Does Surah 4:34 Say to Beat Insubordinate Women?

On December 29, 2024, Dr. John Andrew Morrow was interviewed by Aron Ra, the secular activist, on the subject of domestic violence in the Qur’an. What follows is drawn from Dr. Morrow’s book, The Most Controversial Qur’anic Verse, which was published in the year 2000 and which can be purchased here. The Qur’an calls people to “Speak the truth” (33:70). This is precisely what Dr. Morrow does. According to the Arabic language, the Qur’an does indeed command husbands to beat/strike/hit their disobedient wives (idribuhunna) and this is how the overwhelming majority of exegetes and jurists have interpreted the verse over the past thousand and a half years. However, this is just one of over sixty meanings of the verb daraba. For a full study of all potential readings of the verse, including all the prophetic traditions and rulings in favor and against domestic violence, readers are referred to Dr. Morrow’s comprehensive study on the subject. “Women are like flowers,” said Imam ‘Ali, “they should be treated kindly, gently, and with affection.” Surely, this is the example that Muslims should follow. Consensus or not, we are compelled to reject any interpretations of the Qur’an that violate its ethical imperatives.