Jumáh Journal - Beheading of Aasia

Beheading is a barbaric heinous act of killing and it was popular in the past (but not during Khulafa-e-Rashidoon time) Hijjaj Bin Yusuf made it popular amongst the Muslims. It is not "Islamic" as is evidenced from other parts of the world (for example British History).
It is ironic that the man (Muzammil Hassan) who pioneered the Bridges TV claiming that it will:
" portray positive image of Islam in America" but he is now responsible for:
"portraying negative image of Islam"
There are many aspects of this unfortunate act but it has definitely stirred up the often repeated question of marital discord and wife-abuse, wife-beating etc. I cannot discuss everything but just one aspect with the following reference.
Qurán Majeed has allowed beating of wife as a last resort (Sura 4th, aya 34) if she is rebellious (Nushooz, which is also applicable to husbands) but most specifically "if she does not guard what God has ordained to be guarded" (the intimacy, privacy or those relations that are ONLY MEANT FOR THE HUSBAND. (My understanding from various commentator's explanations)
First stage is "admonish" the wife (verbally advise her against such actions).
Second stage is " do not sleep with her" physical expression of disapproval and disliking.
Third stage beat her (lightly- see the advice of the prophet who NEVER DID THAT himself but said beating should not leave a mark on the body Etc., for brevity I am not giving more sayings )
Fourth stage, if she is obedient again (refrains from Nushooz and does not persist in those actions), DO NOT FIND EXCUSES FOR continuing misconduct with her.

This is NOT to say that whenever she disobeys you start beating her up:
"Get me a glass of water honey"
" Sorry, get it yourself, I am busy"
" OK , patakh (a slap) get it now, you so 'n so"
This is a serious matter. You cant take such liberties with God's word.
S. Baqara (II), aya 228, "........And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them according to what is equitable; but men have a degree (of advantage ) over them...."
This is regarding the right of the husband for knowing about the unborn child being his responsibility and his right in this matter is more than that of the (pregnant) wife's.
In all other situations wife has the same rights on husband as husband has on wife.
The other exception is what is stated above in 34th verse of 4th sura.
Note that Allah has not given the wife any reason or right to beat up the husband which does not mean that he is free to enjoy the pornography and going out with other women etc. Wife does have rights to challange him for "Nushooz" and has options other than "beating". I am refraining from details here.
The question in the current worldview of marital relations poses more complications such as when wife is the provider rather than the husband, or wife is making more money than the husbad, what would be the situation of rights? I cant discuss those complications here but certainly these aspects do need to be addressed by the Islamic scholars who are not as clear on this subject and refrain from touching it when expaining the meanings of "Qawwam" (from the 4th Sura verse 34) or of " because they support them from their means". (recall that most Urdu writers translate this word as merd auraton per HAKIM hain, which is incorrect )
Allah has given here the responsibilities of men and women. My limited understanding is from a tradition of the prophet (S) when a woman (sahabia) who owned a garden and wanted to give zakat-ul-mal she asked the prophet (S) if she can give it to her husband who was poorer and had no job. The prophet allowed her and told her that she has two rewards one that of paying zakat and second for being good to your husband. (Husband cannot give Zakat to wife because providing her is HIS responsibility. Providing the husband is NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY of the wife)
May Allah forgive our short comings and keep us on the right path and keep our marital lives free from discord and place harmony and love between us always. Ameen