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Surah An-Nisa, verse 34: meaning and tafsir
ٱلرِّجَالُ قَوَّٰمُونَ عَلَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ وَبِمَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ مِنْ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ ۚ فَٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتُ قَٰنِتَٰتٌ حَٰفِظَٰتٌ لِّلْغَيْبِ بِمَا حَفِظَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَٱلَّٰتِى تَخَافُونَ نُشُوزَهُنَّ فَعِظُوهُنَّ وَٱهْجُرُوهُنَّ فِى ٱلْمَضَاجِعِ وَٱضْرِبُوهُنَّ ۖ فَإِنْ أَطَعْنَكُمْ فَلَا تَبْغُوا۟ عَلَيْهِنَّ سَبِيلًا ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيًّا كَبِيرًا ٣٤
Men are in charge of women, as Allah has made some of them excel the others, and because they spend of their wealth. Therefore the righteous women are obedient, and protect what Allah has entrusted them with[23] in [their husband’s] absence. As for those women on whose part you fear rebellion[24], [first] admonish them, [next] forsake them in bed, and [last] hit them[25]. Then if they obey you, do not take further action against them. Indeed, Allah is Most High, All-Great.
Translation of the meanings: Rowwad Translation Center — version 1.0.19 · QuranEnc.com
[23] i.e., their husbands’ property and their own chastity.
[24] i.e., major rebellion or refusal of basic religious obligations.
[25] It may only be resorted to when the first two measures fail and when it is expected to mend the situation; otherwise, it is not allowed. ‘Ā’ishā’s (رضي الله عنها) says: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) never hit anything with his hand, nor a woman, nor a servant, except when he was fighting in the path of Allah” [Al-Bukhārī: 3149; Muslim: 1057] It must not be severe or damaging, and face must be avoided, as “the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prevented hitting the face” [Sahih Muslim: 2116]
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Al-Mukhtasar: Abridged Explanation of the Quran
Tafsir Center for Quranic Studies · QuranEnc.com
34. Men are responsible for women, protecting and taking care of them, because of the bounty He has given men over them, and because of their duty to maintain and take care of them. Righteous women are devoted to their Lord, and devoted to their husbands, protecting things for them in their absence through Allah’s help. The women who you fear would not show devotion to their husbands in what they say or do, first remind them of how they should act according to the sacred laws; if they do not change their ways, then leave them alone in bed, turning your back to them and not having sexual relations; and if they still do not change their ways, then strike them without any ferocity. If they become loyal again, then do not do anything against them, not wronging them nor blaming them. Allah is High in His essence, Great in His attributes, so be mindful of Him.
Quran text: Tanzil Project (Tanzil Quran Text, Uthmani v1.1, CC BY 3.0). The translation and tafsir are quoted word for word, unchanged, from the Noble Quran Encyclopedia, QuranEnc.com, each credited to its source. Details on our sources page. These texts are quoted exactly as published; no answer is written by AI. Quran Chat does not issue fatwas.