This entry belongs to the Shahrur Lexicon. The most important occurrence of the term here is Qur’an 4:34, where Shahrur reads it outside the meaning of physical violence and links it to the withdrawal or suspension of qiwāma when the relationship breaks down.
Meaning according to Shahrur
Striking in this context is not harm inflicted upon the woman, but rather a measure concerning qiwāma itself. Qiwāma is a function and a responsibility; when the relationship breaks down or nushūz occurs, the response takes place at the level of the function, reconciliation, and arbitration, not at the level of the body and punishment.
Distinctions
- It differs from physical violence, because Shahrur connects it to the withdrawal or suspension of qiwāma.
- It cannot be separated from nushūz, discord, and arbitration, because for him the verse forms part of a process of resolution.
- It is not read apart from qiwāma, because the meaning of striking follows from an understanding of the function of qiwāma itself.