Introduction
The Quran, revered by Muslims as the literal word of God, contains passages that starkly reveal its stance on women. Two verses from Surah An-Nisa—4:34 and 4:128—stand out as glaring examples of what can only be described as sanctioned misogyny. These aren’t obscure lines buried in context; they’re explicit instructions that cement women’s inferiority and vulnerability under Islamic doctrine. Let’s dive into the text and expose what it really says about gender.
The Verses: Straight from the Source
Here are the verses, presented in their original Arabic and English translations, with links to Quran.com for verification:
Surah An-Nisa 4:34
- Arabic:
“ٱلرِّجَالُ قَوَّٰمُونَ عَلَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍۢ وَبِمَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ مِنْ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ ۚ فَٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتُ قَـٰنِتَـٰتٌ حَـٰفِظَـٰتٌۭ لِّلْغَيْبِ بِمَا حَفِظَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَٱلَّـٰتِى تَخَافُونَ نُشُوزَهُنَّ فَعِظُوهُنَّ وَٱهْجُرُوهُنَّ فِى ٱلْمَضَاجِعِ وَٱضْرِبُوهُنَّ ۖ فَإِنْ أَطَعْنَكُمْ فَلَا تَبْغُوا۟ عَلَيْهِنَّ سَبِيلًا ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيًّۭا كَبِيرًۭا”
Source - English Translation:
“Men are in charge of women by what Allāh has given one over the other and what they spend from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in absence what Allāh would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance, advise them, forsake them in bed; and strike them. But if they obey you, seek no means against them. Indeed, Allāh is ever Exalted and Grand.”
Surah An-Nisa 4:128
- Arabic:
“وَإِنِ ٱمْرَأَةٌ خَافَتْ مِنۢ بَعْلِهَا نُشُوزًا أَوْ إِعْرَاضًۭا فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِمَآ أَن يُصْلِحَا بَيْنَهُمَا صُلْحًۭا ۚ وَٱلصُّلْحُ خَيْرٌۭ ۗ وَأُحْضِرَتِ ٱلْأَنفُسُ ٱلشُّحَّ ۚ وَإِن تُحْسِنُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًۭا”
Source - English Translation:
“And if a woman fears from her husband contempt or evasion, there is no sin upon them if they make terms of settlement between them – and settlement is best. And present in souls is stinginess. But if you do good and fear Allāh – then indeed Allāh is ever, of what you do, Aware.”
4:34: Beat Your Wife, It’s God’s Will
Let’s get to the heart of 4:34: “strike them.” This isn’t a suggestion or a cultural quirk—it’s a divine command. If a husband suspects his wife of “arrogance” (whatever that means), he’s told to admonish her, abandon her in bed, and then hit her. Only if she submits—sorry, “obeys”—is he to stop. This isn’t a mutual relationship; it’s a power dynamic where men rule and women cower.
The verse kicks off by asserting male authority: men are “in charge” because Allah prefers them and because they’re the breadwinners. So, women’s subordination is both a cosmic gift to men and a transactional obligation. A “righteous” woman is one who’s “devoutly obedient”—no independence, no agency, just compliance. And if she steps out of line? The Quran green-lights violence. How anyone can defend this as moral or enlightened is beyond comprehension.
4:128: Women Beg, Men Decide
Then there’s 4:128, which seems softer but isn’t much better. If a woman fears her husband’s contempt or neglect, she’s allowed to seek a settlement. Sounds reasonable—until you realize the burden’s entirely on her. He can be as dismissive or cruel as he likes, but she’s the one who has to fix it. There’s no reprimand for the husband, no call for him to change—just a nod to the wife to patch things up.
This isn’t equality; it’s resignation. The husband holds the power to scorn or ignore, while the wife scrambles to appease him. It’s a pathetic contrast to 4:34’s aggression, but the message is the same: women are at men’s mercy.
Misogyny Woven into the Fabric
These verses aren’t exceptions—they’re the rule. Islam’s framework, as laid out in the Quran, tilts heavily toward male dominance:
- Polygamy for men, not women.
- Easy divorce for men, obstacles for women.
- Greater inheritance for men, less for women.
- And now, permission to beat wives who don’t toe the line.
This isn’t a misreading; it’s the plain text. Sure, some Muslims cherry-pick gentler verses to claim Islam honors women, but 4:34’s “strike them” isn’t erased by vague calls for kindness. It’s a foundational flaw—a religion that claims perfection but hands men a stick to keep women in check.
Apologists’ Weak Excuses
You’ll hear the defenses: “It’s just a light tap!” or “It’s historical context!” Nonsense. The Arabic “wadribuhunna” means to strike—check any dictionary. The Quran doesn’t say “tap gently”; it says hit. And if it’s just a product of its time, why call it timeless? A truly divine book wouldn’t need 21st-century spin to excuse its barbarism—it’d lead with equality, not lag behind it.
The Verdict: A Failing Grade on Women’s Rights
Surah An-Nisa 4:34 and 4:128 expose Islam’s ugly truth: women are subordinates, subject to men’s whims and fists. One verse authorizes violence; the other expects women to grovel for peace. This isn’t a minor issue—it’s a systemic rejection of fairness. In a world pushing against domestic abuse and for gender parity, the Quran clings to a primitive, male-supremacist past.
So, ask yourself: Can a religion that endorses beating wives claim moral authority? Or is it time to ditch the reverence and call out this divine misogyny for what it is—a disgrace?