Explanation of Quranic Verse 4:34 by Dr. Abla Hasan

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Mubashir
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Explanation of Quranic Verse 4:34 by Dr. Abla Hasan

Post by Mubashir »

Explanation of Quranic Verse 4:34 by Dr. Abla Hasan (English)

Dr Abla says the verse is not even about husbands and wives but it about women and men in general. Reminds me of G A Parwez's exposition of 4:35

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X87O48N0q8A&t=2731s

G A Perwez's understanding of 4:34

As stated earlier, women own what they earn but due to biological reasons, they are incapacitated for considerable periods of time, to earn a living. Due to this fact it is obvious and natural that the responsibility for maintaining the family is vested in men[*1]. When women are given such protection then they must fulfill their functions as women faithfully and safeguard their potentialities.
If notwithstanding all this, those in authority apprehend defiance on the part of women with regards to the performance of their natural functions, they should, in order to correct such a behaviour, first admonish the women, then, if required, separate them temporarily from their husbands, or intern them, and finally, if necessary, punish them otherwise. Allah’s Laws must prevail. If they submit to them then seek no occasion against them[*2].

*1- Qawwaamoona is generally translated as 'men are preotectors, guardians, managers over women and superior to them.
Generically, some people don't give neough credence to women in the world. Culturally women are doubtlessly thought of as an inferior creation, whereas the Quran considers both sexes equal. However, from a Quranic perspective, the female has a position perhaps far greater than her counterpart. Not only does she give birth, nurturing the very miracle of life, but also fashions the very future of a nation. The child she brings into the world is surely one of the greatest responsibilities, if not the greatest; its nourishment, education, development are all in the hands of the mother.

*2- Pickthal, Yousuf Ali, Maududi and Asad Leopold translated the word Wa-izriboohunna 'Beat them' but the interpretation presented by G. A. Parvez - that women found guilty of the offence may be punished physically - is the best one in the light of the Quran's overall stance and temperament. It must be borne in mind, however, that the verse in question concerns men and women in society and not husbands and wives, as conventional Islam has been taking it up to now. Therefore, administration of the punitive measures mentioned in the verse is the responsibility of the Islamic society and state and NOT the privilege of a Muslim husband. Moreover, why should Muslims feel embarrassed over 4:34? After all, the Quran does dictate physical punishment for women fornicators in 24:2, doesn't it? So, if the Islamic State has the power and allowance to implement 24:2, why can't it do the same with 4:34? One should try to see the Quran in its own light and must not shy away from whatever outcome one may have to face as a result of independent but rational, logical and scientific investigation and study.
jawaidahmed
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Re: Explanation of Quranic Verse 4:34 by Dr. Abla Hasan

Post by jawaidahmed »

Dr Shabir Ally has the same understanding and goes through the classical as well as modern interpretations.
Questioning the 'classics', there's a thought.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVdesdDwRyw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9Zt7HYKEQc&t=274s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UxbjMqlHks

GA Parwez takes the general societal meaning which makes sense but the word for beat in Arabic can also mean split, separate, so it may also be taken for spouses who are having problems to move apart so that emotions can be calmed. That is why verse 3:45 states that family arbitrators should be appointed to reconcile or otherwise the couple.

4:34 As stated earlier, women own what they earn but due to biological reasons, they are incapacitated for considerable periods of time, to earn a living. Due to this fact it is obvious and natural that the responsibility for maintaining the family is vested in men. When women are given such protection then they must fulfill their functions as women faithfully and safeguard their potentialities.
If notwithstanding all this, those in authority apprehend defiance on the part of women with regards to the performance of their natural functions, they should, in order to correct such a behaviour, first admonish the women, then, if required, separate them temporarily from their husbands, or intern them, and finally, if necessary, punish them otherwise. Allah’s Laws must prevail. If they submit to them then seek no occasion against them.
4:35 The above directive concerns men and women in general. As regards husbands and wives, if you apprehend a breach between the couple, then the concerned authority should constitute a board of arbitration consisting of two members, one from the husband’s family and the other from the wife’s. If they want to reach a settlement then appropriate reconciliation should be effected between the couple. Surely, Allah is the knowing and apprised of everything. (If a settlement cannot be reached then divorce is to be resorted to for which directives have been given separately.)


Parwez Sahebs Dictionary of the Quran confirms that it can mean seperate:

Zd-R-B ض ر ب
“ضَرْبٌ” (zarb) has a lot of meanings. Famous among these is to hit or strike.

Ibn Faris says it also means to mold.

“اَلضَّرْبُ” (az-zarbu) and “اَلضِّرْبُ” (az-zirbu) means to be alike or similar, because one thing is molded into the other’s form.

36:13 relate an example to them (make this thing more explicit to them through an example) وَاضْرِبْ لَهُمْ مَثَلاً
13:17 Allah explains falsehood and truth through an example یَضْرِبُ اللّٰهُ الْحَقَّ وَالْبَاطِلَ

It may also mean to clash with each other.

“ضَرَبَ الطَّیْرُ” (zarabit tair): the birds flew away in search of food.
“ضَرَبَ فِی الْاَرْضِ” (zarabna fil ard) is said when someone goes on a journey in search of a livelihood.
“اَضْرَبَ الرَّجُلُ فِی الْبَیْتِ” (azrabar rajulu fil beit) means that a man stayed at home.
“ضَرَبَ عَنِ الشَّیْءِ” (zaraba unish shaiyi): he abstained from that thing, avoided it. This is also the meaning of “اَضْرَبَ عَنْہُ” (azraba unhu).
“ضَرَبَ عَنْہُ الذِّکْرَوَاَضْرَبَ عَنْہ” (zaraba unhuz zikra wa azrib unhu): turned him from the mention and removed him, stopped him.
Modern dictionary says “اِضْرَابٌ” (izraab) means “to strike”.
“ضَرَبْنَا عَلٰی اٰذَانِہِمْ” (zarabna ala aazaanihim): we prevented them from hearing the voice.
“ضَرَبَ اِلَیْہِ” (zaraba ilaih): he was attracted towards him.
“اِضْطَرَبَ” (iztarab) means for a part of something to strike a part of another. It also means to acquire and to earn.
“اِضْطَرَبَ اَمْرُ ہٗ” (iztarabas amruhu): his matter was spoiled {T, M, L}.
“مُضْطَرِبٌ” (muztarib): mobile, moving {T, M, L}.

The Quran says:
8:12 to strike فَاضْرِبُوْا فَوْقَ الْاَعْنَاقِ
2:61 to hit with ignominy and insult ضُرِبَتْ عَلَیْهِمُ الذِّلَّةُ وَالْمَسْکَنَةُ
4:101 to travel اِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِی الْاَرْضِ
16:74 do not equate anyone with God
(Do not create mental concepts about Him whether He is like so and so etc.) وَلَا تَضْرِبُوْا لِلّٰهِ الْاَمْثَالِ
43:5 Will we stop the code of life from you (being applied to you)? اَفَنَضْرِبُ عَنْکُمُ الذِّکْرَ
Will we not implement the laws of the Quran in your case? And permit you to do whatever you wish and follow whatever path you deem fit? This will not happen!

“ضَرَبَ مَثَلاً” (zaraba masalan) means to explain a thing through an example. At some places only “ضَرَبَ” (zaraba) has this meaning.
13:17 Allah explains haq (truth) and baatil(evil) in this manner, (or makes one understand) کَذَالِکَ یَضْرِبُ اللّٰهُ الْحَقَّ وَالْبَاطِلَ

It also means the struggle between haqq (truth) and baatil (evil).

The Quran says:
43:58 these people do not want to make a point but only desire to pick a quarrel مَاضَرَبُوْهُ لَکَ اِلَّا جَدَلاً
4:34 with different examples explain to them وَاضْرِبُوْ هُنَّ

As such, “وَاضْرِبُوْا لَہُنَّ مَثَلاً” (wazribu hunna maslan) is that corporal punishment which is awarded by a court, for women to abstain from their natural duties (like giving birth to children) and acting like a man (as it is happening in Europe). This is a social crime which must be punished through the courts and be stopped.

In surah Taha and other places, Moosa has been told:
20:77 take them through the dry road in the sea فَاضْرِبْ لَهُمْ طَرِیْقاً فِی الْبَحْرِ یَبَساً
26:63
44:24 take your group across the sea
(or by using the staff walk along) اِضْرِبْ بِعَصَاکَ الْبَحْرَ

At another place it is said:
7:165 Take your group towards the mountain, they will find springs of water there to drink from.
(Strike your staff on the rock, this will split the stones or the ground and water will spring forth.) اِضْرِبْ بِعَصَاکَ الْحَجَرَ
Zd-R-R ض ر ر
ualis123
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Re: Explanation of Quranic Verse 4:34 by Dr. Abla Hasan

Post by ualis123 »

Here is a brief explanation of the verse 4:34

https://youtu.be/Bk3w9iK6pUw
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