Imam Dr. Mohammed Iqbal Al-Nadvi is the Chairman and President of the Canadian Council of Imams and the President of the Islamic Circle of North America Canada (ICNA Canada).
On February 16, 2015 Al-Nadvi delivered a speech entitled “Family: The Building Blocks of Society” and Family Life in Islam” in which he explained the meaning of verse 34 of Surah (chapter) Al-Nisa’ (The Women) in the Quran that reads (as traslated by Saheeh International):
Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband’s] absence what Allah would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance – [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted and Grand.
Here is an excerpt from Al-Nadvi’s speech (19:24-22:10):
In Islam as [inaudible] Qadar says many rulings (احكام) of the Islamic Law (الشريعة) in Islam, in Quran, [are] given just in concept, in brief, rights? But the family issue is covered by Quran in a very detailed way. Not only what we should do, but even what you do if face some problems. How [do] you solve it. So in that sense for example we see that the protection of family is covered by Islam in three layers,right? The first layer is – solve the problem mutually between husband and wife, right? In many times it happens that in these days and Glory be to Allah, meaning (يعني) when we are attacked, right? and Islam is criticized that Islam promotes suppose wife beating, right? and so many things. So many people when they translate the word fa-idribuhunna (فاضربوهن) they translate, change the meaning of it. [inaudible] Me, of example, I want to say one thing. First thing is that the is the ruling (حكم) of the Quran. It is existing. I can not change it. But I need to know from the messenger of Allah (رسول الله) peace and blessing be upon him (صلى الله عليه وسلم) what it means? How [do] we implement it? Do we have an example from messenger of Allah (رسول الله) peace and blessing be upon him (صلى الله عليه وسلم) that he ever used this order? Right? So it means what? It means only that Islam is saying that the husband and wife issue and relation is so sacred, is so important, it must not be exposed to others. It supposes to be solved among each other. It is the first layer. And this is the point where for example Quran says if you are taking the issue, and Hadith says, if you are doing this thing, you can beat or can leave [avoid sleeping with the wife]. But why? Just keep the issue among each other. But the second layer is what? If it is not working make mediation, right? What? Bring one person from husband, one person from wife and they will do what? And Quran says what? إن يريدا إصلاحا يوفق الله بينهما If they are trying to make reconciliation (صلح) Allah will enable them to do this thing, right? After that when the issue is not working then it will go to legal system, or it will go to court, it will go to other way. So what happen? In our situation most of the time we used last step first time, right?