mansio said:
The Quran is supposed to have been revealed by God in clear, comprehensible Arabic, which I believe is not difficult to translate in other languages.
How come men have to discuss at length some words from God ?
Is there something in those words that they accept only reluctantly ? Isn't God's word sufficient, without having to resort to the Prophet or to Muslim scholars' opinions ?
What is written in the Quran is from God and no human being can take His place. If God thinks the word "beat" has to be in the verse then nobody is entitled to modify that word.
If God Himself penned the words, I would not argue with you on your point. But God did not pen the words, man did, and stated that they were inspired by God (which I do not doubt for a second). However, Man has the uncanny knack of interjecting His own thoughts, wishes, desires, and in this case, hidden rage, into verbage, and then call it God sent revelation.
If I recall, when man left the garden, he was told all that would befall him. Nowhere did it say that woman would be beaten by man. Oh, she would suffer pain (labors of child birth), and he would toil in the soil for his daily sustanence, and they would cling to eachother for comfort.
It specifically states that man will rule over woman, and she will desire after man.
If you equate "rule over" with "beating"...then I suspect there is a deeper issue.
God never said "take the rod to the back of the woman". He did say, "spare the rod, spoil the "Child".
"Beating" a woman, does not neccessarily have to be physical, either. It can be psychological, verbal, emotional, or a combination of all...but for what? To break her spirit, her will? Is she no more than a horse?
Even if she is no more than a horse, then I submit to you that attempting to break a woman, is to sign one's own death certificate. For a "horse" broken in will and spirit does not come to the "masters" aid, when in dire need. The horse will simply stand there, while the master suffers.
A "horse" with strong spirit and "tamed" will, on the other hand, will defend the master, willingly with it's life if needed, and with no regrets, or hesitation.
That is a horse...Woman is so much more than a horse, or a man...
She is life, and man is the servant of life, not the master of it...
Hated and held in contempt is the man who beats his wife. Adored is the man who rebukes and corrects the actions of his wife,
with firmness yet the tenderness born of love for her.
That is what Mohammed's message was to us men. I get it, and I'm not Muslim...
Guess you are right. Anyone can understand the Qu'ran, if they really want to.
v/r
Q
p.s. thanks "dialogue is best", I now understand what you were trying to tell me.