Is wife beating really allowed in Islam?
Wife beating anytime and for any reason is never allowed in Islam. There is however a condition in Noble Verse 4:34 where Allah Almighty seems to allow the husband to beat his wife, and that is after he gives her two warnings to stop showing ill-conduct and disloyalty toward him. There is however a disagreement with some Muslim scholars on the interpretation of the word "beat" in the Noble Verse, because it could literally mean "hit" or "leave".
Anyway, to avoid the slightest compromise to Islam, and to be in the best fairness I can be in, I have written two articles regarding this matter and explained them in the best details I know how. You judge for yourself:
Yes, Allah Almighty commanded the Muslim men to beat the wives. Beside from the "wife beating" issue, this article talks about how Allah Almighty and Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him ordered the Muslim men to treat their wives at all time with kindness and love, and they must always be understanding and sweet with the wives and to never intimidate them or upset them, and much more. I provided precise quotes from both the Noble Quran and the Sayings of Prophet Muhammad that further elaborate on these issues, and on how Muslim men should live with their wives in general.
No, Allah Almighty commanded the Muslim men to desert the wives. Quite honestly, I favor this article and I proved Islamically that "wife beating" is prohibited.
Women in Islam V.S. Christianity. See a complete listing of topics and issues for women in Islam and Christianity.