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Argument 9 of 20 · Sunan Ibn Mājah

Wife-Beating Instructions; 'But Not on the Face'

Ibn Majah 2007 / 1985 — Records the operational framework for wife-beating that classical fiqh built around Q 4:34. The hadith specifies that the beating should not be 'severe' (ghayr mubarriḥ), should not break bones, should not leave marks, and should avoid the face. These are the procedural limits on the divinely sanctioned practice.

Ibn Majah 2007 / 1985 records the operational framework for wife-beating. The Quranic anchor (Q 4:34, treated under entry q03) authorises the beating; the hadith elaborates the procedural limits.

The substantive issues are addressed in entry q03. The Ibn Majah contribution: the operational rules — not on the face, not severe, no bone-breaking, no marks. These limits are framed as protections but presuppose the underlying permission.

Key points:

1. The procedural limits as protection. The classical jurisprudence's 'not on the face' and 'not severe' rules are framed as protections for women. They prevent the most extreme physical harm and limit the visibility of marks.

2. The protections presuppose the practice. The limits exist because hitting is permitted. A morally serious framework would prohibit hitting altogether, not regulate its severity.

3. The 'no marks' standard. Classical fiqh's 'no marks' principle is striking: the beating should not leave visible marks. This is, in effect, requiring the violence to be invisible to outside observers — protecting the husband from social or legal consequence rather than protecting the wife.

4. Modern application. The framework continues to operate in conservative Muslim communities. Family-court rulings in some jurisdictions have applied versions of the framework. Modern domestic-violence prevention efforts in Muslim contexts often have to engage with the textual basis.

5. The fundamental issue. The framework's existence — divine permission with procedural limits — establishes that hitting your wife is religiously sanctioned. No procedural elaboration changes the substantive permission.

The analysis from entry q03 applies fully here.

  1. P1. Ibn Majah 2007 / 1985 preserves the operational framework for wife-beating.
  2. P2. The framework specifies procedural limits: not on the face, not severe, no marks, no bone-breaking.
  3. P3. The limits presuppose the underlying permission to hit.
  4. P4. The 'no marks' standard effectively requires the violence to be invisible.
  5. P5. The framework has been operative in classical and conservative Islamic family ethics.
  6. P6. Modern domestic-violence prevention in Muslim contexts must engage with the textual basis.
  7. P7. A morally serious framework prohibits domestic violence; it does not regulate the severity of permitted hitting. (See entry q03.)

Ibn Majah 2007 / 1985 reinforces the wife-beating framework with operational details. The procedural limits do not change the substantive permission. (See entry q03 for fuller treatment.)

Common Muslim response · 1

The limits are protective.

Counter-response

Limits on hitting still permit hitting. (See q03.)

Common Muslim response · 2

Symbolic strike with miswak.

Counter-response

Not in Quran; permits coercion regardless. (See q03.)

Common Muslim response · 3

Last resort framework.

Counter-response

Concedes hitting is permitted. (See q03.)

Common Muslim response · 4

Muhammad personally avoided it.

Counter-response

Verse remains operative. (See q03.)

Common Muslim response · 5

Modern Muslims condemn domestic violence.

Counter-response

Despite texts, not because of them. (See q03.)