Are Muslim Men Allowed to Beat Their Wives

Does Islam allow a husband to physically beat or mentally harass his wife?
What is regarded in Islam as cruelty towards a wife?
Verse An Nisa', 4:34 has been commonly used to justify wife beating. How can this verse be explained?
Can a husband beat his wife if she is nushuz?
Was Prophet Muhammad saw ever known to hit or be cruel to his wives?
Relatives and friends sometimes advise women who are being beaten by their husbands to be patient and pray for change. Do husbands usually change if women remain patient?
What should a woman do if her husband beats her or is mentally cruel to her?
Can a woman leave her husband if he is cruel to her?
This booklet, in question and answer form, was published as part of the women's groups' campaign for a Domestic Violence Act in Malaysia to include Muslims.