandment, even when alone in their privacy. As for those women who bring about in you a fear of disloyalty, you shall first advise them. Then (if they continue), you may desert them in bed. Then, (if they continue), you may leave them. If they obey you, (however,) then you must not do any wrong against them. God is Most High, Supreme. ? 434
COMMENTARY ON 434
"Verse 434 of the Quran orders believers to beat their wives; therefore, Islam is a male-dominant religion." Many of us have heard this criticism from Christians, atheists, agnostics, and others. Personally, every time I read conventional translations of 434, I feel that something is deeply wrong. How could God, the Most Wise order us to beat our women? What kind of solution is that? It appears to be in contrast to the verses in which God describes marriage
Among His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves, in order to have tranquility and contentment with each other. He places in your heart love and care towards your spouses. In this, there are signs for people who think. (3021)
Obviously, these mixed messages have bothered many contemporary translators of the Quran. To avoid the moral and intellectual problems, they tried to soften the word "beat" when they translate the verse 434. For instance, Yusuf Ali uses a merciful parenthesis after "beat," adding the word (lightly). This insertion does not appear in the Arabic text; it serves as a kind of apology for his translation of the surrounding material. Rashad Khalifa, rather than questioning the orthodox translation of the word, demonstrates his discomfort with his own version of orthodox translation by an implausible argument in the footnote and a contradictory subtitle before the verse "Do not beat your wife." (However, Rashad Khalifa does not duplicate the orthodox distortion of other key words in the verse).
Many orthodox translators have tried to beat around the bush when it comes to explaining this passage, and perhaps just as many have beaten a hasty retreat from those inquiring after the author's intention -- but all have found themselves, in the end, beaten by 434.
Now please reread the sentence above. You will see that the word "beat" has been used three times, conveying totally different meanings each time a verbal phrase meaning "avoid approaching directly" ("beat around the bush" a verbal phrase meaning "depart quickly" ("beat a hasty retreat" and the status of having been defeated ("beaten". Interestingly, the Arabic verb traditionally translated by male translators as "beat" or "scourge" -- idribuhunne -- has numerous different meanings in Arabic, which is reflected by the Quran.
When I finished the Turkish translation (1991), this verse was on the top of my list to study carefully. Whenever I encounter a problem regarding the understanding of a Quranic verse, I remember 20114 and pray accordingly "Most Exalted is God, the only true King. Do not rush into (understanding) the Quran before it is revealed to you, and say, 'My Lord, increase my knowledge.'"
Almost all of the translations have mistranslated the four key words or terms of this particular verse. (These are "Qawwamune," "Faddallallahu ba'dahum ala ba'd," "Nushuzehunne," and "Fadribuhunne." In a previous book, "Errors in Turkish Translations" (Istanbul, 1992) I discussed the real meaning of these words and the motivation and reasons for mistranslating them.
A Famous Multi-Meaning Word
The main problem comes from the word "Idribuhunne," which has traditionally been translated as "beat them." The root of this word is "DaRaBa". If you look at any Arabic dictionary, you will find a long list of meanings ascribed to this word. In fact, you will find that that list is one of the longest lists in your Arabic dictionary. It can be said that "DaRaBa" is the number-one multi-meaning word in Arabic. It has so many different meanings, we can find numerous different meanings ascribed to it in the Quran.
- To travel, to get out 3156; 4101; 3844; 7320; 2273
- To strike 260,73; 7160; 812; 2077; 2431; 2663; 3793; 474
- To beat 850; 4727
- To set up 4358; 5713
- To give (examples) 1424,45; 1675,76,112; 1832,45; 2435; 3028,58; 3678; 3927,29; 4317; 5921; 6610,11
- To take away, to ignore 435
- To condemn 261
- To seal, to draw over 1811
- To cover 2431
- To explain 1317
As you see, in the Quran alone we can attest to the verb "DaRaBa" having at least ten different meanings. "DaRaBa" has also other meanings that are not mentioned in the Quran. For example, in modern Arabic, you do not print money--you "DaRaBa" money. You do not multiply numbers--you "DaRaBa" numbers. You do not cease doing work--you "DaRaBa" doing work. In Turkish, we have many verbs similar to the Arabic DaRaBa. In English, we have two verbs that are almost equivalent to "DaRaBa". These are "strike" and "beat." Consider, for the sake of comparison, that Webster's Dictionary gives fourteen different meanings to the verb "to strike," and eight to the verb "to beat"! (One strikes a match, strikes a deal, strikes an opponent, strikes gold, goes "on strike" against an unfair employer; one beats another team, beats out a rhythm, beats a retreat, and so on.)
Finding the Appropriate Meaning
Whenever we encounter a multi-meaning word in the Quran ? and this is a frequent occurrence -- we must select the proper meaning (or meanings) given the context, the Arabic forms, the context, the usage of the same word elsewhere in the Quran, and a certain amount of common sense. For instance, if one were to translate "DaRaBa" in 1317 as "beat" (as one could conceivably do), the meaning would be ridiculous
. . . God thus beats truth and falsehood... (1317)
A more sensitive rendering of the context, however, yields a better translation
? God thus explains truth and falsehood... ? 1317
Another example of mistranslation of "DaRaBa" can be found in the translation of 3844. Almost all the translations inject a rather silly story to justify their rendering of the passage. Here is how Yusuf Ali translates the first portion of this verse, which is about Job
And take in the hand a little grass, and strike therewith and break not (the oath). (3844)
Yusuf Ali, in the footnote, narrates the traditional story "He (Job) must have said in his haste to the woman that he would beat her he is asked now to correct her with only a wisp of grass, to show that he was gentle and humble as well as patient and constant."
However, without assuming the existence of this strange, male-viewpoint story (which has no other reference in the Quran), we can translate the verse as
! Disputed passage
The traditional rendering is Now, take grass in your hand and strike her with it and do not break your oath.
"Now, you shall travel the land to fulfill your pledge (to deliver the message of God)." We found him steadfast. What a good servant! He was a submitter. - 3844
Another Take on 434
In keeping with the translation we have used in 3844, we translate the controversial "beating" portion of 434 as "leave her." (Literally, the phrase might also be rendered "strike them out," meaning, in essence, "separate yourselves from such wives."
Additionally, the word "Nushuz" which is generally translated as "opposition" in 434, has another meaning. If we study 434 carefully we will find a clue that leads us to translate that word as embracing a range of related ideas, from "flirting" to "engaging in an extramarital affair" ? indeed, any word or words that reflects the range of disloyalty in marriage. The clue is the phrase before "Nushuz," which reads ". . . they honor them according to God's commandments, even when alone in their privacy." This phrase emphasizes the importance of loyalty in marriage life, and helps us to make better sense of what follows.
Interestingly, the same word, "Nushuz," is used later in the same chapter, in 4128 ? but it is used to describe the misbehavior of husbands, not wives, as it was in 434. In our view, the traditional translation of "Nushuz", that is, "opposition" will not fit in both contexts. However, the understanding of "Nushuz" as marital disloyalty, in a variety of forms, is clearly appropriate for both 434 and 4128.
A Coherent Understanding
When we read 434, we should not understand "idribuhunne" as "beat those women". We should, instead, remember that this word has multiple meanings. God gives us three ways of dealing with marital disloyalty on the part of a wife. In the beginning stage of such misbehavior, the husband should begin to address the problem by giving advice. If this does not work, he should stop sleeping in the same bed and see if this produces a change in behavior. And if there is still no improvement in the situation, the husband has the right to compel a separation.
The Quran gives analogous rights to women who must deal with disloyal husbands (412; this is in accordance with the principle that women have "similar" rights to men in such situations, as stated clearly in 228. These would hardly be "similar" rights if women had to suffer physical beatings for marital disloyalty, and men did not!
Beating women who are cheating and betraying the marriage contract is not an ultimate solution, and it is not consistent with the promise of equitability and comparable rights that appears in 228. (This is an important consideration, because the Quran proclaims, and Muslims believe, that it is utterly free from inconsistencies.) But "striking out" disloyal wives ? that is, separating from them -- is consistent, and it is the best solution. It is also fair."
http//www.yuksel.org/e/books/rtq.htm
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Salaam DArgento
Almost all of the translations have mistranslated the four key words or terms of this particular verse. (These are "Qawwamune," "Faddallallahu ba'dahum ala ba'd," "Nushuzehunne," and "Fadribuhunne."
I believe that the mistranslation started much earlier in the verse. The statement "Men are the guardian of women" is not a valid one it does not apply to all places, all times and all individuals. Moreover, this would mean that any man is the guardian of any woman, irrespective of his faith or manners. The following sentence is even more ambiguous "for what God favoured some of them over some". If this means the favour is mutual (they are both favoured over each other) why is it then a reason males are favoured over females? If it means (some men are favoured over some women), the outcome (all men are the guardians over all women) will be invalid.
It is also interesting that when it comes to women (who are not the subject of this verse, according to the traditional and common understanding) we are suddenly faced with the attributes of righteousness, which were supposed to be the attributes of the guardian not their subordinates. We would expect examples of the authority, not the subjects, as the case in the qur'aan.
So, is it really "all men are guardians over all women"? What about children? Who is their guardian? Men only?
I believe that all the misinterpretations started with this first word alrijaal, and subsequently alnisaa'. If we say that "all who walk the earth for work, and have what to spend on others are guardians over those who remain behind/disadvantaged/vulnerable ", we find that we have overcome the three problems cited above
- It is applicable to every case, everywhere and all times.
- no need to mention faith or manners it suffice that they work AND pay to the others who don't to be their guardians.
- The problem of children is solved they are part of "alnisaa' "
In other words, alrijaal is a description of a kind of males or females, and alnisaa' also contains males and females. These meanings are used in the qur'aan.
The sentence that follows immediately is about the attributes of these authoritative people, alrijaal. It is interesting that the examples given for a good, God fearing kind of "rijaal", who keeps the secret of being the bread winner, and thus spend money without boasting about it is a woman, and also the example of some of "rijaal" who are arrogant and look down upon this vulnerable person is a woman. This is also a trend in the qur'aan God mentions two women as example of "believers mu'mineen (masculine plural)" , and also two women as example of "non-believers kafireen (masculine plural)".
This is my own understanding of the first part of this verse. My understanding of the second part is shared by many who post on this thread and do not accept the "beat them up" interpretation.
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I like Edip yuksel's understanding on this
"Does the Quran Permit Men to Beat Their Wives?
A famous (and controversial) passage in the Quran has brought about a great deal of misunderstanding about Islam. In Pickthal's translation, we are told that God offers the following advice to Muslim husbands about their wives
Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for their support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then, if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High Exalted, Great.
In M.H. Shakir's translation, we read
(A)nd (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them..
And here is the popular Yusuf Ali translation of the entire (much-disputed) verse
Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance) For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).
Here is our translation of the same passage, with appropriate sidebar references to disputed passages
! Disputed passage
The traditional rendering is you may beat them.
Men take care of women since God has endowed some with qualities that differ in degree, and since men spend from their financial resources. The righteous women are obedient (to God), and during the absence (of their husbands), they honor them according to God's commandment, even when alone in their privacy. As for those women who bring about in you a fear of disloyalty, you shall first advise them. Then (if they continue), you may desert them in bed. Then, (if they continue), you may leave them. If they obey you, (however,) then you must not do any wrong against them. God is Most High, Supreme. 434
COMMENTARY ON 434
"Verse 434 of the Quran orders believers to beat their wives; therefore, Islam is a male-dominant religion." Many of us have heard this criticism from Christians, atheists, agnostics, and others. Personally, every time I read conventional translations of 434, I feel that something is deeply wrong. How could God, the Most Wise order us to beat our women? What kind of solution is that? It appears to be in contrast to the verses in which God describes marriage
Among His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves, in order to have tranquility and contentment with each other. He places in your heart love and care towards your spouses. In this, there are signs for people who think. (3021)
Obviously, these mixed messages have bothered many contemporary translators of the Quran. To avoid the moral and intellectual problems, they tried to soften the word "beat" when they translate the verse 434. For instance, Yusuf Ali uses a merciful parenthesis after "beat," adding the word (lightly). This insertion does not appear in the Arabic text; it serves as a kind of apology for his translation of the surrounding material. Rashad Khalifa, rather than questioning the orthodox translation of the word, demonstrates his discomfort with his own version of orthodox translation by an implausible argument in the footnote and a contradictory subtitle before the verse "Do not beat your wife." (However, Rashad Khalifa does not duplicate the orthodox distortion of other key words in the verse).
Many orthodox translators have tried to beat around the bush when it comes to explaining this passage, and perhaps just as many have beaten a hasty retreat from those inquiring after the author's intention -- but all have found themselves, in the end, beaten by 434.
Now please reread the sentence above. You will see that the word "beat" has been used three times, conveying totally different meanings each time a verbal phrase meaning "avoid approaching directly" ("beat around the bush" a verbal phrase meaning "depart quickly" ("beat a hasty retreat" and the status of having been defeated ("beaten". Interestingly, the Arabic verb traditionally translated by male translators as "beat" or "scourge" -- idribuhunne -- has numerous different meanings in Arabic, which is reflected by the Quran.
When I finished the Turkish translation (1991), this verse was on the top of my list to study carefully. Whenever I encounter a problem regarding the understanding of a Quranic verse, I remember 20114 and pray accordingly "Most Exalted is God, the only true King. Do not rush into (understanding) the Quran before it is revealed to you, and say, 'My Lord, increase my knowledge.'"
Almost all of the translations have mistranslated the four key words or terms of this particular verse. (These are "Qawwamune," "Faddallallahu ba'dahum ala ba'd," "Nushuzehunne," and "Fadribuhunne." In a previous book, "Errors in Turkish Translations" (Istanbul, 1992) I discussed the real meaning of these words and the motivation and reasons for mistranslating them.
A Famous Multi-Meaning Word
The main problem comes from the word "Idribuhunne," which has traditionally been translated as "beat them." The root of this word is "DaRaBa". If you look at any Arabic dictionary, you will find a long list of meanings ascribed to this word. In fact, you will find that that list is one of the longest lists in your Arabic dictionary. It can be said that "DaRaBa" is the number-one multi-meaning word in Arabic. It has so many different meanings, we can find numerous different meanings ascribed to it in the Quran.
- To travel, to get out 3156; 4101; 3844; 7320; 2273
- To strike 260,73; 7160; 812; 2077; 2431; 2663; 3793; 474
- To beat 850; 4727
- To set up 4358; 5713
- To give (examples) 1424,45; 1675,76,112; 1832,45; 2435; 3028,58; 3678; 3927,29; 4317; 5921; 6610,11
- To take away, to ignore 435
- To condemn 261
- To seal, to draw over 1811
- To cover 2431
- To explain 1317
As you see, in the Quran alone we can attest to the verb "DaRaBa" having at least ten different meanings. "DaRaBa" has also other meanings that are not mentioned in the Quran. For example, in modern Arabic, you do not print money--you "DaRaBa" money. You do not multiply numbers--you "DaRaBa" numbers. You do not cease doing work--you "DaRaBa" doing work. In Turkish, we have many verbs similar to the Arabic DaRaBa. In English, we have two verbs that are almost equivalent to "DaRaBa". These are "strike" and "beat." Consider, for the sake of comparison, that Webster's Dictionary gives fourteen different meanings to the verb "to strike," and eight to the verb "to beat"! (One strikes a match, strikes a deal, strikes an opponent, strikes gold, goes "on strike" against an unfair employer; one beats another team, beats out a rhythm, beats a retreat, and so on.)
Finding the Appropriate Meaning
Whenever we encounter a multi-meaning word in the Quran and this is a frequent occurrence -- we must select the proper meaning (or meanings) given the context, the Arabic forms, the context, the usage of the same word elsewhere in the Quran, and a certain amount of common sense. For instance, if one were to translate "DaRaBa" in 1317 as "beat" (as one could conceivably do), the meaning would be ridiculous
. . . God thus beats truth and falsehood... (1317)
A more sensitive rendering of the context, however, yields a better translation
God thus explains truth and falsehood... 1317
Another example of mistranslation of "DaRaBa" can be found in the translation of 3844. Almost all the translations inject a rather silly story to justify their rendering of the passage. Here is how Yusuf Ali translates the first portion of this verse, which is about Job
And take in the hand a little grass, and strike therewith and break not (the oath). (3844)
Yusuf Ali, in the footnote, narrates the traditional story "He (Job) must have said in his haste to the woman that he would beat her he is asked now to correct her with only a wisp of grass, to show that he was gentle and humble as well as patient and constant."
However, without assuming the existence of this strange, male-viewpoint story (which has no other reference in the Quran), we can translate the verse as
! Disputed passage
The traditional rendering is Now, take grass in your hand and strike her with it and do not break your oath.
"Now, you shall travel the land to fulfill your pledge (to deliver the message of God)." We found him steadfast. What a good servant! He was a submitter. - 3844
Another Take on 434
In keeping with the translation we have used in 3844, we translate the controversial "beating" portion of 434 as "leave her." (Literally, the phrase might also be rendered "strike them out," meaning, in essence, "separate yourselves from such wives."
Additionally, the word "Nushuz" which is generally translated as "opposition" in 434, has another meaning. If we study 434 carefully we will find a clue that leads us to translate that word as embracing a range of related ideas, from "flirting" to "engaging in an extramarital affair" indeed, any word or words that reflects the range of disloyalty in marriage. The clue is the phrase before "Nushuz," which reads ". . . they honor them according to God's commandments, even when alone in their privacy." This phrase emphasizes the importance of loyalty in marriage life, and helps us to make better sense of what follows.
Interestingly, the same word, "Nushuz," is used later in the same chapter, in 4128 but it is used to describe the misbehavior of husbands, not wives, as it was in 434. In our view, the traditional translation of "Nushuz", that is, "opposition" will not fit in both contexts. However, the understanding of "Nushuz" as marital disloyalty, in a variety of forms, is clearly appropriate for both 434 and 4128.
A Coherent Understanding
When we read 434, we should not understand "idribuhunne" as "beat those women". We should, instead, remember that this word has multiple meanings. God gives us three ways of dealing with marital disloyalty on the part of a wife. In the beginning stage of such misbehavior, the husband should begin to address the problem by giving advice. If this does not work, he should stop sleeping in the same bed and see if this produces a change in behavior. And if there is still no improvement in the situation, the husband has the right to compel a separation.
The Quran gives analogous rights to women who must deal with disloyal husbands (412; this is in accordance with the principle that women have "similar" rights to men in such situations, as stated clearly in 228. These would hardly be "similar" rights if women had to suffer physical beatings for marital disloyalty, and men did not!
Beating women who are cheating and betraying the marriage contract is not an ultimate solution, and it is not consistent with the promise of equitability and comparable rights that appears in 228. (This is an important consideration, because the Quran proclaims, and Muslims believe, that it is utterly free from inconsistencies.) But "striking out" disloyal wives that is, separating from them -- is consistent, and it is the best solution. It is also fair."
http//www.yuksel.org/e/books/rtq.htm
Edip yuksel. I respect and value his opinions , the most, of all the islamist/ quranist scholars, and am a great admirer of him. I read this article written by him a long time ago.
Few times , that i had been disappointed (by him) , includes this one.
peace
siki