Verse 4:34 of the Qur'an has historically been interpreted to give husbands authority over their wives. Even today, such as in a recent case in the United Arab Emirates, Islamic courts have held that the husband has some leeway in "disciplining" wives who act in a rebellious manner to their husbands. This article challenges this interpretation through a comprehensive legal analysis, taking into account (1) the context under which the verse came about, including the societal norms and conditions of the time; (2) the Prophet Muhammads profound views against violence towards women; (3) the values of marriage emphasized in the Quran; (4) the Qurans incremental approach to improving social behavior and practice; and (5) the higher objectives of Islamic law.
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