Do not beat Allah's handmaidens, but when Umar came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: Women have become emboldened towards their husbands, he (the Prophet) gave permission to beat them. Then many women came round the family of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) complaining against their husbands. So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Many women have gone round Muhammad's family complaining against their husbands. They are not the best among you.
Hadith Text & Context
The narration from Sunan Abi Dawud 2146 presents a complex historical sequence regarding marital relations. Initially, the Prophet prohibited striking women entirely, calling them "Allah's handmaidens." This reflects the foundational Islamic principle of honoring women's dignity.
The context reveals that Umar ibn al-Khattab reported increased female insubordination, leading to a temporary permission for disciplined correction. However, the subsequent mass complaints from women prompted the Prophet's immediate retraction and strong condemnation of such husbands.
Classical Scholarly Interpretation
Traditional scholars like Ibn Hajar and al-Nawawi explain this hadith demonstrates the evolutionary nature of Islamic legislation. The initial prohibition represents the ideal, while the temporary permission addressed specific social circumstances.
The final condemnation establishes that while minimal disciplinary measures exist in principle, their practical application is severely restricted. The phrase "They are not the best among you" constitutes a powerful moral censure against husbands who resort to physical correction.
Legal Rulings & Conditions
Classical jurists from all madhahib (schools of law) imposed strict conditions for any permissible correction: it must be symbolic rather than injurious, follow multiple warnings, address serious moral transgressions only, and avoid the face or sensitive areas.
Most scholars, including al-Shafi'i and Malik, considered this permission highly discouraged (makruh) and noted that the Prophet's own practice was never to strike any woman or servant. The overwhelming scholarly consensus favors patience, counseling, and separation over physical measures.
Contemporary Application
Modern Islamic scholarship, referencing this very hadith, increasingly argues that the historical context makes physical correction inapplicable today. The sequence demonstrates the Prophet's clear preference for non-violent resolution and his condemnation of abusive husbands.
This narration from Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah) ultimately teaches that Islamic marriage is founded upon mutual respect and kindness, with any disciplinary measures being exceptional, heavily restricted, and morally discouraged.