Islam is right about women

[Popchyk]

Interesting article in Spiked.

Mentions Posie, Harry the Owl etc.

www.spiked-online.com/2019/09/26/the-genius-of-the-islam-is-right-about-women-stunt/

A sign with the words 'Islam is right about women' was put up in a town in Massachusetts.

Reactions were interesting. People (mainly women) trying, and failing, to articulate what was wrong with it. But expressing discomfort/offence anyway.

From the article:

"The reason for their dilemma is obvious enough to anyone who has been paying attention. Western society has managed to convince itself (at least in public) that any statement criticising any aspect of Islam is, by definition, bigotry. As a result, Western societies have effectively decided to enforce Islamic restrictions on blasphemy, and called it ‘tolerance’".

The strain of conforming to this lie is evident in the fumbling attempts by the interviewees to explain their objections.

"I think the source of the objection is as follows: ‘I thought we had all agreed to pretend not to have any negative opinions about Islam. But this statement forces me either to agree with it, which I don’t, or disagree with it, which I’m not allowed to.’

The result is utter confusion on the part of the interviewees about how to signal their obedience to the unspoken lie".

"Well, that IS a bit of a strange statement, isn't it! I don't know about putting you in detention a conversation would have been more helpful but I can see why there were objections."

I found it a bit disconcerting to say the least, that the teacher who took our RS lessons, seemed to become agitated or even angry (he went red when he got angry), when questioned about other religions, particularly when he told us that other religions were false and that Christianity was the "true" religion. When I questioned him about the Roman and Greek gods, he stated that they were just literary gods, and that there was only one "true" god. Mind you, that was the early seventies and he took us for Geography as well, and referred to native North American tribes as "pagans". We also had some nuns and Franciscan monks as teachers, and a couple of the monks seemed to have anger management issues.

andy, ah, sorry, I misunderstood, thanks for the clarification. I thought it was YOUR opinion, that Catholicism was the only true religion, which didn't gell with the rest of your post.
This has also been a bugbear of mine, this claim of "the only true religion". No wonder it puts people off. Especially in our era of accepting diversity, nothing seems more ridiculous than "one true path" dogmas.
There's no reason at all why ALL religions can't be valid, and exist simultaneously, enriching each other as one separates the wheat form the chaff in each. This is what I meant by my original post about the depth of discussion possible.

Then you, and @anyoldlabour, have been keeping the wrong company

What does that mean “keeping the wrong company”? It seems to imply we’ve sought out wrong’uns!

When I was a child going to Sunday School I didn’t exactly choose the people who taught me. I accepted them because they were adults. Some of them my family. I wouldn’t classify them as “wrong company” they were normal within the church.

Perhaps you could explain what you mean by “keeping the wrong company”? Or do you mean I’ve been unlucky because such people aren’t representative of Christians?

I’ve been unlucky because such people aren’t representative of Christians?
Yes. Even if that's what you heard as a child, you could have perhaps listened to other Christians as an adult, those with a wider and deeper understanding of their religion, instead of accepting those narrow views as "Christian teaching", end of.

Yes. Even if that's what you heard as a child, you could have perhaps listened to other Christians as an adult, those with a wider and deeper understanding of their religion

I did. Which is why I left religion.

"I did. Which is why I left religion."

Pretty much the same for me, plus the fact that my mother threatened to throw me out of the house if I didn't go to church.
I was always of the view, that if something is good or worth doing, you shouldn't have to be coerced or blackmailed into doing it.
This is how difficult it was for a young Saudi Arabian women to become an atheist.

www.newstatesman.com/world/middle-east/2019/08/lonely-atheist-why-renouncing-your-religion-saudi-arabia-can-be-deadly

I think the point of the stunt isn't "Islam is sexist, but progressives can't say that because, by their own rules, that would make them Islamophobic."

It's "Progressives believe that Islam is sexist, but also believe that any criticism of Islam is indicative of bigotry."

It's supposed to highlight the hypocrisy, not make a statement about Islam/Muslims. You will definitely meet people who denounce the sexism within the Bible, but are unwilling to examine the Quran/other Islamic texts with the same enthusiasm because, of course, Muslims are vilified in the West and therefore cannot be criticized without inciting violence/hatred against them.

(That being said, I wonder if there is much overlap between people who think nobody can think badly of Islam without revealing their bigotry vs the people who think Islam is sexist. In my experience, the two are not the same.)

I wonder if it was started by the same people who brought "It's ok to be white" last year?

On a tangent from the original post, I agree with what some previous posters have said that like Christianity, there are many strands and sects of Islam and interpretations range from ultra conservative to liberal.

Unfortunately, due to their immense wealth, Saudi has been funding and pushing the Wahhabism strand which dominates a lot of the Islamic discourse.

However, given this is a feminist forum, it's also important to remember and understand the various ways Islamist teaching can negatively impact women, especially those who question, challenge and leave the religion.
No religious faith and belief system should be shielded from criticism.

Faith to Faithless are doing amazing work in this area especially for Ex-Muslims.

Feminism and leaving Islam - Aliyah Salem

There are 3 to 4 parts.

Also read up on the campaign work carried out by One Law For All that highlight and expose the Sharia system in the UK and how it conflicts with British laws and creates a space where Muslim women are vulnerable to abuse and manipulation.

Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain is another good one.

"Unfortunately, due to their immense wealth, Saudi has been funding and pushing the Wahhabism strand which dominates a lot of the Islamic discourse."

Wahhabism is where 99% of extremist Islam comes from. The murder of Scottish shopkeeper Asad Shah - an Ahmadiyyah Musdlim - by Tanveer Ahmed from Bradford - a Wahhabi Sunni Muslim, is just one of many examples of Wahhabi terrorism.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Asad_Shah

Yes andyoldlabour it's definitely responsible for the indoctrination and cultivation of terrorism. There is also a lot of PR stuff where organisations funded by Saudi try to present an acceptable face to the West and promote the idea that their views are equal to the views of the Muslim community rather than allow the diversity of opinion and beliefs and disagreements that are actually present.

Another really good video.

Mona Eltahawy: Headscarves and Hymens

I think it's bullshit. A complete RW fallacy that Lefties Won't Criticise Islam if you Mention the Bad Bits - yes, they probably found some people who were mealy mouthed about criticising it but they don't represent everyone like them. Pretty much all Orthodox religions have vile views about women and liberals are on the whole not at all afraid of saying so.

Echobelly
Sarah Champion the Labour MP for Rotherham, was removed from the shadow cabinet for her comments about the grooming gangs, she was efectively silenced.
Sajid Javid, former home secretary, who is a Muslim, was heavily criticised, when he questioned why the grooming gangs were all from one community.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Divide and conquer. Stick your fingers in your ears and go "la la la". Live in a self-made bubble, it's more comfortable that way. And for God's sake don't start any of that critical thinking lark.

It's an amazing bit of trolling, whoever did this.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=g9jDoNNEuu0

I think we can all agree that all of the Abrahamic faiths' holy books are from a time where there was a patriarchal society and so of course are not compatible with how we live today. These texts may have been right for the societies they were written for, but are clearly not right about women today. Followers of these faiths may choose to take into account the society that the texts were written for and emphasise the parts of them which are empowering for women. I would say that the majority of religious people do not follow their religious text to the letter, but instead adapt it to fit current cultural norms. When you speak to Muslims though, they're less likely to come out and say that they're doing this, since in Islam the Qur'an is still seen as the unaltered word of God, whereas most modern Christians see the Bible as having been written by man though inspired by God. So Christians can openly ignore parts of the Bible that they feel don't represent a loving God, while Muslims can only do this with the Hadith/ Sunnah but not so much the Qur'an. That's why it's hard to say a religion itself is wrong about women, since religions as they are practiced are generally moderate, not fundamentalist, but not all religious people can come out and criticise the fundamentals of their own religion, and others will not do so either since religion is a personal matter.

As an ex-Muslim I find it so funny to read comments like Rachelover60 on the first page, and as an ex- Muslim, I just think... Who brain washed you? Or, who are you trying to brain wash? Have you read Qur'an ? Hadith? Have you looked around you at Muslim countries and even what's happening in Muslim communities in your own? You have no idea Rachelover60. But repeat something some propagandist told you probably..or you are propagandist yourself.

"Mohammed was keen on the emancipation of women; " haha yehh right,.lol , after all, he said you were allowed to beat your wife if they are not obedient to their husband, just not severely . And Mohammed laughed at women being beaten. Here is words from the Qur'an from Mohammed. And Also from Hadiths. wikiislam.net/wiki/Wife_Beating_in_Islam

"Not all Muslims live up to Mohammed's principal but we can't condemn an entire group on the basis of a few. " - lol. I'm glad most Muslims don't "live up to mohammed's principle, and instead don't beat their wives at all. And don't laugh at women being beaten.

If you think Islam is not a patriarchal religion, and probably the most patriarchal, you prove you don't know what you're talking about.
Funny how the thread turns into talking about Christianity, another frustrating thing as an ex-Muslim is people refuse to criticise Islam as they think it's "racist" so deflect and prevent issues being addressed by talking about Christianity and even bring things from the Old Testament (which is Jewish and the Jewish Bible/Torah) showing misunderstanding of Christianity and the role of Jesus. And fail to realise these are all in Islam anyway, plus worse. And that's the whole point of the sign, the left will criticise and hate Christianity and Christians but will never say anything negative about Islam, or any Muslim motivated by Islam, and more than that they will defend Islam ,a religion , as if it is a person, and often conservative aspects of it, none of it is allowed to be scrutinised or you are racist apparently. Or islamophobic. I even have non-Muslim calling eex-muslims 'islamophobic '. No such thing exists for other religions. And the western left ignore the plight of Muslim women in non-western countries. The western left is so odd, we view you as aligning yourself with conservative islam, where the left that exists in Muslim countries is fighting against things, though they risk prison and even death, we see you defend those things and ignore us.

wikiislam.net/wiki/Qur%27an,_Hadith_and_Scholars:Wife_Beating
wikiislam.net/wiki/Wife_Beating_in_Islam

@ Rachelover60 silly comment from first page

"Mohammed was keen on the emancipation of women; " haha yehh right,.lol , after all, he said you were allowed to beat your wife if they are not obedient to their husband, just not severely . And Mohammed laughed at women being beaten. Here is words from the Qur'an from Mohammed. And Also from Hadiths. wikiislam.net/wiki/Wife_Beating_in_Islam

"Not all Muslims live up to Mohammed's principal but we can't condemn an entire group on the basis of a few. " - lol. I'm glad most Muslims don't "live up to mohammed's principle, and instead don't beat their wives at all. And don't laugh at women being beaten.

"Domestic violence in the Muslim world is to some extent emboldened by Islamic religious texts such as the Qur'an and the Hadiths. Such texts, which not only allow, but actually command husbands to beat their wives in certain circumstances, have been a tool to maintain control and dominance over Muslim women, reinforcing an intensely patriarchal society.

Wife-Beating in the Qur'an
"Beat them" (4:34)
Domestic violence is a societal problem in many countries, but in the Muslim world it is divinely ordained and justified by the Qur'an in verse 4:34.

So that the meaning is clear, three translations of this verse are provided below. The word 'beat' in the arabic is daraba (beat, strike, hit[1]).

Yusuf Ali translation: Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).

Pickthall translation: Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High, Exalted, Great.

Shakir translation: Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great. )
Quran 4:34
All three translations agree with each other and establish that the Qur'an not only allows, but actually commands wife-beating for persistent misconduct, or even merely the husband's fear of such. The Qur'an states two methods must be used to make the wife become obedient and if they do not work, then wife-beating is instructed. It also states men have authority over women, and women are to be obedient, thus establishing an authoritarian structure with the husband as head of the wife. The reason given for this is that Allah created men superior to women and because men are maintainers of women.

In Arabic:

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
Qur'an 4:34
The beginning:

ٱلرِّجَالُ (ar-rijaalu) - men
قَوَّٰمُونَ (qawwaamoona) - maintainers
عَلَى ('ala) - over
ٱلنِّسَآءِ (nisaa'i) - women
The "beat them" part:

فَعِظُوهُنَّ (fa'aithoohunna) - then (fa) admonish ('aithoo) them (hunna)
وَٱهْجُرُوهُنَّ (wahjuroohunna) - and (wa) forsake (hjuroo) them (hunna)
فِى (fy) - in
ٱلْمَضَاجِعِ (almadaji'ai) - beds
وَٱضْرِبُوهُنَّ (wadriboohunna) - and (wa) beat (driboo) them (hunna)
فَإِنْ (fa'in) - then (fa) if (in)
أَطَعْنَكُمْ (ata'anakum) - they obey (ata'ana) you (kum)
The root of the word وَٱضْرِبُوهُنَّ (wa-driboo-hunna) is ضرب (d-r-b). The letter ٱ (alif waslah) is not pronounced here but if it was without the و (-wa, meaning "and") prefix and at a beginning of a speech it would be read as "i", so the word would be "idriboohunna" (ٱضْرِبُوهُنَّ).

There are many other words, derived from this root, with a similar meaning, used in the Qur'an:

Verse 2:60 "...strike (ٱضْرِب, drib) the rock with your staff..."
Verse 2:73 "...strike it (ٱضْرِبُوهُ, driboo-hu) with a part of the cow..."
Verse 8:12 "...so strike (فَٱضْرِبُوا۟, fa-driboo) on their necks..."
and others.
The word "lighly" does not appear in the original Arabic version and it is only added by some translators.

Job beat his wife (38:44)
The Qur'an also states that the prophet Job (Ayyub) was commanded by Allah to beat his wife using a bunch of grass / twigs / rushes (dighthan[2]).

[We said], "And take in your hand a bunch [of grass] and strike with it and do not break your oath." Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah].
Quran 38:44
Tafsirs such as Ibn Kathir's explain the story behind this verse. The lesson from the Qur'an is that it is better to beat your wife in a relatively unpainful, yet still humilating way, than to break an earlier oath that you will beat her.

Ayyub, peace be upon him, got angry with his wife and was upset about something she had done, so he swore an oath that if Allah healed him, he would strike her with one hundred blows. When Allah healed him, how could her service, mercy, compassion and kindness be repaid with a beating So Allah showed him a way out, which was to take a bundle of thin grass, with one hundred stems, and hit her with it once. Thus he fulfilled his oath and avoided breaking his vow.
Ayyub
Tafsir Ibn Kathir"

"Wife-Beating in the Hadiths
Some Muslims deny the Qur'an permits wife-beating and claim verse 4:34 has been misinterpreted, but in the hadiths there are several examples, from various hadith narrators and collectors, of Muhammad ordaining wife-beating, thus confirming the correct understanding of surah 4:34. There are multiple hadiths in which Muhammad's companions beat or struck women (sometimes in his presence), and somewhat conflicting evidence narrated from his wife, 'A'isha, on whether Muhammad himself used physical force against women. In the section following this one, we identify hadiths in which Muhammad attempted to moderate the level of violence.

In our first hadith, Muhammad causes his wife Aisha physical pain by striking her in the chest. The word used here is lahada, which means he pushed violently or struck her chest[3]. Please note that the sunnah.com website (and websites that copy their text) use the Dar-us-Salam translation, but have taken it upon themselves to drastically alter the translation of this sentence for apologetic reasons. Below you will find the original translation.

Muhammad b. Qais said (to the people): Should I not narrate to you (a hadith of the Holy Prophet) on my authority and on the authority of my mother? We thought that he meant the mother who had given him birth. He (Muhammad b. Qais) then reported that it was 'A'isha who had narrated this: Should I not narrate to you about myself and about the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him)? We said: Yes. She said: When it was my turn for Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) to spend the night with me, he turned his side, put on his mantle and took off his shoes and placed them near his feet, and spread the corner of his shawl on his bed and then lay down till he thought that I had gone to sleep. He took hold of his mantle slowly and put on the shoes slowly, and opened the door and went out and then closed it lightly. I covered my head, put on my veil and tightened my waist wrapper, and then went out following his steps till he reached Baqi'. He stood there and he stood for a long time. He then lifted his hands three times, and then returned and I also returned. He hastened his steps and I also hastened my steps. He ran and I too ran. He came (to the house) and I also came (to the house). I, however, preceded him and I entered (the house), and as I lay down in the bed, he (the Holy Prophet) entered the (house), and said: Why is it, O 'A'isha, that you are out of breath? I said: There is nothing. He said: Tell me or the Subtle and the Aware would inform me. I said: Messenger of Allah, may my father and mother be ransom for you, and then I told him (the whole story). He said: Was it the darkness (of your shadow) that I saw in front of me? I said: Yes. He struck me on the chest which caused me pain, and then said: Did you think that Allah and His Apostle would deal unjustly with you? She said: Whatsoever the people conceal, Allah will know it. He said: Gabriel came to me when you saw me. He called me and he concealed it from you. I responded to his call, but I too concealed it from you (for he did not come to you), as you were not fully dressed. I thought that you had gone to sleep, and I did not like to awaken you, fearing that you may be frightened. He (Gabriel) said: Your Lord has commanded you to go to the inhabitants of Baqi' (to those lying in the graves) and beg pardon for them. I said: Messenger of Allah, how should I pray for them (How should I beg forgiveness for them)? He said: Say, Peace be upon the inhabitants of this city (graveyard) from among the Believers and the Muslims, and may Allah have mercy on those who have gone ahead of us, and those who come later on, and we shall, God willing, join you.
Sahih Muslim 4:2127

On the other hand, a hadith in Abu Dawud records 'A'isha saying that Muhammad never hit (daraba) a woman. There she seems, perhaps generously, to have disregarded the time when Muhammad pushed / struck her painfully in the chest as mentioned in her hadith quoted above, assuming both are authentic.

`A’isha said: the Messenger of Allah (saws ) never struck a servant or a woman.
AbuDawud 42:4768

The evidence is straightforward regarding the actions of some of Muhammad's companions. In the next hadith, Abu Bakr (the first Rightly-Guided Caliph of Islam), also strikes (his daughter) Aisha violently with his fist.

Narrated Aisha:Abu Bakr came to towards me and struck me violently with his fist and said, "You have detained the people because of your necklace." But I remained motionless as if I was dead lest I should awake Allah's Apostle although that hit was very painful.
Sahih Bukhari 8:82:828, See also: Sahih Bukhari 1:7:330, and Sahih Bukhari 6:60:132

In the following hadith, Abu Bakr informs Muhammad he slapped Khadijah’s daughter, and Muhammad responds by laughing

and tells Abu Bakr his wives are asking him for more money. Abu Bakr and Umar (the second Rightly-Guided Caliph of Islam) respond by slapping Muhammad's wives, Hafsa and (for the third time) Aisha.

Jabir b. 'Abdullah (Allah be pleased with them) reported: Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) came and sought permission to see Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him). He found people sitting at his door and none amongst them had been granted permission, but it was granted to Abu Bakr and he went in. Then came 'Umar and he sought permission and it was granted to him, and he found Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) sitting sad and silent with his wives around him. He (Hadrat 'Umar) said: I would say something which would make the Prophet (peace be upon him) laugh, so he said: Messenger of Allah, I wish you had seen (the treatment meted out to) the daughter of Khadija when you asked me some money, and I got up and slapped her on her neck. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) laughed and said: They are around me as you see, asking for extra money. Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) then got up went to 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) and slapped her on the neck, and 'Umar stood up before Hafsa and slapped her saying: You ask Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) which he does not possess. They said: By Allah, we do not ask Allah's Messenger peace be upon him) for anything he does not possess. Then he withdrew from them for a month or for twenty-nine days. Then this verse was revealed to him:" Prophet: Say to thy wives... for a mighty reward" (xxxiii. 28). He then went first to 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) and said: I want to propound something to you, 'A'isha, but wish no hasty reply before you consult your parents. She said: Messenger of Allah, what is that? He (the Holy Prophet) recited to her the verse, whereupon she said: Is it about you that I should consult my parents, Messenger of Allah? Nay, I choose Allah, His Messenger, and the Last Abode; but I ask you not to tell any of your wives what I have said He replied: Not one of them will ask me without my informing her. God did not send me to be harsh, or cause harm, but He has sent me to teach and make things easy.
Sahih Muslim 9:3506
In the hadith below, Ali (the fourth Rightly-Guided Caliph of Islam) gives a slave-girl a violent beating in front of Muhammad.

As for Ali he said “Women are plentiful, and you can easily change one for another. Ask the slave girl; she will tell you the truth.” So the Apostle called Burayra to ask her and Ali got up and gave her a violent beating, saying, ‘Tell the Apostle the truth.’”
Ibn Ishaq: p 496

At one time Muhammad gives a decree instructing men to not beat their wives, but changes his mind once Umar (the 2nd rightly guided Caliph) informs him that some of the women have become emboldened towards their husbands. Then, when some women complain about getting beaten, he makes only the mildest remark about their husbands instead of immediately protecting the women.

Iyas ibn Abdullah ibn AbuDhubab reported the Apostle of Allah (peacebeuponhim) as saying: Do not beat Allah's handmaidens, but when Umar came to the Apostle of Allah (peacebeuponhim) and said: Women have become emboldened towards their husbands, he (the Prophet) gave permission to beat them. Then many women came round the family of the Apostle of Allah (peacebeuponhim) complaining against their husbands. So the Apostle of Allah (peacebeuponhim) said: Many women have gone round Muhammad's family complaining against their husbands. They are not the best among you.
Sunan Abu Dawud 11:2141

In another hadith, Umar instructs a man to beat his wife after she tried to prevent him from having intercourse with his slave girl.

Yahya related to me from Malik that Abdullah ibn Dinar said, "A man came to Abdullah ibn Umar when I was with him at the place where judgments were given and asked him about the suckling of an older person. Abdullah ibn Umar replied, 'A man came to Umar ibn al-Khattab and said, 'I have a slave-girl and I used to have intercourse with her. My wife went to her and suckled her. When I went to the girl, my wife told me to watch out, because she had suckled her!' Umar told him to beat his wife and to go to his slave-girl because kinship by suckling was only by the suckling of the young.' "
Al-Muwatta 30:13

A hadith graded Hasan (the 2nd highest level of authenticity) quotes Muhammad saying that a man should not be asked why he beat his wife:

It was narrated that Ash'ath bin Qais said: "I was a guest (at the home) of 'Umar one night, and in the middle of the night he went and hit his wife, and I separated them. When he went to bed he said to me: 'O Ash'ath, learn from me something that I heard from the Messenger of Allah" A man should not be asked why he beats his wife, and do not go to sleep until you have prayed the Witr."' And I forgot the third thing."
Sunan Ibn Majah 3:9:1986

In the following hadith, a woman complains to Muhammad about her husband and shows him where he had beaten and bruised her. Muhammad listens to the husband’s side of the story and comes to the conclusion the reason why his wife is complaining is because he cannot sexually satisfy her and she wants to go back to her ex-husband, when all she is really saying is that he is abusing her. Instead of scolding her husband for beating her, Muhammad says she cannot re-marry her ex unless she has sexual intercourse with her husband first.

Also in this hadith, Aisha states that she has not seen any woman suffering as much as the believing women, meaning Muslim women were suffering more than their pagan and Abrahamic counterparts.

Narrated Ikrima: 'Rifaa divorced his wife whereupon Abdur-Rahman married her. Aisha said that the lady came wearing a green veil and complained to her (Aisha) and showed her a green spot on her skin caused by beating. It was the habit of ladies to support each other, so when Allah's messenger came, Aisha said, "I have not seen any woman suffering as much as the believing women. Look! Her skin is greener than her clothes! When Abdur-Rahman heard that his wife had gone to the prophet, he came with his two sons from another wife. She said, "By Allah! I have done no wrong to him, but he is impotent and is as useless to me as this," holding and showing the fringe of her garment. Abdur-Rahman said, "By Allah, O Allah's messenger! She has told a lie. I am very strong and can satisfy her, but she is disobedient and wants to go back to Rifaa." Allah's messenger said to her, "If that is your intention, then know that it is unlawful for you to remarry Rifaa unless Abdur-Rahman has had sexual intercourse with you." The prophet saw two boys with Abdur-Rahman and asked (him), "Are these your sons?" On that Abdur-Rahman said, "Yes." The prophet said, "You claim what you claim (that he is impotent)? But by Allah, these boys resemble him as a crow resembles a crow."
Sahih Bukhari 7:6:715
In the authentic version of the "Farewell Sermon", Muhammad compares women to domestic animals and once again tells men to beat their wives, but without severity.

"Now then, O people, you have a right over your wives and they have a right over you. You have [the right] that they should not cause anyone of whom you dislike to tread on your beds; and that they should not commit any open indecency. If they do, then Allah permits you to shut them in separate rooms and to beat them, but not severely. If they abstain from [evil], they have the right to their food and clothing in accordance with the custom. Treat women well, for they are [like] domestic animals with you and do not possess anything for themselves. You have taken them only as a trust from Allah, and you have made the enjoyment of their persons lawful by the word of Allah, so understand and listen to my words, O people.
Al-Tabari, Vol. 9, pp. 112-113

In other narrations of the farewell sermon we find the same comments about beating, such as in the following Sunan Abu Dawud hadith (graded Sahih by al-Albani). In the translations of these it is clear that just like in the Qur'an, Muslim men were not only permitted, but commanded to beat their wives:

Fear Allaah regarding women for you have got them under Allah’s security and have the right to intercourse with them by Allaah’s word. It is a duty from you on them not to allow anyone whom you dislike to lie on your beds but if they do beat them, but not severely. You are responsible for providing them with food and clothing in a fitting manner.
Sunan Abu Dawud 10:1900
The caveat, "but not severely", appears also in the other narrations of the farewell sermon in other hadith collections, though the English translators in some cases mistranslated the same Arabic phrase, as explained in the next section."

wikiislam.net/wiki/Wife_Beating_in_Islam

"In summation, we find in the Hadiths:A'isha did not consider Muhammad himself to have ever hit a woman, although on one occasion he painfully pushed / struck her in the chest. Muhammad at first forbade the beating of Muslim women, but was persuaded to allow it when Umar warned that the men were losing control of their wives. Muhammad allowed some of his prominent companions to hit women and slap his own wives (the very women whom all Muslims adore and refer to as "the Mother of believers".
Muhammad forbade Muslims from questioning men who beat their wives
Three of the four Rightly-Guided Caliphs beat women
Muhammad reaffirms the Qur'anic command of wife-beating in his parting sermon, albeit "without severity". He did not merely permit it, but commanded it.

It is clear from all of the above that wife-beating has been an accepted part of Islam since its inception. Even if Muhammad had some reservations about the beating of women, he repeatedly indulged men who used physical discipline on women in his presence, and was persuaded to not only permit wife beating, but actually commanded it for certain types of misconduct.

Attempts to moderate the severity of the beatings
It seems that Muhammad was concerned that the Muslim men were beating their wives too severely. Some hadiths record his efforts to control the severity of the beatings.

Narrated Abdullah bin Zama: The Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade laughing at a person who passes wind, and said, "How does anyone of you beat his wife as he beats the stallion camel and then he may embrace (sleep with) her?" And Hisham said, "As he beats his slave"

Sahih Bukhari 8:73:68
In another hadith, Muhammad advises a recently divorced woman against marrying someone who he knows to be 'very harsh with women'.

Fatima bint Qais (Allah be pleased with her) reported: My husband Abu 'Amr b. Hafs b. al-Mughira sent 'Ayyish b. Abu Rabi'a to me with a divorce, and he also sent through him five si's of dates and five si's of barley. I said: Is there no maintenance allowance for me but only this, and I cannot even spend my 'Idda period in your house? He said: No. She said: I dressed myself and came to Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him). He said: How many pronouncements of divorce have been made for you? I said: Three. He said what he ('Ayyish b. Abu Rabi'a) had stated was true. There is no maintenance allowance for you. Spend 'Idda period in the house of your cousin, Ibn Umm Maktum. He is blind and you can put off your garment in his presence. And when you have spent your Idda period, you inform me. She said: Mu'awiya and Abu'l-Jahm (Allah be pleased with them) were among those who had given me the proposal of marriage. Thereupon Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) said: Mu'awiya is destitute and in poor condition and Abu'l-Jahm is very harsh with women (or he beats women, or like that), you should take Usama b. Zaid (as your husband).
Sahih Muslim 9:3527
In the following hadith, Muhammad says not to beat your wife's face.

Narrated Mu'awiyah al-Qushayri:
Mu'awiyah asked: Messenger of Allah, what is the right of the wife of one of us over him? He replied: That you should give her food when you eat, clothe her when you clothe yourself, do not strike her on the face, do not revile her or separate yourself from her except in the house.
Abu Dawud said: The meaning of "do not revile her" is, as you say: "May Allah revile you".
AbuDawud 11:2137
Another version of the same hadith is worded more generally, saying, "do not beat them". If this version is a more accurate reflection of what Muhammad said, it could be that it occured in the temporary period in which Muhammad forbade beating (see Sunan Abu Dawud 11:2141 quoted above).

Narrated Mu'awiyah al-Qushayri: I went to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and asked him: What do you say (command) about our wives? He replied: Give them food what you have for yourself, and clothe them by which you clothe yourself, and do not beat them, and do not revile them
AbuDawud 11:2139

A lengthy hadith in Sunan Abu Dawud includes an instruction to beat your wives, but not severely, if they allow anyone whom you dislike to lie on your beds, which were rolled out on the floor in bedouin tents. 'beat them, but not severely' is in the arabic 'fa-idribuhunna darban ghayra mubarrihin"', and literally means 'beat them, a beating without violence, severity, sharpness, vehemence[4]'. It is very similar to Muhammad's farewell sermon quoted above and includes the following:

Fear Allaah regarding women for you have got them under Allah’s security and have the right to intercourse with them by Allaah’s word. It is a duty from you on them not to allow anyone whom you dislike to lie on your beds but if they do beat them, but not severely.
AbuDawud 10:1900

A shorter version of the Farewell Sermon appears also in Sunan Ibn Majah. The Arabic words here translated "and hit them, but without causing injury or leaving a mark" are actually the same as in the Abu Dawud hadith and al-Tabari's version of the farewell sermon quoted above, with a literal translation being, "beat them, a beating without severity".

Then he said: 'I enjoin good treatment of women, for they are prisoners with you, and you have no right to treat them otherwise, unless they commit clear indecency. If they do that, then forsake them in their beds and hit them, but without causing injury or leaving a mark.
Sunan Ibn Majah 3:9:1851

Similarly, the translations of the farewell sermon in Jami at-Tirmidhi 5:44:3087, which says "and beat them with a beating that is not painful" and Jami at-Tirmidhi 2:10:1163, which says "and beat them with a beating that is not harmful" are in fact the same arabic words as mentioned above in the other versions.

Al-Tabari's tafsir for verse 4:34[5] seems to be the earliest record of the idea that wife beating should be done with a miswak / siwaak (a small stick-like item used as a toothbrush). These do not appear in the main sahih hadith collections, but are of interest nonetheless.
I said to Ibn ‘Abbaas, what is a non-severe beating? He said, Hitting with a siwaak and the like.
Al-Tabari's tafsir for verse 4:34
The phrase 'non-severe beating' is 'darban ghayra mubarrihin'. See the word definitions explained above regarding its appearance in the Abu Dawud hadith and Muhammad's farewell sermon.

Tabari also has Qatada clarifying that it means ghayr sha'in (without being disgraceful, outrageous, obscene, indecent).
Note that there is a widespread apologetic fiction that 'darban ghayra mubarrih' means "a light tap that leaves no mark". The origin of this claim is obscure, but there is no justification for such a translation.

Putting the hadiths together, it seems that Muhammad condemned those who beat their wives as severely as their slaves. At one time it seems that he forbade beating, before changing his mind. It seems that by the time of his farewell sermon he emphasised that beatings should not be severe.

If Tabari's hadiths are to be believed, Muhammad at some point stated further that the beating should only be with a miswak or the like. It is, however, rather far fetched that verse 4:34 can be interpreted in this way. The idea that a husband should attempt to regain obedience from his wife by tapping her with a toothbrush after failure to achieve the desired result by admonishing her and banishing her from his bed is surely too nonsensical to have been the intended meaning of the verse when Muhammad first uttered it.

Furthermore, even if Muhammad and verse 4:34 had instructed husbands to use an entirely painless beating on their wives (clearly that is not the case, as well as being an oxymoron), it would still be a humiliation and contribute to the general attitude in Islamic sources that wives must obey their husbands, who can discipline them, and controlling attitudes generally towards women in Islam. " wikiislam.net/wiki/Wife_Beating_in_Islam

"Early and Modern Muslim Scholars on Wife-Beating

Classical Muslim scholars have written a lot of commentary and jurisprudence in relation to wife-beating in the Qur'an. Here we will quote a few of them, as well as some more recent scholars:

(beat them) means, if advice and ignoring her in the bed do not produce the desired results, you are allowed to discipline the wife, without severe beating. Muslim recorded that Jabir said that during the Farewell Hajj, the Prophet said; (Fear Allah regarding women, for they are your assistants. You have the right on them that they do not allow any person whom you dislike to step on your mat. However, if they do that, you are allowed to discipline them lightly. They have a right on you that you provide them with their provision and clothes, in a reasonable manner.) Ibn `Abbas and several others said that the Ayah refers to a beating that is not violent. Al-Hasan Al-Basri said that it means, a beating that is not severe.
[1] - Tafsir of Ibn Kathir for Qur'an 4:34

"When a husband notices signs of rebelliousness in his wife (nushuz), whether in words, as when she answers him coldly when she used to do so politely, or he asks her to come to bed and she refuses, contrary to her usual habit; or whether in acts, as when he finds her averse to him when she was previously kind and cheerful), he warns her in words (without keeping from her or hitting her, for it may be that she has an excuse. The warning could be to tell her, "fear Allah concerning the rights you owe to me," or it could be to explain that rebelliousness nullifies his obligation to support her and give her a turn amongst other wives, or it could be to inform her, "Your obeying me is religiously obligatory"). If she commits rebelliousness, he keeps from sleeping (and having sex) with her without words, and may hit her, but not in a way that injures her, meaning he may not (bruise her), break bones, wound her, or cause blood to flow. (It is unlawful to strike another’s face.) He may hit her whether she is rebellious only once or whether more than once, though a weaker opinion holds that he may hot hit her unless there is repeated rebelliousness."
If the wife does not fulfill one of the above-mentioned obligations, she is termed "rebellious" (nashiz), and the husband takes the following steps to correct matters:

(a) admonition and advice, by explaining the unlawfulness of rebellion, its harmful effect on married life, and by listening to her viewpoint on the matter;

(b) if admonition is ineffectual, he keeps from her by not sleeping in bed with her, by which both learn the degree to which they need each other;

(c) if keeping from her is ineffectual, it is permissible for him to hit her if he believes that hitting her will bring her back to the right path, though if he does not think so, it is not permissible. His hitting her may not be in a way that injures her, and is his last recourse to save the family.

(d) if the disagreement does not end after all this, each partner chooses an arbitrator to solve the dispute by settlement, or divorce.

• Al-Nawawi

Reliance of the Traveller

How should the beatings go? Maybe a light slap on her shoulder, or maybe a not-so-light pinch, or a kind of gentle shove. He should make her feel that he wants to reform her, and let her know that he is displeased with her. It is like saying: None of the measures that work with sensitive people work with you. A word would be enough for any wife with lofty morals, but with you, words do not help.
Then he attempts a new direction, appealing to her femininity and emotions, by making her feel that he doesn't want her or love her. When this doesn't work, he says to her: With you, I have reached a stage which is only appropriate for inhumane people - the stage of beating.

Beating is one of the punishments of religious law. What kind of people are beaten? Virgin adulterers, both men and women, are beaten as a means of discipline. Who else is beaten? A person who committed an offense and was sentenced by the judge to beatings. Who else is beaten? Someone who committed a crime. By beating his wife, the husband is saying: You've committed a grave sin that merits beatings."

• Egyptian Cleric Galal Al-Khatib Explains Wife-Beating in Islam

MEMRI: Special Dispatch, No. 2229, February 5, 2009

With regard to wife beating... In a nutshell, it appeared as part of a program to reform the wife. [According to the Koran], first 'admonish them,' [then] 'sleep in separate beds, and beat them.'...This method appeared as part of the treatment of a rebellious wife. I am faced with two options – either the family will be destroyed by divorce, or I can use means that may bring my wife, the mother of my children, back to her senses. The first means is admonishment...The second means of treatment is 'sleeping in separate beds.' Why? Because this targets the honor... A lot could be said about this. The strength of a woman lies in her ability to seduce the man. The man is strong and can do whatever he wants, but the woman has a weapon of her own. This weapon can be targeted. Many women will come back to their senses, when they realize that this is what's involved...By Allah, even if only one woman out of a million can be reformed by light beatings... It's not really beating, it's more like punching... It's like shoving or poking her. That's what it is.

• Dr. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, President of Al-Azhar University and former Mufti of Egypt

MEMRI: Special Dispatch No.2868, March 19, 2010

Discipline. The husband has the right to discipline his wife if she disobeys him in something good, not if she disobeys him in something sinful, because Allaah has enjoined disciplining women by forsaking them in bed and by hitting them, when they do not obey. The Hanafis mentioned four situations in which a husband is permitted to discipline his wife by hitting her. These are: not adorning herself when he wants her to; not responding when he calls her to bed and she is taahirah (pure, i.e., not menstruating); not praying; and going out of the house without his permission.
What are the rights of the husband and what are the rights of the wife?

• Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid, Islam Q&A, Fatwa No. 10680"

wikiislam.net/wiki/Wife_Beating_in_Islam

Why should we care? Does this in Qur'an , hadith and from scholars have affect in Muslim women's lives?

"Statistics on Domestic Violence in the Muslim World
Main Article: Muslim Statistics (Domestic Violence)
Given the fact wife-beating is divinely ordained in Islam, one must wonder how this effects the Muslim world. Here are some statistics on domestic violence in the Muslim world:

Afghanistan
Nearly 90 percent of Afghan women suffer from domestic abuse, according to the United Nations Development Fund for Women. Despite that, there are less than a dozen shelters like this one in Afghanistan, usually run by non-governmental organizations. Abusers are rarely prosecuted or convicted, and most women are afraid to say anything. "Their mothers are beaten by their fathers. They're beaten by their fathers, by their brothers. It's a way of life," said Manizha Naderi, director of WAW.[6]

Iran
Statistics in Iran show that 66% of Iranian women, at the beginning of the marriage have been at least physically abused once. Some forms of physical abuse that occur include: biting, bondage, imprisonment in their own home, scratching, hair pulling, and even starving.[7]
Iraq
A recent report by the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) registered 139 cases of violence against women in the northern region of Kurdistan in the second half of 2008 alone. It said 163 women were killed as a result of domestic violence in Kurdistan in 2009. Experts suggest the number is less than 5 percent of the real estimates.[8]

Jordan
91% of university students polled by the Jordanian Human Right Center approve of wife beating. An earlier study by another organization found out that a majority of WOMEN also supports the right of a husband to beat the wife[9]
According to the [National Family Council] report:
83% of Jordanian women approve of wife beating if the woman cheats on her husband
60% approve of wife beating in cases where the wife burns a meal she's cooking
52% approve of wife beating in case where she's refused to follow the husband’s orders[10]

Pakistan
A study published in June 2006 in the Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, based on interviews with 300 women admitted to hospital for childbirth, said 80 percent reported being subjected to some kind of abuse within marriage. At times, the violence inflicted on women takes on truly horrendous forms. The Islamabad-based Progressive Women's Association (PWA), headed by Shahnaz Bukhari, believes up to 4,000 women are burnt each year, almost always by husbands or in-laws, often as “punishment” for minor “offences” or for failure to bring in a sufficient dowry. The PWA said it had collected details of nearly 8,000 such victims from March 1994 to March 2007, from three hospitals in the Rawalpindi-Islamabad area alone.[11]
The number of incidents of violence against women increased by 13 per cent in 2009, says a report by the Aurat Foundation set to be released on Wednesday. The report states that 8,548 incidents of violence against women were reported in 2009 compared to 7,571 incidents reported in 2008. Of these, 5,722 were reported to have occurred in Punjab, followed by 1,762 in Sindh, 655 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and 237 in Balochistan. Similarly, 172 cases of violence against women were reported in Islamabad, the report said.[12]

Palestinian Authority area
Launched in January 1999, the [Women's Empowerment] project first established a research team, trained by Dr Abdo, which in turn began training community leaders on gender-based research methods. They have used these skills to interview a representative sample of 120 women from refugee camps, villages, and cities in the Gaza Strip to determine the incidence of gender-based violence. The preliminary results are alarming: half of the women interviewed to date have been victims of violence. "Violence against women in Gaza basically means domestic violence," says research consultant Aitemad Muhanna. "Women are beaten by their husbands, beaten by their fathers, and even beaten by their brothers." Women are beaten for not fulfilling traditional roles — such as cooking, cleaning, or tending to their appearance — to a husband's satisfaction. Other abuses include harsh insults, sexual abuse among family, and marital rape.[13]

Qatar
One in three wives in Qatar suffer physical or psychological violence from the side of their husband[14]

Turkey
London-based Refugee Workers Association Woman’s Group (GIK-DER) revealed disturbing news last week [in November, 2006] that up to 80% Turkish and Kurdish women are victims of domestic violence and sexual harassment. At the same time 70% of Turkish and Kurdish husbands cheat on their wives.[15]
According to a government study titled “Research on Domestic Violence against Women in Turkey,” 41.9 percent of Turkish women are subjected to physical and sexual violence. Women at a “low-income level” are assaulted at a rate of 49.9 percent, while the number for higher-income women is still high, at 28.7 percent.
. . .
Altogether, 33.7 percent of women said they considered suicide as a solution to their problems.[16]
According to a report by UN Women released in early July of last year [2011], Turkey tops Europe and the US in the number of incidences of violence against women. Official statistics reveal that four out of 10 women in Turkey are beaten by their husbands.[17]
South Mediterranean RegionThe
Violence against women in the home is the main emergency needed to be tackled by the Mediterranean's southern shores. The phenomenon affects between 40% and 75% of married women, who suffer mainly at the hands of their husbands. This is the glaring figure contained in a study carried out by the Euromed Gender Equality Programme (EGEP), which has been presented at a conference held in Brussels. The 'Programme to enhance quality between men and women in the Euromed Region', which is financed by the European Union as part of neighbourhood policy, focussed on nine partner countries between 2008 and 2011: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, Syria and Tunisia.[18]"

@ Rachal over60
Qur'an . Allah's word, according to Muhammad.

"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).

Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High, Exalted, Great.

Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great."

• Quran 4:34

Prophet Muhammad, who Rachelover60 has very high opinion of his "principles" , and wishes all Muslims lived up to. ...

Muhammad struck his child-bride on the chest which caused her pain

... He (Muhammad b. Qais) then reported that it was 'A'isha who had narrated this: Should I not narrate to you about myself and about the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him)? We said: Yes. She said: When it was my turn for Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) to spend the night with me, he turned his side, put on his mantle and took off his shoes and placed them near his feet, and spread the corner of his shawl on his bed and then lay down till he thought that I had gone to sleep. He took hold of his mantle slowly and put on the shoes slowly, and opened the door and went out and then closed it lightly. I covered my head, put on my veil and tightened my waist wrapper, and then went out following his steps till he reached Baqi'. He stood there and he stood for a long time. He then lifted his hands three times, and then returned and I also returned. He hastened his steps and I also hastened my steps. He ran and I too ran. He came (to the house) and I also came (to the house). I, however, preceded him and I entered (the house), and as I lay down in the bed, he (the Holy Prophet) entered the (house), and said: Why is it, O 'A'isha, that you are out of breath? I said: There is nothing. He said: Tell me or the Subtle and the Aware would inform me. I said: Messenger of Allah, may my father and mother be ransom for you, and then I told him (the whole story). He said: Was it the darkness (of your shadow) that I saw in front of me? I said: Yes. He struck me on the chest which caused me pain, and then said: Did you think that Allah and His Apostle would deal unjustly with you?..."
Sahih Muslim 4:2127

Muhammad permitted Muslims to beat their wives

Sulayman Ibn Amr Ibn al-Ahwas narrated: "Ubai told me that he witnessed the address of departure of the prophet. He thanked God and praised him, and started preaching, saying, "I command you good-will for your wives, for they are captives to you that do not own anything, unless they commit a manifest obscenity [or adultery]. If they do [commit it], then God has given you permission to leave them alone in their beds and give them a bearable beating."[1]

Narrated Abdullah ibn AbuDhubab: Iyas ibn Abdullah ibn AbuDhubab reported the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) as saying: Do not beat Allah's handmaidens, but when Umar came to the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) and said: Women have become emboldened towards their husbands, he (the Prophet) gave permission to beat them. Then many women came round the family of the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) complaining against their husbands. So the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Many women have gone round Muhammad's family complaining against their husbands. They are not the best among you.
Sunan Abu Dawud 11:2141

Allah permits you to shut them in separate rooms and to beat them, but not severely. If they abstain, they have the right to food and clothing. Treat women well for they are like domestic animals and they possess nothing themselves. Allah has made the enjoyment of their bodies lawful in his Qur’an.
Al-Tabari, Vol. 9, p. 113

But prohibited men from having sex with their wives after flogging them

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Zam'a: The Prophet said, "None of you should flog his wife as he flogs a slave and then have sexual intercourse with her in the last part of the day."
Sahih Bukhari 7:62:132

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Zam'a: The Prophet forbade laughing at a person who passes wind, and said, "How does anyone of you beat his wife as he beats the stallion camel and then he may embrace (sleep with) her?" And Hisham said, "As he beats his slave"
Sahih Bukhari 8:73:68, See Also Sahih Bukhari 8:73:68

Muhammad provided tacit approval of severe beatings, ignored the abuse of women
Note that Muhammad is not concerned with the suffering of the believing women. Instead, he rebukes her for her words against her husband, thereby providing tacit approval of wife beating.

Narrated 'Ikrima: Rifa'a divorced his wife whereupon 'AbdurRahman bin Az-Zubair Al-Qurazi married her. 'Aisha said that the lady (came), wearing a green veil (and complained to her (Aisha) of her husband and showed her a green spot on her skin caused by beating). It was the habit of ladies to support each other, so when Allah's Apostle came, 'Aisha said, "I have not seen any woman suffering as much as the believing women. Look! Her skin is greener than her clothes!" When 'AbdurRahman heard that his wife had gone to the Prophet, he came with his two sons from another wife. She said, "By Allah! I have done no wrong to him but he is impotent and is as useless to me as this," holding and showing the fringe of her garment, 'Abdur-Rahman said, "By Allah, O Allah's Apostle! She has told a lie! I am very strong and can satisfy her but she is disobedient and wants to go back to Rifa'a." Allah's Apostle said, to her, "If that is your intention, then know that it is unlawful for you to remarry Rifa'a unless Abdur-Rahman has had sexual intercourse with you." Then the Prophet saw two boys with 'Abdur-Rahman and asked (him), "Are these your sons?" On that 'AbdurRahman said, "Yes." The Prophet said, "You claim what you claim (i.e.. that he is impotent)? But by Allah, these boys resemble him as a crow resembles a crow,"
Sahih Bukhari 7:72:715

Muhammad said women who complain of spousal abuse are not the best

Iyas b. Abdullah reported God's messenger as saying, "Do not beat God's handmaidens;" but when `Umar came to God's messenger and said, "The women have become emboldened towards their husbands," he gave licence to beat them. Then many women went round God's messenger's family complaining of their husbands, and he said, "Many women have gone around complaining of their husbands. Those are not the best among you." Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, and Darimi transmitted it.
Mishkat Al-Masabih: Volume 2, page 692

Narrated Abdullah ibn AbuDhubab: Iyas ibn Abdullah ibn AbuDhubab reported the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) as saying: Do not beat Allah's handmaidens, but when Umar came to the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) and said: Women have become emboldened towards their husbands, he (the Prophet) gave permission to beat them. Then many women came round the family of the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) complaining against their husbands. So the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Many women have gone round Muhammad's family complaining against their husbands. They are not the best among you.
Sunan Abu Dawud 11:2141

It was narrated that Iyas bin 'Abdullah bin Abu Dhubab said: "The Prophet said: 'Do not beat the female slaves of Allah.' Then 'Umar came to the Prophet and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, the woman have become bold towards their husbands? So order the beating of them,' and they were beaten. Then many women went around to the family of Muhammad,. The next day he said: 'Last night seventy women came to the family of Muhammad, each woman complaining about her husband. You will not find that those are the best of you.' " (Sahih)
Sunan Ibn Majah 3:9:1985

Muhammad said men should not be questioned concerning the abuse of their wives

Narrated Umar ibn al-Khattab: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: A man will not be asked as to why he beat his wife.
Sunan Abu Dawud 11:2142
It was narrated that Ash'ath bin Qais said: "I was a guest (at the home) of 'Umar one night, and in the middle of the night he went and hit his wife, and I separated them. When he went to bed he said to me: 'O Ash'ath, learn from me something that I heard from the Messenger of Allah" A man should not be asked why he beats his wife, and do not go to sleep until you have prayed the Witr."' And I forgot the third thing." (Hasan)
Sunan Ibn Majah 3:9:1986"

wikiislam.net/wiki/Qur%27an,_Hadith_and_Scholars:Wife_Beating