Commentary

The author—may Allah have mercy on him—showed some leniency in citing this ḥadīth when he wrote, “Narrated by Abū Dāwūd and others,” for the word “others” technically covers everyone who transmits ḥadīth. In usage, however, such a formula indicates that the tradition was not related by al-Bukhārī, Muslim, or anyone higher in rank than Abū Dāwūd; rather, it was transmitted by Abū Dāwūd and by compilers of lesser standing.

As for the meaning of the report: it concerns a God-fearing man who has reached the third and final stage mentioned by Allah—Majestic and Exalted—in His statement, “As for those women from whom you fear defiance, admonish them, then abandon them in bed, and [finally] strike them; but if they obey you, do not seek a way against them. Surely Allah is Most High, Most Great” (Qur’an 4:34). Striking, then, is the last resort. A husband may strike his wife for a matter so delicate that modesty prevents its mention. If the man’s fear of Allah is known and he does strike his wife, he is not to be questioned—assuming the ḥadīth were sound. In fact, however, the ḥadīth is weak.

By contrast, a husband of bad character must be asked why he struck his wife, for he lacks the fear of Allah that would restrain him from wronging her by beating her when she does not deserve it. Allah alone grants success.