Book tells Muslim men how to beat and control their wives

A local bookstore has “sold out” of a controversial marriage guide that
advises Muslim men on how to beat their wives.



The 160-page book, published by Idara Impex in New Delhi, India, is written
by Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi, who’s described in the book’s foreword as a
“prolific writer on almost every topic of Islamic learning.”

The store’s manager, who didn’t give his name, said the book had been sold
out for some time, and the store’s owner, whom the manager identified as Shamim
Ahmad, refused to comment for the story.

It wasn’t clear whether the shop has ordered more copies of the book, but
it’s available at online Islamic bookstores and even through eBay.

In the book’s opening pages, it is written that “it might be necessary to
restrain her with strength or even to threaten her.”

Later, its author advises that “the husband should treat the wife with
kindness and love, even if she tends to be stupid and slow sometimes.”

Page 45 contains the rights of the husband, which include his wife’s
inability to leave “his house without his permission,” and that his wife must
“fulfil his desires” and “not allow herself to be untidy ... but should beautify
herself for him ... ”

In terms of physical punishment, the book advises that a husband may scold
her, “beat by hand or stick,” withhold money from her or “pull (her) by the
ears,” but should “refrain from beating her excessively.”

Moderate Muslim voice Tarek Fatah says the shopkeeper should be charged for
selling such a book.

“I wouldn’t say it’s hate, but it is inciting men to hit women,” said Fatah,
who identified the book’s author as a prominent Islamic scholar. “This is new to
you, but the Muslim community knows that this is widespread, that a woman can be
beaten. Muslim leaders will deny this, but... ”

Male dominance over women has been making headlines for some time, with the
recent lengthy trial and conviction of the Shafia family.

Mohammad Shafia, 59, his second wife, Tooba Yahya, 42, and their son, Hamed,
21, were each convicted in January on four counts of first-degree murder in what
was characterized as an honour killing of four female family members as
punishment for disobedience. They were handed life sentences with no chance of
parole for 25 years.

Shafia’s three daughters and his first wife were found drowned in a car at
the bottom of the Rideau Canal in Kingston, Ont., in June 2009.

Eric Brazau says he was flipping through the marriage guide while in the
bookstore around a month ago.

Brazau bought it out of curiosity but was taken aback when he found dozens of
chapters and passages giving Muslim husbands advice on controlling, restraining,
scolding and beating their wives.

“At first, I thought that it is incredible that this kind of thing can be
found in Canada,” said Brazau. “And then I thought, radical Islam is not coming
to Canada, it is already here.”


Book tells Muslim men how to beat and control their wives | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun