A Deputy Minister for Women and Family in the Southeast Asian nation of Malaysia took to Instagram in order to benefit her followers with a solution for the “stubborn” wife. Basically, if all else fails then a “gentle beating” might solve the problem. Why? Not enough injured women in Malaysian Emergency Rooms? No secret shelters for battered women in Malaysia? What if the angry husband had a baseball bat? What if the battered wife defended herself with a revolver? No appreciation for how words impact vulnerable people?
Undoubtedly, the Minister is basing her seemingly casual advice on a verse from Islam’s Holy Book, the Quran. Verse 34 from the Women Chapter was translated to the English language in this way:
…And if you sense ill-conduct from your women, advise them [first], [if they persist,] do not share their beds, [but if they still persist,] then discipline them [gently]. But if they change their ways, do not be unjust to them…
— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran
…But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them [lightly]. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them…
— Saheeh International
Women had very few rights fourteen hundred years ago. The isolated Arabian desert was no exception. Some in society even questioned their right to exist. To women, the poor and the slaves, Islam was a liberating force. They were the first believers. To them, Islam was a welcome change and a relief.
Another verse from the same source eloquently expresses the elevated status of the believer in Islam. What is remarkable about it is that when it comes to the essence of religion and its reason for being, great care was taken to convey the equal status of males and females. They were both addressed as good, rational human beings. The verse:
Surely [for] Muslim men and women, believing men and women, devout men and women, truthful men and women, patient men and women, humble men and women, charitable men and women, fasting men and women, men and women who guard their chastity, and men and women who remember Allah often—for [all of] them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.
— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran
Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.
— Saheeh International
The great reward mentioned here is, of course, Guidance in this life and Eternal Paradise in the next.
In describing his mission, Islam’s Prophet Mohammad said the following: “Indeed, I was sent to complete the best of manners.” He was essentially telling his people at that time that they had both good and bad qualities and that his role was to correct, emphasize and perfect the good.
Anyone in a position of authority must be careful with his or her words. Particularly when representing a religion and a large group of people. A better approach for the Muslim Minister, therefore, is to follow the Prophet’s lead and to find a way to encourage and complement the best codes of conduct in society. Good people in this world work hard to spread good ideals. The Minister’s role should be to join them as much as her religion permits and to enrich the conversation with wisdom from her own faith.
This is not the first time we see Muslims reading their scripture and drawing wrong conclusions. The earliest reaction to Islam in the city of Mecca was violent. Those who embraced Islam were harassed and abused. For thirteen years, they were advised to protect themselves by adopting non-resistance. They mostly practiced their faith in secret, kept a low profile and, when possible, fled the city to more hospitable locales. Then came a verse (Pilgrimage Chapter, verse 39) that permitted them to defend themselves.
Permission [to fight back] is [hereby] granted to those being fought, for they have been wronged. And Allah is truly Most Capable of helping them [prevail].
— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran
Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought, because they were wronged. And indeed, Allah is competent to give them victory.
— Saheeh International
This is the famous Jihad verse. It is in compliance with the universally acceptable right to self-defense. This was the case thousands of years ago, and it is the case today. Yet, even this clear verse was somehow misused to justify the mean, savage and inhumane acts of September 11 by a very small group of disaffected young people.
Tremendous damage befell Muslims as a result of the actions that took place on that day. Innocent Muslims throughout the world were labeled by many as terrorists. The terrorism label was later used as an excuse to usurp their basic human rights and liberties. All what the most savage of regimes in this world had to do is to label their Muslim population as terrorists and then be free to commit war crimes against them. I am sure that the Minister is aware of the plight of many Muslim communities in her part of the world.
The other misconception about Islam that some Muslims choose to reinforce, is Islam’s mistreatment of women.
Today, the world aspires to achieve equality in civil liberties, civil rights and access to opportunity, education, health and social mobility. This is good. It is dignified. It elevates the human being. This is exactly the kind of good that the Prophet spoke to his people about. A Muslim influencer like the Minister should have searched for ways to contribute to these efforts.
Finally, what sets people apart in their Maker’s eyes is their actions. In this verse, He conditionally describes the best of people:
You are the best community ever raised for humanity—you encourage good, forbid evil, and believe in Allah.
— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran
You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah.
— Saheeh International
