Egyptian Al-Azhar Professor Sabri Abd Al-Rauf Explains Wife-Beating in Islam

The following are excerpts from an interview with Egyptian professor Sabri 'Abd Al-Rauf of Al-Azhar University:

Interviewer:Regarding the last stage, the stage of (wife) beating, (the Koran) says, "And beat them." It refers to beatings that are not hard, like you said. How do we respond to those who claim that beatings humiliate the woman and damage her honor?

Sabri 'Abd Al-Rauf: I said that "beating" doesn't mean beatings with a rod or beatings that draw blood, or break bones. The beatings are intended to instill fear…

Is it conceivable that a person treats his wife like he treats an animal and then has sex with her at night, sleeps beside her, draws close to her, and expects her to treat him well. This man isn't fit to be a husband. A husband who behaves this way – he not only misuses his right, but even abuses it.

If he understood Islamic law, he'd behave justly and honestly towards his wife, and would take Allah into account. He would treat his wife like the Prophet Muhammad treated his wives, and like the Prophet's companions. They used to use toothpicks to instill discipline. But what would they do with this toothpick? It hasn't been proved that the Prophet or any of his companions or supporters grabbed a rod and beat his wife. The aim is only to instill fear, while taking her mental condition into consideration and declaring that he isn't satisfied with this wife and that she is hurting her husband.