“Men are caretakers of women, because Allah has given some of them advantage over others and because they spend from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in their husbands’ absence what Allah has commanded them to guard. As for those women whose defiance you fear, admonish them, leave them alone in their beds, and strike them. But if they obey you, then seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah is Most High, Most Great.” (34)

His saying, exalted is He: “Men are caretakers of women”—the verse was revealed concerning Sa‘d ibn al-Rabī‘, who was among the tribal representatives, and concerning