This part of the research is a continuation and complement of the previous section; in the earlier part, the doubts raised by Westerners regarding the punishment of women in Islamic law were discussed, and in this part, we aim to provide answers to these doubts and other related issues.
Punishing Women in Islam
Sheikh Muhammad Ghazali writes: “In the religious sources, I did not find any evidence that considers punishment permissible except in two cases:
First, when a woman is ‘naughty’ with a man; ‘naughty’ in this context means arrogance, self-importance, and a sense of superiority, where a woman considers herself greater than a man and refuses to obey him. This creates a poor relationship between the couple regarding their essential marital duties, leaving the man feeling upset with her.
The second issue is allowing a stranger whom her husband dislikes to enter the house, which can raise doubts that weaken the marital relationship.
However, all commentators believe that the punishment and discipline of women should be carried out gently, for instance, with a toothbrush. They should not be hit hard, nor should one hit their faces. A hadith states: “And do not hit their faces, and do not speak to them in an obscene manner.”
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) married eleven women and never punished any of them. Those who punish their wives during the day and have no shame in sleeping with them at night are criticized. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Doesn’t any of you beat his wife like a stallion or a slave and then embrace her afterwards? Have you no shame in beating women like slaves and then embracing them later?”
Now, those who raise these doubts should be asked: What is their relationship with Islam, which they continuously criticize? They claim that the Quran makes punishment of women clear, but what exact punishment has Islam deemed permissible? Punishing women is considered a last resort.
Moreover, any punishment imposed should be mild, intended for correction and guidance, rather than to inflict harm.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said regarding women: “Fear Allah regarding women, because you have taken them as a trust from Allah and made their private parts lawful for you with the word of Allah. And among your rights over them is that they should not bring into your house anyone whom you dislike, and if they do, then discipline them, but do not do so severely.”
Sheikh al-Islam Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani, may Allah protect him, asserts: “The purpose of beating and punishment should not be to annoy, but rather to discipline and reform. For this reason, beating that causes physical harm (such as leaving a mark) is not permissible.”
The next issue to address is: What is the ruling of Islamic law regarding mothers who reach old age, and what are the guidelines in this regard?
As a Muslim woman ages, her respect and rights increase, and her children and relatives compete to treat her kindly, just as they did in her youth. She has fulfilled her responsibilities, and the rights she holds over her children, grandchildren, family, and society endure. That is why Western sociologists often express a desire to witness the Muslim family system mirrored in the Western world; as Jacques Rielser, a prominent European sociologist, comments: “The real place of a woman is at home, and her main responsibility is to raise children.”
Housekeeping is undoubtedly a tradition upheld by Hazrat Fatima al-Zahra (may Allah be pleased with her), who performed all the household duties herself.
When Islamic law advises women to remain at home, it is for their protection, ensuring they are not exposed to the gaze of reckless men and do not unwittingly foster causes for strife and corruption within society. Although Islam permits women who observe these religious limits to go out, it aims to block pathways that can lead to provocative and lustful circumstances and prevent adultery.
Respect for Islam and respect for you?
A study of the verses and hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) reveals that Islam has granted women a special status and dignity unparalleled by any other religion or movement. Why do the advocates of women’s freedom disregard this respect for women?
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Only noble people honor women, and no one insults them except for the mean.”
In this context, Westerners often overlook the undeniable truth of strong women in their own countries while simultaneously attacking our religion’s compassionate treatment of women. They call upon Muslim women to abandon modesty in the name of freedom and independence, forgetting that no other religion in the world has elevated the status and dignity of women as Islam has. Allah Almighty says: “And for them are rights and duties (that husbands must fulfill), as they are (rights and duties) (that wives must fulfill) in a manner that is appropriate.”
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), lamenting those who ill-treat their wives, stated: “No one insults women except for the mean.”
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