I used to think that maybe the keys to a successful marriage were something like ‘commitment’, or ‘communication’, or ‘chocolate’. But Coburg mosque cleric Samir Abu Hamza apparently reckons that for married women it’s three strikes and you’re out. That is, after first having been advised (“for a long long time”), and then having been denied sex, if a married man believes that his wife is not showing due deference, he may then “beat” her in order to make her see things more clearly. As in “shape up woman”. Fortunately, a married man may not bruise or cause his wife to bleed by beating her, and the use of broomsticks is completely out of the question. Which is something, I guess. Oh yeah, and — like the laws in Victoria until 1985 — Samir maintains that there is no such thing as rape in marriage.
Anyways, the cleric’s remarks — apparently made six years ago — have naturally caused a furore, just as those of Sheik Taj Aldin Alhilali on men, women, cats and meat did three years ago. However!
The President of the Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) Ramzi Elsayed said he had spoken with Mr Hamza about the lecture, titled The Keys to a Successful Marriage. “He told me he was speaking in a metaphorical sense,” Mr Elsayed said. “In regards to hitting your wife, his position is that it has always been metaphorical – it’s not a whack, it’s not a slap, it’s a wake-up call.” ~ Cleric’s lecture ‘taken out of context’, AAP, The Australian, January 22, 2009
On the other hand:
…the senior honorary legal adviser to the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, Haset Seli, hit out at Mr Hamza, calling him a lunatic. “His lecture was absolutely ludicrous, unIslamic and highlighted the ignorance of the man,” Mr Seli said. He said anyone who thinks he can force his wife to have sex with him is a lunatic and certainly not a Muslim.
Bonus!
17 The sadness of the heart is every plague: and the wickedness of a woman is all evil.
18 And a man will choose any plague, but the plague of the heart:
19 And any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman:
20 And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate him:
21 And any revenge, but the revenge of enemies.
22 There is no head worse than the head of a serpent:
23 And there is no anger above the anger of a woman. It will be more agreeable to abide with a lion and a dragon, than to dwell with a wicked woman.
24 The wickedness of a woman changeth her face: and she darkeneth her countenance as a bear: and showeth it like sackcloth. In the midst of her neighbours,
25 Her husband groaned, and hearing he sighed a little.
26 All malice is short to the malice of a woman, let the lot of sinners fall upon her.
27 As the climbing of a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of tongue to a quiet man.
28 Look not upon a woman’s beauty, and desire not a woman for beauty.
29 A woman’s anger, and impudence, and confusion is great.
30 A woman, if she have superiority, is contrary to her husband.
31 A wicked woman abateth the courage, and maketh a heavy countenance, and a wounded heart.
32 Feeble hands, and disjointed knees, a woman that doth not make her husband happy.
33 From the woman came the beginning of sin, and by her we all die.
34 Give no issue to thy water, no, not a little: nor to a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.
35 If she walk not at thy hand, she will confound thee in the sight of thy enemies.
36 Cut her off from thy flesh, lest she always abuse thee.
