UAE supreme court rules Sharia allows wife and child beating if no marks left

 The supreme court of United Arab Emirates has ruled that Sharia gives men the "right to discipline" his wife and children by beating, if admonition and not sleeping with his wife does not work, as long as it leaves no physical marks. The ruling was on a case involving a man who slapped and kicked his 23-year-old daughter, and slapped his wife. Chief Justice Falah al Hajeri wrote that, the man in the case was guilty however since his daughter was left with "bruises on her right hand and right knee", while his wife's lower lip and teeth were injured, meaning physical marks were left. He also wrote that the man was not entitled to beat his daughter since she has reached the age of puberty and so was no longer a child.¹

 The verse on wife beating in the Koran can be found at 4:34² (Chapter 4, Verse 34)

 Men have authority over women because God has made the one superior to the other, and because they spend their wealth to maintain them. Good women are obedient. They guard their unseen parts because God has guarded them. As for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and send them to beds apart and beat them. Then if they obey you, take no further action against them. Surely God is high, supreme.

Translation by Dawood, 1995.

Source: 1. The National (Abu Dhabi newspaper) , 2. Answering-Islam.org

Link to the same story covered by AP