The authorities are speculating as to whether Islamic beliefs might have nudged Muzzammil Hassan to decapitate his wife. In other words, did this Muslim “moderate” commit an “honor killing.”

Dah!

I discussed the case on Friday the 13. CNN reported it for the first time only today.
It’s becoming harder for certain cable channels to decide to try and bury a story. CNN’s internet “reporter” must have noticed the story explode all over the blogosphere.

Robert Spencer goes straight to the source:

“Qur’an 4:34 tells men to beat their disobedient wives after first warning them and then sending them to sleep in separate beds. It is worth noting how several translators render the key part of this verse, waidriboohunna.

Pickthall: “and scourge them”
Yusuf Ali: “(And last) beat them (lightly)”
Al-Hilali/Khan: “(and last) beat them (lightly, if it is useful)”
Shakir: “and beat them”
Sher Ali: “and chastise them”
Khalifa: “then you may (as a last alternative) beat them”
Arberry: “and beat them”
Rodwell: “and scourge them”
Sale: “and chastise them”
Daryabadi: “and beat them”
Asad: “then beat them”

Pickthall, Yusuf Ali, Al-Hilali/Khan, Shakir, Sher Ali, Khalifa, Daryabadi and Asad are Muslims. Are their translations all incorrect? These are mainstream Muslim translations of the Qur’an, and we are supposed to believe that the idea that the Qur’an tells men to beat disobedient women is a ‘minority view’?

This is the kind of obfuscation that will only perpetuate this abuse. It can only be ended by confronting it, and speaking honestly about its causes.

Don’t miss … Phyllis Chesler’s illuminating elucidation of the difference between domestic violence and honor killing.”