Translation of the meanings Ayah 34 Surah An-Nisā’ - English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center - The Noble Qur'an Encyclopedia

Ayah: 34

ٱلرِّجَالُ قَوَّٰمُونَ عَلَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بَعۡضَهُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٖ وَبِمَآ أَنفَقُواْ مِنۡ أَمۡوَٰلِهِمۡۚ فَٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتُ قَٰنِتَٰتٌ حَٰفِظَٰتٞ لِّلۡغَيۡبِ بِمَا حَفِظَ ٱللَّهُۚ وَٱلَّٰتِي تَخَافُونَ نُشُوزَهُنَّ فَعِظُوهُنَّ وَٱهۡجُرُوهُنَّ فِي ٱلۡمَضَاجِعِ وَٱضۡرِبُوهُنَّۖ فَإِنۡ أَطَعۡنَكُمۡ فَلَا تَبۡغُواْ عَلَيۡهِنَّ سَبِيلًاۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيّٗا كَبِيرٗا

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.

[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 (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]